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Happy Gospel Part 1   

August 3, 2025   

Rev. Christopher Miller  

Philippians 4:4–9, “[4] Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. [5] Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; [6] do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”   1) A Happy Gospel leads us to rejoice in the Lord and not bury ourselves in regret! 

“[4] Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. [5] Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;”   a. How much further would we all be down the road of faith had we focused forward rather than getting trapped in reverse? It is time that you not only forgive others; forgive yourself. It’s ok to give yourself mercy.  b. Has there been a time in your walk with the Lord that you have used the promises found in His Word to overcome the problems you have encountered? How did using the Word change your perspective about the problems?  2) A Happy Gospel Empowers Us to Engage our Faith and Not Drown in Our Emotions!  “[6] do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”   

a. The Gospel of Christ should engage our faith rather than our flesh leading us to drown in our emotions!  

How can we avoid reacting to our circumstance in our flesh and instead, respond with the character of Christ? 

b. 1st Corinthians4:20, “[20] For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.”  

Is it possible for our words to diffuse the Power of God in our lives?  

Happy Gospel Part 2   August 10, 2025   Rev. Gary Bentley 

  Grace makes us happy! 

Understanding True Biblical Grace Brings Happiness!  

The Apostle Paul, the man who wrote most of the books in the New Testament, is now one of the most revered men of God ever, could we walk in this type of grace today?  

He was a terrorist… 

1. He Persecuted Christians Viciously  2. He Approved of Stephen’s Death  3. He Was Obsessed With Stopping the Gospel  4. He Admitted His Guilt Later  5. His Zeal Was Misplaced 

Before Christ, Paul was essentially the chief enemy of the early church — relentless, feared, and determined to wipe out Christians. Yet God chose him as an example that no one is beyond redemption (1 Timothy 1:15–16). 

Grace was extended to Paul! 

Because of religious institutions and rules that we’ve established so many are disqualified for service with organized religion  How much different would our Bible look if “the Church” had disqualified Paul based on his past rather than the future set before him? 

Psalm 149:4   For the LORD takes pleasure(approves) His people;  He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation. 

John 15:10-11  If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. 

  The enemy wants to pervert Grace, he either wants you interpreting it as live like you wanna live because Jesus blood has you covered. Or, obeying every letter of the law in order to please God. People who feel they need to be perfect and keep all of man’s religious acts to please God, typically walk around miserable because we can never measure up.  

Religion Is…….  1. Rules-First, Relationship-Last  2. Fear-Based Faith  3. Spiritual Performance Culture  4. Works-Based Salvation 

Why It Leads to Unhappiness:  • Guilt & Shame: Perpetual sense of failure.  • Fear & Anxiety: Always worried about punishment or rejection.  • Loss of Joy: Faith becomes a heavy burden rather than a source of freedom.  • Broken Relationships: Judgment and isolation push people away. 

  Grace makes us happy!! 

A healthy, grace-filled faith actually nurtures joy and happiness instead of crushing it. 

  Healthy, Grace-Filled Faith  Focuses on relationship first; obedience flows from love for God  Motivated by gratitude for God’s love and acceptance  Worth is based on identity in Christ (child of God) 

Struggles are shared in a safe, supportive community  Private restoration and grace extended to restore the fallen  Worship is joyful, authentic, and Christ-centered  Engages the world with love while holding to biblical truth  Promotes humility, knowing all stand by grace alone  Produces peace, joy, and spiritual freedom 

  Grace makes us happy!! 

Happiness Brings Peace 

What makes you happy?  

Proverbs 17:22 

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” 

Being intentional about being happy choosing to focus on joy, gratitude, and being positive, it has real benefits for your health. Being intentional about happiness doesn’t mean ignoring hardship—it means choosing to look for hope, practice gratitude, foster joy, and stay connected to what gives life meaning. That mindset becomes a protective force—emotionally, mentally, and physically.  What are some practical things you can begin to implement to help you find the joy in every situation you face? 

Happy Gospel Part 3   

August 17, 2025  

Rev. Christopher Miller   

Galatians 5:16–25, “[16] But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. [17] For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. [18] But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. [19] Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, [20] idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, [21] envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. [24] And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. [25] If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.”   

1. A Happy Gospel produces the works of righteousness in our lives and not a sour attitude! 

 a) “[16] But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. [17] For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. [18] But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”   

 There is a huge difference between living in the flesh versus living by the flesh. We may dwell in it, but we don’t have to live by it! When we uphold the lines that Jesus drew then we are safe because we are in line with Scripture; but when we draw lines that Jesus did not draw, then we are now in line with Satan.     

Explain in your own words what living in flesh versus living by faith means.  

2. A Happy Gospel manifests the authority of Holy Spirit in our lives and in turn demands the death of our flesh!  

a. “[16] But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. [17] For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.”   a. When it comes to our born-again experience, there is one truth that will remain for eternity and it is simply this; the anointing of the Holy Spirit has no issue with occupying our mess, but the Holy Ghost will not tolerate you when you are trying to be messy.   

b. Holy Spirit not only empowers us, gifts us, and blesses us... He also should be governing us, controlling us, and correcting us! If you’ve got a spirit that drives you to pursue “experiences” and but never corrects your attitude, lifestyle or words then you may have a spirit but it is not the Holy Spirit!    

In what ways does Holy Spirit speak to you and help keep you on track?   

3. A happy Gospel Removes the Stain of what We were and Cultivates Who We are Called to Be!  a) 1 Corinthians 6:9–11, “[9] Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, [10] nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. [11] And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”   

a. Paul notes that the testimony of who they used to be remains but the stain of that season has been removed! You were washed! You were sanctified! You were justified in the Name of the Lord!  

Who would like to share a brief testimony of how the joy that has come to your life because you are not who you used to be?