Sermons on God's Will
The Purpose of the Lord
James 5:11
One can easily and quickly point to things in the Bible that seem to contradict James’ assertion that God’s purposes are “compassionate and merciful” (James 5:11). This lesson will consider the larger Biblical story and explore how it reveals God’s compassion and mercy and how the things it reveals should fine expression within our lives.
Our Desires & God’s Will
Scripture: Philippians 1:19-26
Paul was in prison and some people, even Christians, were happy to hear it. Like us, Paul had plans & dreams. He wanted to be free & healthy to travel and preach throughout the region, but he didn’t always get what he wanted. From his perspective, what mattered most was not the circumstances (pleasant or unpleasant), but living through the circumstances in a way that “exalted” Christ. Even though he knew death would take him to heaven, he was happy to continue on earth if that would serve the cause of Christ.
What Does God Want from Me?
What Does God Want from Me?
Matthew 11:25-30
What does the word “yoke” make you think of? The yoke links two animals so they pull in the same direction; together, their work becomes easier. In Matthew 11:29, Jesus invites us to “take my yoke upon you.” How are we yoked to Jesus? We are linked to Jesus as we become disciples who learn and follow Him. He pulls with us as we learn His teaching and follow His example. Discipleship answers a most significant question of ‘What does God want from me?’ Jesus places demands upon us, but His way of discipleship is always lighter in the end.
God Moves in Mysterious Ways
John 11:1-7
God moves in mysterious ways. His ways and his timetable often baffle us, especially when we think our problem is urgent and God takes his time. Lazarus, the friend of Jesus was ill, but he and his family waited almost an entire week for Jesus to respond to their 911 call. By then, Lazarus had been dead for four days. If Jesus was going to restore Lazarus to good health, why not act sooner?
Knowing God’s Will
Scripture: Judges 6:36-40
Learning God’s will for our lives is not a matter trying to guess what God might want, or of deciphering hidden clues about “open doors.” In the Bible, God tells us all we need to know to please him. Beyond that, he allows us to make choices according to our likes and preferences. When a decision is ours to make, we should not expect God to make it for us.