Living to Please the Lord
Speaker: Blake Bradley
Main Passage: Isaiah 6; Exodus 19; 2 Corinthians 5
Sermon Overview
In this powerful message, Blake Bradley shares a deeply convicting word on the holiness of God and the urgent call for believers to live with a holy fear—a reverent awe that shapes every aspect of our lives. He challenges us to examine how we live, not for the approval of man, but in living to please the Lord. Drawing from Isaiah’s vision of the throne room and Israel’s encounter with God at Mount Sinai, Blake reminds us that God is not only loving—He is holy, just, and worthy of our full surrender.
A Holy Fear That Changes Everything
We are far too familiar with the fear of man—worried about opinions, rejection, and offense. But the Bible calls us to a different fear: a holy fear of the Lord. Isaiah 6 shows us the holiness of God in vivid detail:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!” — Isaiah 6:3
As Isaiah witnessed this overwhelming glory, he cried out, “Woe is me!” This encounter broke him—he realized how unclean he was in the presence of such holiness.
We too are invited into that same awe. Living to please the Lord means we stop trying to be comfortable with sin. Instead, we live in reverence of the One with eyes of fire who will one day judge every deed.
The Problem of Whitewashing Sin
Blake makes a strong case: if we reduce God’s holiness, we dilute the gospel. He challenges the modern church for tolerating sin—justifying it under the banner of love, progress, or relevance. But true love doesn’t ignore truth.
“We cannot whitewash sin and have a church that is full of fire.”
God’s holiness isn’t a theological side note—it is central to our identity and purpose. When we understand who He truly is, it transforms how we live, what we say, and what we tolerate.
From Isaiah to Mount Sinai: God’s Desire Is to Dwell With Us
In Exodus 19, God tells Moses that His ultimate goal wasn’t just to bring Israel out of Egypt—it was to bring them to Himself:
“I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.” — Exodus 19:4
That same desire burns in God’s heart today. He didn’t just save us from something—He saved us for relationship with Him. This relationship changes everything. When we encounter God, we stop living for ourselves and start living to please the Lord.
Living to Please the Lord: What Does It Look Like?
2 Corinthians 5:9 tells us:
“So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please Him.”
Blake shares practical ways this plays out:
- If God’s Word says it, we obey it.
- If God speaks, we respond—without delay.
- If Jesus gave everything, we give Him first place in our hearts.
- We walk in repentance, humility, and awe.
Even when no one is watching, our lives should reflect the holiness of the One we follow.
When the Presence Becomes Common
The sermon ends with a sobering warning. Blake retells the story of Uzzah in 2 Samuel 6. Uzzah had grown familiar with the Ark of God—it sat in his house for years. But when he touched it irreverently, thinking he was helping, he was struck dead.
Familiarity can lead to carelessness.
“When we get comfortable, we take things for granted.”
God is holy. His presence is not to be managed, tamed, or treated as ordinary. From Uzzah to Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5, Scripture shows that a holy fear of God is not optional—it’s vital.
Final Challenge: Holiness Is Freedom
Blake closes with this truth:
“It is actually freedom to live fully submitted to whatever He says.”
When we live to please ourselves, we become slaves to our own desires. But when we live to please the Lord, we walk in true liberty—the freedom to live fully alive, fully holy, and fully His.
Key Scriptures
- Isaiah 6:1–8 – A vision of God’s holiness and the call to go.
- Exodus 19:1–6 – God brings Israel to Himself.
- 2 Corinthians 5:9 – Our aim is to please the Lord.
- 1 Peter 2:9 – A royal priesthood, called into His marvelous light.
- Philippians 2:12–13 – Work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
- Colossians 1:10 – Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord.
Sermon Quote
“We weren’t bought just to make ourselves happy—we were freed to please the Lord.” — Blake Bradley
Call to Action
Let this message shake you. Examine your heart. Are you living to please the Lord or seeking comfort, affirmation, or permission to remain the same? God is holy. And He’s calling us higher.
If you made a decision to follow Jesus today, text NEWLIFE to 618-243-0900.
Sermon on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WV8rwOCOzDk