Pleasing God: Our Greatest Ambition in Life

Introduction:

John 8:12 – Jesus is the light of the world. He is teaching in the treasury of the temple and is explaining his relationship between Himself & the Father.  In 8:21 – He begins to speak of His relationship between Himself & the Father. Read 8:23-30.  Focus on 8:28 - When you lift up the Son of Man – what is He referring to? Note how calm He is.  Look at His unshaken faith in the triumph of His cause.  Note His relationship w/the Father.  He was the pupil of the Father; He was the companion of the Father; He was the servant of the Father.  8:29 – I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.  And so must we.  We must seek to please God.  There is nothing more important.

I.  Disciples are _________ their teachers.

A.     Lk. 6:40; 1 Cor. 11:1; 1 Pet. 2:21-24; 2 Pet. 1:3-4

B.     God wants us to become like Him.  Eph. 5:1  See also Col. 1:10

II. We must ___________ the things which displease Him.

A.     _________ _________ not only hampers growth – it displeases God.

1.      2 Cor. 5:14-15 – we’re no longer living for self.

a.      Paul’s teaching – Phil. 2:3-4

b.      Js. 4:6 – God opposed to the proud.

B.     _________________ & indifference displease God.

1.      There = danger in _______________!  Heb. 2:1-3

2.      Pro. 24:27; Lukewarmness does not please God – Rev. 3:14-16

C.    ______________ displeases Him.

1.      God lays tasks before us.  How do we respond?

a)     He does not call us to ________; average; or mediocre service!

2.      God is still laying out tasks before us.  How strong is our faith?

D.    Murmuring & ______________________ displeases Him.

1.      Phil. 2:14; God ________ those who sow strife & discord!  Pro. 6:19

III. A closer look at John 8:29

A.     Just as Jesus lived to please the father – so can we!

B.     Look at His _______________ life.

1.      Lk. 3:21 – before baptism; Lk. 6:12 – before the call of the 12.

2.      Jhn. 17:6-26; Lk. 22:32; 23:34 – for other people.

3.      In His life – ________ incident in life was an event to be dealt with in prayer!

C.     He __________ Himself.  To please God we must ___________ ourselves.

1.      John 5:19-20; 6:38; Lk. 22:42; Phil. 2:5-10

2.      1 Pet. 4:1-5 – must ____________ from sin.

D.     He had a ________________ spirit.

1.      Psa. 69:30; Heb. 13:15-16 Do we ________________ His goodness?

IV. These things must actually be done!

A.     John 8:29 – “____ ________.”

B.     Cant’ talk or pray about doing these things & then not follow through!

C.    They must “______________” be done.  at home; on the job

Conclusion:

A.     Is this standard too high? Is it impossible?  Not with God’s help!

1.      What good would an imperfect example be?