The Father’s Pleasure
Date: January 8, 2012 Scripture: Mark 1:9-11
Godliness means taking pleasure in Jesus Christ and in the people in our lives.
Godliness means taking pleasure in Jesus Christ and in the people in our lives.
Title: The Father’s Pleasure by Pastor Myron Heckman
What is your pleasure? That is a question that asks what your preference is. But in what do you find pleasure? You might be thinking it’s not a good question for a Christian. It sounds self-centered.
But there is a place for pleasure in the Christian life. After all, Jesus said in
Luke 12:32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Pleasure means pleased, delighted or gratified.
Luke 12:32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Pleasure means pleased, delighted or gratified.
The Father is delighted and gratified to give you the Kingdom. Thank you, Father.
There is legitimate pleasure, and illicit pleasure. Illicit is when we take a shortcut around God’s will and way. It last for a season. Legitimate is when we are refreshed and not diminished as we walk with and obey God.
Where do we find that joy? It is interesting as we come to the brief story of Jesus’ baptism, that there is a revelation of where God finds joy. And it is a help to us as we pursue godliness.
I) When John baptized Jesus, His identity was made known.
A) He was a man from Nazareth of Galilee.
To put it in our New England geographical proportions – Boston is Jerusalem, and we’re in southern Judea. Boston is our regional hub for government and transportation and specialized medicine. John is baptizing somewhere in Plymouth. And Nazareth is somewhere north of Concord, NH. I’ve made the scale much larger than Israel, but the point is that Nazareth is the unlikely hometown of our hero. It’s outside the cultural mainstream. But that is where Jesus came from. He doesn’t draw His identity from man-made qualifications.
B) The Holy Spirit coming down from the parted heavens showed He was chosen and equipped. V 9
C) The voice identified Him as the Son of God. V 11
It was the voice of God the Father who affirmed the identity of Jesus as His Son.
Showing Jesus to be the Son of God is the theme of Mark.
Look at 1:1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Near the end of Mark’s gospel, a Roman Centurion at the foot of the cross, who watched Jesus die, said: “Truly this man was the Son of God!”
A) He was a man from Nazareth of Galilee.
To put it in our New England geographical proportions – Boston is Jerusalem, and we’re in southern Judea. Boston is our regional hub for government and transportation and specialized medicine. John is baptizing somewhere in Plymouth. And Nazareth is somewhere north of Concord, NH. I’ve made the scale much larger than Israel, but the point is that Nazareth is the unlikely hometown of our hero. It’s outside the cultural mainstream. But that is where Jesus came from. He doesn’t draw His identity from man-made qualifications.
B) The Holy Spirit coming down from the parted heavens showed He was chosen and equipped. V 9
C) The voice identified Him as the Son of God. V 11
It was the voice of God the Father who affirmed the identity of Jesus as His Son.
Showing Jesus to be the Son of God is the theme of Mark.
Look at 1:1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Near the end of Mark’s gospel, a Roman Centurion at the foot of the cross, who watched Jesus die, said: “Truly this man was the Son of God!”
Being the Son of God means He carries the nature of God.
John said of Jesus “the Word was with God, and was God.” (John 1:1)
Paul said: “He is the image of the invisible God.” (Colossians 1:17)
John said of Jesus “the Word was with God, and was God.” (John 1:1)
Paul said: “He is the image of the invisible God.” (Colossians 1:17)
Some say at this baptism Jesus, a human being, was adopted by the Father.
He was not born the Son of God, but was made the Son of God.
He was not born the Son of God, but was made the Son of God.
Adoption is one of our wonderful doctrines, that we are brought into God’s family, fully accepted and made joint-heirs with Jesus. It is a wonderful doctrine for us in our relationship with God.
But Jesus was not adopted – he is begotten. He is divine. We are children by adoption, He is a child by nature.
Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
II) But there is more to this identity – He is the Son beloved of the Father, and in whom the Father is well pleased.
This is a wonderful insight into the relationship of the Father and the Son – the Father made His Son a special object of His love and took pleasure in His Son. He used the word “pleased” – it’s the same root as the word pleasure. You like being pleased, don’t you? It’s pleasant, it’s pleasurable. You enjoy it. So the Father enjoys His Son.
Why was the Father pleased with His Son?
The answer is in Philippians 2:6-8:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7 but made himself of no reputation, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!
The answer is in Philippians 2:6-8:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7 but made himself of no reputation, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!
Think about it. Jesus in His pre-incarnate state made everything — the entire Universe. Then He stepped down from the height of glory, down past the angelic ranks, to become man. He humbled Himself, even before other men, and lived by both the letter and spirit of the Father’s Law. And because He led a sinless life, Jesus was the only man every qualified to pay the price for the sins of the world. He was obedient even unto death. His reward was being raised from the dead and exalted as Lord, and now sits at the right hand of the Father. He has redeemed God’s creation. And the Father is pleased with His Son.
A) This is an example for us in our relationship to God.
We are to be pleased in Him, to find pleasure in Him.
Now this may be a new concept to you. We think of God as someone who made us, who deserves our respect; we will listen to him, and obey Him. But to count Him as beloved, one in whom we are pleased?
The psalmist said: Delight yourself in the Lord. Ps. 37:4
This is a new dynamic in our relationship with God.
Godliness is to take joy in Jesus Christ, like His Father did.
We are to be pleased in Him, to find pleasure in Him.
Now this may be a new concept to you. We think of God as someone who made us, who deserves our respect; we will listen to him, and obey Him. But to count Him as beloved, one in whom we are pleased?
The psalmist said: Delight yourself in the Lord. Ps. 37:4
This is a new dynamic in our relationship with God.
Godliness is to take joy in Jesus Christ, like His Father did.
B) This is an instruction in godliness for our other relationships.
We know there are many challenges to satisfying relationships. We are sinners relating to one another, and we can be annoyed with another, and sometimes we encounter coldness, or evil. But we want to keep our attitudes positive wherever we can, and to acknowledge and appreciate the blessings we find in one another.
1) So parents, godliness is aiming to take pleasure in your children.
There is that saying: “Try to catch your children doing something right.” It’s easy to catch them doing something wrong, and our irritation can start to dominate.
We know there are many challenges to satisfying relationships. We are sinners relating to one another, and we can be annoyed with another, and sometimes we encounter coldness, or evil. But we want to keep our attitudes positive wherever we can, and to acknowledge and appreciate the blessings we find in one another.
1) So parents, godliness is aiming to take pleasure in your children.
There is that saying: “Try to catch your children doing something right.” It’s easy to catch them doing something wrong, and our irritation can start to dominate.
Sometimes it’s a challenge to find enjoyment in a child.
I heard on a Focus on the Family Radio broadcast the author of a book on strong-willed children – titled “You Can’t Make Me, But I Can Be Persuaded” (Surviving the Strong Willed Child: click for Part 1, click for part 2). She said she hears all the time from parents who are in a battle of the wills with their children. And some who say: “I don’t like my child.” That is a painful place to be.
If you are there, you don’t want to be, you’ve come to that place though many struggles, you’ve tried everything you can – so that leaves you with God. You want to pray for a turn-around.
I heard on a Focus on the Family Radio broadcast the author of a book on strong-willed children – titled “You Can’t Make Me, But I Can Be Persuaded” (Surviving the Strong Willed Child: click for Part 1, click for part 2). She said she hears all the time from parents who are in a battle of the wills with their children. And some who say: “I don’t like my child.” That is a painful place to be.
If you are there, you don’t want to be, you’ve come to that place though many struggles, you’ve tried everything you can – so that leaves you with God. You want to pray for a turn-around.
I want to throw you one life line – that book by Cynthia Tobias, “You Can’t Make Me”. It might sound like your child who is locked in a battle to preserve his or her autonomy. But the other half of the title gives hope: “But I can be persuaded.”
She counsels to focus on the positive attitude of doing things together. Instead of saying: “We’re late! Stop what you are doing right now, stop that dawdling, and get in the van now.” She says try this:”The van leaves in two minutes. Let’s be in it.”
It isn’t: “Do your homework. You will not be watching your favorite program until you do your homework.” She counsels this approach: “Feel free to watch your program, and enjoy your program. Just do your homework first.”
Now the child sees the positive, and knows she has a choice. If she doesn’t do her homework, well, you’ve lowered the grim battle to a simple agreement. You parents are still in charge, but your approach is different. You’re searching for the joy of life.
Last week my two year old grandson was resisting what he was being advised to do. He changed the subject. “Grandpa, can you read this book?” This book is a Thomas the Tank Engine catalog he loves to have read to him.
I said: “Sure, I’ll read that book. I’d love to read that book to you. Just go do your task first.”
He said: “OK”. Wow, it worked.
I said: “Sure, I’ll read that book. I’d love to read that book to you. Just go do your task first.”
He said: “OK”. Wow, it worked.
2) Children, can you rejoice in your parents?
“What? They’re doing what they’re supposed to be doing. But they are a little obstinate and a little out of touch.”
Think it over, Mom, she’s the one who keeps you eating right, and dressing warm, and uses the right amount of bleach in the laundry so that if you get an accident and end up in the emergency room, your underwear will be presentable.
“What? They’re doing what they’re supposed to be doing. But they are a little obstinate and a little out of touch.”
Think it over, Mom, she’s the one who keeps you eating right, and dressing warm, and uses the right amount of bleach in the laundry so that if you get an accident and end up in the emergency room, your underwear will be presentable.
Dad has that toolbox from which he can fix a lot of things. He makes sure you get all the fast food you require.
But what it’s really about, for most parents, is they love you and want the best for you and want you to succeed.
You can be cool and wish they were too, but there’s a problem with being cool – you always a little detached. A little annoyed.
God says: “Honor your father and you mother.Aim at being pleased with them.”
But what it’s really about, for most parents, is they love you and want the best for you and want you to succeed.
You can be cool and wish they were too, but there’s a problem with being cool – you always a little detached. A little annoyed.
God says: “Honor your father and you mother.Aim at being pleased with them.”
3) Husbands and wives, it applies to you, too.
Rejoice in the wife of your youth. Proverbs 5:18
Rick Santorum gave a speech after showing well in the Iowa Caucuses. He began by quoting C.S. Lewis who said “A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.“
Rejoice in the wife of your youth. Proverbs 5:18
Rick Santorum gave a speech after showing well in the Iowa Caucuses. He began by quoting C.S. Lewis who said “A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.“
He said: “That friend who sings the words to me is my wife.” He’s good. If he gets elected, men, we’re going to have to shape up or he’s going to make us look bad.
Wives, it’s easy to see what your husband dos wrong. It jumps out at you. Remember to see and appreciate what your husband does right.
4) This applies to other loved ones and friends and neighbors, where possible. We have gifts from God in the fellowship of the church. We can see foibles and irritations.
But in his letters Paul thanked God for his fellow believers in places like Philippi.
This is part of our love for people, part of our love for one another.
It can get us down from our elevated position and simply to love God and love people.
But in his letters Paul thanked God for his fellow believers in places like Philippi.
This is part of our love for people, part of our love for one another.
It can get us down from our elevated position and simply to love God and love people.
I know there are plenty of relationships deeply damaged and deeply disappointing. People about whom the pleasure isn’t there, only tears and frustration and fatigue. This is a “as much as possible, as far as it lies within you” matter. But don’t let those make you detached from everyone. May God make us aware of the joy in relationships.
God the Trinity has a love and joy in the interrelationships between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. That is our example and power for godliness.
Godliness takes pleasure in Jesus Christ and as much as it is possible, in the people in our lives.
posted by Jerry | 10:46 AM
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