In the movie Chariots of Fire, Eric Liddell is asked why he ran with such intensity. He said that he could sense God’s pleasure when he ran as fast as he could.
You and I were planned for God’s pleasure.
Psalm 149:4
For God takes pleasure in His people; He adorns the humble with salvation.
The smile of God needs to be the goal of your life.
Psalm 119:135
Smile on Your servant; teach me the way to live.
In 2 Timothy 2:14-19 we are given four ways we can bring pleasure to God and make Him smile.
First, Don’t Quarrel
2 Timothy 2:14
Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value; and only ruins those who listen.
We are commanded not to get in “word fights”
Witnessing, evangelizing, sharing the Gospel, and sharing your Jesus story is not to be about arguing to prove that your belief is right and others are wrong.
Quarreling is about YOU being right.
Sharing your Jesus story is about helping the other person to be right with GOD.
Ephesians 4:15
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
The things that makes God smile is not how right we are but how much we love.
Second, Don’t Mishandle the Word of God
2 Timothy 2:15
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
We are told to give maximum effort to studying AND applying God’s Word to our everyday living.
We are told to be a workman, one who works to please God. We are not to see ourselves as experts or elite but as an ordinary worker who us seeking to serve his Master, Jesus.
1 Corinthians 10:31
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
We are told to correctly handle the word of truth.
We are use God’s Word in a “straight forward manner.”
We are not to use God’s Word to manipulate things to prove a point or to justify sin or to guilt people into doing something.
God’s Word is truth and we need to use it as God’s truth to help people come into a relationship with Him and grow in Him.
The Word of God is not a club to hit people over the head with.
The Word of God is not a rule book to make people do what we want them to do.
The Word of God is a love letter sharing with us:
Who we are (sinners)
Who God is (the One who loves sinners)
What God has done for us out of His love (death and resurrection)
How we can respond to His action of love (surrender and obedience)
We share the whole truth of God’s Word, popular or not.
Third, Stay Away From Irreverent Babble
2 Timothy 2:16-18
But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some.
We are not to be involved in fruitless discussions.
1 Corinthians 10:23
All tings are lawful, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful, but not all things build up.
A good test about what is said in Bible study discussions is, “Does it build up spiritually?” If not, we should just shut up.
The result of godless chatter is that the body become sick and could even die.
Proverbs 11:9
The godless destroy their neighbors by their words, but the righteous are saved by their knowledge.
This irreverent babbling or godless chattering is worse than useless. It is destructive to people’s faith.
Fourth, Stand on God’s Firm Foundation
2 Timothy 2:19
But God’s firm foundation stands bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”
The firm foundation is:
Our life surrendered to Jesus as our Lord
The church (our faith family)
God’s Word
There are two things that will keep us standing on God’s firm foundation.
Relationship - “The Lord knows those who are His.”
John 17:3
This is eternal life that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
Everything connected with Christianity, even eternal life is about a relationship with Jesus as our Savior and Lord.
Repentance - “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”
Acts 11:18
When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God saying, “Then the Gentiles also God granted repentance that leads to life.”
Repentance leads to life.
Acts 3:19-20
Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus.
Repentance leads to sins being blotted out, experiencing spiritual refreshment, and having Jesus fill your life.
Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is about knowing you were created by God for His pleasure.
Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is about making God smile by who you are and how you live.
Knowing and following God’s Word, staying away from arguing about God’s Word, avoiding godless chattering, and standing firm on the foundation of a relationship with God and His church will bring God great pleasure and make Him smile.
With God’s Pleasure Raising the Roof and Removing the Wall
Joe
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