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.
