Let The Will Of The Lord Be Done Series

Introduction

“What is God’s will for my life?”

Have you ever asked that question?

Or have you ever thought about that question?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions by Christians.

If you are a Christian, you want to know God’s will for your life.

You want to do what pleases God.

Bible teachers offer varying perspectives on knowing God’s will for your life.

One Bible teacher suggests that the “Four Councils”—the councils of God’s word, the Holy Spirit, conscience, and others—taken together, often reveal God’s will for your life.

John MacArthur says, “God’s will is that you be saved, Spirit-filled, sanctified, submissive, and suffering” (John MacArthur Jr., Found: God’s Will [Colorado Springs, CO: David C Cook, 2012], 66–67).

St. Augustine taught a straightforward method of discerning God’s will. Rightly understood and rightly applied, he said, “Love God, and do what you want” (R. Kent Hughes, Acts: The Church Afire, Preaching the Word [Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1996], 290).

We have been studying the Book of Acts.

In recent studies, we have been following the ministry of the Apostle Paul.

Paul has undertaken three missionary journeys.

We will examine the final leg of Paul’s third missionary journey today.

The issue of knowing God’s will is front and center in today’s passage.

Paul believes he knows God’s will for his life and that he is obeying it.

Others believe that Paul is mistaken about God’s will for his life.

Who is right?

In today’s lesson, we will learn about some of the aspects involved in obeying God’s will.

Scripture

Let’s read Acts 21:1-16:

1 And when we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. 2 And having found a ship crossing to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. 3 When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload its cargo. 4 And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. 5 When our days there were ended, we departed and went on our journey, and they all, with wives and children, accompanied us until we were outside the city. And kneeling down on the beach, we prayed 6 and said farewell to one another. Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home.

7 When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for one day. 8 On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. 9 He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied. 10 While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ” 12 When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”

15 After these days we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. 16 And some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us, bringing us to the house of Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge.

Lesson

Acts 21:1-16 illustrates some of the aspects involved in obeying God’s will.

Let’s use the following outline:

1. Obeying God’s Will Requires Resolute Commitment (21:1-6)

2. Obeying God’s Will Disregards Opposing Voices (21:7-14)

3. Obeying God’s Will Encourages Other Believers (21:15-16)

I. Obeying God’s Will Requires Resolute Commitment (21:1-6)

First, obeying God’s will requires resolute commitment.

Acts 20 closed with Paul in Miletus on his way to Jerusalem.

Paul called for the Ephesian Elders to meet him in Miletus, which they did.

Paul exhorted them to keep serving the Lord.

Finally, Paul’s departure came, and there was much weeping on the part of all.

Luke then tells us in verses 1-4a:

1 And when we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. 2 And having found a ship crossing to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. 3 When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload its cargo. 4 And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days.