Discovering and Pursuing the Will of God

<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</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> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="21"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id606.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Greatest Day in History"><U><B><IMG SRC="008151d0.gif" border=0 width="21" height="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></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> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=430 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>"Discovering and Pursuing the Will of God," Genesis 24</B></div> <div> <B>Calvary Baptist Church, Horseheads, February 11, 2007</B></div> <bR> <div>      As Americans, we face something called “choice overload.” If you have bought a digital camera, TV, or computer lately, you know all about this. Studies have shown that the more options there are, the harder it is to make decisions. And the less likely it is that we will be happy with those decisions, even if it was the right one.</div> <div>      You may have heard of computer games like "The Sims." They are called "<I>God</I> games," because players can create simulated people and give them homes, jobs, families, and communities, kind of run their lives. One mother from Indiana, when asked what she likes most about playing these games, responded, [I like]"The idea of being able to control someone else's life, since I cannot control my own." <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >(<I>World</I>, Aug 18, 2001, p. 12 "Quotables").</FONT> It is easy to dispense wisdom for other people's lives, especially from a distance. It is much harder to successfully nagivate through the myriad of choices you have to make in your own life.</div> <div>      Wherever you are in life, you might be faced with such decisions as: choosing a spouse; choosing whether or what college to attend, or a career; when to change jobs, or start thinking about retirement; how to get, spend and give money; when to move, where to live and what kind of home to live in; whether or not to buy a particular car; and the list goes on. Or you may have to give advice on such things to others who are facing these major decisions. Add to that all the little decisions we make day-by-day, whether intentionally or just by habit. Things like responding to invitations and opportunities; choosing our attitude at work; how to be a good wife or husband or parent; what to do with our time; or what to watch on TV.</div> <div>      I believe that God is in control, that he is sovereign and all-powerful. Yet at the very same time, we have both the freedom and the responsibility to make choices about our lives, and those choices have real-world consequences.</div> <div>      Living the life of faith demands discovering and living according to the will of God for your everyday life, in big and little decisions alike. How do we discover the will of God for our everyday choices and for our lifetimes? </div> <div>      Please turn to <A HREF="http://www.tniv.info/bible/passagesearch.php?passage_request=Gen 24&tniv=yes" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.tniv.info/bible/passagesearch"><U>Genesis 24</U></A>. Abraham has been promised many descendants, land for them, and that his family would receive blessing and <I>be</I> a blessing. For Abraham, it was the time of transition to the next generation as the promises continued into the future, leading to the creation of the nation of Israel, to the coming of Jesus Christ, and ultimately to our salvation, and promises for <I>our</I> future.</div> <div>      As we pursue this future together, I want to share with you today seven basic guidelines for discovering and pursuing the will of God for your everyday life and for your lifetime.</div> <bR> <div> <B>1. Be clear on the principles revealed by God in his word (Gen 24:1-9).</B></div> <div>      These verses show that Abraham established two principles, that were consistent with God's promises and plan. 1) Isaac was to avoid marrying a non-believing local woman (vss. 3-4); and 2) he was not to leave the Promised Land for a wife (vss. 6-9). His leaving could be a distraction, and his wife could either be a help or hindrance to God's promises and plans for Isaac. You cannot violate the principles of the Word of God and expect to be blessed as you seek the will of God.</div> <div>      Of course, you can find examples of all kinds of potentially strange and hard-to-understand stuff in Scripture, but the basic principles are clear and lasting and relevant to every generation. Probably 90% of the "will of God" decisions in our lives are dramatically impacted by basic, clear principles from the Word of God. Such principles include telling the truth, being generous, serving and helping others, sharing your faith, going to work and working hard, saving money and avoiding debt, staying faithful to your spouse, and encouraging your kids as you train them in the Lord.</div> <div>      Psalm 119:105 says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." Some luxury vehicles have headlights which turn slightly on corners, so you get a better view of what is around the bend. That way you can avoid trouble sooner. The word of God can point the way for you to live your life, and he can help you see the pathway ahead and avoid trouble all around.</div> <div>      The way we think affects all of our choices. Therefore, the way we think, and the way we judge “common sense,” must be transformed and shaped by the truth of the word of God. Romans 12:1-2 <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >(NLT)</FONT> 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. 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></div> <div>      Because of God's leading, the servant of Abraham "happens" to meet Rebekah at the well (vss. 10-28). The servant and Rebekah's family negotiate for Rebekah's hand in marriage (vss. 29-61). Rebekah willingly agrees and sets out (much like Abraham many years before). Isaac and Rebekah meet and get married and "fall in love" and carry on on the journey of faith (vss. 62-67).</div> <div>      This chapter emphasizes again and again how God leads and directs people towards the fulfillment of his promises, plans, and program (vss. 7, 12, 21, 26-27, 40, and 48). He does so based on his kindness and mercy (vss. 12, 27). This is also seen throughout the book of Genesis.</div> <div>      Normally, we may start with worry, or planning, or asking for advice. If we happen to pray, we may pray with our minds already made up. But first we should ask for God's wisdom and 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. James 1:5 tells us that if we lack wisdom, we should ask God, who gives generously. Psalm 37:23 <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >(NLT)</FONT> says,"The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives." Galatians 5:25 <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >(NLT)</FONT> says, "Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives." </div> <div>      Instead of asking for specific signs, we should continue to seek God's everyday leading, and trust him to lead us. And instead of worrying about the will of God, we have to trust in God's loyal love, his kindness, and his mercy.</div> <bR> <div> <B>3. Evaluate your choices according to your circumstances (Gen 24:13-14).</B></div> <div>      The servant proposed a “circumstantial” test in his prayer, that she would offer to water the camels (possibility 80-100 drawings from the well!). “Normal” would be her offering him a drink. Not normal would be her offering to water the camels. It may have been both a “sign,” and a test of her character – was she kind? Did she take initiative? Was she hospitable?</div> <div>      Circumstances alone don't dictate God's will, but they will help in part reveal God's will. So pray and pay attention to what God is putting in place around you (vs. 21).</div> <div>      Proverbs 16:9 says, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." God is able to arrange the circumstances by which his will can be accomplished. </div> <div>      There are at least five categories of circumstance:</div> <div>      1) The circumstance of location.</div> <div>      2) The circumstance of opportunity or timing.</div> <div>      3) The circumstance of compatibility with others.</div> <div>      4) The circumstance of your divine design.</div> <div>      5) The circumstances created by your habits. It has been said, “Your life is not determined by what you want, but by the choices you make”; and your choices are largely determined by your habits. Choose your habits well, because your habits will determine your future choices.</div> <bR> <div> <B>4. Work through difficulties, instead of assuming it is a closed door.</B></div> <div>      God's will usually includes difficult circumstances and obstacles which must be overcome. Tensions and 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? If it is God's will, he can work it out! Don't let the presence of difficulty alone tell you that something is not the will of God.</div> <bR> <div> <B>5. Seek counsel and confirmation from others (Gen 24:49-51, 58).</B><B> </B></div> <div>      Notice how Rebekah and her family were given the opportunity to agree to this proposal (vss. 49-51, 58). God's will should be confirmed by others. It is not to be forced upon other people without their consent. Follow him in faith and trust in his ability to lead other people who are sensitive to him. Avoid politics or manipulation!</div> <div>      Proverbs 15:22 says, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Your counselors should include both people who are affected by the decision, and those who are not (and are therefore more objective).</div> <div>      Learn from and interact with others as you make decisions in the will of God. Pray with others, invite their counsel. If your decision affects your family, work it through with them. If the decision affects the church, work it through together.</div> <bR> <div> <B>6. Don't delay when it is time to do the will of God (Gen 24:55b-59).</B></div> <div>      Rebekah's brother Laban suggested that the servant and the bride stay a few more days. Perhaps he was hoping for more money. But the servant insisted they leave now, and Rebekah consented.</div> <div>      Prior to 2002, Jerry B. Jenkins, co-author of the Left Behind series, said, "My resolution for 2002 is to stop procrastinating. Last year I didn't get around to my resolutions, so this is actually for 2001."</div> <div>      We often procrastinate out of fear, or because we don't know how or where to get started. Procrastination can be a form of deliberate disobedience. Decide the will of God, decide the next step, and go for it. </div> <div>      By the way, don't give in to the manipulative games people (like Laban) play. Your decision may not be popular with some people. Once you know it is the right thing to do, and you have received wise counsel from trusted people, go for it, even if other people are not happy with it.</div> <bR> <div> <B>7. Pursue God's promises and share his blessings (where we started; Gen 24:7, 60, 67). </B></div> <div>      Notice that Abraham was keeping the program and the promises at the center of the decision-making process (vs. 7). It was the big-picture promises of God that routinely motivated his choices. And it carried over to the next generation as Rebekah and Isaac married, fell in love, and moved ahead in faith towards the promises of God (vs. 60, 67). This whole story is not just about the meeting and marriage of two people; it is about the program and plan of God.</div> <div>      If I asked you, what motivates you and your choices, how would you answer? Are you clear on God's big-picture purpose in the world today? Tie the details of your life to the big picture promises and blessings of God.</div> <div>       The will of God is not primarily about us. 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. Within the larger plan, there is probably a lot of freedom and flexibility. But the larger plan and purpose is clear and fixed, and it is revealed in God's word. </div> <div>      God will not guide you and lead you and bless you if you distance yourself from him and his program. Maybe you are honestly not all that interested in God's will for your life right now. May I suggest that it is time to adjust your values, so that the things that matter to God start mattering to you. Let your life's purpose be more than an example of something to avoid. Instead, establish your goals and priorities and values according to what matters to God. Then develop habits, and make decisions out of those goals and values, and with God's strength you will be the kind of success that he has in mind.</div> <div>      Chuck Swindoll quoted from Max Lucado: "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 reflect 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."<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > (Chuck Swindoll, Kindred Spirit, Winter 2003, p. 19).</FONT></div> <div>      There is a bigger story God is writing with your life, beyond the details of today. As you pursue God himself, he has all the wisdom and power he needs to bring about his plan for your life. Live life and make choices wisely, with the confidence that God will lead you in doing what which honors him and accomplishes his purpose in your life.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> copyright, 2007, Stanley Baker</div> <div> www.stanbaker.org</div> </td> </tr></table></body>