What Brings God Joy?

Jeremiah 9:23-24

Introduction

     We often spend much of our time pursuing the things that bring us joy, We hardly ever stop to think how can we bring joy to God.

First of all, is it really important to bring joy to God? After all the most important thing in life is to be happy Right? Wrong! That is just what modern society teaches not the Bible. God does not reign in heaven for the happiness of man(that's humanism). Instead, we were created for his pleasure and his Glory. And as such it is our duty to seek out the scripture(which is His revealed word to us) to find out what pleases Him.

So What Does Please Him?

Is it just following His rules that brings Him joy? For their are many lost souls in the world that are better Ten Commandment abiding citizens than some preachers. They don't steal, murder, or cheat on their spouses. Some even go to church. Is this enough to please God? Or, does it take something more?

On the other hand their are many who profess the Lord with all the seemingly spiritual looking sincerity they can muster. They praise God and pray for you, but their actions and the way they choose to live their lives speak open rebellion against the Word they strongly confess. They forsake the assembly, bend to every whim of temptation and entertainment the world has to offer and have no inclination to serve the cause of Christ. Is this enough? Will just mere words of praise and a mystical Ora bring joy to God? Or, does it require something deeper?

Jeremiah 9:23-24  tells us that we shouldn't glory in riches, wisdom, or might, but if we glory to glory in this, "that he understandeth and knoweth me." To know him is to know what he delights in "lovingkindness, judgement and righteousness." We know he delights in those things because he exercises them "in the earth".

Now, these are the things the Lord delights in "lovingkindness, judgement and righteousness." These are general things but we are going to search through scripture and find 7 more specific things that truly help us to understand and know "What Brings God Joy".

   I. Fearing Him. (Psalms 147:11)

                      A. He's the Boss

                      B. Don't buck against His authority.

                      C.Humble Service

    II. Hoping in his mercy (Psalms 147:11)

                    A. The undeserving seeking him.

                    B. Outward pomp and power are vain in the eyes of God

                    C. As Displayed in Christ.

   III. Meekness (Psalms 149:4)

                      A. Lowly in heart

                      B. Submission to his will

                      C.Meekness is a character trait only Christ alone promoted no other philosopher or religious leader ever understood or promoted it.

     IV. Uprightness (Proverbs 11:20)

                       A.Sincere and Honest

                       B. Opposed to the froward which are an abomination.

                       C.Froward=Not willing to yeild to or comply with what is required, perverse, ungovernable, disobedient.

     V.Praying To Him  (Proverbs 15:8)

                        A. Once upright God greatly joys in the dependence on HIm.

                         B. Honest Sincere Prayer(Not just lip service but fellowship)

                         C. A prayer of faith

    VI. Faith (Hebrews 11:5-6)

                           A. It is impossible to please Him without faith

                           B. We do not have joy in a friend who does not trust what we say is true.

                           C. Faith has always been the first requirement for pleasing God.

   VII. Repentance (Luke 15:7-10)

                      A. A change of mind or conversion from sin to God.

                      B. The relinquishing of any practise, from conviction that it has offended God

                      C. It joys God to be instrumental in leading one to repentance

Conclusion 

Have you done these things to bring God joy?

If not, do it today!