PLACES IN THE HEART
H. Edwin Young
Hebrews 4:12-16
November 3, 1991
A recent poll was taken and the results tell us that 63% of
Americans believe that happiness is a worthy goal for life. Sixty-
three percent. If you want to discover a formula or the secret for
happiness, then I think you have to look at the Beatitudes because
here Jesus said, "Blessed" or to be congratulated or to be happy
and He gives us the formula for happiness there in the very familiar
opening words of His Sermon on the Mount. But as I read these
words, I discovered something. And I want you to check up on me
and see if I'm accurate.
The culture in which we live believes the way to happiness is a
direct opposite to what Jesus presented in the Beatitudes in the
opening introductory words of the Sermon on the Mount.
Now this is staggering for me to realize. In other words, Jesus says
this is the way to happiness. But we look at the world today, and
they have taken the Beatitudes and reversed them. They've turned
them wrong side out. Let's see if that's accurate. Look at them with
me.
Matthew, Chapter 5, verse 3, Jesus said, "Blessed or happy are the
poor in spirit..."
Is that what the world says today? No, the world says happy are
those who are independent; those who are proud.
Verse 4, "Happy are those who mourn..."
That's not what we see in our world, is it? We say happiness comes
from through laughter.
Verse 5, "Blessed are the gentle or the meek..."
We'd say, "Oh no, blessed are the tough-minded." Those who are
firm. That's the standard of our society, is it not?
Verse 6, "Happy are those who hunger and thirst for
righteousness..."
Humph! No, we wouldn't buy that happy are those who hunger and
thirst after pleasure. That's where our world is.
Verse 7, "Happy are the merciful..."
Oh, no. We say happy are those who hold their ground. Blessed
are the pure in heart? No, happiness comes to those who have all
sorts of ...
H. Edwin Young
Hebrews 4:12-16
November 3, 1991
A recent poll was taken and the results tell us that 63% of
Americans believe that happiness is a worthy goal for life. Sixty-
three percent. If you want to discover a formula or the secret for
happiness, then I think you have to look at the Beatitudes because
here Jesus said, "Blessed" or to be congratulated or to be happy
and He gives us the formula for happiness there in the very familiar
opening words of His Sermon on the Mount. But as I read these
words, I discovered something. And I want you to check up on me
and see if I'm accurate.
The culture in which we live believes the way to happiness is a
direct opposite to what Jesus presented in the Beatitudes in the
opening introductory words of the Sermon on the Mount.
Now this is staggering for me to realize. In other words, Jesus says
this is the way to happiness. But we look at the world today, and
they have taken the Beatitudes and reversed them. They've turned
them wrong side out. Let's see if that's accurate. Look at them with
me.
Matthew, Chapter 5, verse 3, Jesus said, "Blessed or happy are the
poor in spirit..."
Is that what the world says today? No, the world says happy are
those who are independent; those who are proud.
Verse 4, "Happy are those who mourn..."
That's not what we see in our world, is it? We say happiness comes
from through laughter.
Verse 5, "Blessed are the gentle or the meek..."
We'd say, "Oh no, blessed are the tough-minded." Those who are
firm. That's the standard of our society, is it not?
Verse 6, "Happy are those who hunger and thirst for
righteousness..."
Humph! No, we wouldn't buy that happy are those who hunger and
thirst after pleasure. That's where our world is.
Verse 7, "Happy are the merciful..."
Oh, no. We say happy are those who hold their ground. Blessed
are the pure in heart? No, happiness comes to those who have all
sorts of ...
There are 25297 characters in the full content. This excerpt only shows a 2000 character sample of the full content.
Price: $5.99 or 1 credit
