Series THE GOD OF LOVE AND JUSTICE with Pastor Mark Finley  |

Lesson 3.To Be Pleasing to God  |
Living for the Honor of God   |

God desires a close and loving relationship with every person, regardless of our faults and weaknesses. Through His infinite grace and love, He gives us the opportunity to be pleasing to Him. This lesson shows how we can delight God through faith in Jesus Christ and by living a life of love and righteousness. It is not about perfect performance, but about a sincere heart and the desire to live according to His will. God’s joy over our return to Him motivates us to serve Him with devotion and trust. This awareness strengthens us to walk His path with love and humility.

Memory Text: Zephaniah 3,17 – “The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”

Content:
3.1 More Valuable Than You Can Imagine
More Valuable Than You Can Imagine – The Infinite Love of God

The parable of the prodigal son vividly illustrates God’s immeasurable love and mercy. The father welcomes his repentant son with open arms, even though the son has deeply disappointed him. This demonstrates that God accepts every person with compassion and joy, no matter how far they have strayed from Him. In contrast, the older son’s reaction reflects a human perspective of justice that often does not align with God’s boundless grace. This story admonishes us not to become self-righteous but to acknowledge God’s love for others as well. It reminds us that we are infinitely valuable to God—much more than we can ever comprehend.

3.2 Rejoicing With Gladness
God’s Joy Over Each Individual

Zephaniah 3:17 illustrates God’s overwhelming joy over the return and redemption of His people, similar to how the father in the parable of the prodigal son ran to his son with compassion. God’s love is so deep and comprehensive that words can hardly express His enthusiasm. This joy is evident in His immediate presence with us—He is right in the midst of His people. Isaiah 62:4 emphasizes this joy with the image of a loving marriage, where God is closely united with His people. Similarly, Ephesians 5:25–28 calls us to love one another with the same selfless love that Christ has for the church. God’s joy over each saved person is an expression of His limitless and personal love.

3.3 Pleasing God?
Our Significance in His Eyes

It is amazing that the almighty God of the universe takes pleasure in us humans. Isaiah 43:4 and Psalm 149:4 show that God loves us and takes delight in us because we are immeasurably valuable to Him. Despite our sinfulness, He delights in sincere hearts and righteous actions, as emphasized in Proverbs 15:8–9. God’s joy in us is an expression of His deep love and care, which goes far beyond human understanding. This intimate connection between heaven and earth gives us hope and comfort, especially in difficult times. It reminds us that we are important to God and that our efforts to please Him do not go unnoticed.

3.4 Living Stones
Pleasing God in Christ

Despite our sinfulness, we can please God because He accepts and transforms us through Jesus Christ. Romans 5:8 shows that God’s love was already for us when we were sinners, and through Christ, we have received reconciliation and grace. 1 Peter 2:4–6 describes us as “living stones” who, through Jesus, are capable of offering spiritual sacrifices pleasing to God. Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6), but through Christ, we are strengthened to do His will. This assurance that Jesus mediates for us in heaven gives us hope and comfort. It shows that God not only acts for us but also works within us to transform us into His image.

3.5 A Worthy Goal
A Valuable Goal – Pleasing God with Faith

God rejoices over every sincere response to His love, even when our faith is weak. The story in Mark 9:17–29 shows that the honest cry, “Help my unbelief!” is sufficient to receive Jesus’ help. God does not require perfect faith but an open heart that seeks Him. Through Christ’s mediating service, even our small faith is accepted and makes us pleasing to God. This trust should motivate us to strive to please God in all things (2 Corinthians 5:9) and to share His love further. Neighborly love and the golden rule remind us to treat others with the same grace we have received.

3.6 Summary
Being Pleasing to God – Living in His Love and Grace

God longs for us to please Him, not through perfect works, but through sincere faith and love. Through Jesus Christ, we are accepted despite our weaknesses and can perform actions pleasing to God. God’s joy over every repentant sinner, as illustrated in the parable of the prodigal son, demonstrates His boundless mercy. Even small, weak faith is accepted and strengthened by Him. This love motivates us to seek God’s will, act with love, and show mercy to others. Our goal should be to bring joy to God in all areas of our lives.

0

0