A ROAD MAP TO GOD”S WILL
Psalm 32
I Intro:
1 A wife was making a breakfast of fried eggs for her husband. Suddenly her husband burst into the kitchen. “Careful ... CAREFUL! Put in some more butter! Oh my GOODNESS! You’re cooking too many at once. TOO MANY! Turn them! TURN THEM NOW! We need more butter. WHERE are we going to get MORE BUTTER? They’re going to STICK! Careful... CAREFUL! I said be CAREFUL! You NEVER listen to me when you’re cooking! Never! Turn them! Hurry up! Are you CRAZY? Have you LOST your mind? Don’t forget to salt them. You know you always forget to salt them. Use the salt. USE THE SALT! THE SALT!” The wife stared at him. “What the in the world is wrong with you? You think I don’t know how to fry a couple of eggs?” The husband calmly replied, “I wanted to show you what it feels like when I’m driving.”
2 At one time or another we have all been turned around or needed directions to find our way to somewhere.
3 You have either used road maps, or asked for directions or today a GPS.
4 Today when I left home I turned right out of my driveway on hwy 201 then right on 114 then right on Pea Vine Trail then left on Union Church rd.
5 How did you get here the first time, more than likely someone told you or gave you a map?
6 Don’t you wish finding God’s will for your life was that easy.
7 When I became a Christian there was no one standing at the back door handing out maps with directions to His will.
8 I did not see a map that had one of those arrows that read ‘you are here” and another that read “God’s will your you is here”
9 So I had to ask myself how do we find it?
With no maps, no Triple A membership, no GPS, no Internet or computer programs.
The only way I know is by prayer and the Word of God.
Turn with me to Psalms 32 let’s see what He has to say.
10 The Key verse in our text is vs. 8
I will Instruct you – train you, direct you, give you information. (to pile upon, put in order, to receive facts.
I will Teach you – impart knowledge or insight, give lessons in, the study of instruct.
I will Guide you – to point out the way, advise you, lead you, to show you the way by one who is thoroughly familiar with the course and through his continuous presence or direction along the way.
11 The problem is that we never want to ask Him until we don’t know which way to turn. We need to be listening and looking for God’s will in our lives constantly.
12 We need to be looking for the road signs that God places in our lives so that we will not get lost.
Tammy’s Story – What does the sign say – “STOP”
II There are 5 Road signs to God’s will for each of our lives.
1 Road Work Ahead - Receive Biblical Instruction:
We must have an open and accepting heart and frame of mind:
• Ephesians 4:22-23 22 That you put off concerning your former conduct, the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
2 Reduce Speed - Review Biblical Guidelines:
We must do a biblical investigation.
• Psalm 119:97-100 97 O how love I your law! it is my meditation all the day. 98 You through your commandments make me wiser than my enemies: for they are ever with me. 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for your testimonies are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep your precepts.
3 Detour - Repent when convicted and correct our direction:
We must get clarification and conformation from the Holy Spirit.
• Romans 8:14-16 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
4 Watch for Flagman – Rejoice in God’s authority:
We must determine if peace is occurring .
• Colossians 3:15-16 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
5 Uneven Pavement – Realize that the way is often Hard:
We must except struggles and surprises as we experience the results.
• James 1:2-3 2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
III Closing
1 None of this matters until you realize you are lost.
2 God gave us a direct route to Him.
Through Jesus Christ
Stop, turn around, you’re going the wrong way.
Cry out for help, (Confess)
• Romans 10:9 9 That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Put your trust in Him for He knows the way.
IV Christian you are giving the same instructions:
1 God is not your co-pilot He is the Pilot and when we allow Him to have complete control of our lives. We can experience Psalm 37:2
Psalm 37:3-5 3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself also in the LORD; and he shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
