Discerning the Will of God

Introduction

In this passage we read that Christ did go to the feast in Jerusalem but He did it in his time. As we survey the scene we find two interesting points in the narrative.

1. The Argument

There is quite a crowd in Jerusalem for the fest and one of the groups of people represented in this crowd is referred to as “the Jews”. They were the ruling religious class that hated Jesus and wanted to kill him. Although the opposition had not formally blossomed it was beginning to simmer!

2. The Astonishment

As Christ was teaching in the Temple the Jews marvelled at his skillful ability to teach the Word of God.

Main Thought

John 7:17 KJV 1900

If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

In this verse we have some keys to truly understanding, the will of God. But not only do we have the keys to understanding we have the fruit that is the result of this understanding! At the end of this verse Jesus says “whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.” Later in the same passage he said “judge righteous judgement”.

The Jews had accused him of teaching a doctrine contrary to God, or should we say contrary to Moses. The reality was that the Jew who thought himself to be a teacher was really a blind man. They had so corrupted the law with their tradition it was barely discernable from what was actually written in the law.

So in essence, what Jesus was saying was: “you have said that I represent the doctrine of man and you represent the doctrine of God”. What we really have then is two opposing doctrines (teachings). We have man’s teaching and we have God’s teaching. It is clear from Scripture that these religious Jews had it backwards. Jesus had the doctrine of God and they had the doctrine of men.

So why is this so important for us today? What difference does it make?

It is obvious that confusion was pretty abundant in Jesus’ day and I am afraid our day is no different. There is the teaching of man and there is the teaching of God and it is imperative that Christians have the ability to discern!

Declaration: God wants you to be a discerning Christian

Preposition: Do you know the difference between man’s teaching & God’s?

Transition: I want us to notice 3 truths about discerning the “Will of God”

I. The Offer of Discernment

“if any man”

It does not say the really savvy, the really smart, the extremely gifted- it says any man! No one is excluded, no one is exempt!

Illustration: Have you ever heard the saying “All men are created equal”? We all know what they mean…but all men are certainly not created equal. I said that once after I heard it quoted on a commercial and my boys looked at me in disgust and said “Dad what do you mean”? I said have you ever watched Michael Phelps swim? Tiger Woods play golf (in his prime)? Usan Bolt run?..... Can you do that? No… All men are not created equal.

Christians are equally given the opportunity to discern.

II. The Obligation of Discernment

“will do His will”

1 Peter 2:15 KJV 1900

For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

Ephesians 6:6 KJV 1900

Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

1 John 2:17 KJV 1900

And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

So many people try to complicate the will of God to the point that it seems almost impossible to define.

General Will - The same for all

A. It’s God’s will that you be Converted

2 Peter 3:9 KJV 1900

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

B. It’s God’s will that you Commit to Church

1 Corinthians 4:2 KJV 1900

Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

Hebrews 10:25 KJV 1900

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Illustration: Recent AP Article- Skip the Sermon and Worship at Home

The Article says: “The members of this "house church" are part of what experts say is a fundamental shift in the way U.S. Christians think about church. Skip the sermons, costly church buildings and large, faceless crowds, they say. House church is about relationships forged in small faith communities.”

It also stated: House church proponents claim their small groups are sort of a throwback to the early Christian church in that they have no clergy and everyone is expected to contribute to the teaching, singing and praying.

C. It’s God’s will that you Consecrate your life to Him

1 Thessalonians 4:3–4 KJV 1900

For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;

1 Thessalonians 5:22 KJV 1900

Abstain from all appearance of evil.

1 Peter 2:11 KJV 1900

Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

Illustration: Alex just getting his own room- he was tired of sharing with his brothers - they do not know how to possess their vessel (they don’t know how to keep it clean).

D. It’s God’s will that you Completely mature

Colossians 4:12 KJV 1900

Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

Quote “You have every reason not to be the Christian God wants you to be, but you have no excuse!”

James 2:22 KJV 1900

Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

Ephesians 2:8–10 KJV 1900

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

A Mature Christian is a faithful obedient Christian!

E. It’s God’s will that you Continue to give thanks

1 Thessalonians 5:8 KJV 1900

But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

Specific Will - Specific to you (not even a point of concern if you are not doing the general will)

Preacher, Missionary, Doctor, Nurse, Teacher, Husband, Mother - Something that is unique to you

THE KEY IS DOING!

This is really the key- this is really the secret! Knowing the will of God is about doing the will of God! Do what has been revealed to you. Stop worrying about what you don't know and start doing what you do know!

So many times we desire to know the “deep things of God” but we don't even know how to hold our breath!!!!

III. The Objective of Discernment

“he shall know”

The writer of Hebrews, speaking about Jesus said:

Hebrews 5:11–14 KJV 1900

Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

* Discernment comes from “having their senses exercised”

* Discernment comes from obeying what you know until God gives you more!

Conclusion

The Offer of Discernment - “any man”

The Obligation of Discernment - “will do his will”

The Objective of Discernment - “he shall know”

John 7:24 KJV 1900

Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.