"IF IT BE 'OUR' WILL"

May 29       “If It Be ‘OUR’ Will”    Matthew
26:39; Luke 22:42

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (Matthew 26:39)                                                                         “Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”  (Luke 22:42) 

I suspect that all of us have heard some beautiful sermons and I, hopefully, have preached one or two, on these precious words Christ prayed in Gethsemane- “…Nevertheless, not My will, but Thine, be done.”  Our message today is going to take a slightly different slant.  The Lord has a will for each one of our lives also, but so many times we do not seek it and follow it.  I believe that all of us are aware of the fact that, as believers, things occur in our lives because it is God’s will.  God created some people nice looking, and some not so nice looking.  He made some tall and some short (these “short folks” are as close to perfect as can earthly be). And we just have to depend on His wisdom in these matters that seem to be entirely in His control, therefore, in His will.  Now, be aware, there are some things that we cannot blame God for.  Some things happen because of “Our” will!  WE make certain decisions and act on them, and when we do this, without God’s direction; then we are doing “Our” will.  I remember a sermon that daddy preached, many years ago, and he said, “God will not change your will against your will!”  If we are going to do God’s will, we must be willing to let Him control “Our” will!  So, if it be “Our” will, we can pray!  Remember, it is God’s will that we should pray constantly.  We have to decide if we are going to do God’s will in this matter, because He will not force us to pray!  Wonder why we don’t pray like we should?  I believe the sad answer is that we are not living close to the Lord; instead, we are living close to the world!  Is it possible that, “If prayer does not drive sin out of our lives, that sin will drive prayer out?”  Many years ago, I did a “no no,” and Mama caught me, and she began to question me.  I lost my smile and my stomach tightened and I thought I was going to be sick and I said to Mama, “I don’t feel like talking.”  So it is with us, when our fellowship with God is broken by sin in our lives.  We don’t feel like talking to Him.  If you don’t feel like praying and you are not praying, that is a good indication that you need to pray!  I believe that we need to pray daily.  Daily prayer provides us with His strength and His spiritual guidance.  We should pray because pray changes things; and prayer changes us!  You may be trying to overcome something in your life and you have discovered that you are not doing a good job…Well, it is time to pray: Prayer is the solution.  If you want to see things change in your life, spend more time in prayer to God.  Great men have realized what prayer can do.  They had it working in their lives: “Abraham prayed and brought God down to his own terms.  Elijah prayed and called down fire from Heaven.  Daniel prayed and was saved from the lions.  Paul prayed and the gates of Rome shook.  Wesley prayed and great orphanages were reared.  Glen Brock prayed and God is still directing and answering his prayers…and, by the way, you are in his prayers!  If you are struggling, PRAY!  If you are confused, PRAY!  If you are angry, PRAY!  If you are lonely, PRAY!  If you are tired, PRAY!  “Be anxious for nothing; but in EVERYTHING by PRAYER and SUPPLICATION, with THANKSGIVING, let your requests be made known unto God (Philippians 4:6).”  Just remember, it is His will, not ‘Our” will that will make the difference!  Pray for HIS will for your life and live according to His Word!  Stay Strong, Stay Focused… Remember, THE BEST IS YET TO BE!