The will of God is no longer a mystery for the disciples of Christ. Peter wrote concerning the mystery the Old Testament prophets had but now is revealed to us, “10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things” (1 Peter 1:10-12).

Therefore, now in Christ we no longer have to wonder about the role of the Messiah, salvation, the bringing together of the nations, the future Kingdom to come or what is God’s perfect and pleasing will for our lives.

Everything has been revealed to us in Jesus Christ and His Word, given by the Holy Spirit. Jesus said in John 16:13-15, “13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.” These truths given to the apostles became the Scriptures and they remain alive and active in our lives by the same Holy Spirit that inspired them (Hebrews 4:12).

Now we can have the joy of discovering the will of God and pleasing Him in all that we do (Romans 12:1-2).

Ephesians 1:3-14, “3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.”

FOURTEEN THINGS PAUL WAS THANKFUL TO GOD FOR:

  1. Blessed with Every Spiritual Blessing, (v. 3).
  2. Chosen to be Holy & Blameless, (v. 4).
  3. Adoption to Sonship, (v. 5).
  4. Glorious Grace, (v. 6).
  5. Redemption & Forgiveness, (v. 7).
  6. All Wisdom & Understanding, (v. 8).
  7. Knowing God’s Mysterious Will, (v. 9).
  8. Unified with Christ, (v. 10).
  9. God’s Plan, (v. 11).
  10. Made to Praise God’s Glory, (v. 12).
  11. The Gospel, (v. 13a).
  12. Marked & Sealed by the Holy Spirit, (v. 13b).
  13. Guaranteed Inheritance, (v. 14a).
  14. God’s Possession, (v. 14b).

DEFINITIONS

  1. KNOW: To perceive and understand.
  2. MYSTERIOUS: Something God has kept secret or hidden.
  3. WILL: The determination and plan of God.

REFERENCES TO GOD’S WILL IN EPHESIANS

  1. Ephesians 1:5, “He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.”
  2. Ephesians 1:9, “He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ.”
  3. Ephesians 1:11, “In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.”
  4. Ephesians 5:17, “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”

FIVE THINGS WE CAN KNOW ABOUT GOD’S WILL

  1. God’s will can be known through Jesus (Ephesians 1:9).
  2. We learn about Jesus through the Word of God and personal experience (John 1:1 & Romans 12:2).
  3. God’s will includes everything in our lives, both the good and the bad (Romans 8:28).
  4. God’s will will be accomplished, with or without us (2 Timothy 2:13).
  5. God’s will is for everyone to know and love Him (2 Peter 3:9).

TEN THINGS GOD WANTS YOU TO KNOW ABOUT HIS WILL FOR YOUR LIFE

  1. God wants you to believe in Jesus and be born again (John 3:3).
  2. God wants you to know and love Him for all of eternity (1 John 3:1-3).
  3. God wants you to be a disciple of Jesus (Matthew 28:18-20).
  4. God wants you to be baptized with water and the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-8).
  5. God wants you to study, memorize and teach His Word (2 Timothy 3:16-4:2).
  6. God wants you to live a Kingdom centered life (Matthew 6:33).
  7. God wants you to love others as He has loved you (1 John 3:16-18).
  8. God wants you to be an active part of His church and spread the gospel (Acts 2:42-47).
  9. God wants you to have a godly family (Ephesians 5:21-6:4).
  10. God wants you to work and do all things as unto Him (Colossians 3:23-24).

God’s greatest mystery was revealed to humanity when the Son of God took on flesh and died for our sins.