Pleasing God: Our Greatest Ambition in Life
2004005
Topic # 0560
Introduction:
A. John 8:12 – Jesus: the light of the world.
1. Teaching in the treasury of the temple.
a) Explaining his relationship between Himself & the Father.
2. 8:21 – begins to speak of His relationship between Himself & the Father.
3. 8:23-30
B. Focus on 8:28
1. When you lift up the Son of Man – what is He referring to?
2. As you read 8:28 – note how calm He is.
a) His execution would be a terror in & of itself – resulting in torture; insult; and death.
C. Look at His unshaken faith in the triumph of His cause.
1. Then you will know I am He.
2. World: His life ends w/stupendous failure.
3. To HIM: success! No doubt; no wavering!
4. Heb. 12:2b-3
D. Note His relationship w/the Father.
1. 8:28b – He was the pupil of the Father.
2. 8:29 – He was the companion of the Father
3. 8:29 – He was the servant of the Father.
E. 8:29 – I always do the things that are pleasing to Him
1. Psa. 40:7-8 – this is speaking of Jesus.
2. Jesus delighted in making atonement for the sins of the world.
3. His obedience was not external. It sprang forth from His heart.
4. Isa. 42:21 – there wasn’t a day that went by w/o Jesus constantly fulfilling this verse.
F. And so must we. We must seek to please God. There is nothing more important.
I. Disciples are like their teachers.
A. Lk. 6:40 – we are disciples of Jesus. We’re in training to become more like Him. Each day we should be putting on new qualities about ourselves.
B. 1 Cor. 11:1 – Paul: imitate me & I also imitate Christ.
C. 1 Pet. 2:21-24 – Jesus is our example to follow.
D. 2 Pet. 1:3-4 – we are called to be partakers of the divine nature.
1. God wants us to become like Him. Eph. 5:1
2. We must earnestly work to please Him.
3. Col. 3:10
II. We must avoid the things which displease Him.
A. Selfish pride not only hampers growth – it displeases God.
1. 2 Cor. 5:14-15 – we’re no longer living for self.
2. A constant battle. Selfishness lies at the bottom of many sins.
a) Destroys relationships: marriage; brethren; congregation.
b) James 3:14, 16 – wreaked havoc in FC Congregations.
4. Paul’s admonition – Phil. 2:3-4
5. Js. 4:6 – God opposed to the proud.
B. Carelessness & indifference displease God.
1. There = danger in neglect! Heb. 2:1-3
2. Neglect nothing more than slothfulness –which God calls wickedness – Mt. 25:26
3. Pro. 24:27
a) This talking about the man who does not improve his opportunities.
b) How diligent are we in leading our spiritual lives?
4. Lukewarmness does not please God – Rev. 3:14-16
C. Unbelief displeases Him.
1. We expected to act by faith – 2 Cor. 5:7
a) Everything we do is because of it.
2. God lays tasks before us. How do we respond?
a) He does not call us to apathy; average; mediocre; or mundane service!
b) Mt. 28:18-20 – disciples given a task. What if they didn’t believe?
c) Col. 1:5-6; 1; 23 – 20/30 years later.
d) They launched out – trusting that God would deliver them.
3. God is still laying out tasks before us.
a) Forgiving/working out things in marriage.
b) Changing our character
c) Being lights in a dark world.
d) Raising good kids in a wicked world.
4. God can/will accomplish these things through us. How much do we believe Him? Are we willing to act in faith?
D. Murmuring & complaining displeases Him.
1. Children of Israel had great blessings from God. Only thing they could do was complain.
a) God calls them stiff-necked. Deut. 9:6 OBSTINATE.
2. How many murmur/complain today?
a) Complain about the leadership. Complain about programs the congregation launches.
b) Absolutely NO excuse for it!
3. Phil. 2:14
4. God hates those who sow strife & discord! Pro. 6:19
III. A closer look at John 8:29
A. This text is positive & practical. “Do”
1. Just as Jesus lived to please the father – so can we!
2. This to be our highest ambition in life!
3. How did Jesus please the Father?
B. Look at His prayer life.
1. Lk. 3:21 – before baptism
2. Lk. 6:12 – before the call of the 12.
3. Mk. 1:35; 6:41; 7:34 – in connection w/miracles.
4. Jhn. 17:6-26; Lk. 22:32; 23:34 – for other people.
5. In His life – EVERY incident in life was an event to be dealt with in prayer!
6. It cannot please the Father for His child not to speak to Him!
C. He denied Himself. To please God we must deny ourselves.
1. John 5:19-20; 6:38; Lk. 22:42; Phil. 2:5-10
2. This spirit is contrary to the world around us.
a) Ads: You deserve the best this world has to offer.
b) Devil persuades us to elevate self about what it should be.
3. 1 Pet. 4:1-5 – must cease from sin.
D. He had a thankful spirit.
1. Psa. 69:30; Heb. 13:15-16
2. Rom. 1:20-21 – God wants us to glorify Him & be thankful.
a) Just how much do we appreciate His goodness?
b) It is from a thankful spirit that our spiritual service must result!
IV. These things must actually be done!
A. John 8:29 – “I do.”
B. It will not suffice to talk or pray about doing these things & then not follow through!
1. Road to hell is paved with good intentions.
2. Not only must I make the decision – I must carry out the decision!
3. Don’t sacrifice the important for the urgent.
C. They must “always” be done.
1. at home – as hus/wife/child.
2. on the job – as employer/employee.
3. There must not be at any moment anything that we should not like God to see, or where we should not like Jesus to find us.
Conclusion:
A. By doing these things we can please God.
1. God will be with us. This is the only way He will be with us.
2. We will be strengthened in the Lord.
3. God assures us He will be with us in our work.
B. Is this standard too high?
1. Is it impossible? Not with God’s help!
2. What good would an imperfect example be?
C. Have you failed? Get your life right today!
D. I N V I T A T I O N
