Knowing God's Will

Knowing The Will Of God Phil 2:12,13

Introduction

Ill. – Pastor, Iv’e been praying and praying for a job. Now I’ve got 3 job offers. How do I know which one to take.

This message is about applying “Grace” to Knowing the will of God.

I. THE FIRST KEY – THE FOUNDATION OF KNOWING GOD’S WILL IS – Get This:

*-Knowing who you are in Jesus Christ.

*-Knowing who your are in your relatiohship to God.

Christians seem to struggle with believing that if they miss the will of God then they will have to settle for second best for their life.

There are two approaches that Christians often use when seeking God’s will for their lives.

1. The Legalistic Approach.

A. The legalist wants – “Ten Steps to Find God’s Will”

B. The legalistic approach is performance based.

It is about doing.

It is about my responsibility to find the“illusive” will of God.

Legalism asks – “What is the will of God”

Grace says – “The will of God is Jesus”

2. The Grace approach.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (this is a grace verse)

A. Begin by believing that God wants you to know His will.

B. To experience the will of God is to enjoy God Himself. – Relationship is central.

C. The starting place to knowing the will of God comes when you know who you are in Christ.

D. Quit trying to seek God’s will and seek God.

ILL. – There are two ways to get somewhere you have not been to.

• Ask someone for directions.

• Have that person take you there.

Legalism gives you directions – Grace will take you there.

The focus should be on Jesus and not on a plan.

• Legalism puts the responsibility on us to find the will of God.

• Grace – we find the will of God as we rest in Him. Out of our relationship with Him.

Ill. - When I as a Pastor start praying, Lord what do I preach on this week. I am seeking a sermon. When I seek God and spend time with him in relationship, then I find my mind and heart overflowing with messages. Why, because God has been "speaking to me all week."

Acts 13:1-3

• There were no committees. – There was no setting up a Missions board.

• The H.S. called them – while they were ministering.

• It doesn’t say they were looking for the will of God.

ACTS 16:6-10 – The Macedonian Vision

II. THE SECOND KEY TO KNOWING THE WILL OF GOD IS – SURRENDER

Rom. 12:1-3

1. Commitment vs. Surrender (there is an important difference)

A. Commitment - Many Christians are committed. They are committed to their marriage. They are committed to Tithing. They are committed to their S.S. class. They are committed until some difficulty arises. A committed Christian still hangs on to their will.

B. Surrender – It goes beyond commitment. Even in the face of seemingly impossible circumstances they keep on. A surrendered Christian doesn’t quit in the face of persecution. A surrendered Christian has no will, except the will of God – whatever it may be.

2. Be a living Sacrifice – Gen. 22

A. Absolute abandonment to God. Take our hands off of our life. (not easy to do)

B. Surrender your will and situation to God. Let me ask you this question

What good would it do to know the will of God if you were in your flesh?

Why seek to do the will of God in your flesh?

What good is the will of God without a close personal relationship with Jesus?

3. Be a Holy Sacrifice

Legalism slams us here. – How can I become Holy.

Legalism tells us that it is our responsibility to make ourselves Holy.

Grace declares – We are Holy – It is our gift from God. We have Christ’s holiness.

• We are not Holy because of How much we do.

• We are not Holy because of How many souls we win.

• We are not Holy because of how much we give.

If we focus on our behavior for Holiness, we take our eyes off of Jesus.

This is self-righteousness.

Not Achieving – But Receiving. You will never achieve perfection in this life.

Legalism teaches us that if we do the right things we will deserve the right to know the will of God.

Grace teaches us that we deserve nothing. All is Grace – God is sovereign.

Dan 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?