Steadfast – How to Live a God-Pleasing Life

Steadfast: Living for Christ in a Wayward World

Part 2 – How to Live a God-Pleasing Life

Colossians 1:9-14

9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:9-14

9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. Colossians 1:9.

10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: Colossians 1:10a

Three Ways to Live Your Life:

1. Live to please …

2. Live to please …

3. Live to please …

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40

How to Live a God-pleasing Life

1) Expand my of Scripture and it in my life!

9 …We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,… growing in the knowledge of God, Colossians 1:9b; 10b

scripture will translate to scripture in my life!

17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Ephesians 5:17

How many hours are in a week? 

How We Spend Our Time Each Week

• Sleeping – 56 hours
• Working/School – 40 hours
• Driving – 5 hours
• After work/school activities/practice – 10 hours
• Caring for pets (walking, feeding, grooming) – 6 hours
• Housework (cleaning, meal prep, yard work) – 8 hours
• Grooming – 7 hours
• Shopping (groceries etc) – 8 hours
• Leisure (exercising, reading, watching TV, socializing, surfing internet) – 28 hours

Total 168 Hours

How much time will you commit each week to grow in the knowledge of God?

12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

2) in every good work!

10 …bearing fruit in every good work, Colossians 1:10b

Good works that bear fruit…

• Sharing the with people. 6 …In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world— Colossians 1:6b.
• Offering to God – 15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. Hebrews 13:15.
• to support ministry needs – 26 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem. Romans 15:26.
• Displaying Christ-honoring – 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:22.

3) Count on God’s for enduring difficult and difficult !

11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, Colossians 1:11

“Patience” refers to enduring difficult , while “long-suffering” refers to enduring difficult .

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, Ephesians 3:20

19 …That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead. Ephesians 1:19-20

4) Offer to God everyday!

12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:12-14

How can I live a God-pleasing life?

1. Set aside time daily to learn and apply God’s Word…
2. Bear fruit in every good work by sharing the gospel, offering praise, giving generously, exhibiting Godly attributes.
3. Count on God’s power and might to help you endure difficult trials and difficult people.
4. Offer God joy-filled thanks every day for His many blessings!