How to Make God Happy

Our Contentment in Christ — (Vs. 5)

Conversation — Greek (tropos) — “character, conduct, manner of life.”

Covetousness — Greek (aphilargyros) — “free from love of money, not greedy”

1 Timothy 6:10 — For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Proverbs 1:19 — So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.

Proverbs 28:16b — “but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.”

Content — Greek (arkeō) — “to be satisfied, be sufficient, be enough”

1 Timothy 6:6-8 — 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

Philippians 4:11-13 — 11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Our Contentment in Christ will lead to our Confidence in Christ!

Our Confidence in Christ — (Vs. 6-8)

Boldly — Greek (tharreō) — “to have courage & confidence”

Helper — Greek (boēthos) — “someone who runs to the aid of to help.” It was used to describe a doctor who would run to help a patient. — Mattoon’s Treasures

Rule — Greek (hēgeomai) — “points to one who rules by leading, who clearly shows the way in both word and conduct.”

Hebrews 4:12 — For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Follow — Greek (mimeomai) — “to imitate, follow an example.” It’s where we get our English word “mimic” from.

Considering — “observe, look carefully at, implying much mental thought”

Conversation — Greek (anastrophē) — “behavior, conduct, way of life.”

Malachi 3:6a — For I am the Lord, I change not;

Commentary on the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews Chapter 13

The only way by which we can persevere in the right faith is to hold to the foundation, and not in the smallest degree to depart from it

1 Corinthians 3:11 — For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Our Contentment in Christ leads to our Confidence in Christ and our Confidence in Christ ought to lead to our Commitment to Christ!

Our Commitment to Christ — (Vs. 9-14)

Carried about — Greek (parapherō) — “mislead…but when you study it a little further the phrase actually means to “to bear about.”

Ephesians 4:14 — That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

Listen to me this morning friend, there are a whole lot of men out there standing in the pulpit and they will preach in such a way that what they’re saying sounds really nice and pleasing and encouraging and flashy but the problem is, what they’re preaching isn’t “thus sayeth the Lord” and it doesn’t line up with the Word of God and if it doesn’t line up with God’s Word it’s useless and good for nothing!

The Epistle to the Hebrews B. Need for Sound Doctrine (Hebrews 13:7–9)

Since Jesus does not change, His doctrine does not change. Therefore, the Hebrews should not follow false doctrine. “Divers” is from a word which means “many colors.” The doctrine of Jesus Christ does not take on many colors. Christians need to know that true doctrine is important. A doctrine is either true or false; there is no middle ground. The test of any doctrine is its faithfulness to the Scriptures. Any which fails to measure up to the teaching of the Bible is false. One should also be wary of strange doctrine. Any new doctrine should be suspect. The Christians have had the Bible for many centuries, and all sound doctrine is found in it. Any doctrine which is based on writings outside of the Scriptures should be rejected.

Established — Greek (bebaioō) — “to make firm, stable & secure” it speaks of “increasing in inner strength!”

Ephesians 2:8-9 — 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Religion says “do”, Grace says “done”!

Vs. 14

Philippians 3:20 — For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

We need to be like Abraham and look for that “city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” — (Hebrews 11:10)

And be like Moses who the Bible says “Esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.” (Hebrews 11:26)

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 — 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 5:1-2 — 1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:

Colossians 3:1-3 — 1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

We find Contentment in Christ, which brings about our Confidence in Christ, which makes us want to want to Commit our lives to Christ, which finally, brings about our Communication of Christ!

Our Communication of Christ — (Vs. 15-16)

Hebrews 11:13 — These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 — 17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Mark 8:38 — Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

Ephesians 2:10 — For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.