2024-12-08 – Living to please God – Pastor Chuck

You will want to check out Pastor Chuck’s message below as he begins a series about real discipleship, and what it means to be “Living to Please God”, as followers of Jesus!

Here’s the video clip from Adrian Plass that Pastor Chuck shares in his message, starting at time-stamp:  4:06-6:28 -Titled “Cheese & Pickle”

FOLLOWERS of JESUS
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The Greek term for “disciple” in the New Testament basically means “student” or “learner.” But a disciple is also a “follower,” someone who adheres completely to the teachings of another.
1 Thessalonians 4:1-10  more and more.  “…that you excel still more.”
There is an encourager inside you.  His Name is Holy Spirit.
“Do not grow weary…” Galatians 6:7-10
I used examples of people nearing the end of their lives who inspire us to keep on Leaning into the Lord.
“The impulse to pursue God originates with God, but the outworking of that impulse is our following hard after Him” A.W. Tozer
from “Learning the Leanings of a Disciple”
 
1.     LEAN into LISTENING.   
John 10:27  “My sheep hear my voice” (listen and follow).   James 1:19 “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”    “It’s the word that you HEAR and ACT UPON that changes your life”.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, was offered safe haven by American friends, and had accepted it, only to change his mind.  This costly HEARING was followed by obedience as he returned to Germany.  A Disciple changes his mind.
 
2.     LEAN into GENEROSITY.  
Acts 20:35 Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”  “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  2 Corinthians 9:6  “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over… ” Luke 6:38.   “You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion …” 2 Corinthians 9:11
 
3.     LEAN into MERCY and FORGIVENESS
The word “mercy” occurs 174 times in the Bible. 
You never want to get too far from the view of God’s mercies.
MERCY changes how we see.
Mercy is getting what we don’t deserve.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Matthew 5:7
“Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:36
Matthew 6:15 “But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Matthew 18:35. “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
 
4.     LEAN into PRAYER
David a man after God’s own heart “Inquired of the Lord”
James 1:5
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

Listen to Matthew West’s song Keep on Praying

 
5.     LEAN into His WORD
The Multnomah School of the Bible President would always ask his students: “Don’t you people ever read your Bibles?”
“Man shall not live by bread alone…” Read your Bibles

Conclusion
“It’s time to Honour the indwelling Spirit as the strength of our lives” – Andrew Murray
(See his handout below, under “Download Files – Notes”  for devotional reading/encouragement)
 
Andrew Murray was born in 1828 in South Africa, author of over 240 books, he was also a man of great prayer. 
Seeking to be filled with the Holy Spirit’s power, he could say that he had learned to abide in God’s presence continually.