"THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS
If you remember being a kid, then you know true happiness was spelled 'jackknife.' But not just any ordinary one. I'm talking about the kind I had, that had three or four blades, a can opener, a cork screw, a nail file, and a small pair of scissors, all of which I remember were caked together with particles of sand and a bit of grit. When I was a boy, they cost only a couple of dollars but, frankly, weren't worth a dime. They were incredibly versatile, but virtually ineffective. Versatility can be a plus, but is often a minus.
Jesus crusaded for simplicity and never surrendered that ideal. His attitude was flavored by two things: a desire to please the Father, and a burning commitment to love the world. Certainly the Lord is our example but, oh, how easily our attitude becomes clogged like a simple pocket knife.
Everyone knows that attitude is everything. I've chosen Matthew 5 as our text for a series of eight Sunday morning services because Jesus used it to give an attitudinal outline to follow for all those who would rise to levels of influence and live at an altitude in life that is filled with impact and love.
He spoke of the need to be tender, yet tough; and powerful, yet practical. Some people have the attitude they can do very much, but they usually accomplish very little. To change the way you live, you must first change the way you think. That's what repentance is all about: a changed mind that ushers forth in a changed life.
Jesus addressed at least eight crucial attitudes, all of which are tied together and progress from one another like climbing up a ladder. While Jesus ended His ministry on earth having preached and practiced this sermon, then dying for i, I'm suggesting we begin ours by living it. This is only a beginning but, then, the best way to get started has always been to get started.
Topic: The Pursuit of Happiness
Text: Matthew 5: 1-16
Message #1: The Happiness of a Helpless life (Matthew 5:3)
Message #2: The Happiness of a Repentant life (Matthew 5:4)
Message #3: The Happiness of a Humble life (Matthew 5:5)
Message #4: The Happiness of an Empty life (Matthew 5:6)
Message #5: The Happiness of a Giving life (Matthew 5:7)
Message #6: The Happiness of a Focused lief (Matthew 5:8)
Message #7: The Happiness of a Peaceful life (Matthew 5:9)
Message #8: The Happiness of a Surrendered life (Matthew 5:10)
Ron Mehl"