Understanding How To Find The Will Of God Series

Note: As noted in the message I used The Preachers Sermon and Outline Bible for Romans.

Title: The Perfect Will of God

Theme: Show how to figure out what the will of God is.

Text: Romans 12:1-2

Introduction

I have been pastoring for over 18 years now. One of the most common questions I get is, “How do I know the will of God?”

Sometimes people even come and ask me, “What is the Lord’s will for my life?” They want me to tell them yet I refuse because I know that if I tell them then they will always depend on me.

This morning I would like to answer this question, How to find the will of God?

We will be looking at Romans 12:1-2. I will read the scripture first and then I will work backwards from verse 2 to verse 1.

Rom 12:1-2 I beseech (beg and plead, this is important) you therefore (based on what you have just read, the doctrinal side of the Christian life), brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. (2) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Verse 2

that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Prove – test, examine, discern, process

We have a choice just as Cain had a choice in Genesis 4:6-10

Genesis 4:6-10 So the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it." 8 Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. 9 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" He said, "I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?" 10 And He said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.

Description of the Will of God

Good - right(agathon): beneficial, rich, bountiful, suitable, moral.

Acceptable - well-pleasing, approving and extremely satisfying to God(euareston): pleasing, satisfactory, welcomed.

"Wherefore we labour, that whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him" (2 Cor. 5:9).

God’s Standard

Pro 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

Perfect – wholeness, integrity, complete well trained, growth without error or mistake, flawless, complete, absolute, free from any need, short of nothing, completely fulfilled.

The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master. Luke 6:40

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things" (Phil. 4:8).

"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor. 10:5).

Will of God – purpose, determination, decree, volition, desire, pleasure.

Verse 1

Beseech – plead, beg

Therefore

When you see this word you know that Paul is connecting to what is going on between this chapter and the previous chapter or thought.

Another thought to remember is that in Paul’s writing he usually has a doctrinal part and a pratical part. After teaching about the doctrine of the matter he would usually spend the next chapters show how we are to live it out.

Chapter 12 for Romans is the transition from the doctrinal to the practical. So he pleads with them to make an application.

“by the mercies of God”

That which God has given to us that we don’t deserve –

1Co 2:9 But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him."

PRESENTATION of our lives

That you present yourself

Rom 12:1-2 MSG So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life--your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life--and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. (2) Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.