fecotw.jpg

Sermon for October 21, 2012 - Finding A Way In The Will Of God - Romans 1:10

Home
Holy Bible Overview
Holy Bible Overview - Part 2
Ten Commandments
God's Laws For Mankind
Prophecies Fulfilled By The Messiah
Jewish Messianic Texts
Doctrinal Statement
Deity
Visual Relativity of Size Theory
Associates and Links
Sermon for December 30, 2012 - This Weeks sermon - Back To The Basics
Sermon for December 23, 2012 - This Weeks sermon - The Visit Of The Wise Men - Matthew 2:1-12
Sermon for December 16, 2012 - This Weeks sermon - Jesus And Immanuel Matthew - 1:18-25
Sermon For December 9, 2012 - Mary, Mother Of Jesus - Luke 1:26-28
Sermon for December 2, 2012 - Life After Death
Sermon for November 25, 2012 - The Problem Of Suffering
Sermon for November 18, 2012 - Making Much Of Sin
Sermon for November 11, 2012 - Preach The Word! - 2nd Timothy 4:1-4
Sermon for November 4, 2012 - Those that Cherry-Pick Christian Morals
Sermon for October 28, 2012 - How Would Jesus Vote? Matters of Life and Death - Exodus 20:13
Sermon for October 21, 2012 - Finding A Way In The Will Of God - Romans 1:10
Sermon for October 14, 2012 - Called To Be Saints - Romans 1:7
Sermon for October 7, 2012 - Basics For Living In Christ - Colossians 3:1-11
Sermon for September 30, 2012 - Why I Believe In The Second Coming
Sermon for September 23, 2012 - Why I Believe In The Resurrection Of Jesus
Sermon for September 16, 2012 - Why I Believe In The Virgin Birth
Sermon for September 9, 2012 - Why I Believe In The Lords Supper
Sermon for September 2, 2012 - Why I Believe In Baptism
Sermon for August 26, 2012 - Why I Believe In The Gospel Of Christ
Sermon for August 19, 2012 - Why I Believe In Undenominational Christianity
Sermon for August 12, 2012 - Why I Believe In The Church
Sermon for August 5, 2012 - Why I Believe In Jesus Christ
Sermon for July 29, 2012 - Why I Believe In The Bible
Sermon for July 22, 2012 - Why I Believe In God
Sermon for July 15, 2012 - The Flesh And The Spirit: Which Shall We Serve?
Sermon for July 8, 2012 - Building To Withstand The Storms - Matthew 7:24-27
Sermon for July 1, 2012 - Who Will Enter The Kingdom Of Heaven? - Matthew 7:21-23
Sermon for June 24, 2012 - Watch Out For Wolves! - Matthew 7:15-20
Sermon for June 17, 2012 - Are You On The Right Way? - Matthew 7:13-14
Sermon for June 10, 2012 - The Golden Rule - Matthew 7:12
Sermon for June 3, 2012 - To Judge Or Not To Judge - Matthew 7:1-6
Sermon for May 27, 2012 - Gaining Mastery Over Mammon - Matthew 6:19-24
Sermon for May 20, 2012 - Prayer That Pleases God - Matthew 6:5-15
Sermon for May 13, 2012 - Charity That Pleases God - Matthew 6:1-4
Sermon for May 6, 2012 - Responding To Evil - Matthew 5:38-42
Sermon for April 29, 2012 - The Great Commission - Matthew 28:16-20
Sermon for April 22, 2012 - Alternatives To The Resurrection - Matthew 28:11-15
Sermon for April 15, 2012 - The Witnesses Of The Resurrection - Matthew 28:1-10
Sermon for April 8, 2012 - Three Parts - Matthew 27:22 - 28:10
Sermon for April 1, 2012 - Two Parts - Matthew 26:69 - 27:2
Sermon for March 25, 2012 - Three Parts - Matthew 26:26 - 50
Sermon for March 18, 2012 - The Judgment Of The Nations - Matthew 25:31-46
Sermon for March 11, 2012 - 2 Parts - Matthew 5:20 & 5:21-26
Sermon for March 4, 2012 - The Influence Of The Kingdom - Matthew 5:13-16
Sermon for February 26, 2012 - The Beatitudes - II - Matthew 5:3-12
Sermon for February 19, 2012 - The Beatitudes - I - Matthew 5:3-12
Sermon for February 12, 2012 - Introduction To The Sermon On The Mount - Matthew 5:1-2
Sermon for February 5, 2012 - The Itinerant Ministry Of Jesus - Matthew 4:23-25
Sermon for January 29, 2012 - The Discipling Ministry Of Jesus - Matthew 4:18-22
Sermon for January 22, 2012 - The Preaching Ministry Of Jesus - Matthew 4:12-17
Sermon for January 15, 2012 - The Temptation Of Jesus - Matthew 4:1-11
Sermon for January 8, 2012 - The Baptism Of Jesus - Matthew 3:13-17
Sermon for January 1, 2012 - Preparing The Way Of The Lord - Matthew 3:1-12
Sermon for December 25, 2011 - The Early Years Of Jesus - Matthew 2:13-23
Sermon for December 18, 2011 - The Visit Of The Wise Men - Matthew 2:1-12
Sermon for December 11, 2011 - This Weeks sermon - Jesus And Immanuel Matthew 1:18-25
Sermon for December 4, 2011 - This Weeks sermon - Matthew 1:1-17
Sermon for November 27, 2011 - The Sermon for This Week is - John 18:37-38
Sermon for November 20, 2011 - The Sermon for This Week is - John 17:20-23
Sermon for November 13, 2011 - The Sermon for This Week is - John 17:20-26
Sermon for November 6, 2011 - The Sermon for This Week is - John 17:6-19
Sermon for October 30, 2011 - The Sermon for This Week is - John 17:2-3
Sermon for October 23, 2011 - The Sermon for This Week is - John 17:1-5
Sermon for October 16, 2011 - The Sermon for This Week is - John 17:1-26
Sermon for October 9, 2011 - The Sermon for This Week is - John 15:8
Sermon for October 2, 2011 - The Sermon for This Week is - John 13:34-35
Sermon for September 25, 2011 - The Sermon for This Week is - John 8:42
Sermon for September 18, 2011 - The Sermon for This Week is - John 8:12 - 36
Sermon for September 11, 2011 - The Sermon for This Week is - John 7:17 - 39
Sermon for September 4, 2011 - The Sermon for This Week is - John 6:67 7:9
Sermon for August 28, 2011 - The Sermon for This Week is - John 5:37 6:27
Sermon for August 21, 2011 - The Sermon for This Week is - John 4:35-5:30
Sermon for August 14, 2011 - The Sermon for This Week is - John 4:10-14
Sermon for August 7, 2011 - The Sermon for This Week is - John 3:1-4:26
Sermon for July 31, 2011 - The Sermon for This Week is - John 2:1-25
Sermon for July 24, 2011 - The Sermon for This Week is - John 1:19-51
Sermon for July 17, 2011 - The Sermon for This Week is - John 1:9-18
Sermon for July 10, 2011 - This weeks Sermon is Book of John Verses - John 1:1-8
Sermon for July 3, 2011 - This weeks Sermon is Christian Apologetics Three Parts
Sermon for June 26, 2011 - Sermon is - Our Dependence Upon The New Testament
Sermon for June 19, 2011 - Sermon is - The Historical Jesus
Sermon for June 12, 2011 - Sermon is - Introduction To Christian Apologetics
Sermon for June 5, 2011 - Universalism Part - Four of Four
Sermon for May 29, 2011 - Universalism Part - Three of Four
Sermon for May 22, 2011 - Universalism Part - Two of Four
Sermon for May 15, 2011 - Universalism Part - One of Four
Sermon for May 8, 2011 - This weeks Sermon is in Two Parts
Sermon for May 1, 2011 - God's Great Book
Easter Sermons For April 24, 2011 - Part 4 of 4, The Celebration Of Easter
Easter Sermons For April 23, 2011 - Part 3 of 4 The Significance Of The Resurrection Of Christ
Easter Sermons For April 22, 2011 - Part 2 of 4, The Passion Of The Christ
Easter Sermons For April 21, 2011 - Part 1 of 4 The Lord's Supper
Sermon for April 17, 2011 - Are You Ready For Your Journey Into Eternity?
Sermon for April 10, 2011 - 2 Corinthians 6:11-13 - Hearts Wide Open
Sermon for April 3, 2011 - 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 - The Ministry Of Reconciliation
Sermon for March 27, 2011 - 2 Corinthians 4:1 - We Do Not Become Discouraged (Faint Not)
Sermon for March 20, 2011 - 2 Corinthians 3:18 - Transformed By Beholding

Matthew 6:9-13 - After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

 

The Sermon for this week is: Finding A Way In The Will Of God - Romans 1:10 - Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.

 

INTRODUCTION

 

1. “What is God’s will for my life?”

a. What devout person has not asked a question like this?

b. Often asked even pertaining to mundane things like one’s career, where to live, etc.

 

-- How can we live in harmony with the will of God?

 

2. Paul mentioned his desire to live in harmony with God’s will...

a. As he made plans to visit his brethren in Rome

b. As he prayed regarding such plans - cf. Romans 1:9-10 - 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; Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.

 

-- He sought to “find a way in the will of God” to come to them

 

[Paul’s comments provide an opportunity for us to consider some thoughts related to the will of God, especially on how to determine God’s will for our lives. It might be of benefit to first review some...]

 

I. FACETS OF GOD’S WILL

 

A. THERE IS GOD’S PROCLAIMED WILL...

 

1. God has made His will known in many respects - e.g., 1 Thessalonians 5:18 - In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. ; 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:

 

2. This He has done through revelation

a. By sending inspired prophets in the past - Hebrews 1:1 - God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

b. By sending His own Son - Hebrews 1:2 - Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

c. By having the Spirit guide the apostles - John 16:12-13 - I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. ; e.g., 1 Corinthians 14:36-37 - What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

 

3. It is this proclaimed will of God that we must do to be saved - cf. 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.

 

-- That which is essential to know, God has revealed through Scripture - 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

 

B. THERE IS GOD’S PROVIDENTIAL WILL...

 

1. God acts providentially in our lives, as implied in our text - cf. Romans 1:10 - Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. ; also Romans 15:32 - That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.

 

2. For such reason we are to pray regarding our plans - cf. James 4:13-15 - Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanished away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

 

3. Our requests are answered as it may suit God’s will - cf. 1 John 5:14 - And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

 

-- We may not have certainty as to what is God’s providential will for us

 

C. THERE IS GOD’S PERMISSIVE WILL...

 

1. God allows things to happen that are not necessarily according to His desired will

 

2. He permits people to sin and even hurt other people

a. He is not pleased, and will one day render judgment - Acts 17:30-31 - And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

b. He is able to fulfill His own will, despite such rebellion - cf. Isaiah 10:5-7 - O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation. I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets. Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few.

 

3. God permits people to do things that are indifferent to Him

a. There are some matters of indifference to God - e.g., Romans 14:5-6 - One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

b. Likewise, some decisions we make might not really matter to God

 

-- Thus not all choices please God, nor are they necessarily required by God

 

[With these thoughts in mind, let’s now consider some thoughts on...]

 

II. FINDING GOD’S WILL

 

A. FOCUS ON THE PROCLAIMED WILL OF GOD...

 

1. I.e., study diligently to learn what God has revealed

a. If you don't embrace and practice the revealed will of God...

b. ...what difference does it make to seek areas of God's will unknown to you?

 

2. The value of focusing on the proclaimed will of God

a. We will not be ignorant of what is essential for us to know and do

b. We can avoid choices that are clearly contrary to God’s will

 

B. SEEK ADVICE FROM OTHERS...

 

1. Discuss your alternatives with older, mature Christians - Proverbs 11:14 - Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. ; Proverbs 12:15 - The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

 

2. Consult the wisdom found in the Bible (especially in books like Proverbs, Ecclesiastes)

 

C. ASK GOD FOR WISDOM...

 

1. I.e., pray diligently for the ability to discern wisely - James 1:5-8 - If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

 

2. Wisdom is that spiritual insight that enables you to evaluate situations clearly, and helps utilize what options and abilities you have

 

3. Use such wisdom to eliminate what appears less acceptable

 

D. COMMIT YOUR WAY TO THE LORD...

 

1. Whatever you do, do it for the Lord's sake - cf. Psalms 37:5-6 - Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. ; Psalms 37:23-26 - The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.

 

2. Make your plans subject to God’s will, both proclaimed and providential - James 4:15 - For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

a. Give God permission to close the door on your choice if that is His will

b. If He closes the door on your choice, look for alternatives

 

E. OTHER THINGS TO REMEMBER...

 

1. God is not like a train; he is able to run on more than one track

 

2. A choice may not be between good and bad, but between good and better

 

3. God can use us in many different ways

 

4. If need not choose right away, wait; that will give you time to grow and gain wisdom

 

5. Whatever your hands finds to do in your existing circumstances, do it with all your might

 

CONCLUSION

 

1. Our goal should be to “stand perfect and complete in all the will of God” - cf. 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.

a. Especially as it pertains to the proclaimed will of God

b. Even as much as possible in the providential and permissive will of God

 

2. Epaphras’ desire for his brethren serves as a good example; as does that of our Lord...

a. Who taught us to pray, “Your will be done on earth as it in heaven” - Matthew 6:10 - Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

b. Who Himself prayed, “Not as I will, but as You will...” - Matthew 26:39-42 - And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

 

Are you seeking to “find a way in the will of God” as it pertains to the plans in your life?

 

Mark 16:15-16 - And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

 

Matthew 28:19-20 - Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

 

Prayer: Lord I truly thank You for giving me the opportunity to present these words to my brethrens. I pray that You will give them Your eternal blessings and accept them into Your heart - this  I pray in the name of Thy Son, Jesus, the Messiah, Your only begotten son which Ye sent to save mankind from themselves. Ephesians 6:23-24 - Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

 

This sermon is in the Public Domain - Free for all to use with the only requirement: That it never be used for profit.