Introduction

Are you in the Will of God? What does “Will” mean, and how important is this concept of the will of God? Will means: 1. the power of the mind to decide and do, 2. the act of choosing to do something, 3. determination, a will to live, win, or succeed. 6. wish, or desire, 7 feeling toward another: good will or ill will,

The expression “will of God” occurs 23 times in the New Testament, and not at all in the Old Testament. What is the significance of the Will of God? One way we can state it is that it is what God wants. What does God want?

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. “The will of God:” God wanted Paul to be an apostle. No wonder!

2. Paul was constantly aware of the will of God.

B. Paul wanted to go to Roman, but knew that it must be according 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.

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

II. Living by the will of God may be costly in terms of what we may suffer.

A. What was the basis of Jesus temptations in the wilderness?

1. Jesus was hungry, so why not eat?

(Mat 4:3 NKJV) Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread."

2. But Jesus knew the will of God.

(Mat 4:4 NKJV) But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'"

3. Jesus understood that doing the will of God did not mean all problems would be removed from our lives.

(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."

B. 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.

1. We can suffer according to the will of God.

(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.

2. The Hebrew writer encouraged us to endure the suffering that may come our way.

(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. Why is the Will of God so important?

A. It is important because it is how we relate to God in a right way..

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

B. 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.

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.

(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. What does the will of God involve?

(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.

C. 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.

D. 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.

E. 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.

F. 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.

Conclusion

I. Are you in the will of God?

II. If we are not in the will of God, I what hope do you have of 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?

Bible Study with Harley Sermons I have Preached

Hit Counter