The Will of God
Luke 11:1-4 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
Introduction: You are welcome to another week of Speaking Scriptures. We often hear question about God’s will in all aspects of Christian life.
A Will is a wish or desire. Therefore, The Will of God is the wish or desire of God.
Because of omniscience (All-knowing) attribute of God, human Will is always at variance with the Will of God.
Isaiah 55:8-9 (NLT) “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
How important is the Will of God? What happens when we do God’s Will? How do we know the Will of God? These and many more the Holy Spirit will teach us today.
The will of God is in His written word;
Deuteronomy 11:18 (NLT) “So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders.
It’s only those who put God’s word in the heart that will joyfully do God’s will.
Psalm 40:8 (NLT) I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.”
Any believer who wants to end well must seek and pray for the Will of God.
Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
David knew the importance of praying for God’s Will.
Psalm 143:10 (NLT) Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.
The Will of God may come with pain but surely ends in glory
Matthew 26:42 (NLT) Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.”
Philippians 2:8-9 (NLT) 8] He humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names,
Jesus knows importance of praying for God’s Will when He taught us to pray “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth”.
What happens when anyone does God’s Will?
1️⃣ He/she has Blood relationship with Jesus
Matthew 12:50 (NLT) Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!”
2️⃣ He/she Has knowledge of God
John 7:17 (NLT) Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own.
3️⃣ He/she serves God from the heart without eye-service
Ephesians 6:6 (NLT) Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart.
4️⃣ He/she daily depends on God for directions
James 4:15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
5️⃣ He/she is ready to suffer for God’s Will
Matthew 26:42 (NLT) Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.”
How do I know God’s Will?
There are Known Will of God, Unknown Will of God and Permissive Will of God
Once the known Will of God is done, the unknown Will of God shall be made manifest.
Known Will of God is in the Word of God
1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT) Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
1 Thessalonians 4:3 (NLT) God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin.
Unknown Will of God is revealed through obedience to His Known Will. Once we obey the known Will of God, He will reveal His unknown Will to anyone who keeps His commandments.
Genesis 18:16-19 (NLT) Then the men got up from their meal and looked out toward Sodom. As they left, Abraham went with them to send them on their way. “Should I hide my plan from Abraham?” the LORD asked.”For Abraham will certainly become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed through him. I have singled him out so that he will direct his sons and their families to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just. Then I will do for Abraham all that I have promised.”
Permissive Will of God is granted by God to anyone who wants God to endorse his/her sinful heart desires contrary to God’s word.
Ezekiel 14:1-4 (NLT) Then some of the leaders of Israel visited me, and while they were sitting with me, this message came to me from the LORD: “Son of man, these leaders have set up idols in their hearts. They have embraced things that will make them fall into sin. Why should I listen to their requests? Tell them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: The people of Israel have set up idols in their hearts and fallen into sin, and then they go to a prophet asking for a message. So I, the LORD, will give them the kind of answer their great idolatry deserves.
Example can be seen in the case of Balaam in Numbers 22-23. God expressly told him NOT to follow Balak’s representatives but he asked God again if he could go when he saw more honourable men with money.
Hear the word of God in 2 Peter 2:15 (NLT) They have wandered off the right road and followed the footsteps of Balaam son of Beor, who loved to earn money by doing wrong.
Permissive Will of God can permit you to fulfill your heart desire against known Will of God that hides sin and your wrong doings.
Only serious Christian who is sure that the Will of God is not evil will be able to seek God’s Will at all cost.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
3 John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
Conclusion: God desires to be The Lord to anyone who wants to leave Egypt (World) and follow Jesus Christ
Exodus 6:7 And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the Lord your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.
God doesn’t want anyone to perish, but to repent. That is why He gives long rope to disobedient ones to avoid their destructions
2 Peter 3:9 (NLT) The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.
Seek for His will at all cost through obedience to His commandments
✋Maranatha
