What is God's perfect will?

1. The
Will of
the
Lord
Acts 21 & 22
1

2. Key Concept
…be transformed by the
renewing of your mind, so that
you may prove what the will of
God is, that which is good and
acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2 2

3. The Will
of the
Lord
Acts 21 & 22
3

4. Will of God
Positions in the Church.…………………………1 Cor 1:1
Submission to authority…………………………2 Cor 8:5
Doing your best work……………………………….Eph 6:6
Sanctification & avoidance of sin……….1 Thes. 4:3
Suffering……………………………..................Heb 10:36
4

5. Will of God
Cease from sinning………………………………..1 Pe 4:1
Shepherd the flock………………………………….1 Pe 5:2
Careful walk…………………………………….…….Eph 5:17
Seeking God direction……………………………Jam 4:15
Submit to government…………………………..1 Pe 2:15
5

6. What is God’s will?
Perfect
Permissive
6

7. Perfect and Permissive
Marriage and divorce
Meat offered to idols
King for Israel
The Garden
Salvation
7

8. Two-part idea
God’s sovereignty
Man’s freewill
8

9. God’s Sovereignty
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on
earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or
dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were
created through him and for him. And he is before all
things, and in him all things hold together.
Colossians 1:16–17
9

10. God’s Sovereignty
I make known the end from the beginning,
from ancient times, what is still to come. I
say, 'My purpose will stand, and I will do all
that I please.
Isaiah 46:10
10

11. Man’s Freewill
In Him, you also, after listening to the
message of truth, the gospel of your
salvation—having also believed, you were
sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of
promise,
Ephesians 1:13
11

12. Man’s Freewill
Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon
him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his
way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let
him return to the Lord, that he may have
compassion on him, and to our God, for he will
abundantly pardon.
Isaiah 55:6-712

13. Perfect Will of God
God’s best for us.
Salvation
Baptism in Holy Spirit
Sinlessness
Obedience to His Word
Obedience to His Spirit
13

14. Best scripture
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the
mercies of God, to present your bodies a
living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to
God, which is your spiritual service of
worship…
Romans 12:1–2 14

15. Best scripture
And do not be conformed to this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of
your mind, so that you may prove what the
will of God is, that which is good and
acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:1–2 15

16. Three components
Body
Spirit
Mind
16

17. God’s Permissive will
What God allows for us.
Sin
Measured obedience
Choice
17

18. Best Scriptures
Proverbs 1:29…Because they hated knowledge
And did not choose the fear of the LORD.
Psalm 119:30…I have chosen the faithful way; I
have placed Your ordinances before me.
18

19. Component
Our Choice
19

20. REALLY IMPORTANT
Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord,
Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of
heaven, but he who does the will of
My Father who is in heaven will enter.
Matthew 7:21 20

21. God’s will for Paul
And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I
am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing
what will happen to me there, except
that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to
me in every city, saying that bonds and
afflictions await me.
Acts 20:22–23 21

22. Multiple Sources
The Holy Spirit
warns in every city
22

23. Port at Syria
After looking up the disciples, we
stayed there seven days; and they
kept telling Paul through the Spirit
not to set foot in Jerusalem.
Acts 21:4 23

24. Don’t go to Jerusalem!
Word of
Knowledge
24

25. Heard the warnings
When our days there were ended, we left
and started on our journey, while they all,
with wives and children, escorted us until
we were out of the city. After kneeling
down on the beach and praying, we said
farewell to one another.
Acts 21:5 25

26. Bon Voyage
Acceptance
Prayer
26

27. Still headed to Jerusalem
…we left and came to Caesarea, and
entering the house of Philip the
evangelist, who was one of the
seven, we stayed with him.
Acts 21:8 27

28. Welcome!
Name change Evangelist from deacon
Four daughters who were prophetesses
Gathered the believers
Guest prophet Agabus
28

29. A prophet named Agabus
And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and
bound his own feet and hands, and said,
“This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this
way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the
man who owns this belt and deliver him
into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ”
Acts 21:11 29

30. Recognized Prophet
Warning
Object lesson
A more precise word
30

31. The Church’s response
When we had heard this, we as well as the local
residents began begging him not to go up to
Jerusalem.
Acts 21:12 31

32. Paul’s answer
What are you doing, weeping and breaking my
heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but
even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord
Jesus.
Acts 21:13 32

33. Why go to
Jerusalem?
Perfect Will of God
33

34. Paul’s insight from his conversion
The Lord said to [Ananias], “Go, for he is a chosen
instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the
Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will
show him how much he must suffer for My
name’s sake.”
Acts 9:15–16
34

35. Acceptance
And since he would not be
persuaded, we fell silent,
remarking, “The will of the Lord be
done!”
Acts 21:14 35

36. Made it to
Jerusalem
And the following
day Paul went in
with us to James,
and all the elders
were present.
Acts 21:18
36

37. What
would you
do next?
Acts21:19–20a
After he had greeted them,
he began to relate one by
one the things which God
had done among the
Gentiles through his
ministry. And when they
heard it they began
glorifying God; 37

38. A rumor runs around town before the truth can
You see, brother, how many thousands there are
among the Jews of those who have believed, and
they are all zealous for the Law; and they have
been told about you, that you are teaching all the
Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake
Moses, telling them not to circumcise their
children nor to walk according to the customs.
38

39. BTW
Some Gossip
39

40. What are we going to do about this?
Therefore do this that we tell you.
We have four men who are under a
vow; take them and purify yourself
along with them, and pay their
expenses so that they may shave
their heads;
Acts 21:23–24 40

41. What are we going to do about this?
and all will know that there is
nothing to the things which they
have been told about you, but that
you yourself also walk orderly,
keeping the Law.
Acts 21:23–24 41

42. 42
Think About It!
Just a moment…

43. Submission to authority
Then Paul took the men, and the next
day, purifying himself along with them,
went into the temple giving notice of
the completion of the days of
purification, until the sacrifice was
offered for each one of them.
Acts 21:26 43

44. Our Take-Away
Are you going for perfect or…
Keep the express word of God
Know that God is working
44

45. The Will
of the
Lord
Acts 21 & 22
45