Knowing and the Will of God

Message Thrust: "Discerning the Will of God comes from an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit as you follow His leading resulting in peace that passes all understanding."

Introduction: Defining the Pain

Decision Making

One of the scariest things in life is making decisions because your decisions determine your destination and usually affect others. It is estimated that on average an adult makes 35,000 conscience decisions each day.

Many people become paralyzed in the face of decisions, afraid that the path they choose will be wrong and unrecoverable.

Others have no problem making decisions, which also gets them in trouble because they don't take the time to consider the ramifications of their choices.

In last weeks message, we realized we don't know what the future holds, which means there is a risk in any decision we make.

James 4:15 ESV

15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”

But, there is a difference in faith and risk. Walking by faith is making decisions based on the expressed will of God knowing that God is faithful to see it through.

Today, my goal is to teach you how you can walk by faith and know that your decisions are in line with God's will.

(Vision)Those of you who are starting our discipleship path this evening will teach the "7 steps to Real Life Change."

Thinking

Words

Decisions

Actions

Habits

Character

Destiny

Notice that decisions are 3rd on the list. Most people try to make decisions about themselves, others, and circumstances before understanding the right way to think about each one.

"Knowledge and Understand always precedes Wisdom."

When you reach the truth on a subject, you begin to think right.

When you think right, you speak in agreement with the facts.

Dealing with facts leads to informed decisions.

Illustration: It's a tragedy when a person grows up hearing they are worthless and will never amount to anything. No matter how smart and unique the individual might be, they will begin to think this way. When opportunities present themselves, they say, "I'm not smart enough or good enough." They're making decisions from bad thinking.

Recalculating must start with the way you think and not the decisions you make. Discern the "Why" before you get to the "What."

Let's look at some biblical examples that illustrate faith-based decision making.

Scripture: Defining the Passage

The Apostle Paul has just recruited Timothy as his son in the faith and his partner for ministry. They are looking for the next place to share the gospel and start a new gathering of believers. They know this is the work of the Lord. If they are going to be successful it will be through the power of the Spirit. So they must be sensitive to the moving and direction from the Spirit.

Acts 16:6–10 ESV

6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

I think many of us can relate to times in our lives when we need clear direction from the Lord. This sounds like madness to someone without the Spirit. When you turn your life over to God, He is faithful to guide you through His Spirit within you.

Do what you know to do.

Basic obedience leads to the further direction.

Paul was faithful to go and preach the gospel and the Spirit was faithful to lead them.

Notice the “No’s” before the “Yes’s” No is not a judgement but a tool of guidance.

No’s eliminate decisions and move us closer to the “yes’s” of life.

(Vision). We are Bible Believers. The Bible is our final authority for all life and practice.

Discipleship is learning the fundamental truths of God's Word to renew your mind and think properly.

Romans 12:2 ESV

2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Paul was going as instructed while at the same time, being sensitive to the movement of the Spirit.

Turning the wheel of a car. Impossible when it’s dead. Ineffective until it’s moving. But, when the car is moving directing the car can be done with one finger.

Listen to the Movement of the Holy Spirit in your life.

The Spirit speaks through Prayer, the Bible, the Church, Circumstantial confirmations, and sometimes visions and dreams.

God works from the inside out not the outside in.

The devil is the master of circumstance.

The Spirit is the undeniable voice on the inside.

When these are all in agreement, it will result in peace.

Move Forward in Faith.

(Vision) We are “God Pleasers.” We live by faith.

Hebrews 11:6 ESV

6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Faith is knowing that If God commanded it, He is responsible for bringing it to pass.

Faith-based decisions are not "hail-Maries," but obedience to God's command.

We don’t “just trust God.”

We know God.

We believe God.

We trust God.

And we obey God.

Tweetable Quote: "There is no risk in following the commands of the Lord. Faith is the assurance God will bring it to pass."

Next Steps: Defining the Process

Give God the authority over your life and circumstances. (Your surrender allows God's victories.)

Gain knowledge and understanding of the Bible that the Spirit can turn into wisdom. (Start or continue on the Discipleship path. )

Listen to the Spirit on the inside and look for conformations on the outside.