KNOW HAPPINESS Part 1 PHILIPPIANS 4:4-7

God has always wanted His people to be happy. Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! I Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice always. God gives us His law so we can experience true happiness. True happiness can only be found in righteousness. Who has better reasons to be happy than a Christian? Happy—Having, showing, or causing a feeling of great pleasure, contentment, joy. GladCheerfulJoyfulJoyous HOW CAN WE BE TRULY HAPPY? Knowing certain things can bring us great happiness.

Know God All must have a personal relationship with Christ and God. To “know God” is to acknowledge His existence. John 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Study Obeying His commands. How does this come?

But it is also much more. Know about Him. Know His commands for us. Know what He does and can do for us. Proverbs 16:20 He who heeds the word wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he. Psalms 144:15 Happy are the people who are in such a state; Happy are the people whose God is the Lord! Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but happy is he who keeps the law.

Know You Are Created In The Image Of God This gives us a sense of worth. What happiness it brings to know God loved man so much that He created us in His image. Genesis 1:26-27 Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.'' So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Psalms 8:4 What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You care for him?

Acts 17:24-28 "God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, `For we are also His offspring.'

Know The Truth The saying “Ignorance is bliss” is Satan’s lie. To know the truth is to know Christ and His salvation John 14:6 "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. John 8:32 “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Satan encourages ignorance.

If you are ignorant you can’t know what to do to be saved. We are responsible for our own salvation. II Thessalonians 1:7-9 And to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; Acts 17:30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now He commands all men everywhere to repent.

Know God’s Peace Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. What is the peace of God? A calm within. It is an inner peace. Peace of mind knowing you are saved. It is knowing that God is your God and come what may He will be there to help you along the way. HIS PEACE BRINGS TRUE HAPPINESS!

DO YOU KNOW THE PEACE OF GOD?

Given by David Hamlin on am Hollister, Missouri church of Christ