Happiness Is the Lord Ecclesiasts 1:12-2:11

Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:11 “I, the Preacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. [13] And I set my mind to seek and explore by wisdom concerning all that has been done under heaven. It is a grievous task which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with. [14] I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after wind. …”

Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:11 “… [15] What is crooked cannot be straightened and what is lacking cannot be counted. [16] I said to myself, "Behold, I have magnified and increased wisdom more than all who were over Jerusalem before me; and my mind has observed a wealth of wisdom and knowledge." [17] And I set my mind to know wisdom and to know madness and folly; I realized that this also is striving after wind. …”

Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:11 “… [18] Because in much wisdom there is much grief, and increasing knowledge results in increasing pain. [2:1] I said to myself, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure. So enjoy yourself." And behold, it too was futility. [2] I said of laughter, "It is madness," and of pleasure, "What does it accomplish?" …”

Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:11 “… [3] I explored with my mind how to stimulate my body with wine while my mind was guiding me wisely, and how to take hold of folly, until I could see what good there is for the sons of men to do under heaven the few years of their lives. [4] I enlarged my works: I built houses for myself, I planted vineyards for myself; …”

Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:11 “… [5] I made gardens and parks for myself and I planted in them all kinds of fruit trees; [6] I made ponds of water for myself from which to irrigate a forest of growing trees. [7] I bought male and female slaves and I had homeborn slaves. Also I possessed flocks and herds larger than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. …”

Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:11 “… [8] Also, I collected for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I provided for myself male and female singers and the pleasures of men—many concubines. [9] Then I became great and increased more than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also stood by me. …”

Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:11 “… [10] All that my eyes desired I did not refuse them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart was pleased because of all my labor and this was my reward for all my labor. [11] Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun.”

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 “The conclusion, when all has been heard, {is:} fear God and keep His commandments, because this {applies to} every person. 14 For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.”

Happiness is to know the Savior Knowing Jesus … Knowing His life … Knowing His sacrifice … Will make our lives truly joyful 2 Timothy 1:12

2 Timothy 1:12 “For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.”

“... Living a life within His favor,” Solomon spoke of having “fear” of the Lord. Being outside of His doctrine is a fearful thing. Living within His favor brings joy to our lives.

“... Living a life within His favor,” How can we live within His favor? We can begin by studying His word Psalm 119:104a “From Your precepts I get understanding;”

“... Living a life within His favor,” How can we live within His favor? We can begin by studying His word Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.”

“... Living a life within His favor,” How can we live within His favor? We can begin by studying His word Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

“... Living a life within His favor,” How can we live within His favor? We can begin by studying His word Romans 10:17 “So faith {comes} from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”

Romans 10:13-15a “for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED." 14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? 15 How will they preach unless they are sent?”

1 John 3:22-24a “and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight. 23 This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us. 24 The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him.”

Jeremiah 15:16 “Your words were found and I ate them, And Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; For I have been called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts.”

“Having a Change in my behavior” Many in the church today do not have a proper understanding of Repentance. Many think repentance is coming forward and confessing sin in their lives, that’s it.

“Having a Change in my behavior” True Repentance means turning away from the sinful life Matthew 10:37 “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.”

“Having a Change in my behavior” True Repentance means turning away from the sinful life Matthew 19:29 “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name's sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life.”

“Happiness is a new creation” Solomon spoke of our lives on earth as a useless meaningless experience when we cater to the desires of our flesh. But what happens at the point of Belief, Repentance, Confession and Baptism?

“Happiness is a new creation” We become a new creature Romans 6:4-5

Romans 6:4-5 “Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united with {Him} in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be {in the likeness} of His resurrection,”

Colossians 3:9-10 “Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its {evil} practices, 10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him”

“Happiness is a new creation” We become a new creature We now walk in “newness of life” (Romans 6:4) and have a great hope laid before us in heaven (Colossians 1:5).

“Jesus and me in close relation.” True joy is having a close relationship with Jesus. We must speak with Him through prayer 1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”

“Jesus and me in close relation.” True joy is having a close relationship with Jesus. We must speak with Him through prayer Allow Him to speak to us through His word Hebrews 1:1,2

Hebrews 1:1,2 “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.”

John 14:26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”

“Having a part in His salvation” We must take part in His salvation. What is His salvation? It is found in belief in Him Repentance of our sins Confession of our belief in Jesus as the Son of God Baptism into His body

“Real joy is mine, no matter if tear-drops start, I’ve found the secret – it’s Jesus in my heart” The secret to real joy is having Jesus in our heart, having Jesus be first and foremost in our lives.

“Happiness is to be forgiven” What a sad state many in the world are in when they deny themselves the cleansing power of the blood of Christ by not obeying the gospel. There is no better feeling in this world than to arise from the waters of baptism and realize that all of the sins you have committed have been washed away.

“Living a life that’s worth the livin’” By living a life that looks to Jesus for salvation, knowing that … “there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness” 2 Timothy 4:6-8

2 Timothy 4:6-8 “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. [7] I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; [8] in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

“Taking a trip that leads to heaven” What is your final destination? “Every day I’m camping ... toward the land of Canaan ...” We must live every day as if we are making our final journey toward heaven.

Are you happy?? Are you putting the Lord’s will first and foremost in everything you do? “Vanity ... all is vanity and grasping of the wind” Do you want to be TRULY happy? Obey the Lord Do not delay