God’s Will for -- Me? “A Living Sacrifice, Holy and Acceptable to God” (Ro 12:1)

A Matter of Attitude: God’s Will or My Will? Lord God v. Lord Self -- “My” Life? Do I really want to know God’s will? Do I ask? Do I expect to hear? 1 Co 6:19-20 – “you are not your own”.

Theological Context The Sovereignty of God God doesn’t need me, or anyone, to achieve His plans and purposes. “he is not served by human hands as though he needed anything” (Ac 17:25). God’s purposes will be accomplished. “my purposes will stand, I will do all that I please” (Isa 46:10). God will shape our “free” will to perform works for His ends. “He works in you to will and to do” (Php 2:13).

God Has Foreordained Works for Me Eph 2:10 – “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God has prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Five general characteristics of Godly works:  Bring Him Glory (1 Co 10:31; Col 3:16-23)  Sanctification -- love God, love others (1 Thess 4:1-9)  Proclaim Gospel -- be His Witnesses (Ac 1:8)  Bear Fruit (Jn 15:5)  Salt and Light (Mt 5:13-16)

Seven Biblical Tips for Discerning My Specific Works Tip 1 – Ask Him, earnestly and continually. God is pleased by our asking:  Pr 2:1-10; 8:17 “call out for insight”  Jer 29:12-14 “seek me with all your heart”  1 Chr 16:11 “seek His presence continually”  Mt 7:7; Lk 11:9-13 “will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him”  Ja 1:5 “if any lacks wisdom let him ask God who gives generously”

Problem – Sin Hinders My Commitment Ro 12:1-8 – “I urge to you, therefore, brethren …” (NASB)  Living Sacrifices, my “reasonable service” (KJV).  Not “conformed” to sinful World.  But rather, “transformed” by renewal of my mind – Biblical Theology; Biblical Worldview.  “by testing you may discern … the will of God”  Different Gifts, used as part of the Body. Tip 2 – Be resolved to get my mind right by faithful Bible study; apply Scripture to test gifts and options.

Cautions about “Testing” When I test options, I must recognize the following difficulties:  Caution 1 -- there will be tradeoffs. For example, family responsibilities v. ministry. 1 Tim 5:8.  Caution 2 -- “suffering” may not be a “con”. All ministry involves suffering to some extent. There are benefits to suffering – Ro 5:3-4; 2 Co 4:17. Suffering may be a “pro.”  Caution 3 – revelation is often step by step, so I must continually check and adapt to new things. Therefore – I need other indicators, lots of prayer.

Advice of Other Believers Tip 3 – Seek counsel of other believers and pastors.  Godly parents – Ex 20:12 (5 th commandment); Pr 6:20-23, “a lamp…a light” to “lead you”.  Other believers – Pr 15:22 “plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed”.  Pastors – Ordained as “under-shepherds” to serve as guide; 1 Peter 5; 2 Timothy, and Titus.

Needs of Others Tip 4 – Be watchful for others God places in my path.  Parable of Good Samaritan (Lk 10:25-37).  Gal 5:6 – only thing that counts is “faith working through love”. Gal 5:14 -- “whole law is fulfilled in one word: you shall love your neighbor”.  Isa 1:17 – “learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to fatherless and widow’s”  Caution – sometimes needs of others are “invisible” if I’m not watchful.

Of Most Importance: Daily Repentance and Faith Tip 5 – Guard my heart. Pr 4:23 – “above all else, guard your heart”.  Fear of the Lord – Pr 2:5-20; 9:10 “the beginning of wisdom”.  Humility – Ps 25:9 “He leads the humble in what is right”; repentance, die to self.  Trust – Heb 11:6 “without faith it is impossible to please God”; Pr 3:5-6 “In all your ways acknowledge Him” and He will lead.  Obedience – Pr 11:3 “the integrity of the upright guides them”.

Heart Caution: Call is Costly Jesus Christ wants sold-out followers not do-good admirers – parable of the rich young ruler (Lk 18:18-30). Am I ready to give up all else? Do all for God’s glory? But there’s a promise (vv ): “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come, eternal life.”

Most Vexing: Pilgrim’s Patience Tip 6 – Wait on the Lord.  I must trust God’s timing. Ps 27:14 – “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage.” Ps 46:10 – “Be still and know that I am God.”  Isa 40:31 – “Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength”. Waiting tests my faith. True faith grows stronger.  Waiting, praying, and confidently expecting favor are closely linked in Scripture. Hero’s of Faith in Hebrews 11 knew they were exiles, so they patiently hoped and trusted.

Foundational Worldview: A Cross-Centered Life Tip 7 – Remember the Cross.  “I have been Crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who lives but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Gal 2:20)  “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love as Christ loved us, and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Eph 5:1-2)  Never forget – I am God’s temple. Redeemed, not my own.

Summary: How to Discern God’s Will A “Communion” Life 1.Ask God, earnestly and continually. 2.Be a resolved follower of Christ, get my mind right through Scripture Study to test options and gifts. 3.Seek counsel of other believers and pastors. 4.Be watchful for the needs of others. 5.Guard my heart -- daily repentance and faith. 6.Wait on the Lord. 7.Remember the Cross.

Righteous Works: An Urgent Matter for All Saints Ja 4:13-17 – Brevity of Life: “you are a mist”. Rev 19:7-9 – How to be “ready”: “His Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure – for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. Rev 20:11-15; Mt 25 – Judgment by Works: “judged by …. what they had done”

Will I strive to be a -- A Living Sacrifice? “I urge you therefore, brethren...” (Ro 12:1)