Each session of this series we have asked: What makes you happy? And, as a Christian: What should make you happy? This session’s answer may be the most important we have seen.
I want to show you another Biblical example of one who experienced Holy Happiness. And his name is: Paul. Let’s catch up with Paul at a time when we might think happiness would be the last thing he was experiencing…his trial in Caesarea.
Agrippa said to Paul, “It is permitted for you to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense: “I consider myself fortunate, King Agrippa, that today I am going to make a defense before you about everything I am accused of by the Jews, especially since you are an expert in all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.” (Acts 26:1-3)
My translation of the Bible records Paul saying: “I consider myself fortunate…” Instead of “fortunate,” the NASB uses “happy.” The point is being made that Paul was happy!
He was happy to be standing before King Agrippa…on trial…with the Jews demanding his execution! What is going on here?
I want to remind you of what has happened recently in Paul’s life.
In Chapter 21, Paul is worshipping in the Temple at Jerusalem and some Jews from the area of Ephesus see him. Actually, they recognize one of the men with Paul. This un-named man had been in Ephesus with Paul and had been run out of town with him. These Jews from Ephesus did not like him teaching about Jesus in Ephesus, and they certainly did not want to see him in the temple at Jerusalem! So they began to stir up the crowd.
The whole city was stirred up, and the people rushed together. They seized Paul, dragged him out of the temple complex... they were trying to kill him.” (Acts 21:30-31)
So great was the commotion that the Roman commander in Jerusalem heard the city was “in chaos.” He took some soldiers and sped into the chaos and took Paul into custody, as the crowd was beating him.
Maybe you remember the story…or parts of it. Paul was almost scourged by the Romans until he told them he was a Roman citizen. So instead, they held him overnight and assembled the Sanhedrin the next day to hear what they had against Paul.
The Romans later took Paul to Caesarea by night because of a plot by the Jews to kill him. He was held there for five days until the High Priests, Ananias, and some other leaders came to Caesarea to present their case against Paul, before the governor Felix.
Felix put off making a decision until Lysias, the commander, could come down from Jerusalem. Paul remained in prison in Caesarea for two years, until Felix was replaced by Festus. It took a couple more weeks before Festus decided to wait for King Agrippa to come and hear the case.
“After some days…” the Bible says (so we don’t know how much longer Paul waited in prison), King Agrippa arrived. The day after his arrival, King Agrippa entered the auditorium with great pomp. Festus gave the command and Paul was brought before the assembled group. Which brings us to chapter 26: Paul giving an explanation of his ministry.
False accusations; beatings; imprisonment for well over 2 years…now standing before the roman officials and prominent men of Caesarea defending his life…
Does this sound like a moment when you would say, “I feel happy!”?
Paul said he was happy: “I consider myself fortunate/happy…” Why? Why was Paul happy?
I believe the reason Paul was happy is a key for all of us – who claim to follow Christ – to receive and experience Holy Happiness. And it is this:
Paul was happy because he was having an opportunity to present the Gospel!
Here’s an important question for you: What if the one thing that would provide you and me with the greatest joy and happiness in this life, is the one thing we seldom do (if ever!)…and that is, share the Good News of Jesus with others?
What if our Holy Happiness is dependent on our telling?
If this were true, then how often would you be happy? How much Holy Happiness would you be experiencing today? this week? ever?
We didn’t even go back far enough in Acts to see all the times Paul was beaten, run out of town, stoned and left for dead, and other trials. And yet this same Paul wrote to the Christians in Philippi:
But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of Him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them filth, so that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ – the righteousness from God based on faith. [My goal] is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death. (Philippians 3:7-10)
There is a “fellowship” in suffering. It puts you in high company, including Jesus! James expressed this same sentiment: “Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials.” (James 1:2).
This suffering, or these trials, have tremendous power and benefit in your life if they occur because of your walk with Christ and your sharing of His story. Jesus said, in the Sermon on the Mount:
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness…Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of Me. Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:10-12)
Sharing Jesus and what He has done and is doing in your life may cause suffering for you. It may cause persecution…or some negative impact in your life. But it also may be the key to receiving and experiencing Holy Happiness.
We started this series in lesson one by saying we could receive and experience Holy Happiness by Fearing God, Trusting God and Obeying God.
Fear means respect. If we respect God, then we will do what He says. We will obey. And as we are obeying, we will trust that He will protect, provide and produce blessings and results, according to His will.
In other words, to fear, trust and obey the Lord is demonstrated…is lived-out…by being faithful to obey the Great Commandment and fulfill the Great Commission. Love people, and because we love them, tell them how to be so wonderfully impacted by Jesus!
Doing so…though it can be scary, and rather awkward until you get used to it…is the way to receive and experience Holy Happiness.
This we learn from Paul. He is our example.
Have you ever experienced the joy that comes from sharing Jesus with another? Have you heard others express such joy as they were used by God to bring salvation to someone?
Holy Happiness can be yours. Tell someone today how to be so wonderfully impacted by Jesus; and today you will experience Holy Happiness!
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