Knowing God’s Will

Introduction

Raise your hand if you would like to know God’s will for your life?

Give personal example of how I desired to know God’s will when I was a freshman in college.

Why is it important that we discern God’s will and do God’s will? Jesus says it dictates whether we will enter the kingdom of heaven or not (Matt. 7:21; 1 John 2:17).

We are commanded to not be foolish but understand what the will of the Lord is for our lives so that we can walk wisely because the days are evil (Eph. 5:15-17).

Clarify the difference between God’s “decreed will” and “revealed will.”

Three Myths of Knowing God’s Will

1. God Speaks in a “still small voice.”

1 Kings 19:9–14 (ESV)

There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

First, we must remember when we read the OT, especially narratives, the difference between prescription and description.

Elijah was a prophet, but none of us are prophets.

Second, this text is normally used to imply that God speaks to us through inner impressions in our heart. . . but the text says nothing about God speaking to Elijah’s heart or in his mind.

Elijah heard something audibly.

The Hebrew word “shema” means to hear audibly.

This phrase is used no where else in Scripture. It is very dangerous to build a doctrine from an unclear phrase that is only used once in Scripture.

It was not an impression on his heart or a voice speaking to his inner mind, but an audible voice that spoke to Elijah.

God also spoke clearly and verbally to Elijah in verse 9 and 14-19.

2. God will give you “peace in your heart.”

Is non-peace a red light and peace in your heart a green light?

Colossians 3:12–17 (ESV)

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. . .

In the context of this passage, Paul is not talking about letting the peace of Christ rule your heart in order to make the right decision. Instead, Paul is describing characteristics of the new nature we have in Christ and how we should seek peace and harmony in our relationships with others.

He just said in verses 10-11 that there are not divisions in Christ between race, ethnicity, or occupation.

We are to let the peace of Christ rule our hearts because we were “called in one body.” It is the peace of Christ that will help us be unified as one body with other believers.

An inner peace is based upon our fickle and ever-fluctuating emotions.

Caveat. . . God can sometimes use our consciences to convict us of sin or keep us from doing something we feel is wrong based upon what he has already told us in his word. . . but our conscience should not be the deciding factor regarding if something is right or wrong or we should do this or that.

God does not try to speak to us. . . if God speaks to us, he will do it audibly and we will know it. . . so if we think “I wonder if God is speaking to me” . . . he’s not.

Instead of trusting ourselves to have a subjective peace, we should trust in the objective word of God.

3. God will “open a door for you.”

If you have an open door (an opportunity arises) that is God’s green light. . . if you have a “closed door” (the opportunity never arises) that is God’s red light.

It is important to know that the only times an “open door” is mentioned in the NT (3 times), it refers to opportunities for gospel ministry. . . not make decisions about work or where to go to college.

1 Corinthians 16:5-9: Paul goes through the open door in Ephesus for ministry.

2 Corinthians 2:12-13: Even though a door was opened for Paul to preach the gospel in Troas, he chose not to stay there because Titus was not with him.

Acts 16:25: The doors of the prison opened up for Paul and Silas, but they stayed in the prison and the Philippian jailer was saved.

Caveat:

God is the one who sovereignly “opens the door” for every opportunity we have in ministry. And, God can sovereignly “close the door” and prevent us from doing things that he does not want us to do and that are not according to his will.

However, we should not base our decisions and whether it is God’s will for our lives solely on if we have an opportunity or not.

How can we truly know God’s will?

Listen and adhere to his moral law given to us in his word.

We need to lean on the wisdom and principles that are offered in the wisdom literature.

Rom. 2:18: when we are instructed from the law of God, we will know his will and approve what is excellent.

Rom. 12:2: when our minds are renewed by the word of God, we will be able to discern God’s will.

God’s moral will is simply the way he commands us to live our lives.

Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind.

Love your neighbor as yourself.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

The 11 commands in Hebrews 13 that we went over last week.

Hebrews 13:21. . . “equip you that you may do his will. . .”

God’s will for our lives (5 S’s of God’s Will)

1. Sanctified

1 Thessalonians 4:1–8 (ESV)

Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;

Also see Ephesians 5:1-12.

God’s will for us is that we become holy, that we become like Jesus.

2. Spirit-filled

Ephesians 5:18 ESV

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

Galatians 5:15-25. . .

Walk by the Spirit and not by the flesh. . . live out the fruit of the Spirit, not the deeds of the flesh.

3. Submissive

Ephesians 5:21 ESV

submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

1 Peter 2:11-18 tells us to Do good through abstaining from fleshly passions and submitting to those in authority over us.

4. Suffer Well

Hebrews 13:12-14. . .

Suffer with Jesus outside the camp.

1 Peter 3:17 ESV

For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

1 Peter 4:19 ESV

Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

2 Timothy 3:12 ESV

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

5. Salvation

1 Timothy 2:4 ESV

who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

2 Peter 3:9 ESV

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

If you are saved, it is God will for you to make his salvation known to others and make disciples for his glory.

Matthew 28:19-20.

Acts 1:8.