Author: GinoCascieri

I believe as Christians none of us like going through trials. However, what the words of God teach us is the times of severest trial have always been seasons of blessing to the people of God. The more fiercely the fires of persecution burn the stronger has faith waxed. So, too, it should be, and often has been, in individua lives. Opposition should cast us back more and more upon God. Persecution results in separating us from the world. Suffering ought to refine. The experience of the Psalmist was, “Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept Thy Word” (Ps. 119:67). May it prove true of writer and reader that “the more we are afflicted” the more shall we “grow” in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord.

The scriptures is full of examples that support the principal “the times of severest persecution and trial have always been seasons of blessing.”

Regarding the children of Israel in bondage in Egypt, the words of God say in Exodus 1:12, “But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew….”

There arose great persecution over Stephen and result the believers were scattered and in Acts 11:19-21, the words of God say “Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.”

The of the greatest of example of this principle is Joseph, the son of Jacob. He was hated by his brothers. They sold him into slavery in Egypt. He was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife and placed in prison. Through all this Joseph becomes very powerful in Egypt and hold a position in Egypt second only to Pharoah. Joseph saves his father, his brothers, and their family from starvation and a place is provided for Joseph and his family to live in the best place in Egypt, the land Goshen. After all is said and done Joseph tells his brothers, “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” Genesis 50:20

My dear friend try to remember when going through a trial that God’s has allowed it. He is still in control, trust in Him, draw closest to Him and wait for the blessing.

Written by Isaac Watts

Did you know that “Joy to the World” was not written as a Christmas carol? In its original form, it had nothing to do with Christmas. It wasn’t even written to be a song.

Isaac Watts, who wrote “Joy to the World,” was one of the great hymn writers in church history, and nothing shows that better than the fact that he wrote one of his most famous hymns by accident. In 1719, Watts published a book or poems in which each poem was based on a Psalm. But rather than just translate the original Old Testament texts, he adjusted them to refer more explicitly to the work of Jesus as it had been revealed in the New Testament.

One of those poems was an adaptation of Psalm 98, “Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King. Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.”

This Psalm looks forward to the day when the Lord will come to judge the world in righteousness. ln this hymn, Watts reinterpreted the Psalm to rejoice in the coming of the Christ as our Lord and Saviour.

More than a century later, the second half of this poem was slightly adapted and set to music to give us what has become one of the most famous of all Christmas carols, “Joy to the World.”

This hymn was sung to various tunes for many years. Then in 1839, Lowell Mason, a banker who happened to be quite interested in church music, published the tune that we now associate with “Joy to the World.”

Watts wrote some 600 hymns altogether and is considered to be the father of Christian hymnody. His hymns include such favourites as “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” and “O God, Our Help in Ages Past,” but the favourite of favourites is “Joy to the World.

The Gospel Standard

The word of the Lord IS right (Psalms 33:4). Every word of God IS pure (Proverbs 30:5). All scripture IS profitable (2 Timothy 3:16).

Though our perverse, modern society would seek to convince women that they can only know true happiness by casting off the yoke of God’s word, this is the very lie Satan told the first woman. The verses sited above are not just true of Biblical salvation, but of the Bible’s teachings in all matters of faith and practice.

In “the roll call of faith” found in Hebrews 11, God selects two women from Old Testament history. One is a single woman, Rahab. One is a married woman, Sarah. Thus, the wife of Abraham stands as God’s example to all married women who will live by faith.

She is set forth in 1 Peter 3:1-6 as the example to all women who are married to a man who is not obedient to the word of God. Let us examine carefully the meanings of the words used in the passage by the Holy Spirit.

1 Peter 3:1, 4-6 says, Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

Meek means mild of temper, not easily provoked or irritated, given to forbearance under injuries and provocations, softness of temper, yielding, specifically – submissive to the Divine will. It is the gracious ability to take wrong without being marked or ill affected thereby.

Are you meek?
Quiet is defined as a state of rest, not moving, without agitation, not exciting disorder or trouble, gentle, contented.
Does the Holy Spirit so control you that your spirit maintains its quietness despite the deeds or misdeeds of another?
Subjection means to be brought under control, power, dominion; subdued, regarding life, liberty and property.
While obey means to give ear to; to execute the commands of; to yield submission to, to comply with the orders of.
Sarah was in subjection and was obedient. She is God’s example to married women. Through all the misdeeds of her partner, she ably wore the ornaments that were so pleasing to the Lord. As we shall see in the sequel, she was given ample reason to mistrust Abraham but never did she have cause to mistrust God. Despite all she was forced to endure – and it was a lot – at the hand of her faltering husband, her confidence in the Lord kept her in a right relationship with her partner.
These instructions for blessing can only be carried out by one living by faith in God.

The context of 1 Peter 3:1-6 is a disobedient husband.
The likewise in verse 1 refers back to 1 Peter 2:18-25, where the Bible tells a slave to be subject to a froward master, and gives us the example of Christ being subject to His Father’s will despite mistreatment at the hands of evil men.

Consider the conditions under which Sarah was obedient to God by being submissive to her husband:
Genesis 12
Abraham left Ur, departed from family, and broke all ties.
Sarah obeyed
Genesis 13
Abraham went down to Egypt. He lies. He wrongly delivered Sarah into Pharaoh’s hand.
Sarah obeyed
Genesis 14
Abraham was off at war. He was gone a long time. She was left to manage all the household duties alone.
Sarah obeyed
Genesis 15
Abraham went off to worship God. He was busy building an altar. He stayed at this “church service” all night. Sarah was left home alone.
Sarah obeyed

Genesis 17
Abraham was promised a son. Sarah was 90 years old, childbirth and child rearing is hard enough for a young woman.
Sarah obeyed
Genesis 18
The Lord and two angels came to visit. Abraham sent Sarah into the kitchen to fix dinner. She missed out on the fellowship, conversation, etc.
Sarah obeyed.
Genesis 20
Abraham told Abimelech the same old lie. He cared only for himself. Sarah was again put in jeopardy.
Sarah obeyed.
Genesis 21
Abraham headed for Mount Moriah to put to death her only son.
Sarah obeyed.
When God chose Sarah for every married woman’s example, he not only chose a great woman, but one who did not enjoy what a modern woman would call an ideal marriage. In these chapters Abraham shows all the characteristics of a “typical man.” Praise God, Sarah seldom showed the characteristics of a “typical woman.”

The Christ-Honoring Commentary Series – The Book of Genesis – pgs. 193-196 –James W. Knox

IS GIVING

Christmas is a time for giving. God’s gift is infinite, eternal, and unchangeable- truly a “changeless Christ, in a changing world.” “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son … “ (John 3: 16). “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given … ” (Isaiah 9:6). “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15).

IS GAINING

Christmas is a time for gaining. Obtaining, acquiring, receiving. There is much gain in receiving when the gift is of value. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God … “ (John 1:12). “And of his fulness have all we received … ” (John 1:16). ” … but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain” (1 Corinthians 9:24).

IS GOING

Christmas is a time for going. Jesus Christ sets the pattern in always going to others. “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). ” … and took upon him the form of a servant … ” (Philippians 2:7). ” … Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16: 15). ” … give ye them to eat” (Matthew 14:16).

” … they saw the young child … “ (Matthew 2:11). To see is to worship; to worship is to be obedient; to be obedient is to do whatsoever He saith. May these truths become real to us in our attitude toward reaching the lost. ” … Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? … “ (Acts 9:6). This can be the most glorious, the most profitable, the most lasting Christmas we celebrate. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God … and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).

” … It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

The Gospel Standard

How few Christians understand what it means when the Word of God says, ” … the world … ” We think of creation, of this globe, but in Romans, God speaks of the world system- this world. Satan is its god and its prince. It reminds me of a large department store with many departments, and upstairs in the office is the manager. Satan is the manager of this great world system.

Its Religious Department: Any man or woman can go and enter into a little religion without Christ, get a good feeling, get excited, emotional, religious, and be as proud as is possible. They can be proud of that empty, cold, modernistic religion, but without Christ.

The Society World: People dress to kill, wear the latest fashions, and enjoy the glass, the ash trays, the dance, the vanity of it all, trying to outdo each other and acting as if they really had found happiness. Instead, they have that empty feeling- those wasted hours, unprofitable, and after all, nothing but a heartache, or a headache the next morning.

The Business World: Here is pretended concern over fellowmen, but each out there is only for self, promotion, and self exaltation.

The Sports World: Speed, action, and ungodliness are evident. We find foul language, seeking to put self forward, and prize fighters poor slaves of men, whose bodies are punched until the mind is foggy. Satan, the manager, causes the seasons to extend from baseball into hockey season, the hockey season into golf season, etc.
“They are idle,” cried Pharaoh. “Keep them busy, no straw, and yet the same number of bricks.” So today Satan takes away the straw from God’s people and cries, “They are idle; they want to be separated from this world so they can worship their God. Keep them busy, take away the straw so they have to work overtime -no time for prayer or Bible reading, not time for Christ, no time to sit at His feet to hear His Word.”

Such is the world, but why? Because sin is here, and because there is a spot in this very world in which we live where the world this present evil world- dared to nail the Christ of God to Calvary’s cross, choosing Barabbas, a robber, murderer, and gang-leader, in place of God’s Christ.

Such is the world that will soon feel the stroke of divine judgment. Thank God we are not of it, and we will be caught out of it before judgment falls, for we shall hear that shout, that voice of our Beloved!

The Gospel Standard

 Text: Genesis 28:10-22
 Intro:
o God often leads us through great trials in preparation for some greater service or blessings.
o Whenever bad things happen to a believer, God can bring good things out of them.
o Almost every person whom God used greatly, was first put through a wilderness experience in preparation and training for the best plan God had for them.
o God brings good out of evil for the person who loves God and seeks to do His will. – John 12:23-26
• In our sorrows, there are joys;
• In our crosses, there are crowns;
• In our miseries, there are mercies;
• In our losses, there are gains;
• In our disappointments, there are God’s appointments;
• In our contradictions, there are compensations.
o Question:
• What can we learn from Bible characters who went through wilderness trials and testings?
• Consider these Bible characters to see how good came out of trials so as to encourage us in difficulties:
 1. JACOB.
o After Jacob had fled from his home and his murderous brother Esau, he slept on a stony pillow (Genesis 28:11).
• In Jacob’s stony pillow he saw the Lord on top of a ladder leading to heaven. He received 5 promises from God.
• He called it the House o God, Bethel (v.17) and the Gate of Heaven.
• He made a four-fold vow and promised to give one-tenth of all that God gave him to God.
 2. JOSEPH.
o After spending about 10 years in jail, Joseph found that God was preparing him for the palace to do a mighty work of saving many people’s lives.
• Genesis 50:20; Psalm 105:17-22)
o He became second-in-charge of Egypt.
• Pharaoh changed his name to Zaphnath-Paaneah (Genesis 41:45) meaning ‘Revealer of secrets and Saviour of the world’.
o Joseph’s sufferings and exaltation became a wonderful prophetic picture of Jesus Christ’s future suffering and exaltation.
 3. MOSES in the wilderness in Exodus 3:1-4:13.
o Moses spent 40 years learning to be great in Pharaoh’s palace;
o Moses spent 40 years learning to be a nobody in the wilderness;
o Moses spent 40 years serving God doing a great work of delivering Israel from Egypt, receiving the 10 Commandments, writing Scripture, seeing God, and learning God’s Name ‘I AM’ (3:14,15).
 4. DAVID.
o David turned the taunts of Goliath into a great triumph.
• Goliath humiliated the Israelite army for 40 days.
• God used a little boy, David, to humiliate the Philistine army and win a great victory for God and Israel. (I Samuel 17:43-50).
• David experienced great suffering in being chased by Saul for many years through the wilderness.
• One day, God turned David’s suffering to great joy when he was crowned King of Israel.
o Question:
• What giants such as Goliath and Saul do we need to conquer by faith?
 5. ELIJAH.
o Elijah fled into the wilderness after being threatened with death by Jezebel.
o God encouraged Elijah by sending an angel to encourage him, giving him a new ministry and a new friend in Elisha to carry on his work, as well as a chariot ride to heaven without seeing death.
 6. PAUL.
o Paul’s two wilderness experiences led to great blessing:
• a) Paul spent three years in the Arabian desert, studying to get his doctrine clear (Galatians 1:17), which helped him in his preaching, his letters to the churches and his missionary journeys in the years to come.
o Lesson: Years spent in studying God’s Word and in learning to be a nobody are laying solid foundations for future service.
• b) Paul spent many years sacrificing, suffering and being persecuted on his missionary journeys and in jail (2 Corinthians 11:21-30), which led to:
 – many churches being started;
 – writing much of the New Testament which has blessed millions of Christians;
 – becoming a great example who inspired much soul winning, missionary activity,
 and was a model for future missionaries.
 7. JOHN.
o While banished to the isle of Patmos, John was given a glorious revelation of heaven, of the end of the age, and of eternity future. (Revelation 1:9).
• God sent him away from people, to give him the visions of Revelation.
• What seemed like a bad thing (his exile on Patmos), led to a very good thing of the book of Revelation being written.
o This book has given blessing and hope to millions of Christians’ lives.
• It has greatly informed believers on Christ’s return.
• It shows us the ultimate defeat of Satan and victory for believers at Christ’s coming.
 8. JESUS.
o Jesus had two main wilderness experiences:
• a) In Luke 4:1 the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil for 40 days.
 The result of His victory over Satan here was fame, power, glory and teaching God’s Word with power. (Luke 4:14,15,31,32).
• b) Jesus knew that the valley of suffering on the cross that He was to endure, would lead to the glory of His resurrection, ascension and final victory over sin and Satan.
 Conclusion:
o Question:
• What wilderness experiences or valleys are you going through?
o Answer:
• These can be the precursors to great blessings. (Romans 8:28).
• The way to cure despair is to give yourself to prayer, for prayer is the great cure of every ill.
• Sufferings and wilderness experiences for God’s best servants are part of our training for a bigger work for God.
o Question:
• Will you see wilderness experiences as being for your learning and future blessing?

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” (James 1:22)

Intro:
o Deception is one of Satan’s devices that he uses to trip up Christians in their walk with the Lord.
o We know from the Word of God that Satan is an imitator.
o He tries to trick the Christian and the rest of the world by imitating the things of God.
o The Apostle Paul warns us in 2 Corinthians 2:11 not be ignorant of Satan’s devices lest he should get advantage of us.
o Definition of deceive: 1 archaic : ENSNARE 2 a obsolete : to be false to b archaic : to fail to fulfill 3 obsolete :
CHEAT 4 : to cause to accept as true or valid what is false or invalid 5 archaic : to while away intransitive verb : to practice deceit; also : to give a false impression
o synonyms DECEIVE, MISLEAD, DELUDE, BEGUILE mean to lead astray or frustrate usually by underhandedness. DECEIVE implies imposing a false idea or belief that causes ignorance, bewilderment, or helplessness .
MISLEAD implies a leading astray that may or may not be intentional .
DELUDE implies deceiving so thoroughly as to obscure the truth .
BEGUILE stresses the use of charm and persuasion in deceiving .
o This morning from the Word of God we want to see how a man can be deceived.

1. A man is deceived if he says that he has no sin – 1 John 1:8
2. A man is deceived when he thinks himself to be something when he is nothing. – Galatians 6:3
3. A man is deceived when he thinks himself to be wise with worldly wisdom – 1 Corinthians 3:18.
4. A man is deceived when he seems to be religious and does not bridle his tongue – James 1 :26
5. A man is deceived when he thinks that he will not reap what he sows – Galatians 6:7.
6. A man is deceived when he thinks that evil company will not corrupt good morals – 1 Corinthians 15:33
7. A man is deceived when he thinks that the unrighteous will inherit the kingdom of God – 1 Corinthians 6:9
   Conclusion:
   o Now Satan will try to deceive you to not pay attention to the Word of God.
   o The question is – Will you let him?

Yes, ” … my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4: 19). A promise invaluable, that riches cannot buy, and free to all of God’s obedient children, regardless of race, color, or age.
Unfortunately, the majority of His children live far beneath their privileges as a child of the King of kings, and many fail to take advantage of this promise.
“Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” (Matthew 7:9-11).
His children limit Him, when all His resources are at their disposal if the requirement is met. In Jeremiah 32:27, it is written, ” … I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?”
God always answers when His children pray; though the answer received is not always the way the children thought it would he. “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8).
Notice, He has promised to supply all your need. It is written, “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass” (Psalm 37:4-5). There are three things for you to do: delight in the Lord, commit to the Lord, and trust in the Lord; then He will bring it to pass- that is His part after you have done yours .

The persons meeting these three requirements, however, live close to God. They live a surrendered and consecrated life, and will desire nothing that God wouldn’t approve of, for they know that as God works through them ” … to will and to do … ” (Philippians 2: 13), the thing desired must come from God. Their only will is to do the will of their heavenly Father.

Many think it irrelevant to pray for temporal needs, but all through the Old and New Testaments are numerous examples of all kinds of needs being supplied in answer to the prayers of God’s children. God never changes, and Jesus Christ is ” … the same yesterday, and today, and for ever” (Hebrews 13 :8).

A few Bible examples are:

DELIVERANCE FROM PHYSICAL DANGER

The three Hebrew children from the fiery furnace (Daniel 3:27); Daniel from the lion’s den (Danie16:22); David from the paw of the lion and the bear (1 Samuel17:37); Jonah from the belly of the whale (Jonah 2:1-1 0). Other examples are Elijah, for the raising to life of the widow’s son (1 Kings 17:20-23); Hezekiah, being sick unto death, is healed and fifteen years added to his life (2 Kings 20:1-11);Paul, for the healing of Pulius’ father (Acts 28:8); Peter, for the restoration of Dorcas (Acts 9:40); Peter’s deliverance from prison (Acts 12:5-6); Paul and Silas delivered from prison (Acts 16:26).

TEMPORAL NEEDS SUPPLIED

Rain provided when there was a sore famine in the land (1 Kings 18; James 5:17-18); Jesus tells Peter to go and get money from the mouth of the fish to pay their tribute or taxes (Matthew 17:27); clothes were provided that lasted forty years without waxing old for the children of Israel (Deuteronomy 29:5); the Lord commanded the ravens to feed Elijah the Tishbite beside the brook Cherith ( 1 Kings 17: 1-6); the children of lsrael were fed daily with manna from Heaven (Exodus 16:4 ).

PRAYER FOR MATERIAL PROSPERITY

Asa’s army prayed for victory (2 Chronicles 14:11); Abraham prayed for a son, and it came to pass (Genesis 15:1-6); Isaac also prayed for children, and his wife gave birth to twins (Genesis 25:21-23). Hannah prayed for a son (1 Samuel 1:10-11); Zacharias prayed for a son (Luke 1:13); Samson prayed for a drink of water, and God clave a hollow place out of a jawbone, and there water came out (Judges 15:16, 19); Jehoshaphat for protection (2 Chronicles 20:6); Elijah for triumph over Baal(l Kings 18:36-37).

SPIRITUAL NEEDS SUPPLIED

Countless are the prayers for spiritual needs. A few examples are: “… God be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13); prayer for spiritual steadfastness (Psalm 119: 133); the church at Jerusalem prayed for guidance and protection (Acts 1 :24,26); Gideon prayed for proof of his call (Judges 6:36-40); Habakkuk prayed for revival (Habakkuk 3); Joshua prayed for mercy and help (Joshua 7:6-9); Manoah prayed for special guidance concerning his child (Judges 13:8,15); Solomon prayed for wisdom (1 Kings 3:6-14); Cornelius prayed for enlightenment (Acts 10:2,30); and many, many others too numerous to mention.

There are several thousand promises in the Bible for God’s children, so why not take advantage of them? If you are not a child of God, then ask Him to save you. Make peace with your Maker, for life is uncertain, but death is sure. Those that trust in the Lord are not confounded (Psalm 22 :5).

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes …” (Proverbs 3:5-7). Remember that “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1: 17). Do not forget: you do the trusting, and He will do the working to supply your needs and bring your desires to pass, for He says, “… for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). God specializes in the impossibilities!

The Gospel Standard

Text: John 8:19-32

Introduction:

One of the greatest secrets of the successful Christian life is to please God instead of pleasing ourselves or other people such as the ungodly crowd.

Jesus Christ’s autobiography can be summarized by John 8:29 “for I do always those things that please him.”

I.  Some other Biographies of Jesus Christ are:

(Luke 19: 10) “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

(John 1 :14) “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

Peter at Cornelius’ house said of Jesus that He ” … who went about doing good, … “ Acts 10:38.

In eternity past the Son is saying to the Father, regarding His incarnation, life on earth, death for our sins and resurrection, “I delight to do thy will, O my God: … “ Psalm 40:8.

As a boy Jesus said, ” … I must be about my Father’s business?” Luke 2:49.

At Jesus baptism, the Father said ” … Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Mark 1 :11

Peter said of Jesus that He was a “man approved of God.” Acts 2:22.

Jesus pleased His Father in life, “The pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.” Isaiah 53:10

Jesus pleased God in death, “Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him.” Isaiah 53: 10.

(Romans 15:3) “For even Christ pleased not himself;”.

The one consuming passion in Christ’s life was to please the Father.

Nothing else mattered.

Lesson:

The most miserable and wretched life is one that constantly tries to please itself.

Away with the selfish life. “Get all I can and can all I get” doesn’t make anyone happy.

If we want to please God, we must find out what pleases Him.

If a young man is courting a young lady, he will find out what she likes and do it.

Just like a husband, will find out what his wife wants and do it.

Give her what she likes.

II. The Bible tells us what pleases God.

It pleases the Father when:

1) We exalt His Son.

Colossians 1:18-19.

This means that we should exalt the Lord Jesus Christ who contains all the fullness of God.

It pleases the Father when we talk about Jesus Christ.

Good songs to sing are: “What a friend we have in Jesus”, “All hail the power of Jesus’ name”, “No one ever cared for me like Jesus”, “Let’s talk about Jesus, the King of Kings is He, the Lord of Lords supreme, through all eternity.

The great I am the way, the Truth, the Life, the Door.

Let’s talk about Jesus more and more.

2) We Do Good.

Hebrews 13:15-16.

By doing good, we please God, such as when we help others, or buy things for those in need.

Don’t hoard your money all to yourself.

Use it to help others, and get the gospel out, so you can still enjoy the effects of your money when you are 150 years old, 200, 1000, 1 million years old.

It pleases God when we do something for others to help them know Jesus Christ.

This is why we emphasize soul winning, missions and tract distribution.

3) We Love One Another.

Romans 15:1-3.

If you love others you’ll exhort them to get busy serving God.

Some day you’ll have to face Jesus Christ and tell Him why you wasted so much time in laziness on earth.

I want you to enjoy heaven more and not to be ashamed at Christ’s coming.

God wants us to love one another.

Question: Do you hate anybody today?

Question: Did you criticize anyone lately?

That doesn’t please the Father.

Question: Have you stood in the way of sinners, or sat in the seat of the scornful? Or criticized some good Bible preacher?

That doesn’t please God.

God is pleased when brethren dwell together in unity.

Psalm 133:1-3

To God, it smells like ointment.

God says, “When my people love each other, it smells like sweet perfume. If they fight each other, it stinks.”

4) We are Fruitful.

Colossians 1:10

When you bear fruit by leading someone to Christ, there is much pleasure in heaven

(Luke 15:7,10).

Question: Are you bearing fruit for Jesus Christ?

5) We Praise Him.

Psalm 69:30-31

God would rather have heartfelt praise than temple sacrifices or good intentions.

It pleases the Father:

a) When you lead someone to Christ & they tell someone:’! have received Jesus Christ as my Saviour’

b) When someone gets baptised, and praises Christ for saving him.

c) When we go soul-winning, and tell sinners how good God is.

d) When we praise God in hard times.

e) When we come to church and praise God in song.

f) When we disciple people so they get back into fellowship with God & praise Him.

That pleases God

6) We pray for a wise and understanding heart to serve others, as Solomon prayed.

I Kings 3:9-10.

Question: Do you study God’s Word to become wise to serve God and people better?

7) We preach the gospel to lost sinners.

I Corinthians1 :21.

Many Christians fear soul-winning because they may look foolish before men.

God is pleased when we are prepared to look foolish for Him so sinners can get saved.

8) We seek to please God rather than men.

Galatians 1:10.

It pleases God when we are prepared to take a stand against the ungodly crowd and the ways of the world.

9) We walk with God in sweet fellowship, as Enoch did.

Genesis 5:21-24

Hebrews 11 :5.

Enoch pleased God by walking with God in the midst of an evil world.

Do you walk daily with God?

10) We do things by Faith and Obedience.

Hebrews 11 :6

It pleases God when we obey and trust Him in hard situations.

11) When we give God’s Word out to people.

Isaiah 55:11

12) When we choose the things that please God.

Isaiah 56:4-5.

These include such things as giving Sunday and our lives wholly to serving God.

13) When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, and not led by the flesh.

Romans 8:8.

14) When we don’t entangle ourselves in the affairs of this life but seek to please Christ who has chosen us to be a soldier.

II Timothy 2:4.

We are soldiers for Jesus Christ.

15) We bless Israel.

Numbers 24:1.

Genesis 12:3

16) When we abstain from fornication.

I Thess. 4: 1-8.

God avenges (v.6) those who fornicate and defraud (take advantage of) others.

Ill. Things That Displease God

1) When people kill and persecute Christians.

I Thess. 2:15-16

2) When people commit adultery.

Example: David – II Samuel 11 :27

3) When people rejoice when their enemy falls.

Proverbs 24:17-18.

4) When people complain

Numbers 11:1

I Cor 10:5,9-10

5) When people are proud of their achievements.

I Chron.21:1-8

6) When justice and judgment on sin is not done.

Isaiah 59:14-15

7) When people turn little children away from Jesus.

Mark 10:13-16

IV. Conclusion:

Do you please God or displease God?

Do you please yourself?

Do you seek to please the ungodly crowd?

What are you doing that is displeasing to God?

Get right with God today.

• 1.  “A fair woman” – Prov. 11:22
  • fair woman posses discretion.
    • Prudence, or knowledge and prudence; that discernment which enables a person to judge critically of what is correct and proper, united with caution; nice discernment and judgment, directed by circumspection, and primarily regarding one’s own conduct.
• 2.  “A gracious woman” – Prov. 11:16 – retaineth honor
  • gracious -Favorable; kind; benevolent; merciful; disposed to forgive offenses and impart unmerited blessings. 
• • honor – respect, regarded with esteem, reputation, good name.
• 3.  “a whorish woman’ – Prov. 6:26
• whorish – Lewd; unchaste; addicted to unlawful sexual pleasures; incontinent.
• 4.  “an odious woman” – Prov. 30:21-23
  • odious – 1. Hateful; deserving hatred. It expresses something less than detestable and abominable; as an odious name; odious vice. All wickedness is odious.

2. Offensive to the senses; disgusting; as an odious sight; an odious smell.

3. Causing hate; invidious; as, to utter odious truth.

4. Exposed to hatred.

He rendered himself odious to the parliament.

• 5.  “an adulterous woman” – Prov. 30:20
  • Acts if has done nothing wrong.
• 6.  “a brawling woman” – Prov. 21:9
  • brawling – The act of quarreling.
• 7.  “strange woman” – Prov. 2:16-19
  • characteristics – flatters with her words; forsakes what learn as child and God’s words; connected with death and hell.
    • strange – meaning not just a woman of another race or someone not acquainted with by an harlot.
• 8.  an “evil woman” – Prov. 6:24-35
  • also strange woman, adulteress, whore.
• 9.  a “contentious and an angry woman” – Prov. 21:19
  • contentious – Apt to contend; given to angry debate; quarrelsome; perverse.
• 10.  “a foolish woman” – Prov. 9:13 -18
  • clamorous –  Speaking and repeating loud words; noisy; vociferous; loud; turbulent.
  • simple – Weak in intellect; not wise or sagacious; silly. The simple believeth every word; but the prudent looketh well to his going. Prov. 14
• 11.  “a wise woman” – Prov. 14:1
• wise – Properly, having knowledge; hence, having the power of discerning and judging correctly, or of discriminating between what is true and what is false; between what is fit and proper, and what is improper; as a wise prince; a wise magistrate. Solomon was deemed the wisest man. But a man may be speculatively and not practically wise.
  • Characteristic – builds her house or home with wisdom.  “the words of God” is the foundation.
• 12.  “virtuous woman” – Prov. 12:4
  • virtuous – 1. Morally good; acting in conformity to the moral law; practicing the moral duties, and abstaining from vice; as a virtuous man. 2. Being in conformity to the moral or divine law; as a virtuous action; a virtuous life.

The mere performance of virtuous actions does not denominate an agent virtuous.

3. Chaste; applied to women.

• crown – Honor; splendor; dignity.