“HOW TO STAY IN THE WILL OF GOD”
By: Dr. Dennis Deese - www.dennisdeese.com
JOHN 6:15
Colossians 1:9-11 For this cause we also, since the day we heard [it], do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled (CONTROLLED) with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
This is the second time He has been offered the world and declines! He chose God’s best over the control of the whole world. He had the ability to do it.
Offered the World by Satan:
Matthew 4:8-11 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
Offered the World by the Jews:
The people were motivated when they saw he could miraculously sustain an army of 5000 men. Thus, they determined this was there opportunity for freedom and deliverance from the yoke of Rome. The desire & motivation of the Jews was not wrong in and of itself. The problem was these well intentioned people (if in fact they were - if the truth be known, they really only cared about what they wanted, they were self-centered) were not concerned about doing it God’s way!
There are at least two essential elements exemplified by Jesus that are the empowering resources for staying in God’s will until we die!
1. HIS SPIRITUAL PERSPECTIVE “When Jesus perceived they would . . . and make him a king”
When we have the same spiritual perspective as Jesus, it will help us in the following ways:
1. To Cautiously enable our Perception “When Jesus, therefore, perceived”
2 Corinthians 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen [are] temporal; but the things which are not seen [are] eternal.
2. To Clearly defined our Priorities “to make him a king”
populate the illustrati“FORCE” 726. harpazo “har?pad’?zo\”; to sieze (in various applications):??catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force). to seize on, claim for one’s self eagerly The only thing and person who had a claim on Jesus, regardless of their intention, was God the Father. He was not swayed by the force of the majority!
John 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
His mind was already made up! He had already established what He would do
Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3. To Consistently governed our Practice “he departed”
on databas“DEPARTED”: 402 anachoreo (an?akh?o?reh’?o\); to retire:??depart, give place, go (turn) aside, withdraw self. (This is a compound word)
ana, an-ah’; 303 a primary preposition and adverb; In compounds (as a prefix) it often means (by implication) repetition, intensity, reversal, etc.
choreo, kho-reh’-o; 5561 (chora); to be in (give) space, i.e. to pass, or to hold, contain, go, have place, (room to) receive.
It had not even occurred but He was already taking action against it.
2. HIS SPIRITUAL PURSUIT “he departed again into a mountain alone”
1. It will be Challenged “make him a king”
I’m not sure we can comprehend the magnitude of this temptation. The temptation wasn’t taking control of the world but not doing it God the Father’s way. The key was that Jesus chose not to settle for being “a” king but to be “the” king - now that’s God’s best! Why would anyone want anything less than God’s best.
2. It must be consistent “again”
3. It is effective “into a mountain” not a palace but rather a lofty mountain alone with God - He didn’t become the earthly king at this point. He won over this temptation and stayed in God’s will. What are you doing to stay in His will?
