DATE : TUESDAY 14.11.2017
TOPIC : PLEASING GOD OPENS HEAVEN
TEXT : MATTHEW 3:17
Why was heaven opened on Jesus ? Heaven was opened on Jesus because he was well pleased in his Father. In Matthew 3:17, we read this,
"And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO PLEASE GOD?
One of the biggest mistake we make is to think that we can by ourselves please God. We tend to seek to define "pleasing God" by the list of our "good actions", "good works", "well doings", or "spiritual sacrifices" like fasting, giving, tithing, etc.
In the Gospels, Jesus gives us the story of two men who went to pray. One was a Pharisee while the other was a Publican.
In his prayer, the Pharisee was telling God,
"God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men [are], extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess." (Luke 18:11-12)
According to him, he believed that he was pleasing God because he was fasting, tithing or doing good works.
In another hand the Publican was also praying. But in his prayer he was telling God,
"God be merciful to me a sinner."
From human perspective, we can be tempted to conclude that the Pharisee was the man who was pleasing God because of his outward works.
But from Jesus' perspective it was not the Pharisee who pleased God but the Publican.
He says in Luke 18:14
"I tell you, this man went down to his house justified [rather] than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."
Brethren, take note of this fundamental truth:
"As far as God is concerned, pleasing God is not a matter of what you do but about what God says about what you do."
Yes you are fasting but what does God say about your fasting ? Yes you are tithing but what does God say about your tithing ? Yes you are praying but what does God say about your prayer ? Yes you are going to church but what does God say about your going to church ?
The answer to those questions is what determines whether you please God or not.
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO PLEASE GOD?
So what does God say in His Word about what it takes to please Him ?
1) No one pleases God without faith in Him. It takes faith to please God.
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.
2) No one pleases God thinking and living according to the flesh. It takes being spiritual to please God.
Romans 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
3) No one pleases God without the fear of the Lord. It takes the fear of the Lord to please God.
Psalms 147:11 The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.
4) No one pleases God without obeying God. It takes obedience to please God.
1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD [as great] delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey [is] better than sacrifice, [and] to hearken than the fat of rams.
5) No one pleases God without a sonship relationship with God. It takes a sonship relationship with the Father to please God.
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.
6) No one pleases God while taking pleasure in sin and in unrighteousness. It takes holiness to please God.
Hebrews 13:21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom [be] glory for ever and ever. Amen.
7) No one pleases God without committing in a lifestyle of praise and worship. It takes a dedicated lifestyle of praise, worship and thanksgiving to please God.
Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of [our] lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
= PRAYER= PRAYER = PRAYER =
PRAYER 1 | Pray the Father for your faith
PRAYER 2 | Pray the Father to deliver you from the dominion of the flesh.
PRAYER 3 | Pray the Father to build in you the fear of him.
PRAYER 4 | Pray the Father for an obedient heart.
PRAYER 5 | Pray the Father for the grace of sonship.
PRAYER 6 | Pray the Father for the grace to do his will
PRAYER 7 | Pray the Father to help you to have a life of praise, worship and thanksgiving.
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