Sugel Michelen /COMO DEBEMOS VIVIR PARA AGRADAR A DIOS??

Understanding the Distinction Between Piety and Fanaticism

The Call to Live for God

• The speaker references 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2, urging believers to walk in a manner that pleases God, emphasizing the importance of following divine instructions.

Labels of Fanaticism

• Christians who take their faith seriously often face labels like "fanatic," not only from the world but sometimes even within the church community.

Differentiating Between Believers

• There is a significant difference between a pious Christian and a fanatic; they represent two distinct categories.

• A fanatic cannot mature spiritually unless they abandon their fanatical tendencies, highlighting the need for discernment in labeling others.

Mislabeling True Believers

• The speaker questions how many would label biblical figures like Paul or Mary of Bethany as fanatics, suggesting that mislabeling can occur even among believers.

Definition of Fanaticism

• The Royal Academy defines a fanatic as someone who defends beliefs with excessive zeal without rational basis. This enthusiasm is described as "blind."

Characteristics of True Piety

• True piety is passionate but informed; it aims at achieving goals based on God's revelation rather than blind enthusiasm.

Goals of a Pious Believer

• A pious believer's efforts are directed towards fulfilling God's purpose, contrasting with the aimless pursuit seen in fanatics.

The Supreme Goal for Christians

Living to Please God

• The ultimate goal for every Christian is to live in a way that pleases God, which should govern all aspects of life and decision-making.

Instruction from Early Church Leaders

• Paul had previously instructed new believers in Thessalonica about living to please God during his brief time with them amidst persecution.

Consistency Across Timeframes

• Regardless of when one became a believer—whether decades ago or recently—the supreme goal remains consistent: to live worthy of God's calling into His kingdom and glory.

Personal Testimony and Collective Purpose

Living to Please God

Paul's Exhortation to the Thessalonians

• Paul reminds the Thessalonian believers of their initial instruction upon coming to Christ, urging them once again to live in a manner that pleases God.

• He emphasizes his earnest request and exhortation, likening it to a captain's command, highlighting both tenderness and firmness in his approach.

• Paul asserts that his appeal carries the authority of Jesus Christ, reinforcing the importance of living for God's pleasure as a primary life goal.

The Nature of Pleasing God

• To please someone involves meeting their expectations; thus, our ultimate aim should be satisfying God's desires as revealed in Scripture.

• Paul clarifies that pleasing oneself or conforming to worldly standards is incompatible with being a servant of Christ, citing Galatians 1:10.

• He illustrates this incompatibility by comparing it to trying to travel in two opposite directions simultaneously.

Authentic Christian Living

• Living as a Christian shouldn't be mechanical or rule-based; rather, actions should stem from a genuine desire to please God.

• Attending church or participating in worship should be motivated by the understanding that these actions are pleasing to God, not merely fulfilling obligations.

The Essence of Life According to John Piper

• John Piper states that pleasing God transcends mere religious duty; it embodies the essence of human existence.

• A person who does not live for God's pleasure fails to fulfill their intended purpose, akin to a clock that doesn't tell time.

Jesus as the Model for Pleasing God

• Jesus exemplifies what it means to live fully for God's pleasure; His life was characterized by obedience and alignment with God's will even unto death (John 8:29).

• In Gethsemane, Jesus expressed His commitment to please God above all else despite personal anguish about impending suffering.

Understanding Righteousness Before God

• The speaker acknowledges Isaiah 64:6's assertion that human righteousness is inadequate before God but clarifies its context regarding insincere sacrifices.

• True righteousness comes from sincere faith and adherence to God's commands rather than mere ritualistic practices.

Understanding Grace and Works in Salvation

The Nature of True Faith

• Isaiah 64:4 emphasizes that those who please God are those who wait on Him, not those trying to earn His favor through sacrifices.

• When discussing salvation, it's crucial to differentiate between works-based righteousness and faith; Isaiah 64:6 illustrates that all righteous deeds are worthless without faith.

• Paul clarifies that salvation is by grace through faith, not by works, highlighting that believers are created for good works prepared by God.

Living Out Grace

• A true believer does not seek to please God for rewards but out of gratitude for the grace already received through Christ.

• Paul states in 1 Corinthians 15:10 that his actions stem from God's grace working within him, reinforcing the idea of divine empowerment in doing good.

Divine Empowerment for Good Works

• Believers can please God because He has equipped them with the desire and ability to do so through His Spirit.

• Hebrews 13:20-21 expresses how God enables believers to perform good works according to His will, emphasizing a partnership between divine action and human effort.

The Role of Faith in Pleasing God

• Hebrews 11:6 states that without faith it is impossible to please God; thus, genuine faith is integral to any work done in His name.

• Good works performed in union with Christ are valuable and not mere "filthy rags," as they reflect a believer's dependence on Christ's power.

Practical Applications of Pleasing God

• Believers should actively seek ways to please God rather than going through the motions of religious duty; authenticity matters more than ritualistic behavior.

• Just as a thoughtful gesture pleases a spouse more than obligatory gifts, sincere efforts to honor God stem from love and understanding of His grace.

Characteristics of a Life That Pleases God

• Understanding one's election by God should inspire believers to live lives aimed at pleasing Him due to their profound gratitude for salvation.

• Paul outlines specific behaviors pleasing to God including sexual purity (verses 3–8), brotherly love (verses 9–10), and responsibility at work (verses 11–12).

Summary Insights on Pleasing God

• The text highlights various aspects such as sexual purity, love among brethren, and diligence at work as key areas where believers can demonstrate their commitment to pleasing God.

Understanding Spiritual Intelligence

How to Please God

• The concept of spiritual intelligence is introduced, emphasizing the importance of living in a way that pleases God in all aspects.

• A fruitful life, characterized by good works and the development of the fruits of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, etc.), is highlighted as pleasing to God.

• The speaker shares a personal interest in reading biographies to illustrate that one can have information about someone without truly knowing them; this parallels knowing God versus just having knowledge about Him.

Growing in Knowledge and Strength

• Emphasizes that growing in knowledge of God leads to greater intimacy with Him, rather than merely accumulating theological information.

• Discusses how enduring suffering through God's strength is pleasing to Him; it’s important to find strength during trials instead of seeking escape.

Living with Joy and Gratitude

• A joyful and thankful life is presented as another way to please God; gratitude for His blessings enhances one's relationship with Him.

• References Romans 12:1 where presenting oneself as a living sacrifice is described as pleasing to God based on Christ's work.

Serving Others and Selflessness

• Highlights that serving others by restricting one's own freedoms for their sake also pleases God, referencing Romans 14:18.

• Points out that even Christ did not seek self-gratification but chose sacrifice for humanity's salvation.

Obedience and Communion with God

• Encourages children and youth to obey their parents as it pleases the Lord (Colossians 3:20).

• Mentions Enoch from Genesis who "walked with God," indicating that walking closely with Him brings pleasure to God.

Faithful Preaching

Living to Please God

The Importance of Faith and Obedience

• The speaker emphasizes that preaching the word faithfully pleases God, highlighting the importance of sharing resources with those in need as stated in Hebrews 13:16.

• Trusting and obeying God is presented as a simple yet profound way to please Him; perfection is not required, but intentional living in dependence on Him is essential.

• The analogy of a sensible father illustrates that God does not judge us harshly for our imperfections; He values our sincere efforts over flawless execution.

Misconceptions About God's Nature

• A misunderstanding of God's character leads to unhappiness among Christians, who may view their faith as burdensome under a strict and demanding deity.

• The speaker argues against the notion of God being an austere figure who expects perfection without offering grace or understanding.

Our Identity in Christ

• Believers are reminded that through their union with Jesus, they are clothed in His perfect righteousness, making their attempts to please God acceptable rather than seen as filthy rags.

• Spiritual sacrifices offered by Christians are deemed acceptable before God through Jesus Christ, encouraging believers to express themselves freely in worship despite personal insecurities.

Living Intentionally for God

• While acknowledging human limitations, the speaker insists that Christians should strive to live intentionally for God's pleasure while relying on Jesus' perfection to cover their shortcomings.

• The text encourages believers to understand that pleasing God is an ongoing journey rather than a one-time achievement.

Growth in Christian Life

• Living to please God involves continuous growth; believers are urged not only to maintain their current spiritual state but also to seek abundance in their faith and actions.

• The church at Thessalonica serves as an example of rapid spiritual maturity amidst adversity, illustrating how new believers can thrive even in hostile environments.

Encouragement for Continuous Improvement

• Paul’s exhortation highlights the necessity for believers not to become complacent but instead strive for greater spiritual depth and love within their community.

• Abundance signifies overflowing love and growth; Paul encourages them not just to maintain but enhance their expressions of faith and love towards one another.

Pablo y su Llamado a la Perseverancia

La Meta de Pablo

• Pablo destaca que ha sido un hombre capaz de sufrir por Cristo, enfatizando su compromiso con el propósito divino: "yo sigo avanzando por ver si logro hacer... aquello para lo cual yo también fui asido por Cristo Jesús."

• A pesar de no considerarse como alguien que ya ha alcanzado todo, Pablo se enfoca en una sola meta: "olvidando ciertamente lo que queda atrás y extendiéndome a lo que está delante."

La Carrera Cristiana

• Utiliza la metáfora de corredores en una carrera, describiendo cómo deben esforzarse al máximo para alcanzar la meta: "Yo quiero romper esa cinta."

• Se cuestiona si Pablo sería considerado un fanático hoy en día, pero aclara que su dedicación es simplemente cristianismo puro y simple.

Comparación con los Corintios

• Al dirigirse a los Corintios, una iglesia llena de problemas, Pablo les insta a correr la carrera cristiana con seriedad: "corred esta carrera de tal manera que si uno solo va a ser el que se lleve el premio, que seas tú."

• Advierte sobre la posibilidad de descalificación incluso para aquellos en posiciones prominentes dentro de la iglesia: "cualquiera de nosotros puede ser descalificado aquí."

El Enfoque en Dios

• Independientemente del tiempo desde su conversión, la meta suprema debe ser agradar a Dios intencionalmente en todas las acciones: "no para ganarte nada de Dios... sino porque ya fuiste favorecido gratis por causa de Jesús."

• Resalta que no debemos intentar impresionar a Dios; ya hemos sido aceptados gracias al sacrificio de Cristo.

Crecimiento Espiritual

• Al convertirnos a Cristo, recibimos la justicia perfecta y podemos crecer en nuestra relación con Él y reflejar más Su imagen: "ahora podemos seguir creciendo en nuestra vida de Santidad."