Living Out the Father's Will in Our Lives
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the profound topic of recognizing and living out the will of the Father. Jesus exemplified this through His life, emphasizing that His purpose was not to fulfill His own desires but to do the will of the One who sent Him. This is a call for us to prioritize God's will above our own ambitions and needs. We explored various scriptures, including John 6:38 and Luke 22:42, which highlight Jesus' commitment to the Father's will, even in the face of immense suffering.
We also discussed the importance of understanding that our existence is not a coincidence but part of God's divine plan. Each of us has been given unique talents and resources to fulfill His calling. However, merely acknowledging God is not enough; we must truly know Him and live according to His will. This was illustrated through the testimony of a servant of God who, despite his extensive ministry work, realized he did not truly know God.
Furthermore, we examined the necessity of seeking God's kingdom first, as stated in Matthew 6:31-33. This means prioritizing God's desires and righteousness above all else. Personal testimonies were shared to illustrate how putting God's will first can lead to unexpected blessings and fulfillment.
Lastly, we touched on the critical mission of evangelism. God's will is for everyone to be saved, and we have a responsibility to share the gospel and lead others to repentance. This involves not just prayer but also active engagement and support for those living in sin. We must approach this mission with love and humility, recognizing our own need for God's grace.
### Key Takeaways
1. Prioritizing God's Will: Jesus taught us that the ultimate purpose in life is to do the will of the Father. This requires us to surrender our own desires and ambitions, even in difficult circumstances, as Jesus did in Gethsemane. Understanding and living out God's will should be our primary focus. [28:47]
2. Divine Purpose and Talents: Our existence is part of God's divine plan, and He has endowed each of us with unique talents and resources. These are not for our own glory but to fulfill His calling. Recognizing and utilizing these gifts in alignment with God's will is crucial for a meaningful life. [30:12]
3. True Knowledge of God: It is not enough to merely acknowledge God; we must truly know Him and live according to His will. This involves a deep, personal relationship with God, beyond just religious activities. True knowledge of God is reflected in our commitment to His will. [33:46]
4. Seeking God's Kingdom First: Matthew 6:31-33 teaches us to seek God's kingdom and righteousness above all else. This means prioritizing God's desires and His truth in our lives. When we do this, God promises to provide for our needs, often in ways we could never have anticipated. [37:07]
5. Evangelism and Repentance: God's will is for everyone to be saved, and we have a responsibility to share the gospel and lead others to repentance. This involves not just prayer but also active engagement and support for those living in sin. We must approach this mission with love, humility, and a genuine desire for others' salvation. [46:45]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[28:47] - Recognizing the Will of the Father
[30:12] - Divine Purpose and Talents
[31:08] - Commitment to God's Will
[32:17] - Testimony of a Servant
[33:46] - True Knowledge of God
[34:42] - Understanding God's Will
[35:35] - Importance of Recognizing God
[36:23] - Preceding God's Will
[37:07] - Seeking God's Kingdom First
[38:16] - Personal Testimony
[39:23] - Sacrifices for God's Will
[40:32] - Helping the Needy
[41:40] - Challenges in Ministry
[42:49] - God's Blessings and Grace
[43:23] - Chasing God's Will
[44:55] - God's Love for the World
[46:45] - Evangelism and Repentance
[49:56] - Effective Soul-Winning
[52:03] - Personal Testimony of Conversion
[54:21] - Correcting with Love
[56:29] - Hating Sin, Not the Sinner
[57:01] - Humility in Evangelism
[59:47] - Praying for Enemies
[01:03:02] - Forgiveness and Prayer
[01:05:42] - Praying for Family and Friends
[01:07:35] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. John 6:38 - "For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me."
2. Luke 22:42 - "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."
3. Matthew 6:31-33 - "So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
### Observation Questions
1. According to John 6:38, what was Jesus' primary purpose for coming down from heaven?
2. In Luke 22:42, how did Jesus demonstrate His commitment to the Father's will even in difficult circumstances?
3. What does Matthew 6:31-33 instruct us to prioritize in our lives, and what is the promise associated with this prioritization?
4. What personal testimony was shared in the sermon to illustrate the importance of truly knowing God? ([32:17])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Jesus' example in John 6:38 and Luke 22:42 challenge our own approach to fulfilling God's will in our lives?
2. What does it mean to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" in practical terms, according to Matthew 6:31-33? ([37:07])
3. How can the testimony of the servant of God who realized he did not truly know God serve as a warning for us in our spiritual journey? ([32:17])
4. What are the implications of understanding that our existence is part of God's divine plan and that we have unique talents and resources to fulfill His calling? ([30:12])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had to choose between your own desires and God's will. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome? ([28:47])
2. Identify one area in your life where you need to surrender your ambitions to prioritize God's will. What steps can you take to make this change? ([30:12])
3. How can you deepen your personal relationship with God beyond just religious activities? What specific actions can you take this week to truly know Him better? ([33:46])
4. In what ways can you seek God's kingdom first in your daily life? List practical steps you can take to prioritize God's desires and righteousness. ([37:07])
5. Think of someone in your life who needs to hear the gospel. How can you approach them with love and humility to share the message of salvation? ([46:45])
6. Reflect on the unique talents and resources God has given you. How can you use them to fulfill His calling in your life? ([30:12])
7. How can you actively support and engage with those living in sin, showing them love and guiding them towards repentance? ([46:45])
Devotional
Day 1: Surrendering to God's Will
Jesus taught us that the ultimate purpose in life is to do the will of the Father. This requires us to surrender our own desires and ambitions, even in difficult circumstances, as Jesus did in Gethsemane. Understanding and living out God's will should be our primary focus. [28:47]
John 6:38 (ESV): "For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 2: Embracing Your Divine Purpose
Our existence is part of God's divine plan, and He has endowed each of us with unique talents and resources. These are not for our own glory but to fulfill His calling. Recognizing and utilizing these gifts in alignment with God's will is crucial for a meaningful life. [30:12]
1 Peter 4:10 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."
Reflection: What unique talents or resources has God given you? How can you use them this week to serve others and fulfill His calling?
Day 3: Developing True Knowledge of God
It is not enough to merely acknowledge God; we must truly know Him and live according to His will. This involves a deep, personal relationship with God, beyond just religious activities. True knowledge of God is reflected in our commitment to His will. [33:46]
Jeremiah 9:23-24 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.'"
Reflection: Reflect on your daily routine. How can you incorporate more intentional time to deepen your personal relationship with God?
Day 4: Seeking God's Kingdom First
Matthew 6:31-33 teaches us to seek God's kingdom and righteousness above all else. This means prioritizing God's desires and His truth in our lives. When we do this, God promises to provide for our needs, often in ways we could never have anticipated. [37:07]
Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to prioritize God's kingdom and righteousness in your life?
Day 5: Engaging in Evangelism and Repentance
God's will is for everyone to be saved, and we have a responsibility to share the gospel and lead others to repentance. This involves not just prayer but also active engagement and support for those living in sin. We must approach this mission with love, humility, and a genuine desire for others' salvation. [46:45]
2 Timothy 4:2 (ESV): "Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who does not know Christ. How can you lovingly and humbly share the gospel with them this week?
Quotes
1. "One of the things that Jesus taught about, the will of the Father, is that the Father wants us to live His will in our lives. And we can learn from Jesus that doing the will of the Father is the purpose in life. In our lives, God has a will. I believe that if people can be born into this world, not because of coincidence, not because of the will of their parents, but because God has a plan. In every life of us, there is a will of the Father, which is a good work that He has placed in our lives." [28:47] (105 seconds)
2. "We think we have experienced the Holy Spirit. In church, when we worship, we feel like, what is it? We feel like we have been baptized. We feel like we are one. We think, wow, we hear God's voice. We are led by God. We are accompanied and blessed by God. Our efforts are progress. We are rich. All of you have reasons. I am sure I am known by God. I have been used by God. But God said to this servant of God. You do not really know me. You don't really know me." [33:12] (34 seconds)
3. "Jesus taught us that we must precede the will of the Father above all our needs. Matthew 6, verses 31-33. Let's read it together. 3, 2, 1. Therefore, do not worry and say, What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear? All of that is sought by nations that do not know God. But your Father in heaven knows that you need all of that. 3, 2, 1. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Then all of that will be added to you." [36:23] (40 seconds)
4. "We must leave comfort. What you see today. Is the fruit. That we sowed. Eighteen years ago. Is it long, eighteen years? People just see the results. People don't see. Because everyone feels we're stupid. But we serve it starts from the bottom. Enter the streets. Have a little money. Fly to Papua. Have a little money. Fly to Mentawai. My mother gave me money. I went to the charity. To help the people in the mountains. Buy all the incense sticks." [39:23] (55 seconds)
5. "Let's learn to understand. That God has a desire in your life. You have to chase it. Above all your interests. Above all your needs. Don't chase the rich. Chase God. People who do the will of the Father. Will be close to His mercy. If your child is obedient to you. Do you love him? If your child is obedient to you. Do you want to please him? Is it true? God is the same." [43:23] (27 seconds)
6. "Let's learn to know God's will. Do you know that God's will for this world is that He doesn't want anyone to perish. God loves us very much. John 3 verse 16 says, Because God so loved this world, that He has given His only Son. What is the purpose? The same. So that, every person who believes in Him will not perish, but will have a permanent life. Verse 17, Because God sent His Son into the world, not to rule the world, but to save him. This is God's purpose." [44:17] (45 seconds)
7. "When you can help people to stop sinning, invite them to repent sincerely, return to God. It is said, heaven is happy. Let's win our friends and family. We can't just sit and watch them perish. Pray for their soul's salvation. And don't hesitate to ask for help from friends, brothers, parents, our partner who are living in sin. If you just sit and watch, you're hurting them. If you're not caring, you're ashamed, I tell you, you're letting them perish. We have to pray for God to save their soul. But our mouth also has to advise them to repent." [47:49] (55 seconds)
8. "If you want to preach to someone. If you want to win your family. Number one. Your life must be a blessing for him. If you want to be a witness of Christ. Make sure your life is a blessing first. For others. You can't preach to other people. Ask them to repent. If they see that you are still sick. You want to teach people. To know God. He said this. My life is better than yours, bro. If you want to win your soul. First. You must pray for his soul. So that God saves him." [53:16] (39 seconds)
9. "We must not hate those who sin. Who we hate for their sins. Say Amen. When we see people sin. We must not hate them. We must hate their deeds. In the gospel. The apostle Paul taught us. We must not feel right. The we tell about Christ. In 1 Timothy 1. Verse 15. The apostle Paul said. Christ Jesus came to the world. To save sinners. And among them. I am the most sinful." [57:01] (35 seconds)
10. "You need to make comfort. People feel comfortable talking to you. About their sins. Are there people who can talk about their sins? With you? If there is, you are a great person. You can make people feel comfortable. When I sit with young people. don't know how. They can tell me anything. They can tell me. I am actually gay. I can't like women. What should I do? They can tell me. They feel comfortable with me. I just smile and say this. I pray that one day. You can fall in love with a woman." [58:02] (44 seconds)