The Will of God
Presented by Glenn Griffin
March 13, 2019

 

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scrptures might have hope.” Romans 15:4

 

The Will of God

•  To know the Will of God is not complicated
• God has communicated His will unto us by words
• To know the Will of God requires diligent reading and study of the Word of God, the Bible, in dependence upon the Holy Spirit

 

The Holy Spirit

• “He shall teach you all things” John 14:26
• “And bring all things to your remembrance” John 14:26
• “He will guide you into all truth” John 16:13

 

Doing the Will of God is out of love and single devotion to the Lord Jesus

• “Jesus answered and said unto him, “If a man [anyone] love Me, he will keep my words: and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth Me not keepeth not My sayings [words]”” John 14:23-24
  
• “But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave Me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.” John 14:31
  • The Lord Jesus moves out to Gethsemane and Golgotha
  • The greatest example of love to the Father
  • The greatest example of carrying out the will of God

• “And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved if our heart condemn us not, then we have confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.” 1 John 3:19-22

 

Because God has communicated to us by words it is then essential to understand the meaning of the words

The computer program E-Sword available today free of charge is an invaluable tool using the Strong’s definitions of the original Hebrew and Greek words to understand the meaning of the words in the Word of God

Will – 2307 – thelema – a determination[act of settling beforehand] (properly the thing), i.e. (actively) choice (specifically purpose, decree; abstractly volition [act of willing]) or (passively) inclination [tendency]

Attributes of the Will of God – Romans 12:2

• Good – 28 – agathos – A primary word; “good” (in any sense, often as a noun) properly intrinsic [belonging to a thing by its very nature]
  • [for every sphere of the Christian life]

• Acceptable – 2101 – euarestos – fully agreeable
  • [in every aspect of the Christian life]

• Perfect – 5406 – teleios – complete(in various applications of labour, growth, mental and moral character, etc.)
  • [complete for a full rewarding Christian life]

 

How can I Know the Will of God – Romans 12:2

• “Be not conformed to this world”
  • [Outward]
  • Conformed – 4964 – suschematizo – to fashion alike i.e. conform to the same pattern
  • World – 165 – aion – properly an age; by implication world

• “But be ye transformed”
  • [Inward]
  • Transformed – 3339 – metamorphoo – to transform(literally or figuratively “metamorphose”) [complete change of character, appearance or condition]

• “By the renewing of your mind”
  • [controls the thoughts, words and actions]
  • Renewing – 342 – anakainosis – renovation [restore to a good condition]
  • Mind – 3563 – nous – the intellect i.e. mind (divine or human; in thought, feeling, or will)

• “That ye may prove”
  • [to experimentally approve that the will of God is the best way]
  • Prove – 1381 – dokimazo – to test (literally or figuratively); by implication to approve

• “What is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God”

 

The Will of God in Relation to a Pure Life – 1 Thessalonians 4:1-3,7

• “How ye ought to walk and to please God”
• “For[reason] this is the will of God, your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication”
  • Sanctification – 38 – hagiasmos – properly purification i.e. (the state) purity[clearness, cleanness & innocence in relation to mind e. morally and body i.e. physically]
• “For[reason] God hath not[absolute negative] called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness[purity]”

 

The Will of God in Relation to my Testimony – 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, Ephesians 5:18

• “Study to be quiet”
• “Do your own business”
• “Work with your own hands”
• “That[in order that] ye may walk honestly toward them that are without”
• “And that ye may have lack of nothing”
• “Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess”

 

The Will of God Regarding Relationships – 2 Corinthians 6:14, Ephesians 4:32

• “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers”
• “Be ye kind one to another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

 

Danger of Going Outside the Will of God

• “And whoso breaketh a hedge, a serpent shall bite him.” Ecclesiastes 10:8

 

Danger of Having our Minds Corrupted from the Singleness of Devotion to Christ

• “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 11:3

 

How do I, how will I know and put in practice the Will of God in my life?

• “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” Ephesians 5:17
• “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

1. I will consistently read the Bible as part of my day and memorize verses
2. I will attend all the meetings of the local assembly
3. I will set aside time to study the Bible in detail – Considering the context and overview
4. I will talk to God about what I have learned and would like to learn
5. I will meditate about what I have read, memorized or studied
6. I will allow the Holy Spirit to teach me as I prayerfully meditate
7. I will make what I learn a part of my daily life