Happiness Is Relational
Happiness Is a Result
Happiness Is different from Joy or Pleasure
Introduction To The Sermon On The Mount
Matthew 5: The Beatitudes
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled. NIV
6 “Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires;
God will satisfy them fully! GNT
6 “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat. MSG
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy. NIV
7 “Happy are those who are merciful to others;
God will be merciful to them! GNT
7 “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for. MSG
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God. NIV
8 “Happy are the pure in heart;
they will see God! GNT
8 “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. MSG
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God. NIV
9 “Happy are those who work for peace;
God will call them his children! GNT
9 “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family. MSG
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. NIV
10 “Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires;
the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them! GNT
10 “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom. MSG
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. NIV
11 “Happy are you when people insult you and persecute you and tell all kinds of evil lies against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy and glad, for a great reward is kept for you in heaven. This is how the prophets who lived before you were persecuted. GNT
11-12 “Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble. MSG