Untitled Sermon

Last week we began a brand new sermon series we’re calling “Supreme”

Jesus is Supreme, and what we are going to study through the book of Colossians is that!

Just by way of recap, you remember that we started with “Supreme: The Truth of the Gospel”

The Truth Filled Greeting

The Truthful Gospel

And tonight we are going to talk about “The Truth about Pleasing God.”

So join me in Colossians 1:9-14

Colossians 1:9–14 KJV 1900

9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

I heard about a young man that was incredible at piano. If I could play any instrument, I wish it was the piano. Well this guy that played was absolutely incredible. And he finally had his first time playing in public.

As this young man played, the audience was captivated. The music flowed well, the piano sounded great, and the audience at the end was moved to a standing ovation.

As he walked off the stage, all the people stood and clapped, except one old man. The stage manager was overjoyed and approached this young player. He said, “Wow that was the best I’ve ever heard… you were incredible.”

The young man had his head hung low, and said, “I was a failure. An absolute failure.”

“What?” said the stage manager, “do you not see the audience? Everyone is standing except that old man!”

“Yeah that’s the point, that old man is my teacher.”

This young player was more interested in pleasing the Teacher than the entire world.

Unfortunately, it seems that many Christians are more interested in pleasing the world that the One that created the world.

This passage is so truth filled. And extremely convicting to my own heart.

It also begs the question, who would I rather seek to please?

How can we live lives that please God?

Pleasing God includes fruit, growth, and gratitude.

As we look at The Truth about Pleasing God, I want you to see 2 things in this passage that will help answer that question:

1. Paul’s Prayer for the People of God

Already in chapter 1 we see that Paul prays a prayer of thanksgiving because of these believer’s faith in the gospel.

Now, however, Paul begins to pray a prayer of intercession.

Intercession is stepping in on behalf of someone else.

What is Paul stepping in on their behalf for?

Paul wants to make it abundantly clear how it is to please God.

He’s doing this because of the good report he heard in Colossae

The Requests of Paul:

i) To be Filled

The word “fill” means to be controlled.

To be controlled by what, then?

The knowledge of God’s will!

God’s will, as one commentator says, “Is not a spiritual Easter egg he hides from us.”

God has revealed His will to us through His awesome word

Paul is praying that the controlling influence on our lives is to do God’s will not our own.

Patience not anger

Love not hate

ii) In All Wisdom

This refers to comprehension of truth.

This is knowing what the Scriptures preach and teach. Understanding it, agreeing to it.

iii) And Understanding

This refers to the application of the truth.

So it’s not just understanding God’s will and God’s word, but it’s also applying them to our lives.

Paul prayed as an intercessor for other believers. What would happen is us as leaders began to do that for these students and for each other?

“I want you to understand and walk in God’s will. I want it so bad I’m will to give up all my pride and pray for you.”

2. Pleasing Practice of the People of God

verse 10-12

After Paul mentions his prayer for the people, he mentions why he prayed this:

so they will live a life that pleases God.

So here is where we get the Truth about Pleasing God.

and it includes, Fruit, growth and gratitude.

Let’s examine these 3 things:

i) Fruit

“being fruitful.”

This is what our lives produce

Galatians 5:22–23 KJV 1900

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Remember the Holy Spirit produces this in our lives, we do not do these things in order to gain salvation.

Good works is God’s good work in you coming out on display.

One thing about this is these fruit are so simple.

God does not expect us to do incredible things… He will do that.

it also includes:

ii) Growth

Growing in the knowledge of God

God doesnt expect you to have every doctrine in the Christian faith memorized… He just wants you to know Him.. and to know Him deeply.

When is the last time you heard God speak?

When is the last time you just wanted to press into His presence?

A. W. Tozer said, “Faith is the gaze of a soul upon a saving God.”

Is your soul gazing at God?

iii) Gratitude

Gratitude toward God for the freedom He offers us!

What should I thank God for?

Colossians 1:12 KJV 1900

12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

a) Reward

To be a partaker means that you share something. God sees that you are fit to share in His inheritance.

Inheritance is granted to an heir AFTER the owner dies.

God says, “I saw that My Son died, and because of His death, you can have the Kingdom of God.”

Because of Jesus’ death, we are rewarded with:

eternal life, the Kingdom, salvation, and the grace of life!

Are you thankful He rewarded you?

b) Rescue

Understand something… if you are a Christian in this place. God delivered you from the power of evil and darkness.

Ephesians 2:1–3 KJV 1900

1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

God saw us there and said… “go free!”

Are you thankful He rescued you?

c) Relocation

He put us into His kingdom!

Are you thankful He relocated you?

d) Redemption

The release of a people by the payment of a price.

It’s the idea of a ransom...

At the beginning of time… man was captive to sin. An enemy came in and kidnapped the children of God. Holding them hostage, the Enemy held onto the sinful man.

Meanwhile… in heaven, you know what NEVER happened?

God never looked down, thinking, “I don’t know if I can ever pay this debt.”

Because He is so rich.

God never looked down, thinking, “There must be a mistake, those aren’t mine.”

Because God created you.

God never looked down, thinking, “I don’t know if I want to pay their debt.”

Because He is so loving.

God never looked down, thinking, “they are going to have to do this on their own.”

Because He is justice.

God never looked down, thinking, “They are going to owe me something for this.”

Because God is merciful and gracious.

God looked down from heaven and said… “Satan, I’ve got a payment for what’s Mine. And the payment is going to be in the form of a liquid.”

Colossians 1:14 KJV 1900

14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

God ransomed and redeemed us through the blood of Jesus Christ forgiving our sins FOREVER!

Are you thankful He redeemed you?

Let me ask you one more time:

Are you thankful God rewarded you?

Are you thankful God rescued you?

Are you thankful God relocated you?

Are you thankful God redeemed you?

Closing:

Pleasing God includes fruit, growth, and gratitude.

is your life producing fruit?

Are you growing?

Maybe tonight God is challenging you to be that intercessor for those around you. Find yourself a place in the altar and ask God to help you.

Maybe tonight you need to find a place in the altar and thank God for what He did for you.

Maybe you need to go and ask God to forgive you for the first time!