April 19, 2009 INTRODUCTION – Big picture of Matthew? “Nothing I can do about it.” “It is what it is.” “God is going to do what God is going to do.” “I wish I knew what God’s will is.”
I. God has chosen to fulfill His will on the earth through the prayers of his People. God’s will being done on the earth is contingent upon the prayers of the people of God. It is not a given. Matt. 6:10 This is not a passive prayer of resignation. But an offensive aggressive prayer of submission and agreement with God’s purposes. It is our primary way to taste a little bit of heaven here on earth before we enter heaven to be forever with our Lord. But it will only be experienced by those who have come to a place where they truly only desire His will; and who realize how desperately our society needs God’s will to be made known and manifested.
“on earth as it is in heaven.” How is it in heaven? By the angels – fully and willingly – – Psalm 103:19-21
“Thy will, nothing more, nothing less, nothing else.”
II. We are commanded to know or understand the will of God. Eph. 5:17 “So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” In vs. 15 he exhorted the believers to not walk as unwise men, but as wise. Now he exhorts them to not be foolish, but instead to understand what the will of the Lord is. Even as believers we can walk as unwise men and be foolish.
III. We are called/expected to do the will of God. A. Mark 3:34, 35 “…”Behold My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother.”
B. Luke 12:47 “And that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes.”
C. Hebrews 13:20,21 – “Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever.”
D. I Peter 4:1,2 – “Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.”
IV. There is great blessing and fulfillment in knowing and doing the will of God. A. The will of God is good, acceptable and perfect – Rom. 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
B. God’s response to our prayers is contingent upon or is in relationship to our obedience to His will– John 9:31 “We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him.”
C. Doing the will of God nourishes us – John 4:34 “Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.”
D. Doing the will of God put us in an elite company. intimacy with Him – Mark 3:34, 35 “…Behold My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother.”
E. Doing the will of God opens the door to receiving the promises of God – Heb. 10:36 “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.”
F. Doing the will of God ensures our future inheritance. We will live in the presence of God forever – I John 2:17 “The world is passing away , and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.”
V. How to Know/Discern the Will of God A. Cultivate a willing submissive heart – – John 7:17 “If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself.” It is our obedience that opens our minds and hearts to understand. Rom. 12:1 “Therefore, I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” (comes before Rom. 12:2) Jesus’ example: Psalm 40:7,8 “Then I said, Behold I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me. I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart.” John 6:38 “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. Matt. 26:39 “And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.”
B. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind – Rom. 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
C. Dig your heels in a local congregation of praying people. Be a committed member of a healthy spiritual family or congregation wherein there are pastors and shepherds and disciplers who will pray for you – – Col. 1:9-12; “For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, Col. 4:12 Heb. 13:20,21
D. Grow in your understanding of the obvious objective revelation of the will of God. 1. That the lost might be saved. “And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, nut raise it up on the last day.” John 6:40
2. That the saved might give thanks – I Thess. 5:18 “in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
3. That employees might submit to their employer – Eph. 6:5,6 “
4. That we might be adopted as sons – Eph. 1:5
5. That we be sanctified and not engage in sexual immorality – I Thess. 4:3
6. That we might silence the ignorance of foolish men by doing right – I Peter 2:15
7. That elders of local churches should shepherd the flock of God voluntarily – I Peter 5:2
E. Be confident that God wants you to know His will. He is not hiding it – Eph. 1:9
F. Cultivate a lifestyle of getting counsel. Learn from more mature, seasoned brothers and sisters, spiritual fathers and mothers how to discern God’s personal will for you. Prov. 19:20 “Listen to counsel and accept discipline, That you may be wise the rest of your days.”
CONCLUSION – Isaiah 46:9,10 Let’s be a part of the fulfillment of His plans