sf350 - HOW CAN I KNOW GOD'S WILL FRO MY LIFE - 11 OF 12 ANSWERING LIFE'S TOUGHEST QUESTIONS (2 sAMUEL 7 18)
2 SAMUEL 7:18
INTRODUCTION
Series Background
Is God really interested in our individual lives?
Does God still speak today?
How can I know when and if God is speaking to me?
Sermon Background
David desire
Ø Military victories have been won
Ø David wants to build a Temple
David seeks God's specific directions
Ø David teaches us to how to know and do God’s will
Four step process…
1A. Reflect on God and His Word (7:19-21)
Joshua 1:8 “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”
1B. Reflect on God’s greatness.
Speaks of God’s power
O Lord God, the NIV translates it Sovereign Lord (4x)
Psalm 96:4 “For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.”
Speaks of God’s reign… “Lord”
Romans 14:11 “For it is written: ‘As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.’”
2B. Reflect on God’s grace (7:19a)
It is God’s grace that both saves and keeps us.
Lamentations 3:22 “Through the LORD's mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not.”
3B. Reflect on God's goodness (7:19b)
Seen in God’s provision for and protection of us
Nahum 1:7 “The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him.”
Seen in God’s faithfulness to us.
Psalm 100:5 “For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.”
2A. Remember The Past (7:18)
1B. Remember what God has done for His people.
Psalm 105:5 “Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth”
2B. Review what God has done for you.
Psalm 143:5 “I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands.”
God works in sequence
Ø Look for the option that best fits with what God has been doing in your life.
"Every act of God builds on the past and looks to the future."
God will use every experience in life to accomplish His purpose.
Genesis 50:20 “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.”
Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
3B. Remember God’s primary concern is your holiness not your happiness.
Matthew 5:48 “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”
3A. Rely On God’s Promises (7:28)
1B. God cannot lie.
He always keeps His promises.
Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?”
He literally cannot lie!
Hebrews 6:18 “…that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.”
2B. God will always bring to completion what He has started
Philippians 1:6 “…being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ”
God has promised to save us, keep us, work in and through us, and come for us! You can count on it!
4A. Relate What Happens Next to What You Have Prayed About
1B. Expect God to answer your prayers
John 16:24 “Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”
2B. Watch to see what happens next
Exodus 14:13 “And Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today…’”
Be ready to adjust to whatever God does.
God will let you know what He is doing in your life when you need to know.
3B. Do not panic during apparent silence
Psalm 37:7 “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.”
The silence may be the result of sin in your life
The silence may be God preparing you for a greater revelation of Himself
APPLICATION
Reflect on what God has been saying to you.
Remember how God has been working in your life.
Rely on God's promises to you.
Relate what is happening to your prayer.
Respond in obedience to God's voice.
HOW CAN I KNOW GOD’S WILL FOR MY LIFE?
Answering Life’s Toughest Questions – Part 11 of 12
July 12, 1998 - 2 SAMUEL 7:18
1A. REFLECT ON _________ AND HIS WORD (19-21)
1B. Reflect on God’s _________________.
(Psalms 96:4 NIV) For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.
(Romans 14:11-12 NIV) It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'" {12} So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.
2B. Reflect on God’s ____________________ (Ephesians 2:8-9)
3B. Reflect on God’s goodness.
(Psalms 34:8 NIV) Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
(Psalms 100:5 NIV) For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
2A. REMEMBER THE _____________ (18)
1B. Remember what God has done for His _________.
(Psalms 105:5 NIV) Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,
2B. Review what God has done for _______________.
(Psalms 143:5 NIV) I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.
3B. Remember God’s primary concern is your ___________ not your ________________.
(Matthew 5:48 NIV) Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
3A. RELY ON GOD'S ____________________ (28)
1B. God ________________ lie.
(Numbers 23:19 NCV) God is not a human being, and he will not lie….
(Hebrews 6:18 NLT) … it is impossible for God to lie. …
2B. God will always bring to ____________ what He has begun
(Philippians 1:6 NLT) And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again.
4A. ____________ WHAT HAPPENS NEXT TO WHAT YOU HAVE PRAYED ABOUT.
1B. Expect God to answer your _____________.
(John 16:24 NIV) Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
2B. Watch To See What Happens ______________.
(Exodus 14:13 NIV) Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.
3B. Do Not ______________ During Apparent Silence
(Psalms 37:7 NIV) Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.