Walking in the Will of God
The sermon emphasizes the importance of actively choosing to align our personal will with God's will, as exemplified by Jesus Christ.
Watchman Nee emphasizes the importance of exercising our personal will in alignment with God's will, as demonstrated by Jesus Christ. He points out that while Jesus had His own will, He chose to act in harmony with the Father's will, illustrating that our wills should not be passive but actively engaged in seeking God's direction. Nee highlights that Jesus' example teaches us to deliberately choose to follow God's will rather than our own desires. This active engagement in God's will is essential for a fulfilling Christian life.
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(The following is an article by Jessie Penn-Lewis, "Walking in the Will of God." It originally appeared in The Overcomer, Vol. 6, published by The "Overcomer" Office, Leicester, England, June 1914.)
It is most important for the Lord's children to recognise that they have, and must use, their individual personal will. That the Lord Jesus had His own separate will is clearly set forth in John vi. 38. "I am come down from heaven not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me."
In John v. 30, the Lord Jesus said "I can of Mine own self do nothing"--this means that He never acted apart from His Father--"As I hear I judge: and My judgment is just, because I seek not Mine own will but the will of the Father which hath sent Me." Although He had a separate will, the principle of His life was not independent action, but a co-action in harmony with the will of God. His was not a passive will, but an active one, deliberately set to do the will of His Father.
It is important to know that God does not desire us to have a passive will for the Father to impress His will upon it, and move us apart from our own volition. The words of the Lord Jesus show that He used His will in distinct action. He said: "I SEEK NOT Mine own will," which shows that He was free to will and act in another direction to that which He deliberately sought and chose to follow.
Here we see the negative aspect of the Lord's walk with God the Father--He did not seek to do His own will.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Understanding the Personal Will
- The Example of Jesus' Will
- The Importance of Active Willing
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II
- The Relationship Between Will and Action
- The Role of God's Will in Our Lives
- The Principle of Co-Action with God
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III
- The Negative Aspect of Jesus' Will
- Choosing God's Will Over Our Own
- The Freedom to Will Differently
Key Quotes
“I am come down from heaven not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me.” — Watchman Nee
“I can of Mine own self do nothing.” — Watchman Nee
“I SEEK NOT Mine own will.” — Watchman Nee
Application Points
- Recognize the power of your personal will in making choices that align with God's purpose.
- Strive to actively seek God's will in your daily decisions rather than passively following your own desires.
- Reflect on Jesus' example to understand the importance of co-acting with God in fulfilling His plans.