Discerning God's Will: Trust, Transformation, and Purpose
Summary
In our journey through life, we are constantly faced with decisions, both big and small. This series, "Decisions, Decisions," is designed to provide a framework for making these choices with clarity and purpose. Over the past weeks, we've explored key questions to guide us: "Do I already know what to do?" and "What is most like Jesus?" These questions serve as a compass, directing us toward a life that aligns with the teachings and example of Jesus.
Today, we delve into the often daunting question of discerning God's will. Many of us have sought signs or divine nudges, hoping for clarity in our choices. However, the pursuit of God's will can sometimes become a source of anxiety and confusion. We may mistakenly believe that God's will is a hidden agenda we must decipher, fearing that missing it will lead to divine displeasure or personal failure.
The truth is simpler yet profound: God's will for us is to trust and follow Jesus and to honor His way in every aspect of our lives. This is not about picking and choosing where we allow Jesus to influence us but about a holistic commitment to His teachings. The details of our lives—our jobs, relationships, and daily choices—are important, but they are secondary to the primary call of becoming more like Christ.
God's will is less about the specific choices we make and more about who we are becoming through those choices. It's about transformation, about letting God shape us into new creations. This perspective shifts our focus from the anxiety of making the "right" decision to the peace of becoming the right person.
Moreover, God's will is not always synonymous with ease or comfort. Following Jesus may lead us through challenging times, but these are often the moments that shape our character the most. The notion that the safest place is in the center of God's will is misleading; rather, the best place is where we are aligned with His purpose, even if it leads us into difficult circumstances.
Finally, when navigating life's details, consider the intersection of desire, skill, and opportunity. God often uses our passions and abilities to guide us, and where these align with opportunities, we may find His leading. Yet, the ultimate focus remains on who we are becoming in Christ.
Key Takeaways:
- God's will is fundamentally about trusting and following Jesus and honoring His way in every area of life. This holistic approach ensures that our decisions align with His teachings. [35:42]
- The emphasis of God's will is on who we are becoming rather than the specific actions we take. Our transformation into Christ-likeness is the ultimate goal. [42:05]
- God's will is not determined by our circumstances. Good or bad situations do not necessarily indicate alignment or misalignment with His will. [47:45]
- The intersection of desire, skill, and opportunity can be a significant indicator of God's direction in our lives. These elements help us discern where we might best serve and grow. [51:48]
- The journey of following God's will often involves challenges and sacrifices, but these experiences are crucial for our spiritual growth and character development. [50:59]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Introduction to Series
[01:15] - Recap of Previous Weeks
[03:00] - The Question of God's Will
[05:30] - Misconceptions About God's Will
[07:00] - Simplifying God's Will
[09:00] - Trust and Follow Jesus
[11:00] - Details vs. Main Things
[13:00] - God's Will and Our Becoming
[15:00] - Circumstances and God's Will
[17:00] - Desire, Skill, and Opportunity
[19:00] - Challenges in Following God's Will
[21:00] - Practical Guidance for Decisions
[23:00] - Closing Thoughts and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: "Decisions, Decisions"
Bible Reading:
1. Romans 12:2 - "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 God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
2. Matthew 6:10 - "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."
3. Matthew 16:24 - "Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.'"
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Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, what are the two main aspects of God's will for our lives? [35:42]
2. How does the sermon describe the relationship between God's will and our circumstances? [47:45]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the role of desire, skill, and opportunity in discerning God's will? [51:48]
4. How does the sermon explain the importance of who we are becoming in relation to God's will? [42:05]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In Romans 12:2, what does it mean to be transformed by the renewing of your mind, and how does this relate to understanding God's will? [42:05]
2. How does the concept of "Your will be done" in Matthew 6:10 align with the sermon’s emphasis on following the way of Jesus in every area of life? [39:15]
3. What does taking up one's cross daily, as mentioned in Matthew 16:24, imply about the nature of following God's will, especially during challenging times? [49:19]
4. How does the sermon challenge the common misconception that God's will is always aligned with ease and comfort? [50:59]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent decision you made. How did you consider whether it aligned with the way of Jesus? What might you do differently next time? [39:15]
2. Think about a time when you faced a difficult situation. How did you interpret this in terms of God's will? How might the sermon’s perspective on circumstances change your view? [47:45]
3. Identify an area of your life where you struggle to trust and follow Jesus fully. What steps can you take to align this area with His teachings? [35:42]
4. Consider your current desires and skills. How might these be pointing you toward opportunities that align with God's will? [51:48]
5. When have you experienced growth in character through challenging times? How can you embrace future challenges as opportunities for spiritual growth? [49:19]
6. How can you ensure that your decisions are more about who you are becoming rather than just what you are doing? [42:05]
7. What practical steps can you take this week to focus on becoming more like Christ in your daily decisions? [54:16]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting and Following Jesus in Every Aspect of Life
God's will is fundamentally about trusting and following Jesus and honoring His way in every area of life. This holistic approach ensures that our decisions align with His teachings. The journey of faith is not about compartmentalizing our spiritual life from our daily life but integrating them so that every decision reflects our commitment to Christ. This means allowing Jesus to influence our thoughts, actions, and relationships, ensuring that our lives are a testament to His love and grace. [35:42]
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: In what specific area of your life do you find it challenging to trust and follow Jesus fully? How can you invite Him into that area today?
Day 2: Becoming More Like Christ Through Our Choices
The emphasis of God's will is on who we are becoming rather than the specific actions we take. Our transformation into Christ-likeness is the ultimate goal. This perspective shifts our focus from the anxiety of making the "right" decision to the peace of becoming the right person. As we make choices, big or small, the question should be how these decisions shape us into the image of Christ, fostering growth in love, patience, and humility. [42:05]
"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a recent decision you made. How did it contribute to your growth in Christ-likeness, and what might you do differently next time to align more closely with His image?
Day 3: God's Will Beyond Our Circumstances
God's will is not determined by our circumstances. Good or bad situations do not necessarily indicate alignment or misalignment with His will. Often, we may find ourselves questioning God's presence in difficult times, but His will transcends our immediate experiences. It is about maintaining faith and integrity regardless of external conditions, trusting that God is at work in all things for our ultimate good and His glory. [47:45]
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a challenging situation you are currently facing. How can you shift your perspective to see God's will beyond the immediate circumstances?
Day 4: Aligning Desire, Skill, and Opportunity
The intersection of desire, skill, and opportunity can be a significant indicator of God's direction in our lives. These elements help us discern where we might best serve and grow. When our passions and abilities align with opportunities, it often signals a path where we can contribute meaningfully to God's kingdom. However, it is crucial to remain open to God's leading, even if it takes us beyond our comfort zones. [51:48]
"Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching." (Romans 12:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a current opportunity that aligns with your skills and passions. How might you step into this opportunity to serve others and grow in your faith?
Day 5: Embracing Challenges in Following God's Will
The journey of following God's will often involves challenges and sacrifices, but these experiences are crucial for our spiritual growth and character development. While the path may not always be easy, it is in these moments of difficulty that our faith is tested and refined. Embracing these challenges with a heart of trust and perseverance can lead to profound spiritual maturity and a deeper relationship with God. [50:59]
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent challenge you faced in your spiritual journey. How did it shape your character, and what did you learn about God's faithfulness through it?
Quotes
"God's will for you is that you would trust and follow Jesus. You don't get to pick and choose. You don't get to honor Jesus and then decide to honor Jesus in every single area of your life. And then the rest, simply details. That's it." [00:35:46] (15 seconds)
"This right here is God's will for every single one of us. And those first two are the main things. The main things. I mean, the main thing is that you're trusting and following Jesus and honoring Jesus in every way of your life. And it's just commentary. Everything else. It's just details." [00:36:02] (24 seconds)
"God's will is also much more about who you become than what you do. And this is one of those head scratchers or butt kickers because, because most of the time, the only reason we give up is because we're trying to figure out what to do." [00:40:33] (20 seconds)
"And we understand that God's will is much more about who we become than it is what we do. Now, there is a connection between what we do and who we become. There is a connection in who we become and what we end up deciding to do." [00:40:54] (20 seconds)
"God's will is much more about how you're being formed more and more into the new creation of Christ through your decisions. Let me say that again. God's will is not about trying to mysteriously figure out what God wants you to do with every single decision." [00:43:43] (19 seconds)
"And just because you are going paycheck to paycheck right now, and you got unpaid bills, and you are struggling, does not mean you're out of God's will. It's not defined by or determined by circumstances. And let me give you one more example that should suffice." [00:47:43] (20 seconds)
"Cross-carrying sacrificial things are often painful, and that's the will of God. In other words, just because things go wrong doesn't necessarily mean anything's wrong. And what forms our character more? We're talking about who we become. What helps us become the man? Men and women, that we should be more." [00:49:30] (27 seconds)
"I have come to discover that when you're trying to figure out those details, you know, the rest is just details. That it's often the wise direction is an intersection between desire, skill, and opportunity. Let me explain this. This could be a whole message right here. But an intersection between desire, skill, and opportunity." [00:51:57] (18 seconds)
"Where desire and skill and opportunity come together, you need to pay attention and perk up a little bit and go, wait a second, here's an opportunity. Desire. What you want to do. That's what desire is. What you want to do. Wait a minute. I thought God's will was always undesirable." [00:52:35] (18 seconds)
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