Approved Of God

Approved of God

Scripture Reading: Acts 2:14-24

Scripture Text: Acts 2:22; I Thess. 4:1

Acts 2:22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

Introduction:

The phrase “approved of God”, in the original Greek, literally means “to show off, i.e. exhibit; figurative to demonstrate, i.e. accredit :- (ap-) prove, set forth, shew.” In other words, God demonstrated (showed off) His approval of Christ “by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him.....”. How wonderful it would be if Christians today would live in such a way that God Himself would “show off” His approval of us by manifesting His

Divine Power in our lives as He did in the life of Jesus Christ! I believe that it is His will to do so in these last days. May God bring it to pass in His Church today!!

1 Thes. 4:1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.

1 Thes. 4:1 [GW] Now then, brothers and sisters, because of the Lord Jesus we ask and encourage you to excel in living a God-pleasing life even more than you already do. Do this the way we taught you.

1 Thes. 4:1 [Living] Let me add this, dear brothers: You already know how to please God in your daily living, for you know the commands we gave you from the Lord Jesus himself. Now we beg you--yes, we demand of you in the name of the Lord Jesus--that you live more and more closely to that ideal.

We have many Scriptural examples of men who had the approval of God on their lives. Let us take a look at some of them and follow their example.

To have God’s approval upon our lives......

I. We Must Meet The Basic Requirements.

A. Believe on Jesus Christ and be born again.

John 3:17-18 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. [18] He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

B. We must forsake sin.

Isaiah 55:7 [Living] Let men cast off their wicked deeds; let them banish from their minds the very thought of doing wrong! Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy upon them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon!

Luke 13:3 [Living] And don’t you realize that you also will perish unless you leave your evil ways and turn to God?

2 Cor. 7:1 [Living] Having such great promises as these, dear friends, let us turn away from everything wrong, whether of body or spirit, and purify ourselves, living in the wholesome fear of God, giving ourselves to him alone.

Hebrews 12:1 ......let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us....

Hebrews 12:1 [Living] ....let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back, and especially those sins that wrap themselves so tightly around our feet and trip us up....

II. We Must Live A Godly Life.

A. As Enoch.

Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

2 Peter 3:11 [NRSV] Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness,

1. A godly life will bring God’s approval.

III. We Must Live A Life Of Faith.

A. As Abraham.

Genesis 15:6 And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

Romans 4:20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

B. As Caleb.

Joshua 14:12 [GW] Now give me this mountain region which the Lord spoke of that day. You heard that the people of Anak are still there and that they have large, fortified cities. If the Lord is with me, I can force them out, as he promised."