Mission Possible: Red Wire, Blue Wire... No, Red Wire (5 Of 6) Series

Red Wire, Blue Wire… no Red Wire…

Mission Possible – Series Review

1) God has called you, and the calling has never changed

2) He has equipped you with all of the tools you need

3) He has connected you to a team that will help you get the job done

4) Last week – we talked about keeping your cool (patience) when it seems bombs are about to go off

5) Today – I want to talk to you about making good decisions – the right decisions – with confidence.

We just saw a clip where Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) and Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) are faced with a terribly important decision. To cut the red wire or the blue… Of course – Martin Riggs makes the wrong decision, and they barely escape with their lives.

Of course – disabling a bomb is not so simple as red wire / blue wire. That’s the kind of thing that only happens in movies. But once again – it happens so frequently in the movies because it is exactly the way we feel so often in life.

Have you ever been faced with a major decision, which you were certain would impact the rest of your life? Have you ever lain awake at night wondering if you are on the right track? Have you ever looked back at decisions you made in the past and said, “Boy, I missed God’s will on that one!”

How many here want to be in God’s will?

I want to help you today understand how to get in, and stay in, God’s will. We don’t want anyone to be incapacitated by fear and indecision. Nor is there a need for anyone to live a life of regret. I want to help you understand how, from today forward – you can make the right decisions, and walk with confidence in God’s will for your life. Our text:

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV)

THE NATURE OF GOD’S WILL

To start with – I want to set your mind at ease… There is only one will of God – and it is perfect. Have you ever heard someone say, “I want to be in the perfect will of God?”. (As opposed to the imperfect will?)

Many look at the last part of verse 2 and describe three levels of God’s will. But that is not Paul’s intent. He is simply describing the will of God using three different adjectives. These three words tell us much about God’s will:

GOOD (for me) – In the Greek, this word means good… {smile}

Generally, when the Bible talks about something being good – it is towards creation. The will of God is good – for you. Write “for me” in your notes…

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17 (NIV)

ACCEPTABLE (to him) – another word is pleasing. Every time this word is used in the New Testament, it is speaking of pleasing God. Write “to Him” in your notes…

The will of God is always a win-win situation… It’s the best for you, and the best for Him.

PERFECT (complete). You will finish… Write “complete” in your notes…

Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; Phil 1:6 (NKJV)

We are instructed to PROVE or experience God’s will.

SO HOW DO I EXPERIENCE GOD’S WILL?

Let’s get to the basics of God’s will. Because if you discover the basics – you will discover it all.

I’m going to intentionally over-simplify this today. Matt 18:4 – …receive the kingdom as a little child…

There will be more to learn. But you need to start here, in the basics.

What does it mean to be IN His will?

39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." John 6:39-40 (NIV)

What does it mean to be OUT of His will?

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV)