Doing God's Will Is The Greatest Thing - Zac Poonen
Summary
The central message is that true eternal life is found not merely by accepting a gift, but by actively doing the will of God, as scripture repeatedly emphasizes. The speaker cautions against interpreting scripture by taking single verses out of context, citing passages like John 12:47-48 and Hebrews 5:9 to support that obedience is integral to eternal salvation. Ultimately, living for the world's passing values versus living to do God's will determines one's eternal destiny.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
The world passes away, but he who does God's will lives foreverBelievers often rely solely on Romans 6:23 as a gift without looking at other scriptures, but 1 John 2:17 states that those who do the will of God abide forever.1 John 2:17
The words of Jesus and the apostles will judge usJesus explained that His spoken words and the teachings of the New Testament epistles are the standard by which people will be judged at the last day.John 12:47–48
Eternal salvation comes to those who obey HimHebrews 5:9 indicates that eternal salvation is given to those who obey Him, mirroring Romans 2 where eternal life is rendered to those who patiently do good.Hebrews 5:9
Living for the will of God instead of a passing worldRecognizing that the world and its values are passing away should lead believers to invest their lives in doing the will of God rather than living for earthly things.
The historical conflict centered around the will of GodFrom Adam eating the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, humanity's fundamental rebellion has been choosing man's will over God's will.
The phrase 'the will of God' in the Old and New TestamentsThe phrase 'the will of God' does not appear in the Old Testament because humans lacked the power to do it, but it appears twenty-five times in the New Testament.
Jesus came down from heaven to do the Father's willThe entire life and ministry of Jesus can be summed up by His statement in John 6:38 that He came not to do His own will, but the will of Him who sent Him.John 6:38
God works in us to will and to do His good pleasurePhilippians 2:12-13 shows that the Holy Spirit dwells within believers to produce both the desire to please God and the power to carry it out.Philippians 2:12–13
The New Covenant promise of writing laws on the mind and heartHebrews 8 details the New Covenant promise where God puts His laws into the mind to create desire and writes them on the heart to grant ability.
God causes us to walk in His statutes through the Holy SpiritEzekiel 36:27 prophesies that putting the Holy Spirit within believers will cause them to walk in God's statutes rather than just telling them they should do so.
The finger of God is the Spirit of GodComparing Luke 11:20 and Matthew 12:28 reveals that casting out demons by the finger of God is done by the Spirit of God.Luke 11:20
Delighting in God's will versus actually doing itWhile David in Psalm 40 expressed a delight to do God's will, Jesus came in Hebrews 10 with a prepared body to actually fulfill it completely.Psalm 40:7–8
Presenting your body as a living sacrificeRomans 12:1-2 calls believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices and have their minds transformed so they can prove what the good and perfect will of God is.Romans 12:1–2
Refusing to let the devil convince you worldly things are the greatestThe devil gains power by making people believe that sex, money, or worldly status is the greatest thing, but believers must recognize that doing God's will is ultimate.
The yoke of Jesus is easy and His commandments are not a burdenCompelled by the Holy Spirit, believers find that Jesus's yoke is easy, His burden is light, and His commandments are not a burden.
