A Note from Michael Gossett
The Benefit of Happiness
It is common understanding that happiness is fleeting, but is there any benefit to happiness? I would say absolutely yes! There are many earthly treasures that are fleeting that are still beneficial for the Kingdom. Everything on earth such as money, homes, cars, health, and even our own bodies are fleeting and will ultimately end in failure. However, it does not mean there is no temporal benefit to any of them. The benefit of happiness is our emotional state that is produced from a place of joy. Happiness can be seen, it can be heard, it can be felt. Happiness allows others to participate externally from an internal joy that comes from Christ. It is not demeaning, nor is it destructive to think about happiness in this way.
Thomas Goodwin wrote, “Christ’s own joy, comfort, happiness, and glory are increased and enlarged by his showing grace and mercy, in pardoning, relieving, and comforting his members here on earth.” Similarly, another Puritan author Richard Sibbes says, “We cannot please Christ better than in showing ourselves welcome, by cheerful taking part of his rich provision. It is an honor to his bounty to fall to.” The joy of Christ increases to the degree that the sick come, the broken come, the sinful come, the heavy laden come and ask Christ for help and healing both physically and spiritually.
I believe this to be nothing less than mind boggling to imagine Christ as the ruler of the universe who finds joy in helping the hurting and the lost. This is the reason why Jesus came! Jesus never will appear frustrated nor will He be flustered at our requests for help. I think how often I fail in this as a dad and as a husband. Too often, the multitude of requests seem to fluster me rather than understanding them as an opportunity to serve happily.
This is the heart of Christ nonetheless. His service to us brings Him joy. There is a benefit when we understand this nuance completely. We must shift our thinking to understand that every moment of requests ultimately leads us to a moment of happiness. Think about the way you work or the way you serve. Think about the way you interact with those who cause frustrations within you. Do they see happiness externally due to the internal joy you have with Christ? Or do they see another flustered and frustrated person who may have the joy of the Lord in their heart but lack the happiness on their face?
These are the moments that we must trust in the provision of grace and mercy that Jesus provides for us. The benefit of happiness for us is not only that we draw near to the throne of Jesus for the benefits of atonement. There is much more here. As we draw near to Christ, He draws near to us and the benefit of atonement only spills out into deeper benefits as we walk with Him. He drew near to us in the incarnation so that His joy and ours could rise and fall together. Is this not astonishing?
Hebrews 12:2 says, “For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” It was the Lord’s joy to provide a way for those who had no way to have healing, victory, or atonement so that we may not live in shame, sin, and defeat any longer. There is a joy that lives within Christ because of the sight He has of you being forgiven. As we come to Christ, His joy and our joy are increased together for the glory of God. Praise be to Jesus!
Midweek at GABC! I want to invite you to come and join us at WEBS this Wednesday in Crosswalk at 6pm. We are currently teaching through different doctrines of the Bible and would love to have you join us. We will end promptly at 6:30pm. Hope to see you there!
I am so excited that the East Texas Area Council, Boy Scouts of America will be honoring Pastor David with the Distinguished Citizen Award on December 5, 2023 in our Crosswalk Conference Center. This is a well-deserved award and could not go to a better man! If you would like to be a part, table sponsors are available here.
MAN TALK is coming again on November 14 in Worship Center Room 150 from 6:15 am – 7:00 am. You can sign up to come hang out with other men, be encouraged in the word, great food, and even better brotherhood. Sign-up deadline is Sunday, November 12!
Christmas Tree Lighting is happening this year on December 3rd from 5:00pm – 8:00pm! This is a free event for our whole community and church family! I want to invite you to not only be a part of this incredible event, but also be in prayer for God to use this night to reach people all over the city of Tyler. We want to make every effort to make this fun for the evening, but to make an eternal difference in the lives of people. I cannot wait to see you there!
This Sunday at Green Acres!
I pray that the book of James and our study through those incredible five chapters were a blessing to you and continue to challenge you. I know that I was personally challenged every week as I studied and prepared to deliver God’s Word. This week, we are starting our World Mission Offering Emphasis! This is really an exciting time to be a part of Green Acres and to learn, see, and experience all that God is doing through you around the world. You can join us at the Tyler Campus at 9:30 or 11:00 for worship, 8:00, 9:30, or 11:00 connect groups, our Flint Campus at 9:30 and 11:00 for worship and Connect Groups and our Español Campus at 9:30 for Connect Groups and 11:00 for worship in CrossWalk. We cannot wait to see you here!
You are loved and prayed for!
Michael Gossett