People Pleasing or God Pleasing Series: Weird March 11, 2012 Mike Newman, Senior Pastor

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1 People Pleasing or God Pleasing Series: Weird March 11, 2012 Mike Newman, Senior Pastor February 19, A God Kind of Weird February 26, Stopping the Rat Race March 4, Stop Being Broke March 11, People Pleasing or God Pleasing March 18, Weird Makes You Sexy March 25, The Blessings of Being Weird John 13:36 38 (NLT) 36 Simon Peter asked, Lord, where are you going? And Jesus replied, You can t go with me now, but you will follow me later. 37 But why can t I come now, Lord? he asked. I m ready to die for you. 38 Jesus answered, Die for me? I tell you the truth, Peter before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me. John 18:15 27 (NLT) 15 Simon Peter followed Jesus, as did another of the disciples. That other disciple was acquainted with the high priest, so he was allowed to enter the high priest s courtyard with Jesus. 16Peter had to stay outside the gate. Then the disciple who knew the high priest spoke to the woman watching at the gate, and she let Peter in. 17 The woman asked Peter, You re not one of that man s disciples, are you? No, he said, I am not. 18 Because it was cold, the household servants and the guards had made a charcoal fire. They stood around it, warming themselves, and Peter stood with them, warming himself. 19Inside, the high priest began asking Jesus about his followers and what he had been teaching them. 20Jesus replied, Everyone knows what I teach. I have preached regularly in the synagogues and the Temple, where the people gather. I have not spoken in secret. 21 Why are you asking me this question? Ask those who heard me. They know what I said. 22Then one of the Temple guards standing nearby slapped Jesus across the face. Is that the way to answer the high priest? he demanded. 23 Jesus replied, If I said anything wrong, you must prove it. But if I m speaking the truth, why are you beating me? 24 Then Annas bound Jesus and sent him to Caiaphas, the high priest. 25Meanwhile, as Simon Peter was standing by the fire warming himself, they asked him again, You re not one of his disciples, are you? He denied it, saying, No, I am not. 26 But one of the household slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, Didn t I see you out there in the olive grove with Jesus? 27 Again Peter denied it. And immediately a rooster crowed. Galatians 2:11 12 (NLT) 11 But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong. 12 When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile Christians, who were not circumcised. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn t eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision. Who are you going to offend? One of the most important decisions you ll ever make is this: Who are you going to offend? You ll offend somebody; I promise you that. But will you offend man or God? That single decision will set the tone for your life. Either you ll become a people-pleaser because you re afraid of offending people. Or you ll become a God-pleaser because the last thing you want to do is offend the Almighty. - Mark Batterson Three Biblical Principles: 1) Pleasing others and trying to be accepted (liked) by others is a for most people. See John 13:36-38, John 18:15-27 and Galatians 2:11-12 It is normal to please people and it is weird to make God your highest priority. - Craig Groeschel Four Characteristics of People Pleasers: People pleasers tend to take criticism personally People pleasers feel an extraordinary fear of rejection People pleasers find it hard to express their true feelings People pleasers have a hard time saying no None of us are immune from the challenge of deciding if we are going to please people or please God. 2) We experience more, and healthier relationships over the long haul when pleasing God is more important to us than pleasing others. While it is almost impossible to consistently please people, it is not impossible to please God.

2 Ecclesiastes 12:13 14 (NLT) 13 That s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone s duty. 14God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad. Daniel 3:14 18 (NLT) 14 Nebuchadnezzar said to them, Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? 15 I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power? 16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18But even if he doesn t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up. 1 Thessalonians 2:4b (NLT) 4 Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts. Pleasing God and putting Him first is the path to a better life! 3) The key to pleasing God is to. See Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, Daniel 3 (especially verses 14-18, and 1 Thessalonians 2:4b) When you please God, you will do what He wants you to do because you believe it is more important to please Him than it is to try to please others. It is normal to please people and it is weird to make God your highest priority. For more information about what it means to become a follower of Christ or what to do after you make a decision to follow Jesus, stop at Guest Central in the lobby following the service today or contact the church office at to set up an appointment. You may also learn more about what it means to follow Christ and/or request materials and find additional information to help you on your spiritual journey on our website at This week... Read chapters in Weird Memorize 1 Corinthians 10:13 Pray for God to help you honestly assess if you are living to please Him or living to please others. Ask God to help give you the ability and courage to please Him in every area of your life in the week ahead.

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4 Who are you going to offend?

5 1) Pleasing others and trying to be accepted (liked) by others is a common struggle for most people.

6 It is normal to please people and it is weird to make God your highest priority.

7 People pleasers tend to take criticism personally. People pleasers feel an extraordinary fear of rejection.

8 People pleasers find it hard to express their true feelings. People pleasers have a hard time saying no.

9 None of us are immune from the challenge of deciding if we are going to please people or please God.

10 2) We experience more peace, personal satisfaction, and healthier relationships over the long haul when pleasing God is more important to us than pleasing others.

11 While it is almost impossible to consistently please people, it is not impossible to please God.

12 Pleasing God and putting Him first is the path to a better life.

13 Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety. - Proverbs 29:25

14 Fear the Lord, you his godly people, for those who fear Him will have all they need. - Psalm 34:9

15 3) The key to pleasing God is to learn to fear God.

16 When you please God, you will do what He wants you to do because you believe it is more important to please Him than it is to try to please others.

17 Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of the heart. - 1 Thess 2:4b

18 It is normal to please people and it is weird to make God your highest priority.

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