Binge Worthy – Part 1

Yellowstone & the Secret to Happiness

Key Verse James 4

DISCLAIMER: THESE CLIPS HAVE EXPLETIVES AND ARE NOT BLEEPED OUT – THEY ARE DIRECTLY FROM YOUTUBE. 

In Yellowstone the Dutton Ranch is a picture of our  Father and the earth.  There is one Owner (the Father) and our job is to honor and live for him.  We can do what we want, but it will not go well for us.  God is in charge and he will do whatever it takes to protect His family, rehabilitate someone that needs His grace in their lives, and most importantly, God will protect his property.

Psalm 24:1 ESV

VIDEO: “I want you to dig”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fe05EYFlMLk

(This is the full 5 minute clip)

Q. What godly characteristics do you see in John Dutton from watching this full clip? 

The secret to happiness is to live in submission to the One who gave it all.  We are, as a country, at a five decade low from being in the happiness level.  It is the superficiality of our country, the confusion of our age.  In Westerns, there is a core value that brings happiness.  Core values bring happiness to us and bring us to surrendering to God.

James 1:25 (ESV)

Happiness means blessed.  

 Matthew 5:3–4 (ESV)

The way to be happy is not what the world and culture tell us, to live for ourselves, get what we can, define our own identity.  Do these things and we will be happy.  The more we do this, the sadder we become.

 GOD’S way to be happy is NOT the WORLD’S way.

If what we are aiming at is disconnected from God’s plan, it will not end happy.  The answer to happiness is not living for ourselves.  The happiest people are those who give their lives to Jesus.

Q. What are some real blessings in your life (not superficial happiness such as house, car, job etc but true blessings that only God can bring)?

 1. Happiness happens when I IDENTIFY the problem INSIDE not OUTSIDE.

 James 4:1 (ESV)

James is taking on Christinas who are acting like the world, attacking each other and out to get each other.  The Bible will not try to solve things we want solved.  It is not to reform us but to redeem the human heart.  When the heart is redeemed, the problem is solved. 

Q. What are some things that cause you to be unhappy that are really heart issues? (Examples might be someone or something you are envious of, your way or the highway etc.)?

The Dutton rule is to live up to the brand.  You don’t earn the brand, you live up to it.  There are rules, you cannot do what you want.  As Christians, we should also live up to ‘the Brand.’  It is not receiving salvation then going off and doing our own thing.  We cannot use God for our own glory.

When a POSSESSION becomes PASSION – it creates FRICTION.

Whenever there is something you must have or else, you have just allowed a passion to become a possession.  God will protect us but it must be his way.

VIDEO 2: “The Bear”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOrkILQmpRk

We mess with things that could kill us.  We want what they got. Talent can bring us where character can’t keep us. God is about changing us before he gives us things we think we want or need.

 Q. What possessions may have become your passion (or what is something that you really wanted that nearly killed you or took over your life)?

 2. Happiness happens when I Examine the SINCERITY of my SPIRITUALITY.

James 4:2-3 (ESV)

Many are in the church but not in Christ.  They sing, give money but their heart is not for his glory they use His name to promote their own agenda. Some want to be blessed but not disturbed.  The cost of a Christian life is our entire life.  We cannot use God to get what we want. A true Christians says this: ‘even if God say’s no, I will still follow Him.’  Spiritual growth is learning to trust God when our flesh is ticked off at Him.  Only he can make us happy.

Q. What is something you desire to achieve or accomplish and is what is your motive behind it?

Q. When have you been upset with God and how did you learn to trust him through that situation?

3. Happiness happens when I COMMIT to the GOD who LOVES me.

James 4:4-5 (ESV)

It is not do these five things and be happy, but examine our spiritual condition then we will find happiness.  We make ourselves enemies with God when we want to be friends with the world.  Adulterous people does not meant just physical adulterers but spiritual adulterers as well.  We need to realize we are married to God.

James 4:5 (NLT)

The Spirit he put in us should be faithful to Him.  When we have the brand of God, we won’t be happy apart from Him.  The Holy Spirit tells us when something we want is not right.  He loves us and wants us to be close to him.  God refuses to let us be happy outside his will and purpose. 

God sees our relationship like a MARRIAGE, not FRIENDS with BENEFITS

We are the bride of Christ, He is the bridegroom.  

Q. When do you become uncomfortable because of the Holy Spirit?

VIDEO 3: “Becoming a cowboy”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91jcYC6by_8

We can’t be happy if we are not doing what the Lord made us to do.

1 John 2:15 (ESV)

He is not saying don’t love people, but don’t love the systems of the world lust, pride.  God listens to those who humble themselves not brag about themselves. 

4. Happiness happens when I SURRENDER to the GOD who LOVES ME.

The difference between the church goer and those in Christ is Surrender.   The moment we surrender to Christ  we win over the flesh, the devil, and our stubborn sick self.

James 4:6-10 (ESV)

Some of us our trying to resist devil but have not properly submitted to God.  We cannot have a third party relationship with Jesus, we will not have victory over the devil. We got to get under what God put over us and get over what God put under us.  Material victory is sanctified selfishness. We are as close to God as we want to be.  We must admit we messed up, that we are wrong, that is what being a Christian is.

In the last clip, John forgave the debt of the trainee cowboy and said he did not owe him anything. 

We don’t work off our debt to God Jesus already paid it all.

Sermon in a sentence:

Happiness happens when I live COMMITTED and CLOSE to God, ALLOWING Him to LEAD my life.

Challenge: Draw nearer to God this week and allow him to draw near to you.