Covenant
United Methodist Church
Sunday School 9:45 Worship 8:30 & 10:45 am
Pentecost 17 The Road To Happiness Mathew 5-1-11
Have you heard the story about the little boy who was trying to raise some money by collecting old bottles. He went door to door asking people for bottles. He came to the door of a woman who was known as the town grouch. He asked, “Do you have any old soda bottles?” “NO!” she said. “Well do you have any old whiskey bottles then?” he asked. “Do I look like someone who would have whiskey bottles?” She barked harshly.
Then he said, “How about any old vinegar bottles?”
Isn’t it sad that some people go through life so sad, so unhappy, that it actually shows on their faces.
I have always thought God meant life to be happy. We all have our moments, but on the whole God meant you and I to be happy. That is what the beatitudes are about…
“Blessed are the poor in Spirit for their’s is the kingdom of heaven
Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness sake for they shall be satisfied
Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy…
The word “blessed” can also as many of you know can be translated “happy”
So Jesus is telling people that they can be happy in the midst of there problems because God is with them, God loves them and God gives them the kingdom if they but trust him.
But the truth is that many in our society don’t live happy lives…
James Moore tells the story of going to an art museum in New York and seeing a large painting entitled “The Road To Happiness” it was a beautiful painting. Two elderly women walked up to the painting and one said to the other “Isn’t that beautiful?” the other replied sadly, “Of course its beautiful. The only problem is there is no such road!”
We’ve all had those moments haven’t we, when we’ve felt that there was no such road as the road to happiness. There are lots of unhappy people in the world, and sometimes we have been part of that world. There have been times when we were carrying heavy burdens when happiness didn’t seem to be an option.
But the Christian faith says something different. The Christian faith wants us to know that there is a road to happiness and the road leads directly to Christ.
Do you remember your own conversion. Do you remember the joy of that day when you let go of your sin and guilt and began your walk with Christ. That road of conversion continues as we grow in faith.
I love that little story told about the two little girls in the Sunday School class who listened as their teacher read the crucifixion story to them. One little girl was overwhelmed by the cruelty of the story and began to cry. The other little girl took her hand and said to her “ Don’t cry Mary. Don’t cry. This is one of God’s stories and God’s stories always have a happy ending.” Trusting Christ means literally that we really believe that somehow the story of our life, and the story of our world we live in, has a happy ending. The more we believe that our lives, and our world, have a happy ending the closer to Christ and true happiness we find ourselves. That is why Paul while still in prison could write, “I have learned in all things to be content.” Paul truly believed that there would be a happy ending to his life even if he lost his life. That is why even when we are “poor in Spirit” we can be happy, because we know that God’s story has a happy ending… the Kingdom of Heaven, and being with Christ.
Rembrandt once painted a masterpiece entitled “Storm on the Sea of Galilee” as you might guess it is a portrayal of that fateful night when the storms came up and Jesus calmed the storm. As you look at the picture, if you look closely you will notice something amazing. There are 14 characters in the boat. Now as you may remember there should be only 12 disciples and Jesus in the boat numbering 13. So who do you suppose is the 14th person. As you look at the picture closely you notice that the 14th person is Rembrandt holding on for dear life. He is experiencing the storm, and its frightening… but the good news is that Jesus is there. Jesus is in the boat!
That is what we believe. As painful and frightening as this world can be the truth is that Jesus is in the boat with us even when the storms are fierce around us… and when we believe this we find happiness…