Yes, You Can Know God’s Will
Sermon Notes
TODAY’S PASSAGE:
Colossians 1:9-10 ESV… And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God…
WHEN “GOD’S WILL“ IS ABUSED
“God’s will“ can be abused by unstable people… Jim Jones; David Koresh; Marshall Apple-white
What would you say to the person who said, “God told me the person you should marry“?
GOD’S WILL DOESN”T HAVE TO BE A GREAT MYSTERY
All believers can know the will of God just as completely as any other believer.
It was Paul’s prayer that Christians be filled with the knowledge of God’s will… Colossians 1:9-10; Romans 12:2; Ephesians 5:15
Under the New Covenant all believers will know God and have transformed hearts… Ezekiel 36:26-27
Believers have the Holy Spirit who illuminates God’s Word… 1 Corinthians 2:12-13
Illumination: The Spirit of God… illuminates the Word of God… so the Child of God… can accurately know the Will of God.
God’s Word is sufficient to equip believers for every good work… 2 Timothy 3:16-17
John Owen, “If private revelations agree with Scripture they are needless, if they disagree they are false.“
If you want to hear God speak, read the Bible. If you want to hear God speak out loud, read the Bible out loud… Psalm 19:7-9; Hebrew 4:12
DECISION MAKING AND THE WILL OF GOD
Some decisions have one-clear answer… i.e. moral decisions.
Other decisions, there will be freedom… Who should I marry? Where should I work?
For many of our decisions, God’s Word sets the boundaries… and as long as we are within the boundaries… we can be confident we are in God’s will no matter what choice we make.
Biblical guidelines about who to marry… 2 Corinthians 6:14; Proverbs 22:24; Proverbs 21:9.
Dr. John MacArthur, “When God speaks, he thunders with the divine authority of Scripture.“
God’s Word lights the way God wants us to go… Psalm 119:105
When praying about a decision, ask the Holy Spirit to…
Guide your steps with God’s Word
Light you path with God’s Word
Grant you wisdom from God’s Word
Convict you with truth from God’s Word
Protect you from error with God’s Word
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
How can people use “God’s will“ to take advantage of others?
What are some common misconceptions about “knowing God’s will“?
What dangers exist when we look for God to reveal His will outside of Scripture?
What are some ways that the Holy Spirit can illuminate God’s Word for us?