Pleasing God

PLEASING GOD

TEXT: Hebrews 11:5-6 “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. [6] But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

1 John 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

A clean heart is wrought by keeping the commandments of God and doing the things that please God. If a child disobeys his father, he displeases his father. The only way he can please his father is by obeying him. The same is true with God. If we are going to please God, we must obey God.

Note another fact as well. A father cannot reward his child if the child disobeys. The father just cannot grant the child’s request, not if he wants to teach him good behavior. Neither can God. The only way we can receive the things we ask is to obey God. He cannot reward our unfaithfulness and disobedience.

If we please God then we must do that which pleases Him. We can not just choose anything and say, “this is to please God.” And the reason why, is because there are certain things that don’t please him. Through His Word and the Spirit he shows us what is pleasing.

This morning I want to show you some things that are pleasing to God.

1. You Please God When You ASK HIM FOR THE RIGHT THINGS.

1 Kings 3:9-10 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? [10] And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.

2. You Please God When You Are SEPARATED FOR HIM.

2 Tim. 2:4 “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”

3. You Please God When You Are WHOLLY YIELDED TO GOD.

Hebrews 13:20-21 “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, [21] Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

4. You Please God When You Are WALKING WITH GOD.

Genesis 5:24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

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.

5. You Please God When You Are PRAISING GOD.

Psalm 69:30-31 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. [31] This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs.

6. You Please God When You Are YIELDED TO THE SPIRIT.

Romans 8:4-8 “That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. [5] For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. [6] For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. [7] Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. [8] So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.”

7. You Please God When You Are APPLYING YOUR FAITH IN HIM

Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

It is impossible to please God without faith. By faith is meant a living, active faith, a faith that knows and follows God, communes and fellowships with God. It does not matter what a person does; without faith he cannot please God. It is utterly impossible to please God without faith. What does this mean? The person will never be acceptable to God nor accepted by God. Without faith the person will never live with God, not in this world nor in the next world. Without faith, a person has to plow through this life all alone and handle all the trials, temptations, sufferings, accidents, diseases, and death by himself. Without faith, a person stands all alone in this world—utterly without God. It is impossible for him to please God.