February 1, 2026 | Burning Questions: Did I Miss God’s Will for My Life?

The speaker reframes the common anxiety about "missing God's will" by replacing a narrow bull's-eye image with a pair of concentric circles: an outer circle of God's sovereign will (hidden, all-encompassing, unbreakable) and an inner circle of God's moral will (revealed, commanded, and subject to human obedience or rebellion). The outer circle contains God's eternal decree that accomplishes all things—even human sin—so believers are ultimately held within a providential plan they cannot undo. The inner circle contains explicit biblical commands and ethical demands (sanctification, gratitude, holiness) that people are responsible to obey; stepping outside this circle produces real consequences and divine discipline. Practical counsel follows: when facing choices, apply four checks—moral (is it sin?), wisdom (seek Godly counsel and Scripture), desire (are affections reordered toward God?), and action (move forward; God guides moving feet). The preacher reassures that sin does not eject a person from God’s sovereign plan; biblical examples (David, Peter, Jonah, Joseph) and the cross itself demonstrate that God weaves even rebellion into his redemptive design. Yet moral failure brings consequences and requires repentance, restitution, and restoration into the inner circle through faith. The central pastoral encouragement is restful: believers are already within God’s outer purpose, so stop decoding a secret destiny and instead walk faithfully in the revealed will—take the next obedient step, receive wisdom, and trust God to steer providentially. An appeal to gospel repentance and the next step of baptism closes the exhortation, urging those outside the inner circle to return and those uncertain to rest in God’s sovereign grace that can restore and even reclaim lost years.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God's sovereign will is unbreakable God’s hidden decrees encompass every event—good and evil—so nothing ultimately derails his eternal plan. This truth aims less to minimize human responsibility than to relieve crippling anxiety: the believer’s life is held within an unassailable divine purpose. Resting in that reality frees Christians to repent and to obey without fearing that one past mistake has irreparably destroyed God’s design. [16:04]
• 2. Moral will demands obedient living The revealed will of God consists of commands—sanctification, gratitude, fleeing immorality—that Christians must pursue intentionally. Obedience is not a secret decoding exercise but concrete ethical living: how one walks matters more than a mystical "where" God wants someone to end up. Walking inside this circle means choosing holiness in ordinary relationships and responsibilities. [19:23]
• 3. Choose wisely; act and trust Prudence matters: use Scripture, prayer, counsel, and gifts to make decisions, then move forward. Proverbs and Ephesians imply that God establishes steps for those who plan; he provides wisdom and confirms choices through providence. Stalled in pious paralysis, people miss life—God tends to guide moving feet, not parked cars. [26:03]
• 4. Sin has consequences but not finality Stepping outside the inner circle brings discipline and loss, but it does not expel a person from God’s sovereign plan. Biblical narratives and the crucifixion show God can redeem human failure; the path back is repentance, restitution, and re-entry into obedience. Grace restores more fruitfully than years of striving could have secured. [40:23]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:59] - Preface and practical notes
• [02:42] - How to connect and give
• [05:57] - Opening prayer (Psalms)
• [09:53] - Scripture focus: Deuteronomy 29:29
• [11:23] - The question: Did I miss God's will?
• [14:23] - Concentric circles vs. bull's-eye theology
• [15:13] - Outer circle: God's sovereign will
• [19:23] - Inner circle: God's moral will
• [33:41] - Four decision checks (moral, wisdom, desire, action)
• [38:58] - Consequences of stepping outside the inner circle
• [40:23] - Biblical examples of providence (David, Peter, Jonah, Joseph)
• [44:09] - The cross: worst sin used for redemption
• [49:26] - Conclusion: rest in God's sovereignty
• [52:52] - Invitation: repentance and baptism
• [56:34] - Closing announcements and benediction

1. The sermon contrasts a "bull's-eye theology" with "concentric circles" for understanding God's will. What is the core difference between these two models as described in the sermon? [12:27]
2. According to the sermon, what are the characteristics of the "outer circle" of God's sovereign will? [15:13]
3. The sermon identifies the "inner circle" as God's moral will. What are some specific examples of God's moral will mentioned in the sermon? [19:57]
4. What are the four checks suggested in the sermon for making decisions? [33:41]

1. The sermon states that the "outer circle" of God's sovereign will is something we "cannot see," "cannot change," and "cannot break." [18:07] How does this understanding of God's sovereignty impact our perception of human responsibility and the events of our lives, both good and bad?
2. The sermon suggests that the "inner circle" of God's moral will is not a hidden mystery but a "command to obey." [23:40] How does this reframe the idea of discerning God's will for our lives?
3. The sermon uses examples like David, Peter, Jonah, and Joseph to illustrate that sin does not eject a person from God's sovereign plan. [40:23] What does this teach us about the nature of God's grace and his ability to redeem even our failures?
4. The sermon emphasizes that "God cares far more about how you walk than where you end up." [27:52] How does this perspective challenge the common anxiety about making the "perfect" life choice?

1. The sermon encourages us to rest in the outer circle of God's sovereign will, recognizing that we are already within his unbreakable plan. [46:32] In what specific areas of your life do you tend to feel anxiety about "missing God's will," and how can you practice resting in God's sovereignty this week?
2. The sermon highlights that God's moral will is revealed and calls for obedient living within the inner circle. [19:23] What is one specific area of your life where you know you need to be more intentional about walking in obedience to God's revealed commands?
3. When facing a decision, the sermon suggests applying four checks: moral, wisdom, desire, and action. [33:41] Think about a current or upcoming decision you are facing. How can you intentionally apply these four checks to move forward with wisdom and trust?
4. The sermon reassures us that sin has consequences but not finality, and that repentance and faith can restore us. [40:23] If you have recently stepped outside the inner circle of God's moral will, what is one tangible step you can take this week toward repentance, restitution, or restoration?
5. The sermon states, "God guides moving feet." [38:15] What is one step of obedience, however small, that you can take this week in faith, trusting that God will guide your path?
6. The sermon encourages us to stop decoding a secret destiny and instead walk faithfully in the revealed will. [49:26] What does it look like for you to "walk faithfully" in your daily life, and what is one way you can practically do that this week?
7. The sermon offers encouragement that God can restore years lost to wandering or discipline. [47:08] If you feel like you have "wasted years" or made significant mistakes, how can you embrace God's promise of restoration and move forward with renewed hope and purpose?