The Will of God

October 2, 2005

Introduction

The Will of God! How important is it? What does the Bible say about the will of God? Is there a definition for the will of God, or how do we determine the will of God? The expression, “will of God” occurs 23 times in the New King James Bible, but does that complete the list? No! Add at least two more verses where this exact phrase does not occur, but listen to the statements:

(Mat 6:10 NKJV) Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. And then a second passage, (Mat 26:39 NKJV) He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will."

So to answer that question, “How important is the will of God?” It cost Jesus His life and horrible suffering to complete His prayer in the way that He did, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will."

The Greek work for “will” is theleôma. What is the definition of theleôma?

theleôma

Thayer Definition:

1) what one wishes or has determined shall be done

1a) of the purpose of God to bless mankind through Christ

1b) of what God wishes to be done by us

1b1) commands, precepts

2) will, choice, inclination, desire, pleasure

Body

I. Paul was very much aware of the will of God in his life.

A. Five of the 23 verses, which refer to the will of God, are verses where Paul speaks of his apostleship.

(1 Cor 1:1 NKJV) Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,

2 Cor 1:1, Ephesians 1:1, Col 1:1, 2 Tim. 1:1 are the other four verses.

1.      We may read it and pass on, but think of what the will of God overcame.

2.      God had to be a forgiving God to use Paul, but He was also an empowering force in Paul’s life.

3.      God can use us to do great things in the lives of others if we are in His will.

B. Two of those verses that contain the statement, “will of God,” concern Paul’s desire to go to Roman, but he would only do so if it were according to the will of God.

1. Paul had a will—things he wanted to do, but he subjected these to the will of God.

(Rom 1:9-10 NKJV) For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, {10} making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you.

a. He wanted to come and be refreshed.

(Rom 15:32 NKJV) that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you.

b. He came, but as a prisoner. God’s plans are sometimes different from ours

2. We can sometimes do things that are contrary to the will of God, but it isn’t wise.

(Acts 27:21 NKJV) But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, "Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss.

II. Why is the Will of God so important?

A. It is important because Jesus said it is doing the will of God that makes us His brother sister and mother.

(Mark 3:35 NKJV) "For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother."

B. Those who do the will of God will be cared for by a faithful Creator.

(1 Pet 4:19 NKJV) 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. It is he who does the will of God who will abide forever.

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

a. Which are we choosing? The ways of the world?

b. Or the ways of God?

D. We need to continue in the will of God in order to receive the promise.

(Heb 10:36 NKJV) For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:

III. For those who love God and seek to do His will, everything focuses on this one concept: doing the will of God.

A. The Bible even speaks of the life and death of King David as being according to the will of God.

(Acts 13:36 NKJV) "For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption;

B. In contrast, “But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.” (Luke 7:30 NKJV)

1.      What a terrible thing to reject the will of God!

2.      The Pharisees suffered the destruction of Jerusalem, and God’s eternal judgment, unless they repented.

3.      Do we know, and seek to do the will of God?

C. Doing the will of God can bring suffering.

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

D. Doing the will of God is a powerful testimony to God and His will.

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

IV. How do we know and do the will of God?

A. We have to seek to know the will of God through our study.

(1 Th 4:3 NKJV) For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality;

(1 Pet 4:2 NKJV) that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

B. It is an act of our will to accept His will.

(2 Cor 8:5 NKJV) And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.

(Rom 12:2 NKJV) 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.

1. We live in a day when many churches are offering things of the world to gain members.

2. We need to be careful that we are first seeking to do the will of God.

C. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us according to the will of God.

(Rom 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.

D. We can pray for each other that we will be doing the will of God.

(Col 4:12 NKJV) Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

E. Doing the will of God is to affect all areas of our lives.

1. That includes doing an honest days work for our employer.

(Eph 6:5-6 NKJV) Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; {6} not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,

2. We must be thankful if we are to fulfill the will of God.

(1 Th 5:18 NKJV) in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Conclusion

I. Are you in the will of God?

II. If we are not in the will of God, I find no hope of receiving the promises, or living with God throughout eternity.

III. Can you think of anything as important as doing the will of God?

IV. Is there something in your life that you need to make right to be in the will of God?

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