Launch Verse – Isaiah 46:9-10
INTRODUCTION
• The Scriptures talk a lot about what brings pleasure to God.
o Every day when we get up, we have choices to make. One of those choices is, “How will I conduct myself today?”
• Isaiah 46:9-10 – Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure.’
o God’s eternal purpose is tied directly to His “good pleasure.”
I. GOD LOVES RELATIONSHIPS
A. God takes pleasure in His redemptive plan.
1. God established a plan that would make it possible to re-establish humanity’s relationship with Him.
a. The Old Testament sacrifices were insufficient because they just “covered” sin. God needed a plan that would “cleanse” sin, and He established that through Jesus!
b. Hebrews 10:6 says, “In whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You have taken no pleasure.”
2. God did not delight in the suffering of Jesus, but He delighted in what that suffering accomplished
Isaiah 53:10 says, “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.”
Isaiah 42:1 – Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations.
B. The story of Jesus’ birth, life, sacrificial death, and powerful resurrection was the glorious plan of God for redemption.
Colossians 1:19 – For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him.
C. God takes pleasure when a sinner gives their heart to Him.
1. John 3:16 tells us that God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
a. This passage flies in the face of the doctrine of predestination. God has not chosen some to have eternal life and others to have eternal damnation.
2. Ezekiel 18:23 – Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord God, rather than that he should turn from his ways and live?
Luke 15:7 – I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
II. WHEN WE DISPLAY GOOD CONDUCT & PROSPER
Illustration: Share the Story of Publix and the Paper Bag
A. Most of the counseling we do centers around relationships.
1. Unfortunately, people who claim to be Christians are not treating each other like they are Christians. They have a “form” of Godliness…
B. God takes great pleasure when believers grow in holiness.
Philippians 2:13 – For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
C. Holy living brings pleasure to God. One of the ways the Bible address this topic is by using the phrase “walking uprightly.” (In the Way of the Word)
Psalms 84:11 – For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
Psalm 37:23 – The steps of a man are established by the Lord, And He delights in his way.
D. It pleases God when we (His Children) prosper!
Psalms 35:26-28 – Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonor that magnify themselves against me. Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favor my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant. And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.
III. GOD TAKES PLEASURE IN HIS OWN
Psalms 149:4 – For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
A. You are “the apple of God’s eye!”
Psalms 17:7-9 – Shew thy marvelous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them. Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings, From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.
B. God delights in our commitment to Him.
Psalms 22:8 – Commit yourself to the Lord; let Him deliver him; Let Him rescue him because He delights in him.
1. There are special blessings for those who commit their lives to the Lord.
a. He fights for them (Deuteronomy 3:22),
b. He helps them (Psalm 46:1), and
c. He is their fortress and refuge (Psalm 144:2a).
Closing:
Psalms 16:11 - Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore.
Philippians 2:13 – For it is God who worketh in you both to will and do of His good pleasure.
