WHO DO YOU PLEASE
Galatians 1:10-17 (NASB)
10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ. 11 For I would have you know, brethren, that the
gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my former manner
of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure, and tried to destroy it; 14 and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions. 15 But when He who had set me apart, even from my mother's womb, and called me through His grace, was pleased 16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus.
INTRODUCTION:
1. You Can Seek To . . Please Man.
2. You Can Seek To . . Please God.
3. You Can Seek To . . Let God Please You.
1. You Can Seek To . . Please God. v 10-12
10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.
11 For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.
12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
EXPLANATION
The word translated please.
700 aresko (ar-es'-ko); probably from 142 (through the idea of exciting emotion); to be agreeable (or by implication, to seek to be so):
142 airo (ah'-ee-ro); a primary root; to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind), specially, to sail away (i.e. weigh anchor); by Hebraism [compare 5375] to expiate sin: KJV-- away with, bear (up), carry, lift up, loose, make to doubt, put away, remove, take (away, up).
A. Please God By being a . . Bond-Servant. v 10 b
B. Please God By being a . . Biblical Servant. v 11-12
ILLUSTRATION Topic: Pleasure Subtopic: Worldly Index: 3200-3201 Date: 6/1987.15
The author Oscar Wilde was one who paid scant attention to his spiritual life. William Barclay quotes Wilde's confession: The gods have given me almost everything. But I let myself be lured into long spells of senseless and sensual ease.... Tired of being on the heights, I deliberately went to the depths in search for new sensation. What the paradox was to me in the sphere of thought, perversity became to me in the sphere of passion. I grew careless of the lives of others. I took pleasure where it pleased me, and passed on. I forgot that every little action of the common day makes or unmakes character, and that therefore what one has done in the secret chamber, one has some day to cry aloud from the house- top. I ceased to be lord over myself. I was no longer the captain of my soul, and did not know it. I allowed pleasure to dominate me. I ended in horrible disgrace.
APPLICATION
WHO DO YOU PLEASE
1. You Can Seek To . . Please God.
2. You Can Seek To . . Please Man. v 13-14
13 For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute
the church of God beyond measure, and tried to destroy it;
14 and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions.
A. Please Man By . . Persecuting of the Church. v 13
B. Please Man By . . Practicing the Traditions of Men. v 14
ILLUSTRATION Topic: Pleasure Index: Date: 12/1986.16 Title: Self-Destructive Freedom
There is no slave like the man free to do as he pleases because what he pleases is self-destructive. A California psychiatrist recently complained that four out of every ten teenagers and young adults who visited his medical center have a psychological sickness he can do nothing about. According to the Los Angeles Times it is simply this: "Each of them demands that his world conform to his uncontrolled desires. Society has provided him with so many escape routes that he never has to stand his ground against disappointment, postponement of pleasure and the weight of responsibility -- all forces which shape character." The psychiatrist adds, "If the personality disorder persists far into adulthood there will be a society of pleasure-driven people hopelessly insecure and dependent."
APPLICATION
WHO DO YOU PLEASE
2. You Can Seek To . . Please Man.
3. You Can Seek To . . Let God Please You. v 15-17
15 But when He who had set me apart, even from my mother's womb, and called me
through His grace, was pleased 16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus.
The word translated "pleased"
2106 eudokeo (yoo-dok-eh'-o); from 2095 and 1380; to think well of, i.e. approve (an act); specially, to approbate (a person or thing): KJV-- think good, (be well) please (-d), be the good (have, take) pleasure, be willing.
2095 eu (yoo); neuter of a primary eus (good); (adverbially) well: KJV-- good, well
1380 dokeo (dok-eh'-o);
a prolonged form of a primary verb, doko (dok'-o) (used only in an alternate in certain tenses; compare the base of 1166) of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem (truthfully or uncertainly): KJV-- be accounted, (of own) please (-ure), be of reputation, seem (good), suppose, think, trow. 1166 deiknuo (dike-noo'-o); a prolonged form of an obsolete primary of the same meaning; to show KJV-- shew.
A. Let God Please you In . . Revelation. v 15 - 16 a
B. Let God Please you In . . Retreats. v 16 b - 17 a
C. Let God Please you In . . Returning. v 17 b
ILLUSTRATION Let God Bless Us
A father and Mother wanted to buy their son a brand new Mustang Convertible. Dad and Mom wanted to give this gift to their son as a graduation present and to have a car to take to college.
They also wanted him to read a book about Christian values so they placed a check for the car in the book and told their Son when you read this book you will be greatly surprised with the contents. Ever so often they asked have you read the book. They only got a grunt. They parents were eager to give to this young man but they also wanted to educate him. They had some requirements for the blessings.
The young man finally trudged through the book a few weeks before time to leave for college. One night his parents heard him scream and come running down the stairs. He found the check. Dad, Mom, and son were all very happy. Dad said son this could have been a reality in your life several weeks ago, We wanted you to have the pleasure if this car but we also wanted to share some Biblical truth with you.
APPLICATION
WHO DO YOU PLEASE
1. You Can Seek To . . Please Man.
2. You Can Seek To . . Please God.
3. You Can Seek To . . Let God Please You.