Understanding God’s direction

Common themes and outlines many have gleaned from this text:

Kingship

Toxic leadership

New management

Consequences of rash actions

what it means to be chosen

don’t judge a book by its cover

Outline:

Knowing God’s will through Christ Jesus

Reading the New Testament through the lens of the Old.

Becoming more of a person after God’s own heart

Illustrations for Biblical Preaching (Will of God)

A middle-aged farmer who had been desiring for years to be an evangelist was out working in the field one day when he decided to rest under a tree. As he looked into the sky he saw that the clouds seemed to form into the letters P and C. Immediately he hopped up, sold his farm, and went out to P-reach C-hrist, which he felt was God’s leading. Unfortunately, he was a horrible preacher. After one of his sermons a neighbor came forward and whispered in his ear, “Are you sure God wasn’t just trying to tell you to P-lant C-orn.”

Key Verses

Matthew 6:10

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Matthew 26:42

Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.”

Ephesians 1:4–11

4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,

Knowing God’s will through Christ Jesus

Mt 12:46–15:20

English Standard Version Chapter 12

46 While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. 48 But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Illustrations for Biblical Preaching (Will of God)

God is said to speak to men in “a still, small voice” (1 Kings 19:12), which may partially explain why we find it hard to hear him when he speaks. It’s much like receiving a phone call in a house with the T.V. going, the stereo blaring, and a house full of people chatting with one another. To understand the caller, it requires asking the friends to be quiet and turning down the stereo and T.V.So it is with hearing God. It may well require removing those distractions, those areas of sin that deafen our ears to the voice of the Lord.

Reading the New Testament through the lens of the Old.

Manual: Church of the Nazarene, 2013-2017 IV. Agreed Statement of Belief

20.2. The Old and New Testament Scriptures, given by plenary inspiration, contain all truth necessary to faith and Christian living.

Ps 40:7–8

English Standard Version Psalm 40

Then I said, “Behold, I have come;

in the scroll of the book it is written of me:

8 I delight to do your will, O my God;

your law is within my heart.”

Becoming more of a person after God’s own heart

Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Will of God

“If it were in the will of God, I’d plant an oak tree today, even if Christ were coming tomorrow” (Martin Luther).