According to His Will
God in Genesis 1:11-25 shows us that He made grass, herb, trees according to it’s
kind, whose seed is in it’s self. God made man in His image according to His likeness
and gave man dominion over the works of His hand (Genesis 1:6-28).
God told Joshua “this book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall
meditate therein day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is
written therein, for then you shall make your way prosperous and then you shall have
good success”. The indication is that we do according to all that is written therein. The
Bible is our guide, our mirror to reflect what we should do. James says “but be you
doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving you own selves. But whoso looks
into the perfect law of liberty, and continues therein, he being not a forgetful hearer,
but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed” (James 1:22,25).
The Bible shows us that we should walk according to the word of God, and here are
three examples. Mary the mother of Jesus, when she was told by the angel that she
would bear the Messiah, and Mary said “behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it to me
according to your word” (Luke 1:38).
Simeon a devout man of God (Luke 2:25-30) “behold there was a man in Jerusalem,
whose name was Simeon, and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the
consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it was revealed to him by
the Holy Spirit that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And
he came by the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus,
to do for Him after the custom of the law. Then took he Him up in his arms, and
blessed God, and said. Lord, now let You, Your servant depart in peace, according to
Your word. For my eyes have seen Your salvation”.
Jesus healed two blind men (Matthew 9:27-30a) “and when Jesus departed from there,
two blind men followed Him crying, and saying, You son of David, have mercy on us.
And when He was come into the house, the blind men came to Him and Jesus says to
them, believe you that I am able to do this? They said to Him, yea, Lord. Then
touched He their eyes saying, according to your faith be it to you. And their eyes were
opened”.
Paul prays for the church of Colosse (Colossians 1:10-12) “that you might walk worthy
of the Lord to all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the
knowledge of God. Strengthened with all might according to His glorious power, to all
patience and longsuffering with joyfulness. Giving thanks to the Father, which has
made us meet (qualified) to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light”.
I John 5-12-15 says “he that has the Son has life, and he that has not the Son of God
has not life. These things have I written to you that believe on the name of the Son of
God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may believe on the
name of the Son of God. And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask
any thing according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us,
whatsoever we ask we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him”.
We are told to judge ourselves and we would not be judged. When we judge
ourselves, we must see why we do what we do. Whether according to the fleshly
nature or according to the word of God. Romans 8:1-6 breaks it down to us, in verse 1-
2 “there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who
walks not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of
life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death”. Verse 5-8 says
“for they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh, but they that are after
the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be
spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God, for
it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the
flesh can not please God”.
In Ephesians 2:1-3 the scriptures shows us where we were before salvation, “and you
have He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins. Wherein in time past you
walked according to the curse of the world, according to the prince of the power of the
air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience. Among whom also we all
had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the
flesh and of the mind, and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others”.
In Ephesians 4:21-25 shows us how we should submit and change, by putting off the
old man and putting on the new man which was created by God. And shows us the fruit
of each man.
Revelations 20:11-14 shows us what becomes of unbelievers who are judged
according to their works which they did. Then are cast into the lake of fire, which is the
second death.
The Bible tells us the promises we are given according to God’s purpose. In Galatians
3:26-29 we are told “and if you be Christ’s then are you Abraham’s seed and heirs
according to the promise”, verse 29. In Ephesians 1:3-12 we are told “Blessed be the
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual
blessings in heavenly places in Christ. According as He has chosen us in Him before
the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in
love. Having predestinated us to the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself,
according to the good pleasure of His will” verses 3-5; in verse 9 it says “having made
known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He has
purposed in Himself”. In Ephesians 3:14-20 Paul prays for the church of Ephesus,
“that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with
might by His Spirit in the inner man. That Christ may dwell in your heart by faith, that
you being rooted and grounded in love. May be able to comprehend with all saints
what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height. And to know the love of Christ
which passes knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God”, verses
16-19; in verse 20 it says “now to Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all
that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us”. What power is working in
you – faith or doubt?
In Philippians 4:19, many people quote “but my God shall supply all your need
according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus”, however they must see who Paul was
talking to. Those who had supported his ministry.
People quote Romans 8:28 in saying that all things work together for the good, but you
have to go up to verse 25-28 to get the context, “but if we hope for that we see not,
then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities, for we
know not what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit itself makes intercession
for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And He that searches the hearts knows
what is the mind of the Spirit, because He makes intercession for the saints according
to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love
God, to them who are called according to His purpose”. Praying in the Spirit can bring
answers to things we don’t know how to pray for.
Sermon by: Harriet Bond
Date: August 17, 2007
God in Genesis 1:11-25 shows us that He made grass, herb, trees according to it’s
kind, whose seed is in it’s self. God made man in His image according to His likeness
and gave man dominion over the works of His hand (Genesis 1:6-28).
God told Joshua “this book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall
meditate therein day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is
written therein, for then you shall make your way prosperous and then you shall have
good success”. The indication is that we do according to all that is written therein. The
Bible is our guide, our mirror to reflect what we should do. James says “but be you
doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving you own selves. But whoso looks
into the perfect law of liberty, and continues therein, he being not a forgetful hearer,
but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed” (James 1:22,25).
The Bible shows us that we should walk according to the word of God, and here are
three examples. Mary the mother of Jesus, when she was told by the angel that she
would bear the Messiah, and Mary said “behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it to me
according to your word” (Luke 1:38).
Simeon a devout man of God (Luke 2:25-30) “behold there was a man in Jerusalem,
whose name was Simeon, and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the
consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it was revealed to him by
the Holy Spirit that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And
he came by the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus,
to do for Him after the custom of the law. Then took he Him up in his arms, and
blessed God, and said. Lord, now let You, Your servant depart in peace, according to
Your word. For my eyes have seen Your salvation”.
Jesus healed two blind men (Matthew 9:27-30a) “and when Jesus departed from there,
two blind men followed Him crying, and saying, You son of David, have mercy on us.
And when He was come into the house, the blind men came to Him and Jesus says to
them, believe you that I am able to do this? They said to Him, yea, Lord. Then
touched He their eyes saying, according to your faith be it to you. And their eyes were
opened”.
Paul prays for the church of Colosse (Colossians 1:10-12) “that you might walk worthy
of the Lord to all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the
knowledge of God. Strengthened with all might according to His glorious power, to all
patience and longsuffering with joyfulness. Giving thanks to the Father, which has
made us meet (qualified) to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light”.
I John 5-12-15 says “he that has the Son has life, and he that has not the Son of God
has not life. These things have I written to you that believe on the name of the Son of
God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may believe on the
name of the Son of God. And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask
any thing according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us,
whatsoever we ask we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him”.
We are told to judge ourselves and we would not be judged. When we judge
ourselves, we must see why we do what we do. Whether according to the fleshly
nature or according to the word of God. Romans 8:1-6 breaks it down to us, in verse 1-
2 “there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who
walks not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of
life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death”. Verse 5-8 says
“for they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh, but they that are after
the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be
spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God, for
it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the
flesh can not please God”.
In Ephesians 2:1-3 the scriptures shows us where we were before salvation, “and you
have He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins. Wherein in time past you
walked according to the curse of the world, according to the prince of the power of the
air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience. Among whom also we all
had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the
flesh and of the mind, and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others”.
In Ephesians 4:21-25 shows us how we should submit and change, by putting off the
old man and putting on the new man which was created by God. And shows us the fruit
of each man.
Revelations 20:11-14 shows us what becomes of unbelievers who are judged
according to their works which they did. Then are cast into the lake of fire, which is the
second death.
The Bible tells us the promises we are given according to God’s purpose. In Galatians
3:26-29 we are told “and if you be Christ’s then are you Abraham’s seed and heirs
according to the promise”, verse 29. In Ephesians 1:3-12 we are told “Blessed be the
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual
blessings in heavenly places in Christ. According as He has chosen us in Him before
the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in
love. Having predestinated us to the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself,
according to the good pleasure of His will” verses 3-5; in verse 9 it says “having made
known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He has
purposed in Himself”. In Ephesians 3:14-20 Paul prays for the church of Ephesus,
“that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with
might by His Spirit in the inner man. That Christ may dwell in your heart by faith, that
you being rooted and grounded in love. May be able to comprehend with all saints
what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height. And to know the love of Christ
which passes knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God”, verses
16-19; in verse 20 it says “now to Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all
that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us”. What power is working in
you – faith or doubt?
In Philippians 4:19, many people quote “but my God shall supply all your need
according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus”, however they must see who Paul was
talking to. Those who had supported his ministry.
People quote Romans 8:28 in saying that all things work together for the good, but you
have to go up to verse 25-28 to get the context, “but if we hope for that we see not,
then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities, for we
know not what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit itself makes intercession
for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And He that searches the hearts knows
what is the mind of the Spirit, because He makes intercession for the saints according
to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love
God, to them who are called according to His purpose”. Praying in the Spirit can bring
answers to things we don’t know how to pray for.
Sermon by: Harriet Bond
Date: August 17, 2007
