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A Happier Life

Sermon Notes for Date 27, 2008

 

SCRIPTURE READING

Psalm 34:12-14

 

INTRODUCTION: 

Who doesn't want to be happy?  In Psalm 34, David addresses those people who "love life" and want to "see many good days" (Psalm 34:12, NIV).  The psalmist then continues to tell a person how to live a have life full of "good days" . . .

HOW TO LIVE HAPPIER

 

I.  CONTROL YOUR TONGUE (Psalm 34:13)

  • The words that you speak can wreak havoc (James 3:6-8; Psalm 55:21; Psa 64:3-4)

For example: 

  • Many people are "crushed" by lies (Proverbs 26:28)
  • Gossip "separates the best of friends" (Proverbs 16:28)
  • People can be seduced to sin by smooth talking (Proverbs 7:4-5)

QUOTES

A sharp tongue is the only edge tool that grows keener with constant use. (Washington Irving) (1783-1859)

A slip of the foot you may soon recover, But a slip of the tongue you may never get over. (Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790))

Let not your tongue cut your throat. (unknown)

The tongue is a wild beast; once let it loose, it is difficult to chain. (Latin proverb)

It takes a child two years to learn to talk--it takes a man all his life to learn how to keep his mouth shut.  (Croft M. Pentz, The Complete Book of Zingers (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1990).)

You can also do a lot of good with what you say!

  • You can build people up with your words (Ephesians 4:29)
  • Your speech can be a source of hope for others (Colossians 4:6)
  • You can lead people to Christ by telling them the "good news" (Romans 1:16)

II.  DEPART FROM EVIL & DO GOOD (Psalm 34:14a)

  • To have a truly happy life you must depart from evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22; Galatians 5:19-21; Romans 1:28-32; 2 Corinthians 12:20-21) 
  • But, you can't stop with merely not doing bad things.  You must replace evil deeds with good deeds (Luke 10:25-37; Matthew 5:16; 1 Peter 2:12; Titus 2:6-8, 10; 3:8, 14)

III.  SEEK PEACE & PURSUE IT (Psalm 34:14b)

  • We can probably be at peace with more people than we think (Romans 12:18; 1 Corinthians 6:7)