Podcasts about pleasing god

We hope you enjoy today's Scripture reading and devotional aimed at equipping you for moral and spiritual transformation. Today's Bible reading is 2 John 4–11. To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional. Browse other resources from Robert W. Yarbrough. Follow us on social media to stay up to date: Instagram Facebook Twitter

Pleasing God (Luke16:15) More joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous ppl (Luke 15:7) & Humbled heart (Luke 14:11)

Title: “Not An Empty Visit” Part 3 Text: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16 FCF: We often struggle identifying true faith in contrast to non-saving faith. Prop: Because only true faith saves, we must ensure we have received Jesus Christ in true faith. Scripture Intro: [Slide 1] Turn in your bible to 1 Thessalonians chapter 2. In a moment we'll read from the Legacy Standard Bible starting in verse 1. You can follow along in the pew bible or in whatever version you prefer. Today we will conclude the thought that Paul began with in chapter 2. However, keen observers might have noticed that there is a significant amount of overlap between chapter 1 and what we've discussed in chapter 2 so far. Indeed, if you took it upon yourself to set the two chapters side by side and drew lines or highlighted with different colors themes that are saying the same things with different words – you could illustrate this quite clearly. I won't impose that upon you – but if you are up for the challenge, I'm sure it would be profitable to you. Chapter 2 has largely been put to the Thessalonians in order to prove to them that the mission to their city was one that proved to be fruitless. Paul began by stating that they know it was not in vain because it was God's Gospel at work. He continued by saying that they know it was not in vain because they conducted themselves like a family. Today, Paul will conclude his assurance to them, in that they know it was not in vain because it rendered familiar results both positively and negatively. Please stand with me to give honor to and to focus on the Word of God as it is read. Invocation: Holy Father, You have revealed Yourself to us Your people through the Word, our Lord Jesus Christ. He has come to us, as God With Us. He has come to us to save us from sin, death, hell, the devil, and the kingdom of darkness. You have freed us from the tyranny of our own wisdom and enabled us to believe in You the giver of life. God give us eyes to behold the truth of Your word this morning as we see what makes true faith and what awaits us if we are without it. May we take the words of hope and warning today in faith, and may it have the effect upon us You desire. We pray this in Jesus' name – Amen. Transition: [Slide 2] “Faith that saves has one distinguishing quality; saving faith is a faith that produces obedience, it is a faith that brings about a way of life.” Billy Graham “A man at his wit's end is not at his faith's end.” Matthew Henry “The function of faith is to turn God's promises into facts.” J. Oswald Chambers Let these thoughts wash over you as we embark on the truth of the passage this morning. I.) True faith produces belief in God's Word and suffering for Christ, so we must ensure we have received Jesus Christ in true faith. (13-14) a. [Slide 3] 13 - And for this reason we also thank God without ceasing that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also is at work in you who believe. i. It takes two sides to make a visit profitable. ii. Paul has, in the first twelve verses, explained how he and his companions did their part to produce a successful and fruitful mission among them. iii. They took God's gospel and gave it to them without unseemly methods or greedy motives. iv. They adopted them as family and loved them accordingly. They cared for them like parents, both supplying what they needed to grow and thrive and teaching them to live a life worthy of God's Kingdom. v. But all of this would have been for nothing if the message was ineffective to produce any kind of spiritual change in them. vi. In fact, without God's empowering the message of His gospel, the Thessalonians would never have heard it as His Word. vii. So Paul gives thanks once again, without ceasing, to God, that the Thessalonians responded to the message the way they did. viii. Going back to chapter 1 verse 4-5, we see that Paul expresses similar thoughts. ix. He is thanking God because he is confident that the Thessalonian believers were elect of God. x. Why? xi. Primarily because of how the gospel came to them. xii. Not in word only (ie words of men only) but in the power of the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. xiii. Paul's thanksgiving here is expressed in more detail. xiv. What does it mean that the gospel came in power, in the Spirit, and with full conviction? xv. It means they responded in true faith. Well, how do they know they have true faith? There are two examples in this text. xvi. First, that they believed the content of the message as though it were from God and second, that they received the power of the message. 1. The content of the message, if received in true faith, must be from God. a. The evangelists were demonstrating holy, righteous, and blameless lifestyles and exhorting, encouraging and insisting that the Thessalonians do the same. b. All of this is couched in the idea that a Kingdom is coming where Christ reigns over all, and demands purest devotion and worship. c. The same Lord who died to save them from their sins, will one day return to judge the living and the dead. He will restore His people and make them to rule with Him in that Kingdom. d. If someone receives this in true faith – they must conclude it is from God. e. Paul reveals in a later letter that the Word of God is hidden from those who are without God's Spirit. God's Spirit must do a work in an unbeliever in order to enable them to understand and believe what the Word of God teaches. f. So, we say that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God… which is true. But hearing the Word of God to the point of understanding that it is from God and even what that message means – all comes through the power of the Holy Spirit. g. We call this step in the salvation process – regeneration. And although the bible does not explicitly teach that it precedes faith, the scriptures clearly teach that God must do something to enable a person to believe the gospel of Jesus Christ. And He must do this to bring them out of their spiritually dead state. Since this is what regeneration is, it is safe for us to conclude that it must precede faith. h. Paul alludes to this here – in that the Thessalonians did not perceive this as a message from men – but they took what the evangelists said as the very words of God. A conclusion they could not have arrived at without the power of the Holy Spirit – which Paul said in chapter 1, did happen when the gospel came to them. 2. The second way we know they responded in true faith, is by the powerful result of that message being received. a. To those who truly believe, the Word of God produces an effect. b. We should expect the Word of God, preached, taught, read, heard, studied, mediated on, memorized, and illustrated to have a powerful effect upon those who are truly God's people. c. Warnings about sin and falling away, and pursuing righteousness, and loving God and others – should have a distinct influence over the hearts of those who are God's people. d. It is a predictable outcome that if absent calls into question the very legitimacy of our faith. xvii. So how specifically were the Thessalonians powerfully affected by the Word they received from God? b. [Slide 4] 14 - For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also suffered the same things at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews, i. Paul calls out their suffering in the same way that the first members of the church suffered. ii. In fact, he uses the word – imitate again. iii. This also goes back to chapter 1 verse 6. iv. They became imitators of Christ and the evangelists by receiving the word with affliction. v. Paul again denotes that Christians are the same no matter where they are. Whether in Judea or Macedonia. They are also the same no matter WHEN they are. Whether at Pentecost in the formation of the church or now. vi. There are general markers that are common among all those who receive true faith. vii. In this example, Paul points to how on the day of Pentecost, believers on Christ suffered great persecution at the hands of fellow countrymen who rejected the gospel. viii. In a similar way, the Thessalonians are being treated quite poorly by their neighbors, family, friends, and others in the city who rejected the gospel message. ix. Being persecuted by unbelievers who are among those closest to you is one way that the legitimacy of your faith is demonstrated. c. [Slide 5] Summary of the Point: Paul's primary point in this chapter so far has been to verify that the mission they had among the Thessalonians only a few months previous, was not an empty and fruitless mission. Countering the claims of their fellow residents of Thessalonica, Paul knows it wasn't fruitless because they spoke God's gospel with confidence and for His approval. He also knows it wasn't fruitless because they felt a familial connection to the Thessalonians. And finally, they know it wasn't a fruitless mission because it produced predictable results in the city. The first result is regarding those who received the gospel message. Because they received this message in true faith, they were convinced it was a message from God and were changed by this message to the extent that they endured suffering for Christ's name. True faith produces belief in God's Word and a willingness, and even a joy to endure suffering for Christ's sake. This would be very encouraging to the Thessalonians, to know that these seasoned believers were confident in their faith. But our application must cautiously approach this. We must begin rather with a need for us to make sure that we have received true faith in Jesus Christ. Then and only then can we be assured and take comfort in the apostle's words. Transition: [Slide 6 (blank)] But what other predictable result comes when the gospel of Jesus Christ is truly received by a group of people? In what else does Paul draw confidence that the Thessalonian mission was not fruitless? II.) Without true faith it is impossible to please God or be at peace with Him or mankind, so we must ensure we have received Jesus Christ in true faith. (15-16) a. [Slide 7] 15 - who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, i. Paul now embarks upon what seems like a rabbit trail. ii. He seeks to expand upon the behavior of the Jewish people who have so opposed the gospel message and have had a history of opposing God's word in general. iii. Here he says that these same Jews who persecuted their own countrymen for believing on Jesus, are the ones who killed the Lord Jesus and their own prophets. iv. Paul again uses familial or collective language. Obviously, the same people who killed Jesus could not be the ones who killed all the prophets down through their history. And most likely they are not the same ones who drove Paul or the apostles out of Judea. v. Instead, Paul refers to a branch of Israel that has been cut off. vi. Paul is not being antisemitic here. He is merely pointing out a group of people who although having the racial privilege of being God's portion, have continued to reject Him as their King and Lord. vii. They are following in an unfortunate history of the Jewish people who strayed from Yahweh both in worship and in conduct to kill their own prophets and those God has sent to speak the truth to them. viii. The crown jewel in this ungodly behavior is, of course, the murder of their own Messiah and God – Jesus of Nazareth. ix. They continued their work of unbelief with Paul and his companions. b. [Slide 8] and drove us out, i. This could be referring to several instances where the Jews drove Paul or Christ's other servants out of certain places. ii. The “us” here could simply refer to Jewish believers, or may even refer to the evangelists themselves. iii. In any case – he points to the majority opposition of the Jewish people to receive their own Messiah or any who preach in His name. c. [Slide 9] and do not please God, i. Since Jesus is God's Messiah, His Servant, the Son of Man that the Ancient of Days will lift up to occupy the same throne as Yahweh… ii. You cannot oppose Christ or Christ's followers without also opposing God. iii. It is impossible for any to please God without first believing on Jesus Christ. iv. All the effort put in keeping the law, even if it were successful, would fail to please God if the person did not put their faith in Christ alone. v. And so, these Jews, in spite of being God's portion and part of Abraham's line, cannot please God and oppose His Son or His Son's Bride, at the same time. vi. But not only are they opposed to God… d. [Slide 10] and are hostile to all men, i. In opposing Christ, the Savior of the world, it is also impossible to love others. ii. To reject Christ is to render yourself unable to truly love other human beings. iii. Why? iv. Because Christ is the hope of the nations. Christ is the King of Kings. Christ is the Bright and Morning Star. Christ is the Lord of Light. v. As Psalm 2 says, we must kiss the Son lest He be angry. vi. All nations must bow to His rule. All nations have hope only in His rule. vii. All nations who do not hope in Him, will cease to exist. viii. And so, to oppose Christ is to oppose the only hope the nations have. ix. The most hateful thing you can do to humanity is to reject His Messiah and harm His Son's Bride. x. Our culture says the most loving thing you can do is to be tolerant and accepting to all faiths. xi. The truth could not be more opposed to this thought. xii. The exclusivity of Christ as Savior and Lord of all, is the way we establish peace with all men. Peace only comes by the Exclusive rule of Christ alone. xiii. Next, Paul specifically calls out in what way the Jews were hostile to all men… e. [Slide 11] 16 - hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; i. To hinder the gospel message from going out to the nations is to hate the nations. ii. To stop the message of Christ crucified for sinners is to hate sinners and desire their eternal judgment. iii. The salvation of every man's soul rests in the work of Christ, alone. iv. And to prevent this message from going to all men – is to hate all men. v. No, telling people they are sinners and they need a Savior is not hateful, or unkind. It is the most loving thing we could do. But do you know what is truly hateful and hostile? Doing what you can to prevent others hearing the exclusive gospel of Jesus Christ. vi. Suggesting there are many paths to God through many religions, is the most hateful and hostile thing you could ever tell someone. vii. Since the Jews have opposed God, and man in this way… what is the result? f. [Slide 12] with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins. i. Their sins have come to completion. ii. There is a call back here to the ban God put on the Canaanite nations before Israel entered into the promised land. iii. God speaks of the sins of the people who lived in the land as filling up a cup. Or coming to completion. iv. Jesus spoke to the Pharisees in a similar way, telling them that they are filling up the cup of their judgment. v. Like when you cook rice on a stove top… vi. The starches in the rice react to the boiling water and produce bubbles. And those bubbles if not kept in check with rise to the top and overflow. vii. Burnt rice water on a glass stove top is one mess you don't want to have to clean up – Not that I know from experience

Title: “Not An Empty Visit” Part 3 Text: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16 FCF: We often struggle identifying true faith in contrast to non-saving faith. Prop: Because only true faith saves, we must ensure we have received Jesus Christ in true faith. Scripture Intro: [Slide 1] Turn in your bible to 1 Thessalonians chapter 2. In a moment we'll read from the Legacy Standard Bible starting in verse 1. You can follow along in the pew bible or in whatever version you prefer. Today we will conclude the thought that Paul began with in chapter 2. However, keen observers might have noticed that there is a significant amount of overlap between chapter 1 and what we've discussed in chapter 2 so far. Indeed, if you took it upon yourself to set the two chapters side by side and drew lines or highlighted with different colors themes that are saying the same things with different words – you could illustrate this quite clearly. I won't impose that upon you – but if you are up for the challenge, I'm sure it would be profitable to you. Chapter 2 has largely been put to the Thessalonians in order to prove to them that the mission to their city was one that proved to be fruitless. Paul began by stating that they know it was not in vain because it was God's Gospel at work. He continued by saying that they know it was not in vain because they conducted themselves like a family. Today, Paul will conclude his assurance to them, in that they know it was not in vain because it rendered familiar results both positively and negatively. Please stand with me to give honor to and to focus on the Word of God as it is read. Invocation: Holy Father, You have revealed Yourself to us Your people through the Word, our Lord Jesus Christ. He has come to us, as God With Us. He has come to us to save us from sin, death, hell, the devil, and the kingdom of darkness. You have freed us from the tyranny of our own wisdom and enabled us to believe in You the giver of life. God give us eyes to behold the truth of Your word this morning as we see what makes true faith and what awaits us if we are without it. May we take the words of hope and warning today in faith, and may it have the effect upon us You desire. We pray this in Jesus' name – Amen. Transition: [Slide 2] “Faith that saves has one distinguishing quality; saving faith is a faith that produces obedience, it is a faith that brings about a way of life.” Billy Graham “A man at his wit's end is not at his faith's end.” Matthew Henry “The function of faith is to turn God's promises into facts.” J. Oswald Chambers Let these thoughts wash over you as we embark on the truth of the passage this morning. I.) True faith produces belief in God's Word and suffering for Christ, so we must ensure we have received Jesus Christ in true faith. (13-14) a. [Slide 3] 13 - And for this reason we also thank God without ceasing that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also is at work in you who believe. i. It takes two sides to make a visit profitable. ii. Paul has, in the first twelve verses, explained how he and his companions did their part to produce a successful and fruitful mission among them. iii. They took God's gospel and gave it to them without unseemly methods or greedy motives. iv. They adopted them as family and loved them accordingly. They cared for them like parents, both supplying what they needed to grow and thrive and teaching them to live a life worthy of God's Kingdom. v. But all of this would have been for nothing if the message was ineffective to produce any kind of spiritual change in them. vi. In fact, without God's empowering the message of His gospel, the Thessalonians would never have heard it as His Word. vii. So Paul gives thanks once again, without ceasing, to God, that the Thessalonians responded to the message the way they did. viii. Going back to chapter 1 verse 4-5, we see that Paul expresses similar thoughts. ix. He is thanking God because he is confident that the Thessalonian believers were elect of God. x. Why? xi. Primarily because of how the gospel came to them. xii. Not in word only (ie words of men only) but in the power of the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. xiii. Paul's thanksgiving here is expressed in more detail. xiv. What does it mean that the gospel came in power, in the Spirit, and with full conviction? xv. It means they responded in true faith. Well, how do they know they have true faith? There are two examples in this text. xvi. First, that they believed the content of the message as though it were from God and second, that they received the power of the message. 1. The content of the message, if received in true faith, must be from God. a. The evangelists were demonstrating holy, righteous, and blameless lifestyles and exhorting, encouraging and insisting that the Thessalonians do the same. b. All of this is couched in the idea that a Kingdom is coming where Christ reigns over all, and demands purest devotion and worship. c. The same Lord who died to save them from their sins, will one day return to judge the living and the dead. He will restore His people and make them to rule with Him in that Kingdom. d. If someone receives this in true faith – they must conclude it is from God. e. Paul reveals in a later letter that the Word of God is hidden from those who are without God's Spirit. God's Spirit must do a work in an unbeliever in order to enable them to understand and believe what the Word of God teaches. f. So, we say that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God… which is true. But hearing the Word of God to the point of understanding that it is from God and even what that message means – all comes through the power of the Holy Spirit. g. We call this step in the salvation process – regeneration. And although the bible does not explicitly teach that it precedes faith, the scriptures clearly teach that God must do something to enable a person to believe the gospel of Jesus Christ. And He must do this to bring them out of their spiritually dead state. Since this is what regeneration is, it is safe for us to conclude that it must precede faith. h. Paul alludes to this here – in that the Thessalonians did not perceive this as a message from men – but they took what the evangelists said as the very words of God. A conclusion they could not have arrived at without the power of the Holy Spirit – which Paul said in chapter 1, did happen when the gospel came to them. 2. The second way we know they responded in true faith, is by the powerful result of that message being received. a. To those who truly believe, the Word of God produces an effect. b. We should expect the Word of God, preached, taught, read, heard, studied, mediated on, memorized, and illustrated to have a powerful effect upon those who are truly God's people. c. Warnings about sin and falling away, and pursuing righteousness, and loving God and others – should have a distinct influence over the hearts of those who are God's people. d. It is a predictable outcome that if absent calls into question the very legitimacy of our faith. xvii. So how specifically were the Thessalonians powerfully affected by the Word they received from God? b. [Slide 4] 14 - For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also suffered the same things at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews, i. Paul calls out their suffering in the same way that the first members of the church suffered. ii. In fact, he uses the word – imitate again. iii. This also goes back to chapter 1 verse 6. iv. They became imitators of Christ and the evangelists by receiving the word with affliction. v. Paul again denotes that Christians are the same no matter where they are. Whether in Judea or Macedonia. They are also the same no matter WHEN they are. Whether at Pentecost in the formation of the church or now. vi. There are general markers that are common among all those who receive true faith. vii. In this example, Paul points to how on the day of Pentecost, believers on Christ suffered great persecution at the hands of fellow countrymen who rejected the gospel. viii. In a similar way, the Thessalonians are being treated quite poorly by their neighbors, family, friends, and others in the city who rejected the gospel message. ix. Being persecuted by unbelievers who are among those closest to you is one way that the legitimacy of your faith is demonstrated. c. [Slide 5] Summary of the Point: Paul's primary point in this chapter so far has been to verify that the mission they had among the Thessalonians only a few months previous, was not an empty and fruitless mission. Countering the claims of their fellow residents of Thessalonica, Paul knows it wasn't fruitless because they spoke God's gospel with confidence and for His approval. He also knows it wasn't fruitless because they felt a familial connection to the Thessalonians. And finally, they know it wasn't a fruitless mission because it produced predictable results in the city. The first result is regarding those who received the gospel message. Because they received this message in true faith, they were convinced it was a message from God and were changed by this message to the extent that they endured suffering for Christ's name. True faith produces belief in God's Word and a willingness, and even a joy to endure suffering for Christ's sake. This would be very encouraging to the Thessalonians, to know that these seasoned believers were confident in their faith. But our application must cautiously approach this. We must begin rather with a need for us to make sure that we have received true faith in Jesus Christ. Then and only then can we be assured and take comfort in the apostle's words. Transition: [Slide 6 (blank)] But what other predictable result comes when the gospel of Jesus Christ is truly received by a group of people? In what else does Paul draw confidence that the Thessalonian mission was not fruitless? II.) Without true faith it is impossible to please God or be at peace with Him or mankind, so we must ensure we have received Jesus Christ in true faith. (15-16) a. [Slide 7] 15 - who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, i. Paul now embarks upon what seems like a rabbit trail. ii. He seeks to expand upon the behavior of the Jewish people who have so opposed the gospel message and have had a history of opposing God's word in general. iii. Here he says that these same Jews who persecuted their own countrymen for believing on Jesus, are the ones who killed the Lord Jesus and their own prophets. iv. Paul again uses familial or collective language. Obviously, the same people who killed Jesus could not be the ones who killed all the prophets down through their history. And most likely they are not the same ones who drove Paul or the apostles out of Judea. v. Instead, Paul refers to a branch of Israel that has been cut off. vi. Paul is not being antisemitic here. He is merely pointing out a group of people who although having the racial privilege of being God's portion, have continued to reject Him as their King and Lord. vii. They are following in an unfortunate history of the Jewish people who strayed from Yahweh both in worship and in conduct to kill their own prophets and those God has sent to speak the truth to them. viii. The crown jewel in this ungodly behavior is, of course, the murder of their own Messiah and God – Jesus of Nazareth. ix. They continued their work of unbelief with Paul and his companions. b. [Slide 8] and drove us out, i. This could be referring to several instances where the Jews drove Paul or Christ's other servants out of certain places. ii. The “us” here could simply refer to Jewish believers, or may even refer to the evangelists themselves. iii. In any case – he points to the majority opposition of the Jewish people to receive their own Messiah or any who preach in His name. c. [Slide 9] and do not please God, i. Since Jesus is God's Messiah, His Servant, the Son of Man that the Ancient of Days will lift up to occupy the same throne as Yahweh… ii. You cannot oppose Christ or Christ's followers without also opposing God. iii. It is impossible for any to please God without first believing on Jesus Christ. iv. All the effort put in keeping the law, even if it were successful, would fail to please God if the person did not put their faith in Christ alone. v. And so, these Jews, in spite of being God's portion and part of Abraham's line, cannot please God and oppose His Son or His Son's Bride, at the same time. vi. But not only are they opposed to God… d. [Slide 10] and are hostile to all men, i. In opposing Christ, the Savior of the world, it is also impossible to love others. ii. To reject Christ is to render yourself unable to truly love other human beings. iii. Why? iv. Because Christ is the hope of the nations. Christ is the King of Kings. Christ is the Bright and Morning Star. Christ is the Lord of Light. v. As Psalm 2 says, we must kiss the Son lest He be angry. vi. All nations must bow to His rule. All nations have hope only in His rule. vii. All nations who do not hope in Him, will cease to exist. viii. And so, to oppose Christ is to oppose the only hope the nations have. ix. The most hateful thing you can do to humanity is to reject His Messiah and harm His Son's Bride. x. Our culture says the most loving thing you can do is to be tolerant and accepting to all faiths. xi. The truth could not be more opposed to this thought. xii. The exclusivity of Christ as Savior and Lord of all, is the way we establish peace with all men. Peace only comes by the Exclusive rule of Christ alone. xiii. Next, Paul specifically calls out in what way the Jews were hostile to all men… e. [Slide 11] 16 - hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; i. To hinder the gospel message from going out to the nations is to hate the nations. ii. To stop the message of Christ crucified for sinners is to hate sinners and desire their eternal judgment. iii. The salvation of every man's soul rests in the work of Christ, alone. iv. And to prevent this message from going to all men – is to hate all men. v. No, telling people they are sinners and they need a Savior is not hateful, or unkind. It is the most loving thing we could do. But do you know what is truly hateful and hostile? Doing what you can to prevent others hearing the exclusive gospel of Jesus Christ. vi. Suggesting there are many paths to God through many religions, is the most hateful and hostile thing you could ever tell someone. vii. Since the Jews have opposed God, and man in this way… what is the result? f. [Slide 12] with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins. i. Their sins have come to completion. ii. There is a call back here to the ban God put on the Canaanite nations before Israel entered into the promised land. iii. God speaks of the sins of the people who lived in the land as filling up a cup. Or coming to completion. iv. Jesus spoke to the Pharisees in a similar way, telling them that they are filling up the cup of their judgment. v. Like when you cook rice on a stove top… vi. The starches in the rice react to the boiling water and produce bubbles. And those bubbles if not kept in check with rise to the top and overflow. vii. Burnt rice water on a glass stove top is one mess you don't want to have to clean up – Not that I know from experience

Pleasing God should be of the utmost desires of our hearts. To make God happy should make us happy. Walking in the joy of the Lord.

In this stirring and deeply encouraging Advent message, Pastor Karl launches the new series The King Has Come with a powerful exploration of the first great gift Jesus brings: hope.Turning to Luke 2 and the quiet, largely forgotten figures of Simeon and Anna, Pastor Karl paints a vivid picture of two elderly saints who spent decades waiting in faithful obscurity—praying unanswered prayers, worshiping through silence, and serving without recognition. Yet the moment a 40-day-old baby was carried into the temple, their Spirit-illuminated eyes saw what the crowds missed: the long-promised Messiah, the Consolation of Israel, the Redemption of Jerusalem.Through their story, Pastor Karl reveals that biblical hope is not wishful thinking; it is the confident, unshakable expectation of future good rooted in the unchanging character and faithfulness of God. Hope grows in the hidden soil of daily faithfulness, thrives when God chooses to work in silence, and celebrates the tiny seed because it already trusts the coming harvest. Simeon and Anna never saw Jesus preach, heal, or rise from the dead—yet they held the infant King and departed in peace, because they knew who He was long before they saw what He would do.A tender yet convicting word for everyone who has waited a long time and is still waiting, prayed a long time and is still praying, and hoped a long time and is still hoping. In a season that can feel rushed and noisy, this message calls us to slow down, stay faithful, and train our eyes to recognize the presence of the King—even when He shows up wrapped in the ordinary, the small, and the seemingly insignificant.Because the King has come, hope is not dead. It is alive, resilient, and bubbling up in every heart that keeps showing up and keeps looking for Jesus. Essential listening for anyone who needs fresh hope this Christmas.Watch all our sermons on our youtube channel "Flipside Christian Church"Join us in person 9:00am & 10:30am every Sunday morning.37193 Ave 12 #3h, Madera, CA 93636For more visit us at flipside.churchFor more podcasts visit flipsidepodcasts.transistor.fm

This sermon explores the biblical imperative to please God as a central aspect of the Christian life, rooted in a heart transformed by faith and guided by Scripture. It emphasizes that pleasing God begins with a sincere, inward commitment to His will, cultivated through diligent engagement with the Word, genuine love for Him, and a life lived in obedience from the heart rather than for human approval. The preacher underscores that such a life is motivated by the reality of divine judgment, the depth of God's love, and the desire to abound in grace and good works, all made possible only through faith and the indwelling presence of Christ. By rejecting worldly entanglements, embracing selfless love, and living by faith rather than fleshly impulses, believers reflect Christ's life and fulfill their divine purpose, ultimately finding true abundance in a relationship with God.

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1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Hebrews 11:5-7

Thank you for joining us. If you'd like to know more about us or for online giving go to newcovenantpa.org #refreshing #palmyrapa #hershey #ncc #power #pleasure# pleasing #God

Thank you for joining us. If you'd like to know more about us or for online giving go to newcovenantpa.org #refreshing #palmyrapa #hershey #ncc #power #pleasure# pleasing #God

I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. Psalm 104:33 Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.Support the show, a product of Hope Media: https://hope1032.com.au/donate/2211A-pod/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. Psalm 104:33 Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.Support the show, a product of Hope Media: https://hope1032.com.au/donate/2211A-pod/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. Psalm 104:33 Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.Support the show, a product of Hope Media: https://hope1032.com.au/donate/2211A-pod/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. Psalm 104:33 Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.Support the show, a product of Hope Media: https://hope1032.com.au/donate/2211A-pod/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. Psalm 104:33 Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.Support the show, a product of Hope Media: https://hope1032.com.au/donate/2211A-pod/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Send us a textWe are starting this series talking about how to please God as Christ followers. There are so many ways biblically that we can live to please the Lord and bless God and we are exploring that through these episodes. I hope you will join me and be encouraged through the truth of God‘s word and practical examples, let's go!Support the show

10/13/2025 - Jim Newheiser -on pleasing God by setting boundaries in relationships

In this week's message, part five of the Standing Firm series, Calvary Church turns to 1 Thessalonians 4:1–12, where Paul calls believers to live in a way that pleases God. Pastor highlights what it means to pursue purity and peace—living with self-control, integrity, and love—so that our daily lives reflect God's holiness in an unholy age.Support the showFind us at! Calvary.us

In this episode, Nana Boadum hosts a roundtable conversation with Eirene Binabiba, Ricky Tordzro, Catherine Nikoi, and Joy Makua on 2 Corinthians 5:9 — “we make it our aim to please God.” Together, we share personal stories and wrestle with what it really means to live a life that pleases Him, not just in church but in every space of life. From daily choices to bold obedience, this discussion will both challenge and encourage you to walk with conviction and joy.

ABOUT SILVERDALE BAPTIST CHURCH Silverdale exists to lead people into an authentic relationship with Christ so they will worship God, grow in their faith, and serve the Lord in our community and world. Silverdale's Lead Pastor is Tony Walliser. FIND US ONLINE Website http://silverdalebc.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/silverdalebcInstagram https://www.instagram.com/silverdalebcFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/silverdalebc

ABOUT SILVERDALE BAPTIST CHURCH Silverdale exists to lead people into an authentic relationship with Christ so they will worship God, grow in their faith, and serve the Lord in our community and world. Silverdale's Lead Pastor is Tony Walliser. FIND US ONLINE Website http://silverdalebc.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/silverdalebcInstagram https://www.instagram.com/silverdalebcFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/silverdalebc

At Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Charleston, SC, our senior pastor Rev. Craig Bailey preached from Hebrews encouraging us that with faith it is possible to please God.

SERMON: PLEASING GODSCRIPTURE: Romans 8:1-8SERIES: SPIRIT FILLED

'When Samuel reached him, Saul said, “The Lord bless you! I have carried out the Lord 's instructions.” But Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?” Saul answered, “The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the Lord your God, but we totally destroyed the rest.”  But Samuel replied: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord ? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. ' 1 Samuel 15:13-15,22

Today's Promise: Hebrews 11:6 The Christian life is a life of faith. The only way to please the Lord is to live by faith.  Faith is trusting that God will do what He has said He would do.  This verse gives us two truths on faith. First, faith begins with our belief that God exists.  Second, you must believe that God is the rewarder of those who seek Him. Without faith, you stand alone, trusting in your strength and wisdom. When you live by faith, you walk in the favor and blessing of God, in fellowship with Him, and your life is pleasing to the Lord.

Today's Promise: 2 Corinthians 5:9 Some goals are so worthy they demand giving our entire life in pursuit. Pleasing the Lord is one such goal. What a simple yet worthy Goal. I will please the Lord. Forget about everyone else and what they think. No matter what the situation, what life throws at me, or what I go through, my one goal is to please God. Let's join Paul in making our one ambition, our life goal, to please the Lord in all things.

By Peter Burchard - How can you please God? In this message we explore what really pleases God.