Consequences 3
Approval
The continual pursuit for More
Approval
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Money/Things
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Perfection
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Pride
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Comfort
Attempting to Reach the Unreachable!
So many people chasing something they will never catch.
Get that happy—Can’t get that—Do, Not Enough—Doesn’t deliver!
Approval—Will you please like me—accept me—affirm me?
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How many of you might care too much what others think?
If you’re raising your hand so I will feel better—Might have problem.
Drug addict seeks drugs—People pleasers seek approval.
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3 PROBLEMS PEOPLE PLEASERS BATTLE
¥You obsess about what others think.
New outfit—Music—Car—House—Hair—Cool enough?
Are we okay? Slow to respond on text? Bubbles disappear!
Most vulnerable after message—Sit down next to Amy—Puppy!
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¥You are often overly sensitive to criticism.
One negative comment—Difficult feedback.
100 people say something positive—One negative.
¥You have a hard time saying “no.”
Avoid conflict at all costs! Don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings.
Selling wrapping paper—Buy wrapping paper won’t use—Magazines won’t read.
Go to the party you dread—Go out with the guy you’d rather not see.
Overcommitted—Can you help—(Drowning)—Sure, happy to!
(Think I’ve got nothing better to do!)
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25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare…Prov 29:25
mowqesh (mo-kashe’); a noose (for catching animals), a hook (for
the nose).
25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. Prov 29:25
Good news—Whoever trusts in the Lord—Is—Kept—Safe!
If you are anything like me,
I can easily be overly concerned with what people think about me.
Fearing what people think is a trap—a snare.
It’s not just a relational problem—It’s a spiritual one.
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Becoming obsessed with what people think about you is the fastest way to forget about what God thinks about you.
That’s why we want to have a different goal!
Instead of living for the approval of people
Something impossible to obtain.
We want to live for God and God alone!
For his will—For his glory—For his purposes!
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In fact it was the Apostle Paul who boldly declared in Gal 1:10
10 Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God.** If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant. * Gal 1:10
*Ifpleasing people were my goal—I would not be Christ’s servant!*
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The truth is—We are drawn to carrying what people think!
So let’s call it what it is…
Here are two…
FACTS ABOUT THE DISEASE TO PLEASE
As much as we don’t want to admit it… #1
1)People pleasing is a form of idolatry.
More of SPIRITUAL problem than a RELATIONAL problem.
Idolatry! Putting people ahead of Christ.
I’m asking people to meet a need they cannot meet.
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In fact Jesus show us this truth clearly in John 12:42.
Jesus had performed a bunch of miracles! But there were still Jewish leaders who wouldn’t believe Jesus was the Son of God.
Jesus described their idolatry this way…
42 …But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved human praise more than praise from God. John 12:42-43
They loved the approval of people more than living for God.
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Have you ever been there? I know I have.
You laughed at something you shouldn’t have.
You compromised values—Did something to impress—Lied save face.
You overcommitted to prove your commitment to God.
You let someone’s opinion of you stop you from something.
You hid your faith or didn’t share your faith—Possible add humor.
It’s a hard truth but it’s true—People pleasing is a form of idolatry.
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The second fact about the disease please isthe good news. #2…
2)The approval of God sets us free from the disease to please!
I love the way Paul said it in 1 Thes 2
4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts… 6 We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else… 1 Thes 2:4, 6
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Think about how freeing this is!
We can’t please all people! No matter how hard we try!
You please one group—Another is disappointed.
You get it right—They change their mind.
We can’t please everyone—But—We can please God!
Because of what Christ did for us—We are forgiven—Changed!
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I hope, I pray, you will accept this life changing truth!
If you are in Christ—GOD APPROVES OF YOU!
God doesn’t just love you—He accepts you! He likes you!
He approves!
Think about it—Your worth isn’t based on what people think about you!
Your worth is based on what God thinks about you!
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WHO YOU DOES GOD SAY YOU ARE?
¥You are a new creation in Christ. 2 Cor. 5:17
¥You are forgiven and your sins are washed away. Eph 1:7
¥You are more than a conqueror through Christ. Rom 8:37
¥You are God’s masterpiece. Eph 2:10
¥You are the light of this world. Matt. 5:14
¥You are filled with the same spirit that raised Christ. Rom 8:11
¥You are a joint heir with Christ. Romans 8:17
¥You are Christ’s ambassador. 2 Cor. 5:20
¥You are the righteousness of God in Christ. 2 Cor. 5:21
¥You are greatly loved by God. Romans 1:7
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Embrace it! Hold onto it. Let it overcome you!
You can’t please everyone—But you can please God.
And because of Christ. He approves you are his!
When you believe that truth, you can declare it! You can live it!
Because I’m his—won’t obsess with what people think!
Because I’m crucified with Jesus—not going to hurt my feelings!
Because I belong to Jesus—Will address problems—never fear conflict.
Because I’m accepted—Say yes to what God wants me to do, no the rest.
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Because I’m accepted…
No one can steal my joy!
No one call talk me out of my purpose!
No one can stop me from doing God’s will!
Fear of man proves to be a snare
But whoever trust in the Lord will be kept safe!
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