Do You Please God?

A. INTRODUCTION

1. How do you please your husband/wife?

2. How do you please your boss/employer?

3. How do you please God? “It is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who comes to Him must believe that God exist and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him” (Heb. 11:6, NLT).

a. Recognize He exists as Creator and Ruler with authority over your life.

b. You come to Him as He commands.

c. Live godly. “Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying . . . because he was known as a person who pleased God” (Heb. 11:5, NLT).

4. There are seven things God hates. “There are six things God hates—no, seven things he detests. A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart with wicked plans, feet that are quick to break the law, a mouth that tells lies, and one who sows discord in the family (physical and spiritual)” (Prov. 6:16-19). Note the source; eyes, tongue, hands, heart, feet, mouth, whole body.

B. SEVEN WAYS/THINGS THAT PLEASE GOD

1. Believe God’s power (creation), and authority (to command), and doing what He directs. “You must believe God exists and doing what He wants done” (Heb. 11:6, ELT).

a. Enoch was an example of one who lived in an ungodly culture, yet obeyed. “By faith Enoch was taken up to without dying, because he was known as a person who please God” (Heb. 11:5, NLT).

b. Enoch witnessed to his generation. “Enoch . . . prophesied . . . ‘Listen! The Lord is coming with countless thousands of his holy ones to execute judgment on the people of the world. He will convict every person of all the ungodly things they have done and for all the insults that ungodly sinners have spoken against him’” (Jude 14-15).

2. Be spiritually minded. “To be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity with God . . . so then those who are in the fresh cannot please God” (Rom. 8:6-8).

a. The Bible contrast two mind sets, i.e., following your bodily/sinful urges, or following the spiritual mind of Scriptures.

b. Paul says Jesus Christ delivers us from bodily (sinful) control (Rom. 7:24).

3. Fear God. “The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy” (Ps. 147:11).

a. Fear God is not being terrified.

b. R & R – recognizing His awesome power and respecting His desire.

4. Listen to Jesus. “This is my beloved Son whom I am well pleased, hear Him” (Matt. 17:5).

a. Jesus is our example. “He did always those things that pleased Him” (John 8:29).

b. We do what Jesus directs.

5. Obey the voice of God. “Has the Lord great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Sam 15:22).

a. God doesn’t want physical gifts (money), if you break His law or rebel against Him.

b. God will bless those who “keep my Lord’s Day” and attempt to please Me” and “abstained from immortality” and avoid “breaking my commandments” (1 Chron. 29:17; Isa. 56:4, 1 Thess. 4:1-3).

6. Actively do God’s will. “May He (God) equip you with all you need for doing His will. May He produce in you through the power of Jesus Christ every good thing that is pleasing to Him” (Heb. 13:21, NLT).

a. God will is declared and explained in the Bible.

b. God’s will goes beyond words, it is seen in the example of Jesus who said, “Not My will but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42).

c. God’s will is for you to be like Him. “You are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:48).

d. In Christ we are made perfect like Him” (Eph. 4:13, Col. 1:18).

7. Offer the sacrifice of worship. “Let us offer continually the sacrifice of praise to God . . . the fruit of our lips, giving thanks in His name . . . for such sacrifice God is well pleased” (Heb. 13:15).

a. You reflect God’s will with your life and lips. “You shall love the Lord you God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment . . . second . . . you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:37-40).

b. You express it in worship. “Give your bodies to God . . . let them be a living and holy sacrifice to Him . . . this is the true way to worship Him” (Rom. 12:1-2, NLT).

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart: