What it Takes to Please God

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO PLEASE GOD?

"Therefore we also have as our ambition [we make it our aim], whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him." 2 Corinthians 5:9; " ... trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord." Ephesians 5:8-10

Last week we looked at the characteristics of a God-pleaser. Today I want to share with you what it takes to please God. I have really been challenged by the study I have been doing as I have read through the Scriptures and Lou Prilio's book, PLEASING GOD... How Not to be An Approval Junkie. It has really stirred me on to learn what pleases God.

Here is what it takes to please God:

1. Pleasing God requires faith. "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 diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6

2. Pleasing God requires walking with Him. "For this reason also,
since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God ..." Colossians 1:9-10

3. Pleasing God requires sanctification. "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. For you know what commandments we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: ..." I Thessalonians 4:1-3

4. Pleasing God requires YOUR cooperation. "So then, my beloved,
just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but 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." Philippians 2:12-13

5. Pleasing God requires doing good works. " ... so that you will
walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God ..." Colossians 1:9-10

6. Pleasing God requires knowledge and wisdom. "For this reason
also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God ..." Colossians 1:9-10

7. Pleasing God requires gratitude (worship). "Therefore, since we
have received a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe ..." Hebrews 12:28

8. Pleasing God requires godly ambition. "Therefore we also have as
our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad." 2 Corinthians 5:9-10

That question this morning is this - Am I willing to do what it takes to please God today? Think about it. But do more than that - do it! -- Bill Welte is the President and CEO of America's KESWICK

Great quote: He feared nothing for Himself; and never once employed His divine power to save Himself from His human fate. Let God do that for Him if He saw fit. He did not come into the world to take care of Himself...His life was of no value to Him but as His Father cared for it. God would mind all that was necessary for Him, and He would mind the work His Father had given Him to do. And, my friends, this is just the one secret of a blessed life, the one thing every man comes into this world to learn. George Macdonald