As You Will

Who likes to get what they want? How many of us like to get our own way? Go ahead, be honest, we all do, and Burger King knows it because they had a very successful add campaign that said just that, “have it your way”.

The phrase, “Get your way” or have your way is an idiom that means to have things done according to your personal preference or desires. To be allowed to or make others do as you wish. A two-year-old screams until their mom or dad gives in, okay here, have it your way. We often call a child who demonstrates this type of behavior, a strong-willed child.

The will is a part of the mind that leads us to take action. Your will is something you have in the mind along with reasonand understanding. It’s the first thing that we see developing in a child. If the will is not shaped by their maturing reason and understandingthat two-year-old grows up to be an adult that screams, complains, pouts or engages in some form of outrageous behavior until they “get their way”. Bosses become tyrants, adults become dictators, billions of people who refuse to believe in the gospel of God’s love and grace and even followers of Christ who do believe and yet who refuse to follow where the Lord is leading.

Last week we celebrated with our Lord the Passover …

Slide In Remembrance of His Love and Provision for All

God never wants you to forget his love and provision for you. Jesus took an annual celebration, the Jewish feast of unleavened bread in which the Passover is observed, and he gave us a visual to be celebrated and observed more than just one a year. That Passover meal would serve as reminded that Jesus was the way to forgiveness, restoration, redemption and salvation. In his life, death, burial and resurrection we return home to a life with God in Christ our Lord. You might say that …

Slide The Passover is the Overpass to a life in Christ!

This meal became more than just an annual feast. It became the symbol of the bridge to life. It is the overpass upon which we have walked into a new life. I want to invite you to once again, join me in this remembrance where the Passover shows us the overpass that we have taken.

Slide Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” Matthew 26:26

Slide And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks

he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” Matthew 26:26–29

He becomes the bridge over which we pass from death to life, from darkness to light. Jesus says that it is about get really dark in the world, because the hope of the world is going to die and you are going to be overcome with fear, failure and fumbling in the dark. The truth is that …

Slide Life without Jesus is a life of stumbling in spiritual darkness.

Jesus is the light of the world. In John 8:12 it says, Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” And so, the disciples are about to go with Jesus to a dark place where they will stumble in the darkness. We continue our study of Matthew 26 …

Slide And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Matthew 26:30–32

Can you fault the disciples? The light of the world was going to be snuffed out.

I don’t think Jesus is angry or putting them down. He is just recognizing, even if they don’t, that what he is going through and what it will mean for them as his followers is hard for them to grasp.

Jesus is the light of the world and without him the world is in darkness, and we are stumbling about. Without Jesus life seems hopeless, fearfully falling away from what we once believed. Zechariah predicted this in his messianic prophesy in Zechariah 13:7 …

Slide Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered … Zechariah 13:7b

The question I ask myself is …

Slide How dark does it have to get in your life before you question God’s goodness and love?

When life is good, God is good. When life is bad, is God there, does he care? I am quick to fall away from my faith, hope, love of God, belief in his goodness, power, presence with me in the darkness? Maybe you are like Peter …

As per his usual bold predictions and erratic impulsive behavior, Peter spouts off to Jesus and throws the other disciples under the bus.

Slide Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same. Matthew 26:33-35

Aren’t we all like Peter in some way. Thinking more highly ourselves than we ought to while thinking less of others. At this moment Peter had desire but the flesh was weak … in verse 36 we read.

Slide Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:36-39

Can you imagine being on death row. It’s the day before and the death you are about to suffer isn’t a humane death, a swift, sudden departure from this world to the next. No, you are facing torture, suffering, excruciating pain, crucifixion. Jesus shows his humanity.

Slide Jesus shows his humanity.

Jesus was fully human. He got hungry, tired, thirsty, he had to bathe, go to school, listen to his parents. His scraped his knees and got splinters working with wood in Joseph’s carpentry shop. He was a human being that was fully divine. A divinity that he left in heaven to fully embrace a life of dependence and trust in the Father’s will and in the power of the Holy Spirit. And in that He was sinless, perfect in every way, living the life we were created to live.

Even though he did not want to suffer or die, he knew it was part of the divine purpose for his coming and it was the will of the Father. And Jesus was more committed to the will of the Father than to getting His own way. Jesus demonstrates his commitment to the Father’s will.

Slide Jesus demonstrates his commitment to the Father’s will.

Jesus had taught his disciples to pray for that the will of the Father would be known and experienced here, right now just as Jesus was experiencing it …

Slide Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:9–10

He was committed to His Father’s will. Two more times he returns to pray to His Father in His humanity and His commitment is to the will of God.

Slide Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. Matthew 26:42-43

Slide So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.” Matthew 26:44–46

Slide Are you able to commit to God’s will at the cost of our own will when the two are opposed?

Often what we want is at odds with what God wants. We often want comfort at the cost of our character being formed into the image of Christ. We peace without our hearts being fully surrendered to God. We want wealth without the sacrifice of generosity and trust in God’s provision. Are you wanting God’s will, praying for God’s will in your life and in this world even if it mean no comfort, peace or wealth or health.

Slide Do you want God’s will more than your own will?

Paul reminds us Romans 12:2 …

Slide Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

Renewing the mind, will, reason, understanding through God’s word so that you and I can discern His will. Paul writes in Ephesians …

Slide Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:15–17

Time with Jesus strengthens our commitment to the will of the Father. We see more clearly through the eyes of the Holy Spirit what truly matters.

The phrase "will of God"appears over 60 times in the New Testament alone, with the Greek word "θέλημα" (thelema) being used frequently to represent God's desire or plan, indicating a significant presence of this concept throughout the Bible.

There are several places where it is very clear what the will of God is!

Slide It is God’s will that we are saved!

When we pray for the will of God to come to earth as it is in heaven, one of the things we are praying for is the salvation of all people.

Slide This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:3–4

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 Jesus says in John 6 …

Slide For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” John 6:38–40

Salvation and our resurrection is the will of God. Once you are saved it is the will of God that you live life as filled with His Spirit.

Slide It is God’s will that we are Spirit-filled!

There are spirits and then there is the Holy Spirit. Alcohol, is a spirit and it can, when consumed in excess be the only spirit controlling your life. Paul wrote to the Christians at the church in Ephesus …

Slide Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, Ephesians 5:17–18

When we are saved and filled with the Spirit then it is God’s will that we be sanctified …

Slide It is God’s will that we are sanctified!

Sanctified means that we are pursuing a life that looks more and more like the life Jesus would live if He were living the life I live. Paul writes to the church at Thessaloniki …

Slide For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; … For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 1 Thessalonians 4:3,7

God’s will for every believer is to pursue purity … removing the things that are unholy. Greed, lust, envy, pride, anger, jealousy, and anything else and everything else that is not of God … of course that requires submission. Because it is God’s will …

Slide It is God’s will that we are submissive!

Peter talks about submitting to human institutions …

Slide Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 1 Peter 2:13–15

Paul talks about mutual submission between husband and wife. James, the brother of Jesus writes in James 4:7 … Submityourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

We too often resist God and submit to our earthly flesh and desires, rather than resist what is evil and submit to God’s will. When we do there is gratitude for God’s will in our lives…

Slide It is God’s will that we live with gratitude!

Ultimately, when we are saved, spirit-filled, sanctified and submissive we find a deep well of gratitude in everything. As Paul wrote …

Slide Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18

Do you want God’s will for your life. Jesus was all about doing the will of the Father. When we are committed to following in the footsteps of Jesus we must do what Jesus did, because …

Slide We can’t do what Jesus did if we don’t do what Jesus did!

Jesus asks Peter, James and John to take on a posture of prayerful support for Jesus as he suffered and agonized over what was to come and they could not do it. Jesus points out a truth for every believer …

Slide The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak!

Slide And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:40-41

Slide You can have the want to and no can do until you prepare to!

Slide But I discipline my body (buffet, harden, land punches, strike a blow, subdue), and keep it under control, (train it, enslave it, bring it into bondage, submission) lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:27

What do I need to do?

Slide Time with God in prayer and study will tune your heart to the reality of His will for your life.

Slide Daily, moment by moment give yourself over to the will of God!

A Benediction

Slide Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20–21

Prayer

Song – Goodness of God