knowing god's will
TRANSCRIPT
There is a choice you have to make, - In everything you
do. - And you must always keep in mind, - The choice
you make makes you. In the little booklet, Bits and Pieces,
We are often presented with difficult choices.
The godly person seeks to please God in the choices
he/she makes.
Thus the godly person desires to know God’s will
in the matter.
Some have little to no bearing on our destiny – (color of suit / dress, color of shoes, which restaurant
for lunch, Mac or PC, Verizon or AT&T, etc. . . .)
Every choice Is NOT of equal importance!
Decisions today are often affected by decisions we have made in the
past – (profession; education; marriage; divorce; burnt bridges; etc)
Life can become very complicated!
Every choice Is NOT Easily Determined!
Too MANY voices
Subjectivism / Mysticism / Pragmatism
1 Corinthians 4:6 (NKJV)
6 Now these things, brethren, I have
figuratively transferred to
myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the
other.
Determining God’s will in a matter of importance can sometimes be difficult - (2 Pet 3:16-18; 2 Tim 2:15)
Spiritual maturity, spiritual understanding & heavenly
wisdom are necessary - (Heb 4:12; 1 Cor 2:12-16; Jam 1:5)
Every choice Is NOT Easily Determined!
The Most Important Choice
Free to choose – but not free not to choose …
Not free to choose consequences …
Choosing to follow God Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Joshua
24:14-15; 1 Kings 18:21; Mat 7:13,14
We decide to follow God – or we decide not to.
This choice will GOVERN EVERY other choice
The Most Important ChoiceChoosing to follow God
Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Joshua 24:14-15; 1 Kings 18:21; Mat 7:13,14
Choosing to follow God Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Joshua
24:14-15; 1 Kings 18:21; Mat 7:13,14
The Most Important Choice
Proverbs 3:6 (NKJV) 6 In all your ways
acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
Choosing to follow God Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Joshua
24:14-15; 1 Kings 18:21; Mat 7:13,14
The right way – or the wrong way – Mat 7:13,14; Jer 16:6
A Godly Attitude or an Ungodly attitude – Mat 5:3-10; Phili 2:5
Obedience or Rebellion - 1 Sam 15:22,23; Mat 7:21-23; Heb 5:8,9
The Most Important Choice
Preliminary Truth God is aware of our struggles & needs - (Ps. 34:15; Mat. 6:26, 33; Rom 8:18-28; 1 Pet 5:7; 1 Jn 3:22)
God does lead His people [NOT if but HOW!] - (Ps. 23; 143:10; 145:14-21; Isa 48:16,17; Rom 8:14,16)
God wants us to be confident in the choices we make - (1 John 3:19-22; Rom 14:22,23; 2 Cor 5:7; Rom 10:17; Ps 119:38; Prov 4:26)
How To Determine God’s Will?Ephesians 5:15–17 (NKJV)
15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise,
but understand what the will of the Lord is.
How To Determine God’s Will?2 Timothy 3:16–17 (NKJV)
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be
complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
How To Determine God’s Will?Requires “PURPOSE” – to know & do what’s right - Dan. 1:5; Mat. 5:6; Ps. 42:1,2; Josh. 24:15; Ps. 119:106; Acts 11:23; Heb 11:24-27 Requires “Knowledge” – of the truth - John 8:32; Acts 17:11; 2 Pet. 3:14-18; 2 Tim 3:16,17
Demands desire– Psalm 19:7-11; 1 Pet. 2:1; 2 Thes 2:12 Demands proper effort & usage – 2 Tim. 2:15; Heb 5:13
How To Determine God’s Will?2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV) 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to
God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word
of truth.
How To Determine God’s Will?
Hebrews 5:12–14 (NKJV) … 13 For everyone who partakes
only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both
good and evil.
How To Determine God’s Will?God leads us through His “WORD” – Ps 119:97-104; Jn 6:63; 17:17; Eph 3:3-5; 1 Pt 1:22-24; 4:11 God leads through those mature in the faith – Heb 13:7,17; 2 Tim 3:1-7; Acts 20:28; 17:11,12; Eph 4:11-16; Gal 6:1 God leads through our worship & assembling together – Acts 2:42-47; Heb 10:24,25; 1 Cor 14:3,17,26; James 5:16; Mat 7:7-11
How To Determine God’s Will?God’s word contains everything we need to know to be pleasing to God - 2 Tim 3:16,17 By diligently studying God’s word, I will grow spiritually, gaining greater understanding of God’s will. - Acts 17:11,12; Col 1:9,10; 2 Tim 2:15; 1 Pet 2:2 As I grow in the knowledge of the Lord, I increase my ability to properly apply the principles of scripture - Heb 5:12,13
How To Determine God’s Will?What about providence?
There are things going on behind the scenes we cannot know - (Rom 8:18-26; Esth. 4:14) We must trust God - what He has revealed - What He commands & what He promises to the faithful - (Book of Esther; Mat 6:24-34; 1 Pet 5:10)
How To Determine God’s Will?
Assuming God has a preference in every single thing (Rom. 14:6)
Signs - Waiting for some sort of “sign” of God’s approval or “steering” (Eccl. 11:4; 1 Cor 1:18-25)
Pragmatism - if it works or is profitable for me -(Ps 73:3; He 12:6)
FALSE Concepts 1 Samuel 15:13,20,21; 2 Peter 2:1-3
How To Determine God’s Will?
Intuition, thoughts, can be wrong (Acts 26:9-11; Prov 14:12; Mark 8:33)
Dreams - God has used them before & during the revelation of scripture, but today He speaks to us through His completed revelation - (Jude 3,8; Jer 23:25-27; 2 Tim 3:16)
FALSE Concepts 1 Samuel 15:13,20,21; 2 Peter 2:1-3
How To Determine God’s Will?
Misunderstanding / misuse of Romans 8:14,16, as many as are led by the Spirit … Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit - (Rom 8:2) To be led by the Spirit is to be led by the word He inspired - (8:2; John 20:30,31; Heb 10:16,17; 1 Pet 1:11,12; Re. 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22)
FALSE Concepts 1 Samuel 15:13,20,21; 2 Peter 2:1-3
How To Determine God’s Will?Holy%Spirit%Bears%Witness%
Believe%–%Acts%8:37%
Confess%–%Romans%10:9%%
Repent%–%Acts%17:30%
Be%baptized%–%1%Peter%3:21%
Be%faithful%–%Col.%1:23%
Confess,%Repent%&%Pray%–%Acts%8:22;%1%John%1:9%
Our%Spirit%Bears%Witness%
I%Believe%–%Acts%8:37%
I’ve%Confessed%–%Romans%10:9%%
I%Repented%–%Acts%17:30%
Was%Baptized%–%1%Peter%3:21%
I%am%%Faithful%–%Col.%1:23%
I%Confess,%Repent%&%Pray%–%Acts%8:22;%1%John%1:9%
Holy%Spirit%Bears%Witness%
True%worship%–%John%4:24;%%Assemble;%Lord’s%Supper;%Sing;%Pray;%Study;%Give%
Authorized%work%–%Col%3:17%
Love%God%–%Mat%10:37;%Mark%12:29,30;%John%14:15,21P24;%%%%%%%%%%
1%John%2:3P5;%5:2,3%%%
Love%others%–%Mark%12:31;%%%%%%%%%%1%John%3:17P19;%4:7,8,21%
Add%to%your%faith%–%2%Pet%1:5P10%
Our%Spirit%Bears%Witness%I%worship%God%according%to%the%NT%pattern%–%Heb%10:25;%
Acts%20:7;%Eph%5:19;%1%Thes%5:17;%Acts%17:11;%1%Cor%16:1,2%
Authorized%work%–%Col%3:17%
I%love%God%–%I%desire%to%do%His%will%and%to%be%pleasing%to%Him%–%I%keep%His%commandments%P%
1%John%2:3P5;%5:2,3%
I%love%others%–%Mat%25:31P46;%%%%1%John%3:17P19%%
I%am%growing%–%2%Pet%1:5P10%
How To Determine God’s Will?
“Finally, the Bible gives us no reason to expect that God will speak to His children today apart from the Scriptures … Moreover, the promise of such guidance inevitably diverts attention
from the Scriptures, particularly in the practical and pressing concerns of life. Let us never
underestimate just how serious this diversion really is. In the Bible the church hears God’s true voice; in the Scriptures, we know that He
is speaking His very words to us.”—DOES GOD SPEAK TODAY APART FROM THE BIBLE?©
R. Fowler White http://www.the-highway.com/God_Speak.html
R. Fowler While (B.A., M.A., Vanderbilt Univ.; Th.M., Dallas Theological Seminary; Ph.D.,
Westminster Theological Seminary) is associate professor of New Testament
and Biblical Languages at Knox Theological Seminary in Ft.
Lauderdale, Florida.
How To Determine God’s Will?
Can it be done in the name of Christ? – Col. 3:17 Can you prove it to be right by Bible? - 1 Thes 5:21 Can it be done to the glory of God? - 1 Cor. 10:31 Would it be a weight or hindrance? – Heb 12:1 What are the consequences? - Gal. 6:7 Will it edify you? – 1 Cor. 10:23 Would it be a stumbling block to others? - 1 Cor. 8:9 Have you sought godly counsel? - Prov. 11:14 What if Jesus was here / returns? – Mat 24:44
We are often presented with difficult choices.
The godly person seeks to please God in the choices
he/she makes.
Thus the godly person desires to know God’s will
in the matter.
We obey the gospel – Mar 16:16; Rom. 10:16; 2 Thes 1:7-9; 1 Pet. 4:17
We act with Divine authority in everything we say & do – Col.
3:17; Mat. 21:25; 1 Chron. 15:13
We put the Lord first in our lives – worshipping, giving; serving; working;
- Mat. 6:33; Mark 12:29-31
We trust Him in good times or hard times - He knows & cares -
Rom 8:12-39; James 1:1-8
God’s Will Is
We seek to know what’s right
We learn what’s right
We believe what’s right
We do what’s right
God’s Will IsEcclesiastes 12:13–14
(NKJV) 13 Let us hear the
conclusion of the whole ma4er: Fear God and
keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. 14 For God
will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing,
Whether good or evil.
Life on Earth Hell Heaven
We have all made bad decisions The good news is that there is
forgiveness and the opportunity for a new start in Christ – 2 Cor. 5:17
Charts by Don McClain Prepared March 20,21, 2015 / Preached March 22, 2015
West 65th Street church of Christ P.O. Box 190062 / Little Rock AR 72219
501-568-1062 Prepared using Keynote 2014 –
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John 6:60–69 (NKJV) 60 Therefore many of His
disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?” 61
When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them,
“Does this offend you?
John 6:60–69 (NKJV) 62 What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend
where He was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the
flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are
spirit, and they are life.
John 6:60–69 (NKJV) 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew
from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. 65 And He
said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me
unless it has been granted to him by My Father.”
John 6:60–69 (NKJV) 66 From that time many of
His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. 67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?”
John 6:60–69 (NKJV) 68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to believe and
know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.