Colossians #2: Four Easy Steps to Living God's Will for Your Life

I’ve asked Mr Dickie Porter to lead us in our pastoral prayer today… Mr Dickie -

Thank you Mr Dickie we appreciate your words and your heart.

Today is Mother’s day

I remember when I was a kid, my mom seemed like a control freak. She had a list of things she wanted us to do, and they had to be done a very particular way.

How many times did I have to clean my room again… because it wasn’t clean enough for her.

How many times did I have to clean the car again because I didn’t get it clean enough.

How many times did I have to vacuum the floor again because I missed spots… even though those spots were places we never walked… behind the couch… under the furniture. Something I still haven’t figured out … Why in the world do you worry about vacuuming under furniture?

I’m still not sure. But what I found out was that once I became a dad, I had particular ways things had to be done.

The grass had to be cut the right way.. . and the right way just happened to be the way I did it and wanted my kids to do it.

There’s a certain way to do just about everything… and it coincidentally it’s the way I like it to be done.

It’s funny that once you become the parent, you start to think like your parents.

That’s not always a good thing by the way.

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Today is Mother’s day. Its a strange one, sort of. For some, this will be the first time they haven’t been able to spend Mother’s day with their mom due to this virus.

Others like me, don’t live near mom, so it’s just another Mother’s day without your mom around.

Either way, I’d like us to remember our moms today. We thank God for moms. Moms who birthed us, moms who raised us, moms who stepped in when we needed you. Today we say thank you for being you… for loving us… all the ways you sought to help. We wouldn’t be who we are today without you.... and for most of that we thank you.

Today’s message is from our study of Colossians Chapter 1 verses 9-14. I’ve asked Skylar Maloney to read it for us… Skylar

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I loved that Skylar… Thank you for reading for us. Now when we were young parents, we tried to make sure our kids made the right choices… the right decisions; but as I’ve gotten older, and they have gotten older, we have come to see that their decisions are important, but what is more important is the direction of their life.

Now don’t get me wrong, their direction is determined by the decisions, but if I spend my time trying to micromanage their decisions, we will both get tired and frustrated pretty quick.

I’ve found that it’s best for me to offer insights so they can have a strong foundation to live from. Faith, compassion, generosity - Love. If they have that, then I’ll be good.

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We are studying the apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Colossea… we call it Colossians. In this letter, he will address problems being introduced by teachers who are leading this new church to adopt practices from other traditions and make them official teachings of the church as to how we live out our faith.

That’s what faith is remember.

We talked about this last week. Faith is about living it out our beliefs… not just believing in our head; but with our feet and our hands. That our love for him would make a difference in the how we live… where we live… who we live it with…

God perfect, loving us perfectly, wants us to live our life for him, with him.

Our lives won’t look the same, because we are different. We have different spiritual SHAPEs… as we talk about it here.

Spiritual Gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, Experiences… every one of us is different so our lives are going to look different, but God wants us all to be connected to him.

That is God’s will for your life; that we live in a relationship with him.

God’s Will for my Life

Some things are clear. Should we sin? No… sin is never God’s will. If scripture tells us not to do something, we shouldn’t look for ways to justify what “we want” to do. So I’m not talking about clear right and wrong, those are easy.

Easy to know… maybe not easy to do all the time.

That’s not what we are talking about.

Often we think of God’s will in terms of the things that aren’t quite so clear… but which is right?

Should we get a car or an SUV? Should I go back to work or stay home with the kids?

It’s like being at this intersection; Should I go right or left?

That depends on where you are going… true.

1 Thessalonians 4:3 NIV

3 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality;

Paul wrote in his letter to the church in Thessalonica 1 Thess 4… that the will of God is for us to be holy… the church-y word for it is sanctification… Holiness is being set apart… living our lives as set apart people… set apart for God. So that’s where we are headed…

but which way you turn when you get to the intersection depends on where you are coming from. Everyone can’t do the same thing.

Think about this social distancing we are doing. What’s appropriate for a single generally healthy person wouldn’t be wise for a person living with diabetes; or a parent of school aged kids. Each of us are face with the same questions, but for each of us the right decision will most likely be a little different because we come to the question from a different direction.

God’s will is about much more than the steps you take, it’s about the direction of your whole life.

That’s why in Paul’s letter he doesn’t address every decision people might make, but instead he is going to lay out the groundwork a foundation from which we can all live out God’s will.

So when I talk about God’s will for our life, what I’m talking about is the direction for your life. What or for whom you live for.

And Paul is going to provide us some foundations for living out God’s will in this prayer that we are going to study today.

When I was teaching my kids to drive, they both found that an four way intersection could be pretty intimidating… even though they are pretty straight forward. Cars going all directions and all.

I tried to give them a simple check list… turn on your blinker as you approach, come to a complete stop before you turn across any other lanes, look both ways, look again, then ease out and make your turn. What they both found was with a little practice and by sticking to the basics, every intersection, no matter which way you need to turn.. even when you are on the big 8 lane highways… they are actually very manageable.

We saw last week that he begins this letter to the Colossians with a prayer and in vs 9 he continues…but we see it is a

Colossians 1:9-14 A different kind of prayer.

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Colossians 1:9 NIV

9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,

... have not stopped praying for you… continually ask God… I just have to say this is what inspires me about Paul, his love for the church. I love you all, but I have to say, Paul raises the bar for me… to be continually praying for you all.

He barely knew these people, yet here he is praying for them. The thing was his praying for them was very different from what we might think. He didn’t have a list of prayer requests… although he probably did pray for specific needs… but his prayer was different.

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Look at what he asks for… remember, these folks have real issues… just like you and I. People are sick, people are needing work, people are having trouble in marriages, kids are going off the rails, babies are being born, businesses are on the brink of closure, people are stressed out, depressed, addicted; there is sin all over the place… it’s real life… and yet, look at what he prays for them - to know God’s will… not a solution to their problems.

He asks for them to know of God’s will, not for solutions to their problems.

I mean it would be easier if Paul would tell them what to think… what to do… to solve their problems. but Paul’s goal is for them to trust God, to live by faith, not to depend on him - - - to resolve their problems.

Parents you understand this right? We don’t raise kids to depend on us for everything… what makes a parent happy is when their kids become adults and they make wise decisions for life...

That’s God’s desire for us as well. That we would know how to live a life that pleases God, no matter what job we take, where we live, when we retire, who we marry, where we go to school,

“Paul wants us to know how to please God, not where to live or what job to take.”

That makes sense right?

Of course it does… but sometimes the questions we have, the problems we face are tough… and we really seek God to fix our problem… or at least show us the answer.

That’s the amazing thing about this prayer of Paul’s. As it is realized in their lives, the answers to the practical, day to day questions and real life problems all become clearer.

Colossians 1:9–10 NIV

9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,

That’s what he says in vs 9 and 10… that knowing God’s will - will give us spiritual wisdom and understanding that the way we live… the choices we make… will honor and please God.

You see… the answers and decisions that we need should flow out of knowing God’s will.

So in this prayer he lays out what I call

Four Simple Steps to Living God’s Will

Now I realize they may not be easy… but they are simple. I say they are simple, because they are clear. There isn’t much to figure out in them… it’s more a matter of letting these be a way of living… letting ourselves be a part God’s plan

Verse 10 is where we see Paul continues asking that we would continue: “bearing fruit in every good work”

1. Do good deeds that bear fruit.

this is the simple point of our lives. This is exactly what we were created for. Ephesians 2:10 tells us

Ephesians 2:10 NIV

10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

That’s right, you were designed to do good things. That’s why it is when you help someone, it feels right. When you are generous, you feel warm inside. You were made for those sorts of things… those are the works of God.

1 Peter 2:12 NIV

12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

But the good deeds have an impact beyond you… that’s where the fruit comes in. Peter says it in 1 Peter 2… abstain from sin… and “live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God”

When we do good deeds, it is a witness to the world… when we love, when we serve, when we forgive, it shows the world that there is another way… that we are different. then we can explain why that is… Jesus

That’s how our good works glorify God… We point to God; as Jesus said that God is honored.

Why?

Because we are doing exactly what God created us to for.

My son put new tires on his car the other day and he called to say.. wow dad, it rides great now. Because that’s the way it was designed.

You were designed for good works; when you do them you will be living out of God’s will.

Look around you… find someone to love… start there.

Paul continues in vs 10 that we would “increase in the knowledge of God”

Get to know God better.

Simply put, God wants us to know him more and more… not about him.

Colossians 1:10 NIV

10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,

This was something that Paul was very passionate about.

He had met the risen Christ… and yet he wanted to know more and more. As he describes in Philippians chapter 3, he says that I want to be found in him… that when you saw Paul, you would think you were seeing Jesus.

He wasn’t talking about a scientific knowledge here. Knowing about things… he was talking about knowing how Jesus thinks… an intimacy, a closeness that only comes with time spent in someone’s presence, studying their behavior, their story.

Our getting to know God - that way - will result in a reshaping of our behavior.

My daughter would go spend a few days with my sister down in MS and she would come back with this slow southern drawl… it was funny, what would happen being immersed in something can really change how you see the world and live out your part of it.

Study his word, spend time with him in prayer...

that’s what Paul wants for us… that we live out God’s will… with him… by getting to closes to him, getting to know him.

That’s leads me to the 3rd simple step to living God’s will.

We find it in Paul’s prayer, verse 11

Colossians 1:11 NLT

11 We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy,

That’s right… Paul knows that as Christians, we need to be strong… tough

Get Tough

As I said, these were simple steps… not easy steps. the New Testament is full of stories of disciples of Jesus, the early church, going through very hard times.

I don’t mean that the internet was out. No toilet paper.

But being imprisoned, beaten, hunger, poverty… all because of their faith. Just read the book of Acts and you will get an idea.

1 Peter 5:7–8 NIV

7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

And yet, Peter reminds us to Cast all our anxieties on him” to trust him because he cares for us. We can endure… even when our enemy walks around like a lion… picking off the weak. We can be strong in the faith.

Living the will of God is never promised to be easy. But we have known this from the start. It all started on a cross remember. We are told to love our enemies… pray for our persecutors… turn the other cheek when someone strikes you… forgive those who wrong us… give, don’t loan, give to those in need… none of this sounds easy… So Get tough because this isn’t easy…

So where does this strength come from? This toughness? it is in Christ.... Paul is praying that we would be made strong AS Christ is strong. Because of the God’s spirit given to us, we can have great endurance and patience.

The next time you start to think, I don't think I can _____ forgive him… put up with her… listen to them… take it any more… overcome the temptation… accomplish the task...

… remember God’s power is alive in you…

Ask God for his strength… then believe that he has given it to you. and get to it

What you can’t, God can.

Get to doing good deeds, Get to know God better, Get tough, and finally, Be thankful

Be thankful.

That’s what Paul says in vs 12

Colossians 1:12 NLT

12 always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.

Be thankful… for everything, but mostly for what is to come.

That’s the funny thing when we are thankful, it forces us to get the focus off of ourselves.

Think about it. You were in the store looking for mothers day cards and you were thinking about how you wish someone said those things about you?… No! You were thinking about mom. About the cookies she made. her sauce recipe… how you couldn't wait to eat crabs with her again this summer. You were thinking about her… not you

Same way, when we thank God, it moves our focus to him… so like Paul says, in Thessalonians, “thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live”

Be thankful for what God has done, how he has changed your heart, what he has done in you, in your family, through you in ministry, how he has SHAPED you for a specific purpose… even if you don’t know what that is yet. Thank him because he is going to show you.

We don't have to know the outcome… where we are going when we are going with God. That was the lesson the Israelites taught us while they were wondering in the dessert… going with God was enough… regardless of the where we are going or how long it takes to get there.

But we can be thankful because we know where we are headed… Paul closes his prayer in vs 13-14...

Colossians 1:13–14 NIV

13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

That’s why we are thankful…when everything else is a wreck. we can still thank him.

When we make mistakes, failing to do good deeds and intead sin… we can be thankful for the forgivenss that God gives us in Jesus

When we don’t feel close to God at all… we can be thankful because of his promises.

When life gets hard and we are having to rely on his strength, we can be thankful because he is there.

What you can’t, God can!

If you have always wondered what God’s will for your life was, I want to be crystal clear… it is for you to be in a relationship with him. He created you to love you. He proved it by sending his son to die for you.

For you to begin experiencing the life you were created to live, you start by surrendering your life to him… even today, right now. Pray a simple prayer like this… just talking to God.

Lord, I’m sorry. I have sinned, I’ve lived for myself. I’ve ignored you for a long time. I want to be forgiven. I want a relationship with you. Today I accept you as the Lord of my life. I thank you for forgiveness and for promising to give me a new life cause I needed one. Because you have saved me God, I want to live for you. Teach me to live this life for you. I love you. thank you for loving me! AMEN

Welcome to the family. If you prayed that prayer today, I ask you to click on the Yes I’ve decided to follow Jesus button. Please fill out the form that pops up, I’d love to be able to follow up with you and get you some resources that would help you grow in your faith today.

The fact of the matter is, sometimes Christians act just like the Colossians… we get caught up waiting to be told what to do next.

there is a difference between knowing God’s will and living it. We think it’s so difficult, but really it is just a matter of doing it.

If you are a Christian, you know God’s will for you is to be forgiven and be in a relationship with him but you are stuggling to live it out… I want you to print out this prayer that Paul prayed… especially these 5 verses and pray them for yourself this week every morning. Print them out and put them in yrou bathroom… on your mirror… on the fridge. You may watn to put them up all over the place… and pray for your own living in God’s will.

Fill me with the knowledge of Your will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, so that I may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God. That I be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with joy giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled me to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light.  He has rescued me from the domain of darkness and transferred me into the kingdom of the Son He loves. I have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, in Him. AMEN

I think this will be a great week for you… and for me.

Now before I close, Remember, there are study notes in the window here for you to use. You can print them out and use those to take the message further…

You Homework today… families… friends… spend a few minutes talking about some of the things Mom taught you when you were young… it doesn’t matter if you have never used it… or even it was that helpful… just take sometime remembering what she taught you and reflect on why that was important to her.

Now, i’d like to close with our benediction...

Life is much more than an accident. 

Where ever you go, believe God needs you there. 

Where ever you are, trust God has put you there. 

He has a purpose for you being there;

Christ, alive in you, wants to do something

through you, no matter where you are 

Believe this and go in His grace

and His love and His power.  Amen.