If You Want To Be Happy

🕊️ If You Want to Be Happy
If You Want to Be Happy (Printout)

Text: John 13:13–17
Date: 5/25/25
Speaker: Pastor Jeff Smith

✨ Opening Thought

The Bible mentions happiness 28 times—yet biblical happiness doesn’t come from wealth, status, or success. It’s found in knowing and doing God’s will.

📖 Biblical Portraits of Happiness:

  • Paul was happy in chains – Acts 26:2

  • Fathers are happy with children – Psalm 127:5

  • Happy are those whose God is the Lord – Psalm 144:15

  • Wisdom brings happiness – Proverbs 3:13

  • Handling matters wisely brings happiness – Proverbs 16:20

  • Those who endure trials are happy – James 5:11

  • Those who suffer for righteousness are happy – 1 Peter 3:14

  • Those reproached for Christ’s name are happy – 1 Peter 4:14

  • A clear conscience leads to happiness – Romans 14:22

“The more the soul is emptied of self, the more capable it is of happiness.” – William Law

🛐 I. Remember: All Things Are in God’s Hands

📍 John 13:3

God’s Hands Are Full Of:

  • Righteousness – Psalm 48:10

  • Glory – Exodus 15:6

  • Goodness – Ezra 7:9

  • Might – Genesis 49:24

  • Strength – 1 Kings 8:42

  • Power – 2 Chronicles 20:6

  • Reaching Grace – Isaiah 5:25

God’s Hands Provide:

  • Salvation – Psalm 138:7

  • Sustenance – Ecclesiastes 2:24

  • Strength – Psalm 37:24

  • Shelter – Exodus 33:22–23

  • Security – John 10:27–29, Isaiah 49:16

  • Protection – Psalm 31:15

  • Purification – Job 5:18, Mark 6:5

“In God’s hands, even the broken pieces of our lives become part of His masterpiece.”

💭 Challenge: What do you need to let go of to take hold of God’s purpose?

🧺 II. A Servant is Not Greater Than His Master

📍 John 13:16

A. Serve Like Jesus

  • Jesus served with joy – Hebrews 12:2

B. Humble Yourself Like Jesus

  • No excuses in hardship – John 15:20

  • Quote: “Where there is no suffering, there can be no humility...”—John Wesley

  • Bonhoeffer: “When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.”

C. Be Exalted Through Humility

  • 1 Peter 5:6, Philippians 2:5–9, Luke 12:37

💭 Challenge: Are pride or expectations keeping you from contentment?

❤️ III. Love One Another with Godly Love

📍 John 13:34–35

A. Christ’s Love is Our Model

  • God is love – 1 John 4:7–8

  • We love because He loved us – 1 John 4:19

B. Discipleship Proven by Love

  • Personal (v.34), Public (v.35), Patient (1 Cor. 13:4), Persistent (Heb. 13:1)

“The love of God is the joy of the angels and the song of the saints.” – Richard Sibbes

💭 Challenge: Is your love proof of your discipleship?

🙌 Conclusion

Happiness isn’t in what the world offers, but in:

  • Trusting God's hands

  • Walking humbly like Christ

  • Loving others as He loved us

Jeffrey smith