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Sermon:
Volition If we are to know salvation we have to learn to make decisions and exercise our will. Using these definitions, to define and describe our life in the salvation process, we are constantly choosing, resolving, making decisions, and exercising the power of our will. However, God does not desire to have us exercise just our own will. He wants us to exercise His will. That is, He wants our will to match His. He made this His own process. He:
1] created the process.
Proverbs 3:5-6 The purpose of this sermon is to encourage all of us to live the will of God. Live the will of God. Look at the words related to our title, "Volition" and their definitions: 1] Choice: carefully selected Choice: 21 times Chose 29 Choose 59 2] Desire: an expressed wish or request Desire 111 times 3] Determination: fixed direction or purpose Determination 1 Direction 1 Pathway 1 Path 23 Direct 10 4] Discretion: the power to decide Discretion 9 times 5] Preference: that which is preferred Prefer 1 time 6] Purpose: intended end, aim or goal Purpose 36 times 7] Resolution: firmness of purpose Firm 7 times
Let us look at a scripture
for each of these words. Notice how each scripture speaks to God
guiding us to His will.
Psalm 25:12 2] Desire: an expressed wish or request
Jeremiah 33:3 3] Determination: fixed direction or purpose
Proverbs 12:28 4] Discretion: the power to decide
Isaiah 28:26
Proverbs 2:11
Proverbs 5:2
Isaiah 7:15-16
6]
Purpose: intended end, aim or goal
Romans 8:28
God has purpose 7] Resolution: firmness of purpose
Hebrews 3:6
Double-down Phrases: 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
2 Timothy 2:11 [see Lesson] It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
Colossians 2:20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances.
Commentary: Wherefore - In view of all that has been said. If it be true that you are really dead to the world, why do you act as if you still lived under the principles of the world?
If ye be dead with Christ - If you are dead to the world in virtue of his death. The apostle here, as elsewhere, speaks of a very close union with Christ. We died with him; that is, such was the efficacy of his death, and such is our union with him, that we became dead also to the world; Notes, Romans 6:2, 4, 8, 11.
Quoted verses: Romans 6:2, 4, 8, 11 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord
From the rudiments of the world - Margin, “elements.” The elements or principles which are of a worldly nature, and which reign among worldly men; see the notes at Galatians 4:3.
Quoted verse: Galatians 4:3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
Why, as though living in the world - Why do you allow them to influence you, as though you were living and acting under those worldly principles? They ought no more to do it, than the things of this world influence those who are in their graves.
Are ye subject to ordinances - The rites and ceremonies of the Jewish religion; see the notes at Galatians 5:1-4.
Quoted verses: Galatians 5:1-4 1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. 3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
One more verse we were given in the commentary on our key verse, 1 Peter 4:1-4:
Colossians 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Live the will of God. Let us go back to the scripture I gave you for the word, "Choice."
Psalm 25:12 Commentary: That feareth the Lord - Who has a proper apprehension of his holiness, justice, and truth; and who, at the same time, sees himself a transgressor of God’s holy law, and consequently under the curse. That is the person that truly and reverently fears God. Him shall he teach - Such a person has a teachable spirit. The way that he shall choose - The way that in the course of Providence he has chosen, as the way in which he is to gain things honest in the sight of all men; God will bless him in it, and give him as much earthly prosperity as may be useful to his soul in his secular vocation. ~Adam Clarke Linked verses to first half of the verse: "What man is he that feareth the LORD?”
Psalm 111:10
Proverbs 1:7
Proverbs 2:5
Proverbs 15:33
Ecclesiastes 12:13 Linked verses to second half of the verse: "Him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.”
Psalm 32:8
Psalm 37:23
John 3:20-21 The word, "light" here is word G5457 which means to make manifest. You can see the verse, itself, saying this. Word G5457 comes from words G5316 and G5346. G5316 means to show, appear, be seen coupled with the word, "think." Word G5346 means to show or make known one's thoughts. In English terms, this means that the light of God, which includes His Word is going to manifest what you are and what you are doing. If we are wrong thinking, God's light will point this out. If we are right thinking, God is going to have us manifesting that Word in what we believe and what we do. God is going to manifest good thinking which will lead to the manifestation of good works, good principles and doing everything the way God does. This is living the will of God Let us look at the commentary on John 3:21 But he that doeth truth - He who does right, or he that obeys the truth. Truth here is opposed to error and to evil. The sinner acts from falsehood and error. The good man acts according to truth. The sinner believes a lie - that God will not punish, or that there is no God, or that there is no eternity and no [second death]. The Christian believes all these, and acts as if they were true. This is the difference between a Christian and a sinner. Cometh to the light - Loves the truth, and seeks it more and more. By prayer and searching the Scriptures he endeavors to ascertain the truth, and yield his mind to it. May be made manifest - May be made clear or plain; or that it may be made plain that his deeds are performed in God. He searches for truth and light that he may have evidence that his actions are right. Wrought in God - That they are performed according to the will of God, or perhaps by the assistance of God, and are such as God will approve. The actions of good people are performed by the influence and aid of God, Philippians 2:12. Of course, if they are performed by his aid, they are such as he will approve. Here is presented the character of a good man and a sincere Christian. We learn respecting that character:
1. He does truth. He loves
it, seeks it, follows it. |
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