What God Wants Series

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#September 26, 2010

Morning Worship

Text: Colossians 1:9-14

Subject: God’s Plan for the Church

Title: What God Wants

There was a movie out not too many years ago with Mel Gibson called, “What Women Want”. In the movie Gibson plays a chauvinistic executive who, after an accident, receives the ability to hear everything that women are thinking. In the process of this experience he uses his new - found gift as a tool to develop ad campaigns geared toward women. He saves his job because of his ability, and then confesses to a co-worker to whom he has become attracted and has lost her job because of him. He gets her job back. He loses his gift then he loses his job and they live happily ever after. That is the movie the way I remember it. One of the key catch phrases for the movie ad was, “Finally, a man is listening.”

In a culture where it seems that everything must be done at the speed of light communication has reached an all time low and we wonder if anyone is really listening or are they just talking?

The story is told of Franklin Roosevelt, who often endured long receiving lines at the White House. He complained that no one really paid any attention to what was said. One day, during a reception, he decided to try an experiment. To each person who passed down the line and shook his hand, he murmured, "I murdered my grandmother this morning." The guests responded with phrases like, "Marvelous! Keep up the good work. We are proud of you. God bless you, sir." It was not till the end of the line, while greeting the ambassador from Bolivia, that his words were actually heard. Nonplussed, the ambassador leaned over and whispered, "I'm sure she had it coming."

I suppose the main point I want to make here, the question I would like to pose to you, is “Do you know what God wants”? The bible tells us that we have the mind of Christ. It tells us that God is revealing His mysteries to us by His Spirit. God is speaking to the church today, but is anyone listening?

Today I want to begin a short series with an overview of Colossians 1:9-14 to show you what it really is that God wants from you and for you.

Would you take the time to listen to the word of God very carefully today and determine in your hearts that you will walk away changed?

Read Colossians 1:9-14

Lord, open our eyes to see and our ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.

I. GOD WANTS TO FILL YOU WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIS WILL… 9For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. God wants to fill you… The Greek word translated “filled” literally means, to fully, completely fill 2. (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow) 3. (figuratively) to fully supply, satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction)… The Amplified Bible reads this way - …that you may be filled with the full (deep and clear) knowledge of His will… God does not want the church to have less knowledge than the world. Turn back to Ephesians 1. For those who were not here last Sunday evening I challenged those who were here to meditate on just part of a verse found in Ephesians 1 verse 22-23, 22And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. God wants to fill you this way as the body of Christ … the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. You understand don’t you that this is not knowledge that comes from the natural man. It is not understanding in your head. It is spiritual knowledge. The word knowledge means, recognition, or full discernment. … The knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding… How does that happen? Well, since this is spiritual wisdom and understanding that means that it must come from the Spirit. So in order for us to gain that spiritual wisdom and understanding we must need to acquire it through spiritual means. Turn over to Romans 8. Let’s start in verse 13. 13For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God… Everybody say… those who are led by the Spirit of God… are sons of God… Now there is a great misunderstanding of what verse 13 means and I think that many in old time Pentecostal/holiness churches have been taught this. Living according to the sinful nature does not mean sin – as in giving in to the lusts of the flesh. It is referring to those who try to obtain righteousness with God through the flesh. In other words, they want to be saved by works. If you live according to what you do and expect that to save you then you will die (spiritual death). … but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live… Now jump down to verse 16. 16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. This is connected to being led by the Spirit. We listen to the Spirit. We seek to gain understanding by the Spirit. We want to walk in the Spirit. I shared with you a few weeks back that the primary way to hear from God is through what? His word! The secondary way that we hear is through the inner witness in our spirits. Where does that inner witness come from? 16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit… We will take this a little deeper next week as we move to part 2 of our series. But for today I want you to know that God wants to fill you with the knowledge of His will and that comes from His word and His Spirit.