Randall Caselman
Bella Vista Church of Christ
9/19/99 am
Living To Please God
Reading - I Thessalonians 5.12-28
Turn in your Bibles to I Thessalonians 4. This is one chapter back from our text. Both lessons today will deal with Paul’s final instructions to the church (ecclesia) at Thessalonica on HOW TO LIVE TO PLEASE OUR HEAVENLY FATHER.
Are you there?
“Finally, Brethren, we instruct you on how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you, and URGE you, in the name of our Lord Jesus, that you do this more and more.”
There is a distinctive difference between the world and the church - the ecclesia of God - His called out. Note with me four ways that people who are living to please God are distinctively different. It’s not that we LOVE MORE or CARE MORE or DO MORE than our neighbors, but that WE LIVE TO PLEASE GOD. That’s what sets His kingdom above all others. That’s what makes His people distinctively different - or should.
For instance, take two people living side by side. They look the same on the outside. They appear to have a similar lifestyle, but there is a big difference. One is a good husband and father because he wants others to respect him, and he wants to get along with the wife and kids. The other man is a good husband and father because he wants to please God. And he understands that God has given him this lady, no other one - just this one, and their children are eternal, living gifts from God. And they (both wife and children) deserve his LOVE, CARE and his ATTENTION. He wants to please God.
The other one works hard at his job because he knows that is how you get ahead. That’s how you become successful and retire early. The member of the Kingdom works hard, is honest in his labor because he understands that working for his boss is like working for Christ. ( Ephesians 6.6 and 7) And he wants to please God. The individual of the world is involved in the community - the government - the schools - he’s interested in people because he wants to have a good, peaceful, place to live in liberty and freedom.
But the Christian is a good citizen - a good community person because communities are made up of people and people are God’s No. 1 priority. And he knows that Jesus said, how you treat people is how you treat me. So, he’s actively involved in community affairs - good works - at school and in social clubs that do good things for others because he wants to please God. He doesn’t lie, steal, gossip or in any way abuse his neighbor or brother, but is a good citizen.
Those in the world even go to church - sometimes three times a week - even become leaders in the church because they want to be well thought of. They see the benefits of living a good moral life and, after all if there is a Heaven and Hell, they want to spend eternity in the best place.
Yet the genuine disciple of Christ is involved in the work of the church because he wants to please God. And it’s in the church where faith grows, relationships are enriched and where God is glorified.
Now, audience, listen closely. If you get in the way of this man who does good things for the wrong motive, the wrong reasons, who is interested only in his own well-ordered, stable, enriched life, he’ll run over and abuse you; he will crush you. He will step on you to get ahead in business, she will gossip behind your back. These people will put you in your place to promote their own agenda. These folk will mistreat their spouse - abuse their children - either physically, sexually, socially, religiously. They will cripple their own children if they get in their way. Their religion will turn ugly - hateful - rigid and cold. They sometimes become intolerant of all in the church who don’t believe as they do on religious questions and issues. They attack people instead of sin and Satan. Why?? He is trying to please and promote self. The other is trying to please and promote, demonstrate, communicate God.
OUR EXAMPLE IS JESUS.
Jesus is God Incarnate. God communicated, demonstrated, exemplified, revealed. God explained. God seen in the flesh. Question: Can our neighbor see God in US.
Some, even in the church, reject the concept that God lives in His people. And you can tell by the way they act. Sure enough, he doesn’t; the world knows it, spouse, family and neighbors know it, their own children know it. Here it is - God lives in His church, His people, to the extent that we become like His Son, Jesus - to the extent that we live to please Him.
Jesus said, I came to do what? (the will of the Father). Jesus came - lived - died - doing His will - pleasing God.
ARE WE WILLING TO BE LIKE JESUS? ARE WE?
Okay. I have divided the lesson up into directions. What direction will we look to if we are living to please God?
NO. 1 WE WILL LOOK UPWARD.
Verses 19, 22, and 17 and 18. This is obvious, isn’t it. that if we want to please Him we must find out what God wants. Hear Him. Listen to His voice. Are you looking at Verse 19?
“Do not put out the Spirit’s fire. Do not treat prophecies with contempt.”
Paul is not talking about being excited all the time; he is saying don’t turn from truth, don’t sadden, grieve or frustrate the Spirit of God, but be open to ALL truth from the Word. Don’t treat prophecy with contempt.
Now prophecy here is no more than a message from God. We usually see, understand that prophecy is a foretelling -- no. no. Prophecy has two meanings:
1) A foretelling of future events, and
2) A foretelling or revealing of God’s word.
Both are from God, but one has to do with future events and the other is a proclamation of God’s will to others.
Folks, there is a lot more forth-telling in this book than foretelling. Too many people are too interested in foretelling, when they to be interested in forth-telling.
II Peter 1.20-21 tells us that no prophecy comes from the mind of the prophet but scripture came by the will of God as the Holy Spirit moved the prophet. Peter is not speaking only of foretelling, but of scripture - the forth-telling of God’s will to mankind.
Of course we are to check all forth-telling that comes to us against Scripture. Now don’t believe every spirit. Test the spirits. John said in I John 4.1, Test everything and hold to the good, to truth, shun the evil, the bad.
Question? Are we interested in Truth? Are we willing to accept truth wherever we find it? Do we test the words of a teacher, preacher, any preacher, all preachers, this preacher?
Folk, if a teacher gives us truth, listen to it. Accept it. Test it. Live it. This is looking up.
I never understood people who say they want to please God, yet never are into the word of God. They never come to the assembly nor to Bible class where His word, His will, His truth is taught. They never spend two or three hours in meditation, reflective thought about scripture. They are never found talking to others about the word. They talk about everything under the sun except prophecy - God’s forth-telling.
Well, there is more to looking up than listening to God. Note 5.17-18. Pray always. Pray continually. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in all things. Look at verse 25. Paul says, Pray for us.
What does Paul mean? Are we to be verbalizing to God continually? No. No. What Paul is saying is that we should always be in an attitude of prayer. Keep in touch with God. Be mindful. Be conscious of God’s will and His presence in your life. Don’t be caught without God. Look to Him for guidance, strength in all circumstances and situations, and remember to give Him all the praise. So living to please God means that we look up. Listen to His will and communicate with Him.
NO. 2 LOOK AHEAD. VERSES 12 AND 13.
I think Paul is talking about looking to those ahead of us, those who have gone before us, those who lead us. He says, Respect those who work hard among you and who are over you in the Lord, and those who teach and admonish you. Hold them in high regard and love them because of their labor. “Live at peace with one another.”
Now, I don’t think this passage is speaking exclusively of elders, even though the principle applies.
First, because, the context doesn’t mention elders, and two, the Thessalonian church is only a few months old and Paul was only there for three plus weeks that we know of. So, I believe we can conclude that this is not just to elders.
Who then? Those who have preceded us, labored before us, those who have sacrificed on our behalf, those who care enough to admonish and correct us, those who lead, those who preceded and continue to be an example in good works.
This spring this congregation will be 21 years old. Some here this morning, and some who have already gone on have done great things on our behalf: They’ve spent hundreds of hours, thousands of dollars, hard work, labor with their hands, laid down their lives that we can enjoy this fellowship, this building, this family. Are we thankful? Are we looking to them with respect and honor? Paul says to here in this verse. Why? Because it pleases God.
You see, some of us are spiritual freeloaders. We enjoy the blessings of this church but contribute little or nothing to it. No time. No talent. No treasure. I know some who come every Sunday and contribute nothing but complaints. I ask you, if you find yourself fitting into this category, What are you leaving for the next generation?
I believe that pleasing God includes honoring those who work hard among us, honor those who are over us in the Lord, and those who teach and admonish us.
Church, we must live in a way that the next generation has something to honor us for. Don’t deny Bible folk. Look at our text!! We are to honor those who work hard among us, those who shepherd, lead and guide us, those who teach and admonish us.
NO. 3. LOOK AROUND US. NOTE VERSE 15 AND 16.
Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong. But always try to be kind one to another and to everyone else. Be joyful always. Look back to the end of verse 13. Live at peace with one another.
Folk, living to please God is living in such a way as to not cause trouble in the church. Are we listening? Causing trouble in our families, at work, or in the house of God is not what God calls us to do.
Brother Randall, How? How? How do we live at peace with others? How can I live to please God in this area? Can I give you some scriptures. No advice. No human psychology. No preaching... Just scripture.
Philippians 2.3 and 4: Do nothing. (how much?) nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interest of others. Can I read it again? Do nothing. (how much?) nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interest of others.
Beloved, this New Testament practice would stop comments that rip and tear other Christians. This verse, when practiced would stop us meddling in other people’s business. It will stop threats against elders. This scripture, when practiced, will stop gossip, envy, jealousy, self-righteousness, conceit, pride and contempt toward others... RIGHT?
Randall, are you talking to me, are you pointing these comments in my direction?? Only to the extent that the Word of God speaks to your heart and mine... No more or no less.
More scripture. Turn with me and read Romans 12.9-21. I want you to note nothing but Bible here, we can’t argue with God on how to please Him by treating His children right. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
But how, Preacher? One more - turn to Matthew 18.15-17. If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that `every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
Church, if we have a problem with a brother or sister in Christ and we handle that problem in any way other than by Jesus’ instructions, then we are not living pleasing to God.
Okay. Back to our text with still the same question. How to live pleasing to God. Paul gives us some positive things to do. Look at verse 14.
1) Encourage the timid, the backward.
2) Help the weak brothers.
3) Be patient with everybody.
4) Don’t be into revenge and retaliation. Let God handle it.
5) Be kind to each other in the church and to everybody else. Note verse 26. 6) Be a people who demonstrate their affection for one another. Don't be cold or stand-offish. Greet one another with a Holy kiss.
Gotta tell you about teaching young people’s class one evening and the teens were not paying attention, I thought... What is wrong? What have I left undone? So I ask what are you laughing about? You’ve got lipstick on your cheek, you’ve got a kiss on your cheek. Quite honestly, I didn’t know where I got it. It doesn’t matter. What a joy it is to belong to a family, a fellowship, that demonstrates their love. It’s great to have a kiss showing.
Some of us are not enjoying the Christian family because we look around only to criticize. Willard Tate says we’re playing the part of an umpire or referee, looking only for what is wrong. Stop it! Stop faultfinding. Stop criticizing others and start serving them. That’s what pleases God - serving others - serving others - serving others. For as much as you have done it unto the least of these, you have done it unto Me.”
Would every church, this church, any church, be a greater spiritual family if every time we had an ugly thought about a brother or sister, we just turned it into one of those six things and pursued doing that with the same vigor as we pursue our gossip and criticizing and being judgmental. I need to practice looking for the good, accenting the positive in others. Don’t you?
NO. 4 LOOK WITHIN. NOTE VERSES 16-18. BE JOYOUS. BE THANKFUL.
Some people expect everything bad to happen to them, and it does, if there is not a crisis in their life, they’ll go about creating one. They believe Christianity is a Woe is me - What’s gonna happen to me next - I am a martyr outlook on life. No. No.
This kind of thinking will make you sick, ruin your complexion, put sores in your stomach, give you high blood pressure and heart trouble.
Paul says, we are living lives pleasing to God when we are joyous and praying people, when we are living a smile on your face and prayer in your heart type life.
God is pleased when we are in gratitude because of our acceptance of His grace for what He has done previously for us. Yes. Yes. Some bad things are gonna come, but it is God refining our Character. Do we understand this? Will we be thankful for it? This is what pleases God. People who are joyous and thankful. People who understand and appreciate Romans 8.28, And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Living to please God does what for us? Note verses 23 and 24. What does Paul say? Living to please God will sanctify us, cleanse us, make us blameless at His coming. That’s what I want. Don’t you? To be sanctified, holy, clean, blameless at His coming. And we can be by living daily to please not self, not others, but living to please God .
He would be pleased this morning if you would become His child, or if you need the prayers of this family to help you live to please him, will you come as we sing.
