Topical Sermons Power Point Show

Scripture Reading: Matthew 11:25-30

SWEET WILL OF GOD

Intro.

1. Will (boule) [AV-counsel 10, will 1, advise 1] – “counsel, purpose” (Thayer).

2. Will (thelema) [AV-will 62, desire 1, pleasure 1; 64] – “what one wishes or has determined shall be done…of the purpose of God to bless mankind through Christ…of what God wishes to be done by us commands, precepts” (Thayer).

3. The “will of God” is His counsel (or purposes) for us & His desires (intentions) which He commands of us through His word (1 Jno. 2:17).

I. SWEET WILL OF GOD: HIS ETERNAL PURPOSES FOR MANKIND – Isa. 46:10; Psa. 33:11.

A. Examples of God’s Purposes:

1. Redemption in Christ – Eph. 1:5, 9, 11 (Jno. 1:12-13).

2. The choices He made to accomplish it – Rom. 9:10-21.

a. 9:22 – To show His wrath & power.

b. 9:23 – Make known the riches of His glory.

c. Rom. 11:29-36 – To have mercy on all!

3. Rise & fall of nations – Dan. 4:17, 25, 31-32 (Assyria, Isa. 14:24-27).

4. Kings – 1 Sam. 16:12.

5. Prophets – Jer. 1:5.

6. Apostles – 1 Cor. 1:1; 2 Cor. 1:1 (Gal. 1:15).

B. That Which is Good in His Sight – Matt. 11:25-26.

C. Superior to the Will of Man – Prov. 19:21 (cf. Job 42:1-6).

1. Acts 5:39 - Who are we to fight against God? (cf. Acts 11:17)

2. Yet, man does! How to be saved; morality; doctrine; His very existence!

D. We Can Know the Will of God – Acts 22:14; Eph. 5:17.

II. SWEET WILL OF GOD: HIS COMMANDMENTS.

A. The Nature of God’s Will:

1. Good, acceptable & perfect – Rom. 12:2.

2. Love – 1 Jno. 5:3.

3. Righteous & rewarding – Psa. 19:7-11.

B. The Will of God is Doable – Mk. 3:35 (Jno. 7:17).

1. From the heart – Eph. 6:6 (cf. David – Acts 13:22).

2. God works in our lives through our obedience – Phil. 2:12-13.

3. We can stand perfect and complete in it – Col. 4:12.

4. Gain entrance into the kingdom of heaven – Matt. 7:21; Heb. 10:36.

C. Can be Rejected, but with Terrible Results – Lk. 7:30; 2 Ths. 1:8-9.

III. SWEET WILL OF GOD: “THY WILL BE DONE” (IN MY LIFE) – Matt. 6:10; cf. 18:14.

A. Surrendering Self – Matt. 26:39, 42.

1. Jno. 5:30 – Do not seek my own will: “My stubborn will, at last hath yielded, I would be thine, and thine alone.” ("Sweet Will of God" - #427)

2. Committing of our lives into the hands of God. Knowing that His will is best, we gladly follow His word in our lives – knowing that His care and keeping prevails – Heb. 13:5-6.

B. Faith (confident trust) in our Father – Acts 18:21; 21:12-14.

1. Because of God’s past faithfulness – cf. Isa. 25:1.

2. Because His word & purposes are enduring & unchangeable – Heb. 6:13-18.

C. Peace & Joy in Christ.

1. We know that all things work together for good to His people! – Rom. 8:28

2. Even when things don’t go our way: “Thy will be done”! cf. Rom. 15:32

IV. APPLICATIONS WE CAN MAKE:

A. It is God’s will that you be saved – 1 Tim. 2:3-4.

1. So, He sent a Savior – 1 Tim. 4:10

2. On him we must set our hope!

3. Obey His gospel & be saved now!

B. It is God’s will that none should perish – 2 Pet. 3:9 (Matt. 18:14).

-He preserved His word of truth to teach & produce faith – Rom. 10:17; Acts 2:36-37

C. It is God’s will that we be morally pure – 1 Ths. 4:3, 7 (sanctification).

1. So, we must put away all sin – Col. 3:5-9.

2. Flee temptation – 1 Cor. 6:18; 2 Tim. 2:22.

D. It is God’s will that ignorance be silenced – 1 Pet. 2:15.

-So, we are to do good when wronged – 1 Pet. 3:15-17 (Matt. 7:12).

Conclusion

1. Jesus came to do the will of God – Heb. 10:7 (Jno. 4:34).

2. Those saved in Christ will / must do God’s will to be eternally rewarded (Psa. 19:11) – Matt. 7:21; 1 Jno. 2:17.