Finding The Lord’s Will...
1) Intro...
a) Read: Heb 10:7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
b) Pray
c)Jesus the blue print...
A wise man once said " The Christian is one who has renounced his own will and submits to the will of God for his life in all that he does.
But the problem today is most Christians don’t know how to make certain the will of God in their life.
How many know that the life of Jesus is the perfect illustration of absolute conformity to the will of God?
Jesus came to earth to fulfill God’s will.
John 17:4 shows us that Jesus actually finished the work that the Father gave him to do on earth at that appointed time.
The point that I’m trying to make is that just as Jesus had a specific task to perform on earth each and every believer has been assigned a special task.
Some more than others.
God has called some of us to muti task amen?
2) God has a plan for every life...
There is a divine blue print for each one of God’s people.
This plan is suited to our:
1) personalities
2) talents
3) needs
4) potentialities
5) environment
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
God has ordained certain tasks or works for each individual Christian.
Heb 12:1...let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
How many know that the race is different for each of us.
We may be striving toward a common goal but the track is different. Amen?
Paul could say in
2Ti 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
because he fulfilled his ministry.
How many of us can say we have fulfilled God’s will for our life?
Sure some can say that they are in God’s will or in the process of fulfilling God’s will.
But the majority of the Church today is not even certain what God’s will is for there life.
Are you seeking His face, Church?
Are you looking for purpose?
Well God’s got a word for you today! Amen!?!
In Acts 22:14 after Paul had been blinded on the road to Damascus Ananias came.
And after Paul received his sight Ananias told him that
The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will.
Oh hallelujah! God wanted Paul to know His will for his life. Just like He wants you to know this morning, Church.
God’s plan is very personal. It’s just for you.
Psa 32:8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
God’s plan is very detailed.
Psa 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
God doesn’t always reveal the distant future but sometimes he gives it to us step by step.
That’s why we have to be in constant communication with Him. Amen?
We have to keep that prayer line open.
Many fall by the way side and get out of the will of God just because they aren’t in constant communication with God.
And they don’t know the next step in God’s program.
God’s plan is continuous.
Isa 58:11 And the LORD shall guide thee continually,
God’s plan is definite and specific.
Isa 30:21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.
The Lord guides us by His Spirit and through the word. Amen?
God wants us to enquire about His plan, Church.
We should all be in prayer as the psalmist in Psalms 143:8 asking Him to cause us to know the way wherein we should walk.
God wants us to be much in prayer for details in our daily walk. Amen?
Computers will prompt us to download new updates or to let us know when somethings not running right.
Well in the same way we need to be prompted by the Holy Ghost for updates in our step by step walk with God,
And that means we need to be in constant communication With God. Amen!?!
3) God’s plan is important...
It is a sad fact that it is possible to miss the plan of God in our selfish and stubborn ways to do our own planning.
This is a tragic mistake that more Christians than you may think make.
How many in here today know that we are incapable of planning our own lives.
Jer 10:23 O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
Only God knows the future and only God is the one capable of choosing our vocation or path.
That why His plan is so important.
It’s the only one that makes since.
4) God’s plan always includes certain features...
When you go out and buy a car you want one with the features or options that are going to benefit you. Amen!?!
Some of the features you desire I may be able to live without. Okay?
But no matter what the case may be every model comes with standard features. Amen?
Our walk with God May be down a different path, We may run our races on different courses but God designed the course. Amen?
So there are some simularities or basic features in our path.
Some of us are called to preach. Some are not.
Some to teach. Others may not be able to teach.
Some of us can sing, or play instruments. Others have different talents and potentialities.
But the point is even though we do or do not possess certain features, We all have the basic features to live by.
We all have to be separated from sin unto holiness.
1Th 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification
God is holy and it’s His will that we be like Him.
Prayer and thanksgiving are always God’s will for us.
1Th 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
1Th 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Doing good deeds is always God’s will.
1Pe 2:15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
Church the list goes on and on.
5) Conditions of guidance...
1. Trust in the Lord. Guidance is only for the believer. God’s plan for the unsaved consists of one point- Trust and be saved.
psalms 37:3, 32:8.
2. Be eager, willing to know His will and obey.
Psa. 37:4
3. We have to have complete and obedient faith in Him.
Psa. 37:5
4. Be patient. God promises to guide us, but not necessarily to reveal His full will to us that same day. Psa. 37:7
5. Surrender to the will of God. Yield. Rom. 12:1,2
6. Separation from the world and sin.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Separation, and then the revealing of His will.
7. Spiritual mindedness.
but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,
Get your mind in tune with the Lord, His Spirit, His Word, His Voice.
6) Methods of guidance...
The question then comes, How does God reveal His will to the seeking individual?
The truth is that God is sovereign, and does not work according to a set pattern.
He deals with each of us differently.
Sometimes God reveals His will through opportunities,
circumstances.
God often Guides us through verses of scripture that speak loudly to us.
Now I’m not saying close your eyes and point randomly at scripture.
God doesn’t act haphazardly. Nor should you.
Saturate yourself with the Word of God so that the Lord can bring it to your remembrance in the appointed time.
God’s will is never contrary to the Bible.
Know your Word!
God can guide us by conviction given by the Holy Ghost.
Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
It also bears witness of whether or not a certain course of action is good, bad or otherwise. Amen?
The Bible says to test the spirits.
You need to know if God is voicing His will to you or is it just the voice of your desires.
Seek the truth Church. Even if it’s not what you wanna hear. Amen?
Joh 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.
God uses circumstances for guidance. God by circumstances closes one door to open another.
Nothing happens to the child of God by accident.
It’s all a part of the plan.
We need to accept the circumstances as guideposts in the direction He’s leading us.
In driving the red lights are equally valuable for guidance as the green lights.
Our circumstance may bring us to a stop light so that we can wait patiently for the lord.
God sometimes guides by a vision.
or a prophet
a spiritual leader,
sometimes even a sermon. Amen?
F.B. Meyers once said When the Word of God, The impulse of the Holy Spirit in my heart, and my outward circumstances are in harmony then I am convinced that I am acting in accordance with the will of God.
Conclusion...
Often in guidance it can be a combination of several factors.
Remember, despite what you want, you only need light for one step at a time.
I encourage you to be obedient to what God has already given you and then He will give you further instruction.
Remember that God wants to give you both the master plan and the minute details of your life.
Wait patiently and He will reveal them day by day.
Amen.
