Lesson Seven
Giving Christ First Place

The Secret to Pleasing God

Memory Verse:
Romans 12:2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

We have the awesome priviledge of doing God’s will. This involves work on our part but we must be ready todo god’s will and heed His warnings at all times. Following Jesus example is not an easy task, as we must always work on our attitude. As we reflect on our memory verse we need to incorporate the words of Jesus into our life.

The privilege of doing God’s will is an awesome responsibility. What would be your initial reaction to the following statement: “Gods’ will for your life”.

1. God’s will for my life would include everything I hate.
2. God’s will would be fine, but how can I discover it?
3. God’s will for my life is wonderful I’m excited about it.

Depending on my state of mind, a typical reaction might be number one. The statement “something good for you must be bad” is a typical reaction. A typical reaction to number two might be made by someone who doesn’t know how to know God’s will for their life. The ultimate choice would be number 3. The Bible tells us that God’s will for us is wonderful!

Romans 12:2 helps by describing God’s will for our life. List the characteristics describing God’s will: And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

1. Good – What would you anticipate in life if you did God’s will?
2. Pleasing - What would you anticipate in life if you did God’s will?
3. Perfect - What would you anticipate in life if you did God’s will?

How would you react is someone gave you something good, pleasing, and perfect? It would be very exciting! Romans 12:2 tells us that is what God’s will is – good, pleasing, and perfect.

Jeremiah 29:11-13
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. This verse tells me I have a responsibility to SEARCH for God with all my heart.

Think about your nature before you were baptized, and after you were baptized. You probably did not change immediately. Unfortunately, our old nature lives on. But as a Christian we (should) are continually working to change our nature to be more God like. Sometimes the changes are slow and hard, others don’t experience much discomfort. Giving God control of our life is never an easy job. When we make the choices to change they are like seeds you sow. Galatians 6:8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. This verse tells us what happens when we sow according to our sinful nature vs. what will happen when we sow with the spirit filled nature.

The principles found in Romans 12:2 help us discover God’s will in making choices? Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
1. The negative aspects of the world today hinder our ability to know and do God’s will in our life. “Just do it” “if it feels good do it” etc….
2. Education is a wonderful thing to help change (transform) your patterns of
behavior.

Being selfish is one of the most destructive paths in the fold. People who become the center of their own personal universe, living to please only themselves are usually very unhappy. You can’t do God’s will if you focus all your energy on doing your own will. Doing things God’s way will help you avoid making poor choices. God’s strength is wonderful. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ[2] who strengthens me.
Breaking our of the selfish mode means you have to realize that you are in that mold. The more you know about God’s word, the easier it is for you to recognize God’s pattern and how it differs from the selfish pattern of the world.

Matthew 7:21-23 "Not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22Many will say to Me in that day, "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' 23And then I will declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness! This verse speaks of the serious problems of continuing to live your own way. We should take this warning seriously. When we allow God to guide our ways, He will transform our life by renewing our minds. He will help us break free form the self-centered ways of the world.

We must follow Jesus example to learn how to live like a Christian. We do this by studying the life of Christ. John 6:38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This verse describes Jesus purpose forming from heaven. According to John 15:10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. Jesus gave his disciples a challenge. This means us! John 15:5 "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. This verse describes our inability to accomplish anything of spiritual significance apart from Him.
The secret of pleasing God is to discover God’s will and do it. Most of the time you may think of God’s will on a personal level. You want to know how to raise your family, which job to take, which bill to pay. God’s will includes these and other areas; however, God’s will for you will include your place in His overall plan.

Philippians 2:12-13 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Anytime a section of scripture begins with “Therefore” you know that a summation of the teachings of the previous verses is ahead. This particular scripture applies to everyone. We have a responsibility; if we uphold our responsibility there is a reward. Our instructions are very clear about what we should do to follow Jesus. We have to do everything in our power to ensure our salvations.

Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. This verse gives us instruction about the amount of work that should be done to follow Jesus! We must work with ALL our heart.

Jesus lived to please God. That was His life’s purpose. Jesus only did what the Father gave Him the power to do. That was His self-imposed limitation. God wants you to live in the same way. You must clearly understand your life’s purpose – to please Jesus. You must clearly understand your limitation – without Jesus you can do nothing. With those principles in place, you’re ready to do God’s will.

I Thessalonians 1:2-3 We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. 3We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul is telling the Christians in Thessalonica how well they were pleasing God. How will Christ speak of you – are you pleasing to Him?

Finding the balance of pleasing others and pleasing God is a very difficult position that we put ourselves into all the time. There should be no thought as to whom we should please. We should desire to please Him. The apostle Paul lived to please Christ. The attitudes that helped Paul will help us please God.

Goals: 2 Corinthians 5:9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. What is your goal in life?

Role: Galatians 1:10 Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. What is your role in life?

Agenda: 2 Timothy 2:4 No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs--he wants to please his commanding officer. What is your agenda in life?

Paul’s words (inspired by God) to the Thessalonians show us how they lived their lives pleasing to God, but they were not perfect. Paul listed several problems and he also listed the things they were doing right. In reading 1st and 2nd Thessalonians you will find the characteristics of the Christians in Thessalonica. How can we be more like the Thessalonians? Our primary goal today should be to please God and live as His servant, seeking only to do His will.

Since for us God’s will is not optional I don’t think we can choose between His will and our will. God’s will is a blessing for life! We can be thankful that He provides a way out of sin (our will) and into His love. If we make doing God’s will complicated we are missing the point of obedience. One of the best ways to accomplish His will is simply learning to be thankful. When we study the life of Paul we learn how he lived a life of thanksgiving. Paul remained thankful for the spiritual blessing that were his in Christ. In the psalms most are David’s words of thanksgiving, most of which he wrote during the worst of circumstances.

Match the blessing with the scripture:

a. 1 Corinthians 15:57 _____The opportunity for spiritual service
b. 2 Corinthians 9;15 _____The victory we have in Jesus Christ
c. 1 Timothy 1:12 _____God’s indescribable gift to us

David’s Praises:
Ø Psalm 34:1-3
Ø Psalm 66:1,2
Ø Psalm 118:1
Ø Psalm 136: 1,2
Ø Psalm 138: 1-3

In this weeks lesson we have looked at the secret to pleasing God. He wants us to give Him first place in our life. We have looked at scripture that tells us about God’s will for our lives and that His will is nothing to fear, once you learn what He has in store for you, you will be excited. In summary the solution to pleasing God is simple: Commit yourself to finding God’s will by committing His word to your heart and using it in your prayers and daily life. Only in Christ can you find satisfaction in life!

Reactions to God’s will…..
Match the blessing with the scripture:

a. 1 Corinthians 15:57 _____The opportunity for spiritual service

b. 2 Corinthians 9;15 _____The victory we have in Jesus Christ

c. 1 Timothy 1:12 _____God’s indescribable gift to us