Living Faithfully: Pleasing God Through Our Actions
Summary
Tonight, we gathered in a sacred space, sensing the profound presence of God among us. Each of us comes with unique needs, yet we trust that God will meet us in extraordinary ways. Our focus is on faith, as Hebrews 11:6 reminds us that without faith, it is impossible to please God. This faith is not just about believing in what Jesus accomplished on the cross but also about living in a way that pleases Him. Just as a parent delights in their child's actions, God finds joy in our faith-driven deeds.
We explored the idea that our worship, teaching, and giving should be pleasing to God, not just routine acts. Malachi 1 warns us that God is not pleased with empty rituals. Our desire should be to worship, love, and give in ways that genuinely please Him. This involves believing in His existence and His rewards for those who earnestly seek Him.
We delved into Hebrews 10 and 11, reflecting on the faith of those who came before us. Their lives were marked by trust in God's promises, even when they did not see the fulfillment in their lifetime. This challenges us to live by faith, trusting that God will reward our sacrifices, even if the rewards are not immediate or earthly.
Reflecting on personal experiences, I shared how stepping out in faith has led to some of the most rewarding moments in my life. Whether it was giving generously or making life decisions based on faith, God has always come through, often in unexpected ways. This journey of faith is not about seeking material wealth but about experiencing the richness of God's presence and provision.
As we navigate a world that often pulls us towards conformity, we are reminded to live differently, as God's people. Our lives should reflect His values, trusting that He will bless us as we honor Him. This includes living generously, resting in His promises, and believing that our sacrifices for His kingdom will be rewarded a hundredfold.
Key Takeaways:
- Faith is essential to please God, not just in believing what Jesus did on the cross but in living a life that reflects His values and pleases Him. Our actions, worship, and giving should be driven by a desire to honor God, not just fulfill religious duties. [01:54]
- The examples of faith in Hebrews 11 remind us that God rewards those who earnestly seek Him, even if the rewards are not immediate or earthly. We are called to trust in His promises and live by faith, knowing that something better awaits us. [20:36]
- Living by faith often involves stepping out of our comfort zones and making sacrifices. These acts of faith lead to profound experiences of God's provision and presence, enriching our lives in ways beyond material wealth. [21:15]
- As God's people, we are called to live differently from the world, reflecting His values in our actions and decisions. This includes living generously, resting in His promises, and trusting that He will bless us as we honor Him. [29:28]
- True prosperity is not measured by material wealth but by the richness of knowing God and experiencing His presence. Our faith-driven generosity allows us to bless others and live with a sense of contentment and joy, trusting in God's eternal rewards. [43:02]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Sacred Presence
- [00:33] - Unique Needs
- [01:12] - Pleasing God
- [02:11] - Acts of Faith
- [03:18] - True Worship
- [04:24] - Scripture Reading
- [06:18] - The Word of God
- [09:03] - Confidence in Christ
- [12:02] - Faith of the Ancients
- [19:05] - Heroes of Faith
- [20:36] - Living by Faith
- [29:28] - Living Differently
- [31:18] - Sacrificial Living
- [39:05] - Generosity and Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Hebrews 11:6
- Malachi 1:10
- Mark 10:28-31
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Hebrews 11:6, what is necessary to please God, and how does this relate to the examples of faith mentioned in the sermon? [01:54]
2. In Malachi 1, what does God express about empty rituals, and how does this relate to our acts of worship and giving? [03:18]
3. How does the sermon describe the rewards for those who earnestly seek God, as mentioned in Hebrews 11? [20:36]
4. What examples from the sermon illustrate stepping out in faith and experiencing God's provision? [21:15]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of faith in Hebrews 11 challenge the way we view immediate versus eternal rewards? [20:36]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our worship and giving can become mere rituals, and how can we ensure they remain genuine? [03:18]
3. How does the sermon interpret Jesus' promise in Mark 10:28-31 about receiving a hundredfold for sacrifices made for His sake? [32:36]
4. What does the sermon suggest about living differently from the world, and how does this reflect God's values? [29:28]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you stepped out in faith. What was the outcome, and how did it impact your relationship with God? [21:15]
2. Consider your current acts of worship and giving. Are there areas where they might have become routine? How can you renew their sincerity? [03:18]
3. How can you actively seek to live by faith in your daily decisions, especially when faced with uncertainty or sacrifice? [20:36]
4. Identify one area in your life where you feel called to live differently from the world. What steps can you take to align more closely with God's values? [29:28]
5. Think about a specific sacrifice you have made or are considering making for God's kingdom. How does the promise of receiving a hundredfold encourage you? [32:36]
6. How can you cultivate a sense of contentment and joy in God's presence, rather than seeking material wealth? [43:02]
7. What practical steps can you take this week to demonstrate faith-driven generosity in your community? [43:02]
Devotional
Day 1: Living Faith Beyond Belief
Faith is not merely an acknowledgment of what Jesus accomplished on the cross; it is a call to live a life that reflects His values and pleases Him. This involves a transformation of our actions, worship, and giving, driven by a genuine desire to honor God rather than simply fulfilling religious duties. Hebrews 11:6 emphasizes that without faith, it is impossible to please God, highlighting the importance of living a faith-driven life. Our faith should be evident in our daily actions, much like a child whose actions bring joy to their parent. This faith is about trusting in God's presence and His rewards for those who earnestly seek Him. [01:54]
"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: In what specific ways can you transform your daily routines to reflect a life that genuinely seeks to honor God, rather than just fulfilling religious obligations?
Day 2: Trusting in Unseen Promises
The examples of faith in Hebrews 11 remind us that God rewards those who earnestly seek Him, even if the rewards are not immediate or earthly. The lives of those who came before us were marked by trust in God's promises, even when they did not see the fulfillment in their lifetime. This challenges us to live by faith, trusting that God will reward our sacrifices, even if the rewards are not immediate or earthly. We are called to trust in His promises and live by faith, knowing that something better awaits us. [20:36]
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation." (Hebrews 11:1-2, ESV)
Reflection: What is one promise from God that you find difficult to trust in fully? How can you remind yourself of His faithfulness in this area today?
Day 3: Stepping Out in Faith
Living by faith often involves stepping out of our comfort zones and making sacrifices. These acts of faith lead to profound experiences of God's provision and presence, enriching our lives in ways beyond material wealth. Reflecting on personal experiences, stepping out in faith has led to some of the most rewarding moments in life. Whether it was giving generously or making life decisions based on faith, God has always come through, often in unexpected ways. This journey of faith is not about seeking material wealth but about experiencing the richness of God's presence and provision. [21:15]
"By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going." (Hebrews 11:8, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to step out in faith. What practical steps can you take today to respond to this call?
Day 4: Living Counter-Culturally
As God's people, we are called to live differently from the world, reflecting His values in our actions and decisions. This includes living generously, resting in His promises, and trusting that He will bless us as we honor Him. In a world that often pulls us towards conformity, we are reminded to live differently, as God's people. Our lives should reflect His values, trusting that He will bless us as we honor Him. [29:28]
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel pressure to conform to worldly standards? How can you choose to reflect God's values instead?
Day 5: True Prosperity in God's Presence
True prosperity is not measured by material wealth but by the richness of knowing God and experiencing His presence. Our faith-driven generosity allows us to bless others and live with a sense of contentment and joy, trusting in God's eternal rewards. This journey of faith is not about seeking material wealth but about experiencing the richness of God's presence and provision. As we navigate a world that often pulls us towards conformity, we are reminded to live differently, as God's people. [43:02]
"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" (Hebrews 13:5, ESV)
Reflection: How can you cultivate a sense of contentment and joy in your life today, focusing on the richness of God's presence rather than material wealth?
Quotes
"Without faith, it's impossible to please God. Is that the desire of your heart tonight where you go, 'I just want to please Him'? You know, we've been talking about how God loves us regardless of what we've done, and for those of us who believe in His son Jesus, He has forgiven us of everything. Jesus took everything on the cross. Remember, He took us from being objects of wrath to becoming children who are just awaiting His grace forever." [00:00:56]
"Just because we sing songs doesn't mean He's pleased by those songs. We see it in all the scriptures all the time. He flat out says in Malachi 1, 'I wish you would shut the doors to that Temple because I am not pleased with you, and I will not receive your offerings.' Wow, so there are ways in which we sing and teach and give that He says, 'That's not pleasing to me.'" [00:03:10]
"By faith, we understand that the Universe was created by the word of God so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. By faith, Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks." [00:12:14]
"By faith, Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith, he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise." [00:13:30]
"These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return." [00:14:29]
"By faith, Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward." [00:16:14]
"By faith, the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. By faith, the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith, Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies." [00:16:56]
"Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated—of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth." [00:18:00]
"God is saying, 'Look, this is what it takes to please me. I want you to actually believe in what I say.' Like when Jesus says in John 14, verse 12, 'The things that you've seen me do, you will do these things also and even greater things than these because I'm going to the Father.'" [00:20:36]
"The greatest joys in my life as I look back over these 56 years of life, what were the greatest moments, what were the greatest seasons for me? There were times when Lisa and I did things out of faith where we're like, 'Let's just do it. Let's just do it. I don't know how it's going to end up, but I think God's calling us to do this.'" [00:21:15]
"God wants us now to believe in Him and to believe that we can never be hurt by sacrificing for Him. If you have your Bibles, in Mark chapter 10, verse 28, Peter began to say to Him, 'See, we have left everything and followed you.' Jesus said, 'Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the gospel who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time.'" [00:31:18]
"I share this because I want you guys at your age to understand that knowing God is so good and just seeing Him work fills you up. You know, when Justin was talking about, 'He eats of me, you never get hungry,' it's like, 'God, you're right.' Like, I'm not craving anything. I'm not longing. That was the difference." [00:41:48]
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