Pleasing to God
Minister Joaquin
Philippians 4:18–20 (ESV)
18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Principle: Our attitude in what we offer God is linked to God supplying our needs
Every need of ours
God promises over and over again to provide people’s needs
He always delivers
People are unhappy with how he met their needs and not their wants
They want God to give them everything first and then they will do what he wants (chicken or the egg)
A sacrifice acceptable to God
Micah 6:6–8 (ESV): 6 “With what shall I come before the Lord,
and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”
8 He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?
Psalm 51:16–17 (ESV): 16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Pleasing to God
Philippians 1:27-2:18
Standing firm in one spirit
Striving side by side –
Not frightened by your opponents
Engaged in the same conflict +
Being of the same mind
Having the same love –
Do nothing from selfish ambition +
Do nothing from excessive pride
In humility count others as more significant than yourselves
Look also to the interest of others +
Empty yourself –
Do things without grumbling
Do things without disputing
Holding fast to the word of life
Rest of the letter
Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead
Keeping your eyes on those who are setting great examples for the faith
Rejoice in the Lord always
Not anxious about anything
Taking everything to prayer and supplication(begging)
Thankful for everything
Letting God know all your requests
Thinking about what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, and excellent.
Practice the things we have heard and seen
Remember no matter where you are on this list, God wants to work with you to have it all
Philippians 2:12–13 (ESV): 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Applications
1. Rate how well you are doing for each category from 1-10. Commit to increasing those scores across the board.
2. Rate how well your life is pleasing to God based on how close you are to him from 1-10
3. Talk with God in prayer and share your feelings, desires, fears, and how much you want him to walk with you in every part of your life. Ask God to continue to grow closer to you to help you grow closer to him.
Ideas for walking closer with God
Wake up 10 minutes earlier than normal to listen to a worship song to thank God for that day and the inspiration to live that day for God
Join a group of friends to submit what you are thankful for over the week each week for the rest of the year
Schedule a daily prayer time to reach out to God and check in on him and share what is on your heart
Commit to a daily Bible reading plan to help you live out each day for the Lord
Questions
1. What 3 actions from the list pleasing to God are you great at doing?
2. What 3 actions do you struggle with doing the most?
3. Is your level of success in life based on how close you were able to walk with Jesus, why or why not?