The Will of God

The Will of God

February 25, 2007

Introduction

This morning we begin with a question, “Do you know the Will of God?” Matthew 6:9-10, we have these familiar words, “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.

So again, we ask questions, Do you know the will of God? Sometimes we hear the question, “Are you in the Will of God?” Do we really want the will of God to be done in our lives? How important is the Will of God?

Body

I. The Will of God is critical to our lives for guidance.

A. God does not force His will upon us, but we must be willing to be guided by His will.

Jeremiah 10:23 O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.

B. We need God’s Will in our lives because we tend to go astray without it.

Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

C. Solomon gives us good advice -- Trust in the Lord.

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

D. The proof of the pudding is in the eating -- We have to try it to see if it really works.

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

II. How can we as Christians know His Will?

A. Paul prayed that the Colossians would be filled with the knowledge of His will.

Colossians 1:9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

B. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us that God’s Will will be done in our lives.

(Romans 8:27 NKJV) Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

C. Prayer is to be an important part of our lives as we seek to know and do the Will of God.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray without ceasing,18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

III. We, as Christians are to demonstrate His Will to others.

1 Peter 2:15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men

A. Doing His Will may be costly.

1 Peter 4:19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

B. Doing His Will cost Jesus His life.

42 saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Luke 22:42

C. It is essential to our having eternal life in the world to come.

1 John 2:17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

D. Jesus expressed it in terms of how we relate to Him.

Mark 3:35 “For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.”

IV. Do we really want the will of God to be done in our lives?

A. Doing the will of God may indeed bring suffering into our lives.

(2 Timothy 3:12 NKJV) Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

B. Peter spoke of suffering because of doing the will of God.

1 Peter 3:17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

1 Peter 4:19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

C. But doing the Will of God is wise for happiness in this world as well as the world to come.

(Eph 5:15-17 NKJV) See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, {16} redeeming the time, because the days are evil. {17} Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

D. Jesus said the benefits of following Him would be great for this life as well as for eternity.

Matthew 19:29 “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.

V. . What does it take to really live by the will of God?

A. We must know the will of God.

(2 Tim 2:15 KJV) Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

B. To be of value to us, we must do the Will of God.

(1 John 2:3-6 NKJV) Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. {4} He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. {5} But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. {6} He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

Conclusion

I. Are you in the will of God?

II. Is there something in your life that you need to make right with God in order to be in His will?

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