(part one in a series on God’s will)

Matthew 6:9-13, “. . . Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

Pray the Lord’s prayer together.

Do we know what we have just done?

We prayed that God’s will would be done.

Do we believe that this is a possibility? 

Do we know and seek God’s will?

God’s will has so many parts to consider; it is almost like Tim bits.  Have you had those yet?  If you go to Tim Horton’s in Steinbach you will find a great Canadian invention – many flavored Tim bits.  They are doughnut holes in any flavor you want!  A friend who would drive from Winnipeg to Providence for Doctor of Ministry class would stop and buy a box of these.  He would hold them in the air and tease me.

Someone taught me to seek God’s will – and so I have tried with all my heart to do it.  Sounds sweet – doesn’t it.

The will of God is sweet to the soul – just like Amazing Grace.

“Amazing grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me – I once was lost but now I’m found; was blind but now I see.”

“Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come.  Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far and grace will lead me home.”

(First Tim bit)

I.                    God’s will is sweet – but the working out of it in my life brings quite a variety of experiences (Matthew 6:10 – “Thy will be done”).

(Second Tim bit)

II.                 My will is strong and must be conformed to God’s will (Romans 12:1-2 – living sacrifice).

God’s will and my will.

I cannot assume that my will is God’s will.  My will is very strong and must be conformed to God’s will.

Chorus:  “Sweet will of God, still fold me closer, Till I am wholly lost in Thee; Sweet will of God, still fold me closer, Till I am wholly lost in Thee.”

“My stubborn will at last hath yielded; I would be Thine and Thine alone; But this the prayer . . . my lips are bringing, ‘lord, let in me Thy will be done.’”

“I’m tired of sin, foot-sore and weary, The darksome path hath dreary grown, But now a light . . . has risen to cheer me; I find in Thee my Star, my Sun.”

“Thy precious will, O conquering Savior, Doth now embrace and compass me; All discords hushed . . . my peace a river, My soul a prisoned bird set free.”

“Shut in with Thee, O Lord, forever, My wayward feet no more to roam; What power from Thee .  . . my soul can sever?  The center of God’s will my home.”

My fallen will is doomed and separated from God (Romans 3:23) – my desire to God’s will makes me want to live, even forever! (I John 2:15-17).

(Third Tim bit)

III.               My strong will becomes God’s will through taking up crosses and drinking deep cups – there is no other way (Luke 22:39-46).

Luke 22:42 – “Father, if thou be willing (boulomai), remove this cup; nevertheless not my will (qelhma)”

MT 10:37 "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

(parallel in Luke 14:27)

MT 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would 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 me will find it. 26 What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. 28 I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."

(parallel in Mark 8:34 and Luke 9:23)

This is when we cry Father!

This is when we say Lord.

Everyone who knows God always wants to know what He is doing and what He wants done.

No wonder we call him Lord.

No wonder Jesus said, “Why do ye call me Lord, Lord, and not do the things I say?” (Luke 6:46).

Good question.

Have you ever noticed what the false prophets of Matthew 7 say when they stand before the Lord? 

MT 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Then we hear the well known account of the wise man who built his house on the rock and the foolish man who built his house on the sand.  Luke’s gospel says that the wise man dug down deep and put his foundation on the rock – I like that!

What is God’s will for Warroad Baptist Church?

What is God’s will for your life?

“Does God Still Guide” was the title of a book that addressed the controversy over God’s will back in the 1970’s. 

When I was in Bible college there were those who were swinging way over to one side to say that God is directing in the fine details of our lives.

This was in response to the swing to the other extreme where the Lord was being sought when choosing what color of socks to wear that day and what kind of breakfast cereal to eat.

There is a good road right down the middle of this subject.

Don’t drive off the into the ditch that says that God doesn’t care (that is the path of the rebel / the seat of the scornful) or that God doesn’t guide (God’s children sincerely want to know His will).

Three Tim bits to get us warmed up to this important subject: