God's Good Pleasure

1. SEEK THE KINGDOM OF GOD

• Why should we seek the kingdom of God? And what is the literal interpretation of this?

• Seeking the things of God ensures our seeking his will for us

• Luke 2:49 “And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?”

• John 9:4 “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.”

• Jesus is telling His disciples that no matter what is going on that He must be doing what God had sent him to do

• Hebrews 13:21 “Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever Amen.”

• When seeking the kingdom of God we:

a. Add souls to the kingdom

b. To the work we have been called to do

c. Become pleasing unto God

d. Defeat Satan

2. FEAR NOT

• Fear is a natural emotion harbored by all people

• Our fears vary depending on natural character and past experiences

• Things we have seen, heard, or done can create fear in our lives

• Fear is one of the most powerful tools used by Satan

• Fear to:

• Witness

• Step out to work in the church

• Fulfill God’s work in our lives

• 5-year old Johnny was in the kitchen as his mother made supper. She asked him to go into the pantry and get her a can of tomato soup, but he didn’t want to go in alone. "It’s dark in there and I’m scared." She asked again, and he persisted. Finally she said, "It’s OK--Jesus will be in there with you." Johnny walked hesitantly to the door and slowly opened it. He peeked inside, saw it was dark, and started to leave when all at once an idea came, and he said: "Jesus, if you’re in there, would you hand me that can of tomato soup?"

• What are we not to fear?

a. Satan

b. The World

c. Failure

• We have been given authority over fear

• Psalm 27:1-2 “THE LORD is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life: of whom shall I be afraid?” “When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.”

• John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

• I John 3:13 “Marvel not my brethren, if the world hate you.”

• Jesus said to not fear if the world hates us because they hated Him first and we can overcome the world through the power of Jesus Christ

• Hebrews 13:6 “So that we may boldly say ‘The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”

• Revelation 2:26 “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations.”

• Jesus has overcome and defeated Satan on the cross

• Once we accept this, we are given the same power (Acts 1:8)

• We can not be fearful when serving God

3. IT IS GOD’S WILL THAT WE SUCCEED

• Not only physically but spiritually

• VS 32: It is God’s ‘good pleasure’ that we receive the things we need

• Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

• We should not, however, equate worldly success with spiritual success

• When James Garfield (later President of the U.S.) was principal of Hiram College in Ohio, a father asked him if the course of study could be simplified so that his son might be able to go through by a shorter route. "Certainly," Garfield replied. "But it all depends on what you want to make of your boy. When God wants to make an oak tree, He takes a hundred years. When He wants to make a squash he requires only two months." We are producing too many squashes and not enough oak trees in our day.

• Success from God only comes from being obedient and moldable to his will

• Becoming a mature Christian does not happen overnight

• We must actively

a. Study the Word (II Timothy 2:15)

b. Assemble ourselves in church (Heb. 10:25)

c. Follow through with Evangelism (Matthew 28:19-20) (Acts 1:8)