God’s Will Be Done (March 26, 2023)

 

Acts 21:8-14 ~ “On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied. While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ” When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.””

In our text, Agabus gives a prophecy that would strike Paul and strike him deeply, for Agabus was a prophet that God used greatly. God had used Agabus to prophecy about the famine in Jerusalem (Acts 11:27-28). Paul took the warning given by Agabus to be a warning of preparation and not a warning of prohibition.

In this warning of preparation, Paul was still immovable. He would not be turned from what he understood God wanted him to do.

1 Corinthians 9:16 ~ “For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!”

Jeremiah 20:9 ~ “If I say, “I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,” there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot.”

We find in verse 12-13, Paul’s loved ones who were present and heard the prophecy by Agabus, urged Paul to not go to Jerusalem. Paul was touched, deeply touched. Paul said that their words were breaking his heart, which meant crush and break into pieces, weaken. Paul was as broken as he could ever be over the love and care of the dear brothers and sisters as they wept and begged him to heed their pleas. But he could not listen, could not give in. He was utterly convinced that God had called him to go to Jerusalem. His answer to his loved ones is a memorial that stands as a pattern for us today, for every one who is called to the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. These are the words that every servant, preacher, pastor, evangelist, and teacher should memorize and hold dear to his or her heart.

Acts 21:13 “Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.””

Then notice what all his family and friends said in verse 14. This should be the response of every family and friend who may oppose the person who senses the call of God.

God’s Will Is Always Good

• Why are we so hasty about attributing our disappointments to God’s will?

• God is good and His will is always good, even when His will is not in keeping with our desires.

• If something is God’s will, it is the best for us. He will withhold no good from His people

Psalm 84:11 ~ “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.”

The Accomplishment of God’s Will Is Important

• Jesus taught us to pray to the Father …

Matthew 6:10 “10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

• Actively seek for God’s will to be done in your life.

• Allow God to accomplish His will in your life.

Be Committed to Doing God’s Will

• The apostle Paul knew God’s will for his life and he could not be persuaded to do otherwise.

• To be committed to doing God’s will, we need to know His will.

• God’s will is revealed to us in Scripture, through prayer, through God’s people, and by God’s providence.

The Rewards of Doing God’s Will

• Doing God’s will brings us close to Christ

Matthew 12:50 ~ “For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

• Doing God’s will is the only way to everlasting life

1 John 2:17 ~ “And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”

Matthew 7:21–23 ~ “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”

• Proving God’s will is the only way to a truly meaningful and worthwhile life here.

Romans 12:1-2 ~ “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 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.”

Conclusion

It is not always easy to pray, “Thy will be done.” It was not easy for Jesus in Gethsemane. But it is the attitude we must have to receive God’s best. As we submit to God’s will, He is working in us “both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13).