Through Paul |
Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest,
and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not
as fools, but as wise,
Redeeming the time, because the days are
evil.
Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding
what the will of the Lord is.
Ephesians 5:14-17
(we have received him - and we have become the sons of God - Galatians 3:26,27!)
God works in us to do of his good pleasure!
Ephesians 1:11,12 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
Ephesians 1:19,20 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, - WHEW, what power!
Ephesians 3:7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Ephesians 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. The church family!!!
The Book - the King James
Bible is a result of the will of God -
the source of the power in
our lives!
I Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
II Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Jesus Christ does the Father's will
John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
John 6:38-49 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
It is God's will that Paul be sent to us!
Romans 15:29-32 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints; That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.
Romans - Philemon chapters 1:1 "Paul..."
Paul and even late Peter tells us that it is his will that we do God's will!
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Ephesians 6:6b-8 ... but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. (also see Romans 6:17)
I Peter 4:1,2 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
Epaphras prays that the people would do God's will!
1. (I will talk on salvation next week!)
1) Abstain from fornication
I Thessalonians 4:3-7
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should
abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how
to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in
the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because
that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you
and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness,
but unto holiness.
Concupiscence... Lust; unlawful or irregular desire
of sexual pleasure. Also... the coveting of carnal things,
or an irregular appetite for worldly good; inclination for unlawful enjoyments.
2) Give thanks
I Thessalonians 5:18
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in
Christ Jesus concerning you.
3) Put to silence with well doing the
ignorance of foolish men
I Peter 2:15,16
For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence
the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty
for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
4) Suffer, if that be God's will
I Peter 3:15-17
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an
answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you
with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak
evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your
good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be
so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
I Peter 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
5) Give liberally
II Corinthians 8:1-5
Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit
of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that
in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their
deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they
were willing of themselves; Praying us with much intreaty that we
would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering
to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first
gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
(the "rightly divided" will of God, of course)
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord,
Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;
but he that doeth the will of my Father
which is in heaven.
Matthew 7:21
And the world passeth away, and the lust
thereof:
but he that doeth the will of God abideth
for ever.
I John 2:17