How To Know God’s Will
“Therefore, do not be foolish but understand what the Lord’s will is.” Ephesians 5:17
God has a plan for the life of each Christian. The Bible teaches that we can know what God
desires to do in most any circumstance. As believers our priority should be to determine what
His will is for our lives, and then do it, whatever the cost.
“What is God’s will for me?”, it seems that we have the EMPHASIS on the wrong word. We seem to
be asking, “What is God’s will for ME?” instead of, “Where do I fit into GOD’S will?”
I.
God has a plan for the life of each Christian
Eph 2:10
A.
Rom 8:29
Predestined
B.
Eph 1:11-12
“In Him . . . we . . having been predestined . . .that we . . .
would be to the praise of His glory.”
C.
John 10:10b
“I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
II.
God’s plan is not understood on the human level
1 Corin 2:11-14; 1 Corin 1:20-29
A.
Is 55:8-9
God’s thoughts & ways are superior to man’s
B.
Prov 3:5-6
Seek God’s way
C.
Psalm 1
God’s way contrasted to man’s way
D.
Rom 12:1-2
Transforming of our minds
III.
Finding God’s will for us (General)
Rom 8:29; 1 Thess 4:3
Other verses which contain “the will of the Lord” or “the will of God”
Acts 21:14
Rom 15:32
Eph 1:1
1 Pet 4:2
Eph 5:17
1 Corin 1:1
Col 1:1
1 Pet 4:6
Mark 3:35
2 Corin 1:1
Col 4:12
1 Pet 4:19
Rom 1:10
2 Corin 7:9
2 Tim 1:1
1 Pet 5:2
Rom 8:27
2 Corin 7:10
Heb 10:36
1 John 2:17
Rom 12:2
2 Corin 8:5
1 Pet 2:15
“God is more interested in what we _________ than what we _________;
for what we _________ determines what we _________.”
IV.
The fulfillment of our purpose is in Him
John 17:3; Phil 3:7-11
A.
2 Tim 1:12
Knowing Him
Ps 100:3
His nature (character)
John 3:16-17
His purpose
2 Pet 3:9, Eek 18:23,18:32,33:11, 1 tim 2:3
Ps 25:4
His ways
Ps 27:11; 86:11; 143:8, 10
Rom 9:13-17
Through His Word
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V.
Obedience to what has been revealed is necessary
Matt 16:24; John 14:15; Eph 6:6
John 15:12-14
A.
1 Sam 15:15-22
Obedience is better than sacrifice
B.
John 15:8, 16-17
Commanded to bear fruit and to love one another
C.
Matt 28:18-20
Commanded to go and make disciples
D.
Eph 5:18
Commanded to be filled with the Spirit
E.
2 Tim 2:15
Search the Scriptures
2 Tim 3:16, 17; Ps 119:105;
F.
Jas 1:22-27
Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only
Ps 119:33, 34, 69; 143:8, 10
VI. Why Obedience is important in God’s will for the world
A. Ezek 33:1, 18:23, 18:32 God takes no pleasure in the death, but wants all to repent
B.
VII.
Finding God’s will for us (Specific)
Eph 5:17; Rom 12:1-2
A.
Matt 6:33
Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness
Not as the example of James 4:3
B.
Prov 3:5-6
Seek the Lord & His will
C.
Ps 37:3-6
Trust, Delight, Commit yourself to the Lord
Not as the examples of Deut 1:19-26; Jer 42:1-43:7
D.
Col 3:15-16
Do it from the heart
Eph 6:6
E.
James 1:5-8
Ask God for wisdom
F.
2 Tim 2:15
Search the Scriptures
2 Tim 3:16, 17; Ps 119:105;
G.
Acts 13:2
Ask for the leading of the Holy Spirit Acts 16:6
H.
Prov 11:14
Seek the wise counsel of godly men (and women)
Not as the example of 2 Kings 12:1-19
I.
2 Tim 1:7
Utilize the gifts which God has given you
(sound mind = self discipline)
Not as those found in 2 Tim 3:5-7
VIII. We follow the Lord by FAITH
2 Corin 5:7
A.
Ps 119:105
Progressive, not complete revelation
Corin 13:12
B.
Jas 1:2-4
Trial, tribulation, and suffering are to be expected.
2 Thess 1:4-5; 1 Pet 5:9
C.
1 John 5:4
The victory has already been obtained (assured)
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