03/25/2020
Did you preach a wonderful sermon this week, or do something amazing for your church? Have you been given accolades for your teaching ability, or praised for a miracle that God performed following your intercession in prayer? Perhaps you were recognized for years of service to your congregation, and puffed out your chest in satisfaction. Well, If we claim the glory for any of these things publicly, or even privately in the depths of our heart, then whose will were we serving if not our own? Our service to God should be performed by humbly Seeking and doing God’s will, then stepping back and yielding all glory to Him.
“So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.”
John 5:19 ESV
in this verse we hear Jesus say that he can do nothing on His own, and all that He does comes from doing His Father’s will. If we do God’s will just as Jesus did, then that same claim which Jesus made should be ours as well... we have no claim. Some say that the apostle Paul touted that he could do all things, but if we read that scripture carefully we hear a very different message; we hear the same shift of personal ability from himself to God, but instead of saying He could do nothing without God’s will, he says he does it all WITH God’s strength, or His will... a different approach but the same message.
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:13 ESV
So if we contrive ways to serve the Lord in our own minds rather that painstakingly seeking His will, then we are doing nothing. When we do our own will and call it His we are simply building a Tower of Babble, and sinfully affixing our name to it. Instead of God delivering a message to the congregation through us when we preach, it is we who are speaking, and presumptuously calling it God’s. In this way we are usurping God’s authority, and misrepresenting His will. But, if the words truly come from the Lord then who but Him should receive the glory? It is the same in all things we do... seek God’s will, do it, and give Him the glory.
“So Jesus said to them, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him."”
John 8:28-29 ESV
If I am walking down the street and see a man near death with hunger, and the Lord speaks to my heart saying “Give food to this man that he might be nourished, and be saved!”, then I am doing God’s will, and should do it quietly in secret. But if I see a man near death from hunger, and a crowd gathering nearby, then I make a production of feeding this man so that they will see me doing so... then it is only my own will I am doing, and my will which is being served... and ultimately rewarded by those witnesses.
“"And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.”
Matthew 6:5 ESV
So, when He was doing God’s will, then how did Jesus react to being praised? The greatest example comes when He is baptized, and this amazing proclamation is made by God regarding Him...
“And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."”
Matthew 3:16-17 ESV
Following this great statement of praise there is no record of Jesus saying, or claiming, anything. Not a word. Instead he was led immediately into the wilderness, and then tempted. There was not even a simple thank you offered publicly to His Father, or, to borrow from a nursery rhyme, not even a... “Oh what a good boy am I!” No, He was mute, and humble as He yielded all the glory of that moment to His Father. Likewise, in each of His prayers we hear him seek the will of God; whether it is in the Lord’s Prayer, or the Garden of Gethsemane. In our prayers are we doing the same?
“Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
Matthew 6:9-10 ESV
Then again in the Garden of Gethsemane...
“Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, "My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done."”
Matthew 26:42 ESV
We should always seek and do God’s will, and then when it is done we should step back, giving all the glory to Him... being very careful not to lift ourselves up , or place our efforts before His. If we claim God’s glory, or do our own will and claim it to be God’s then we are likely to hear these words at judgement...
“"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'”
Matthew 7:21-23 ESV
So how do we pray? How do we obey? How do we serve Him, and how do we glorify Him?
Prayer:
Father, we thank you for showing us your will when we ask for it to be revealed to us in our prayers. We thank you for providing us with your blessings and gifts as we go about doing what you have asked of us, and once your will has been done Father, we honor you by humbly stepping back so that you are fully glorified. Thank you Lord for your Son Jesus who taught us these things, and showed us how to live them in our lives. Never let it be said that we have placed our desires before yours, or claimed the slightest measure of glory that was yours. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who’s will is supreme, and who’s glory is unrivaled. Praised be your name Father for all you accomplish with us in your hand. You are the great craftsman who does all things through those who serve you, and in all things your glory shines forth. Hear our prayers Father, and attune our ears to your voice, opening our eyes to your will for us, and humbling us as we put your will before ours in every way. We worship you Lord, and sing of your glory on earth, and one day we long to sing of it in heaven... in this way we glorify you now, then, and forevermore.
“In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.”
Proverbs 3:6-8 ESV
Rich Forbes