Message topic: How do you please God?
Colossians 3:22-25
I do believe that to please people is not always something easily done in one way or the other.
People are people, and it does not natter their skin color, their hair type, their size, or what part of the world they are from, we all came to be from one source; that is from the clay of the ground, and shaped by the fingers of the one true God, into his likeness who cause all things to be.
Some of the most prominent people in the bible who pleased God, despite their human imperfections, include Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and David. Their common thread was a deep and persistent faith in God that manifested through obedience, righteousness, and worship.
Today I am going to share with you a story of a father who is always striving to show to his two small children how much he loved them: while I am sharing this story with you, I trust that you and I will reflect back on how we were treated as little children who were totally reliant on our parents for all our needs.
This story reflects on a hot summer night when this father wanted to do something for his children who were uncomfortable because of this hot summer heat; so towards the middle of the night, he woke his little daughter and son, hoping to give them a surprise.
These children complained that their pajamas were wet from the perspiration of a hot and restless night, as they were taken from their bed and placed into the car and drove away from home. By the time they were fully awaken, they found themselves in the parking lot of the most foremost ice cream shop in town, with the most delicious flavors you can ever think of.
This is the way this father believes he could please his children for the uncomfortableness they were going through because of this hot summer night. He just wanted to surprise them.
While I was sharing this story, did it cause you or I to reflect on any incidents in our lives when we were four to six years old? Let me tell you about this mother with her five children; her husband work out of town, she was a dress maker, and made all the clothes for her four boys, and her one daughter.
For her boys, their shirts had six buttons around the bottom and connected to the pants through six holes in the waist of the pants, which was always short to their knees.
Whatever the situations were, they were taught to give praise to God for what they had, which were more than many others. when the time came for them to make their our own choice; they did not forget to praise God for his mercies.
First, we have to come to the knowledge of what is it that pleases God? And there is no better place to learn than from the bible, the only book of truth about God, and why He deserves our praises.
To please God starts with the knowledge of the redeeming saving work of Jesus Christ who came to earth from heaven with one purpose, the redemption of mankind; as Paul states in (Colossians 1:19) for it pleased the father that in him should all the fulness dwell.
Isaiah the Prophet tells us that it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.
Mankind had wondered away from the loving care of God, but through His never fading love for mankind sent Jesus into a sinful world to show mankind the only way by which they can be restored into the loving care of the God of love and mercy.
In our leading story of how this father seeks to do what he believes would comfort his children, their conclusion was, no matter what I did or didn’t do, so our heavenly father loves us. God loves you not because of what you’ve done, but because of who He is. His affection is not conditional on a list of do’s and don’ts. No, He simply wants you to place your trust in Him and receive His incredible gift of grace through faith in Christ alone.
How did you answer the question how to please God? We can only please God individually, so let’s from a surrendered heart give praise to the true almighty God of heaven and earth as Jesus the redeemer of mankind through his sacrificial death on a crass at Calvary.
One of the well- known hymn righters; Fanny J. Crosby, penned these words as to how we should give praise to God.
We should praise Him! praise! Him Jesus our blessed Redeemer! Sing, O Earth, His wonderful love proclaim! Hail Him! hail him highest archangel in glory; Strength and honor give to His holy name.
Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard His children, In His arms he carries them all day long.
Praise Him praise Jesus our blessed Redeemer for our sins He suffered, and bled and died: He our Rock, our hope of eternal salvation, hail, hail Jesus the crucified, sound His praises! Jesus who bore our sorrows, love unbounded, wonderful, deep and strong.
Praise Him praise Him Jesus our blessed Redeemer, Heavenly portals loud with hosannas ring, Jesus Savior, reigns forever and every; crown Him crown him prophets and Priest, and King: Christ is coming over the world victorious, power and glory unto the Lord belong.
Praise Him, praise Him, tell of His excellent greatness; Praise Him, praise Him, ever in joyful songs. (Why and how should we praise God?)