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God’s will. For many of us, trying to figure out what God’s will is for our lives is a very difficult task.  That’s because so many of the decisions we make are not addressed in specific ways: what job do I take, where do it live, whom do I marry, and so on.  Yet this morning we are reminded that the most difficult part of doing God’s will is not deciding what His will is; rather it is deciding that we will submit to His will, no matter what it takes or costs.

(Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV)  "May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

 (Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV)  "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

(Hebrews 10:5-10 NIV)  "Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; 6 with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. 7 Then I said, 'Here I am--it is written about me in the scroll-- I have come to do your will, O God.'" 8 First he said, "Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them" (although the law required them to be made). 9 Then he said, "Here I am, I have come to do your will." He sets aside the first to establish the second. 10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."

 (Psalms 40:6-11 NIV)  "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have pierced ; burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. 7 Then I said, "Here I am, I have come-- it is written about me in the scroll. 8 I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart." 9 I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, as you know, O LORD. 10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly. 11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD; may your love and your truth always protect me."

(Matthew 6:9-13 NIV)  ""This, then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'"

(Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV)  "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

 (2 Corinthians 9:6-8 NIV)  "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."

(John 6:38-39 NIV)  "For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day."

(Luke 22:39-45 NIV)  "Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation." 41 He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."


Digging Deeper

1.  Read the following passages and ask the question:  what was Jesus’ priority? Luke 42.22; Matthew 6:9-10; John 4:33.-34; John 12:27-28; John 17.1; John 18.11. What does that teach us about our priorities?

2.  The will of God is revealed in the following verses.  What is God’s will for us? 1 Thessalonians 5.12-22; 1 Peter 2.13-17; 1 Thessalonians 4.3; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5; 1 Peter 3.17 & 4.19 (is God’s will always fun?); Ephesians 6.5-8.

3.  Submission is at the heart of doing God’s will (James 4.7).  Is it hard for you to submit (either to God or to others)?  Why?  Read Psalm 81.10-16.  Two situations for Israel are described in that Psalm.  What are they?  Which one do you want for your life?  How to you obtain it?