Discovering and Pursuing the Will of God 2

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=50 BGCOLOR="#333366" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>Discovering and Pursuing the Will of God 2</B></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=165 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="132" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 35 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id505.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Discovering and Pursuing the Will of God"><U><B><IMG SRC="007151d0.gif" border=0 width="21" height="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="21"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="20"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="35" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="20" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="13"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="27"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></div> <div> Previous/Next Sermon</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="www.stanbaker.org"><U><B>Home</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Biblical and Theological Studies"><U><B>Biblical and Theological Studies</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id3.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Church Ministry"><U><B>Church Ministry</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id15.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sermon Notes"><U>Sermon Notes</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id4.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links"><U><B>Links</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id5.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Personal"><U><B>Personal</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> www.stanbaker.org</div> </td> <td valign="top" height=430 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>Discovering and Pursuing the Will of God," </B><A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passage=Gen+24" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passag"><U><B>Genesis 24</B></U></A><B> (Part 2)</B></div> <div> <B>Berean Bible Church, February 27, 2005</B></div> <bR> <div>      You may be familiar with computer games like "The Sims." They are "God games" in which players create simulated people and give them homes, jobs, families, and communities. Asked by USA Today what she enjoys about playing the popular game, a mother from Indiana, Eunice Benz, said, [I like] "The idea of being able to control someone else's life, since I cannot control my own." (<I>World</I>, Aug 18, 2001, p. 12 "Quotables"). And we like to watch other people live their lives, and maybe we criticize them or counsel them, yet we have no idea what to do about our lives and situations.</div> <div>      If life is not under God's direction and control, your life quickly gets out of control. God wants us to live life under his direction. That means making choices according to his will. Living the life of faith demands discovering and living according to the will of God for your everyday life.</div> <div>      What are some decisions you are faced with right now, or will be in the near future? (Write some down – financial, job, family, spiritual, personal, relational.) </div> <div>      Please read again <A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passage=Gen+24" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passag"><U>Genesis 24</U></A>.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Six lessons for discovering and pursuing the will of God for your everyday life.</B></div> <div> <B>1. [Review:]</B> <B>Be clear on God's principles, which are found in his word (</B><A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passage=Gen+24:1-9" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passag"><U><B>Gen 24:1-9</B></U></A><B>).</B></div> <div> <B>     </B>You cannot violate the principles of the Word of God and expect to be blessed as you seek the will of God.</div> <div>      <I>Within</I> God's principles, his will often makes good logical sense; therefore, we may exercise reason with a renewed mind. Romans 12:1-2 (NLT) says, "And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-- the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."</div> <bR> <div> <B>2. Ask God for wisdom and direction, and give him the credit when he answers (</B><A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passage=Gen+24:21" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passag"><U><B>Gen 24:12</B></U></A><B>, </B><A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passage=Gen+24:21" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passag"><U><B>21</B></U></A><B>, </B><A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passage=Gen+24:26-27" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passag"><U><B>26-27</B></U></A><B>).</B></div> <div>      Normally, we start with worry, or planning or asking for advice. But first we should ask for God's direction. Then we have to trust that he will direct us to his will (vs. 7). God is able to bring success in our search for the will of God. And there is no success apart from discovering the will of God.</div> <div>      Miraculous signs are not normative for seeking God's will. They are subject to mis-interpretation. And it's like us telling God how it is going to be. Instead of asking for specific signs, we should continue to seek God's everyday leading, and trust him to lead us. Psalm 37:23 (NLT) says, "The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives." Galatians 5:25 (NLT) says,  "Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives." </div> <div>           We have to trust in God's loyal love, his kindness, and his mercy (vss. 12, 27).</div> <bR> <div> <B>3. Look for God's hand in guiding or arranging circumstances (</B><A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passage=Gen+24:13-14" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passag"><U><B>Gen 24:13-14</B></U></A><B>).</B></div> <div>      Proverbs 16:9 says, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." Look for God's moving in and through circumstances. Ask God to arrange the circumstances whereby his will can be carried out. Live life, go about your day, but be on the lookout for open doors and opportunities that are the will of God for you today. And continue to seek God's will and confirmation while interacting with circumstances (vs. 21). Circumstances don't <I>dictate</I> God's will, but they will help reveal God's will.</div> <div>      At least four categories of circumstance:</div> <div>      1) The circumstance of <U>location</U>: The servant went looking where the ladies would be (vs. 11). Trust God to lead you to the right places. But start with where you are.</div> <div>      2) The circumstance of <U>opportunity</U>: What open doors are available to me right now? What are all the options and alternatives? What are the pros and cons?</div> <div>      3) The circumstance of <U>compatibility with others</U>: Relationally, is it a a good fit for you and others? The servant's proposed test was not just a random test as a sign, but a test of her character and kindness (vss. 17-20). The test was, was this a good match for Isaac? God's will was seen in Rebekah's <I>compatibility</I> with Isaac.</div> <div>      4) The circumstance of <U>your divine design </U>(your God-given gifts and talents and passions): Discovering the will of God for what to do with your life <I>might</I> have something to do with what God has made you good at!</div> <div>      What about working through difficulties? Tensions, obstacles are dealt with throughout the chapter - what if she is not willing to come? How would he know who it is? What if her family does not let her come? What if she is not a good fit with Isaac? God's will often includes difficult circumstances and obstacles which must be overcome. Don't let the presence of difficulty alone tell you that something is <I>not</I> the will of God.</div> <bR> <div> <B>4. Seek counsel and confirmation from others (</B><A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passage=Gen+24:50-51" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passag"><U><B>Gen 24:50-51</B></U></A><B>, </B><A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passage=Gen+24:58" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passag"><U><B>58</B></U></A><B>).</B> </div> <div>      God's will should be confirmed by others (vss. 50-51, 58 - they consented willingly). It is not to be forced upon other people without their consent. Follow him in faith and trust in his ability to lead people who are sensitive to him. Of course, maintain integrity in communicating your understanding of the will of God to others , as the servant did - he told the whole story, truthfully.</div> <bR> <div> <B>5. Don't delay when it is time to do the will of God (</B><A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passage=Gen+24:32-33" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passag"><U><B>Gen 24:32-33</B></U></A><B>, </B><A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passage=Gen+24:55-59" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passag"><U><B>55-59</B></U></A><B>).</B></div> <div>      For one thing, don't give in to the manipulative games people play.</div> <bR> <div> <B>6. Pursue God's promises and share his blessings. </B></div> <div>      This whole story is about the program of God, not merely the meeting and marriage of two people. The will of God is not primarily about <I>us</I>. It is not about our happiness and our little corner of the world. God has a bigger plan for our lives, not only to be blessed, but to be a blessing to others, and that is what his will is concerned with. <I>Within</I> the larger plan, there is probably a lot of freedom and flexibility. But the larger plan and purpose is clear and fixed. God will not guide you and lead you and bless you if you distance yourself from him and his program.</div> <div>      "In his book 'God Came Near' Max Lucado tells about a group of climbers who set out to scale a large mountain in Europe. 'On clear days, a breathtaking peak of snow-capped rocks reigned as king on the horizon, inviting admiration and offering inspiration to the climbers. On days like this, the hikers made great progress. They climbed as one, all looking to the same summit. Yet, on some days, the peak was hidden from view. Then the climb became arduous. Eyes were cast downward, the goal forgotten.' / I think we are like those hikers. When we see the big picture - God's story - nothing could keep us from moving toward the mountaintop. Such moments occur when we reflected on what God has done for us. They occur when we are in the Word and are reminded of His plan and promises. But take away the view and we simply become encumbered by the details of the journey. We can't see how the steps we are taking fit into the bigger story" (Chuck Swindoll, <I>Kindred Spirit</I>, Winter 2003, p. 19).</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> copyright, 2005, Stanley Baker</div> <div> www.stanbaker.org</div> </td> </tr></table></body>