A0334_The Will of God
Date: 2nd September 2007 (Sunday PM) Ref: A0334
Place: Kambah P.S.
Title: The Will of God
Text: & James 4:13-15
Illust: In English History there is a time of conflict known as the War of the Roses. This conflict raged from 1455 to 1489. – In essence it was a civil war between 2 houses, the house of Lancaster and the house of York. Both houses were branches of the Plantagenet royal house, tracing their descent from King Edward III. It was war to determine who would rule on the throne of England.
I. One Throne, Two Challengers
A. Throne of Your Heart
i. Want to reiterate a simple truth this PM, but one that is worth going over again & again to keep fresh in our memories. This is the essence of our text. It is so easy for us to forget this and start to run by our own agendas’ and plans.
ii. Want to look firstly at the concept of the throne. This is the seat of authority
A throne is the official chair or seat upon which a monarch is seated on state or ceremonial occasions. "Throne" in an abstract sense can also refer to the monarchy or the Crown itself, and is also used in many terms such as "the power behind the throne".
iii. You have a throne in your heart. ~ Who sits on the throne of your heart determines who is in authority over your life.
B. Two Challengers
i. In our illustration there were 2 main challenges to the throne of England Henry VI of the House of Lancaster and Richard Duke of York.
ii. We see this as well in the Bible on a number of occasions. The kingdoms of Israel & Judah, often 2 challengers. Fascinating story in 1 Kings of Adonijah the son of David takes it upon himself that he will be King; & 1 Kings 1:24-30
iii. It is the same in your life there are 2 challengers to rule on the throne of your life. – Self & God
II. Godless Self
A. Self Enthroned
i. Let’s look at the most common ruler of most people in the world. – Controlled by self. Everything is aimed at you meeting the desires of self.
ii. This is the key of all advertising to appeal to self. In the Louvre in France is an example of Greek pottery from c.500BC with the inscription: “buy me and you'll get a good bargain” -
iii. Self determines all actions what makes me feel good, what’s in it for me.
iv. Danger that as Christians we also enthrone self – Start to make our decisions based on not what God wants but what you want to do. – This is what James is addressing in our text. & vs. 13-14
B. Anarchy in the Kingdom
i. Problem when self rules, we see the outflow in life, that is anarchy – No absolute, whatever feels good right now, what makes me happy right now. Saul’s problem – He sacrificed without Samuel, because he was worried about himself, He allowed the people to keep some of what God told him to destroy because he was afraid. – His actions were always about himself. This is why when the people were singing the song “Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands.” that we see:
1 Samuel 18:8-9 8 Then Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed only thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?” 9 So Saul eyed David from that day forward. (NKJV)
ii. Turmoil in the Kingdom well there is the same result in your life when your carnal self rules. Things might seem ok for a while, but sooner or later anarchy, turmoil and strife will be the result
iii. You have to remember that you don’t have all the information, you don’t know everything that is happening, everything that God is trying to do. It has been said that our decisions are the hinges on which the door of destiny swings. When Self is on the throne, you will make decisions that seem good, you will justify yourself just like Saul
1 Samuel 15:20-21 20 And Saul said to Samuel, “But I have obeyed the voice of the Lord, and gone on the mission on which the Lord sent me, and brought back Agag king of Amalek; I have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. 21 But the people took of the plunder, sheep and oxen, the best of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.” (NKJV)
iv. The problem is that at best you will sidetrack your destiny and run a very real risk to indeed forfeit your destiny.
1 Samuel 15:26 But Samuel said to Saul, “I will not return with you, for you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel.” (NKJV)
III. Rightful Ruler
A. God Enthroned
i. Sing a song “We enthrone you lift you high upon our praises” – We sing that but do we mean it. – Truth is there is only one rightful occupant on the throne of your life. The King of Kings & Lord of Lords Jesus.
Revelation 19:16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. (NKJV)
ii. This PM we need to ensure that we enthrone Jesus, let Him have His way, His will in your life & vs. 15
What is the will of God for my life? Have you asked?
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. (NKJV)
Wisdom: Gk Sophia Practical Wisdom, a right application of knowledge, insight into the true nature of things Wisdom in the Bible is often coupled with knowledge
If you know, are you pursuing it with all the passion & energy that you can muster?
Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going. (NKJV)
iii. You need to get down off the throne and enthrone Him & His will for your life. – Serve Him, do His will.
B. Prosperity and Peace in the Kingdom
i. When the rightful ruler, with wisdom, power & justice reigns, then the outflow is seen throughout the Kingdom, times of peace and prosperity.
ii. Same in your life – Hard to hand over the keys, but truth is that you will find that true peace, lasting peace, real blessing & prosperity comes as you enthrone Lord Jesus.
Psalm 107:1 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. (NKJV)
Psalm 107:6-8 6 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, And He delivered them out of their distresses. 7 And He led them forth by the right way, That they might go to a city for a dwelling place. 8 Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! (NKJV)
iii. Who is going to rule on the throne of your life? You choose.