Last time, in our examination of Finding God’s Will for our lives, we focused on STUDY…today, we’re going to examine the third element in finding God’s will, and that’s PRACTICE.
PRACTICE
Submission: For the Lord’s sake…not men!
For many, submission is not only hard, but near impossible. Why? Because most of us like control. However, such struggles present not only disappointment, but bitterness. So, how can submission help in finding God’s will?
- 1 Peter 2:13-15 “Be subject to every human institution for the Lord’s sake, whether to a king as supreme or to governors as those he commissions to punish wrongdoers and praise those who do good. For God wants you to silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good.“
- People are watching you…evaluating what you do…whom do you obey?
- Want to silence those around you?
- Obey the law of the land unless it contradicts Scripture…Acts 4 & 5
- Ephesians 5 – Husbands and wives submit to one another in the realm of marriage. As a result,
- Women…want to be a godly wife…? Learn to submit…to God…to authorities…to your husband…
- Men…want to be a godly husband…? Learn to submit…to God…to authorities…
- Rebellious spirit…?
- A maverick, lone ranger, captain-of-his-own-ship type person will struggle with finding God’s will for his life, because he won’t let go of the steering wheel…and he doesn’t know the directions (scary combination).
Suffering: Godly = Persecuted
Raise your hand if you like pain…! The vast majority of us do not. So, when we face pain, we often find ourselves doing everything to get out of it or to alleviate it. That may not be best. Sometimes pain is keeping us in God’s will…sometimes it’s guiding us to God’s will…sometimes it’s teaching us to simply accept and trust.
- 1 Peter 3:17 “For it is better to suffer for doing good, if God wills it, than for doing evil.”
- God’s will…to suffer for what is right
- 1 Peter 4:19 “So then let those who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator as they do good.”
- Those who suffer according to the will of God…entrust their souls to faithful Creator
- 1 Peter 5:10 “And, after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
- In suffering, Christ: perfects…confirms…strengthens and establishes You!
- Suffering is part of the maturing of believers…
- 1 Peter 1:6-7 “This brings you great joy, although you may have to suffer for a short time in various trials. Such trials show the proven character of your faith, which is much more valuable than gold—gold that is tested by fire, even though it is passing away—and will bring praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
- Sucker branches are cut off…put through the refiner’s fire
- 2 Timothy 3:12 “Now in fact all who want to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
- Live a godly life = suffer persecution
Saying Thanks: Glass 1⁄2 full…rest!
Sad to say, but some people go through life with their glass half-empty. Some of that is personality, some upbringing, and some choice. In any case, there is another alternative. We are not victims. God has said that in Him, we are new creations. Not renovated, but new. That means… the old has passed away! Can I get an amen?! WE can choose an attitude of gratitude. That is needed everyday. How and why?
- Psalm 46:10 “He says, “Stop your striving and recognize that I am God. I will be exalted over the nations! I will be exalted over the earth!”
- Be still and know that God is fighting your battles. God is in control.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “…in everything give thanks. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
- In all things…give thanks…this is God’s will!
- Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
- This means that I’m to be anxious…in nothing…but…in everything…with thanksgiving…pray.
We’ve seen that in finding God’s will we need a (1) heart set on Him, (2) a commitment to the study of God’s Word, and now (3) a life committed to practicing what we know to be God’s revealed will in His word…submission, suffering, and saying thanks!
God help us!
— September 11, 2020