You Can Know God's Will!

“You Can Know God’s Will!”

The Big Idea:

Mother Superior the religious leader in “The Sound of Music”, asked her young Nun – Maria von Trapp, “What is the most important lesson you have learned here?” Maria von Trapp answered, “To find the will of God and to do it!”

Like Maria, every Christian needs to earnestly seek and pursue the will of God early in their Christian walk with Jesus their Savior.

Brother Lawrence once said: – “I have no will, but that of God.” Most Christians wish that they could say and live those words. But in order to do that there are two pitfalls to avoid:

1. Firstly, the pitfall of our own willfulness that tends to oppose God’s will

2. Secondly, the pitfall of knowing God’s will.

The latter produces the question that, as a Pastor, I was asked more than any other question that’s possible to be imagined: “How can I know God’s will?” I am convinced that you have been faced with this question as I have been. The Bible is a fountain of abundant direction in knowing God’s will for your life.

ROMANS 12:1-2 – “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Main Points:

Knowing God’s will for your life is a process, it won’t just happen over night. But, How do I find the will of God for my life, you may ask?

I. There Must Be A Preparation First

Here are several things that must take place before you can hope to accurately discern God’s will for your life.

· You must realize that you can know God’s will

· It’s important to seek the will of God for your life

· You must first be convinced that God wants you to know His will

· God will make His will known to you.

JAMES 4:15 – “Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that."”

II. Obedience To The Lordship Of Jesus Christ Is Important

Is Jesus really your Lord? Or do you want Him primarily as a Savior, with no responsibilities attached?

To know the will of God is dependent upon how you will answer this question: “Are you determined to do what God says no matter what? If so, then Romans 12:1-2 must become a reality in your life.

Until you are completely yielded and obedient to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, you will most likely fear God’s will for your life. But when you do make Jesus Lord and Savior of your life, you will find that what you have feared before is now ‘Good and Acceptable.’

Jesus said: “…If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” – LUKE 9:23

If you don’t follow Jesus wholeheartedly, you’ll be too far away to know what God wants you to do. It is very important to realize too that God, will always measures the sincerity of your heart.

PROVERBS 21:2 – “All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart.”

III. Through It All Trust In God

As a Christian, it’s in your best interest to trust and commit yourself fully to God.

PSALM 37:5 “Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.”

Going your own way will lead to trouble. Frank Sinatra: “Did it his way!”

PSALM 37:5 – “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

When you know the will of God and at time it may look difficult, go to God in prayer and ask for the strength you need to follow through. Don’t wait. Don’t doubt Him.

Pray as did the father of the demon-possessed son: “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” – Mark 9:24

IV. Pray Specifically For Any Direction Needed

PHILIPPIANS 4:6 – “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6

But firstly and more importantly: “Pray without ceasing.” – (1 Thessalonians 5:17) before any given situation. When you make prayer a way of your life, it will be easier for you to discern God’s voice than if you only pray when you need to know His will.

You’ll most quickly recognize the voices of those with whom you spend the most time. Making prayer a way of life will help you make the voice of God recognizable.