What happens in the spiritual realm (in our spirit) when we pursue the will of God?

1. What happens in the spiritual realm (in our spirit) when we pursue the will of God? How can we know that we are doing so?

2. Lesson Plan This Week • Examine four spiritual results of pursuing the will of God. • Probe the details of how we can know that we are pursuing God’s will with our lives.

3. Lesson Plan This Week III. Examine ourselves as to how well we are doing as we pursue the will of God with our lives.

4. Colossians 1:10-12 • 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

5. Colossians 1:10-12 • 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

6. Colossians 1:10-12 • 12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

7. Because We Are In Pursuit of His Will

8. I. Walking Worthy • a. True knowledge of God's will is inseparable from walking or • conformably to it. living

9. I. Walking Worthy Jesus • b. It was so for • during His earthly ministry. • John 4:34; 5:30; 6:38

10. I. Walking Worthy us today. • c. It is so for • Matt 7:21; 12:50

11. I. Walking Worthy • d. Therefore those who actively pursue the will of God are • of the Lord • Eph 4:1-6 Worthy

12. II. Fruitful a. Such who pursue the will of God shall be fruitful

13. II. Fruitful first • b. Bearing fruit is the • manifestation of our walking "worthy of the Lord."

14. II. Fruitful • c. This fruit bearing is a • of our spiritual growth and is pleasing to the Lord. natural outcome

15. II. Fruitful d. It manifests itself aschange in the (fruit of the Spirit) and is demonstrated by outward good works to others. Eph 3:16; 4:1-6 Gal 5:22-25 inward man

16. III. Growing • a. This fruit bearing process thus leads to increasing or • in the experiential knowledge of God. growing

17. III. Growing • b. This “full knowledge” of God is the true • of spiritual growth. means

18. III. Growing • c. Without experiential knowledge of God it is impossible to grow spiritually. • Spiritual growth is not an intellectual exercise.

19. IV. Strengthening • a. The outcome of experiential knowledge of God is that we are “Being strengthened”.

20. IV. Strengthening • b. Strengthed in • which is ever increasing, continuing, persevering faith, faith pressing forward, and faith which overcomes our unbelief. • 1 Peter 1:3-9 our faith;

21. IV. Strengthening • c. This living faith is strengthened as it is manifest in our sanctification • (as we .) • 2 Cor 3:18 • Phil 1:20-21 live Christ

22. IV. Strengthening • d. This strength is not a • just barely getting by strength. • It is Dunamis. • Col 1:11 meager,

23. IV. Strengthening • e. We are "empowered with all power”. According to the might of His glory. It is • derived from another, and is accompanied by His glory. perfect strength

24. V. Four Proofs • a. Such strength enables us to take anything that comes our way with • That means we are remaining under the pressure of difficulties without succumbing. • James 5:9-10; 2 Cor 6:3-5 patience.

25. V. Four Proofs • b. Such strength derived from the Holy Spirit allows us to endure long abuse and we • against our abusers. do not retaliate

26. V. Four Proofs • c. Because we have such strength we can go through whatever God ordains • Acts 5:40-41; 16:23-25 joyfully.

27. V. Four Proofs • d. And through it all we are • to God who has made us qualified to be heirs with Christ. thankful

28. Patience Joy Pursuit of His Will Longsuffering Thanks

29. VI. Application • a. To what extent do you exhibit patience, longsuffering, joy and thankfulness in trials?

30. VI. Application • b. Why do you think you come up short?

31. VI. Application • c. Convert your self assessment to a prayer of confession to God.