A Walk that Is Worthy Part 18
“The View From a Donkey”
Text: Eph 5:15-17
Intro:
This morning we want to continue on with our study in Ephesians entitled “A walk that is worthy” Specifically I would share a message entitled “The View From a Donkey!” This morning is what we call Palm Sunday. It is the Sunday that celebrates the Triumphal entry of Jesus into the City of Jerusalem on His way to the cross.
John 12:9-15
The Jews were wanting to Crown Jesus King. They wanted him to march into the city and Conquer, instead he went into the city and became a sacrifice. By that sacrifice He conquered not only man’s Kingdom, but also the Spiritual Kingdoms of this world.
Man did not understand would needed to be done. Man wanted a political uprising, God wanted the raising of a spiritual banner. This morning our text in very simple words utters a challenge to us that seems
out of reach to many.
Eph 5:15-17 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
"Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is." Many of us would say…easier said than done.
I would like to speak to you concerning this process of understanding what the Lord’s will is.
Illus:
Several men are in the locker room of a golf club. A cell phone on a bench rings and a man engages the hands free speaker function and begins to talk.
MAN: "Hello."
WOMAN: "Honey, it’s me. Are you at the club?"
MAN: "Yes."
WOMAN: "I am at the mall now and found this beautiful leather coat. It’s
only $1,000. Is it okay if I buy it?"
MAN: "Sure, go ahead if you like it that much."
WOMAN: "I also stopped by the Mercedes dealership and saw the new
2003 models. I saw one I really liked."
MAN: "How much?"
WOMAN: "$60,000"
MAN: "Okay, but for that price I want it with all the options."
WOMAN: "Great! Oh, and one more thing, the house we wanted last year
is back on the market. They’re asking $950,000."
MAN: "Well, then go ahead and give them an offer, but just offer
$900,000."
WOMAN: "OK. I’ll see you later! I love you!"
MAN: "Bye, I love you, too."
The man hangs up. The other men in the locker room are looking at him in astonishment. Then he asks: "Anyone know who this phone belongs to?"
Lets talk about the Will of God for a few moments this morning. Jesus is our best example when it comes to understanding and obediently doing the will of the Father.
John 4:34 “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. As Jesus rode that Donkey into Jerusalem and people were waiving the Palm Branches and laying down their coats for Him to ride across, He could have very easily said…”I AM THE KING OF THE WORLD!”
And marched into Jerusalem in a mob and took over. But His desire was not to set up a temporal government, but an eternal Kingdom. He had a choice
John 10:14-18
Jesus had a choice, and his choice was to do the will of the Father But He chose to do the will of the Father.
Luke 22:41-42
But He chose to do the will of the Father. Back to our text…How do we do the will of the Father. It is quite simple…
1) We make a Choice.
Josh 24:14,15
2) We allow the Spirit to strengthen us
Luke 22:43
So that is how we do the will of God…now to the aspect of how we find the will of God.
I believe there are two situations in which many of us want to know God’s will.
1) Decisions and Direction
Questions we have about what to do when
Prov 16:9
2) Relationship
How he wants us to serve Him
“Jesus said my food is to do the will of the Father”
This goes beyond questions and decisions, but to level of intimacy.
So how do we discover this illusive “Will of God” I believe that the key is found in knowing God.
When we know God, his will comes natural to us.
When we know the heart of the Father, we have an understanding of what He wants accomplished.
To know the Father we must Know His Word.
We do this in two ways
1) Know Jesus Christ.
John 1:1
John 8:19
2) Know the written Word
This is very key as well.
John 4:23
Jesus understood what the will of the Lord was for him when he rode in on that donkey.
He did not stand up and take power…he chose God’s will.
He did this because He understood God’s will for Him.
How can we understand God’s will for us??? Through His word.
I recently ran across some interesting thoughts in a Book by Derek Prince concerning the benefits of knowing the word of God. (The Spirit Filled Believers Handbook by Derek Prince...These next four points are taken from page 35
John 14:23-24
1) "Keeping God’s word is the supreme feature which distinguishes the disciple of Christ from the rest of the world."
2) "Keeping God’s word is the supreme test of the disciples love for God and the supreme cause of God’s favor toward the disciple."
3) "Christ manifests Himself to the disciple through God’s word as it is kept and obeyed."
4) "The Father and the Son come into the life of the disciple and establish their enduring home with him through God’s Word."
When we base our lives upon the word of God we are going to know the Father. When we know the Father we are going to know His will. We have so many voices speaking to us about which way we should go.
"Never confuse the will of the majority with the will of God."
The voice of the majority goes against the word of God, it is not the will of God. The word of God will help us sort this out.
Conclusion
I do not believe the will of God is this illusive thing that must be chased down and caught. When we know the Father, we can understand His will. We know the the Father through His word.
