WORDS OF DISTINCTION – “pleasure”
Hebrews 11:25
INTRODUCTION: We continue in our series on “Words of Distinction”. We have studied the words “daily”, “adoption”. TONIGHT, we will look at the word “pleasure”.
Is there anything wrong with “pleasure”? NO, of course not. BUT … like anything else, “pleasure” can be made into a SIN. Nobody likes to have “pleasure” more than me. I find “pleasure” in watching football (only THIS YEAR, only 8 out of 13 games!). I find “pleasure” in reading a good book … listening to good music … going to church …
HOWEVER,
Some people try to find “pleasure” in a bottle or needle … over the internet … the things of the world.
Some people can’t find “pleasure” anywhere … and they want to blame their spouse, children, boss, church, circumstances … anybody but themselves. Do you know anybody like this?
Happiness is a CHOICE. We can blame our unhappiness on everybody and everything else … BUT … if you’re unhappy with YOU, you won’t find much “pleasure” in anything else.
TONIGHT, we’re just going to spend some time in the Scriptures, to find out what the Bible says about “pleasure”. The word “pleasure” or “pleasures” is found 69 times in the Bible (I counted them). When I looked them up, I found that they fit into this basic outline:
WORDS OF DISTINCTION – “Pleasure”
INTRODUCTION:
Rev. 4:11 – “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”
Philippians 2:13 – “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
1 Tim. 6:17 – “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;”
I. WHAT GOD TAKES “pleasure” IN.
1.- Those who fear Him - Psalm 147:11 – “The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.”
2.- His people - Psalm 149:4 – “For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.”
3.- Giving you His kingdom - Luke 12:32 – “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
4.- Adopting you - Ephesians 1:5 – “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,”
5.- Making His will known to you - Ephesians 1:9 – “Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:”
II. WHAT GOD DOESN’T TAKE “pleasure” IN.
1.- Fools - Ecclesiastes 5:4 – “When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.”
2.- Those who “draw back” - Hebrews 10:38 - “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.”
III. WHAT WE ARE TO TAKE “pleasure” IN.
1.- The works of God - Psalm 111:2 - “The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.”
2.- In infirmities - 2 Cor. 12:10 - “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am strong.”
3.- In life - Ecclesiastes 12:1 – “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;”
IV. WHAT WE ARE NOT TO TAKE “pleasure” IN.
1.- Living for pleasure - Proverbs 21:17 – “He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.”
2.- Those who sin -Romans 1:32 – “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”
3.- Unrighteousness - 2 Thessalonians 2:12 – “That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”
CONCLUSION:
What would it take to make you “happy”? What do you find “pleasure” in? We have to link our “pleasure” with God’s “pleasure”. If you find “pleasure” outside of God, God won’t be pleased.
STAND – PRAYER
PRISCILLA BAPTIST CHURCH – Ray Scott, Pastor
