Living to Please the Lord

Sermon Summary

Main Message

This message encourages us to shift our focus from what we can gain or get out of our relationship with God, to seeking His pleasure and satisfaction above all else. We are reminded that true worship is not about our own desires, but about pleasing the Lord who gave His life for us. As we come before Him, we should ask ourselves, "What would please Him most?" rather than what we can get out of it.

Key Scripture References

• Romans 12:1-2 - This passage reminds us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and we should present them as living sacrifices to God. It's about surrendering ourselves to Him, not just our actions or decisions, but our very lives.
• Colossians 3:23-24 - We're called to work heartily for the Lord, doing everything with a spirit of gratitude and devotion. This passage connects to the main message by emphasizing that our worship is not just about what we do, but how we do it.
• Psalm 119:108-112 - In this psalm, the writer expresses his desire to follow God's commands and decrees with all his heart. This passage highlights the importance of seeking God's pleasure in our actions and decisions.
• Ephesians 5:19-20 - We're instructed to address one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing from the heart to the Lord. This passage reminds us that even in our worship, we should seek to please God.
• Hebrews 13:15-16 - The writer encourages us to offer sacrifices of praise, which is a sacrifice that pleases God. This supporting truth emphasizes that true worship is not just about what we do, but how we do it with a heart of gratitude and devotion.
• Matthew 22:37-40 - Jesus reminds us that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. This passage connects to the main message by emphasizing that seeking God's pleasure is not just a feeling or attitude, but a fundamental aspect of our relationship with Him.
• 2 Corinthians 5:9 - We're called to please the Lord in all things, even in our daily lives. This passage highlights the importance of seeking God's pleasure in every decision and action we take.

Key Takeaways

• The main point is that true worship is not about what we gain or get out of it, but about pleasing the Lord who gave His life for us. This means shifting our focus from our own desires to seeking God's pleasure and satisfaction above all else.
• We should ask ourselves, "What would please Him most?" rather than just doing things because they feel good or are convenient. This requires a willingness to surrender ourselves to Him, not just our actions or decisions, but our very lives.
• Our worship is not just about what we do, but how we do it. We should seek to please God in every aspect of our lives, from the way we speak and sing to the way we pray and make decisions.
• We are called to work heartily for the Lord, doing everything with a spirit of gratitude and devotion. This means being intentional about seeking God's pleasure in all things, even in the midst of challenges or difficulties.

This Week's Challenge

Take time this week to reflect on your motivations for coming before God. Ask yourself, "What would please Him most?" rather than what you can gain or get out of it. Be specific about how you will seek to please God in your daily life, whether through prayer, worship, or service.

Reflection Questions

• Reflect on a time when you felt like you were coming before God with the right attitude. What was going on in your heart and mind during that moment? How can you cultivate that same spirit of devotion in your daily life?
• How do you think our church community could improve its focus on pleasing the Lord rather than just doing things for ourselves? What steps can we take together to prioritize seeking God's pleasure in all aspects of our lives?
• Think about a specific situation or decision that's been weighing on your mind. How would you approach it if you were seeking to please God above all else? What changes might you need to make in your attitude or actions to align with His will?