DISCERNING THE WILL OF GOD Eld Toh See Kiat ACE 20 June 2010 Mt Carmel BP Church

DISCERNING THE WILL OF GOD

Eld Toh See KiatACE 20 June 2010

Mt Carmel BP Church

AGENDA

• What Is the Will of God?

• When Do We Know the Will of God?

• How Do we Know the Will of God?

• Conclusion

CAUTION

• Not an expert but one who has made mistakes too

• Not every decision in life has to go through this process (some are obvious; some are choices which have no moral/ biblical concern; some are clear from the Bible)

• Two extremes – being paralysed or fatalistic

What Is the Will of God?

• A "good" Christian would want to be in the will of God in everything he or she does or thinks.

"To know the will of God is the greatest knowledge. To do the will of God is the greatest achievement."

George Truett


a. The Bible says that the believer is able to discern the will of God: (See also Rom 2:18)

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Rom 12:2. (ESV)


For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. Col 1:9. (NIV)

If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. Jn 7:17


b. God promises guidance –

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." Isa 30:21


c. The five wills of God: (1) His predetermined will [Eph. 1:5, 11], i.e., the will of God by which He purposes and determines to carry out His plans. (2) His providential will [1 Chron. 13:2; Acts 18:21; James 4:15], i.e., God’s acts of providence [how events unfold] of which we do not know. (3) His preferential will [Deut. 10:10; 1 Thess. 5:18;1 Tim. 2:4], i.e., those things that God desires and which give Him pleasure. (4) His perceptive (revealed) will [Rom. 2:18], i.e., the commandments of the Lord that indicate the duties He demands of us. (5) His particular will [Rom. 8:27], God’s specific plan for each Christian’s life.


A simpler traditional formulation:

1. His sovereign will (encompassing the first two wills above) – things beyond our knowledge, generally; and thus foolish for us to try and discover them.

2. His moral will (eg Ten Commandments, Ex 20: 1-17; Dt 5: 6-21) – clearly revealed, and easily found out. What He forbids, what He permits.

What about what He is silent on? Forbidden? Permitted?

• His particular will (for our lives)

What Is the Will of God?God's Word can be used as:

1. A manual (clear, specific instructions and rules; not always possible; and even if possible, not: a guarantee of success in human terms/ smooth path/ lack of struggle in decision-making).

2. A guide (principles and values which may need careful reflection before application).

3. A compass (direction is clear, details need working out).

4. A map (showing us the safe and dangerous places and routes which we can choose, to go to the place we know we are going to).

According to analogy; inference; logic; reason; common sense; conscience? Possibly - easier issue if not a moral issue (eg Ten Commandments)

When Do We Know the Will of God?

(a) To know God’s will we must want it (submission, surrender).

(b) To know God’s will we must expect it (faith).(c) To know God’s will we must seek it (AND seek

His glory).

• John MacArthur's book, Found: The Will of God, has the following suggestions: God’s will for you is to (1) be saved, (2) be sanctified, (3) serve, (4) submit, and (5) suffer.


Many Christians, many views.

Forbidden methods• 1. Divination – Dt 18: 10-11 (No divination,

sorcery, interpreting omens, witchcraft, cast spells, mediums, spiritists, consult dead)

See also Lev 19:26, 31; Ex 22:18; Isa 8:19; Mic 5:12; Mal 3:5; Gal 5:20.

No horoscopes, ba zi, ba gua, feng shui, fortune telling, tarot cards, ouija board, almanacs, tea leaf reading, numerology, palmistry, astrology….


Forbidden methods

• 2. Signs and Fleeces - Many Christians follow Gideon’s example in casting out a "fleece".

• The Bible does not condemn Gideon for what he did. However, appropriateness of Gideon’s actions can be questioned.


Why is Gideon not a good example?

First, God’s specific will was already known to Gideon (Jdg 6:14).

Second, victory over the Midianites had been promised (Jdg 6:16).

Third, Gideon did not keep his word. When God gave him the sign, he did not believe, but asked for one more miracle (Jdg 6:37, 39).

Fourth, he was making inappropriate demands on God. Fifth, Gideon did not have the benefit of the full extent of

Scripture that we have. Sixth, this is more magic (superstition) than mature Christian

faith.


• Gideon’s story is not a call to seek signs (for we walk by faith and not by sight, 2 Cor 5:7),

• nor a guarantee of what always will happen when signs are sought (Jesus refused to give signs when asked, Mt 16:4, Mk 8:10-12);

• signs can be false/ from the Devil, Mk 13:22, 2 Thess 2:9-10;

• and signs do not always work to bring belief

“Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their

presence, they still would not believe in him.” Jn 12:37.

How Do We Know the Will of God?

(1)Scripture (Ps 119:11, 105, 130) - What does God's Word say on this issue/ decision?

(Both objective and subjective or interpretive elements are possible)

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Ps 119:11

- Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Ps 119:105

The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. Ps 119:130


(2) Supplication ie Pray!

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8

I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. John 14:13-14

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 1 John 5:14


(3) Spirit - Holy Spirit teaches us, guides us, helps us interpret Scripture correctly

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Jn 14:26


But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. John 16:13-14

This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. 1 Cor 2:13

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:7


But all may be subjective, so - test the spirits (1 Jn 4:1)!

(Does this honour God? Is pride or any human element/ desire prevailing? Is it evil, non-ethical, dubious, inhumane etc….)

And wait patiently for confirmation….

God's Spirit DOES NOT contradict God's Word. Watch out for self-deception and Satanic seduction masquerading as light (2 Cor 11:14).


(4) Common Sense - What is the best/ wisest/ most sensible decision in this case?

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. Phil 1:9-11


I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. Eph 1:17

And when we know God better, we will know His will better

Bearing in mind the situation/ opportunities/ need, the resources, options, priorities your passions/ desire, your skills and gifts/ talents


(5) Circumstances – See Paul in Acts 16:6-10; 17:16-17; 20:3. Circumstances are ways that God may use to draw our attention to certain conclusions/ directions, but can be very subjective and deceptive; (doors closing, or remaining open as we walk in faith and trust in God).

Sometimes closed doors mean wait or persevere; closed doors need to be prayed open; open doors need not be walked through. How are we to know?

Closeness to God is key.


(6) Counsel - What do others say?

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. Prov 15:22

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel. Prov 27:9


The advice of Christian leaders, godly friends, community of faith etc;

our friends/ family who know and care for us can see our blind spots or affirm what we have seen, but in an objective fashion;

but we do not go round in an opinion poll to gather the opinions that we want to hear.


NOTE Nothing can thwart the will of God

Then Job replied to the LORD : "I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.” Job 42:1-2 For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back? Isaiah 14:27No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:39


NOTE God forgives us our sins (more so, our

errors!) Trust and obey! Be an Abraham,

Matthew, Paul on the way to Rome Have courage! (2 Tim 1:7 – God did not

give us a spirit of timidity) With God all things are possible! (Mt

19:26)


NOTERough paths/ troubles/ suffering do not always

mean punishment or that we are on the wrong path or we are not in God’s will

Paul’s life was full of ups and downs: but he was definitely in God’s will – see Acts (stoning, persecution, shipwreck, imprisonment); see 2 Cor. 11:23 – 28.

And of course, see the life of Jesus!


Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 2 Cor 11:23-28


NOTEDiscernment and wisdom are gifts we ask

from God

He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. Dan 2:21

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5

Conclusion

• Can God’s will be discerned?

• Is there ONE will of God for me?

• What if I get it wrong?

Conclusion

TESTIMONY – multiple calls?

• Call to faith Aug 1975• Call to study and serve Jul 1978• Call to teach and study some more Feb 1984• Call to public service Jul 1995• Call to eldership Jun 1996 (ordained Oct 2001)• Call to seminary and study even more Apr 2005• Macedonian Call Aug 2007 (seminary Sep 2008)

Conclusion

• ANY QUESTIONS??

Email:

[email protected]

Documents

DISCERNING THE WILL OF GOD Eld Toh See Kiat ACE 20 June 2010 Mt Carmel BP Church