LIVING THE GOOD LIFE

 

INTRO: If I were to ask the following question to the average "man on the street" what do you think his response would be?

"Hello, sir. May I ask you what "Living the Good Life" means to you?"

Don’t you suppose he might respond by including some of the following points.

 

To the secular person, these things, and others, describe what the world believes is the good life.

But to the Christian, the good life means something totally different. Whereas we believe that "He shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:19

This week, I watched a few minutes as a certain local red-haired Pastor declared that people are in poverty because: (a) they are disobedient to God; (b) they are lazy; (c) they lack faith.

Well, that sounds nice to a prosperity minded secularized person, but the truth is that such a message could never be preached or received in about 95% of the population of the world. That Pastor has bought into the world’s idea that possessions and riches comprise the "good life."

My point of view is somewhat different. I believe the genuine "good life" is found by the person who loves and obeys the Lord, regardless of his social status and in spite of his lack of, or possession of, material things. You may have much or little, in respect to the world’s view of the "good life" but the real proof of your living the "good life" is determined by your obedience to God’s Word.

Listen to these powerful verses.

(Luke 12:15 TLB) "Beware! Don't always be wishing for what you don't have. For real life and real living are not related to how rich we are.""

(Luke 12:23 TLB) "For life consists of far more than food and clothes."

 (John 11:25 TLB) "Jesus told her, "I am the one who raises the dead and gives them life again. Anyone who believes in me, even though he dies like anyone else, shall live again."

(Gal 2:20 TLB) "I have been crucified with Christ: and I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me. And the real life I now have within this body is a result of my trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

(James 4:14 TLB) "How do you know what is going to happen tomorrow? For the length of your lives is as uncertain as the morning fog--now you see it; soon it is gone."

TITUS 2:11-14

  1. God’s message of salvation is available to everyone. The "Good Life" is in Jesus Christ.
  2. His Word teaches us to deny (don’t accept) ungodliness (behavior which casts reproach on God’s gifts) and worldly lusts (inordinate desires and appetites which lead to every conceivable type of sin.)
  3. Live soberly. (Sincere – thoughtful – attentive -not foolish)
  4. Righteously. (Doing what is good and right.)
  5. Godly. (Pure living with the core of behavior and attitudes surrendered to God and His Word.)
  6. In this present world. (The only opportunity we will ever have to live right is now, in this present world.)
  7. We look for the return of Jesus.
  8. The "Good Life" is realized only in His redemptive work. When He is living in us, we are zealous of doing good instead of bad; right instead of wrong.

 

I close by reading a very challenging text. – Luke 12:22-34

(Luke 12:22 TLB) "Then turning to his disciples he said, "Don't worry about whether you have enough food to eat or clothes to wear."

(Luke 12:23 TLB) "For life consists of far more than food and clothes."

(Luke 12:24 TLB) "Look at the ravens--they don't plant or harvest or have barns to store away their food, and yet they get along all right--for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds!"

(Luke 12:25 TLB) ""And besides, what's the use of worrying? What good does it do? Will it add a single day to your life? Of course not!"

(Luke 12:26 TLB) "And if worry can't even do such little things as that, what's the use of worrying over bigger things?"

(Luke 12:27 TLB) ""Look at the lilies! They don't toil and spin, and yet Solomon in all his glory was not robed as well as they are."

(Luke 12:28 TLB) "And if God provides clothing for the flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, don't you suppose that he will provide clothing for you, you doubters?"

(Luke 12:29 TLB) "And don't worry about food--what to eat and drink; don't worry at all that God will provide it for you."

(Luke 12:30 TLB) "All mankind scratches for its daily bread, but your heavenly Father knows your needs."

(Luke 12:31 TLB) "He will always give you all you need from day to day if you will make the Kingdom of God your primary concern."

(Luke 12:32 TLB) ""So don't be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom."

(Luke 12:33 TLB) "Sell what you have and give to those in need. This will fatten your purses in heaven! And the purses of heaven have no rips or holes in them. Your treasures there will never disappear; no thief can steal them; no moth can destroy them."

(Luke 12:34 TLB) "Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be."