Knowing God's Pleasure

July 9, 2006

Summer Series

Knowing God’s Pleasure

All three of my sons have played sports over the years and one of the things I enjoyed most about the experience was the way that whenever one of them scored a goal, they would immediately turn and look to where I was standing to see if I was watching.

Have you ever worked in a place where those who are in charge never speak to you unless it is to bring criticism? Of coarse there are times when rebuke is necessary but most of us respond better to positive motivation.

We want to please those who have authority over us.

- At work we want our employer to appreciate us.

- We want parents and grandparents to be proud of us.

- We want our teachers to approve of our progress.

- We want to know God is pleased with us.

Psalm 149:3-5

Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with tambourine and harp.

For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation.

Let the saints rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds.

I’m not talking about earning God’s love, we have that without condition.

We’re not earning points, God’s not gonna “getcha” if you don’t do what he wants, I’m talking about building a passion into your faith by being willing and obedient.

There are a lot of strange ideas around the Church about what brings God pleasure.

- Some think dressing a certain way, keeping a certain hairstyle, and not wearing jewelry or having tattoos is the thing. Cleaning the outside of the cup.

- Some go with self-deprivation, the more miserable they are the better they think they are doing, no fun, no money, no abundant living.

- Some play the self-righteous game; they avoid all evil places, people, and things. They won’t go to the theatre so they have to wait and rent it on DVD.

So often we have no idea what someone else will appreciate. It’s like watching guys in Speedos at the beach, thinking the women like what they like. No clue!

Show the clip from:”Chariots of Fire”.

God takes pleasure in his creation in Genesis. Today we are going to look at what the bible says will bring God pleasure.

It brings God pleasure when we:

1. Run after Him.

Jeremiah 9:23-24

This is what the LORD says:

"Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD.

The closer a relationship is the harder it is to get away with lies. Once you have been married a few years you will stop trying if you are smart. As soon as I come in the house Kathy looks at me and says, “What have you been up to?”

Look what the scripture says:

- Understands me

- Knows me

- Gets my kindness, justice, and righteousness.

Take David as an example, here is what God said:

Acts 13:22

After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: ’I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart.

David knew how God felt about him:

Psalm 17:7-9

Show the wonder of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes.

Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me.

He was a real worshipper. He was also an adulterer and a murderer but he kept on running after God.

Look at your own life; is there any evidence of a passionate relationship with God? Are you still running after Him or have things cooled to a lukewarm level?

Compare it to a good marriage, the early emotions are not the same, they are replaced by either a deeper committed love or a cooled passionless thing.

Song of Solomon 1:2-4

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth— for your love is more delightful than wine.

Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes; your name is like perfume poured out.

No wonder the maidens love you!

Take me away with you—let us hurry! Let the king bring me into his chambers.

It brings God pleasure when we:

2. Push the boundaries of our faith in Him.

Hebrews11:6

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.