GPS: STARTING ROUTE by Dr. Shah, Clearview Church, Henderson, NC

Introduction:  I’m very excited about our new series titled GPS starting today. As you can imagine, David is very happy as well! Those who are on Facebook and Instagram know what I’m talking about! I’m sure all of us would agree that having a GPS has made our lives so much easier. All we need is just to plug in our destination and then sit back and let it take us there. If only we could plug in life’s destinations, wouldn’t that be great? With graduations taking place all over, this series titled GPS is to help our graduates know and navigate the will of God. In fact, this series is for all of us. No matter what stage in life that we are in, we struggle with knowing how to discern and do the perfect will of God. Even if we don’t call it the will of God, we want to make sure that we make decisions that bring God’s best into our lives. Hopefully, this series will help us in whatever state of life or dilemma that we find ourselves in. Today is the first message in this series titled GPS: STARTING ROUTE. Main Point: When seeking and doing God’s will, we need to remember that God has a specific individual will for each of our lives. In reaching his specific individual will for our lives, we are to make wise and right decisions as found in his Word. Wise and right decisions cannot be made without a real and growing relationship with Christ.

Proverbs 3        5 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

Context: According to a survey done by World Vision in 2022 using Bible Gateway (online Bible search site), the most popular Bible verse in internet searches was John 3:16. The second place was tied between Jeremiah 29:11 (For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.) and Philippians 4:13 (I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.). The third place went to John 10:10 (I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.) and the fourth place went to Proverbs 3:5. Fifth place – Matthew 28:19 (Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit); Sixth Place – Philippians 4:8; (Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.) Seventh place – Philippians 4:6 (Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God); Eighth place – Romans 8:28 (And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.) and James 1:3; (My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.) Ninth place went to Proverbs 3:6and Ephesians 2:8 (For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.) Tenth to Romans 3:23 (for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.). Our passage showed up at #4 and #9, but several other verses on the list are also about God’s will. It is obvious that people all over the world are searching for God’s will for their lives. They want to know how to make life’s decisions based on God’s best for them.

In today’s message, we will focus on the 3 different approaches to knowing God’s will or making life decisions, but, before we do that, the 1^st (John 3:16) and the 10^th (Romans 3:23) place on the list of the most popular Bible searches on the internet are about one decision that you don’t have to wonder about or be confused about, and that is the decision to be saved. Are you saved? Do you know Jesus as your Savior and King? You can make that decision right now.

As I mentioned, when it comes to making life decisions, there have been 3 different approaches (Following section comes from Douglas S. Huffman, ed., How Then Should We Choose? Three Views on God’s Will and Decision Making):

1. The Specific-Will View

Representative: J. Sidlow Baxter said, “Once again, we need divine guidance because God has a purpose for each of us as no one else has. One of the most arresting and dignifying truths of Scripture revelation is that for every human being there is a preconceived divine plan and intention.”

The Bible gives many examples of this view:

• Noah to build the ark with specific instructions.
• Abram and Sarai to go to a land that he would show them.
• Samuel to go looking for a king in Jesse’s family.
• Nehemiah for building the walls of Jerusalem.
• Esther was told by Mordecai – Esther 4       13 And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
• Mary told by the angel to go and visit her cousin Elizabeth.
• Jesus giving specific instructions to prepare a place for the Passover.
• God told Ananias to go visit Saul of Tarsus who was waiting for him, but he was hesitant. Listen to Acts 9        13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

There are many more.

Psalm 139:16 “Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.”

How do we discover God’s Specific-Will for our lives? By Scripture, Prayer, Circumstances, and Godly Counsel. Primarily, it is Scripture. This is where we find the “Turn-by-turn” directions for our individual lives.

Application: How do you see God’s view for your life? Do you seek for it is a personal specific will of God?

2. The Wisdom View

Representative: Haddon Robinson said, “We must face the fact: ‘How do you know the will of God in making life’s decisions?’ is not a biblical question! The Bible never tells us to ask it. The Bible never gives us direction in answering it. And the pursuit of some personalized version of the ‘will of God’ often leads us towards disobedience. When we find ourselves facing the tough choices in life – those day-in, day-out decisions that make up the very fabric of our existence – we shouldn’t seek special messages from God. Instead, we should ask, ‘How do we develop the skills necessary to make wise and prudent choices?’”

In other words, they say that there is God’s sovereign will and moral will but no such thing as an individual will. Sovereign will is what God will do in this world. Moral will is what God desires in this world. As to individual will, just make wise choices. Trying to seek God’s specific-will only comes from immaturity, and it only leads to guilt and frustration (See Huffman).

Sovereign will: Ephesians 1:  5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will…9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself…11 “In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.”

Moral will: Ephesians 5        17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.

How do we make decisions by the wisdom view? Ask “Which decision will help me love God and people the most? Which option will most promote the glory of God and building up of people? Is this choice moral; is it wise? Which decision will most promote the kingdom of God? Which path will facilitate being as shrewd as a serpent and as blameless as a dove? Make it your goal in life and decisions to be ‘full of the Spirit and wisdom’” (from Garry Friesen). This is where we see the various options (fastest, fewer turns, no toll) in our GPS.

Application: How do you see God’s view for your life? Do you seek for it as wisdom for your life?

3. The Relationship View

Representative: Lloyd John Ogilvie said, “The will of God is not a mysterious set of sealed orders we search for and receive if we happen to hit on the right formula. Rather, the will of God is a relationship with Him in which He discloses His purpose, power, and plan for our lives – and in that order.”

In other words, don’t get caught up in the “how to” questions of finding God’s will. Furthermore, it is not against the specific-will view. 

Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

John 14.      16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

Matthew 28        18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

How do we make decisions by the Relationship view (take from Gordon T. Smith)? Nothing is more important than the “character and quality of our relationship with Christ.” It is the ascension that guides our interaction with Christ. He is standing at the door knocking and wants to come in. His last words are “Do not be afraid. I am with you.” It requires becoming aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life. It is real time decisions with a real Christ. In this perspective, imagine a local person joining us in the car and we listen to the person rather than the GPS.

Application: How do you see God’s view for your life? Do you seek for it as just a relationship?

In the weeks ahead, we will go deeper in understanding God’s will, especially in the areas of career, relationships, and finances. Until then, 

• God’s will for you is to be saved, if you are lost.
• God wants you to get into his Word.
• God wants you to spend time with him in prayer.
• God wants you to spend time with godly people.
• God wants you to turn away from sin.
• God wants you to share the gospel with the lost.