Knowing And Doing God's Will

Romans 12:1-2; tells us God’s desire for our lives is good, pleasing, and perfect.

Philippians 1:9-11; His goal is for us to have knowledge and depth of insight. That we may be able to discern what is best.

1 John 2:17; His promise is that whoever does the will of God lives forever.

At times, God’s purpose, and His will for us seems to be a puzzle and mystery. We want it to be a neat outline, step by step, better and better. God lets it be a process with detours, disappointments, often unexplained.

I. In Knowing God’s Will, We Must Accept the Sovereignty of God

1. We must accept the fact that God has determined certain aspects of our lives and events in our world.

2. We did not choose our birth. Psalm 139:15-16

a. Parents

b. Physical appearance

c. I.Q.

d. Sex

e. Geography

3. God has determined the events and length of our lives. Job 14:1-5

4. Our lives rise and fall according to His plan, His will. Isaiah 45:5-7

5. God shapes, molds each life. He is the Potter we are the clay. Isaiah 45:9-11, Jeremiah 18:1-6; we have a father filter

6. in short, the bottom line is that God knows and is in charge of our future.

a. Much is unexplainable

b. It may seem unreasonable

c. Even unnecessary

d. Why me? Why that?

7. God's sovereign will is woven into the pattern of our lives. Romans 8: 28

a. We often do not see it until afterwards.

II. Our Part, God Has Given Us a Free Will

1. It's a freedom to choose, to accept God's plan. His will for our lives.

a. Or refuse, reject and rebel

b. when we refuse God's will, we miss his best for our life.

2. Our choices, do you make the difference

a. Adam and Eve Genesis 2 & 3

b. the people of Israel, Joshua 24: 14-15

c. Elijah, 1 Kings 18: 21

d. Amos 3: 3

3. the disciples made a choice; Mark 1: 17-20

4. Demas made a choice; 2 Timothy 4: 9-10

5. Moses made a choice; Hebrews 11: 24-26

6. We are free to choose, but every choice affects our lives. Romans 6: 15-23

7. The great pressure in life is knowing and doing God's will. To accept it or reject it. It is an individual choice affecting our life now and forever.

III. The Key in Knowing God’s Will is Obeying God’s Word

1. We don't know much about tomorrow, but we do know much about today.

a. God gives us guidance from His word.

b. Obedience to His word leads us to His will.

2. 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18; develop a thankful attitude toward everything and with everyone.

3. 1 Peter 2: 13-15; be submissive to God and to his leadership. Be a witness by doing right.

4. 1 Thessalonians 4: 3; live a life of moral purity in thought, word, and action.

5. Ephesians 5: 22 - 6: 4; focus on family life.

6. Colossians 3: 2; have values that last, don't be earthbound.

7. 2 Corinthians 6: 14-18; bond with believers. Don't be yoked together with unbelievers.

8. Hebrews 10: 24-25; Be faithful in attending church, be involved in its ministries.

9. Acts 1: 8; share your faith, be a witness.

10. Psalm 1:1-3 & 1 Thessalonians 5: 17; spend time in the Bible and in prayer.

11. 2 Corinthians 8 and 9, be a consistent supporter in God's work.

12. James 2: 1-10; Galatians 2: 10; be accepting of others and build relationships.

13. Titus 2: 11-15; look anxiously for Jesus’s return. He is coming back.

14. Knowing the word of God will take a lot of the struggle out of knowing the will of God.

IV. Knowing and Doing God’s Will is Life’s Greatest Adventure

1. Remember God's part, he is in control. He has predetermined much of our lives, trust him.

2. We are given permission to make choices. We can choose to do his will.

3. The Bible takes the puzzle out of knowing his will. we just have to listen and obey.

4. 2 Peter 3: 9