How to Experience Genuine Happiness


I. By Living for the Kingdom - Matthew 3--4

A. Repenting for the kingdom - Matt. 3:2; 4:17
B. Forsaking all for the kingdom - Luke 14:13-15, 33

II. By Being Supplied to Live for the Kingdom - Matthew 5:1-2

A. The supply for discipleship - Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 11:26
B. The supply in regeneration - John 3:3, 5-6; Titus 3:4-7

III. By the Development of a Kingdom Disposition - Matthew 5:3-12

A. The structure of the beatitudes
1. A dispositional trait
2. A kingdom reward
B. The attitude for living a supplied life - Matt. 5:3
1. Emptied to receive grace - John 1:16-17
2. The organ to receive (the human spirit) - Gal. 6:18
3. No confidence in the flesh - Phil. 3:3 (cf. Ex. 19:8; 24:3, 7)
4. The incentive of the kingdom reward - James 2:5
C. A proper response to sin and self - Matt. 5:4
1. Groaning within ourselves - Rom. 7:23-24; 8:23; 2 Cor. 5:4-5
2. The meaning of mourning - James 4:8-10
3. The comfort of present forgiveness - 1 John 1:8-10; 2:1
4. The comfort of kingdom deliverance - Isa. 61:1-3
D. A proper reaction toward all men - Matt. 5:5
1. The meaning of meekness - Col. 3:12; Gal. 6:1; Titus 3:2
2. The source of meekness - Matt. 11:28-30; Gal. 5:22-23; 2 Cor.10:1
3. The significance of inheriting the earth - Matt. 6:10; Gal. 5:21
E. The presence of spiritual desires - Matt. 5:6
1. The nature of spiritual desires - John 4:13-15; 6:35; 7:37
2. Desires for righteousness
a. Imputed - Rom. 4:5-8
b. Imparted - Matt. 5:20; Phil. 3:9; Rom. 14:17
3. The present filling - 1 Cor. 1:30; Phil. 1:11; Rev. 19:8
F. The expression of God's own feelings - Matt. 5:7
1. The meaning of mercy - Eph. 2:4-5; Titus 3:5; Heb. 2:17; 4:16
2. How to express God's feelings - Jude 21-23
3. The reward of mercy at the judgment seat - 2 Tim. 1:16, 18; James 2:13;
Matt. 18:33
G. A single and uncomplicated heart - Matt. 5:8
1. The meaning of a pure heart - Psa. 24:4-5; Eph. 6:5
2. The effect of a pure heart - Matt. 6:21-25
3. The reward of seeing God - Heb. 12:14
H. Bringing God into your relationships - Matt. 5:9
1. The meaning of peace - Eph. 2:14-15
2. The sense of peace - Rom. 8:6; Col. 3:15
3. Spirit-led sons of God - Rom. 8:14; Eph. 4:3; Gal. 5:22
I. The inner reactions to persecution - Matt. 5:10-12
1. The reason for persecution - 2 Tim. 3:12; John 3:19-21
2. The experience of the Spirit in persecution - 1 Pet. 4:14
3. The great reward for persecution - Rev. 20:4-5

IV. By Having the Testimony of the Kingdom - Matthew 5:13-16

A. The Lord's desire for a testimony - Rev. 1:4-9
B. The taste of the testimony - Matt. 5:13; Luke 14:33-35
1. Inner reality
C. The light of the testimony - Matt. 5:14-16
1. Outward expression
D. The purpose of the testimony - Matt. 5:16
1. Glorify the Father