Faith is essential, without it it’s impossible to please God.
Hebrews 11:6 (HCSB) Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him.
To have faith in God is to trust Him. To trust someone has to do with that person’s integrity, reputation, character, image, and ability. When we don’t believe that God exists then we don’t trust or honor his Word, or integrity. Is there any wonder then that He is not pleased?
Our faith, first of all, acknowledges the absolute existence of God, His eternal power and His divine nature.
Romans 1:20 (HCSB)20 For His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what He has made. As a result, people are without excuse.
Second, our faith causes us to believe that He rewards those who seek Him.
Philippians 4:19 (HCSB)19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Jeremiah 29:11 (HCSB)11 For I know the plans I have for you”—⌊this is⌋ the LORD’s declaration—“plans for ⌊your⌋ welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Without these both of these believing that He exists and rewards those seeking Him, you can’t do the things that please Him, because pleasing Him is totally dependent on following His directions. God tells us what pleases Him but we can’t do it in our own power we can only do it by faith.
Hebrews 11:6 (HCSB) Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him.
To have faith in God is to trust Him. To trust someone has to do with that person’s integrity, reputation, character, image, and ability. When we don’t believe that God exists then we don’t trust or honor his Word, or integrity. Is there any wonder then that He is not pleased?
Our faith, first of all, acknowledges the absolute existence of God, His eternal power and His divine nature.
Romans 1:20 (HCSB)20 For His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what He has made. As a result, people are without excuse.
Second, our faith causes us to believe that He rewards those who seek Him.
Philippians 4:19 (HCSB)19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Jeremiah 29:11 (HCSB)11 For I know the plans I have for you”—⌊this is⌋ the LORD’s declaration—“plans for ⌊your⌋ welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Without these both of these believing that He exists and rewards those seeking Him, you can’t do the things that please Him, because pleasing Him is totally dependent on following His directions. God tells us what pleases Him but we can’t do it in our own power we can only do it by faith.
Things that please God
1. Be led by His Spirit
Romans 8:6-9 (HCSB)6 For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace.7 For the mind-set of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit itself to God’s law, for it is unable to do so.8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God lives in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.
We have two mind-sets one, the human one (flesh, carnal), the other led by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit indwells us at salvation. We are saved by God’s grace through our faith.
Romans 3:21-26 (HCSB)21 But now, apart from the law, God’s righteousness has been revealed—attested by the Law and the Prophets 22 —that is, God’s righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ, to all who believe, since there is no distinction.23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.24 They are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.25 God presented Him as a propitiation through faith in His blood, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His restraint God passed over the sins previously committed.26 ⌊God presented Him⌋ to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be righteous and declare righteous the one who has faith in Jesus.
2. Fear Him
Psalm 147:11 (HCSB)11 The LORD values those who fear Him, those who put their hope in His faithful love.
This doesn’t mean that we should be terrified of God. This same Psalm tells us that He is merciful and heals the brokenhearted. The fear of God expressed here is a respect of Him. Fearing God causes us to rely on Him and honor Him. This kind of fear results in our trust of God and His promises.
3. Honor and follow Jesus
When we put our faith in Jesus as our Savior, we please God.
Matthew 17:5 (HCSB)5 While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said: This is My beloved Son. I take delight in Him. Listen to Him!
If we follow Jesus, who always pleased God, we will also please Him.
John 8:29 (HCSB)29 The One who sent Me is with Me. He has not left Me alone, because I always do what pleases Him.”
If we follow Jesus’ example we will please God. In order to do that we need to know what Jesus did and taught, We can find those things by studying the scriptures, especially the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
4. Obey Him
1 Samuel 15:22 (HCSB)22 Then Samuel said: Does the LORD take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? Look: to obey is better than sacrifice, to pay attention ⌊is better⌋ than the fat of rams.
It pleases God for us to obey, not because it’s good for Him but because it’s good for us.
Deuteronomy 10:13 (HCSB)13 Keep the LORD’s commands and statutes I am giving you today, for your own good.
We willing obey God because we trust Him.
Deuteronomy 28:1-2 (HCSB)1 “Now if you faithfully obey the LORD your God and are careful to follow all His commands I am giving you today, the LORD your God will put you far above all the nations of the earth.2 All these blessings will come and overtake you, because you obey the LORD your God:
We also know that if we don’t obey there are consequences.
Deuteronomy 28:15 (HCSB)15 “But if you do not obey the LORD your God by carefully following all His commands and statutes I am giving you today, all these curses will come and overtake you:
5. Do His Will
Hebrews 13:20-21 (HCSB)20 Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus—the great Shepherd of the sheep—with the blood of the everlasting covenant,
21 equip you with all that is good to do His will, working in us what is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ. Glory ⌊belongs⌋ to Him forever and ever. Amen.
God’s will is His desires, His commands and His plans. It pleases Him when you do His will. I preached a sermon titled “God Is Not Hiding His Will For You From You”. In it I talked about God’s Revealed Will, His Determined Will, and His Specific Will. It’s your responsibility to seek and find His will for you.
Doing God's will demands a decision. And that decision requires faith and action. You can't see the end, so you have to trust Him in faith and then step out. You have to act. Faith and obedience go together.
6. Give Him the Sacrifices He Wants
God is not pleased with sacrifice of things we get through disobedience (sin).
1 Samuel 15:16-19 (HCSB)16 “Stop!” exclaimed Samuel. “Let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night.” “Tell me,” he replied.17 Samuel continued, “Although you once considered yourself unimportant, have you not become the leader of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel18 and then sent you on a mission and said: ‘Go and completely destroy the sinful Amalekites. Fight against them until you have annihilated them.’19 So why didn’t you obey the LORD? Why did you rush on the plunder and do what was evil in the LORD’s sight?”
But there are sacrifices that He is “well pleased” with. Those sacrifices include praise, giving thanks and sharing with others.
Romans 12:1 (HCSB)1 Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.
Hebrews 13:15-16 (HCSB)15 Therefore, through Him let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of our lips that confess His name.16 Don’t neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.
1. Be led by His Spirit
Romans 8:6-9 (HCSB)6 For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace.7 For the mind-set of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit itself to God’s law, for it is unable to do so.8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God lives in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.
We have two mind-sets one, the human one (flesh, carnal), the other led by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit indwells us at salvation. We are saved by God’s grace through our faith.
Romans 3:21-26 (HCSB)21 But now, apart from the law, God’s righteousness has been revealed—attested by the Law and the Prophets 22 —that is, God’s righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ, to all who believe, since there is no distinction.23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.24 They are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.25 God presented Him as a propitiation through faith in His blood, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His restraint God passed over the sins previously committed.26 ⌊God presented Him⌋ to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be righteous and declare righteous the one who has faith in Jesus.
2. Fear Him
Psalm 147:11 (HCSB)11 The LORD values those who fear Him, those who put their hope in His faithful love.
This doesn’t mean that we should be terrified of God. This same Psalm tells us that He is merciful and heals the brokenhearted. The fear of God expressed here is a respect of Him. Fearing God causes us to rely on Him and honor Him. This kind of fear results in our trust of God and His promises.
3. Honor and follow Jesus
When we put our faith in Jesus as our Savior, we please God.
Matthew 17:5 (HCSB)5 While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said: This is My beloved Son. I take delight in Him. Listen to Him!
If we follow Jesus, who always pleased God, we will also please Him.
John 8:29 (HCSB)29 The One who sent Me is with Me. He has not left Me alone, because I always do what pleases Him.”
If we follow Jesus’ example we will please God. In order to do that we need to know what Jesus did and taught, We can find those things by studying the scriptures, especially the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
4. Obey Him
1 Samuel 15:22 (HCSB)22 Then Samuel said: Does the LORD take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? Look: to obey is better than sacrifice, to pay attention ⌊is better⌋ than the fat of rams.
It pleases God for us to obey, not because it’s good for Him but because it’s good for us.
Deuteronomy 10:13 (HCSB)13 Keep the LORD’s commands and statutes I am giving you today, for your own good.
We willing obey God because we trust Him.
Deuteronomy 28:1-2 (HCSB)1 “Now if you faithfully obey the LORD your God and are careful to follow all His commands I am giving you today, the LORD your God will put you far above all the nations of the earth.2 All these blessings will come and overtake you, because you obey the LORD your God:
We also know that if we don’t obey there are consequences.
Deuteronomy 28:15 (HCSB)15 “But if you do not obey the LORD your God by carefully following all His commands and statutes I am giving you today, all these curses will come and overtake you:
5. Do His Will
Hebrews 13:20-21 (HCSB)20 Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus—the great Shepherd of the sheep—with the blood of the everlasting covenant,
21 equip you with all that is good to do His will, working in us what is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ. Glory ⌊belongs⌋ to Him forever and ever. Amen.
God’s will is His desires, His commands and His plans. It pleases Him when you do His will. I preached a sermon titled “God Is Not Hiding His Will For You From You”. In it I talked about God’s Revealed Will, His Determined Will, and His Specific Will. It’s your responsibility to seek and find His will for you.
Doing God's will demands a decision. And that decision requires faith and action. You can't see the end, so you have to trust Him in faith and then step out. You have to act. Faith and obedience go together.
6. Give Him the Sacrifices He Wants
God is not pleased with sacrifice of things we get through disobedience (sin).
1 Samuel 15:16-19 (HCSB)16 “Stop!” exclaimed Samuel. “Let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night.” “Tell me,” he replied.17 Samuel continued, “Although you once considered yourself unimportant, have you not become the leader of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel18 and then sent you on a mission and said: ‘Go and completely destroy the sinful Amalekites. Fight against them until you have annihilated them.’19 So why didn’t you obey the LORD? Why did you rush on the plunder and do what was evil in the LORD’s sight?”
But there are sacrifices that He is “well pleased” with. Those sacrifices include praise, giving thanks and sharing with others.
Romans 12:1 (HCSB)1 Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.
Hebrews 13:15-16 (HCSB)15 Therefore, through Him let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of our lips that confess His name.16 Don’t neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.
God's Good Pleasure
No matter how much we give God, we can never come close to what He’s already done for us, and there is more to come.
Proverbs 16:7 (HCSB)7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Luke 12:31-34 (HCSB)31 “But seek His kingdom, and these things will be provided for you.32 Don’t be afraid, little flock, because your Father delights to give you the kingdom.33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Make money-bags for yourselves that won’t grow old, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Psalm 16:11 (HCSB)11 You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures.
What Does God Want Most From You?
We can do all of these things and more, there are countless mentions in the Bible of things that please God, but what He wants most is for you to love Him. When Jesus was asked what was the greatest commandment He answered;
Matthew 22:37-40 (HCSB)37 He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.38 This is the greatest and most important command.39 The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.40 All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.”
God wants us to love Him with everything we’ve got.
Psalm 51:16-17 (HCSB)16 You do not want a sacrifice, or I would give it; You are not pleased with a burnt offering.17 The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. God, You will not despise a broken and humbled heart.
The scriptures tell us that it’s God’s will that everybody come to repentance and be saved.
2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV)9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
If you have never accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior then God's will for you is that you do. Here's all you have to do. Pray this prayer in all sincerity (only you and God know if you’re really sincere);.
“Dear God, I am a sinner and need forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ shed His precious blood and died for my sin. I am willing to turn from sin. I now invite Christ to come into my heart and life as my personal Savior.”
If you have just prayed this prayer, in all sincerity, call, text, email, Tweet, change your Facebook status and tell somebody. Leave me a comment here or send me an email with this Link. Then find a bible believing church and start to fellowship with other believers. You have taken the first step in pleasing God.
No matter how much we give God, we can never come close to what He’s already done for us, and there is more to come.
Proverbs 16:7 (HCSB)7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Luke 12:31-34 (HCSB)31 “But seek His kingdom, and these things will be provided for you.32 Don’t be afraid, little flock, because your Father delights to give you the kingdom.33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Make money-bags for yourselves that won’t grow old, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Psalm 16:11 (HCSB)11 You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures.
What Does God Want Most From You?
We can do all of these things and more, there are countless mentions in the Bible of things that please God, but what He wants most is for you to love Him. When Jesus was asked what was the greatest commandment He answered;
Matthew 22:37-40 (HCSB)37 He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.38 This is the greatest and most important command.39 The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.40 All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.”
God wants us to love Him with everything we’ve got.
Psalm 51:16-17 (HCSB)16 You do not want a sacrifice, or I would give it; You are not pleased with a burnt offering.17 The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. God, You will not despise a broken and humbled heart.
The scriptures tell us that it’s God’s will that everybody come to repentance and be saved.
2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV)9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
If you have never accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior then God's will for you is that you do. Here's all you have to do. Pray this prayer in all sincerity (only you and God know if you’re really sincere);.
“Dear God, I am a sinner and need forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ shed His precious blood and died for my sin. I am willing to turn from sin. I now invite Christ to come into my heart and life as my personal Savior.”
If you have just prayed this prayer, in all sincerity, call, text, email, Tweet, change your Facebook status and tell somebody. Leave me a comment here or send me an email with this Link. Then find a bible believing church and start to fellowship with other believers. You have taken the first step in pleasing God.
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