Understanding
the Will of God
Ephesians
5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but
understanding what the will of the Lord is.
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.
Intro: One of the most
perplexing subjects for many Christians is this matter of the will of God. Most people would admit to having a desire to
do God’s will, if only they knew what it was. Some people struggle to reconcile
God’s will to their will. In fact, Susan
B. Anthony once said, “I distrust
those people who know so well what God wants them to do, because I notice it
always coincides with their own desires.”
Is it possible to know God’s will?
Let’s examine a few Biblical facts about the Will of God.
I. The Existence of the Will
of God
A. The Will of
God has been Revealed
·
Deut. 29:29
The secret things belong unto the LORD
our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children
for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.
B. The Will of
God can be Known
·
Colossians
1:9 For this cause we also, since the
day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled
with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
C. The Will of
God can be Performed
·
Matthew
6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be
done in earth, as it is in heaven.
·
Matthew
7:21 Not every one that saith unto
me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the
will of my Father which is in heaven.
·
Matthew
12:50 For whosoever shall do the will
of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
II. The Expression of the
Will of God
A. For Sinners
·
Galatians
1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this
present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
·
2 Peter
3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning
his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not
willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
·
Matthew
18:14 Even so it is not the will of
your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
·
I Timothy
2: 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of
the truth.
B. For Saints
1.
Live the Rest of our Time in the Will of God
·
I Peter
4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath
suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for
he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer
should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the
will of God.
2. Abstain from
Fornication
·
1
Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the
will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from
fornication:
3. Giving Thanks
for Everything
·
1
Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing
give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
4. Silence the
Lost with your Well Doing
·
1 Peter
2:15 For so is the will of God, that
with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
5. Being
Transformed by the Renewed Mind
·
Romans
12:2 And be not conformed to this world:
but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what
is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
III. The Exploration of the
Will of God
A.
It is a Delight
·
Psalm 40:8
I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea,
thy law is within my heart.
B. It is Learned
·
Psalm
143:10 Teach me to do thy will; for
thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
C. It is
Enlightening
·
John 7:17
If any man will do his will, he shall
know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
D. It is
Rewarding
·
Hebrews
10:36 For ye have need of patience,
that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
·
1 John
2:17 And the world passeth away, and
the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
