God's Will

The will of God for the believer

We will be going to the regular time of 12:15pm.

I wanted to know what drives our generation. Not just what are the characteristics, but what motivates us. I spent some time reading some valedictorian speeches, primarily from 2023, and skimming over a Deloitte survey of Gen Z and Millennial in the workforce entitled “Growth and the pursuit of money, meaning, and well-being.”

The survey noted that in the workplace we are looking for better work/life balance, opportunities to learn, and a greater sense of purpose. 89% of Gen Zs believe that purpose is a large part of what generates motivation and engagement at work. In the survey they have a chart showing that the intersection of money, well-being, and meaning is the key to this generation’s happiness in the workplace.

From the valedictorian speeches, we have a strong desire to make something of ourselves in this world. Technology has brought the world to our doorstep, meaning that we have knowledge of global events like never before. The drive to make a difference has expanded past our immediate society and drives us to make a difference in the world. How are we going to do this? By setting our minds to it, looking inward and finding truth within, by aiming high and moving forward with purpose to achieve our goals.

Culture tells us that we are to follow our desires, that we are the ones to push through and accomplish great things, that the way we think about ourselves is the most important thing about us. The American dream tells us that we deserve so much more and can accomplish it ourselves.

This sounds good doesn’t it? Go out and be something, make a difference in the world!

Illustration of me in PA feeling this cultural pull.

Have you guys seen this? Do you know what I am talking about?

Is this desire wrong?

We need to compare this cultural pull of our culture, our generation, and our flesh with the commands of Scripture.

So the question that we are asking today as we look to Scripture is, what does God want me to do with my life? Am I to strive to change the world, make a difference, or what? Or more commonly asked: What is God’s will for my life?

After high school we launch out into the world and we encounter many crossroads that affects our trajectory in life. This is a question I have asked and heard asked quite frequently. We want to know who God wants us to marry, where to go to school, what major to study, what job to get, what church to go to.

Have you guys asked this before? Have you wondered what God’s will is for you?

Guy at REACH telling me what God’s will is for me.

Don’t we each want someone to grab us and say, do this because it is God’s will for you?

I think part of why we want that is because we truly want to live for God. But I think these decisions are especially hard because we are afraid. We don’t want to take a step forward without knowing what will happen. There are so many options it can be overwhelming.

I think that we are hiding our fear behind “trying to determine God’s will for us.” Can I tell you something? I do know what God’s will for you is, it is written clearly in the Bible.

Before we launch into that, lets discuss the two sides to God’s will.

Revealed vs Hidden.

Deuteronomy 29:29 - The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.

Micah 6:8 – He has told you, O man, what is good; what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

We keep trying to ask about God’s sovereign will, his hidden will. We keep asking questions that won’t be answered until after they happen. It is only when looking back that we can say… oh, that was what God planned. In all honesty, we are asking the wrong question. Because God’s sovereign plan will always happen… nothing can change it, so regardless of what we decide, that will be God’s plan. But that does not mean that was what God wanted us to do. We really need to be asking… what does God want me to do? What does he tell me I should be doing?

Does this make sense to everyone? Any questions before we go look at Scripture to look at how to think about God’s revealed will?

Those handouts have verses on the back where God’s will is specifically mentioned. The entire Bible describes God’s character and that he desires a relationship with us, so much so that he sent Jesus to bridge the gap so that we can have fellowship with God.

Our greatest example is Jesus. Whenever we have a question about life, we need to start with Jesus. There are multiple passages saying we should imitate Christ. Now I am not advocating the “what would Jesus do” movement. Rather, “what did Jesus do.”

Read John 4:34–38. What does it mean that the will of God was Jesus’ food?

Obeying God’s will is a commitment, Luke 9:23-26.

He gave up his own will and took on God's will (Matt. 26:39, 42; Mark 14:36; Luke 22:42).

Does God have a plan for us?

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Now this is in context of the Israelite captivity… but is it not true for us as well? He knows the plans that he has for us and they are not evil.

Philippians 2:12-13 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

What are some things to help us obey God’s revealed will?

Read the Bible. You cannot do it unless you know to do it. Psalm 40:8 “I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart.”

Memorize his word. Psalm 119:11 “Your word have I hid in my heart, that I may not sin against you”

Pray. Part of the Lord’s prayer is that God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Obeying God’s will is walking in the Spirit. You cannot do it alone.

Be accountable! 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Just go do it!

James 4:13-17 So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

Hebrews 12:1-3

So lets go back to our original survey. Most young people do not expect to stay at their jobs longer than 2 years. They want to find happiness and meaning. They do not find that in work, or in girlfriends/boyfriends, money or even in making a difference. They (WE) are self-centered, dissatisfied, and uncommitted. Our greatest desires are our own personal happiness and our own personal gratification.

Underlying question: is it your desire to actually accomplish God's will? Or that God would accomplish your will?

So how does this help you make decisions for tomorrow?

Trusting that you are seeking to obey God in all the situations he has given you and are reading his word, obeying his word, lets turn to Proverbs 3:5-6, Matthew 6:33, and Hebrews 11:1, 6.

Summary: Work on being more concerned about obeying what God has clearly set before you than trying to figure out what he hasn’t told you. Jesus commanded you to not worry about the future (the things God hasn’t chosen to reveal). This is because Jesus already gave us enough to focus on obeying, and He wants us to choose faith. When we struggle to believe, we only need to ask God for grace and continue obeying these instructions that He has clearly laid out for us. Trusting God with the future is a very good way to grow our faith!

One last thing… our culture says we need to change the world alone. God never intended us to do this alone. God wired us to be social beings (some more than others). When you read 1 Corinthians 12 you realize that you are an ear, a mouth, a hand. You cannot do anything alone. If you as an ear were trying to hear, talk, and walk… you would feel like a failure because you cannot do 2 out of the 3. You need to partner with others, recognize each other’s gifts. Don’t be discouraged but realized God has gifted you and wants you to serve him and others. Don’t be complacent with where you are, have hope that you are working towards God’s will, which means he will back you up.

We would encourage each of you to have a mature believer that are meeting with, learning from, and feel comfortable sharing struggles with and receiving advice from. If you do not have someone like this or want to just talk more about this topic, Grace or I would be happy to meet with you. We live ten minutes from here but are also in Greenville at least once a week.