Pleasing God, Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

The Will of God: Patterned After Jesus – Part 2

John 4:31-38 – Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” So the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought him something to eat?” Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.”

A. The Spirituality of the disciples and God’s Will (Part 1)

1. Spiritual dullness was present
2. Spiritual urgency was lacking
3. Spiritual cooperation was taught

B. The Pattern of Jesus and God’s Will (This Sermon)

1. It is the consuming desire in life – John 4:31-34; John 8:29; Job 23:12; 1 Peter 2:1; Matthew 4:2-4

a. Gospel labor is a commissioned privilege – Philippians 1:3-5

b. Gospel labor is a commissioned duty – 1 Corinthians 9:16

2. It is the active principle for life – John 4:31-34

a. We must be properly equipped for the work – Hebrews 13:20-21; Ephesians 4:11-12; Acts 4:13

b. We must be properly motivated for the work – Hebrews 13:20-21; Philippians 1:9-10

3. It is to be completed in life – John 4:31-34; John 17:4

a. Arm our minds with the difficulty – Hebrews 10:36

b. Keep the reward in front of us – Hebrews 10:36; Hebrews 11:39