Christ Pleased Not Himself

Q: What does the Bible say about Christ not pleasing Himself?

The Bible teaches that Christ did not please Himself but came to do the will of the Father, fully submitting to His plan for redemption. In Romans 15:3, we see that 'even Christ pleased not himself' but instead dedicated His life to fulfilling the Father's will. This reflects the essence of Christ's mission — to serve and sacrifice for His people, satisfying God's requirements for justice and demonstrating perfect obedience. In John 6:38, Christ articulates, 'For I came down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of Him that sent me.' His journey culminated in the garden of Gethsemane, where He prayed, 'Nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thy will be done,' exemplifying His commitment to please God above Himself. Thus, His life and death were entirely centered on glorifying the Father, an essential principle for Christian faith.

Q: How do we know Christ's sacrifice is sufficient for salvation?

Christ's sacrifice is sufficient for salvation because He bore our sins and fully satisfied God's wrath against sin. The sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice is grounded in Scripture, particularly seen in His role as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. In Romans 15:3, the reproaches meant for us fell upon Christ, illustrating that He bore our transgressions and satisfied divine justice. The imagery of Him being bruised for our iniquities in Isaiah captures the essence of His sacrificial work. As reinforced in 1 John 3:16, 'Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us.' This indicates that His death was not merely a tragedy; it was the definitive act of God’s redemptive plan. The clear proclamation of salvation in Christ alone is underscored throughout the New Testament, highlighting its completeness.

Q: Why is it important for Christians to bear one another's burdens?

Bearing one another's burdens is crucial for Christians as it reflects the love of Christ and promotes unity within the body of believers. The exhortation to bear one another's burdens is rooted in Romans 15:1-2, where Paul commands the strong in faith to support the weak. This principle reflects the character of Christ, who came not to please Himself but to serve and aid others. By upholding the burdens of our fellow believers, we fulfill the law of Christ, which is fundamentally about love, unity, and submission to one another (Galatians 6:2). This act of mutual support fosters a community that embodies grace and compassion, mirroring the relationship between Christ and His Church. As we engage in this biblical mandate, we express the love of God in tangible ways, showing that the Church is not merely a gathering but a living testament to God’s grace and mercy.

Q: How can Christians imitate Christ's example of humility and service?

Christians can imitate His humility and service by prioritizing the needs of others and living sacrificially as Christ did. To imitate Christ's example of humility and service, as noted in Philippians 2:5-8, believers are called to adopt the same mindset that Christ exhibited — one of selflessness and servitude. Christ demonstrated this during His time on earth by coming as a servant, laying down His life for others. Romans 15:3 also reminds us that 'even Christ pleased not himself,' positioning Himself as a model for how we are to treat one another. This involves acts of kindness, the willingness to serve without seeking personal gain or recognition, and approaching others with humility. The overarching aim is to glorify God by emulating the sacrificial love of Christ, reinforcing the interconnectedness of the body of Christ and demonstrating God’s love in action.

I think that's one of my favorite, favorite songs. Sweet, sweet hour of prayer. What a privilege we have to call upon our God in prayer. He said, all you that are laboring and heavy laden, come unto me. Come unto me and I'll give you rest. Cry out unto Him. Does He hear the prayer and cry of His people? Absolutely. Absolutely. Now, in Romans chapter 15, turn back to the bookmark, Romans chapter 15, I'm taking the title for the message from what is said in verse 3. For even Christ pleased not himself. Even Christ pleased not himself. Whom did he please? He pleased the Father. The Father speaks from heaven and said, this is my beloved Son in whom I'm well pleased. For even Christ pleased not himself.

But as it is written, and this is Psalm 69, the reproaches of them, or the sin of them, the transgression of them, the iniquities of them that sinned against God Almighty. Our Lord said, they fell on me. Hallelujah, what a Savior we have in the Lord Jesus Christ. He took our sins and our sorrows, He made them His very own. He bore my burden to Calvary, and there He suffered and died alone. So the title's gonna be, Christ Pleased Not Himself.

The Lord Jesus Christ came to do the will of the Father, and to please and to satisfy Him. in giving His life as a sacrifice for our sin. John 6 records in verse 38, He said, For I came down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of Him that sent me. The Lord Jesus Christ came to do the will and work of the Father. He came to please the Father. He came to do the work of the Father and to finish the work that God gave him to do, in doing so, glorifying Almighty God. Remember, our Lord prayed in the garden, Gethsemane's garden, as his sweat turned into great drops of blood. He fell on his face and prayed, saying, O Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thy will be done. He pleased not himself, but he pleased Almighty God and satisfied God for us.

He came, the Lord Jesus came, not to save his life from death. He came to give his life a ransom for our sins. Listen to Matthew 20, 28. Our Lord said, whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant, even as a son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give his life a ransom for many, for many.

Christ came and lived not just for himself, not for himself, but for his people, and for his father, to please his father and to save his people. So he came and he lived not to satisfy himself, but to satisfy God. He lived for us, died for us, he's risen for us, and he ascended for us. He did all that for us, just not for himself, but for his people. He lived for us.

How Paul continues to exhort the family of God, as we studied in Romans 13, 14, and 15, Paul continues to exhort the family of God to bear patiently with one another, to be long-suffering, understanding, kind, forgiving, out of the love for Christ, out of the love for the Lord Jesus Christ, for the fervence of the gospel, and for the good and unity of the church, and for the glory of God. As it says there in verse 7, in verse 7, or rather verse 6, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore, receive ye one another, as Christ also received us unto the glory of God. Be of one mind and one mouth, glorifying God at all times. The Lord Jesus Christ came to save his people. Hold your place there in the bookmark. Romans 15 and find over here, Ephesians chapter four. Ephesians chapter four. Ephesians four verse 31.

Let all bitter, bitterness, wrath and anger, clamor, evil speaking be put away from you with all malice. Be you kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Be you therefore followers of God as your children and walk in love as Christ also had loved us and given himself for us. An offering, sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor. Satisfying Almighty God.

You see, it pleased the Lord to bruise him in our room and in our stead. Now, Paul is not promoting the idea of compromise, compromise the gospel to get along with those who hate God and hate the gospel. But our Lord is long-suffering kind toward the vilest of sinners who are seeking mercy where it's found in the blessed Savior. You remember our Lord, when the Pharisees complained that the Master went home to eat with publicans and sinners, and he overheard them, and he said, I didn't come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Go learn what that means. I'll have mercy. I'll have mercy and not sacrifice. We know the Lord Jesus Christ came to save folks just like us, sinners. Sinners, guilty, guilty.

The Lord had compassion toward those who were vile and wretched and miserable, who came to him for mercy. He healed all them that had need of mercy, who had need of healing. But the Lord strongly condemned the self-righteous who tried to approach God on the basis of their morality, on the basis of their religious tradition. He said, you or they would justify yourself before men, but God knows your heart. That which is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of Almighty God.

Paul would not compromise the gospel to get along. He gave his life in defense of the gospel. Now, with that introduction, let's take a look at verse one and we'll look down through verse seven or so. We then, that is believers, that are strong. Now, he's not talking about physical strength. He's talking about spiritual strength, being strong in faith, strong in trusting the Lord.

We ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, those who are weak in faith, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification. Even Christ pleased not himself. Now, he holds forth the Lord Jesus Christ as the example. of long-suffering, an example of kindness. In bearing one another's burdens, the strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak. This is exactly what the Lord Jesus Christ did for us. Bear ye one another's burden, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Those who are called strong here are not those who are physically strong.

Paul is talking about those who are spiritually strong in Christ. those who are growing in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Those who are strong in faith are those who rest their total confidence upon the Lord Jesus Christ for all of their salvation. Now, if you trust the Lord Jesus Christ for all of your salvation and look nowhere else but unto him, you're strong in the faith. You're strong in the faith because you have no confidence in the flesh, but you're resting totally on the Lord Jesus Christ alone, alone.

Let's turn back a few pages in the book of Romans. We are they the true circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus. And we have no confidence in the flesh back to Roman chapter three. Verse 20, therefore, by the deeds of the law, there shall no flesh be justified in his sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifest, being witnessed by the law and the prophets, even the righteousness of God, which is by the faith of Jesus Christ. We're trusting the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. Unto all and upon all them that believe, there's no difference. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption, redeeming blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Those who are justified freely by His grace. Turn to Romans chapter 4. Those who are strong in faith like Abraham, Abraham believed God, giving him all the glory.

He was strong in faith. He staggered not at the promise of God. Roman chapter 4 verse 20. He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God, being fully persuaded that what he had promised, he was able to perform.

Therefore, it was imputed to him for righteousness. Look back in Roman chapter 4. Let's go back to verse Verse 3, Romans 4, verse 3. For what sayeth the scripture? Abraham believed God and was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is reward, not reckoning of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also described the blessedness of the man, to whom God imputeth righteousness without work."

Those are the folks who are strong in faith, looking to the Lord Jesus Christ alone for all spiritual blessing, and dare not look anywhere else but to Christ. Those who are weak in the faith, are those who have not the full assurance of faith in Christ as their all in all. Maybe they still entertain ideas of pleasing God in the flesh by eating, drinking, or observing days and the traditions of men to remove God's wrath or to gain God's favor. Those who are still leaning on the arm of the flesh, those who are weak in faith. Talking about believers.

Now, we saw something of that in Romans 14, look at verse 17, just across the page there. Romans 14, 17. For the kingdom of God is not, here's what it's not, here's what salvation is not based upon, meat, drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is accepted to God and approved of men. Righteousness, peace, and joy in the Lord Jesus Christ, in Christ alone for all of our salvation.

Now, those who are weak in the faith, think about this for a minute. Those who are strong in Christ are those who are weak in the flesh. Those who are strong in Christ are those who are weak in the flesh. He said in Romans 7, I know that in me that in my flesh dwelleth no good thing. And he says, O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from this body of death? I thank God through Jesus Christ the Lord. Those who are strong in Christ are those who know themselves to be sinful and guilty. Those who are weak in the faith are those that think themselves strong in the flesh, that is, They are still plagued by self-righteousness like the Pharisees.

Lord, I thank you. I'm not like others. I want you to turn with me and read this together. In 2 Corinthians 12, 2 Corinthians 12. And notice something very, very unique here when Paul talks about weakness and strength. In 2 Corinthians 12, verse 7, lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of revelation.

There was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord three times, thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, my grace is sufficient for thee.

For my strength," notice, my strength is made perfect in weakness. I'm weak in the flesh. I'm strong in Christ. Look what he says, most gladly therefore, verse nine, who are rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, verse 10, I take pleasure in infirmities and reproaches, in necessity, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake, but when I'm weak, that's when I'm strong. When I know in the flesh I'm nothing but a sinful, guilty, vile, wretched sinner, and I look to the Lord Jesus Christ alone for all of our salvation. Now, let every one of us, we then that are strong, ought to bear the infirmities of the weak and not to please ourselves. We're to please God. Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good, for even Christ pleased not himself. Have compassion on the weak. Lift up the fallen. Forgive the offense of those who sinned against you. Seek the good of your brother in Christ.

Be a help stone, not a stumbling stone. Be a building block, not a wrecking ball. Let us edify one another for the good of one another. Let us encourage and help one another. Let us always seek the good and help one another. You remember back in Romans 14 verse 19, look back there, Romans 14 verse 19. Let us therefore follow after things which make for peace and the things wherewith we may edify one another. Edify is to build up, is to encourage, not to tear down, but to build up, to build up. And he gives us this prime example. Now, I wouldn't hold myself forth as an example of anything. Paul, the apostle, directed by God the Holy Spirit, gives us the prime example in the Lord Jesus Christ.

For even Christ pleased not himself. But, as it is written, he goes right back to the word of God, the reproaches of them that reproach thee, they fell on me. Now what a glorious thing. It pleased God to bruise him in our room and in our stead. This is taken from Psalm 69. As we read earlier, the Lord Jesus Christ came to completely give his life a ransom and a sacrifice for sin. Our sin was made to be his. Now think about that. Don't just let that go through. The Lord Jesus Christ took all the sins of His people, all the reproaches and sin against God. He bare our sin in His own body on the tree. Now let's read over here in 1 John chapter 3. 1 John chapter 3, first of all. 1 John, this is 1 John chapter 3. Verse 14, 1 John 3, 14.

We know that we pass from death unto life because we love one another. We love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abides in death. Verse 15, whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer. And you know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Now watch it. Hereby perceive we the love of God because he laid down his life for us. We ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. Another scripture back here in 1 Peter. Turn over here to 1 Peter.

The Lord Jesus Christ has always held forth an example of love and forgiveness. You remember when they nailed Him to the tree and they were mocking Him? He said, those who hated Me were many. You remember what He said? Father, forgive them. They know not what they do. Now look at here.

In 1 Peter chapter 2 verse 20, for what glory First Peter 2.20, what glory is it if when you be buffeted for your faults, you shall take it patiently, but if when you do well and suffer for it, you take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

For even here unto where you call, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow his steps, who did no sin, knew no sin, had no sin, neither was there guile found in his mouth, who when he was reviled, reviled not again. When he suffered, he threatened not, but committed himself to him that judges righteously, who his own self bare our sins and his own body on the tree, that we being dead to sin should live under righteousness by whose stripes we are healed. For we were as sheep, you were as sheep going astray, but now return unto the shepherd and bishop of your soul. Christ is our example of humility, love, and forgiveness. Look at 1 Peter 3, verse 18. 1 Peter 3, 18. Verse 17 says, for it is better that the will of God be so that you suffer for well-doing than for evil doing.

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit of God. So when we talk about the example of love, we look at Christ. We talk about the example of forgiveness and mercy, longsuffering, we look at the Lord Jesus Christ. How did he forgive? He was longsuffering toward those who violently Assaulted him, nailed him, crucified him, put a spear in his side. He said, Father, forgive them. Now, look at verse 4. Romans 15 verse 4. Whatsoever things were written aforetime, and talking about all the Old Testament scripture, starting in Genesis all the way through Malachi. All the Old Testament scripture has one message.

Jesus Christ and Him crucified, risen and exalted. Whatsoever things are written aforetime were written for our learning, that's how we learn who God is, is from the Scriptures, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now, faith comes by hearing, and hearing what? The Word of God. The Word of God. Of His own will began He is with the Word of truth. the Word of Truth.

All Scriptures teach us one valuable, truthful lesson. That one lesson is Jesus Christ and Him crucified is all our salvation. All the Old Testament Scripture and all the New Testament Scripture is all God breathed, God given. to teach us who God is, who the Lord Jesus Christ is, what He did for us as a substitute, sacrifice for our sin, satisfying God, and to declare unto us that salvation is of the Lord. All Scripture is given for that purpose, for that reason. Now let me show you a couple of Scriptures here I think will help us on this fact. Hold your place in Romans 15 and turn back here to the book of Luke.

The book of Luke 24. Luke 24. The risen Lord appeared to His disciples and He said, all things must be fulfilled concerning Himself. Luke 24, verse 44. You got it? Luke 24, verse 44. And he said unto them, these are the words which I yet spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalm concerning me. Then he opened their understanding, that they might understand the scripture, and said unto them, thus it is written, And thus it behooved Christ to suffer, to rise from the dead the third day, that repentance and remission of sin should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. Now, you have the book of John right next to Luke there.

Turn to John 5, 39. What I'm saying is, we have comfort and hope of salvation because God tells us how he saves sinners in Christ from the word of God. John chapter 5 verse 39. John 5, 39. He said, search the scriptures for in them, now he's saying this to the Pharisees, he's saying you do search the scriptures. For in them you think you have eternal life, but they are they which testify of me.

Verse 40, you will not come to me that you might have light. I receive not honor from men, but I know you, I know you, that you have not the love of God in you. For I am come in my Father's name and you receive me not. If another shall come in his own name, him you will receive. How can you believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not to honor the coming from God only? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father.

There is one that accused you, even Moses, whom you trust. Now watch this, for had you believed Moses, you would have believed me, but Moses wrote about me. But if you believe not his writing, how shall you believe my words? Abraham rejoiced to see the Lord Jesus Christ, rejoiced to see his day, and rejoiced in it. What did Moses write about?

The Lord Jesus Christ. He's the Passover Lamb. He's the spitting rock. He's the brazen serpent lifted up. The Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled all Scripture for us. That we, through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, might have hope. The more you read of Him, the more you learn of Him. Read His Word. Meditate upon His Word. The more you learn of Him, the more you see Him revealed in the Scripture, you have long-suffering, patience, you have comfort, from the Word of God that you might have hope.

Now, believers have a good hope. Our hope is not in a hope. Our hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ. He's given us an everlasting consolation and a good hope through grace. Christ himself is our hope. Christ in you is a hope of glory. We not only have hope in the Lord Jesus Christ, seeing Him revealed in the scripture, we have comfort. Comfort. I have comfort. in the Lord Jesus Christ. You remember Isaiah 40? Comfort you, comfort you, my people.

Declaring her that her warfare is accomplished, for she has received of the Lord double for all her sin. Our sin has been put away by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. What does that do for a guilty sinner? It gives me comfort. It gives me hope. Hope of salvation and comfort in the Lord Jesus Christ. I like what it says in verse 13.

He's called, in Romans 15, 13, you see it there? He's called the God of hope. He's the God of hope. And He's also called the God of all grace, the Father of mercies. The God of all grace and the Father of mercies. The God of hope. Fill you with joy and peace in believing. If you look at Romans 15, Verse 33. Look at Romans 15, 33. He's called the God of hope, the God of all grace, the Father of mercies, and He's called here the God of peace be with you. Amen. He's the God of all peace. We only have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. He made peace for us with His own blood. With His own blood.

Now look at verse five. Verse five and six, Romans 15. Now the God of patience and consolation. Paul is now praying for us. He's praying for us. The God of patience. He's long suffering to his elect. He's a God of comfort, consolation. May he grant you or give you to be like-minded. to have the same mind, like-minded, one to another, according to Jesus Christ. Verse 6, that you may with one mind, one mouth, one heart, Glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore, receive ye one another, as Christ also received us unto the glory, the glory of God. Paul first identifies the character of God.

He's a God of patience. You see that? He's long-suffering toward his elect. Our Lord said to Moses, there on the mountain, when the Lord revealed Himself, He said, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy. But listen to this scripture, Exodus 34. The Lord passed by before him, that is before Moses, and proclaim the Lord, the Lord God, merciful, gracious, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin, and will by no means clear the guilty. Not cleared without an atonement for sin, the Lord is gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in mercy. He has not changed. He said, I'm the Lord, I change not. Jesus Christ is the same today, yesterday, and forever. Peter writes this in 2 Peter 3.

Verse 9, the Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness, but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but all should come to repentance. Now who's He talking about? He's talking about the Lord being longsuffering to usward. Who's Peter writing to? The elect of God, known of God. He's a God of all comfort, the God of all hope, He's the God of all grace.

I love what Peter writes in 1 Peter 5.10. But the God of all grace, who called us unto His eternal glory by Jesus Christ, after that you have suffered a while, He'll make you perfect. He'll establish you. He'll strengthen you. He'll settle you. To Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Aren't you glad?

He's a God of all salvation. He's a God of all salvation. The Lord is our strength and song and has become my salvation. And we wind this up here. The God of patience and consolation, verse 5, grants you to be like-minded, to have the mind of Christ with one mind, one mouth, according to Jesus Christ, according to the gift of His grace, that you may with one mind, one mouth, glorify God. It's all about His glory. That you might glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore, receive ye one another, Has Christ also received us? And it gets right back to that same principle, to the glory of God. Everything God does for us and in us and about us is all about His glory.

It's all about His glory. As Paul said, God forbid I should glory, save in the death of the Lord Jesus Christ. The bottom line in all things is the glory of God. When is God glorified? When we believe the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. When is God glorified? When we preach the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. When is God glorified? When we worship Him in spirit and in truth. That's our desire. That's why we come here, to worship Him. to worship Him, to give Him all the honor and glory by believing Him as He's revealed in the Word of God.

Receive ye one another. Receive ye one another. Well, I pray the Lord will bless that to your heart. The God of all hope, the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace. Verse 13, in believing, the gospel is received by believing. that you may abound in hope through the power of God. The gospel of God is the power of God is the salvation. All right, may the Lord bless his word.

Christ Pleased Not Himself

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about Christ not pleasing Himself?

How do we know Christ's sacrifice is sufficient for salvation?

Why is it important for Christians to bear one another's burdens?

How can Christians imitate Christ's example of humility and service?

Sermon Transcript

About Tom Harding

Comments

Joshua

Articles

Featured Authors

Podcast

Sermons

Featured Preachers

Books

Browse by Format

Music

Recent Comments

About

Legal

Subscribe

Account

Articles

Featured Authors

Podcast

Recent Comments

Sermons

Featured Preachers

Books

Browse by Format

Collections

Music

About

Legal

Subscribe

Christ Pleased Not Himself

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about Christ not pleasing Himself?

How do we know Christ's sacrifice is sufficient for salvation?

Why is it important for Christians to bear one another's burdens?

How can Christians imitate Christ's example of humility and service?

Sermon Transcript

About Tom Harding

Comments

More from Tom Harding

Related Sermons

Same Scripture

Articles by Tom Harding

Suggested for You

Joshua

Where this book stands in the tradition

Plato

Augustine

The Western Christian Tradition

This Book