The will of God for the world is centered on the spread of the gospel and the salvation of souls. This mission is not limited by political or social boundaries but transcends them, focusing on the eternal destiny of humanity. As believers, we are called to actively participate in this mission, ensuring that our actions align with God's desire for all to be saved. This involves engaging in the Great Commission, preaching the gospel, and making disciples. Our role is to be ambassadors of Christ, sharing His love and truth with those around us. [09:54]
"For this is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:3-4, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the gospel? How can you intentionally share God's love and truth with them this week?
Day 2: Unity Grounded in Truth
Unity within the church is essential, but it must be based on truth. Compromising doctrine for the sake of harmony undermines the church's foundation. True unity glorifies God and serves as a testament to the world of His love and truth. As members of the body of Christ, we are called to uphold the truth of the gospel while fostering a spirit of unity among believers. This requires discernment, humility, and a commitment to glorifying God in all we do. [20:12]
"Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel." (Philippians 1:27, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you contribute to unity in your church while upholding the truth of the gospel?
Day 3: Transformation into Christ's Image
God's will for each believer is to be conformed to the image of Christ. This transformation is not about external conformity but an internal alignment of our will with His. It requires a daily surrender of our desires to God's perfect will, allowing His Spirit to shape us into the likeness of Jesus. Our decisions and actions should reflect this ongoing transformation, as we seek to embody the character and love of Christ in our daily lives. [26:34]
"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)
Reflection: What specific area of your life needs transformation to reflect Christ more fully? How can you surrender this area to God today?
Day 4: The Struggle of Wills
The struggle between our will and God's will is a natural part of the Christian journey. Like Jesus in Gethsemane, we must wrestle with our desires, ultimately choosing to submit to God's perfect will. This submission leads to true freedom and fulfillment, as we align our lives with His divine purpose. Embracing this struggle is essential for spiritual growth and maturity, as it refines our character and deepens our relationship with God. [36:33]
"And going a little farther, he fell on his face and prayed, saying, 'My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.'" (Matthew 26:39, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself resisting God's will? How can you begin to submit this area to Him today?
Day 5: Living Out God's Will
Praying for God's will to be done must begin with a personal commitment to live out His will in our lives. This commitment extends to our families, churches, and communities, creating a ripple effect that aligns the world with God's kingdom purposes. As we seek to embody His will, we become agents of change, reflecting His love and truth in every aspect of our lives. This practical application of God's will is essential for advancing His kingdom on earth. [41:02]
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)
Reflection: How can you practically commit to living out God's will in your daily life? What steps can you take to influence your family, church, and community for His kingdom?
Sermon Summary
In our exploration of Luke 11:1-4, we delve into the profound depths of the Lord's Prayer, focusing on the phrase, "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." This prayer is not merely a set of words to be recited but a call to action, a challenge to align our lives with God's divine purpose. The will of God is not about the mundane decisions we often fret over, like choosing a car or a job, but about the grand narrative of His kingdom and our role within it. God's will encompasses His desire for the world to hear the gospel, for the church to embody unity and glorify Him, and for each believer to be conformed to the image of Christ.
In the world, God's will is clear: He desires all to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. This is not a passive wish but an active call for us to engage in the Great Commission, to preach the gospel and make disciples. The political and social landscapes are merely backdrops to this divine mission, as God orchestrates history towards the return of Christ.
For the church, unity and glorification of God are paramount. Unity must be grounded in truth, not compromised for the sake of harmony. Our collective focus should be on glorifying God in all we do, ensuring that our actions and teachings reflect His holiness and love.
Individually, God's will is for us to become more like Jesus. This transformation is not about external conformity but an internal alignment of our will with His. The struggle between our desires and God's will is real and challenging, as exemplified by Jesus in Gethsemane. Yet, it is in this struggle that we find our true calling: to surrender our will to His, echoing Jesus' words, "Not my will, but Yours be done."
Key Takeaways
1. ErRXA_LY&t=594s'>[09:54] 2. Unity in the Church: Unity within the church is essential, but it must be based on truth. Compromising doctrine for the sake of unity undermines the church's foundation. True unity glorifies God and serves as a testament to the world of His love and truth.
3. Personal Transformation: God's will for each believer is to be conformed to the image of Christ. This transformation requires a daily surrender of our will to His, allowing His Spirit to shape us into the likeness of Jesus. Our decisions and actions should reflect this ongoing transformation.
4. The Struggle of Wills: The struggle between our will and God's will is a natural part of the Christian journey. Like Jesus in Gethsemane, we must wrestle with our desires, ultimately choosing to submit to God's perfect will. This submission leads to true freedom and fulfillment.
5. Practical Application: Praying for God's will to be done must begin with a personal commitment to live out His will in our lives. This commitment extends to our families, churches, and communities, creating a ripple effect that aligns the world with God's kingdom purposes. [09:54]
Bible Reading: - Luke 11:1-4 - Matthew 26:39 - Romans 8:29 Observation Questions:
In Luke 11:1-4, what specific requests are included in the Lord's Prayer, and how do they reflect God's priorities for our lives?
How does the sermon describe the difference between God's will and our personal desires, particularly in the context of mundane decisions versus the grand narrative of His kingdom? [02:36]
What examples from history were given in the sermon to illustrate how God orchestrates events towards the return of Christ? [06:14]
According to the sermon, what is the primary will of God for the world, and how does it transcend political and social issues? [09:00]
Interpretation Questions:
How does the phrase "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" challenge believers to align their lives with God's divine purpose? [01:33]
What does the sermon suggest about the role of unity in the church, and why must it be grounded in truth rather than compromise? [20:12]
How does the struggle between our will and God's will, as exemplified by Jesus in Gethsemane, reflect the Christian journey? [36:33]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that personal transformation into the image of Christ is an ongoing process that requires daily surrender? [26:34]
Application Questions:
Reflect on your current life decisions. Are there areas where you are focusing more on mundane choices rather than aligning with God's grand narrative? How can you shift your focus? [02:36]
Consider the unity within your church community. Are there areas where truth is being compromised for the sake of harmony? How can you contribute to a unity that glorifies God? [20:12]
Identify a personal struggle where your will conflicts with God's will. How can you practice surrendering your desires to align with His purpose, similar to Jesus in Gethsemane? [36:33]
Think about your role in the Great Commission. What practical steps can you take this week to actively participate in spreading the gospel and making disciples? [09:00]
How can you ensure that your actions and teachings within your church reflect God's holiness and love, thereby glorifying Him? [23:04]
Reflect on a recent decision or action. Did it conform you more to the image of Christ? If not, what changes can you make to ensure future decisions align with this goal? [26:34]
How can you create a personal commitment to live out God's will in your family, church, and community, creating a ripple effect that aligns with His kingdom purposes? [41:02]
Sermon Clips
God has one purpose in the world and in the governments of the world, and that is to prepare for the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Now, that includes everything that is happening... God is working his will and his purpose. The purpose of the Roman Empire was that you had a thing called Pax Romana, which means the Roman peace. [00:06:00]
God is working out his plan. God is shuffling the pieces on the board, and he is setting things in order for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. And when we work against that will of God, we find ourselves in all sorts of trouble. All right, now let's get to the word and see what does the word say about the will of God. [00:08:32]
Clearly, the first will of God for the world is that the world hear the gospel and go therefore and make disciples of all the nations. Notice that Mark says go and preach the gospel. Matthew says make disciples. Making disciples is more than preaching the gospel. We know that, and so it is God's will according to Timothy. [00:09:06]
God desires all men to be saved. Does God want Trump to be saved? Yes. Does he want Biden to be saved? Yes. Does he want the Chinese to be saved? Yes. Does he want Putin to be saved? Yes. God desires all men to be saved. Now let's look quickly at the context of this verse. [00:10:19]
Praying for those in authority that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. Folk, that's all we can pray for. Remember the context in which Paul is writing. He is writing in the context of a Roman government which is ungodly, which is immoral, which is corrupt at every level. [00:11:49]
Our primary concern is the gospel. Go and make disciples. We need one thing. We need peace so that we can focus on the work that God has called us to do. That is the will of God. So pray for those in authority that we may lead a peaceable life in godliness and reverence. [00:13:16]
God's will is that we are one as a local church, but God's will is also for unity in the universal church. Now the problem is how do we achieve that unity? We cannot achieve that unity at the expense of truth. We cannot achieve that unity by compromise, but Paul is very clear about this in Ephesians chapter 4. [00:20:00]
God's will for the church is unity, and I think that there are many churches who at the beginning of the year are saying, well, what's God's will for us in this new year? I haven't sat down to try and figure that out because I have a sense of what his will is for us. [00:21:22]
There are many verses, but I've chosen Ephesians 3:21 this morning: to him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. This is part of one of Paul's prayers incidentally. So Paul is actually praying this, and this is the conclusion of his prayer: to him be glorified. [00:22:55]
God has one will for us, and that is that we be conformed to the image of his son, whom he foreknew. Romans 8:29, you should know this off by heart: for whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. [00:26:19]
All of the will of God comes down to me. We can pray about God's will being done in China, but if it's not happening in me, we can pray about God's will being done in our nation, but if it's not being done in me, and if it's not happening in our church, we're wasting our time. [00:28:05]
Jesus wrestled between his will as a man and the will of God. Remember, he was both man and God, so the struggle was within him, and we have the same struggle within us between what we call the flesh and the spirit. These two things are at enmity. These two things are at war. [00:36:29]