Vison for life Seeing & Doing the Will of God

Doing the Will of God

EXAMPLE OF THE LIFE OF CHRIST  His reason for being, Hebrew 10:7,  His way of functioning John 5:19; 8:28; 12:  His supreme example Luke 22:39-46  The summary of his whole life John 17:4-5, 19:30 and ours 1 Pet 4:2.... and ours 2 Tim 4:7

What is the will of God – our “calling”?  The general call for all believers - living a “following Jesus” life  A specific call on an individual life - fulfilling a specific vocation for Christ

THE GENERAL OR COMMON CHRISTIAN CALLING  That all may be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth - 1 Tim 2 :3-6;  For Fellowship with God – John 17:3  To become like Christ – Romans 8:29, Heb 2:14 that Christ should be the first among many brothers and sisters in the family of God,

God’s will for your life is …   Resisting sin – 1Peter 4:2 (vs1-5)   Holiness and purity – 1Thess 4:3 (vs1-8)   Character development – 2 Peter 1:3-11   Respect for leadership, Holy Spirit empowerment, thanksgiving & prayer – 1Thess 5:18 (vs12-22)   Giving and stewardship – 2 Cor. 8:5 (vs1-15 & 9:6-15)   Submission to authorities and institutions – 1 Peter 2:15 (vs13-16)   Avoid the corruptions of this world – 1 John 2:15-17   Experience and use spiritual gifts – 1 Cor. 12:4-11; Heb 2:4

How can I see God’s will for my life?  Conscious effort and discovery – Eph 5:10,17  A knowledge and ability to be received from God – Col. 1:9-10; Phil. 2:12-13  In close cooperation with the Holy Spirit – Galatians 5:16-24  Self-sacrifice in body and internal transformation of the mind – Romans 12:1-2

Vocation – A Specific Calling God’s guidance and direction in an individual believer’s life, or the life of a particular local church;-   Function, meaning the specific part you are to play in the Body of Christ, relates to gifts of the Spirit.   “Career” – means of support, profession, trade, ministry.   Geography, where are you to serve the Lord?   Timing, When to start? When to stop? When to change places?   Partnership, the question of who you should share life with, work with, spend significant time with?

Knowing God’s will for your life … AAAA single target, with everything else as second best? oooor multiple possibilities, with various routes to get to any one of them?

PPPPaths of equal opportunities and blessing … oooor one distinct way that you must get right?

NNNNo way out of dead-ends … oooor divine over-rulings ?

Some key principles  God loves us, desires the best for us  He trusts us to make decisions  Having the right attitude of Christ as Lord matters more than the “small stuff”  It matters more who you are with (Christ) than where you are.  Think less of destinations and more of the journey  When he makes something very clear … do it!

Ways of receiving guidance   Reading studying and meditating on the Bible (Acts 1&2)   Prayer (Acts 13:1-4)   Common sense and consultation (Acts 15)   Direct intervention of the Holy Spirit (Acts 8)   Prophetic guidance   Dreams/Visions   Wisdom from a leader (Barnabus and Saul)   Through the principle of mentorship (Paul & Timothy)   Call or Decision of the local church

Two key dimensions …. A) Self Examination – You and God   Look at your own gifting and match it with the calling   What are your interests and passions? How do they appear with respect to the calling?   How is your character and behaviour? Do they allow you to follow your calling? B) Public Examination – You, God and the church   Consult your key mentors and advisors   Consult your local church leaders   Consult potential co-workers or others working in similar fields.

Doing the Will of God It matters more who you are with … than where you are!