What God Really Wants From You This Year

A Reverent Church That Pleases God

Scripture References

Primary text

• Luke 7
• Philippians 2

Other references

• Matthew 3:17
• Psalm 147

Overview

Pastor Craig opened the new year by naming his single aim for Life.Church’s next thirty years: to be a church that pleases God. Scripture shows that God is especially pleased by a people who live in reverent awe of Him. The message contrasts a high, reverential view of God with a low, casual one, warns against “cultural Christianity,” and calls every believer to examine where God has become common instead of holy. Through Christ we are loved unconditionally, yet God still longs to be pleased by our obedience; by His Spirit He gives both the desire and the power to live a life that honors Him.

Main Points

1. The ultimate goal: a church that pleases God

• Thirty years of ministry adjusted Pastor Craig’s priorities from “influential, innovative, fast-growing” to one concise passion: pleasing God.
• Love and pleasure are different; God loves us continually, but is only pleased when we live according to His ways (Matthew 3:17 illustration).

2. What reverence looks like

• Definition: “A reverent church fears the Lord and lives with sincere obedience.”
• Psalm 147 shows that the Lord “delights in those who fear Him.”
• Hebrew word yare = awe-filled awareness of God’s holiness and authority—an awe that draws us to Him, not a terror that drives us away.

3. High view vs. low view of God

4. Familiarity breeds contempt – Luke 7

• Story: Simon the Pharisee invites Jesus to dinner but offers no foot-washing, kiss, or oil—treating Him as ordinary.
• A sinful woman bursts in, weeps, washes Jesus’ feet with her hair, and pours expensive perfume in worship.
• One room, two responses: the religious leaders were comfortable; the repentant woman was overwhelmed by holiness.
• Warning: many believers haven’t rejected God; they have simply reduced Him.

5. Rekindling awe after spiritual drift

• Story: Pastor Craig confessed seasons where ministry routine dulled his wonder—praying mostly in public, studying only to preach.
• A personal “hell season” drove him back to desperate prayer, restoring the vision of a God who is both immense and intimate:

  “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come.”

• When awe fades, our view of God shrinks; renewed awe enlarges obedience and joy.

6. God supplies what He demands – Philippians 2

“Work hard to show the results of your salvation… obeying God with deep reverence and fear, for God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.”

• We are not saved by works but by grace; yet true faith works.
• Because the Spirit gives both desire and power, pleasing God is possible even when pleasing everyone else is not.

7. Call to honest examination and full surrender

• Life-groups will ask: “Where has God become casual to you instead of holy?”
• Examples offered: language, entertainment choices, how we treat our bodies, time spent doom-scrolling, judgmental attitudes, casual worship attendance.
• Raised hands across campuses signified repentance and fresh commitment.

8. Invitation to salvation

• Believing about God is not the same as surrendering to the lordship of Christ.
• Public invitation given; many responded:

  “Jesus, save me. Be the Lord of my life. I surrender everything.”

Key Truths

• God’s unconditional love is constant, but His pleasure depends on our reverent obedience.
• A church that pleases God is built of individuals determined to please God.
• Reverence is awe that draws us closer, not fear that pushes us away.
• A low view of God normalizes casual sin; a high view fuels rapid repentance.
• The Holy Spirit implants both the want to and the how to for a life that honors God.

Response

• Examine this week where you’ve become casual with God’s holiness.
• Return to daily, earnest engagement with Scripture.
• Repent quickly of any sin the Spirit highlights; don’t rationalize it.
• Prioritize gathered worship—in person when possible—to cultivate awe.
• Obey whatever God asks, even when it costs social approval or comfort.
• Join a LifeGroup and discuss your personal answer to the reverence question.

Closing

Pastor Craig reminded the church that its future impact will not hinge on size, budget, or innovation but on how seriously we treat God and His Word. The congregation erupted in praise as many placed faith in Christ and others recommitted to a life of holy awe.

“You can’t please everybody, but you can please God.”

Prayer

A corporate prayer led by Pastor Sam: newcomers confessed sin, declared Jesus as Lord and Savior, asked to be filled with the Spirit, and committed to live each day to please God.