The Perfect Will Of God

The “Perfect” Will of God

Romans 12:1-2

INTRODUCTION: God gives us abundant prayer promises that are tied into his will.

For example: 1 John 5:14: "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:"

Tragically the Christian experience seems to be a constant struggle between God’s will and My will. This struggle will always be complicated as long as our focus is more on “Denying Self” than “Delighting in the Savior”. If we see ourselves as “Living like a Martyr” instead of “Living like the Master” we will know little of the Joy of the Lord which is to be our strength. (Neh. 8:10)

1. GOD HAS A WILL FOR EVERY DIMENSION OF OUR LIVES.

A. OUR FAMILIES (Deut. 6; Eph. 5, 6; 1 Peter 3; 1 Cor. 7; 1 Cor. 11)

"For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment;." (Gen 18:19)

B. OUR FINANCES (Mal. 3; Mt. 6; 1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 8,9; 1 Cor. 4)

"Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:" (Prov 3:9)

C. OUR FRIENDS (Rom. 16:17; Phil 3:17; 2 Cor. 6)

"He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed." (Prov 13:20)

D. OUR FEELINGS (Phil 4:6-8; 1 Pet 5:7)

"And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Th 5:23)

2. GOD TAKES THE INITIATIVE TO REVEAL THAT WILL. (Heb. 1)

A. THE PRIMARY WAYS HE REVEALS HIS WILL:

1) HIS PRINCIPLES (PRECEPTS)

" Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Psa 119:105)

We place God’s word in our mind through discipline, in our hearts through desire. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart…” Ps 119:11

2) PRAYER

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep (literally guard or direct) your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:6,7

3) PEOPLE The word “counsel or Counselors” is found 194 times in scripture. (Pr 15:22)

Just be sure your counsel doesn’t contradict the Wonderful Counselor.

“A wise man seeks much counsel. A fool listens to all of it.” -- Larry Burkett

A man was on the golf practice course, when the club pro, Maury, brought an important-looking man out for a lesson. Maury watched the guy swing several times and started making suggestions for improvement, but each time the pupil interrupted with his own versions of what was wrong and how to correct it. After a few minutes of this interference, Maury began nodding his head in agreement. At the end of the lesson, the man paid Maury, congratulated him on his expertise as a teacher and left in an obviously pleased frame of mind. The observer was so astonished by the performance, that he had to ask, "Why did you go along with him?"

"Son," the old pro said with a grin as he carefully pocketed his fee, "I learned long ago that it's a waste of time to sell answers to a man who wants to buy echoes."

4) PROVIDENCE

B. THE PROBLEMS THAT KEEP US FROM RECOGNIZING / RESPONDING TO HIS WILL.

1) APATHY toward the Principles of God and prayer. (James 1:5-7)

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Rom 10:17)

2) ANGER toward the People of God. (Eph. 4:26-32)

3) ANXIETY toward the Providence of God. (Phil 4:6)

This is due to a basic lack of intimacy with God which Apathy and Anger produce.

4) Our AGENDA takes precedent over God’s:

This is a basic “over-intimacy” with self. (Phil 2:3) “let nothing be done through strife…”

> "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." (Exo 20:3)

> "whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things." (Phil 3:19)

"O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!" (Psa 119:5)

3. GOD’S REVELATION (of his will) IS OUR INVITATION (to join him).

A. GOD IS AT WORK AROUND US. “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work." (John 5:17)

1) The Closer our walk with God, the more we recognize when He is at work.

"The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise." (John 5:19)

B. GOD INVITES US TO PARTNER WITH HIM IN HIS WORK. 1 Cor. 3:9