The Will of God for You (2)
Notes
Transcript
Introduction: Review
Introduction: Review
The Will of God: Secret and Revealed
The Will of God: Secret and Revealed
29 The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, so that we may follow all the words of this law.
1. The will of God sometimes refers to his will of decree - planning all things, the course of history & your life
For example, James 4:13-15 expresses the need to submit ourselves to God’s plan, His will of providence. “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.”
This aspect of God’s will is not for us to know, but to trust in His good providence (Romans 8:28-29)
2. The will of God sometimes refers to his will of command - the moral regulations he has given us to live by
Doing God’s Will
Doing God’s Will
There are many verses which speak to us of doing the will of God - which clearly means obeying the commands He has given us
For example,
17 The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.
Clearly doing the will of God is an important thing in Scripture - obeying His revealed will of the commands and instructions He has given us for our lives.
We Owe God our Obedience
We Owe God our Obedience
It is our duty to do God’s will because He is our Creator and our Redeemer
But in order to do his will, we need to know His will.
Knowing God’s Will
Knowing God’s Will
It is important for us to learn what God wants us to do.
We renew our minds through God’s Word.
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
We ask for God’s wisdom through prayer.
10 Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. May Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
PRAY
The Will of God for You, message 3:
The Will of God for You, message 3:
God wants you to faithfully follow Jesus through suffering.
Key Verses:
15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorance of foolish men.
1 Peter 2:20–21 (BSB)
20 … If you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps:
Jesus’s call to follow Him is a call to suffer.
We need to be aware of this for ourselves and as we speak to others of what it means to follow Christ - suffering is to be expected in the Christian life. After Jesus’s resurrection, when Jesus restored Peter he called Peter to follow him, and He indicated that this following would include suffering and even death.
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus replied, “Feed My lambs.” 16 Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus told him, “Shepherd My sheep.” 17 Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love Me?” “Lord, You know all things,” he replied. “You know I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. And after He had said this, He told him, “Follow Me.” 20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them. He was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper to ask, “Lord, who is going to betray You?” 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” 22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain until I return, what is that to you? You follow Me!” 23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. However, Jesus did not say that he would not die, but only, “If I want him to remain until I return, what is that to you?” 24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who has written them down. And we know that his testimony is true. 25 There are many more things that Jesus did. If all of them were written down, I suppose that not even the world itself would have space for the books that would be written.
For Peter, Jesus’s call to Follow Him meant that one day Peter would give his life in service to the Lord Jesus. Peter didn’t need to be distracted thinking about how others like John might suffer (“what about him?”); he needed to focus on Jesus and realize that following him means suffering.
We must be prepared to suffer like Jesus did.
The World Will Hate Jesus’s Followers
Jesus had prepared his disciples earlier for this reality. He told us that the world would hate us for being His followers.
18 If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. 19 If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. 20 Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well. 21 But they will treat you like this because of My name, since they do not know the One who sent Me.
It is to be expected that we will be opposed, hated, and mistreated by the world just as Jesus was if we are his followers.
The darkness will always oppose the light, and as His disciples, we are called the light of the world. Just as the darkness tried to put out the true Light of the World, Jesus Himself, so to this day darkness continues to oppose the light. But it will not overcome the light.
In his first letter, John tells us that we should not be surprised by the world’s mistreatment of us as believers.
13 So do not be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you.
We need to be aware for ourselves and as we speak to others about following Jesus that the road won’t be easy - it is a path of suffering, but it is worth it!
We’ll come back to this theme of suffering persecution at the end. But the opposition we face from the world is not the only form of suffering that we may experience as we follow Jesus.
Suffering Means “Missing Out” on Some Things
There are many pleasures and possessions that the world enjoys that the follower of Christ might have to "miss out” on. Following Jesus means giving up many of the comforts and pleasures we might otherwise enjoy - houses, possessions, family, a sense of safety, etc.
18 When Jesus saw a large crowd around Him, He gave orders to cross to the other side of the sea. 19 And one of the scribes came to Him and said, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.” 20 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.” 21 Another of His disciples requested, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 22 But Jesus told him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” 23 When He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. 24 Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was engulfed by the waves; but Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” 26 “You of little faith,” Jesus replied, “why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it was perfectly calm.
Consider what Matthew (Levi) gave up to be Jesus’s follower.
9 As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax booth. “Follow Me,” He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him.
The Bible doesn’t tell us exactly what Matthew had to give up, but by leaving his tax collecting booth he was certainly leaving behind his income, and perhaps he was also endangering himself with the Romans since he was no longer cooperating with them in taxing the Jews. Yet he still would have been hated by his fellow Jews for his past life of being a tax collector. But he realized that the choice to follow Jesus, though costly, was worth it. In following Jesus, he would gain more than he would lose. The wealth and comfort he might have enjoyed by staying paled in comparison to the eternal joy of following Jesus.
Elsewhere, Jesus tells us that to follow him means denying ourselves and taking up our cross - missing out on some of the things that people in the world around us enjoy, suffering pain and disgrace for the sake of Christ. But at the same time recognizing that the path to glory is through suffering.
24 Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
Following Jesus may mean giving up significant wealth. But following Jesus is not without its rewards - those who give up wealth now will inherit something worth far more than anything they give up.
16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and inquired, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to obtain eternal life?” 17 “Why do you ask Me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 “Which ones?” the man asked. Jesus answered, “ ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, 19 honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.’” 20 “All these I have kept,” said the young man. “What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” 22 When the young man heard this, he went away in sorrow, because he had great wealth. 23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” 26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 27 “Look,” Peter replied, “we have left everything to follow You. What then will there be for us?” 28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for the sake of My name will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.
The rich young ruler didn’t want to give up his wealth and follow Jesus.
The disciples were willing to give up anything and everything to follow Jesus. And Jesus tells them it will be worth it. What you give up now will be repaid in ways you can’t begin to imagine. But you must trust his promise. If you’re willing to suffer now by giving up things in this life, the glories you’ll experience in eternity will far outweigh anything you miss out on now.
God’s Will for Us in Our Suffering Is That We Would Continue to Do Good
God wants you to do what’s right in the face of opposition and persecution.
We are not to respond to evil with evil, but with good. Even as we are mistreated and maligned for our faith and obedience to Jesus Christ, we ought to respond like Jesus Himself, with love and forgiveness. “Father forgive them.”
This goes against much of conservative Christianity in America today which tells us to stand up for our rights.
15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorance of foolish men.
Even as we are opposed or mistreated for following Jesus, God wants us to continue following Him and continue doing what’s right.
Jesus Himself is our example of what the proper response to suffering looks like.
18 Servants, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but even to those who are unreasonable. 19 For if anyone endures the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God, this is to be commended. 20 How is it to your credit if you are beaten for doing wrong and you endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps: 22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.” 23 When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly. 24 He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. “By His stripes you are healed.” 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Like Jesus, we should expect to suffer at times for doing what’s right. When we do, we should respond as He did.
Instead of being afraid of suffering, we ought to receive it as a gift from God. And we ought to be prepared for it, ready to defend our faith and our commitment to Christ when people ask us about it.
14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be shaken.”
15 But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect,
16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ.
17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
18 For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit,
As believers we are called to imitate the example of Christ, to endure hardship and suffering, not to retaliate or to curse those who mistreat us, but rather to bless them, pray for them, do good to them, and keep following Jesus and doing what’s right.
And suffering has a refining effect on us as Christians. Suffering is a tool that God uses to get rid of sin in our lives. If and when we suffer for being followers of Jesus, the temptations of this world and of our flesh do not hold the power they once did.
Even the general suffering we experience in life may have this effect on us. But perhaps to a greater extent when we suffer for following Christ, sin will lose its allure and we will be drawn closer to Christ. This is part of God’s good purpose in our suffering. It takes our eyes off of this world and turns them toward our real life in heaven with God.
1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves with the same resolve, because anyone who has suffered in his body is done with sin.
2 Consequently, he does not live out his remaining time on earth for human passions, but for the will of God.
Sharing in the sufferings of Christ as we follow him in faith and obedience is a cause for joy rather than shame. Suffering is in fact part of the evidence that you’re really part of God’s family, as He disciplines His true children (Hebrews 12).
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you.
13 But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory.
14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
15 Indeed, none of you should suffer as a murderer or thief or wrongdoer, or even as a meddler.
16 But if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but glorify God that you bear that name.
17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God?
18 And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should entrust their souls to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
What He calls us to do as we suffer for following Him is to keep trusting Him and keep doing what’s right.
Don’t give up. Don’t give in. Don’t stop believing. Keep trusting Him, Keep doing good.
Jesus’s call to follow Him is a call to make disciples (other followers).
Part of God’s will for those first disciples as well as for us today is to make other disciples. We must first follow Jesus ourselves, but then part of our faithful following is bringing others along with us - family members, friends, coworkers, perhaps even strangers.
18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 And at once they left their nets and followed Him. 21 Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him.
He gave the Great Commission to His apostles as a command to be followed until He returns.
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
As we learn to follow Jesus more closely ourselves, we will be calling others to follow Him along with us.
To make disciples is to teach and to model obedience to Jesus, following Him by learning from His Word and obeying His Word.
God wants you to follow Jesus; this means listening to Him and obeying Him. It means giving up possessions and pleasures of this life to gain a greater inheritance in the next. It means making other disciples who follow you as you follow Jesus. And it means suffering, and maybe even dying, because of your commitment to Christ.
Questions for Reflection:
Questions for Reflection:
Are you following Jesus?
What have you given up in order to follow Jesus? Is it worth it?
What, if anything, are you struggling to give up as you seek to follow Him? (love of money, possessions; sinful pleasures or habits)
Are you making disciples? Are you teaching others and modeling obedience to Jesus for them?
How are you suffering for following Jesus? (exclusion; mistreatment; being maligned) - Paul tells us that “all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” If you’re not suffering in any way for following Jesus, maybe you’re not really following Him as you ought.
How are you responding to that suffering?
God’s Will for you is that you would follow Jesus, walking on the road of suffering like He did, responding with the same grace and love that He did, and making disciples as He did.
Are you living in obedience to God’s will?
Don’t only be a hearer of the Word - be a doer. Now that you know some of what God’s will is for your life, put it into practice.
22 Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves. 23 For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, 24 and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so—not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer—he will be blessed in what he does.
17 If you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
PRAY
Extras:
Following Jesus may be for the wrong reasons - but in due time the wrong motives will be exposed. People who follow Jesus only for the material benefits He gives will eventually stop following Him when it gets hard.
2 A large crowd followed Him because they saw the signs He was performing on the sick.
Following Jesus is one test of whether or not you truly belong to Him. Those who belong to Him, who are truly saved, will listen to His voice and follow Him. Following Jesus is not an optional second step for believers. If you are a genuine believer, you will follow Jesus. And if you follow Jesus, you are eternally secure in His strong hands.
27 My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand.