In 1 Thes 4:1 Paul says, “… that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.” This lesson is about pleasing God. If we are to please God and abound more and more, then we have to know who pleases him. With whom is God pleased? God is pleased with:
Preachers preaching the truth – 1 Cor 1:21, “it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” If you are called to preach, answer the call, and preach the word [2 Tim 4:2-4]. Don’t be afraid to get with God in God’s word and proclaim exactly what he said without reservation or fear. Tell them the truth. Sinners must hear the truth even though it sounds foolish to them. That’s how they get saved. And if you aren’t called to preach, then get under the preaching of a man who is pleasing God by preaching the truth the way God intended for it to be preached. And support him in his work.
Members working in the body – 1 Cor 12:18, “God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.” When you are saved, you are put into the body of Christ. God has a very specific job for you to do [Eph 2:10]. It is essential to the body that you do your part [Eph 4:16]. God has gifted you for this work [1 Cor 12:1-11]. And he wants you compacted with the other members with whom he has set you so that you can be mutually supportive of each other in the work that you do together. 1 Cor 12:25, there should be no schism in the body. Don’t go along with a group who is intent on dividing the body. Work with them who are supplying the body.
Good soldiers unentangled from the world – 2 Tim 2:3-4 – God is pleased when his soldiers endure hardness and war without being entangled with the affairs of this life. We are to fight the good fight of faith. So, cut loose from anything that is keeping you out of the fight. Take up your armor [Eph 6:10-18], get away from the things that are keeping you out of the fight, and stand for God.
Children of God walking by faith – Heb 11:5-6 – God is pleased when his children walk with him by faith. Without faith it is impossible to please God. This generation is all about sight. You must believe what God says in his Bible and walk by faith in the truth of his words. John said in 3 Jn 4, “I have no greater joy than to hear than my children walk in truth.” The only way you will have God’s true perspective on your life, on the world, and on him is through faith in his words. You will be all right as long as you go with him by faith.
Christians offering spiritual sacrifices – Heb 13:15-16 – we can offer the sacrifices of praise, thanksgiving, doing good and communicating (giving). With such sacrifices God is well pleased. Peter calls these “spiritual sacrifices,” [1 Pet 2:5]. Your singing and praise should be with your whole heart, Ps 9:1. Your thanksgiving should be continual in everything 1 Thes 5:18 and for everything Eph 5:20. You should be zealous of good works Titus 2:14. You should give bountifully and cheerfully 2 Cor 9:6-7.
Conclusion: Now if you want to please God, you must, like Christ, do these things that please God. If you do these things that please him, then you can, with confidence, know that you are pleasing God.
For the next message in this two-part series, see People Who Don’t Please God.