[Preached by Pastor Isaac Peter Oyako on 9th June 2013
(on Uganda-Kenya border) 183 in the service, (not counting children under 15)]

TEXT: Mathew 7:21-23 Not every one who says to me, Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of my father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name cast out demons, and in your name perform many miracles? Then I will declare to them, I never knew you. …NASB)

THEME: The will of God

INTRODUCTION:

The statement made by our Lord Jesus in this text is probably one of the scariest statements in the Scripture. For the past few days I have been really thinking about that statement. Whenever I drive a cross any town in Uganda on a Sunday morning, I see the streets empty, shops locked and business at a standstill. It is even difficult to find a restaurant open to render service: Every one is out for church service either in traditional church cathedral, evangelical church and Pentecostal church. This is probably the trend in Africa South of Sahara. Loud praises and worship accompanied by amplified modern musical instruments all in the name of the Lord fill the air. In most evangelical churches, the youth celebrate a Sunday service with dancing and rejoicing. It is hard to imagine that some, or even most of these, could be in vain.

From the statement of the Lord above, it seems there is something more which is the most important, and is also very easy to overlook, resulting in many missing the mark. Elsewhere in Scripture, it is portrayed that really few will make it, “Many are called but few will be chosen, (Mathew 22:14)”. “Narrow is the way and a gate is small that leads to life, only a few will find it. (Mathew 7:14). These profound statements from the Lord were not discouraging His disciples, but pronunciation of the truth, and to acquaint them with stringent standards in Heaven. It is therefore important that we think about this quite deeply, and examine ourselves.

People usually associated with prophesy, casting out demons and miracles are not drunkards out there, nor sluts in the streets peddling their flesh, but men and women of the church, the custodians of the word of truth. Apostle Paul warns the church not to be conceited, but fear, lest what happened to Jews could happen to her as well (Romans 11:20). Working out salvation by “fear and trembling” does not mean being saved by works, for we are saved by Grace (Ephesians 2:8-9), but it does mean always functioning within the perimeters of God’s will. (Philippians 2:12)

THE WILL OF GOD:

The “will of God” is a factor in inheriting the Kingdom of Heaven. There are two ways of looking at this:

(i) The will of God as per our day to day life. The Bible has given precise guidelines on this. The totalities of God’s will is revealed in the Scripture, which is the way a believer ought to conduct himself. I am not heading to that direction today.

(ii) However, we can also look at the will of God from the point of view of our placement, and responsible and faithful service towards building the body of Christ. The correct placement and complimentary function of each believer in Christ is my focus this morning. This entire area has been neglected, so we have so many complacent and redundant believers in terms of serving the Lord. The misconception that serving the Lord means one has to be pastor, evangelist, apostle, a prophet or a teacher must be dismantled. Many have minimized God’s call in medical, military, police, business, politics etc.

Many Christians do not at all understand God’s call in their individual lives, let alone its importance. Finding God’s will begins by receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior first. It is not possible to find the will of God outside of Christ Jesus, the son of God and the only Savior. Confessing Jesus as Lord and Savior into one’s life is just one big step in the correct direction, but that is not the end.

There is more to follow: Total surrender to Him as master and owner of one’s life is a very vital step. Relinquishing rights of choice, life and everything is a prerequisite to finding God’s perfect will for an individual. (2Corithians 5:15). God’s will is finding your place in the Kingdom and faithfully function in it. A majority of believers prefer running their own lives as they would wish, as long as they name the Lord Jesus as Savior, and struggle hard to stay out sin, go to church and pay their tithe. Some do not even permit God to have any say over their private affairs. To many, the only option open to God is to endorse (or rubberstamp) their decisions, and wait to hug them at the gate to Heaven. The reason why they expect a reward is because they did not kill any one on earth, did not commit immorality, or drunk alcohol, as though that was their righteousness on earth.

God has given saving grace to each one for the purpose of building His Body, the Church. Christ has put this quite clearly in the parable of talents (Mathew 25:14-29). It is amazing to see the connection between the eternity and the stewardship accorded to each of the three servants. The two worked diligently and were rewarded, but one servant out of negligence, ignorance or laziness had a tragic end. He never expected at all this verdict from his master; it was a shock and many will be shocked too. The truth illustrated here is the foundation of every Christians calling. Faithfully functioning within the will God, not only opens entry to Heaven, but also gives earthy blessings. (Isaiah 1:19; Mark 10:29-30).

Identification of God’s will: It is very necessary for every one to seek to indentify God’s perfect will for their lives, which comes after a total transformation (Romans12:2).There are many functions in the Body of Christ, and each individual role is unique and complementary to others. God gives special endowments (graces) to each role (Romans 12:3-7). The will of God is identifiable by:

(i) The freedom and peace it gives. This sweetness is independent of challenges or difficulties. Instead, the opposition catapults the believer into the bosom of God, seeking Him diligently. More freedom, joy and confidence is added. God’s individual will is relative and is characterized by its being, Good”, “Acceptable” and perfect (Romans 12:2). Some times my friends wonder why I drive through out the nights, in the most rugged roads, with cars under very dangerous Mechanic Condition with basic fuel, exposing myself risks. I just can’t help it it, I enjoy it. I understand what apostle Paul meant in 2Corithians 11:25-29.

(ii) The will of God can be real burden to whoever is revealed to and may be trying resisting it or going slow on it. Jeremiah describes it like fire shut up in the bones (Jeremiah 20:9). For the last 20 years, I have lived by faith, walked distances to teach word or lead a team to plant a church. I would have loved to get a job and make money through business, and enjoy a better standard of life like most of my friends. But each time, I tried I lost joy and the meaning of life.

Many times we wrongly assume that what we love doing is God’s perfect will. Sometimes we need to learn through a couple of errors too. God, the loving Father, in his humor, may allow us to try things and fail, most especially if we are over zealous and passionate about His will. I had a crush many years ago.

My Personal testimony: In my early years of ministry, I wanted to be an evangelist, and I thought I was one. I did not know that I was merely copying, or wanted to be TL Osborn, an American Evangelist who visited Uganda. God used TL Osborn very much in the area of healing. Thousands could turn to Jesus Christ during his open air campaign with many visible healings. Deep in my heart I wanted to be like him. I read all TL Osborn’s books and I was full of him.,

One day, I decided to demonstrate the healing power of God through Jesus Christ, the way TL Osborn did it. I could not stage an open air meeting because I could not afford that. But I knew where to find the sick, and that was the hospital. In order to prepare, I had three days of prayer with dry fasting, not even swallowing saliva.

After this, I went to Soroti Referral hospital and contacted the Medical Superintendent for permission. I was referred to Male ward 2A. I introduced my self to the medical staff on duty in that Ward, as an evangelist who is on a mission to pray and heal all manner of sicknesses. The work in that ward came to stand still as I turned the ward to an Open Air Service. I thundered like TL Osborn, doing everything just like him. Time came when l had to lay my hands on the sick, but none got healed. In fact one died as soon as I laid hands on him, as though I was bidding him a quick farewell.

I had to find a quick way out from the hospital; otherwise I could have ended up behind bars. The nurses got furious and came short of inviting the police. I was so discouraged. But I thank God for my paternal uncle, Rev. Etochu Emmanuel who gave me a good and sound counsel l. Failure is sometimes inevitable while seeking God’s will.

Developing God’s Will:

God’s will grows to perfection. There must be constant practice to make it perfect. The parable of the talents clearly shows the input from a person talented. The Bible teaches that, it is a person to whom a call is given, who must makes it come reality (2Peter 1:10).

My Personal Testimony: Many years ago, when I was probably 24 I had an unforgettable experience. I was living with my maternal uncle, Rev. Simon Emiau, who is now the General Superintendent of Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG), the affiliate of Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (POAC) by then. My uncle, at that time, was the Principal of the Bible School as well as a pastor of PAG church.

I kept pestering my uncle to grant me an opportunity to speak at a Sunday service. One day he yielded and allocated me a Sunday. I spent hours in school Library in preparation for my first sermon. I came up with my notes filling five foolscap papers. Not only was I prepared with a sermon, I made sure I had my suit, matching shoes and tie arranged for that day.

The D day came, and I was invited to preach after a couple of praise and worship songs. When I got to the pulpit, things changed: My audience was not of my expectation. I saw a large consignment of visiting Canadian missionaries, Faculty Staff of the Bible College, many wealthy-looking people from Mbale town. I became nervous and lost the sermon. In Less than 5 minutes, I had done; reading through my five pages like a news reader. I was allocated 45 minutes, but in five minutes it was all finished.

What next? Sweat poured out like water, yet I did not have a handkerchief to dry myself. Catherine, a young woman I was probably hoping to date, worsened things for me by lending me her own handkerchief publicly. My knees nearly gave way. What a disaster that Sunday! My uncle took over, but as soon as he stepped into the pulpit, I escaped out of church. I was so embarrassed that I did not want to meet any one again from church. I went straight to my bed and lay upside down.

My uncle returned home after service, and came straight to a discouraged and highly embarrassed man. He simply said, “Isaac you are a wonderful Bible Teacher, just keep practicing it.” To me it sounded as mockery, but it was the true. Today I can handle any congregation any where in the world with total confidence. This did not just come, but after consistent practice and development.

SUMMARY:

God has saved each of us for a purpose, therefore it our responsibility to seek to know that purpose and faithfully function with in it. But this does not come cheap. We need to totally surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ, and let him have his way. He is faithful and will communicate His will in clarity. Whenever, there is cloud of doubt, He is willing to make it clearer.

The totality of God’s will is revealed in His Word. Walking according to the Word of God is walking according to God’s will, Amen!

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