“Pleasing God”
Ephesians 4:30
REVIEW
I. Our Wealth and Worth In Christ 1-3
II. Our Worthy Walk in Christ 4-6
A. Live in Unity 4:1-16
B. Live in Newness of life 4:17-24
C. Live in Love 4:17-24
1. Speak truth not falsehood 4:25
2. Be angry without sinning 4:26-27
3. Stop stealing but work with your hands to give 4:28
4. Speak with your mouth to encourage and energize 4:29
5. Stop grieving the Holy Spirit 4:30
Last week we focused on living so as not to grieve the Holy Spirit. Paul did not include a two-sided instruction in this verse. Perhaps the flip side of grieving the Holy Spirit comes later when he tells us to “be continually filled with the Holy Spirit.”
What is pleasure and what does it feel like?
Pleasure is one of those things we think we know it is until we are forced to try to explain it.
Most would describe it as an emotion but it is inseparably linked to both our mental capacity and our physical capacity. Those who have studied pleasure for a good many years now I can't even agree. Experiments were done by just electrically stimulating certain portions of the brain thought to be the source of pleasure. Some felt that the chemical dopamine was responsible for pleasure feelings. Yet experiments with rats demonstrated that they felt certain pleasure in spite of chemically blocked dopamine production. Why do certain things cause a pleasurable feeling in some but not others? Why do some go into a rapturous state of euphoria with a good cup of coffee or espresso while others, like me, have no interest whatsoever and are in fact repulsed by it? Some pleasure seems physically based such as a good back massage, certain smells, sexual intimacy, a good workout or savoring our favorite meal. Other pleasures come from such things as listening to good music, art, good news, personal achievement or social interaction. I guess most would describe good feelings as pleasure and bad feelings as pain.
What does pleasure feel like?
The feelings on your wedding day
The warm surge of feelings at the birth of your children or grandchildren
Watching a beautiful sunset
A warm embrace by someone you love
A sense of accomplishment
The realization of forgiveness by God
The anticipation of eternity in a pain-free world
We use words like enjoy, like, relish, delight, adore. You get the idea.
Pleasure is whatever makes us feel good. Ever since Adam sinned and his sinful nature was passed on to everyone since, our capacity to experience pleasure has been distorted.
The masochist finds pleasure in pain. The rapist finds pleasure in dominating women.
People experience pleasure outside the boundaries of God's design for marriage. People seek pleasure in chemicals and activities.
But to the wicked God says, "What right have you to tell of My statutes and to take My covenant in your mouth? For you hate discipline, and you cast My words behind you. When you see a thief, you are pleased with him, and you associate with adulterers. You let your mouth loose in evil and your tongue frames deceit. You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother's son. These things you have done and I kept silence; you thought that I was just like you; I will reprove you and state the case in order before your eyes. Psalms 50:16-21
Isaiah spoke of those whose soul delighted in their abominations. (Isa 66:3-5)
It was Paul’s ultimate objective to focus his attention on bringing God pleasure through all aspects of his life. The ability to feel good is intricately connected to being made in the image of God. What gives God pleasure? What puts a smile on God's face? What causes pleasurable emotions to affect God’s heart?
The Gospels record a whole range of emotions in Jesus from pleasure to pain, from joy to sorrow, from delight to distress and everything in between. Paul told us to stop grieving the Holy Spirit which goes for not grieving the Father or the Son. How do we do the flip side?
Later in this letter Paul talks about "trying to learn what's pleasing to the Lord".
What pleases God?
One thing is sure; God takes not pleasure in wickedness.
For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; no evil dwells with You. Psalms 5:4
The pleasure that God feels in connection with His relationship with us is not unlike the pleasure parents derive from their interaction with their children.
It starts with their birth. They are just part of us. They haven’t even done anything. They are connected. There is a natural parent child love bond. We derive joy out of the littlest things at that age; drooling, eating, sleeping, sucking on their toes, smiling and giggling.
Then there is the crying, messy diapers, spitting up -- oh how quickly we can shift from being pleased to perturbed.
Later we find pleasure in their learning to walk and talk until we get to the point where we only want them to sit down and shut up. Conversation and communication brings pleasure.
Watching them learn. We are pleased when they obey. It pleases us to see them achieve new tasks and projects. We enjoy seeing them effectively relate to others. We appreciate gratitude, affection, obedience, respect, and honor.
I think you get the picture.
Yes there are painful moments but they are interspersed with moments of sheer delight.
Our Heavenly Father finds pleasure from many of the same things as He interacts with His beloved children.
He holds pleasures in His right hand.
You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever. Psalms 16:11
God is the source of true life and pleasure. It is natural to conclude that He Himself feels pleasure. So what puts a smile on His face? What warms His heart? What brings Him pleasure?
Here are some important thoughts to ponder concerning pleasing God. Only those who have been born again have the capacity to please God. Those who live according to the mere flesh CANNOT please God. (Rom 8:5-8)
The goal of God’s continual work in our life is to please Him
So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
The ultimate goal of God’s work in our life is that we want and actually do work for His good pleasure. It is the goal of His equipping.
Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21
It was Paul's ultimate life ambition.
Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. 2 Corinthians 5:9
Most would agree that when we meet God, we want to hear Him say to us…
“Well done good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your master” Matt 25:23
Interesting that this response was in relations to faithful use of earthly resources.
God is pleased when we trust Him
And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Hebrews 11:6
If living without faith displeases Him. Only living by moment by moment trust in Him pleases Him.
By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God. Hebrews 11:5
He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He does not take pleasure in the legs of a man. The Lord favors those who fear Him, those who wait for His lovingkindness. Psalms 147:10-11
For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, and in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. But like Adam they have transgressed the covenant; there they have dealt treacherously against Me. Hosea 6:6-7
In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:6-9
The Father declared his pleasure in Jesus even before he started His ministry.
After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased." Matthew 3:16-17
No healing, no calming to sea, no casting out demons, no multiplication of food , no formal ministry or achievements. The Father was pleased with His Son. Pleased in their relationship.
The Father was pleased by his character; who He was on the inside. Being must always come before doing or the doing brings no pleasure to God.
God is pleased by our good Words
For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts. 1 Thess 2:3-4
Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults. Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins; Let them not rule over me; Then I will be blameless, And I shall be acquitted of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer. Psalms 19:12-14
Notice that God can derive pleasure from our meditation; the things we think about.
God is pleased by our Praise and Thanksgiving
Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name… for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:15-16
Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God a pleasing service with reverence and awe; Hebrews 12:28
And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices pleasing to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Pet 2:4-5
God is pleased by our Godly character and obedience to His ways
This is by far the most repeated source of God's pleasure.
Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more. 1 Thessalonians 4:1
Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory (pleasure) of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
To do righteousness and justice is desired by the Lord more than sacrifice. Proverbs 21:3
The perverse in heart are an abomination to the Lord, but the blameless in their walk are His delight. Prov 11:20
Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from Him,
because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight. 1 Jo 3:21-22
Samuel said, "Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. "For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has also rejected you from being king." 1 Samuel 15:22-23
Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21
So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. Philippians 2:12-16
By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God. Hebrews 11:5
Hear the word of the Lord, You rulers of Sodom; Give ear to the instruction of our God, You people of Gomorrah. "What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me?" Says the Lord. "I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed cattle; and I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs or goats. When you come to appear before Me, Who requires of you this trampling of My courts? Bring your worthless offerings no longer, incense is an abomination to Me. New moon and Sabbath, the calling of assemblies— I cannot endure iniquity and the solemn assembly. I hate your new moon festivals and your appointed feasts, they have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them. So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood. Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, reprove the ruthless, and defend the orphan, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together," Says the Lord, "Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool. Isaiah 1:10-18
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:1-2
With what shall I come to the Lord and bow myself before the God on high? Shall I come to Him with burnt offerings, with yearling calves? Does the Lord take delight in thousands of rams, in ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:6-8
Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. Romans 14:16-20
Since I know, O my God, that You try the heart and delight in uprightness, I, in the integrity of my heart, have willingly offered all these things; so now with joy I have seen Your people, who are present here, make their offerings willingly to You. 1 Chronicles 29:17
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is His delight. The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but He loves one who pursues righteousness. Proverbs 15:8-9
Thus says the Lord, "Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things," declares the Lord. Jer 9:23-24
Praying for others pleases God
First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4
God is pleased with those who Honor their parents
Honor widows who are widows indeed; but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is pleasing in the sight of God. 1 Timothy 5:3-4
Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord. Colossians 3:20
Those who Bear up under unjust suffering please God
Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. For this is pleasing, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this pleases God. 1 Peter 2:18-20
God delights in Humble brokenness
For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. Psa 51:16-17
God Delights in His people
Then I (wisdom) was beside Him, as a master workman; and I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before Him, Rejoicing in the world, His earth, and having my delight in the sons of men. Proverbs 8:30-31
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased. Luke 2:14
You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: "He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us"? But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE." Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. James 4:4-10
The Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy. Zephaniah 3:17
Cast away from you all your transgressions which you have committed and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! For why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies," declares the Lord GOD. Therefore, repent and live." Ezekiel 18:31-32
Let them shout for joy and rejoice, who favor my vindication; And let them say continually, "The Lord be magnified, Who delights in the prosperity of His servant." Psalms 35:27
The steps of a man are established by the Lord, And He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, because the Lord is the One who holds his hand. Psalms 37:23-24
My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord Or loathe His reproof, For whom the Lord loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights. Proverbs 3:11-12
Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in unchanging love. Micah 7:18
God is pleased with Justice
A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight. Proverbs 11:1
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But He loves one who pursues righteousness. Prov15:8-9
God enjoys delivering His People
Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; Make haste, O Lord, to help me. Psalms 40:13
For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. Colossians 1:19-20
His grave was assigned with wicked men, yet He was with a rich man in His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was there any deceit in His mouth. But the Lord was pleased To crush Him, putting Him to grief; If He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, And the good pleasure of the Lord will prosper in His hand. As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, As He will bear their iniquities. Isaiah 53:9-11
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 1 Corinthians 1:21
But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, Galatians 1:15-16
A Gentle and Quiet Spirit pleases God
Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. 1 Peter 3:3-4
I am certain that the things listed in this very letter would be sufficient to provide a good understanding of what grieves God and what pleases Him; both the things before and what is about to follow.
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31-32
Imitate Him. Love like Him. Purge the junk and pursue the joy. Live as children of light. Expose evil. Live carefully according to the will of the Lord. Be continually directed and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Live in proper relationship to one another.
What priority do we assign pleasing God?
How concerned are we that we bring God pleasure by our life?
Like some who believed in Jesus during His time on earth, we are often more concerned about pleasing men than God.
Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God. John 12:42-43
Paul referenced the people of Israel in 1 Corinthians 10 and lamented the fact that even though they had striking spiritual privilege and unprecedented identification with Almighty God…
“Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased”.
He goes on to catalogue a list of things that did not please God.
Craved evil things - Trusted idols - Engage in immoral behavior - Tested the Lord - Grumbled and complained
God called out to His people after generations of continually rejecting God.
But he who kills an ox is like one who slays a man; he who sacrifices a lamb is like the one who breaks a dog's neck; he who offers a grain offering is like one who offers swine's blood; he who burns incense is like the one who blesses an idol. As they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations, so I will choose their punishments and will bring on them what they dread. Because I called, but no one answered; I spoke, but they did not listen. And they did evil in My sight and chose that in which I did not delight. Hear the word of the Lord, you who tremble at His word: Your brothers who hate you, who exclude you for My name's sake, Have said, 'Let the Lord be glorified, that we may see your joy.' But they will be put to shame. Isaiah 66:3-5
Today we have heard more than sufficient data on what does delight God. Let us choose them.
Let us stop grieving the heart of God and, like Paul, make it our life ambition to please Him in all respects, continually learning what is pleasing to the Lord.
May understanding His will motivate us to do that will and please Him in all we do.
Benediction
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit Rom 15:13
And may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21
