How do I know I’m in God’s will being a part of this church?
Isaiah 2
If you look around, there are churches of all sizes, religions, denominations, and colors everywhere you turn. (Give ex. And directions)
God has a place for all of us where he wants us to worship. But how do I know this is it? How do I know this is where God wants me to attend, grow in, and become a part of?
**One thing’s for certain, God will clarify it in your spirit if you search him diligently enough. How do I know?
Proverbs “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your path”.
We need to know where God wants us. And wherever that is, we need to get in it and become a vital part of the local branch of the kingdom of God.
FIRST OFF WE NEED TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE CHURCH HOPPER/ONE SEEKING FOR GOD’S WILL
What is a church hopper?
Someone who goes from place to place, never stable, believing that God is satisfied with their loose ways. They are weak in word, but full of shout. And their opinion of a good church is one that runs the fastest, shouts the loudest, and spits the farthest.
They have a problem with authority, submission, and service.
They can not be used in the body effectively because (1)they aren’t dependable, (2)they’re not faithful, and (3)they can’t mature properly because of a lack of a church family.
**Now, you must understand the difference between the church hopper and the ones that are looking for the right place that God wants them. The one’s really searching for God’s will are going to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, and will know when God has them in the right place. They want to work, labor, and grow, and they have purposed that when they find that place they will stay there.
BEFORE WE CAN DECIDE WHETHER THIS IS THE RIGHT CHURCH FOR US, WE NEED TO SEE WHAT A CHURCH IN GOD’S WILL LOOKS LIKE.
In the text, we know Isaiah is prophesying of Christ’s kingdom and its establishment. But, God spoke to me and showed me this was his people, or the church coming toward him. And as the church will do then, the same thing should be going on now.
(1)v.2 mountain of Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains
While sitting on top of the mountain, it soars above the valley. And in the valley is where the battles are fought.
**The church in God’s will will be bigger than any controversy, struggle, strife, or confusion. Realizing there is a warfare going on, this church will be bigger than that. No little spat or struggle will destroy them. They aren’t ate up in confusion. People aren’t in disarray. They are soaring with the eagles at the top of the mountain.
I realize we won’t be shouting all the time, but we should always be higher/stronger than any problem that comes our way!
(2)v.2 shall be exalted above the hills
There are a lot of hills sitting in the midst of mountains. But you can see mountains higher than hills. They are bigger and bolder.
**While there are multitudes of churches/congregations, the church in God’s will will be different than the rest. They will be more recognizable, for they are at a different level than other churches. Not that they are better/holier than thou, but they made a conclusion they didn’t want to be a hill forever, but turn into a mountain. So now folks pass by many other church buildings to get to the church in God’s will, for they don’t just want to be a part of a hill but a mountain.
(3)v.2b all nations shall flow unto it
In other words, folks from every direction will come into it.
**The church in God’s will is going to see new folks coming, and church attendance grow. Numbers aren’t everything, but a growth in attendance is a good sign something is going right. People are hungry, and sick and tired of plain old religion. And when they find a place where they are touched of God, they will go there.
Why do some churches never grow? Because what is dieing on the inside is causing death on the outside. When the congregation loses their zeal for God and are not offering a refreshing anointing of the Holy Ghost, no one will go there.
(4)v.3 many will say, come and go up to the mountain of the Lord
They were telling each other to go with them to the top of the mountain
**When the church is in God’s will, the folks will be eager to tell others to come be with them in worship. Why? We are excited about what God is doing. The church is alive, real, and has so much to offer. And we want others to come take part of this blessing.
(5)v.3 he will teach us his ways and we will walk in his paths…
He’ll give us his word, and we will be renewed and changed
**A church in God’s will will cause you to leave saying, “I received the word of God in a practical real way”. And you will be challenged by the word, and your eyes will be opened. You will sense the anointing, and hear/receive what you’ve been needing for a while. No more will you walk away shaking your head in disgust because someone harped on money, fame and fortune, doctrines, ideas, and opinions, but you will know God has spoken and you’ll never be the same!
Now that we know what a church in God’s will is supposed to be like, how do I know if Bayou Meto A/G is the church for me? How do I know that this is where God wants me to drive my stakes and set up camp? Obviously, BMAG is not the only place God is moving, and this is not the only place that is being touched of God. So how do I know?
ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS?
(1)how do I feel when I leave here? Do I feel refreshed, sharp, built up?
(2)Have I received a direct word from God? Or did I feel like God was speaking to everyone but me?
(3)How free did I feel to worship? Did I feel bound, or loose in the spirit? Have I felt more free to worship since I first came?
(4)How comfortable do I feel with these folks? Are they like family or do they shun me?
(5)Has God spoken to me in dreams/visions? Have I felt the urge to come back?
(6)How do I feel about this place compared to other spirit filled churches I have been to?
(7)How easy do I feel it would be to work for God here?
(8)Is there anything I am able to do/talents I have the church needs?
(9)Have I prayed about my decision and allowed God to speak to me?
(10)How do I feel about the members here outside of the church house?
(11)Do I feel pressured about coming here regularly, or can I feel free to make my own choice?
Wherever it is that God wants us, we need to find it. This church opens people from all walks of life, and we desire for folks to join in with us. But the main issue is God’s will.
Many folks have told others they felt like they had things to do here, and that God was dealing with them about coming here regularly. But then you never hear from them again. We need to be in God’s will. Whatever that is, we need to be in God’s will.
