Discerning God's Will: A Path to Freedom
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound topic of discerning and living out the will of God, focusing on Psalm 143. We began by acknowledging that every act of worship, including giving, is a reflection of God's love and generosity. The core of our discussion centered on understanding that God's will is not elusive or burdensome but is a path to true freedom and fulfillment.
We delved into the misconception that God's will is restrictive, emphasizing instead that it liberates us. David's Psalm 143 provides three key principles to discern God's will: listening, learning, and loving. These principles guide us to a deeper relationship with God, where we not only hear His voice but also learn from His teachings and act out of love for Him.
Listening involves being still and receptive to God's voice, breaking away from our traditions and routines to truly hear what He has to say. Learning requires a willingness to be taught and transformed by God's Word, leading to effective ministry and deeper fellowship with Him. Finally, loving God means obeying His commands out of a genuine desire to please Him, which in turn brings us joy and fulfillment.
David's life exemplifies these principles. Despite his sins, he was a man after God's own heart because he knew how to return to God, meditate on His works, and seek His guidance. By adopting these principles, we can experience the abundant life Jesus promised, characterized by freedom, joy, and a deep sense of purpose.
### Key Takeaways
1. Listening to God: To discern God's will, we must first become listeners. This involves being still and receptive, breaking away from our routines and traditions to truly hear God's voice. Listening is not just about hearing but wanting to hear what God has to say, which requires humility and openness. [46:39]
2. Learning from God: Once we listen, we must be willing to learn. This means allowing God's Word to transform us and guide our actions. Learning involves continuous growth and understanding that God's revelation in our lives never ceases. It is through learning that we become effective in our ministry and deepen our fellowship with God. [52:27]
3. Loving God through Obedience: True love for God is demonstrated through obedience to His will. Jesus said, "If you love me, you will obey me." Our actions of loving God and others are a testament to our faith and knowledge of Him. Obedience is not burdensome but a joyful expression of our love for God. [58:21]
4. The Freedom in God's Will: Contrary to the belief that God's will is restrictive, it is actually liberating. Living in God's will is like a minnow swimming in the vast Atlantic Ocean—expansive and freeing. When we align our desires with God's will, we experience true freedom and joy. [01:04:29]
5. Practical Steps to Discern God's Will: To know God's will, we must engage in active listening, continuous learning, and loving obedience. This involves regular prayer, studying God's Word, and being part of a faith community. By doing so, we position ourselves to hear God's voice, understand His teachings, and act out of love for Him. [01:12:11]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[29:30] - Offering as Worship
[31:04] - Introduction to God's Will
[33:08] - Basics of God's Will
[34:21] - God's Infinite Will
[35:53] - Psalm 143 Overview
[37:11] - Freedom in God's Will
[38:35] - Seeking God's Guidance
[40:00] - Three Key Phrases
[41:22] - David's Relationship with God
[44:05] - Remembering God's Works
[45:18] - Importance of Prayer
[46:39] - Level of Listening
[48:10] - Challenges in Listening
[52:27] - Level of Learning
[55:10] - Effective Ministry
[58:21] - Level of Loving
[01:01:30] - Obedience and Love
[01:04:29] - Freedom in God's Will
[01:12:11] - Practical Steps to Discern God's Will
[01:14:36] - Call to Respond
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Psalm 143:8-10 (ESV): "Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord! I have fled to you for refuge. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!"
### Observation Questions
1. What are the three key principles David mentions in Psalm 143:8-10 for discerning God's will? ([38:35])
2. How does David describe his need for God's guidance in Psalm 143:8-10? ([38:35])
3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of listening to God in discerning His will? ([46:39])
4. What does the pastor say about the misconception that God's will is restrictive? ([37:11])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does David emphasize the importance of hearing God's voice in the morning? How might this practice affect one's daily life? ([38:35])
2. How does the pastor explain the relationship between loving God and obeying His commands? ([58:21])
3. What does the pastor mean when he says that living in God's will is liberating rather than restrictive? How does this compare to common misconceptions about God's will? ([37:11])
4. How does the pastor suggest we can position ourselves to hear God's voice and understand His will? ([01:04:29])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily routine. How can you incorporate a time of stillness and listening to God each morning? ([38:35])
2. Think about a recent decision you made. Did you seek God's guidance through prayer and scripture? How might the outcome have been different if you had? ([38:35])
3. The pastor mentioned that true love for God is demonstrated through obedience. Can you identify an area in your life where you struggle with obedience? What steps can you take to align this area with God's will? ([58:21])
4. How do you currently engage in learning from God's Word? Are there new methods or resources you can use to deepen your understanding and application of scripture? ([52:27])
5. The sermon highlighted the freedom found in God's will. Can you recall a time when following God's will brought you joy and freedom? How can this memory encourage you in your current walk with God? ([37:11])
6. The pastor emphasized the importance of being part of a faith community. How can you actively participate in your church or small group to better discern and live out God's will? ([01:04:29])
7. Identify one specific way you can show love to someone in your life this week as an act of obedience to God. How will you ensure you follow through with this action? ([58:21])
Devotional
Day 1: The Art of Listening to God
To discern God's will, we must first become listeners. This involves being still and receptive, breaking away from our routines and traditions to truly hear God's voice. Listening is not just about hearing but wanting to hear what God has to say, which requires humility and openness. In a world filled with noise and distractions, cultivating a posture of listening is essential for spiritual growth. It means setting aside dedicated time to be in God's presence, free from the interruptions of daily life. This practice allows us to tune our hearts to the frequency of God's voice, making us more attuned to His guidance and direction. [46:39]
Isaiah 30:21 (ESV): "And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left."
Reflection: Think about your daily routine. What specific steps can you take today to create a quiet space for listening to God? How can you minimize distractions to be more receptive to His voice?
Day 2: Embracing Continuous Learning from God
Once we listen, we must be willing to learn. This means allowing God's Word to transform us and guide our actions. Learning involves continuous growth and understanding that God's revelation in our lives never ceases. It is through learning that we become effective in our ministry and deepen our fellowship with God. Embracing a learner's mindset means being open to correction, seeking wisdom, and applying biblical principles to our lives. It requires humility to acknowledge that we do not have all the answers and a commitment to grow in our understanding of God's will. [52:27]
Proverbs 1:5 (ESV): "Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance."
Reflection: Identify one area in your spiritual life where you feel you need more understanding. What steps can you take today to seek God's wisdom and grow in that area?
Day 3: Loving God Through Obedience
True love for God is demonstrated through obedience to His will. Jesus said, "If you love me, you will obey me." Our actions of loving God and others are a testament to our faith and knowledge of Him. Obedience is not burdensome but a joyful expression of our love for God. When we obey God's commands, we align our lives with His purposes, which brings us joy and fulfillment. Obedience is a tangible way to show our devotion and trust in God's plan for our lives. It reflects our commitment to live according to His standards and values. [58:21]
1 John 5:3 (ESV): "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent decision or action. Was it in alignment with God's commands? How can you demonstrate your love for God through obedience in a specific area of your life today?
Day 4: Experiencing Freedom in God's Will
Contrary to the belief that God's will is restrictive, it is actually liberating. Living in God's will is like a minnow swimming in the vast Atlantic Ocean—expansive and freeing. When we align our desires with God's will, we experience true freedom and joy. God's will provides a framework within which we can thrive and flourish. It is not about limiting our choices but about guiding us towards what is best for us. Embracing God's will leads to a life of purpose, peace, and fulfillment, free from the bondage of sin and worldly pressures. [01:04:29]
2 Corinthians 3:17 (ESV): "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."
Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you feel restricted or burdened. How can aligning this area with God's will bring you freedom and joy?
Day 5: Practical Steps to Discern God's Will
To know God's will, we must engage in active listening, continuous learning, and loving obedience. This involves regular prayer, studying God's Word, and being part of a faith community. By doing so, we position ourselves to hear God's voice, understand His teachings, and act out of love for Him. Practical steps include setting aside time for daily devotions, participating in Bible studies, and seeking counsel from mature believers. These practices help us stay connected to God and discern His will more clearly in our lives. [01:12:11]
James 1:5 (ESV): "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to better discern God's will in your life? How can you incorporate this step into your daily routine to ensure consistency?
Quotes
1. "Offering is an act of worship. The Bible says that God so loved us that He gave. And everything that we do in the house of God and when we come together is to be an act of worship. Singing is worship. Fellowship is worship. Giving is worship. And even worshiping is worshiping receiving from the Word when we decide, you know, I want to hear your Word, God, because I want to apply it to my life, is really an act of obedience and an act of worship." [29:30] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Do you expect God to show you His will beyond salvation? Do you? Okay. A few of you do. So, you can be excused. You don't have to listen to the rest of this. You're already where I want you to be. Now, I want us to think about this a little bit today because sometimes it's like the will of God is just so impossible. I mean, I'm just little me, you know, I'm just this little guy who's struggling with the flesh." [35:53] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The will of God doesn't restrict you. It frees you. If you want to be restricted, do your will. If you want to be restricted, do the devil's will. He will restrict you in every single way, but Jesus will, God's will, will set you free. He said, I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly, and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. The truth is the will of God." [37:11] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Maybe the devil has lied to you and said, you know, you're so sinful that God won't tell you what he wants you to do because you're too sinful. He's disappointed with you. He's ashamed of you. He's ashamed of you. He doesn't love you very much anymore. Oh yeah, you gave your life to him when you got saved and you got baptized and you joined the church. But you know, ever since then, you've been kind of on a downhill run and you're backslidden a lot of times and you've committed a lot of sins. And basically he just doesn't want to hear from you." [40:00] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Listening, someone has said this, listening is wanting to hear. God, I really want to hear what you have to say to me. The Bible says, be still and know that I'm God. Meditate on my ways, the Bible says. And when David comes along here and he says, I'm ready to hear, I'm willing to listen. God, I want to listen to what you have to say to me. It would do no good for God to tell me what his will is if I'm not going to listen to it." [48:10] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Learning to do the will of God is the only way you will ever have any effective Christian ministry. Well, it's okay with me. I don't want to have any effective Christian ministry. Well, then you're in sin. We're all called to serve. Maybe you're not to be a pastor. Maybe you're not supposed to be a deacon or maybe you're not supposed to be a missionary, but every single one of us, if you read Ephesians chapter four, all of us are called to ministry." [53:43] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "The will of God is the liberty of your life. And I want to know it. So I want to listen to Him and I want to learn from Him. And the way you primarily learn from Him is get in God's word, get with some other believers, get in a small group, join a Sunday school class, come to church more often. Because when you don't show up, I mean, I guess I could assume that you're learning it from somewhere else, but if you belong to this church or some other church somewhere, you ought to be there to get what the word of God is being taught by the man or the woman of God who's teaching you that day to do it." [01:04:29] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "The will of God is when the thing that you should do is the thing you want to do. That's freedom. Y'all, that's freedom. When you're getting to do what you want to do because God has put it in your life, and you say, I don't think I have to do this. Oh, Lord, help me. I've got to talk to somebody. You say, I get to talk to somebody. I get to pray with somebody. I get to share resources with somebody who's hurting, and you find that as you're doing that, your love for God just grows and grows and grows." [01:10:41] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Listen, learn, love, and God will show you His will." [01:14:36] (8 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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