Today is a special day known by several names. It is called, 'Independence Day', 'America's Birthday', or simply the '4th of July'. As a child it was a day for parades and fireworks. As an adult it is a day when I think of the freedoms that we all enjoy in this wonderful country. As a veteran, it is a day that I reflect upon the price that was paid for those freedoms. Our forefathers signed the Declaration of Independence 223 years ago. The second paragraph began with the following statements.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.
We have certain 'rights' as citizens of this nation. We have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I want to talk with you this morning about life…not the physiological function of our bodies, but a philosophy of living.
Read Text:
(1 Pet 3:10-11) "For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: {11} Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it."
Written hundreds of years earlier, Peter gives some instruction concerning those who want to love and enjoy life. It seems that everything is complicated nowadays. Not the least of which is 'life'. This morning I want to give you some basic thoughts of how to love and enjoy your life.
I. Have Faith in God
(Mark 11:22) "And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God."
(Heb 11:6) "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."
A. God Is…
1. This verse says, "God is."
2. We don't argue or dispute that.
3. It is so apparent that there is a God, there is a Creator.
(Psa 14:1) "To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good."
4. According to the Bible, if you say there is no God you are a fool.
B. God is…and I know Him Personally.
1. This is a simple philosophy of living, there is a God, and I have placed my faith in Him.
2. I know Him, I love Him, He is alive.
3. He came down in the person of His Son, The Lord Jesus, who was the very God Man and became my kinsman redeemer.
4. I know Him, I've been washed in His blood, I'm saved by His grace and while this world, at times, makes no sense at all, I know who I am, I know where I am going and life makes sense to me. "I know God."
C. A Relationship with God is personal.
1. A spiritual heritage is a wonderful thing, but it will not secure your salvation.
2. Having a good education is important, but it will not guarantee your salvation.
3. Salvation is of the Lord and is available for all who would place their faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ.
(Rom 10:9-10) "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. {10} For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
II. Enjoy God's Creation.
A. Take time to stop and smell the roses.
1. This is an important part of having a right philosophy of life.
2. Recently on vacation we re-visited many areas where we used to live.
3. We saw so much more now, than we did then.
4. It seems that we were too busy to stop and enjoy the beautiful area that we were a part of.
B. An appreciation of creation will increase our appreciation of the Creator.
1. Another common phrase is that we cannot see the forest for the trees.
2. Sometimes we overlook the beautiful world that God has made for us because we don't take the time to look.
3. Take time to enjoy what God has created.
4. David took time to consider the wonderful works of God.
(Psa 8:3) "When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;"
(Psa 139:14) "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well."
III. Care About Others.
A. The acrostic for J.O.Y. is very applicable to the pursuit of happiness.
1. Jesus first…Others second…and Yourself last.
2. This reminds us of the importance of others in our life.
3. Jesus is the greatest example or role model that we have for living life on this earth.
4. He lived His life completely for others.
B. Taking care of people…meeting the needs of others…this is so important to a proper philosophy of life.
1. The world's philosophy is 'Me First' or 'Look out for number one'.
2. But if we live for others, we will be blessed of God.
3. Give and God will give back to you.
(Luke 6:38) "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."
4. We need to give out of our heart, and God will always bless.
(2 Cor 9:7) "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."
5. We usually think of these verses in relation to giving money, but it applies to every area of our lives.
C. Family is important.
(Gen 2:18) "And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him."
1. God himself instituted marriage and the home.
2. We are talking about developing a philosophy of life…and our family is a huge part of our life.
3. God devotes much time in His Word instructing us concerning family.
a. Instructions to husbands…
b. Instructions to wives…
c. Instructions to parents and children…
4. If we fail to care for and minister to our families…we fail in what God would have us do.
IV. Work Hard and Do Our Best.
A. Hard work is part of a right philosophy of living.
1. That may not be real popular, but it is true.
2. God intends for us to work for a living.
(Gen 3:19) "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return."
3. That is part of the curse of sin upon man.
4. Elsewhere in the Scripture we are told that if any should not work they should not eat. Cf 2 Thess. 3:10
5. That isn't politically correct in our present welfare state, but there are great benefits to hard work.
B. We should do our best at what we do.
1. Regardless of what we do…we should do our best.
2. Again, the Lord has made that very clear.
(Eccl 9:10) "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest."
C. Do all for the glory of God.
(1 Cor 10:31) "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."
1. We are to bring Him glory by our lives.
2. Once again, it is not about us…it is about Him!
3. This has a universal application… "whatsoever".
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.