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Open Doors Of Opportunity Series
Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Jul 11, 2016 (message contributor)
Summary: The Bible gives truths to help us discern God's will for us. Yes, we are to live by faith. However, our faith is to be based from Biblical truths that are eternal.
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Title: Open Doors of Opportunity
Theme: God Does Not Contradict His Word
Series: Three Foundational Truths to Grasping Gods Will
Introduction: The greatest frustration to many people is the inability to determine God's will for them. Many find themselves in circumstances which are unpleasing to the Lord, in direct rebellion to God or at the very least living in the aroma of confusion and uncertainty. The Bible tell us, "All a man's way seems right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart." (Proverbs 21:2) Many Christians find themselves living in a sin cursed world, making decisions from the control of the flesh, the lures of a world view and amazingly the lies of the devil. The Bible gives a stern warning, There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." (Proverbs 16:25)
Proposition: I would propose to you that the Bible gives truths to help us discern God's will for us. Yes, we are to live by faith. However, our faith is to be based from Biblical truths that are eternal.
We all must understand just because an opportunity presents itself, and it looks appealing, doesn't necessarily mean it is from God. Likewise, just because an open door looks a little uncertain, doesn't mean you shouldn't walk through it.
The key to walking in step with the Lord, is to hold the key to opening doors that glorify the Lord in our lives, present God as being the one true God and presents Christ as Lord and Savior to all who sees our lives.
Interrogative Sentence: Just what are three foundation truths to holding keys that opens up doors of opportunity of God's will for us? The master key - is to be able to discern God intercession in our lives by placing God's written Word into our minds and spiritual hearts. Christians must be hungry to seek the Lord's will. The Bible says, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:1-2)
Feeding your spiritual heart is like preparing a healthy meal for your body. It takes time to read and study so we can determine what is a healthy meal. It takes time and effort to purchase the food, then properly prepare it and discipline ourselves to select the right proportions to eat.
Have you ever heard of those people who knew they needed to loose weight and their lust of the flesh was pop. So they purchase diet pop, and then drink twice as much. "All a man's way seems right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart." (Proverbs 21:2) The heart problem was they knew they should loose weight, after all the message to lose weight is everywhere, it is the right thing to say and agree to. The heart issue missing, they should get themselves in shape because it is God who created them, it is He who gives them life and breath and everything. (Acts 17:25)
The child of God who wants to know God's will, will discipline his mind, open his heart, and choose this day to apply these foundational truths: 1.) God Never Contradicts His Word. 2.) Biblically Seeks Confirmation and 3.) Depends Whole-heartedly Upon the Lord.
Transitional Sentence: The first key to opening the door to knowing God's will is understand He never contradicts His Word. Mankind is prone to sin, they desire to have teachers who tell them what their itching ears want to hear. (Acts 17:25) James 1:13-18, "When tempted, no one should say, 'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Do not be deceived... Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
Temptation to accept life-styles that are contradictory to God's Word is a constant struggle in the church, these false teachings often lead people astray from the truth. This problem was addressed by the apostle Paul in his dealing with the Corinthian Church, he writes, "It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father's wife. And your proud." (1 Corinthians 5:1)