Learning to Please God
Notes
Transcript
The most important thing in the Christian’s life should be pleasing God. Many who are Christians are not concerned about pleasing God. We know that God wants us to please Him, making apparent “The Importance of Pleasing God.”
1 Thessalonians 4:1–4 “1 Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You live this way already, and we encourage you to do so even more. 2 For you remember what we taught you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. 3 God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. 4 Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor—”
1 Thessalonians 4:1–4 “1 Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You live this way already, and we encourage you to do so even more. 2 For you remember what we taught you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. 3 God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. 4 Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor—”
I. People who are not pleasing God.
I. People who are not pleasing God.
A. They (You and I) live only for themselves;
A. They (You and I) live only for themselves;
Paul tells us in Romans 15:1–3 “1 We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. 2 We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. 3 For even Christ didn’t live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, “The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me.”
Paul tells us in Romans 15:1–3 “1 We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. 2 We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. 3 For even Christ didn’t live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, “The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me.”
B. People seek to please men, we want to look cool, important, we even exaggerate the truth don’t we?;
B. People seek to please men, we want to look cool, important, we even exaggerate the truth don’t we?;
Lets read Galatians 1:9–10 “9 I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed. 10 Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.”
Lets read Galatians 1:9–10 “9 I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed. 10 Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.”
C. They desire the things of the flesh; I have to take a minute here to describe what is “FLESHY”
C. They desire the things of the flesh; I have to take a minute here to describe what is “FLESHY”
Maybe alcohol, that results in fleshy feelings doesn't it? Is it drug addiction? What about QVC, buying clothes, tablecloths, shoes, that’s very fleshy right? What about motorcycles, motorcycle clothes? We get addicted to stuff to have, to wear, to show off.
Maybe alcohol, that results in fleshy feelings doesn't it? Is it drug addiction? What about QVC, buying clothes, tablecloths, shoes, that’s very fleshy right? What about motorcycles, motorcycle clothes? We get addicted to stuff to have, to wear, to show off.
Romans 8:8–10 “8 That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. 9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) 10 And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God.”
Romans 8:8–10 “8 That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. 9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) 10 And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God.”
D. Can we please God when we have no faith in God? UHHHHH NOOO
D. Can we please God when we have no faith in God? UHHHHH NOOO
Hebrews 11:6 tells us: “6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6 tells us: “6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”
II. People (does that mean you and I?) who are pleasing God. First we must have faith, we just read right?
II. People (does that mean you and I?) who are pleasing God. First we must have faith, we just read right?
A. Then, we are able to ask the right things from God;
A. Then, we are able to ask the right things from God;
King Solomon did, he asked God for the right things.
King Solomon did, he asked God for the right things.
1 Kings 3:8–10 “8 And here I am (King Solomon) in the midst of your (God’s) own chosen people, a nation so great and numerous they cannot be counted! 9 Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?” 10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom.”
1 Kings 3:8–10 “8 And here I am (King Solomon) in the midst of your (God’s) own chosen people, a nation so great and numerous they cannot be counted! 9 Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?” 10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom.”
CAN I GET AN AMEN?
CAN I GET AN AMEN?
B. They are separated FROM BAD, for God;
B. They are separated FROM BAD, for God;
2 Timothy 2:3–4 “3 Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them.”
2 Timothy 2:3–4 “3 Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them.”
Paul is telling Timothy here, “hang in there Timothy with me, we are committed to Jesus Christ right? Don’t get involved with petty stuff or things that have no concern to you but stay all in for Jesus.
Paul is telling Timothy here, “hang in there Timothy with me, we are committed to Jesus Christ right? Don’t get involved with petty stuff or things that have no concern to you but stay all in for Jesus.
C. They, you and I are to being wholly yielded to God;
C. They, you and I are to being wholly yielded to God;
Hebrews 13:20–21 “20 Now may the God of peace— who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood— 21 may he equip you with all you (you and I) need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.”
Hebrews 13:20–21 “20 Now may the God of peace— who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood— 21 may he equip you with all you (you and I) need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.”
D. They walk with God; Gen. 5:24; Heb. 11:5.
D. They walk with God; Gen. 5:24; Heb. 11:5.
Genesis 5:22–25 “22 After the birth of Methuselah, Enoch lived in close fellowship with God for another 300 years, and he had other sons and daughters. 23 Enoch lived 365 years, 24 walking in close fellowship with God. Then one day he disappeared, because God took him. 25 When Methuselah was 187 years old, he became the father of Lamech.”
Genesis 5:22–25 “22 After the birth of Methuselah, Enoch lived in close fellowship with God for another 300 years, and he had other sons and daughters. 23 Enoch lived 365 years, 24 walking in close fellowship with God. Then one day he disappeared, because God took him. 25 When Methuselah was 187 years old, he became the father of Lamech.”
Hebrews 11:5 “5 It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—“he disappeared, because God took him.” For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God.”
Hebrews 11:5 “5 It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—“he disappeared, because God took him.” For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God.”
Anyone here this morning thinking that would be a great blessing right now with what’s going on in this world? Just take me to heaven now God, I’m tired of all this.
Anyone here this morning thinking that would be a great blessing right now with what’s going on in this world? Just take me to heaven now God, I’m tired of all this.
E. They praise God;
E. They praise God;
Psalm 69:28–31 “28 Erase their names from the Book of Life; don’t let them be counted among the righteous. 29 I am suffering and in pain. Rescue me, O God, by your saving power. 30 Then I will praise God’s name with singing, and I will honor him with thanksgiving. 31 For this will please the Lord more than sacrificing cattle, more than presenting a bull with its horns and hooves.”
Psalm 69:28–31 “28 Erase their names from the Book of Life; don’t let them be counted among the righteous. 29 I am suffering and in pain. Rescue me, O God, by your saving power. 30 Then I will praise God’s name with singing, and I will honor him with thanksgiving. 31 For this will please the Lord more than sacrificing cattle, more than presenting a bull with its horns and hooves.”
III. Promises to those who please God. God makes us promises and keeps them, do we?
III. Promises to those who please God. God makes us promises and keeps them, do we?
A. Their enemies shall be at peace with them;
A. Their enemies shall be at peace with them;
Proverbs 16:6–8 “6 Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin. By fearing the Lord, people avoid evil. 7 When people’s lives please the Lord, even their enemies are at peace with them. 8 Better to have little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest.”
Proverbs 16:6–8 “6 Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin. By fearing the Lord, people avoid evil. 7 When people’s lives please the Lord, even their enemies are at peace with them. 8 Better to have little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest.”
So, that can happen. “our enemies” will not be bugging us and if they do, God will bless us in how to handle that. I like the sound of that.
So, that can happen. “our enemies” will not be bugging us and if they do, God will bless us in how to handle that. I like the sound of that.
B. Scripture tells us that our prayers shall be answered;
B. Scripture tells us that our prayers shall be answered;
1 John 3:21–22 “21 Dear friends, if we don’t feel guilty, (Let’s stop here a moment, “If we don’t feel guilty) WOW we can come to God with bold confidence. 22 And we will receive from him whatever we ask because we obey him and do the things that please him.”
1 John 3:21–22 “21 Dear friends, if we don’t feel guilty, (Let’s stop here a moment, “If we don’t feel guilty) WOW we can come to God with bold confidence. 22 And we will receive from him whatever we ask because we obey him and do the things that please him.”
So, we need to make sure we are right with God when we go to Him in our prayers. Can you imagine God when we go to him being selfish, angry, hard hearted, lying.........
So, we need to make sure we are right with God when we go to Him in our prayers. Can you imagine God when we go to him being selfish, angry, hard hearted, lying.........
C. Their name shall be everlasting;
C. Their name shall be everlasting;
Isaiah 56:4–5 “4 For this is what the Lord says: I will bless those eunuchs who keep my Sabbath days holy and who choose to do what pleases me and commit their lives to me. 5 I will give them—within the walls of my house— a memorial and a name far greater than sons and daughters could give. For the name I give them is an everlasting one. It will never disappear!”
Isaiah 56:4–5 “4 For this is what the Lord says: I will bless those eunuchs who keep my Sabbath days holy and who choose to do what pleases me and commit their lives to me. 5 I will give them—within the walls of my house— a memorial and a name far greater than sons and daughters could give. For the name I give them is an everlasting one. It will never disappear!”
As believers and followers of Jesus Christ, our names will never disappear! Our names will be written in God’s Holy Book.
As believers and followers of Jesus Christ, our names will never disappear! Our names will be written in God’s Holy Book.
Every diamond does not shine the same. Some cannot shine at all because they have never been cut. The brilliancy of the light depends largely upon the character of its facets. To shine, we must be diamonds, saved ones, precious in His sight; we must be cut and fashioned after His will; we must abide in the light. In His light we shall see light, and we shall be lights in the world.
Every diamond does not shine the same. Some cannot shine at all because they have never been cut. The brilliancy of the light depends largely upon the character of its facets. To shine, we must be diamonds, saved ones, precious in His sight; we must be cut and fashioned after His will; we must abide in the light. In His light we shall see light, and we shall be lights in the world.
AMEN
AMEN