know how to please GOD

KNOW HOW TO PLEASE GOD

28 January 2024

TE KHOROMBI

Start by recapping from last weeks message titled: Developing habits that resembles Christ”.

Here are some of the habits that Jesus Christ cultivated:

Jesus was accustomed to going to the synagogue and reading the scriptures (Mark 1:21, Mark 1:39, Matthew 9:35).

Jesus was used to going up to the mountain to pray, even by himself (Matthew 14:23, Luke 6:12, Luke 9:28).

It was not his habit to go places because other people are going or doing things because other people are doing them. To Jesus, God’s time mattered (John 7:6, Acts 1:7, Luke 21:8).

He was not a man pleaser. Yet, he was compassionate about people’s needs (Mark 12:14, John 3:2, Luke 20:21).

Our good habits

We need them to get closer to hear God and shut the world out. We walk and live by faith.

Examples of good habits are:

Attend church always

Reading the Bible daily (set time, a place).

Keeping a journal for daily reflection. Keep it on your bedside.

Try to have time to meditate daily or occasionally every week.

Limit going around to places you are invited or feel like going.

Stop trying to live a life of pleasing people but rather please God.

Pray in your heart at all times. Giving thanks to God ceaselessly. Sometimes have a spot you frequent to pray.

Proof text:

It will be worthwhile to read from verse 1

1 Chronicles 28:4–10 (ESV) 4 Yet the Lord God of Israel chose me from all my father’s house to be king over Israel forever. For he chose Judah as leader, and in the house of Judah my father’s house, and among my father’s sons he took pleasure in me to make me king over all Israel. 5 And of all my sons (for the Lord has given me many sons) he has chosen Solomon my son to sit on the throne of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel. 6 He said to me, ‘It is Solomon your son who shall build my house and my courts, for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father. 7 I will establish his kingdom forever if he continues strong in keeping my commandments and my rules, as he is today.’ 8 Now therefore in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the Lord, and in the hearing of our God, observe and seek out all the commandments of the Lord your God, that you may possess this good land and leave it for an inheritance to your children after you forever. 9 “And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever. 10 Be careful now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong and do it.”

Pleasing God requires that we 1. Know Him , 2. Seek him, and 3. Serve him

A. What does it mean to know God:

to have a personal knowledge of him. (we cant know God through other people)

be acquitted with him. (i.e be aware or familiar with his existence, help, love, etc)

understand him.

appreciate him.

heed (pay attention to what he commands)

cherish God. (i.e. keep him in your heart and mind. love him more than anything)

B. What is seeking Him:

It is inquiring for and of him.

It is requiring/needing him as first and vital necessity.

Solomon though he was wise and had knowledge, he was enticed to serve other gods.

How can we escape to be enticed to do wrong when tempted?

Knowledge (knowledge of God)

Wisdom

The fear of God

NB: God gave Solomon knowledge and wisdom but he lacked the fear of God.

Fear of God comes from: 1. Seeking God and 2. Never forsaking God (i.e. leaving His commands) 3. Getting understanding (Proverbs 3:13, Psalm 119:104, Proverbs 19:8, Proverbs 16:16, Psalm 111:10)

References to help us further:

Ecclesiastes 7:18

Proverbs 7:4-5, Proverbs 5:3-6,

1 Kings 11:1, 4-6, 9-11, 33-35

Job 28:20, Job 28:28

2 Chronicles 1:1-11 (prayer of Solomon asking for wisdom and knowledge)