God’s Will

The Nuts and Bolts of Doing God’s Will obedience

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. The task before us Our work is defined by God Obedience is our duty

God’s Will & Obedience Through obedience: You discern God’s will & practice it Romans God’s grace flows through you to the benefit of others 2 Corinthians 8 You confirm the good work He began in you Philippians 2.12

Romans Obedience encompasses body and mind Obedience is not just a state of mind or good intentions, it requires sacrificial action. Present your bodies — reasonable service in response to God’s mercy {Doing God’s Will} Renewing your mind — in order to examine and discern God’s will {Knowing God’s Will}

A Living & Holy Sacrifice If prophecy, do so according to gift If serving, serve If teaching, teach If exhortation, exhort If giving, be generous If leadership, lead diligently Cheerfully show mercy Love w/o hypocrisy Hate what is evil Cling to what is good Devoted to one another in love Honor others above self With diligence & fervor in spirit serve the LORD Rejoice in hope Persevere in tribulation be devoted to prayer help meet needs of believers practice hospitality Bless, don’t curse persecutors Rejoice with the rejoicing Weep with the weeping Treat others equally Don’t be proud, associate with all Don’t be conceited Don’t repay evil for evil Respect what is right Obedience in Practice

A Living & Holy Sacrifice Work to be at peace with all Don’t take revenge Show love toward enemies Do not be overcome w/evil Overcome evil w/good Practice good behavior Pay taxes Pay revenue Pay respect Pay honor Owe only to love one another Don’t commit adultery Don’t murder Don’t steal Don’t covet Love neighbor as self Don’t harm neighbor Behave decently as in broad daylight Put on the Lord Jesus Christ Don’t think about how to gratify the lusts of flesh Obedience in Practice

2 Corinthians 8 GRACE ABUNDANCE OF JOY & DEEP POVERTY OVERFLOWED Greeks Jerusalem Christians GENEROSITY AFFLICTION poverty becomes wealth character of obedience to God’s will

So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Philippians For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. …in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. DEMOS EVIDENCE OF

obedienc e “Work Out” your Salvation Participation in the gospel from beginning to present Continued fellowship with Paul Progress and joy in the faith History of obedience work-out, i.e. persevere in obedience Prove yourselves to be blameless Hold fast the word of life The walking in good works of Ephesians 2.10 James kind of works that prove & accompany genuine faith In a Word

A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go work today in the vineyard.’ And he answered and said, ‘I will, sir’; and he did not go. And he came to the second and said the same thing. But he answered and said, ‘I will not’; yet he afterward regretted it and went. Which of the two did the will of his father? They said, “The latter.” Jesus *said to them, “Truly I say to you that the tax-gatherers and harlots will get into the kingdom of God before you. Matthew