The Key to Happiness

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The Key to Happiness
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Happiness

• Impossible to define
• Difficult to possess
• We keep searching for the key to happiness
• The Bible gives us some help in finding the joy
  and happiness we seek

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We cannot be happy if we

• WANT

• Psalm 3410 The young lions lack and suffer
  hunger But those who seek the Lord shall not
  lack any good thing.
• Psalms 231 The Lord is my shepherd I shall not
  want.

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We cannot be happy if we

• WANT
• ARE OUT OF PLACE

• Jonah
• Lot
• Prodigal Son
• Peter
• Those afar off

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We cannot be happy if we

• WANT
• ARE OUT OF PLACE
• FEAR

• Luke 1232 Do not fear, little flock, for it is
  your Father's good pleasure to give you the
  kingdom.
• Hebrews 136 So we may boldly say "The Lord is
  my helper I will not fear. What can man do to
  me?"

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We cannot be happy if we

• WANT
• ARE OUT OF PLACE
• FEAR
• ARE ALONE

• Romans 112-3 2 God has not cast away His people
  whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the
  Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God
  against Israel, saying, 3 "Lord, they have killed
  Your prophets and torn down Your altars, and I
  alone am left, and they seek my life"?

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We cannot be happy if we

• WANT
• ARE OUT OF PLACE
• FEAR
• ARE ALONE

• Matthew 2820b lo, I am with you always, even to
  the end of the age." Amen.
• John 829 And He who sent Me is with Me. The
  Father has not left Me alone, for I always do
  those things that please Him."

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We cannot be happy if we

• WANT
• ARE OUT OF PLACE
• FEAR
• ARE ALONE
• HAVE NO GOAL

• 1 Corinthians 1519 If in this life only we have
  hope in Christ, we are of all men the most
  pitiable.
• 1 Thessalonians 413 But I do not want you to be
  ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have
  fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have
  no hope.

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We cannot be happy if we

• WANT
• ARE OUT OF PLACE
• FEAR
• ARE ALONE
• HAVE NO GOAL

• Psalm 1465 Happy is he who has the God of Jacob
  for his help, Whose hope is in the Lord his God,
• Proverbs 162 All the ways of a man are pure in
  his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the spirits.

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We can be happy in

• LIFE

• Acts 262 "I think myself happy, King Agrippa,
  because today I shall answer for myself before
  you concerning all the things of which I am
  accused by the Jews,

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We can be happy in

• LIFE

• James 511 Indeed we count them blessed who
  endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job
  and seen the end intended by the Lord--that the
  Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

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We can be happy in

• LIFE

• 1 Peter 314 But even if you should suffer for
  righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "And do not
  be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled."

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We can be happy in

• 1 Corinthians 1519 If in this life only we have
  hope in Christ, we are of all men the most
  pitiable.
• 1 Thessalonians 413 But I do not want you to be
  ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have
  fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have
  no hope.

• LIFE
• DEATH

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We can be happy in

• LIFE
• DEATH
• ETERNITY

• Matthew 510 Blessed are those who are persecuted
  for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the
  kingdom of heaven.

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We can be happy in

• LIFE
• DEATH
• ETERNITY

• Psalm 235-6 5 You prepare a table before me in
  the presence of my enemies You anoint my head
  with oil My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and
  mercy shall follow me All the days of my life
  And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.

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