Praise the Lord or Please the Lord ~ Matthew 3:13-17; Matthew 12:18; Matthew 17:5
Pastor John Opferman
6:00 PM
September 29, 2024
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Main Topics Discussed
Introduction
Start with a reminder: Grab your Bibles. We’ll read from Matthew Chapter 3, Chapter 12, and Chapter 17.
Opening statement: Never base a doctrine on a single verse; the Bible unites thoughts to form sound doctrine.
Key verses: Matthew 3:13-17, 12:18, 17:5
Main thought: It's not enough to praise the Lord; we must aim to please the Lord.
Prayer: Ask for God’s guidance as we explore how to live lives that are pleasing to Him.
Understanding the Importance of Pleasing God
Scriptural foundation: Three times in Matthew, God declares, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
Jesus' mission: Jesus always aimed to please His Father (John 8:29).
Contrast between praise and pleasing: Many churches focus on praising God but miss the mark if they are not living in a way that pleases Him.
Worship vs. Pleasing God
The example of the PTL Club:
Praising God without pleasing Him leads to failure, as seen in the fall of Jim Baker.
Praise is meaningless without obedience and righteousness.
Biblical Worship: Worship in spirit and truth (John 4:24).
Jesus as our example: Jesus pleased the Father by doing His will, not just through praise.
Pleasing God in Our Relationship with Him
Comparison with marriage:
A healthy marriage thrives when both partners aim to please each other.
Similarly, our relationship with God is strengthened when we seek to please Him.
Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 7:32-34 emphasizes the importance of pleasing the Lord, especially for the unmarried who can dedicate more time to God.
How to Please God
Give Him Your Heart
Key Commandment: Love God with all your heart (Matthew 22:37).
God desires: Our sincere, heartfelt devotion over empty lip service.
Isaiah's prophecy: “This people honoreth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me” (Mark 7:6).
Live a Holy Life
God's standard: Holiness and purity are required in our relationship with Him.
Scriptural examples: 2 Corinthians 11:2 – Present ourselves as a chaste virgin to Christ.
Warning: Friendship with the world is enmity with God (James 4:4).
Do His Will
Example of Jesus’ baptism: Jesus fulfilled righteousness by being baptized, even though He was sinless.
Why obey? Not to earn salvation but to please God. God’s pleasure rests on our obedience.
Preach His Word
Sharing the Gospel: There’s joy in heaven over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:7).
Matthew 12:18: God puts His Spirit on those who will show His judgment to the Gentiles. We are called to share His message.
Pray Consistently
Jesus’ example on the Mount of Transfiguration: Jesus prayed until His appearance was transformed.
Prayer should change us: True prayer brings us closer to God and aligns us with His will.
Praying to please God: Our prayers should be rooted in faith and aligned with God’s desires.
Trust God Completely
Faith is crucial: Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).
Why faith matters: Trusting God shows we believe in His promises and rely on His power, not our own works.
The Foundation: Relationship Over Religion
Salvation through faith: We must first be born again and have a relationship with Christ before we can please God.
Matthew 7 warning: "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven."
Application
Daily focus: Aim to be a "Please the Lord" individual, not just a "Praise the Lord" individual.
Questions for self-reflection:
Is God pleased with my actions, thoughts, and intentions?
Am I living a life that truly honors and pleases Him?
Closing Prayer
Invitation to respond: Invite those who haven't placed their faith in Christ to come forward.
Encouragement: Commit to live lives that are not just about praising but actively pleasing God.
Biblical References
Matthew 3:13-17
"Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."Matthew 12:18
"Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles."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."John 8:29
"And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him."2 Corinthians 11:2
"For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ."1 Corinthians 7:32-34
"But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband."Mark 7:6
"He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me."James 4:4
"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."1 John 2:15
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."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."Luke 15:7
"I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance."Matthew 7:21-23
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
Reflection Questions
In what ways are you striving to please God in your daily life, beyond just praising Him? Are there areas where you feel you could be more intentional in pleasing Him?
How does the example of Jesus' baptism demonstrate the importance of obedience, even when we might not fully understand why it's necessary? How can you apply this kind of obedience in your own walk with God?
What does it mean to worship God in spirit and in truth, as mentioned in the sermon? How can you ensure that your worship is rooted in a genuine relationship with God rather than just religious practice?
Reflect on your relationship with God as compared to a marriage. In what ways can you 'please' God as you would aim to please your spouse or loved one? Are there habits or actions that might be hindering your closeness with God?
The sermon highlighted that faith is essential to please God. How strong is your faith today? Are you trusting God in all areas of your life, or are there aspects where you struggle to let go and believe in His plan?
Daily Activities
1. Obedience to God
Activity: Identify one area in your life where you have been resisting God's guidance.
Application: Take a specific action this week to obey God in that area, whether it’s forgiving someone, spending more time in prayer, or serving others.
2. Seeking Holiness
Activity: Examine your daily habits and identify anything that may not be pleasing to God.
Application: Replace at least one unholy habit with a God-honoring practice, such as spending time in God’s Word, avoiding gossip, or treating others with kindness.
3. Building a Relationship with God
Activity: Dedicate 30 minutes each day to spend time with God through prayer, Bible reading, and reflection.
Application: Journal your thoughts about what God is revealing to you and how you can grow closer to Him by seeking to please Him in your daily life.
4. Sharing Your Faith
Activity: Identify one person in your life who needs to hear about Jesus.
Application: Pray for an opportunity to share the gospel with them this week, and be prepared to tell them about how Jesus has transformed your life.
5. Praising God with Intentionality
Activity: Reflect on how you worship God during church services or in your personal time.
Application: Make a conscious effort to engage more deeply by focusing on the meaning of the songs, prayers, or scriptures, ensuring that your praise comes from a genuine desire to please God.
