CUT ME SOME SLACK: I’M WORKING ON IT
What is it that makes me pleasing to God? The majority of us here this morning, if we were asked, would say that we want to please God. We want to make Him happy. We want to be “good” Christians. How do we describe good? What is it that makes us pleasing to God?
Some of us have the idea that “good” Christians are people who act like we do.
- Matthew 3:1-6
This is a description of John the Baptist. What kind of a lifestyle did he live? He wore rough clothes. He lived in the wilderness. He never drank wine, or even grape juice. He didn’t cut his hair. He faithfully told people about God, if they were around him and he didn’t dress things up. He told them simply, “Get right or get left!” He’s like some of the sidewalk preachers you see on the corners of Deland today.
Let me ask you, “Was God pleased with John?”
> Matthew 11:11 I assure you: Among those born of women no one greater than John the Baptist has appeared,
- Matthew 9:10-14
This is an account of a portion of Jesus’ life. Tell me, who was Jesus hanging out with? Where did Jesus spend a great deal of His time? Did He spend most of it alone in the wilderness, or did He go where the people were? Where was He? Let me ask you, “Was God the Father pleased with Jesus?”
> Matthew 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
Do you mean to tell me that God can be pleased with people who dress differently? Do you mean to tell me that God can be pleased with people who go to different places? Do you mean to tell me that God can be equally pleased with people who act differently, talk differently, or sing and worship differently?
Turn to the person beside you and tell him, “Cut me some slack. God loves me.”
If none of those things are what it takes to please God, what does it take to please God?
I. TO PLEASE GOD YOU LIVE A LIFE OF FAITH
The Bible says in Hebrews 11:6 that without faith it is impossible to please God. We looked at that passage last week. There is something else that is required in order to please God.
- Romans 8:7-9
> Romans 8:8 Those whose lives are in the flesh are unable to please God.
In order to please God, you must live a life, not controlled by your flesh, but by the Holy Spirit. That means first, that you must be a Christian.
> Romans 8:9 You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God lives in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.
Plan of salvation.
Admit that you’re a sinner. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that God has raised Him from the dead. It’s more than just believing about Jesus.
> James 2:19 You believe that God is one; you do well. The demons also believe—and they shudder.
> Acts 16:31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.
Confess – > Romans 10:9 if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
> 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Decide – Decide that Jesus will be the Boss in your life.
> Revelation 3:20 Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me.
> Luke 13:3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as well!
II. TO PLEASE GOD YOU ARE AND MAKE DISCIPLES
> John 15:8 My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be My disciples.
How do you do that? Romans 12:1&2 give us the keys to growing as disciples.
- Romans 12:1-2
We are transformed by the renewing of our minds. We renew our minds by:
1. Spending time in the Bible –
> 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Reading, listening, memorizing, etc.
2. Spending time with Christians
> Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works, not staying away from our meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
> Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
- Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
3. Spending time being honest
> Proverbs 28:13 The one who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.
4. Spending time doing
> Luke 6:46 Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things I say?
You don’t have to know everything about God in order to please Him. You don’t have to know His will in everything. You don’t have to understand everything about the Bible in order to make God happy. You do what you know to do, and as you do, God will teach you more.
Proverbs 4:18-19 The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday. But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they don’t know what makes them stumble.
When Jesus first encountered the disciples what did He tell them to do? Follow Me! That was it. Do you think He was happy with them at that time? Yes, because they were doing everything they knew to do and were obeying Him. …
Good news! The Holy Spirit will lead and guide you, He will help grow you, if you will let Him.
> John 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit—the Father will send Him in My name—will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.
