Mark 3:31-35 (NIV) 31 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. 32 A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” 33 “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked. 34 Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” 

Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” 35

How important is it for you to know and do God's Will?

How do we know what God's will is?

Important if we are to become More Like Jesus

Good News - God has made His will clear!

BUT...

"The Bible is very easy to understand. But we Christians are a bunch of scheming swindlers. We pretend to be unable to understand it because we know very well that the minute we understand, we are obliged to act accordingly." Søren Kierkegaard

What is God’s will for our lives?

1. God wills for all to believe in Jesus

Then they (the crowd) said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” (Joh 6:28-29)

“Believe”...

a) God wills us to put our trust in Jesus.

b) God wills us to help others believe in Jesus.

2. God’s will is that we reflect God’s Character

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Mic 6:8)

To follow Jesus is to become More Like Jesus

What is God like?

The LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, (Exo 34:5-6)

This is God’s will for our lives. 

What would it mean for you to reflect God’s character where he has sent you?

For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe. He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving them food and clothing. Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt. You shall fear the LORD your God. You shall serve him and hold fast to him, and by his name alone you shall make promises. He is your praise. He is your God, (Deu 10:17-21)

3. God’s will is that our relationship with Him will change us

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1Th 5:16-18)

God’s will for you is to spend time with Him and gratefully celebrate at all times... 

Gratitude, and joy are a choice, and your mood reflects what you focus on.

And pray always!

So what's stopping you from doing God's will?

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

1.    How important is it for you to “Do God’s Will”? Do you know what it is?

2.    How do you feel about this statement of Jesus: Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” 35

3.    How would you feel if you were told God’s will is very clear in the Bible. Do you think you would be willing to do it, whatever it was? Why or why not?

4.    God’s will is for us to “Believe in Jesus”. What do you think “Believing in Jesus” means? Who should “Believe in Jesus” and what is our role in this?

5.    God’s will is for us to reflect His character. How does the Bible describe God? What is He like? How are these evident in your life? What could you work on so that you could say you are doing God’s will?

6.    God’s will is for us to deepen our relationship with Him. What are you doing to achieve this? How is it evident in how much time and effort you put into reading the Bible, praying and spending time with Him? 

7.    Give yourself a score out of 10 for how grateful and joyful you are. What can you do to improve this?

8.    Given you now know what God’s will is, how will your behaviour change this week because you are doing God’s Will?