April 30, 2023

YOU ASKED FOR IT: FINDING GOD’S WILL

April 30, 2023

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Recently our church body was asked what events or situations in today’s world most concerned them. The answers became our current series, “You Asked For It.” The second highest concern, addressed today, was “How do I know God’s Will for my life?” As we hear the answer by Pastor Jonathan, we recognize that God’s Will for us is in the Bible, in very plain language. In order to find it for yourself, you must love and trust God enough that you desire, above all things, to know Him as He is revealed in Scripture, obey Him as He has commanded us, and hunger and thirst to live righteously. Please join us as we learn how to seek to be holy, as He is holy.

Focal Passages: Psalm 37:1-7, 119:9-16, Phil. 2:12-13, Pro. 13:20, Rom. 12:2, Jas. 1:22-25.

How do you find God’s Will for your life?

  • Read Heb. 11:6. To seek the Will of God for your life, it must be done with a heart of faith; what is meant by that phrase? Read Matt. 5:6. What is the promise for the one who truly desires to know God’s Will?
  • Where do you find everything He has revealed that He wants you to do? If you devote two minutes each day to reading the Bible, will you be “hungering” or “thirsting”? What do those words indicate? How can you discipline yourself to read the Bible more?
  • In today’s world, has God’s Will for mankind changed from when He had men write the Old Testament? What are some of the reasons we can feel so disconnected from Him?

Read Psa. 37:1-2. What does agitated mean, and what does envy mean? Why would those feelings keep us from knowing His Will for us? Read Rom. 12:2. How do we stop trying to be like this world? How do you renew your mind? How will that transform us?

  • What will you be able to do when your mind is renewed? How can we understand His Will for each of us in particular?

How can I tell the difference between God’s Will and my own desires?

  • Read Psa. 37:4-5. Search your heart: Is there anything in your life you love more than you love God? (If you think “yes,” that is called idolatry.) If so, what are some steps you can take to give Him first place in your life? How do you delight yourself in the Lord? Will He give you all that you desire, or will your desires change to be in line with Him?
  • What/who is the only thing that can stop the carrying out of God’s perfect plan in your life? What can you do to get your life back on track, loving Him first and foremost?

How long will it take to find God’s Will?

  • Read Psa. 37:7a. Where, in this verse, do you think the problem (to our hearing God) lies? Do you think most people know when they’re hearing the voice of God?
  • How does He usually speak? How carefully do you listen for His voice when you pray?
  • Read verse 7b. When you pray, God starts working. If you “wait patiently” for Him, how long are you willing to wait for His answer before trying to fix your problem yourself?

So how do I start? How do I get on the right path

  • Read Phil. 2:12-13. When you wish to begin to put God first in your life, who is the One doing the work? Read Psa. 119:105. Where do you find His help?
  • Read Psa. 119:9-16. How does this passage reflect the message of the verse in Matt. 5:6 earlier? How much time do you spend in the Bible each day, in comparison to time on social media, watching a movie, or browsing the web?
  • Read Pro. 13:20. What do your friends most care about? Which category would you place each in: a fool or a wise person? Did/do you always choose your friends wisely?
  • As you put today’s tools to use, is there any reason you can’t immediately begin to make the changes in your life that will prepare you to be ready to follow God’s Will when He shows it to you? Where can you start?

Close:

Have you ever done a search for the number of times Scripture mentions “this is God’s Will,” or “God’s perfect Will”? He—the best of Fathers—does not leave us floundering but has laid out clearly and perfectly in Scripture His Will for our lives.

God desires us to be holy, as He is holy, “always abounding in the work of love,” “doing everything” as if we are doing it for Him. Being obedient is not a dreadful list of do’s and don’ts, but privileged opportunities to serve Him in any capacity.

Here are a few of His revealed Wills for us:

He desires us to be set apart from the world, not following their actions. 1 Thes. 4:3: For this is the Will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality.

He desires us to trust Him so completely that we are able to thank Him in all situations. 1 Thes. 5:18: In everything give thanks; for this is the Will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

He desires that our actions are so honorable that people can find nothing to say against us. 1 Pet. 2:15: For this is the Will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men…

These are three “Wills” that God wants for you that you can put into practice as you begin your journey to finding His perfect will for your own life. After you have gotten your life on track with His revealed Wills, your heart will be open to understanding His unique Will for you. Start today—don’t put it off. Your eternal future may depend on it.

By Sandy Day

April 30, 2023

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