THE PURSUIT OF PLEASURE–PSALM 16:1-11
Introduction:
The United States Declaration of Independence says that one of our inalienable rights is “the pursuit of happiness.” I think that we would all agree that pleasure, the agreeable reaction of our senses to some stimulus, is a king-size ingredient of happiness.
In our world today it seems that this pursuit of happiness has taken totally the form of worldly pleasure, not all of which are bad. However, it appears that this pursuit of pleasure has taken us away from the source of our greatest pleasure.
I. SCRIPTURE DOES NOT SAY THE WE SHOULDN’T ENJOY LIFE.
A. God has given us much with which to enjoy life, 1 Timothy 6:17, “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;”
B. Paul give us a warning:
1. Excessive indulgence takes our mind off of the best thing, 1 Timothy 5:5-6, “Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. 6-But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.”
2. Solomon joins Paul in saying that pleasure cannot satisfy, Ecclesiastes 2:1, “I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.”
II. PLEASURE AS ONES MAIN GOAL DESENSITIZES THE BELIEVER.
A. He is desensitized to earth’s greatest pleasure – fellowship with God, Psalm 16:11, “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
1. We become overly interested in the pleasure of this world.
2. We become insensitive to God’s call to do His will.
B. He is desensitized of the foretaste of Heaven, 1 John 2:15-16, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16-For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”
III. WHAT ARE THE PLEASURES OF GOD IN THIS LIFE?
A. Paul has given us a list, Ephesians 3:16-19, “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17-That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18-May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19-And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”
1. “To be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man,” Ephesians 6:10-11, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11-Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
2. “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith,” Ephesians 2:21, “In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:”
3. That you “May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;” Ephesians 1:18-23, “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19-And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20-Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21-Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22-And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23-Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.”
4. And “to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge,” Ephesians 5:2, “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.”
5. And “that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God,” Colossians 2:9-10, “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10-And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:”
B. How can we take advantage of these great pleasures available to us?
1. Spend less time involving yourself in your worldly pursuits.
a. With things of lesser importance than the things of God.
b. Put the things of God’s service ahead of your work, home life and incidentals.
2. Spend more time seeking the true pleasure of fellowship with the Lord.
a. In His Word, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17-That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
b. In prayer, 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18, “Pray without ceasing. 18-In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
c. With His people, Hebrews 10:25, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
CONCLUSION:
The blessing of God’s fellowship far outweigh what the world has to offer the Christian. The World offers discouragement while the Lord offers love and understanding. The world has no peace of mind to offer while the Lord gives grace and truth that bring wonderful peace. Why spend our time on things that cost so much when God’s peace and fellowship is free for the taking?