Working To Accomplish The Will Of God Series

Judges 1:1-8

Working to Accomplish the Will of God

INTRODUCTION: The book of Judges picks up right where Joshua left off. We have an account of Joshua’s death here that was mentioned also at the end of Joshua. When Joshua died it was up to the tribes of the children of Israel to take the land that he had assigned to each tribe before their death. Right here immediately following Joshua’s death the nation of Israel is still trying to follow God. We see some really good example here of working to accomplish God’s will. It was God’s will for the tribes of Israel to occupy their land. There are three things they did that helped them in accomplishing God’s will that you should apply to your work for God.

CONSULT GOD ABOUT HOW THE WORK IS TO BE DONE (VS. 1-2)

The nation of Israel at this point was still trying to follow God

They asked God which tribe should engage in fighting first

God told them probably through the high priest in some way that the tribe of Judah was to go up and take its land first.

They wanted to know what how God would have them to accomplish this work

They knew what work he wanted done, but they asked Him for the details

God showed them that He wanted Judah to go first

When you are about to do the work of God to accomplish God’s will you should consult Him about how he wants it done

God does not speak to us in an audible voice today

He speaks to us through His Holy Bible and His Holy Spirit

You should ask, How does the Bible fit into how this work should be done?

Is there a specific way that His word says to do this work?

If the Bible tells you to do a work a certain way then that is the way that you should do it.

You should also let the Holy Spirit lead you in to the right way

John 16:13 “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth”

God’s Holy Spirit lives inside of you and is your comforter.

His job is to guide you in truth-He will tell you how God wants things done

This will require you to spend time with the Lord in prayer

Asking Him what his will is in a particular work and then listening for His answer

No, He will not speak out loud, but He will speak to your heart, if you are seeking His will you will find it

Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

You can prove or know what God’s perfect will is-He will show you, go to Him before you start anything.

COOPERATE IN THE WORK (V. 3)

The tribe of Judah asked the tribe of Simeon to go into battle with them

Judah decided this work would go better if they worked together with their fellow tribe

They made a deal-Simeon would go with Judah and Judah would go with Simeon when the time came

It actually turned out that Simeon’s inheritance was in the middle of the inheritance of Judah

In the later years of Israel’s history these two tribes pretty much merged together

They sought to help each other in accomplishing the work that God had for them to do.

God has put us in one of His churches so that we can work together to accomplish His will

This church is suppose to be a working organization

It was never God’s plan for his churches to become a social organization

Churches are to work in the place where they are at and all around the world to bring others to salvation through Jesus Christ

Churches are to baptize those that believe

Churches are to teach them to observe whatsoever Christ commanded

It is a great thing that we do not have to engage in this work alone

We are to encourage one another and help each other in this work

We should all cooperate together to get God’s work done the way that God wants it done

Eph. 2:19-22 “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”

The whole house which is the church is to work together to bring God glory.