## Pleasing God

## John 8:29

(John 8:29) And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

In our text Jesus said, "...I do always those things that please Him." That is quite a statement. It tells us several things: 1) God is pleased by some things 2) God is not pleased by other things, and 3) Jesus always did the things that pleased the Father.

We are all different when it comes to the things that please us. I personally believe that I am not hard to please, but that is my evaluation. Others may think that I am hard to please. When it comes to food, it is obvious that I am not hard to please, although there are some things that I won't eat! When it comes to life, there are many who are unhappy. There was a time when I mistakenly thought that all it took to please me was to have enough money to live on. But now, I realize that my life is more than the accumulation and distribution of wealth. I have a desire to please the Lord with my life!

The world is filled with people whose only desire is to please their selves! It seems that philosophy is found in all areas of our lives. We are told that we deserve this or we deserve that. After all if we don't take care of number one…who will?

For the life of a believer all of that changes. We find that our focus is no longer to be upon ourselves. Now our focus is upon pleasing God with our lives. But how are we to please Him?

I. God Is Pleased W/Salvation.

A. He is pleased when we, personally trust Christ.

(Luke 15:10) Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

1. The parables in chapter 15 deal with three things that were lost.

2. Each one represents the lost soul.

3. The sheep was lost without direction.

4. The coin was in darkness without life.

5. The son was in rebellion without satisfaction.

6. When each of them was found, there was great rejoicing.

7. God is pleased when we get saved!

B. God is pleased when we seek to reach others with the Gospel.

(John 15:8) Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

1. If we want to please God: First we must be saved…

2. Then we must get busy reaching out to others with the message of the Gospel that they might accept Christ!

(1 Corinthians 1:21) For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

3. God's Word to us is this: "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature!"

4. If we are not involved in seeing people come to Christ here and around the world, then we are not pleasing God!

II. God Is Pleased W/Obedience.

A. God was pleased with Jesus' obedience.

1. In our text Jesus said, "...For I do always those things that please Him."

2. On two different occasions God spoke directly from heaven during the earthly ministry of Christ, and voiced His pleasure concerning His Son, Jesus.

(Matthew 3:17) And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

(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.

3. Jesus knew that He came to do the will of God and to finish His work.

(John 4:34) Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

4. This is what pleased God the Father.

B. God is pleased by OUR obedience. Cf. Col. 3:18-23

1. Obedience to God's plan for the family.

a. Wives please God by their submission to their husbands.

b. Husbands please God by their love for their wives.

c. Children please God by their obedience to their parents.

d. We all please God when we serve Him with singleness of heart.

2. In His Word, the Bible, God has instructed us on many areas of obedience.

a. Baptism and the Lord's Supper

b. Attendance at the local church

c. Giving of our tithes and offerings

d. Ministry and service

3. We need to consider our obedience in these areas and ask ourselves, "Are we pleasing God?"

(Luke 6:46) And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

III. God Is Pleased W/ Faith.

A. Note the testimony of Enoch.

1. Enoch was one of two men who were taken into heaven by God before they died. (Elijah was the other one)

2. Enoch walked with God for 365 years, and 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.

3. What a wonderful testimony…God is pleased with a life of faith.

(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.

B. Without faith we cannot please God.

1. The walk of the believer is to be a walk of faith!

(2 Corinthians 5:7) (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

2. That simply means trusting in the Word of God as we live our daily lives.

3. Anything else isn't pleasing to the Lord.

4. Too often we allow our lives to be filled with and controlled by things that are material…but

5. God wants us to trust Him, to walk by faith, to realize that He will supply our every need.

6. When we do, He receives the glory!

C. We cannot please God in the flesh.

(Romans 8:8) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

1. That means that in our own strength and power we are incapable of pleasing Him.

2. We may go through the motions, say the right words, and even do some right things ... but if it is in the power of the flesh, God isn't impressed!

(Psalms 147:11) The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

3. Fear Him … Place our Hope in His mercy that is how we please Him!

4. Praise Him and be thankful!

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

5. That sounds a lot like Samuel's message to King Saul, doesn't it?

6. To obey is better than sacrifice!

If you are here this morning without Christ; you have never been born again. God will be so pleased for you to accept His Son, Jesus Christ, as your Savior. Why not come to Him now? We'll show you from God's Word how you can be saved and on your way to heaven. You can have a life that pleases God!

God is pleased with the salvation of souls, He is pleased with obedience, and He is pleased by our faith. God's Word tells us that "When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him." cf Proverbs 16:7. Is our life blessed in such a manner that we are at peace with our enemies? It can be…if we please Him!

Is God pleased with us? Is He pleased with our concern for souls? Is He pleased with our obedience and faith? I invite you to come to Him by faith this morning…determine to please God today.