1. DILIGENTLY SEEKING GOD “ CHALLENGING EVERY PERSON TO TAKE GOD MORE SERIOUSLY” HEBREWS 11:6 From Material By: Gary Henry www.wordpoints.com Can God be pleased?

2. YES GOD CAN BE PLEASED Two extremes need to be avoided… Isaiah 64:6; Luke 17:10 At one extreme is the self-righteous approach – Isaiah 64:6; Luke 17:10 At the other extreme is the doubting approach. When we fall into these errors, we swing back and forth between pride and discouragement. Hebrews 11:5; Numbers 6:24-26; Psalm 149:4; Matthew 25:21 The Scriptures teach that God can be pleased. Hebrews 11:5; Numbers 6:24-26; Psalm 149:4; Matthew 25:21

3. IT IS OUR FAITH THAT PLEASES GOD What it means to please God by faith. Leviticus 18:5 The righteousness of law – Leviticus 18:5 Philippians 3:9-11 The righteousness of faith – Philippians 3:9-11 Genesis 15:6; Galatians 3:6-9 Abraham is the great example of the righteousness of faith. – Genesis 15:6; Galatians 3:6-9 Hebrews 11:8-19 The critical issue is trust – if we trust God as Abraham did, then we can please God. – Hebrews 11:8-19 Hebrews 4:16 To our confidence is added a healthy balance of humility. – Hebrews 4:16 Genesis 15:6 Quoted 4 Times: Romans 4:3-5; 20-22 Galatians 3:6-9 James 2:23

4. CONCLUSION It is extremely important to know that we can please God. 2 Corinthians 5:9; 14-15 Pleasing God ought to be our aim, our goal – our highest aspiration. 2 Corinthians 5:9; 14-15 The most powerful reason to repent and obey God is an eagerness to please a Father who can be pleased. The gospel of Christ is a gospel of HOPE – it is the message that we can come home to a God who wants to receive us and be pleased with us!