Jackson First

Sermon Reflections

"God just wants me to be happy."

That's something that we've all seen or heard somewhere, especially in the Christian community. People use it to justify all sorts of decisions, and it's sadly become the universal permission slip for doing whatever we already wanted to. But if we look into the Scriptures, into the Word of God... we find that happiness actually isn't God's highest priority.

In Matthew chapter 5, we read a sermon from Jesus called the Beatitudes. He prioritizes righteousness over comfort, convenience, and pleasure. God doesn't want you to just be happy. He wants you to be holy.

Happiness is a terrible foundation. Happiness is fleeting, and constantly changes. That new car becomes old, the phone gets outdated, the relationship develops challenges. The things that make us stronger aren't easy things- they're uncomfortable.

Holiness produces deeper joy. In Matthew 5, Jesus blesses those who are meek, poor, the ones who mourn, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. To be "blessed" in this context means more than happiness, it means divine favor, deep satisfaction, and spiritual flourishing. It is possible to be happy when you're far from God, but it's impossible to be truly blessed while living in rebellion against Him. What God offers us is deeper than happiness: Joy.

God uses pain to produce purpose. God allows discomfort, struggle, pain, and hardship. Not because He hates us, but because He wants to see us grow. He loves us too much to leave us unchanged. Sometimes He uses blessing, other times He uses struggle. But in all things, He is shaping us to be conformed to the image of His Son.

Have you made happiness your God? What are some ways this week that we could chose holiness over happiness?

Music Camp Photo Dump Part 2!!

Sermon Reflections

"Follow your heart." We've all heard it, maybe even said that ourselves. It's a pretty popular saying in modern culture. But if we're honest, following our hearts leads us into some pretty rough things. But the crazy thing is, Jesus never said to "follow your heart." But then what did he say?

Your heart is a poor leader. Jeremiah 17:9 says that the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked. The Bible isn't saying every emotion is evil, but because of sin, emotions cannot be trusted as our ultimate authority. Proverbs 3:5 says not to lean on our own understanding, but to trust in God. So instead of trusting our heart, we need to trust God with our heart.

Jesus calls for self-denial. Jesus says in Luke 9:23 that whoever wants to become a disciple must deny themselves first. He isn't teaching self-hatred here, but establishing surrender. Our feelings are not our master, our desires are not authority, and impulses do not get the final vote. The latter part of that verse tells us to take up our cross daily-every day, something must die. Pride, selfishness, rebellion... every day we must choose God's will over our own. And that's what separates us from fans and into followers.

The Holy Spirit is a better guide than feelings. Romans 8:14 says that sons of God are led by the Spirit of God. It doesn't say led by feelings or emotions. Feelings matter, but they are not infallible. We can feel at peace about something, but peace by itself is not proof. The real question isn't "How do I feel?" But rather "What has God said?"

He will never lead you contrary to His Word. We must learn to not let emotions lead, but truth. Not desires, but the Spirit. Jesus said: "Whoever loses his life for my sake will save it." How can we surrender our emotions and feelings today, and trust the Lord with our heart?