Introduction
· In order to grow in the things of God and to be used in a powerful way for Jesus, we must lay down our will.
· In order for God’s life (His will) to be expressed through us, we must lay our life (our will) down.
· God’s will for our life overrides the plans, purposes and pursuits we have designed for ourselves.
· Laying our will down is an act of obedience to God; that sets us up for a great reward. Obedience brings blessings in our lives.
· Let us look to the scriptures this morning as we lay down our will.
A. Trusting God with our life.
1. Choosing the will of God is always better than choosing our own will. God has set us up to win if we chose Him.
2. Abraham chose the will of God over his own will.
(NKJV) Genesis 22 1 Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”
2 Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off. 5 And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.”
3. Laying down your will provides a platform for God’s will.
4. God will honor those who serve Him.
(NKJV) John 12 26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.
5. You don’t need more of God, He needs more of you.
a. What have you withheld from God?
b. Give God all you have.
B. We must die to self-interests if we want to do the will of God.
(NKJV) John 12 24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. 25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
1. A seed falls to the ground and dies. If it didn’t, we would never see the fruit of the seed.
2. If we plant our life like a seed, then God’s life will be expressed through us.
3. When we die to the flesh, we take on the will and nature of Jesus Christ.
a. A man’s life equals his will.
b. God’s life is God’s will.
c. God cannot live through us until our life dies.
4. When we persist on pursuing our will over God’s will for our life, we demonstrate selfishness.
a. Our will for our life must die so God’s will can live.
b. Our will must be treated like a seed that is planted so we can see the harvest.
i. Example: If you plant an apple seed, you will get a harvest of apples. The seed grows into a tree that produces a harvest of apples.
5. Living a life our own way limits God from doing great things through you. It hinders God from living through you.
6. You fight a losing battle when you run from the will of God for your life.
i. God knows what’s best for your life better than you do.
7. When we plant our life as a seed, by faith, God will reveal what He wants you to do.
a. Are you willing to release your will to Christ this morning?
C. Pursue the will of God.
1. Become like Jesus who pursued the will of God.
(NKJV) Mark 14 32 Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. 34 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.” 35 He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. 36 And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”
2. Your life does not consist of the things you possess. The rich man acquired a lot of things, but did not have a relationship with God
(NKJV) Luke 12 16 Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. 17 And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ 18 So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’
21 “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
a. Are you rich in material resources, but spiritually poor?
b. We must lay down our will and serve Him.
Conclusion
· Laying down our will brings blessings in our lives.
· We must die to the flesh and embrace the cross of Jesus Christ. We must be about the will of the Father.
· Our will satisfies the flesh, but once it is satisfied, it seeks more to keep it happy.
· The will of God positions us in Heavenly Places. It is an act of obedience to God to lay down our own will.
· This morning we must be like the seed that is dead, but once placed in the good soil of the hand of God brings forth a great harvest.
· We must run to God, not away from God. We must pursue the will of God at all cost.
· This morning, have you laid down your will? Are you dead to the flesh? Is God using you to your full potential or are you holding on to your own will?
· Let us pray!
Salvation Call/ Altar Call
