Visions, Voices & Choices…knowing The Will Of God Series

“Visions, Voices & Choices…Knowing the Will of God”

Almost everyone has a favorite bible story. When you think of all the bible stories you know…there is probably more than one that deals with the topic: “What is the will of God?” The big question of course, is this one: What's God's will for my life?

It is a question individual Christians often ask. What is God’s will for me? How do I make good decisions? What does God really want from me? Does God care about every little choice I make?

It’s a good question: So "How can you and I know God's will for my life? What does the Bible say about knowing God's will?"

At its most basic, the will of God is to repent of our sin and trust in Christ. If we have not taken that first step, then we have not yet accepted God’s will. But that is logical.

Knowing God’s will is sometimes difficult because it requires patience. Well, we know that too. It’s natural to want to know all of God’s will at once, but that’s not how He usually works. He reveals to us a step at a time—each move a step of faith—and allows us to continue to trust Him. The important thing is that, as we wait for further direction, we are busy doing the good that we know to do. (Ephesians 2:10)

God cares about what's going on in our lives. In any decision we have the opportunity to choose who we will worship. Will we worship God or will we worship ourselves? God desires to be the highest priority in every part of our lives, and thus we know it is God’s will that we worship Him.

As you study God's Word and spend time in prayer, your relationship with God grows and you begin to understand God's character. You will then be in the right place to hear God's instruction for other areas of your life. In addition to Bible study and prayer, be willing to seek godly counsel from a mentor, pastor. Why?

1)God speaks through circumstances (Story of Judi P)

2)God speaks through opportunities.(Vicar Hues? Pastor Hues)

Over the next several weeks our Sermon series we will see how God “speaks” through circumstances, and opportunities through the lives of various Old Testament characters who were just ordinary people who God used for extraordinary things. Each of these individuals asked the same question: “What is God’s will for me”.

Some like Moses answered…. … “God could you find someone else!!! Others like Samuel...thought Eli was calling him in the middle of the night…until Eli realized that it was God who was wanting to talk to the boy. We remember that God spoke to Joseph through dreams.

Sometimes God sent and angel to tell the person what is God’s will. God’s will is stated by the angel to the NT carpenter, Joseph. “Don’t be afraid to take Mary home as your wife….”

When Israel wanted a new king to replace Saul…God made Samuel go through all the brothers…. Before David was found.

3)God's Will is Revealed in God's Word.

How basic, but how true. The fact of the matter is this: 99 percent of what God wants to you to do in your life is spelled out in His Word. And here’s a news flash for you. God is not going to mysteriously lead you to do something that contradicts His Word.

4) The will of God is revealed to us in Hebrews 2:14 God took upon himself flesh and blood in the person of Jesus “so that by his death he might destroy the devil.” And so Jesus raised Lazarus from death. He raised from death the boy in the village of Nain. He Himself rose from death after His crucifixion and guarantees our own resurrection.

When Jesus confronts one of the demons belonging to Satan: the evil spirit cried out….”Jesus, I know who you are. You are the holy one of God…have you come to destroy us?”

A Jewish Lawyer, expert in the Law was seeking answer to this very question…”What is the will of God.” Jesus said: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.” Then to make sure the lawyer did not limit who his neighbor was …he told the parable of the Good Samaritan.

Patsy Clairmont, in her book “God uses Cracked Pots” tells the story about her youngest son Jason. Little Jason has two goals in life. One is to have fun, and the other is to rest. He does both quite well. So it was no surprise when he was sent out to catch the bus one day and then …a few moments later, a knock came to the back door…