How We Can Really Be Pleased With God
Matt. 6:9-15

INTRO. - Last week I preached about Seven Things That Please God. Many of these were things that we have in our lives concerning how we treat one another, our relationship to God's Son, and how we relate to God. Today I want to preach about How We Can Really Be Pleased With God.

Last week I paralleled our relationship of ourselves to our children and God to us. Today I want to use the same groups as examples just arranged differently. I want to compare our relationship with our parents as it mirrors our relationship to God.

Why wouldn't we be pleased or happy with God? After all He is perfect, our provider, all knowing, etc. Well we often are like that - we sometimes rebel against Him, refuse to accept His bidding in our lives, we become angry against Him, etc. We do not have to be this way. God Himself wants us to have a good and productive relationship with Him as our Heavenly Father. Let us get started…

Matt. 6:9-15 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11Give us this day our daily bread. 12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 14For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

If we are going to be pleased with our God, we need to…
Honor Him as God - vs. 9

We see…

Prayer
Father
Heaven
Hallowed

So we see an attitude of respect causes, helps or nurtures our being pleased with God.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

If we are going to be pleased with our God, we need to…
Take part in God's Great Plan - 10

Recognize it - Jn. 3:16
Examine it (quality and motives) "Thy will be done…"

It is God's will that we accept His sacrifice for our lives and souls.

And we need to…
Take part in His Plan as loving children, not out of duty.

[ILL. - about builder, his cost cutting, and the ultimate gift of house.]

 

Another step in being pleased with God is our decision to…
Depend upon God - 11, 12, 13

Expect Him to…

Provide for our existence, both physical and spiritual - 11
Spread forgiveness over our lives - 12
Help direct our paths - 13a

Pro. 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

And we need to…
Recognize Him for what He is - 13b

He is God
He is in control
He is forever
He wonderfully cares for us
We are His desire for eternal companionship

Last, and as far as being pleased with God, we must…
Maintain a right attitude

Towards God Himself

Jer. 10:23-24 O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. 24O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.

Towards self (not pride and selfishness, but lowliness)

Rom. 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Towards others - 14, 15

So we can become pleased with God when we…
Honor Him as God
Take part in God's Great Plan
Depend upon God
Recognize Him for what He is
Maintain a right attitude

 

Conclusion: So do we really have a right to be less than pleased with God? NO. Just understand His love is great and accept Him and you cannot help but be pleased to know and serve Him along with all of His people.

 

Gary Marcum - New Beginnings Church - 081102am