How to Please God: Part 2

Good Morning World!
Here is our lesson for Sunday Morning November 4, 2012.  Part 2 of our ongoing series about Pleasing God.
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Joh 8:29-32  And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.  (30)  As he spake these words, many believed on him.  (31)  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;  (32)  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

We can see from this verse that Jesus did what He came to do, and obedience equalled pleasing God.  Not only did Jesus please God, but because He please God the Spirit of God was always with Him.

I know that this can sound kind of rhetorical as Jesus was the Almighty God wrapped in flesh come to reconcile the world unto Himself, but we must understand the principle of this lesson.  Sure Jesus always obeyed the Spirit within Him as it was what drove Him, but we too who are filled with the Spirit of God, which was in and apart of Jesus Christ also must learn to obey and be driven by this Spirit!

What was Jesus sent to do?
1. I am come to fulfil the law - Matthew 5:17
2. I am come to send a Sword - Matthew 10:34,35 (The sword that shows sin)
3. I am come to send Fire - Luke 12:49 (The Fire of the Holy Ghost is God's consuming fire!)
4. I am come in my Father's NAME - RECEIVE THE NAME - John 5:43
5. I am come for judgement - to show truth and hide it. John 9:39
6. I am come to give abundant life - John 10:0
7. I am come as a light to take away the darkness - John 12:46
8. Tell John this is what I am doing: The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. - Matthew 11:5
9. Luke 4:18,19 - I am anointed by the Spirit of God to: preach the Gospel to the poor, heal the broken-hearted, preach deliverance to the captives, the recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are bruised and preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
10. I am come to seek and to save that which was lost - Luke 19:10
11. I am come not to destroy lives, but to save them. - Luke 9:56

It sounds at the first glance that Jesus came to destroy, but in bringing a sword, fire and judgement He is shedding his Light into our lives.  This light of Truth is so powerful that we often reject it at first.  This causes turmoil where peace was intended.  It causes pain where life was intended.  It is not God who brings destruction  but it is our reaction to light and truth that brings destruction upon us.  Jesus didn't come to destroy, but to give us life in full abundance!

Jesus mission was to open up a door that lead all humanity back to the God who had created them.  The veil had been put in place because sin in men's heart and mind could not be allowed in the presence of a righteous God.

Jesus taught us how to live in this new union, and through the disciples spread this good news all over the world.

Jesus' death on the cross was the final piece to the puzzle, and even though it looked like the end, it was only the beginning!

The purpose of Jesus fulfilled and please God that He continued His purpose in us through the gift of the Holy Spirit, which is the Spirit of Christ, which is Christ in us the hope of glory!

So, what is the lesson here, and how does it teach us to please God?
The lesson that we learn from Jesus is that we must learn to obey and follow His will.  How can we do this?  By learning to listen to the voice of the Spirit in us and doing what it says.  As Samuel said, "Obedience is better than sacrifice."

Fulfil God's purpose for your Life!

Places God Records His Name!

Yesterday while reading in Exodus 20 I came across a couple verses that threw me into a studying frenzy!

Here is the verse:

Exodus 20:24
24 An altar of earth you shall make for Me, and you shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen. In every place where I record My name I will come to you, and I will bless you.

An altar is a place of sacrifice, consecration, separation, forgiveness, repentance, renewal and judgment. God's Altar was to be of earth. Never of cut or hew-en stones, but raw stones and dirt. Also, this verse describes two types of offerings upon this earthen altar. (Note: Both of these sacrificial offerings were to be free-will. In other words you do it because you want to not because you have to.) First, the burnt offering which is an offering of judgment and repentance. Second, the peace offering which is an offering of thanksgiving and worship.

Especially notice the last phrase.

"In every place where I record My name I will come to you, and I will bless you." First of all you must realize that this phrase is linked to the first part of the verse, and the following couple verses. As a matter of fact this truth can be traced all the way through the whole Bible!
(Transliterated this verse could say:
The places where God's Name is marked, and when viewed brings remembrance of God. In these places God's blessing is found!)
Let me see if I can discuss it in short. (If you would like a complete copy of this study please email me.)

Let's go to 2 Corinthians 4:7
The "Treasure" Discussed in this verse in its simplest form would be the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Salvation from our Sins. The "Earthen Vessel" refers to an implement or container that contributes to the usefulness of the user and is made of clay. (Which is breakable.)

In the Old Testament God asked His people to make altars of earth upon which they would offer sacrifices of worship. Now we become the earthen altar, within which Jesus places His Glory, Power, Salvation and Gospel!

Let's go to 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
In this scripture the believer is described as the "Temple of the Holy Spirit". Is there not an altar within a temple? Is there not the Name of a God within a temple? We are not our own Jesus owns us!

Let's take a step farther. Remember that Exodus 20:24 referred to a place in which the name of God has been recorded?

When we are Baptized into Christ in water and Spirit we put on HIS NAME!
Galatians 3:26-4:6
If we are now children then we must also have the family Name!
Notice these verses which describe to us the proper method of Baptism, which always included the NAME of JESUS!
Acts 2:38-41
Acts 10:44-48
Acts 19:1-7
1 Corinthians 6:11

Summary:
Jehovah seems to have been looking ahead in time and telling us that upon whatever earthen vessel his name is marked there shall the blessings of God be! In the New Testament we have the revelation of the fullness of God's name - Jesus! When we are baptized "in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins", and filled with the Spirit of Christ, not only does this cleans us from our sins, but it also stamps upon us the family name - JESUS!

Yours for the Name of JESUS,
Pastor Fred