Discovering God’s Will When Not in Writing Graphical sermon notes by, Rev. Ed Whitman Sunday, October 12, 2014 Evangelical Congregational Church in Dunstable
Discovering Gods Will When Not in Writing Graphical sermon
notes by, Rev. Ed Whitman Sunday, October 12, 2014 Evangelical
Congregational Church in Dunstable Massachusetts Copyright 2014 by
the author, Rev. Ed Whitman, with permission to freely
redistribute.
Slide 2
Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in
view of Gods mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,
holy and pleasing to Godthis is your true and proper worship.
Slide 3
Romans 12:1-2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but
be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able
to test and approve what Gods will ishis good, pleasing and perfect
will.
Slide 4
Discovering Gods Will When Its Not in Writing Trust in the LORD
with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all
your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3: 5 -6
Slide 5
Past 147 Days: Many Decisions
Slide 6
The Will of God Romans 8: 28 NIV And we know that in all things
God works for the good of those who (1) love him, and who (2) have
been called according to His purpose.
Slide 7
The Will of God Romans 8: 28 NIV The Living Bible And we know
that in all things God works for the good of those who (1) love
him, and who (2) have been called according to His purpose. All
that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and if we
are fitting into His plans.
Slide 8
But What are His Plans?
Slide 9
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. John 14:26
Slide 10
The Holy Spirit: Our Helping Counselor How?
Slide 11
The Holy Spirit: Our Helping Counselor How? The Bible Your word
is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105
Slide 12
The Bible is Clear About CHARACTER Romans 12: 1-2 Therefore, I
urge you, brothers, in view of Gods mercy, to offer your bodies as
living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God
Slide 13
The Bible is Clear About CHARACTER Romans 12: 1-2 Therefore, I
urge you, brothers, in view of Gods mercy, to offer your bodies as
living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God Do not conform any
longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve
what Gods will is--His good, pleasing and perfect will.
Slide 14
Gods Universal and Specific Will Living Sacrifices VERY CLEAR!
Commandments Big Ten - Love God, Love People Examples: Positive
Negative Goal: Holy, Christ-like life
Slide 15
Gods Universal and Specific Will Living Sacrifices VERY CLEAR!
Serving God Decisions GENERAL GUIDANCE Commandments Big Ten - Love
God, Love People Examples: Positive Negative Goal: Holy,
Christ-like life o Go to College? Which? o Job? What Ministries? o
Who should I marry? o Where should I live? o Vacation ? Car? o
Songs? o DECCs pastor?
Slide 16
How To Find the Specific Will of God? When it is NOT in
Writing?
Slide 17
Lets Pray
Slide 18
How To Find the Specific Will of God? Wont be From Using:
Slide 19
Old Testament Mechanical Methods Urim and Thummim
Slide 20
Old Testament Mechanical Methods Urim and Thummim Before
Pentecost: Acts 1:26 So they nominated two menThen they prayed,
Lord, you know everyones heart. Show us which of these two you have
chosenThen they cast lots
Slide 21
Additional Special Revelation
Slide 22
Extra-Terrestrial Experiences Voice from Heaven Touched by an
Angel
Slide 23
Answers in the Sky
Slide 24
Devious Devices of Man
Slide 25
How To Find the Specific Will of God? When it is NOT
Specifically Written in the Bible?
Slide 26
How To Find the Specific Will of God? Using General Guidelines
from Scripture
Slide 27
Three Navigational Lights: F B Meyer
Slide 28
Inner Hunches Jeremiah 29: 13 Daily Walk-Life You will seek Me
and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. Searching for God
in planned Bible reading Ongoing prayer contact Looking for
evidences of Gods presence Regular time-outs for reflection and
meditation Praying for specific guidance
Slide 29
A Word of Caution: Feelings The heart is deceitful above all
things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? Jeremiah 17:9
Slide 30
Study of Circumstances Love the Lord your God with all your
heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. Mt 22:37
Slide 31
A Word of Caution: Arrogance Jeremiah 10:23 I know, O LORD,
that a mans way is not in himself, Nor is it in a man who walks to
direct his steps. NASB
Slide 32
A Word of Caution: Arrogance Jeremiah 10:23 Proverbs 14: 12 I
know, O LORD, that a mans way is not in himself, Nor is it in a man
who walks to direct his steps. NASB There is a way that seems right
to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
Slide 33
Words of Counsel Proverbs 11: 14 Where there is no counsel, the
people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.
NKJV Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisors they
succeed. Prov. 15:22 HCSB
Slide 34
A Word of Caution: People-Pleaser Jeremiah 50:6 My people have
been lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray and caused
them to roam on the mountains. They wandered over mountain and hill
and forgot their own resting place.
Slide 35
What Lights Mean
Slide 36
Green is Positive
Slide 37
When They Line Up Go!
Slide 38
Red is Negative
Slide 39
When They Line Up No!
Slide 40
When They Dont?
Slide 41
When They Dont Wait!
Slide 42
True or False for You? God is far more interested in your
knowing His will than you are in consistently wanting to discover
it.
Slide 43
Three Navigational Lights Walk consistently close with God
Think intentionally and think ahead Seek and take good counsel
Slide 44
Proverbs 3: 5 6 (paraphrased) Trust in the Lord with all your
heart and listen for inner hunches Lean not exclusively on your own
thinking in the study of circumstances and the words of counsel
from others But use all these navigational ways and He will show
you His will.