The Holy Spirit and the Will of God

11 September 2011

1. Introduction

• We are made for God’s pleasure – not all about me, my personal fulfilment.
• Great trend in the West towards self idolatry – all about me and what I want.
• Fuelled by demand for everything now – instant coffee, communication, answers.
• Without cause to live for the Next Generation: How can I get ahead? Loyal only to self.
• Bring that mentality into the church: What can I get? How can you get me ahead?

· Paul wrote 2 Tim.3:1 Perilous times = 5467 = Hard to deal with, difficult, dangerous.

• 2 Tim.3:1-7 Lovers of pleasure – form of godliness.

2. Following Desires can head to Failure

e.g. People in the Bible who followed desire of heart and ended with disaster:

Gen. 3:6 – Eve Gen. 16 – Abraham and Hagar 1 Sam.12:13 – Israel and Saul 2 Chron.26:16 – Uzziah and priesthood 2 Chron.35:22 – Josiah and battle 1 K.22:32 – Jehosophat and battle

2. K 5:20 – Gehazi and money Mk.1:35 – Disciples and revival Mt.16:22 – Peter and Jesus purpose 2 Sam.7:4 – David and House of God

- All had desires, good ideas that they pursued – in conflict with the will of God.

- Did not recognise the will of God – clouded by personal desires for fulfilment.

e.g. Jesus

Mk.14:32 “Father all things are possible with you – take away this cup from me.  Nevertheless, not my will…” (desire, determine, be inclined towards)

3. God Wants You to know His Will

· Eph.5:15-18 “Be not unwise but understand what the Will of the Lord is…”

· Unwise = NT878 = to be mindless, ignorant, acting recklessly.

· Understand = NT4920 = to comprehend, have insight into, come into ones mind.

· How can I find the Will of God? (Col.1:9 “…filled with the knowledge of His Will”)

(i) Word of God … principles and instructions.

(ii) Counsel of experienced godly men (Prov.12:15 .. hearken to counsel is wise)

· Many areas need to make decisions – no reference to it in the Bible.  E.g. Where to work? Where to live? Who to marry?

4. God Helps us to know His Will

a) Phil.2:13 “It is God that works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure”

· Will = 2309= to desire, to will, to purpose, to determine.

· Works =NT1754= energeo = to be active, effective, put forth supernatural ability.

· Do =NT1754= energeo = to do, be active.

· God is at work within you – He has put something in you to help.

· There is a power that works within us (Eph.3:20) to help us.

b) Rom.8:26 “The Spirit helps us with our infirmities for we don’t know what to pray.

· The work of the Holy Spirit is to help us.

· Help =4878= to take hold together with, to help in obtaining, participate with.

· Infirmities =NT769= weakness, to have not enough strength.

· Groaning =4726= to sigh = deep expressions of Holy Spirit with us interceding.

e.g. Jesus:       Mk.7:34 Looking up to heaven He sighed – man healed.

                        Mk.3:12 Sighed deeply in His Spirit – left Pharisees.

5. The Work of the Holy Spirit and the Will of God

a) Eph.5:17-20 “Be not drunk with wine but be filled with the Spirit.”

· Context = knowing the Will of God

· Drunk = NT3182= Meth uskoo = intoxicate, under the influence of alcohol.

                  = subject senses and mind and emotions to influence of alcohol.

                  = deaden and dulls pain, deadens senses to cope with life.

· Filled with the Holy Spirit = come under the influence of the Spirit and Word of God.

                  = subject senses and mind and emotions to another influence.

                  = Present your body, life, soul, to Holy Spirit and to the Word of God.

· Speaking to yourselves = overflow of the Holy Spirit operating.

· Note: Spiritual songs, thanksgiving – as much as you like.

b) 1 Cor.14:14-19

· Speaking in tongues = spirit is praying, Holy Spirit is imparting to spirit.

· You speak – Holy Spirit takes hold with you and imparts to your spirit.

· You open the part of your spirit where God connects/communicates.

· E.g. pray in tongues – stop – words keep flowing into your mind.

· Revelation of God’s will comes the same way.

· Vs.2 Speak mysteries =mystery= hidden purpose and plans of God to advance His Kingdom in and through you.

· As you speak in tongues you speak forth the purpose of God. You strengthen and energise your spirit.

· Listen with spiritual ears to the overflow – words/pictures.

· Rom.12:1-2 presenting body and soul to the Lord – yielding to the Holy Spirit so you can hear instruction from the Spirit of God = surrender to Him.

· In the garden of Gethsemane Jesus yielded to the will of God then prayed to bring forth that will.

· 1 Cor.2:12 we have received the spirit of God that we might know.

Action:

· Commit to Praying in Tongues daily, strongly to develop spiritually.