The Will of God
Chuck Sligh
March 20, 2022
NOTE: PowerPoint slide presentation is available upon request for this sermon at chucksligh@hotmail.com.
TEXT: Ephesians 5:17 – “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”
SUGGESTED SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 26:36-46
INTRODUCTION
Illus. – A few years ago a lady who I’ll call Donna came to me for counsel. She was married to a guy I’ll call Steven, a great guy, but she was going through those first-year marriage adjustments all married couples go through. Tears coursing her cheeks, she said, “I prayed earnestly for God’s will for the right husband. I met Steve and I thought he was God’s will for me. But after we married, I realized I’d made a big mistake. I missed God’s will for my life.”
I asked some basic questions: Was he a genuine believer?—Yes. Did he seek to follow Christ?—Yes. Was he kind and caring.—For the most part, yes? Was he excited about your baby due is 6 months?—Yes. Is your communication good?—Eh, not so great, but not terrible.
I said, “Well, why do you think he isn’t God’s will for you?”
“Well,” she said, “Many things. For instance, he loves watching football on Saturday and I HATE it”…and she gave me about 5 other examples of what sounded to me like normal first year husband-wife adjustments every marriage faces.
I shared with her some things I’m going to share with you today, and also that if she was married to this man, he was now God’s will for Him to form kindness and longsuffering and selflessness and faithfulness and goodness into her life.
Donna’s story illustrates a fundamental misunderstanding many people have about God’s will. Usually when people talk about the will of God, they’re referring to decision-making in life. They’re referring to God’s will concerning choosing the right career, or choosing God’s will for a spouse; or things like: Is it God’s will for me to remain in the military? Is it God’s will for me to purchase a second car? Is it God’s will for us to buy a certain house?
But as you read through the Bible, God’s will is never tied to decision-making. It comes as a surprise to a lot of us, but nowhere I know of does the Bible speak of anyone seeking God’s will for a career, a calling, a marriage partner, or a major life-decision.
Rather, what we see is that the Bible teaches us to store up a reservoir of knowledge and wisdom from God’s Word so that we know how to make wise decision; to seek wise and godly counsel; to live in close fellowship with God so we can discern the God’s desires; and to obey His commands, and if we do those things, the decisions we make will be within the parameters of “God’s will.”
Illus. – For instance, let’s take choosing a spouse:
The Bible gives no evidence that there a specific “Mr. Right” or “Mrs. Right”—that is, the ONE AND ONLY person in the whole world God intends for you to marry.
But there are some basic principles that should guide a person looking for a spouse:
God’s Word commands us not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers, so obviously, a potential spouse should be a believer.
The Bible teaches the importance of listening to our parents’ counsel, so generally you should seek your parents’ approval before marrying.
The Bible teaches that believers should live godly lives, so a potential spouse claiming to be saved who is not godly is obviously not what God wants for you.
Beyond those commonsense biblical guidelines, the Bible tells us no more about looking for a spouse.
So I believe that if a young person is careful and wise, and follows basic Bible guidelines, there are literally thousands of people in the world who would perfectly fit into “God’s will” as a marriage partner.
Should we seek God’s guidance concerning decision-making? Yes; but we don’t discern God’s will by some spooky experience, or by following our feelings, or by wresting some verse out of context to make it say what we want it to. Rather, we should first do the will of God in our lives in the areas He has clearly commanded, and then make decisions according to a pure heart.
Thus Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”
So if you’re doing God’s will in your life where He has clearly commanded, and you’re delighting in the Lord—so that what GOD wants in your life is what YOU want, and you’re seeking godly counsel, then do whatever you wish, because you’ll choose God’s will instinctively.
That’s why the Bible says in Psalm 37:23 – “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.”
Now that we’ve looked at what the Bible does NOT say about the will of God, let’s look two things the Bible DOES say about God’s will:
I. FIRST, A CALLING IS DIFFERENT THAN ORDINARY DECISION-MAKING.
Whereas God gives the discerning, godly, careful person freedom to make decisions that are equally within God’s will for his life, the Bible speaks of a special calling for ministry or an appointed task as being God’s will.
We see many instances of prophets called by God to accomplish specific tasks….
a. Many of the Old Testament prophets testified about going about their lives, only to be arrested by a call of God to preach a message of repentance to sinning Israel.
b. Solomon was called by God to build the Temple.
c. The apostles were called by God to follow Jesus while he was on this earth.
d. Paul frequently begins his letters saying that he was “called to be an apostle.”
Each of these people saw these callings as fulfilling God’s will for their lives.
Jesus’ whole life was wrapped up in accomplishing the plan of redemption, which He often referred to as doing the will of the Father. In John 14:34, the disciples offered Jesus food, and He replied, “My meat [or “food”] is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.”
Later Jesus said – “I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” (John 6:38)
Jesus did His Father’s will even to the end of His life –Matthew 26 records the heart-rending story of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane shortly before His crucifixion. We’re told that Jesus became very sorrowful, knowing full well of the horrible suffering, ignominious shame and slow and painful death that lay ahead of Him. Three times, in His humanity, He asked God the Father if there were some way the cup of suffering could be passed from Him. But each time He said, “Nevertheless, O my Father, thy will be done.” There was something significant He was called to do which was God’s will, and even in the face of certain suffering and death, He fulfilled that calling. Jesus then rose to walk right into the betraying hands of Judas—to do God’s will.
Aren’t you glad He did? Because He did the will of God, we can have eternal life.
For the everyday decisions of life, use godly wisdom and counsel and stay in close fellowship with God, and your decisions will be acceptable to God.
But might God have a special calling on you? Might He be giving you a strong pull to DO something—to help a person in financial need?; to share the Gospel with a particular person?; to serve in a particular ministry of need in the church?; to go into full-time ministry? If you feel those tugs on your heart and they’re consistent with God’s Word, you should do them; they’re God’s calling for you, and thus, God’s will for you.
II. OUTSIDE OF A CALLING FROM GOD TO A SPECIAL MINISTRY OR TASK, GOD’S WILL IN THE BIBLE IS OTHERWISE ALWAYS COUCHED IN TERMS OF OBEDIENCE TO HIS COMMANDS.
Everything God commands us to do is His will, but it’s interesting that there are some things that God specifically identifies as His will. Let’s examine some examples of these now...
1) First, Jesus told us IT IS GOD’S WILL THAT YOU BE SAVED – John 6:40 – “And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”
If you go to hell, it will be despite everything God has done to make provision for your eternal life. He sent His Son to come to earth, obey all God’s commands perfectly, die on the cross for your sins, rise from the dead and ascend to heaven to intercede for you. Someday He’s coming again to take believers with Him to heaven forever. It’s God’s will for you to repent, turn to Jesus and trust in Him as your Savior.
It’s not God’s will for you to go to hell for 2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is…not willing for any to perish but that all should come to repentance.”
2) Second, it is God’s will for you to be sanctified – 1 Thessalonians 4:3 – “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification…”
The word “sanctified” means “consecrated; set apart from sin and the world unto holiness and God’s service.” In other words, God does not want you to be entangled with the values of this world, but to live a godly life of obedience to Him.
When the Bible talks about being set apart from “the world,” it doesn’t mean to totally separate ourselves from those without Christ. “The world” is not the PEOPLE in the world, but the temporal and sinful VALUES that drive the people in the world:
a. The world values things, money, prestige, pride, pleasure, the here and now, the fulfillment of carnal desires outside of God’s plan, discovering and fulfilling their own desire and destiny, getting others to serve them.
b. God places value on HIM, prioritizing our money and possessions in subordination to God and His cause, purity, humility, finding pleasure and joy in God, living for eternity, fulfillment of God-given desires within His plan and design, discovering and doing the will of God, and serving others.
How are we to respond to the world’s value system?—1 John 2:15-17 warns us, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh [i.e., self-indulgence, immorality], and the lust of the eyes [that is, covetousness, materialism], and the pride of life [in other words, the desire for prominence, to be lifted up and honored], is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”
There is another scripture where sanctification is tied to being set apart from the world, and how it is God’s will for us to be set apart. Paul says in 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.”
The world wants you to conform to its value system. God says rather than being conformed to the world’s value system, we must be transformed so that we can prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Instead of looking for God’s will to find Mr or Mrs. Right, or the right job; stop being conformed to the world’s system and be transformed into a holy vessel of God because we know that is God’s will for every Christian.
How does this transformation take place?—By the renewing of our minds. Our minds are renewed as we study and know and obey God’s Word.
Do you love the world and the things that are in the world, or are you set apart from this world’s values, desiring to obey and honor God? Are you conformed to this world’s values or is your life being transformed by the renewing of your mind through knowing God and obeying Him in His Word? May God help us to be shining lights to those in this world, and to be salt that makes them thirsty for Jesus.
3) Third, it’s God’s will to suffer for well-doing. – 1 Peter 4:12-19 – “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you [the fiery trial he’s talking about is the trial of suffering for standing for Christ], as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. 16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.”
The Bible says that if it requires suffering or ridicule or persecution to follow God and obey Him, then that suffering is God’s will for you! So many Christians today are scared to death they’ll have to pay a price for following Christ. But Peter says to REJOICE, inasmuch as you are sharing in the sufferings of Christ. He says to not be ashamed, but to glorify God because of this!
And here’s the kicker: When you suffer for well-doing, never forget that if you just keep following and obeying God, He promises to turn the opposition and ridicule to respect, for Proverbs 16:7 says, “When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.”
Illus. – I experienced this very thing at Central Texas College.
When I was first hired, one of my co-workers decided to make me his special project for ridicule of my faith and beliefs.
I stuck to my guns and was able to give him an answer of the hope that was in me, all while never getting angry, never retaliating, and always trying to back up my words with a consistently loving, honest and holy life.
In time, he stopped the ridicule, and I sensed an attitude of respect.
One day he said when I was talking to him about Christ, “Chuck, I don’t expect to become a Christian, but if I ever do, I promise, you’ll be the one I come to.”
That reminded me of what Peter said in chapter 3 when he said, “But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation [or “behavior”] in Christ. 17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.” (1 Peter 3:14-17)
All believers are required at some point in their lives to make a choice between following the world and pleasing men versus following Christ and pleasing God. When you follow the Lord, the world may mock you and mistreat you. Just be faithful and patient; respond in love and kindness; don’t retaliate; rejoice that God has counted you worthy to suffer for Him; and be godly—and God will bless you, and you’ll earn respect from those who oppose you.
Your faithfulness might even be God’s instrument to bring someone to Christ.
4) Lastly, it is the will of God to give thanks in all things – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 – “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
This is one the most difficult things for any Christian to do—but it is God’s will! This verse doesn’t say to give thanks FOR all things, but to give thanks IN every situation we find ourselves in—whether seemingly good or bad at the time.
How can we possibly give thanks in the midst of awful circumstances?—By always keeping in mind Romans 8:28 – “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
God promises that even the worst things that happen in our lives will be turned into good for those who are God’s kids. What a promise!—To know that though I may go through difficult times, God promises to turn them into good. I’ve seen God do this so many times in my life and in others’ lives.
CONCLUSION
Illus. – I began this sermon by telling you about Donna, who thought she had missed out on God’s will by not finding “Mr. Right.” I spent a lot of time with her and her husband sharing that marriage is not meant primarily for our HAPPINESS; rather, it is primarily meant to teach us HOLINESS.
By choosing to live daily for one another; to give in to the other; to seek the other’s well-being above their own; to be longsuffering with the little things that bothered them about one other; to be gentle and kind in their responses in tense and frustrating situations; and by controlling their tempers and their desires, they would become HOLY…and in the process, it would result in greater HAPPINESS.
Before they PCSed, Donna said something very insightful. She said, “As you taught us, Steven may have been one of a million men who could have been God’s will for me to marry; but I came to understand how God’s will is in how I live with and treat THIS MAN, not in exactly WHO I married. And through it, we have learned to be more Christ-like. And that has made all the difference in the world in our marriage. Thank you for teaching that to us.”
She was right: God’s will is not something we seek to discover; it’s what we DO. It’s DOING what He has willed that we do in obedience to Him.
Are you obeying God, and thus doing the will of God in your life?
a. Have you repented of sin and turned to Christ to save you? – That is His will for you.
b. Christian—are you rejecting the world’s values and being transformed by the Word of God? – If not, you should start to do it today, “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification.”
c. Are you standing for Christ when persecuted or mocked for your faith? – If so, God will bless you for it, for He blesses those who do His will
d. Are you doing God’s will by giving thanks to God in ALL things?—Good or bad? – If not, you should, “for this is the will of God concerning you.”
My pastor used to say, “There are only two choices on the shelf; Pleasing God or pleasing self.” Which will it be?—God’s will or your will; Self-will or obedience?
