Knowing God’s Will - 101

By Pastor Jeremy Wong - 27th Jan 08

Bible Text: Colossians 1:9-10

A. Intro: How to Ascertain the Will of God Part 1

- 1. General revealed purpose for the kingdom

- 2. Personal directions – perfect will or permissible will

Knowing God's will is the key to
Effective Prayer,
Spiritual Growth
Fruitfulness in our individual lives

George Müller’s way
 1. Heart – is it in the right state?
 2. Word – is it in line with what was revealed in the Bible, illuminated by the Spirit?
 3. Circumstances
 4. Peace of God
 5. Counsel of the Godly

B. . Knowing God's Will – Is the Key to Everything!  Christ taught us that knowing God's will and living in obedience to that will is the key to it all!
 Be reverent and Submissive - God is the potter; we are the clay.

C. Paul’ Prayer focus
See in Ephesians & Colossians
 9For 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. 10And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God. (Col 1:9-10)

D. How to live a life of Shipwrecks (Read Acts 27: 9-20)
 Decisions Driven Dissatisfaction – v9
 Impatience -
 Failing to heed God’s word – v10
 Look only to apparent favourable circumstances – v13
 Listen only to the “expert” with vested interest in the trade – v11

E. What have we learned and what must we do?

Make it a point to know to live God’s will, check every decision by the folwoing guide post
 Heart – is it in the right state? (Jer 17:9)
 Word - – revealed in the Bible, illuminated by the Spirit
 Peace of God
 Circumstances
 Counsel of the Godly
Aim to live the perfect will of God and not merely the permissible will

God - The Dream Giver

Psalms 126 – a Song of ascents
1 When the LORD brought back the captivity of Zion, We were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”
3 The LORD has done great things for us, And we are glad.
4 Bring back our captivity, O LORD,As the streams in the South.
5 Those who sow in tears, Shall reap in joy.
6 He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves with him.

Dreams that foretell and forewarn

God has frequently made use of dreams in communicating his will to men. The most remarkable instances of this are recorded in the history of
Jacob (Gen 28:12; Gen 31:10),
Laban (Gen 31:24),
Joseph (Gen 37:9),
Gideon (Judg. 7),
Solomon (Kg1 3:5).
Joseph Mary’s betrothed - "the Lord appeared in a dream," and gave him instructions regarding the infant Jesus (Mat 1:20; Mat 2:12, Mat 2:13, Mat 2:19).
Paul - In a vision of the night a "man of Macedonia" stood before Paul and said, "Come over into Macedonia and help us" (Act 16:9; see also Act 18:9; Act 27:23).

Dreams that foretell and forewarn ---Cont'd..
God also speaks to pagans or those who do not know Him yet, such as
Abimelech (Gen 20:3),
Pharaoh's chief butler and baker (Gen 40:5),
Pharaoh (Gen 41:1),
the Midianites (Jdg 7:13),
Nebuchadnezzar (Dan 2:1; Dan 4:10, Dan 4:18),
the wise men from the east (Mat 2:12),
and Pilate's wife (Mat 27:19). To Joseph "the Lord appeared in a dream," and gave him instructions regarding the infant Jesus (Mat 1:20; Mat 2:12, Mat 2:13, Mat 2:19).

Why are dreams important?
Creativity without inhibition …..
Rising beyond limitation …

Types of Dreams
God inspired dreams are:
Bigger than you are
You can't let it go
It will last forever
It meets a need no nobody else has met
It will leave the place better after you are gone
It brings glory to God

Selfish and false dreams
--> metaphor for selfish ambitions and many other things

What it takes to realise our God given dreams?
Obedience
Courage
Repentance
Desperate and hungry hearts
Prayer and fellowship of fellow dreamers

Living for God’s given “DREAM”
Desire God – (John Piper) Not just the here and now
Repent of our coldness, luke-warmness and self sufficiency
Expect things and attempt great things – things that are like dreams more than we can ask or imagine.
Actively seek His presence & pay the price – “do not despise the day of small things” (Zech 4:10)
Make the place better and richer than when you arrived and more so when you leave!