Untitled Sermon (2)

God’s will for your Life

Paul used a Greek word in Ephesians 1:5, 9, and 11 that conveys the idea of desire, even heart’s desire. The word is usually translated as “will”—“the will of God.” But the English word “will” sublimates the primary meaning. The Greek word (thelema) is primarily an emotional word and only secondarily is it volitional. “God’s will” is not so much “God’s intention” as it is “God’s heart’s desire.” God does have an intention, a purpose, a plan. It is called prothesis in Greek (see Eph 1:11), and it literally means “a laying out beforehand” (like a blueprint). This plan was created by God’s counsel (called boule in Greek, Eph 1:11). However, behind the plan and the counsel was not just a mastermind but a heart—a heart of love and of good pleasure. Therefore, Paul talked about “the good pleasure of God’s heart” (Eph 1:5). Paul also said, “He made known to us the mystery of his heart’s desire, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him” (v 9). Indeed, God operated all things according to the counsel of his heart’s desire or will (v 11).

The impetus of God’s eternal purpose came fr