Not My Will

I’m pretty sure I don’t mean it when I pray, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Or maybe I’m okay with God’s will being done “on earth” in general, but not so much in my personal life. I’m pretty sure I want my will to be done in my life. So, what I’m really wanting is for God to align his will with my will. I want what I think is best for me. Who else is honest enough to say the same?

As we continue our series in The Gospel of Luke and look at Luke 22:35–46 this Sunday, we will hear Jesus pray, “Not my will but yours be done.” And that declaration came in the midst of an emotionally-charged wrestling match with what he knew was coming. The inevitability of the cross and the painful and cruel death that awaited him in a few short hours brought him to a breaking point as he, in his humanity, pleaded with the Father to find another way. But in the end, knowing that he had to be crucified, he surrendered to the Father’s will. And he was strengthened by an angel sent by God.

That’s the pattern for all who believe as well. Accepting the will of God will always be difficult, as it was difficult for Jesus. It will always be a challenge to pray for God’s will to be done because the path that he lays out for us is not likely to be easy. And we will have these intense, emotionally-charged times in our lives when we are pleading with the Father to do it a different way. But in the end, if we choose his will, God will strengthen us, bless us, and show us how it will all work out for his glory and also for our ultimate benefit.

Sermon Notes

The Gospel of Luke | Pt. 6
Not My Will
Pastor Todd Dugard // Luke 22:35–46
March 24, 2019

To be able to personally say, “Not my will, but God’s be done” means...

• Recalling what he has done in the past (v. 35)

• Preparing for what is yet to come (v. 36–38)

• Following Jesus no matter where he takes me (v. 39)

• Praying even when it is difficult to do so (v. 40–46)