The Pattern Of God's Will Series

THE PATTERN OF GOD'S WILL

KEY VERSES:

Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to the good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself;

That in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him;

In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will. (Ephesians 1:9-11)

INTRODUCTION

Before we examine the methods God uses to speak to man to reveal His will, it is important to have some basic knowledge about the will of God. In our Previous lessons, we defined what is meant by "the will of God" and stated reasons why it is important to know Gods will. we also learnt of the requirements or prerequisites which prepare you to hear the voice of God and discover His will for your life.

This teaching is a continuation of the series; knowing the voice of God.

• it presents basic facts about the will of God,

• explains two major divisions of that will,

• examines the pattern of God's will, and

• discusses the believer's development in knowing the voice of God.

A. FACTS ABOUT GOD'S WILL

Here are some basic facts about God's will:

1. GOD WANTS YOU TO KNOW HIS WILL:

The Bible commands:

Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:17)

Paul wrote the Colossians:

For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. (Colossians 1:9)

In Acts Paul spoke to one man and said:

. . . The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know His will, and see that Just one, and shouldest hear the voice of His mouth. (Acts 22:14)

On the basis of these Scriptures it can be concluded that God wants you to know His will.

2. GOD'S WILL IS PLANNED:

God is working in this world to bring to pass all things on the basis of His plan:

In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will. (Ephesians 1:11)

• God has an overall plan for the universe which He is working out.

• We call this His master plan.

• He also has an individual plan for each person.

• Those plans fall within this sovereign plan and His moral will.

3. GOD'S PLAN IS INDIVIDUAL AND PERSONAL:

God's will for each individual includes His sovereign plan of redemption:

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (II Peter 3:9)

• But God's plan goes beyond the revelation of His sovereign and moral wills.

• God has an individual plan for each person which He seeks to communicate.

• The Bible confirms this by many stories of God at work in the lives of individuals.

• He placed men in specific situations at exact times for special purposes. Each of the life stories recorded in the Bible is unique.

God told the Prophet Jeremiah:

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest out of the womb, I sanctified thee and ordained thee. (Jeremiah 1:5)

What greater witness is there to the personal plan of God for an individual?

When the Apostle Peter was overly concerned about what ministry John was to have, Jesus said to him. . .

. . . If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. (John 21:22)

Jesus had different plans for the lives of Peter and John.

• Everywhere we look in the universe intelligent planning is apparent.

• The arrangement of planets, the stars, and the individual designs of each snowflake and flower reflect this planning.

• Given this evidence, we must conclude that the divine Creator also has an individual plan for man, the highest of His created beings.

God promised:

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. (Psalms 32:8)

• An individual pathway is indicated in this verse.

• Psalms 37 states that every step of a righteous man is ordered by the Lord:

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. (Psalms 37:23)

• The same word used here for "ordered" is used in Psalms 8:3 in relation to the moon and stars which God created.