God's Will Part 1
Text: Various
Title: Preparing to Learn God's Will
Series: Knowing God’s Will
I. Introduction:
A. Background:
1. we all have questions about life:
a. Whom should I date?
b. What kind of person does God want me to marry?
c. What school should I go to after I graduate?
d. What should I do this weekend?
e. Is it wrong to live with someone before you are married?
f. Should I be listening or watching this?
g. Should I date someone who is not a Christian?
h. Why should I stop using bad words?
i. Is it wrong to drink or smoke?
j. Why should I listen to the Bible?
B. Proposition:
Before we can know what God's will is for our lives we must prepare our hearts and understand what God is like.
C. Main Divisions:
1. To know God's will we must prepare our hearts:
2. To know God's will we must understand what God is like:
II. Exposition:
To know God's will we must prepare our hearts
Heart Preparation
A. Develop a Deep Hunger For Wisdom
1. we need wisdom or instruction if we want to live the way God wants us to live
a. to know God's will we must develop a deep hunger for wisdom
b. we should continue to check ourselves regularly to see if we are following God's will; His plan for our lives
c. God's will is something that is proved in our life as we know and obey His commandments
2. we must ask God for wisdom in faith with no doubt
a. Jas 1:5-8 NKJV
(5) If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
(6) But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
(7) For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
(8) he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
3. we should pray for guidance and knowledge
a. Psa 25:4-5 NKJV
(4) Show me Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths.
(5) Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.
1) David depended on God during times of trouble and trials
4. We need God's direction
a. Jer 10:23 NKJV
(23) O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.
Jer 10:23 NLT
(23) I know, LORD, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course.
b. we can't depend on our own understanding or knowledge
1) Pro 3:5-6 NKJV
(5) Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
(6) In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
2) Pro 16:9 NKJV
(9) A man's heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.
5. We must seek heavenly wisdom not human earthly wisdom
a. Jas 3:14-17 NKJV
(14) But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.
(15) This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.
(16) For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.
(17) But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
B. Be Willing to Submit:
1. delighting to do God's will
a. Psa 40:8 NKJV
(8) I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart."
2. Jer 6:16 NLT
(16) This is what the LORD says: "Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, 'No, that's not the road we want!'
3. wanting to know what God's will is requires acknowledging Him
a. Jas 4:13-15 NKJV
(13) Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit";
(14) whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.
(15) Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that."
b. He will not reward those who refuse to seek and obey Him (Heb 11:6; Jer 29:13)
4. offering ourselves to God as a living, holy, acceptable sacrifice
a. Rom 12:1-2 NKJV
(1) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
(2) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
b. God’s will is something that is proved in our life, as we know and obey His commandments.
c. We need to present our bodies to His service and to be transformed in the renewing of our mind through the Word.
d. We ask God to show us, we read the word for learning and guidance and we believe by faith that the Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth.
5. willing to live in the direction God reveals
a. Hos 14:9 NKJV
(9) Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them. For the ways of the LORD are right; The righteous walk in them, But transgressors stumble in them.
1) way-- manner, direction, road, path
6. to know God's will we must be willing to obey Him
C. Application
1. If we desire to know God's will we must be willing to work for it, to seek it and prepare ourselves for it. Are we?
2. Do we ask God for wisdom to know His will?
3. Do you pray for guidance and direction or rely on your own human wisdom?
4. Are you willing to submit to God's will once you find out what it is?
5. Are you willing to live in God's direction for your life or do you forsake Him and do your own thing?
D. Yield/Surrender our hearts
1. God teaches those who fear Him and He gives His counsel
a) Psa 25:12-14 NKJV
(12) Who is the man that fears the LORD? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses.
(13) He himself shall dwell in prosperity, And his descendants shall inherit the earth.
(14) The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant.
b) Psa 48:14 NKJV
(14) For this is God, Our God forever and ever; He will be our guide Even to death.
c) Isa 42:16 NKJV
(16) I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, And crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, And not forsake them.
2. to know God's will we must give our heart, desires, attitudes, thoughts, will, over to Him
a. we must let go of our own selfish desires
b. we must surrender the idea that we know what's best for us and trust the God who created us
E. Trust in God's Sovereignty: Position and Authority
1. He is supreme in position
a) above all things, people, and places (PCT 59)
1) Deu 10:14 NKJV
(14) Indeed heaven and the highest heavens belong to the LORD your God, also the earth with all that is in it.
2) Isa 40:15-17 NKJV
(15) Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket, And are counted as the small dust on the scales; Look, He lifts up the isles as a very little thing.
(16) And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, Nor its beasts sufficient for a burnt offering.
(17) All nations before Him are as nothing, And they are counted by Him less than nothing and worthless.
2. He is supreme in authority
a. he commands all angels, humans, creatures, and things (1Chron 29:12; Psa 47:2-3; 103:19; 119:91)
3. He is supreme in purpose; He will bring to pass all He has decided to do (Isa 14:24; 27; 46:11; Eph 1:11)
4. He is perfectly faithful (Isa 25:1)
5. He will do what He said He will do for you
a. Psa 138:8 NKJV
(8) The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.
6. He has good thoughts towards us
a. Jer 29:11-12 NKJV
(11) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
(12) Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
1) Israel was in captivity for disobedience
2) God promises to return them after 70 yrs (v.10-14)
7. God directs or orders the steps of a good, goody person who is sold out to Him
a. Psa 37:23-24 NKJV
(23) The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way.
(24) Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the LORD upholds him with His hand.
8. to know God's will we must trust that He is Sovereign
F. Application
1. Is your heart fully submitted to God?
2. If we want to know God's will we must fear and respect Him, are we?
3. Do you believe that God is supreme, (highest, greatest) in position, authority and purpose?
4. Do you trust that He will do what He has promised through His word?
5. God may not reveal His specific will to you if you are not willing to trust Him to do what He said He will do.
6. God reveals His will so that we will obey Him
7. Are you allowing God to guide your life?
G. Deal with known sin in our lives (from James w 12)
1. the world, Satan and our flesh tempt us to disobey God and sometimes we give in to them
2. when we sin, we break our fellowshp with God and do not receive His blessings (PCT 274; 383; 315)
3. we need Divine Forgiveness and Cleansing to apporach God
4. 1Jn 1:5-10 NKJV
(5) This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.
(6) If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
(7) But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
(8) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
(9) If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
(10) If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
5. confession: agreeing with God about your sin (Psa 139:23-24; Rom 8:27)
6. repentance: changing of mind and attitude toward sin and God (Matt 21:29; PCT 316)
a. accepting personal responsibility (2 Cor 7:10; Prov 28:13)
b. seeking the forgiveness of God
c. seeking the forgiveness of people we have sinned against (Matt 5:23-24)
d. forgiving those who have wronged us when they repent (Matt 6:12, 14-15; Lk 17:3)
7. when we deal with our sin, God immedialtes forgives us and cleanses us
8. not repenting brings God’s corrective discipline because we are His children and may result in loss of reward (Heb 12:3-16; 2Cor 5:10; Col 3:24-25)
9. God does not hear us if we are unrepentant (Rom 2:5-11; Prov 15:8, 29; 21:27; 28:9; Prov 1:24-33; Isa 59:1-2; Jer 7:1-29)
a. Psa 66:18 NKJV
(18) If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear.
Psa 66:18 NLT
(18) If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.
10. to know God's will we must confess our sin to God
H. Look to Scripture for Answers
1. God's will is completely and finally revealed in His word
2. Col 3:16 NKJV
(16) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
3. we are called to understand His willingness
a) Eph 5:17 NKJV
(17) Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Eph 5:17 NET.
(17) For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the Lord's will is.
4. we must be filled with His world and Spirit (Col 3:16)
a. Eph 5:18 NKJV
(18) And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,
5. 2Ti 3:16-17 NKJV
(16) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
(17) that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
6. to know God's will we must read, study and meditate on His Word
I. Application
1. God desires that we deal with known sin, what do you need to repent and confess to God about?
Summary
To know God's will we must prepare our hearts by:
1. Developing a deep hunger for wisdom
2. Being willing to obey Him
3. Yielding or surrender our hearts
4. Trusting in God's Sovereignty: Position and Authority
5. Confessing our sin to God
6. Reading, studying and meditating on His Word
To know God's will we must understand what God is like:
God's Wisdom
A. Trust in God's wisdom (PCT 63)
1. God has the ability to use knowledge in ways that best completes His purpose
a. He has supreme wisdom above all created things (Rom 16:27)
b. He is able to apply knowledge practically
c. He knows best what, how and when to do things
d. He alone gives us the best direction for our life
e. His wisdom is better than ours (1Cor 1:21-25; Jam 3:14-17)
f. the church being made up of believing Jews and Gentiles demonstrates God's wisdom
(Eph 1:8-10)
g. renewing our mind by God's word reveals His will (Rom 12:2)
h. He is ready to give or reveal His wisdom to those who seek it (Jam 1:2-8)
1. Mat 7:11 NKJV
(11) If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
2. Jas 1:2-5 NKJV
(2) My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
(3) knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
(4) But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
(5) If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
i. we can trust God's wisdom (Prov 3:5-6; 1John 1:5)
1. we find His wisdom from His word
2. Psa 1:1-3 NKJV
(1) Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
(2) But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.
(3) He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.
3. Psa 16:11 NKJV
(11) You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
4. Joh 8:12 NKJV
(12) Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
2. Application
a. Do you trust that God has supreme wisdom; that He alone knows what is best for your life?
b. Who or what do you turn to for wisdom and direction in life?
c. If you want to know His will, you must renew your mind by God's word, meditating, studying and applying it, you must allow God's Spirit to transform you through it.
d. Because God's wisdom is above all other's wisdom, we can completely trust or rely on Him.
God's Omniscience
A. God is fully aware of all things and He completely understands everything (PCT pg 53)
1. He alone is perfect in knowledge
a. Isa 45:21 NKJV
(21) Tell and bring forth your case; Yes, let them take counsel together. Who has declared this from ancient time? Who has told it from that time? Have not I, the LORD? And there is no other God besides Me, A just God and a Savior; There is none besides Me.
b. Isa 48:3-5 NKJV
(3) "I have declared the former things from the beginning; They went forth from My mouth, and I caused them to hear it. Suddenly I did them, and they came to pass.
(4) Because I knew that you were obstinate, And your neck was an iron sinew, And your brow bronze,
(5) Even from the beginning I have declared it to you; Before it came to pass I proclaimed it to you, Lest you should say, 'My idol has done them, And my carved image and my molded image Have commanded them.'
c. Job 37:16 NKJV
(16) Do you know how the clouds are balanced, Those wondrous works of Him who is perfect in knowledge?
2. He knows all things actual:
a. in the past
1) He knows our true hearts
a) Pro 24:11-12 NKJV
(11) Deliver those who are drawn toward death, And hold back those stumbling to the slaughter.
(12) If you say, "Surely we did not know this," Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?
b. in the present
1) Jer 32:19 NKJV
(19) You are great in counsel and mighty in work, for your eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men, to give everyone according to his ways and according to the fruit of his doings.
2) Pro 15:3 NKJV
(3) The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
3) He watches us
c. in the future
1) Isa 46:9-10 NKJV
(9) Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me,
(10) Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, 'My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,'
3. He knows all that can happen but doesn't (1 Sam 23:12; Matt 11:21, 23)
a. things possible
4. God fully understanding all that can be know about everything-- nature, condition, place, activity, needs, relationships
a. He has infinite understanding (Psa 147:5)
5. He is aware of all things at once completely and in detail (Act 15:18)
6. His knowledge is part of His nature (Isa 65:24)
7. He has full foreknowledge, knowledge of things before they come to pass
a. what He has decreed or determined to happen
8. He knows all about us: our thoughts, actions, conditions, situations, feelings, motivations, trials, temptations
a. Psa 139:1-6 NKJV
(1) For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
(2) You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off.
(3) You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways.
(4) For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.
(5) You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me.
(6) Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it.
b. He knows us better than anyone even ourselves
9. God knows what is best for us ultimately
a. we can trust His will for He is omniscient, (all knowing), sovereign and wise
b. He has authority and wisdom to tell us what to do, to guide and direct us
c. our response is to discover and obey His will
10. Application
a. Do you feel like no one understands you or knows how you feel? God does.
b. He is fully aware of every part of our lives like no one else can
c. He knows are past, present and future and still chooses to love us
d. Do you trust that He knows and understands everything?
1) who else can you compare God to?
e. How do you respond to knowing that God knows everything about you?
1) Does it frighten or shame you or does it comfort you?
f. Knowing that God sees everything should motivate us to live pure righteous lives. Does it?
g. Do you trust God's will for your life or see it as just advice?
God's Will
A. God's word should not be gone against or disobeyed
1. Obeying Him is good
a) Deu 5:29 NKJV
(29) Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!
1) God speaking to Moses about Israel
2. We should stay on the right path and not wander
a) Pro 4:25-27 NKJV
(25) Let your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you.
(26) Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established.
(27) Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil.
3. God is our ultimate counsel
a) Isa 30:1-3 NKJV
(1) "Woe to the rebellious children," says the LORD, "Who take counsel, but not of Me, And who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, That they may add sin to sin;
(2) Who walk to go down to Egypt, And have not asked My advice, To strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, And to trust in the shadow of Egypt!
(3) Therefore the strength of Pharaoh Shall be your shame, And trust in the shadow of Egypt Shall be your humiliation.
4. Our plans should be submitted to God's will (Jas 4:13-15)
a) Isa 29:15-16 NKJV
(15) Woe to those who seek deep to hide their counsel far from the LORD, And their works are in the dark; They say, "Who sees us?" and, "Who knows us?"
(16) Surely you have things turned around! Shall the potter be esteemed as the clay; For shall the thing made say of him who made it, "He did not make me"? Or shall the thing formed say of him who formed it, "He has no understanding"?
b) God is not ignorant of our actions
5. God's wisdom is higher than any other's
a) Isa 55:8-9 NKJV
(8) "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD.
(9) "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.
6. We are to not forsake God's will
a. Jer 2:13 NKJV
(13) "For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns--broken cisterns that can hold no water.
1. underground cisterns collected and held rain water (NET)
2. Israel had abandoned God-- their source of life, breath, vitality, salvation, satisfaction
3. Israel had turned to idolatrous objects of trust which chould not do anything
b. we should not seek wisdom in things other than God.
1. Jos 24:15 NKJV
(15) And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
B. God's plan will happen: He will bring it to pass
1. no one can ruin or thwart God's plan or decree
a. Isa 14:24-27 NKJV
(24) The LORD of hosts has sworn, saying, "Surely, as I have thought, so it shall come to pass, And as I have purposed, so it shall stand:
(25) That I will break the Assyrian in My land, And on My mountains tread him underfoot. Then his yoke shall be removed from them, And his burden removed from their shoulders.
(26) This is the purpose that is purposed against the whole earth, And this is the hand that is stretched out over all the nations.
(27) For the LORD of hosts has purposed, And who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, And who will turn it back?"
1) context: Assyrian's destruction
2. Pro 16:9 NKJV
(9) A man's heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.
a. through we have free will, God is sovereign
3. no one can reverse God's decree
a. Isa 43:13 NKJV
(13) Indeed before the day was, I am He; And there is no one who can deliver out of My hand; I work, and who will reverse it?"
b. Deu 32:39 NKJV
(39) 'Now see that I, even I, am He, And there is no God besides Me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; Nor is there any who can deliver from My hand [resist my power].
4. God's decree or plan (PCT 69)
a. His plan by which He has determined all things that relate to the universe, including His actions and all that happens in it and of it
1) purpose, decretive will, counsel
2) is certain (Prov 19:21; Isa 46:10; Prov 21:10)
a. it will come to pass
3) one: formed in eternity but carried out in time
4) eternal
a) from our view, it was formulated before foundation of the universe
5) never changing (Psa 33:11; Heb 6:17)
6) universal: comprising everything that exists or comes to pass
7) absolute: how it comes to pass; determining every detail
8) free: God was not influenced by anything/one
a) according to His pleasure and will
9) hidden: secret until it is revealed in His word or comes to pass
10) Christocentric: centers on Christ Jesus
b. not the same as the actions of creatures or His revealed will for them-- His commands
1. God's decree is secret but His commands are His revealed desires
c. not the same as fate
1. fate is a system of undetermined, impersonal causes and effects
2. God's decree is personal and specific
3. because of God's decree, fate or chance does not exist
C. Application
1. Is there some area of your life that you are not seeking God's will or going against His will?
2. Are you trusting in other things other than God Himself, in things that can't hold water?
3. Have you submitted and given over your plans to God?
4. Have you forsaken God and gone after false gods?
5. We can trust in God's plan-- decree
D. Benefits of Knowing God's Will
1. allows us to walk or live worthy, fully pleasing God, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in knowledge of God
a) Col 1:9-12 NKJV
(9) For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
(10) that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
(11) strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;
(12) giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.
2. we will ask with right motives and receive what we ask
a. 1Jn 5:14-15 NKJV
(14) Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
(15) And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
E. Why Obey God's Will
1. not because we feel like it
2. fulfills our duty (Rom 12:1-2)
3. brings blessing (John 13:17)
4. pleases God and gives us confidence to approach God
a. 1Jn 3:21-23 NKJV
(21) Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God.
(22) And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.
(23) And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.
5. expresses our love for God
a. Joh 14:15-23 NKJV
(15) "If you love Me, keep My commandments.
(21) He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him."
(23) Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
b. love is motivation for doing His will, for obeying His word ( see Jam week 6, 5)
1) if we love God, we will do what He says because we want to
2) if we love someone we prove it by works: gifts, spending time, listening
F. God Enables us to do His will
1. We can't seek or obey God on our own
2. whenever God tells us to do something, He gives us the means and ability to do it
a. He enables us to do what He calls us to do
3. Heb 13:20-21 NKJV
(20) Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
(21) make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
4. Php 4:13 NKJV
(13) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Php 4:13 NET.
(13) I am able to do all things through the one who strengthens me.
5. Joh 14:16-17 NKJV
(16) And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever--
(17) the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
6. Joh 15:4-5 NKJV
(4) Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
(5) "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
7. 2Pe 1:2-3 NKJV
(2) Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,
(3) as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,
8. Php 2:12-13 NKJV
(12) Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
(13) for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
G. The way we do His will is also important
1. 2Sam 6
a. Dave gets men together to bring the ark to Jerusalem (v.1-2)
b. they put it on a new cart (v.3)
c. they play music for God (v.4)
d. the ark almost falls but Uzzah tries to steady it and dies in the process for touching it (v.6-7)
b. David's motives were good in wanting to move the Ark of God but he did it the wrong way
c. God trough the OT law required the ark to be moved using poles not a cart by specific people, the sons of Kohath (JMSB)
1. Dave ignored God’s specific instructions
2. we can do the right thing the wrong way and disobey God
H. Application
1. Do you want to receive the benefits of knowing God's will?
2. Are you searching for God's will in His word?
3. Are you motivated to obey God's will out of your love for Him?
4. Are you trying to obey His will on your own ability? your own strength
5. Are you trying to do something the wrong way?
Summary
1. Trust in God's wisdom
2. He alone is perfect in knowledge
3. Obeying Him is good
4. Benefits of Knowing God's Will
5. Why Obey God's Will
6. God Enables us to do His will
7. The way we do His will is also important
III. Summation:
We learned that knowing God's will requires work: we must prepare our hearts and understand what God is like. We looked at the need to surrender our hearts, to trust in God's Sovereignty, to confess our sin, and to read, study and meditate on God's Word. We learned why we should obey God's Will, that God Enables us to do His will and that the way we do His will is also important.
IV. Invitation:
The first step to prepare our hearts and to understanding what God is like is to make sure we are in a right relationship with Him. We are all born spiritually separated from God, headed for hell. Because God is just and holy, He deals with sin and sinners as they deserve, condemning them and punishing them. That is why God sent Jesus. He paid our fine so that we could escape eternal punishment and separation from God. To have a real relationship with God and escape hell, one must agree with God about their sin and trust that Jesus died to pay for their sin. Have you done that?