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It’s God’s Pleasure
May 4, 2024

How do you respond when somebody thanks you? Most of us have been taught to respond with something like “you’re welcome”, and from an early age we learn it can be as important to acknowledge gratitude as it is to give gratitude. Gratitude should be in every part of our life, and when it comes to giving gratitude beyond the people who are routinely in our life, we tend to thank helpful employees of businesses we frequent. The response you might get from the business employee can range from no response at all, to “no problem,” or the standard “you’re welcome.” Occasionally, you might hear a response such as, “my pleasure.” There is at least one fast food restaurant chain in the United States that teaches its employees to respond with “my pleasure,” when receiving thanks from a customer, and they based this practice from an upscale hotel chain. There is much that can be said about gratitude from a customer service perspective to the spiritual perspective of faith and can make us reflect on our own gratitude for what God the Father and Jesus Christ have done in each of our lives, and today we will see what is being done for us is God’s pleasure.

We’ll start our study by considering a scene from the throne in heaven, a spiritual setting highlighted by the colors of the rainbow and radiance of precious gemstones. Surrounding the throne were twenty-four seats and sitting upon each seat was an elder dressed in white while also wearing a crown of gold. Within this scene were the sounds of thunder and voices, and the appearance of lightening. There were seven lamps burning before the throne and if somebody didn’t know they were looking at the throne of God they might think they were looking at an elaborate setup for a music concert. Before the throne was a sea of glass and surrounding the throne were four beasts with many eyes.

The first beast looked like a lion, the second like a calf, the third like man, and the fourth like a flying eagle. Each of these beasts had six wings and gave glory and honor, and thanks to the Lord God, who created all things for His pleasure.

Revelation 4:1-11
After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 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.

Verse eleven can make the Lord God seem very arrogant, because it reads, “for thy pleasure they are and were created.” The Greek word translated as for is a preposition that could also be translated as by, meaning verse eleven could read, “by thy pleasure they are and were created,” and that gives an entirely different feel to the passage.

When Jesus was baptized by John, there was a voice which came from heaven, which said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” God the Father was well pleased with Jesus Christ.

Matthew 3:13-17
Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

We might wonder what God’s intent is for our life, and we can look to the teachings of Jesus, in whom God the Father was well pleased. During His earthly ministry, Jesus told a huge crowd of people to avoid the leaven of the Pharisees which is hypocrisy. He explained everything that is done in secret will come out in the open. Jesus was showing that who the Pharisees were in public was much different than who they were in private.

It’s easy to see from the passage that God the Father and Jesus Christ would not be well pleased with hypocrisy in our lives today. He went on to explain that we should live our life without fear of what other people can do to us spiritually, contrasting that to people who live their lives fearing what can be done to them physically.

Living in fear of what other people can do to us while forgetting that God can protect us would not be pleasing to God the Father and Jesus Christ. Nor would it be pleasing to have a person deny them. It is pleasing when we confess Jesus Christ before others, and to rely on the Holy Spirit to get us through challenging situations. Jesus also taught it is not pleasing to prioritize physical concerns over spiritual concerns. For example, He explained that it is an error to focus on physical wealth while ignoring spiritual wealth.

Living a life where we worry about our needs while ignoring that God will provide for us, is also something not pleasing. Instead of focusing attention and worry about things we need, Jesus shows we need to seek first the Kingdom of God and God’s righteousness because God already knows what we need.

Jesus then explained it is God the Father’s good pleasure to give us the kingdom, and knowing our future is in the spiritual kingdom, physical possessions should not be our priority, because our heart is in what we value. If we value the Kingdom of God, we will seek those things that are spiritual, and do what is pleasing in the eyes of God, and if we seek those things that are physical, we will do those things which are not pleasing in the eyes of God.

Luke 12:1-34
In the meantime, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops. And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven. And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say. And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is today in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Hebrews shows us that God does not derive pleasure from burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin, even though the law required these. Jesus came to do away with that which brought God no pleasure and in so doing has made eternal life available to those who respond to the calling.

Hebrews 10:5-10
Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come in the volume of the book it is written of me, to do thy will, O God. Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

God also has no pleasure in those who shrink back from the calling they have been given. We are encouraged to remember where we have come from in the calling we now have, and the hope we have in the Kingdom of God compared to the reality of the world in which we live.

Hebrews 10:32-39
But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

Paul did not seek glory as others might have experienced it, but knew his strength came through his troubles in life. When we think of Paul today, we consider an apostle and one who was gifted in writing letters to several of the early churches he visited. We often overlook the persecution and suffering he endured, and the physical challenges he endured, which he described as infirmities and a thorn in the flesh. He explained that even though he asked God to remove this challenge from him, he understood that what God did through him was magnified that much more as it showed the power of Christ and not the human will of Paul. With that understanding, Paul took comfort and pleasure in his infirmities knowing that when he was perceived to be weak, through Jesus Christ he was very strong.

2 Corinthians 12:1-10
It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth; such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth; How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 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 I strong.

The approach that God uses to call people, often working through other people, is a design by God’s pleasure. It pleased God to use the foolishness of preaching to save people who believe. God could have used some other method to call people, but today as it was during the time of Paul, most people are called through hearing or reading the word of God, through what we commonly call preaching. God does not rely on worldly wisdom to call people, nor does he provide signs to convince people of what they should believe. How God calls people can be reduced by some to be foolish, and even today there are those who look at people of faith as fools. God’s foolishness is wiser than the wisest person and God’s weakness is stronger than the strongest person, and this was all done because it would please God.

1 Corinthians 1:18-25
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

When God called each of us, the timing of that calling was because it pleased God. Even though God desires all people to come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved, God knows when it is best to call people in their individual lives. In the case of Paul, it pleased God to call him on the road to Damascus when he was convinced of the need to persecute brethren there, and it pleased God to call Paul so that he could preach the Gospel.

Galatians 1:11-17
But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.

We have this faith in Jesus Christ and God the Father and need to be thankful. Paul reminded the Colossians he gave thanks to Jesus Christ and God the Father praying for them and reminded them of the hope they have of eternal life in the Kingdom of God. Paul encouraged them to be filled with spiritual knowledge and understanding and to walk worthy of Jesus giving thanks to God the Father, because through Them we are delivered from the power of darkness and into the Kingdom to come.

It is through the blood of Jesus, the firstborn, we are redeemed and forgiven of our sins. It’s fitting that Jesus is the firstborn as He also was the one through Whom all things were created, both by and for him. It is Jesus who is the head of the church, the firstborn from the dead having preeminence among all. And why has everything happened in this manner? Because it pleased God the Father that all fullness should dwell in Jesus and that peace be made through His blood so that all things can be reconciled to Himself. It was God the Father’s pleasure that Jesus be the center of salvation for mankind.

Colossians 1:3-20
We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit. For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

It was through the will of God and by His pleasure that long ago it was predetermined that through Jesus Christ many children would be brought into the spiritual family, bringing glory to God. It was also God’s pleasure that those who are called should know the mysteries of God. When most of this world lacks knowledge and awareness of God or has an incorrect understanding, we have been called and given this understanding through the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 1:3-14
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Paul reminded the Philippians to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling, which is much different than the approach used by so many today to try and work out the salvation of others using fear and trembling. He told them that it was God who not only worked in each of them to do his will, but to do God’s pleasure, to do things without murmurings and disputing, and to have joy and rejoice.

Philippians 2:12-18
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.

We are to fulfill the good pleasure of God’s goodness and the Thessalonians were reminded of this. It was easy for Paul to see that their faith was growing and that they had love for each other, even though they had their share of troubles. He reminded them that being troubled for their faith was not a justification to seek revenge because God will repay those who trouble His people. He highlighted the return of Jesus Christ when final punishment will be exacted on those who do not know God. When Jesus returns it will be those who have been troubled, the saints, who will bring glory to Him, and in return the name of Jesus Christ will be glorified in them, that they might fulfill the good pleasure of His goodness.

2 Thessalonians 1:3-12
We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe because our testimony among you was believed in that day. Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

As Christians we know we are to walk by faith and not by sight as we are led by the Holy Spirit. We understand that we have a most powerful advocate in our corner Who is spiritual Who can also subdue any physical situation that comes before us. As we live our life here on earth, we must be constantly remembering that we look to that which is spiritual, not that which is physical, seeking first the Kingdom of God and God’s righteousness.

We who are called who have been given the Holy Spirit also know that we do everything to find favor and be spiritually accepted never forgetting the lesson on hypocrisy taught by Jesus as we will all appear before the judgment seat of Christ for both the good and bad things we have done. Everything we do is for the glory of God and Jesus Christ. We never seek our own glory and live for ourselves but live for Jesus Christ who died for us.

We could summarize what Paul is explaining in these verses by saying it is God’s pleasure that we become the righteousness of God through Jesus Christ. We become a new creation through Jesus Christ and are reconciled to God the Father becoming ambassadors for Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:1-21
For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: For we walk by faith, not by sight: We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

So, when we praise God and Jesus Christ thanking Them for all that has been done in our life, we should remember that it is God’s pleasure to give us the Kingdom of God. We always spiritually move forward and never shrink back, even when faced with challenges, hardships, and persecutions because these bring us closer to God and Jesus Christ, and like Paul, we too must take pleasure in these. We focus on the Kingdom of God and God’s righteousness becoming ambassadors for Jesus Christ knowing that through Jesus and the forgiveness of our sins that comes through His blood, we might be made the righteousness of God through Jesus Christ.

All verses are from the King James Version.
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