The Will of the Lord
Acts 21 & 22
Key Concept
…be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
The Will of the Lord
Acts 21 & 22
Will of God
Positions in the Church.…………………………1 Cor 1:1
Submission to authority…………………………2 Cor 8:5
Doing your best work……………………………….Eph 6:6
Sanctification & avoidance of sin……….1 Thes. 4:3
Suffering……………………………..................Heb 10:36
Will of God
Cease from sinning………………………………..1 Pe 4:1
Shepherd the flock………………………………….1 Pe 5:2
Careful walk…………………………………….…….Eph 5:17
Seeking God direction……………………………Jam 4:15
Submit to government…………………………..1 Pe 2:15
What is God’s will?
Perfect
Permissive
Perfect and Permissive
Marriage and divorce
Meat offered to idols
King for Israel
The Garden
Salvation
Two-part idea
God’s sovereignty
Man’s freewill
God’s Sovereignty
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Colossians 1:16–17
God’s Sovereignty
I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, 'My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.
Isaiah 46:10
Man’s Freewill
In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,
Ephesians 1:13
Man’s Freewill
Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
Isaiah 55:6-7
Perfect Will of God
God’s best for us.
Salvation
Baptism in Holy Spirit
Sinlessness
Obedience to His Word
Obedience to His Spirit
Best scripture
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship…
Best scripture
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Three components
Body
Spirit
Mind
God’s Permissive will
What God allows for us.
Sin
Measured obedience
Choice
Best Scriptures
Proverbs 1:29…Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the LORD.
Psalm 119:30…I have chosen the faithful way; I have placed Your ordinances before me.
Component
Our Choice
REALLY IMPORTANT
Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
God’s will for Paul
And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me.
Multiple Sources
The Holy Spirit warns in every city
Port at Syria
After looking up the disciples, we stayed there seven days; and they kept telling Paul through the Spirit not to set foot in Jerusalem.
Word of Knowledge
Don’t go to Jerusalem!
Heard the warnings
When our days there were ended, we left and started on our journey, while they all, with wives and children, escorted us until we were out of the city. After kneeling down on the beach and praying, we said farewell to one another.
Bon Voyage
Acceptance
Prayer
Still headed to Jerusalem
…we left and came to Caesarea, and entering the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him.
Welcome!
Name change Evangelist from deacon
Four daughters who were prophetesses
Gathered the believers
Guest prophet Agabus
A prophet named Agabus
And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ”
Recognized Prophet
Warning
Object lesson
A more precise word
The Church’s response
When we had heard this, we as well as the local residents began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem.
Paul’s answer
What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
Why go to Jerusalem?
Perfect Will of God
Paul’s insight from his conversion
The Lord said to [Ananias], “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
Acts 9:15–16
Acceptance
And since he would not be persuaded, we fell silent, remarking, “The will of the Lord be done!”
Made it to Jerusalem
And the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.
What would you do next?
After he had greeted them, he began to relate one by one the things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. And when they heard it they began glorifying God;
A rumor runs around town before the truth can
You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the Law; and they have been told about you, that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs.
BTW
Some Gossip
What are we going to do about this?
Therefore do this that we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow; take them and purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads;
What are we going to do about this?
and all will know that there is nothing to the things which they have been told about you, but that you yourself also walk orderly, keeping the Law.
Just a moment…
Think About It!
Submission to authority
Then Paul took the men, and the next day, purifying himself along with them, went into the temple giving notice of the completion of the days of purification, until the sacrifice was offered for each one of them.
Our Take-Away
Are you going for perfect or…
Keep the express word of God
Know that God is working
The Will of the Lord
Acts 21 & 22
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