Title: Please God / 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther wrote and affixed 95 rebuttals to the church in Wittenberg, marking the Day of the Reformation. The last Sunday in October is celebrated as Reformation Sunday. However, the Reformation initiated by Luther did not happen suddenly. What had been tainted by wrong teachings had exploded. Martin Luther's Reformation brought about an opportunity to be divided into Catholicism and Christianity.
One day in 1415, John Huss, the Reformer, came out on the street and saw two paintings side by side. One is a picture of Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey, and the other is a picture of the Pope, wearing a gold crown and entering Rome in a luxurious palanquin that people have on their shoulders, with servants offering parasols beside them. Hus couldn't help but ask. "Who is the king and who is the servant?" Because the pope is the king and Jesus seems to be the pope's servant. John Hus finally exclaimed, "Who can unmask that Pope?" Finally, on July 6, 1415, the guillotine Islo Hus disappeared.
The papal tradition, which descends from Peter, precedes the Bible. This was clearly a false teaching that pleases people rather than pleases the Lord. Paul also tells us clearly. “Therefore, whether in body or departing, let us strive to be pleasing to the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:9).
Also, Paul says: “Those who are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:8). Physical things are important, but spiritual things are pleasing to the Lord. Worship is important. The reason is that worship is pleasing to God. Be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Christ. Seeing God's service through spiritual work and dedication to God through spiritual work, God is truly pleased.
How beautiful it is to try to please God. Where is the joy in our life? Where is the true meaning of our life? Isn't it pleasing to the Lord?
Then, what kind of aspects of us do you see and are pleased with? The Bible clearly tells us. "Without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." He sees the heart of faith toward God and rejoices. The Middle Ages were full of images intended to please the Pope. But Luther proclaimed the slogan "By faith alone". It is a confession that pleases God only through faith.
In Hebrews 11, the names of those who please God through faith are recorded. Cain and Abel offer sacrifices to God. Abel's offering was accepted, but Cain's offering was rejected. Because Abel's sacrifice was a sacrifice of faith. God commands Noah to build an ark. The atmosphere was not conducive to building an ark. But Noah relied on God's word and obeyed it. God was pleased. He told Abraham to go to the land that I would show him. By faith he obeyed the call. “He went out, not knowing where he was going,” but God was pleased with him. By faith Moses grew up. Seeing this, God was pleased. He entrusted him with a great job.
God works through people of faith. He delights in people of faith. Only those who walk by faith please God.
Then why does God delight in faith? Because by faith we are justified. Because God is holy, we who are sinners cannot dare to stand before God. We must be forgiven of our sins. How can I be forgiven? If you buy indulgences in order to have your sins forgiven, will you be forgiven? no. This is a wrong teaching. Are you forgiven through your actions? no. No action can satisfy God. There is only one way. believing in Jesus Christ. to depend on the Lord. Through faith in the Lord, our sins are forgiven. We are justified
Jesus told parables. A certain king had a wedding feast for his son, and he sent servants to invite people. We had a feast, so we asked them to come together and celebrate. However, the invited people said they were busy, so one went to his field and one went to do business. The owner was angry. He said to the servants, "The wedding feast is ready, but the invited ones are not worthy. Go to your street, and as soon as you find people, invite them to the wedding feast." The servant goes out and takes everyone he finds, good and bad. There is one condition when entering. Anyone can come It can be ugly and it can be ugly. The only condition is that you must wear a robe when entering. But the master saw that there was a man in the middle not wearing a robe. "Why didn't you come in wearing a robe?" "Tie your hands and feet and throw them into the darkness outside, where they will weep and grind their teeth."
Anyone may enter the wedding feast of the master. If there is only one condition, it is limited to "those in robes". Only those wearing the robes of faith can enter. They don't ask who came into the wedding feast. Did you wear only one robe of faith? see this To be approved to enter the master's delightful feast is to wear the robes of faith.
“The righteous will live by faith.” It is through faith that we are justified, not just because we buy indulgences. This is the core confession of Luther who initiated the Reformation. live by faith alone
In this way, faith pleases God. Faith is forgiven of my sins and justified.
Kwon's mother died at the age of 84. I went to worship before I died, but I want to prepare a million won and give a thank-you offering to God before I go. It is a confession of sincere thanks to God for protecting me throughout my life. It is an expression of dependence on God.
Dear saint! Let us please God through faith.