3 Meanings of God’s WillSovereign

God’s secret plan that determines everything that happens in the universe

MoralGod’s revealed commands in the Bible that teach how men ought to believe and live

IndividualGod’s ideal, detailed life-plan uniquely designed for each person

Daniel 4:35

Prov. 21:1

Rev. 4:11

Eph 1:11

Prov. 16:33

Rom. 9:19

Acts 2:23

Acts 4:27-28

Rom 11:33-36

Romans 2:18

1 Thess 5:18

1 Thess 4:3

2 Cor 6:14

Etc.

Col. 1:9

Col. 4:12

Rom 12:2

Eph 5:17

Eph 6:6

Prov. 3:5-6

Psalm 32:8

Pro 16:9

Gen 24

Sovereign Will Daniel 4:35 All the peoples of the earth are Daniel 4:35 All the peoples of the earth are

regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: "What one can hold back his hand or say to him: "What have you done?have you done?““

Proverbs 21:1 The king's heart is in the hand of the Proverbs 21:1 The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he Lord; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.pleases.

Rev. 4:11 "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to Rev. 4:11 "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.have their being.““

Sovereign Will Ephes. 1:11 In him we were also chosen, having Ephes. 1:11 In him we were also chosen, having

been predestined according to the plan of him been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, purpose of his will,

Proverbs 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its Proverbs 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.every decision is from the Lord.

Romans 9:19 One of you will say to me: "Then Romans 9:19 One of you will say to me: "Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?" will?"

Moral Will Romans 2:18 if you know his will and Romans 2:18 if you know his will and

approve of what is superior because you approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; are instructed by the law;

1 Thes. 5:18 give thanks in all 1 Thes. 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. you in Christ Jesus.

Moral Will 1 Thes. 4:3 It is God's will that you should be 1 Thes. 4:3 It is God's will that you should be

sanctified: that you should avoid sexual sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; immorality;

2 Cor. 6:14 Do not be yoked together with 2 Cor. 6:14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? fellowship can light have with darkness?

Individual Will Col. 1:9 For this reason, since the day we heard about Col. 1:9 For this reason, since the day we heard about

you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. all spiritual wisdom and understanding.

Col. 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant Col. 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. of God, mature and fully assured.

Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Individual Will Ephes. 5:17 Therefore do not be foolish, but Ephes. 5:17 Therefore do not be foolish, but

understand what the Lord's will is. understand what the Lord's will is. Ephes. 6:6 Obey them not only to win their favor when Ephes. 6:6 Obey them not only to win their favor when

their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.will of God from your heart.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.straight.

Psalm 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way Psalm 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.

God does have an individual plan for us! Col. 1:9-10 For this reason, since the day we heard Col. 1:9-10 For this reason, since the day we heard

about you, we have not stopped praying for you and about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. [10] And through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. [10] And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,

Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

God does have an individual plan for us! Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Isaiah 30:21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."

Psalm 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.

The Center of God’s Will

Moral Will

Individual Will

Comparing God’s Individual and Sovereign Wills

God’s Individual Will A detailed plan for all

decisions in a believer’s life The believer is able to find it The believer is expected to

find it as part of Christian life Believers can miss it by failure

to discover or obey it Includes only that which is

good and ideal Must be discovered before a

decision is made Directly Ideal Plan: it is in

harmony with the Bible and is always the most ideal decision and so brings glory to God

God’s Sovereign Will A detailed plan for all events

in the universe It is hidden- The believer may

not be able to know it; nor is he expected to find it

Believers can’t miss it; it always comes to pass

Includes both good and evil Can only be discovered after it

happens Indirectly Ideal Plan: Though

it may include evil and foolish decisions, it will ultimately lead to God’s glory

Comparing God’s Individual and Moral Will God’s Individual Will A detailed plan for all

decisions in a believer’s life Believers are expected to find

and do it Believers can miss it by failure

to discover or obey it It is being revealed to the

hearts of believers and cannot be found in the Bible

It is revealed by the Holy Spirit through inward expressions using many means

Its directives are specific for one specific believer

God’s Moral Will A body of general commands

and principles for life Believers are expected to find

and do it Believers can miss it by failure

to discover or obey it It was revealed to the apostles

and prophets and can be found completely in the Bible

It was revealed by the Holy Spirit through supernatural revelation

Its directives are general for all believers

Do you really want to hear from God? Consider Hosea: God told him to marry a

prostitute that will eventually break his heart! Consider Jeremiah: God called him to a people

that cursed, mocked, beaten, jailed, bound him in chains, threw him in cisterns, put him in stocks and they never believed in him.

Consider Isaiah: God told him to walk naked for 3 years just to deliver a prophecy: “As I have bared your buttocks, so I will bare the buttocks of Egypt and spank them”.

Principles To Hear From God1. Proximity Facilitates Clarity:

– Relationship vs. Fellowship– Relationship basics:

• Worship• Word• Prayer

2.The Leading Of The Heart: Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.2 Cor. 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sightRomans 14:23 …for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

Principles To Hear From God3. Spirit vs. Soul Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active.

Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Maturing spiritually will increase discernment; discerning between spirit and soul requires patience, practice and careful cultivation

God speaks to our innermost spirit, Satan and self can only speak to our mind.

2 Cor. 10:5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Principles To Hear From God4. God Speaks With Gentle Leadings 1 Kings 19:11-13 The Lord said, "Go out and stand on

the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.“ Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. [12] After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. [13] When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

Zig-zag syndrome is not from God

Principles To Hear From God5. God’s Voice Produces Freedom Matthew 11:30 For my yoke is easy and my

burden is light."

6. God’s Voice Brings Peace Philip. 4:7 And the peace of God, which

transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

When in doubt, pray again, do not make a big change yet!

Principles To Hear From God7. God Never Violates His Word! Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but

my words will never pass away.

8. God Tends To Speak When We Seek Him Jeremiah 29:12-13 Then you will call upon me and

come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. [13] You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

James 4:8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Principles To Hear From God9. When God Convicts, He Convicts Of

Specific Sins General condemnation comes from the

accuser of the brethren Rev. 12:10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:

"Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.

Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,

Principles To Hear From God10. Godly Advisors Are Sent By God! Proverbs 11:14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but

in the multitude of counselors there is safety. Deut. 19:15 … A matter must be established by the

testimony of two or three witnesses.

Reading Road Signs That Point To God’s Individual Will

Inner Witness

Personal Desires

Circumstances

Special Guidance

Mature Counsel

Common Sense

Bible

How to confirm God’s Individual Will

•The agreement of the road signs

•3 main signs: the Bible, Holy Spirit, Circumstances

•Results:

•Blessings and peace

•Prayer and Communion

•Psalm 32:8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

•We don’t hear because we’re not listening

•We don’t see because we’re too far

What to do with daily decisions The “First Supper”

– Genesis 2:16-17 And the Lord God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; [17] but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."

Using our sanctified mind– 1 Thes. 3:1-2 So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to

be left by ourselves in Athens. [2] We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,

– Philip. 2:25-26 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. [26] For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill.

– 1 Cor. 16:3-4 Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. [4] If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.

We are responsible to develop our mind and decision making

Romans 14:5, 10, 12 Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind… For we will all stand before God's judgment seat….So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

Ephes. 5:15-16 Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, [16] making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

Col. 4:5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.

How to develop wisdom 1.You must seek for it:

– Proverbs 8:17 I (wisdom) love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.

– Proverbs 2:6 For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

– Proverbs 2:4-5 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, [5] then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.

How to develop wisdom 2.Have the right attitude: Seek with reverence

– Proverbs 9:10 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Seek with humility– Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes

disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

2.The right attitude:

Seek with teachableness– Proverbs 9:9 Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still;

teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.– Proverbs 15:31 He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at

home among the wise.– Proverbs 19:20 Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in

the end you will be wise.

Seek with diligence– Proverbs 8:17 I love those who love me, and those who seek

me find me.

Seek with Uprightness– Proverbs 2:7 He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a

shield to those whose walk is blameless,

2.The right attitude:

Seek with faith– James 1:5-8 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God,

who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. [6] But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. [7] That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; [8] he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

How to develop wisdom 3. The right approach: Ask God for wisdom

– James 1:5-8 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. [6] But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. [7] That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; [8] he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

3. The right approach

Find wisdom in Scriptures– Psalm 119:97-100 Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all

day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts.

Find wisdom from wise counselors– Proverbs 11:14 For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many

advisers make victory sure.– Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a

companion of fools suffers harm.– Proverbs 15:22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many

advisers they succeed.

3.The right approach

Find wisdom through life– Proverbs 30:24-28 "Four things on earth are small,– yet they are extremely wise: – [25] Ants are creatures of little strength,– yet they store up their food in the summer; – [26] coneys are creatures of little power,– yet they make their home in the crags; – [27] locusts have no king,– yet they advance together in ranks; – [28] a lizard can be caught with the hand,– yet it is found in kings' palaces.