2. TITLE: The Secret of Doing God's Will TEXT: Hebrews 13:17-25 THEME: The believer should do God's Will

4. Fortune Magazine Ad “We’re all created equal. After that, baby, you’re on your own.”

5. Problem The fact is we are commanded to do God’s will but it is not something we can do on our own.

7. How does God equip you to do his will?

8. I. He provides godly leaders to keep watch over you. (17-19)

9. Hebrews 13:17-19 17 Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you

10. Hebrews 13:17-19 18 Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. 19 I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon.

11. II. He provides godly leaders to keep watch over you. (17-19) A. He tells we are to have confidence in them.

12. II. He provides godly leaders to keep watch over you. (17-19) A. He tells we are to have confidence in them. B. He tells us why we should submit to them.

13. II. He provides godly leaders to keep watch over you. (17-19) A. He tells we are to have confidence in them. B. He tells us why we should submit to them. – They keep watch over you.

14. II. He provides godly leaders to keep watch over you. (17-19) A. He tells we are to have confidence in them. B. He tells us why we should submit to them. – They keep watch over you. – They are accountable for you.

15. II. He provides godly leaders to keep watch over you. (17-19) A. He tells we are to have confidence in them. B. He tells us why we should submit to them. – They keep watch over you. – They are accountable for you. – So their work will be a joy. C. He tells us to pray for them.

16. Joe Mckeveer, “Why preachers are nuts.” “So if you have decided that your preacher is different from most folks, there is a good reason. And, may I say, give thanks that he is different. Those not called by God would never do this, could not take it, would not endure it and would find it impossible to come out on the other side of such suffering still praising Jesus.”

18. How does God equip you to do his will?

19. II. He provides the resources to do his will. (20-21)

20. Hebrews 13:20-21 20 Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

21. II. He provides the resources to do his will. (20-21) A. We have a God of peace- he wants us to be at peace with Him and others.

22. II. He provides the resources to do his will. (20-21) A. We have a God of peace- he wants us to be at peace with Him and others. B. We have a God of power- he brought Jesus back from the dead.

23. Ephesians 1:18-20 “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,

24. Ephesians 1:18-20 “19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,”

25. II. He provides the resources to do his will. (20-21) A. We have a God of peace- he wants us to be at peace with Him and others. B. We have a God of power- he brought Jesus back from the dead. C. We have a God who is a protector- the great Shepherd.

26. John 10:10-15 “…I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it.

27. John 10:10-15 “13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.”

28. II. He provides the resources to do his will. (20-21) A. We have a God of peace- he wants us to be at peace with Him and others. B We have a God of power- he brought Jesus back from the dead. C. We have a God who is a protector- the great Shepherd. D. We have a God who provides. – He equips us with everything good to do His will

29. II. He provides the resources to do his will. (20-21) A. We have a God of peace- he wants us to be at peace with Him and others. B We have a God of power- he brought Jesus back from the dead. C. We have a God who is a protector- the great Shepherd. D. We have a God who provides. – He equips us with everything good to do His will – He works in us to do what is pleasing to Him.

30. Romans 12:1-2 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God— this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

31. In the same way, when followers of Christ aren't connected to our Power Source, things quickly deteriorate.

33. How does God equip you to do his will?

34. III. He provides the community to support you. (22-24)

35. Hebrews 13:22-24 22 Brothers and sisters, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for in fact I have written to you quite briefly. 23 I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you. 24 Greet all your leaders and all the Lord’s people. Those from Italy send you their greetings. 25 Grace be with you all.

36. He provides the community to support you. (22-24) A. We are a family- brothers and sisters

37. John 1:11-12 “11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—“

38. III. He provides the community to support you. (22-24) A. We are a family- brothers and sisters. B. We have a word of exhortation from ones who care.

39. III. He provides the community to support you. (22-24) A. We are a family- brothers and sisters. B. We have a word of exhortation from ones who care. C. We can support each other-

40. Gordon McDonald I was awestruck. The simple words, the affection, the tenderness. How Jesus-like. I couldn't avoid a troubling question that morning. Could this have happened in the places where I have worshiped? Would there have been a space in the program for Kathy to tell her story? Would there have been a Marilyn to respond in this way

41. Question Can we be the kind of church to help people in living out God’s will in their lives?

43. APPLICATION: 1. This is why worship and small groups is so important in our lives.

44. APPLICATION: 1. This is why worship and small groups is so important in our lives. 2. God has your best interest in mind. Doing His will assures you will experience His best even though He may allow you to go through some hard times.

45. APPLICATION: 1. This is why worship and small groups is so important in our lives. 2. God has your best interest in mind. Doing His will assures you will experience His best even though He may allow you to go through some hard times. 3. When we obey God’s will he can build something eternal and meaningful in your life.

47. Ravi Zacharias, Jesus Among Other Gods “The more I reflect on my own life and study the lives of others, I am fascinated to see the design God has for each one of us … if we would only respond to him.”