## Happiness = Know and Do

## John 13:17

Read: John 13:13-17

Happiness to many is like an illusive butterfly. Just when they think they have it; it flutters away out of their reach. Some have become frustrated with this and have simply given up on any hope of being happy. They have resigned themselves to a life that is little more than a miserable existence until they finally die. Now that is depressing! Webster defines the word 'happy' as enjoying well-being and contentment. But it is easier to define what it is than to explain how to get it. Some think that we get happiness by acquiring things. Others believe we attain it by our accomplishments. Some will settle for the temporary feelings that come through intoxication - whether through alcohol, drugs, or whatever. The problem with that is the word 'temporary'. I used to go to a dentist that used 'laughing gas'. It was actually a quite enjoyable experience to have my teeth drilled and filled…until the effects of the anesthetic began to wear off. Then I was left with the pain that wasn't a laughing matter! In our text this morning, Jesus tells His disciples that they will be happy when they know and do these things ... what things? Serving others rather than themselves. Now that seems to be backwards doesn't it? The picture that has been placed in our minds is that happiness comes when we are on top of the world! Not when we are kneeling to serve another! And yet that is exactly what the Lord says. [2]

Note a couple of things about what Jesus said in verse 17, "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them." There are two words that are key to understanding this principle of being happy. It does not come from something we get…it comes from something we know … and from something we do. You see these words together will provide that elusive quest of true happiness. Happiness comes from knowing and doing. Note some thoughts today.

I. Happiness is knowing the Lord personally and receiving His salvation.

A. Salvation comes from responding to what we know.

1. When an individual is confronted with biblical truth…God always expects a response from us.

2. In the case of salvation, the biblical truth is that…

a. All of us have sinned.

Ro 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

b. Sin is a debt that must be paid

Ro 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

c. We cannot pay this debt, no matter how hard we may try.

Eph 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

d. Jesus paid the debt on Calvary, and secured our salvation when He arose from the dead on the third day.

Ro 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

B. Now that we know that truth…what will we do?

1. God's desire is that we will believe on Him.

2. We often use different phrases to talk about the same thing.

3. We say 'put your faith in the Lord', 'ask Jesus into your heart', 'trust God and be saved'.

4. We are talking about the same thing!

5. We are talking about responding to the knowledge of the truth about salvation.

II. Happiness is knowing the Lord desires our service, and serving Him with our lives.

A. The Lord has called all of His children into 'full- time' service.

1. There is a mistaken thought among believers today that only certain individuals are to serve the Lord 'full-time'.

2. We usually reserve that phrase for pastors, missionaries, and evangelists.

3. But that is wrong thinking! It is unbiblical!

4. Certainly God has gifted us in different ways, but when it comes to service…He expects us all to serve Him all the time!

1Co 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

B. What about this matter of service?

1. First of all it must be from a willing heart.

1Ch 29:5b, "… And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the LORD?"

2. It must be our choice…no one is forced to serve the Lord…God has sons…not indentured servants.

Jos 24:15, "…Choose you this day whom ye will serve…but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

3. Our service is to be from the whole heart…not half-hearted.

1Sa 12:20, "…Serve the LORD with all your heart."

4. We should also serve with an expectation

Col 3:23-24 "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ."

a. All service has its rewards…

b. The Bible teaches us that we will give an accounting of our lives unto the Lord…

Ro 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

c. We also know that the Lord blesses faithfulness…

Mt 25:21a, "His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful…"

III. Happiness is knowing the importance of the local church and being actively involved in its ministries.

A. This is not just a church house, it is a church home.

1. The home is where the family gets together.

2. It can be a storefront building, an old auction barn, or a nice building like this one.

3. What makes it a home is my brothers and sisters.

4. I may be a little prejudiced about this, but I know that I have a good church home.

B. A good church is where people care about each other.

1. That is to be expected in a family.

Ga 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

2. I have been on both sides of this particular issue.

a. This church is known for caring about one another.

b. It doesn't matter who or what…we are ready to help one another.

c. We pray for one another…we give to one another…we encourage one another… and we work together for the cause of Christ.

d. We obey the admonition of the apostle…

Ro 12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

C. A good church home is where people care about reaching the world for Christ.

1. This church has a heart for missions.

2. We have a testimony around the world to that fact.

3. We are actively seeking to reach our community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

4. This concept of 'us four and no more' is not biblical…

5. Why have an evangelistic effort?

6. Why go to the expense of distributing thousands of tracts at the Monroe Co. fair?

7. Why spend nearly $80 thousand per year on home and foreign missions?

8. Because this church cares about reaching the world and we are endeavoring to fulfill our commission.

Mr 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

9. Every believer needs to be a part of their local church home!

Are you enjoying happiness today? The happiness of knowing the Lord personally? The happiness of serving Him with your life? The happiness of being actively involved in this local N.T. church?

Jesus said, "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them."

All of this you can know today! You can find a happiness that will not end! Come today and meet God at this altar.