Was privileged to teach adult Sunday School at Crestview yesterday and wrap up our summer series on the Fundamentals. We ended thinking of God’s Will and Guidance, so I took time to lead people through a Bible Intensive time of Psalm 16. And, we ended with this particular Ask Pastor John episode on How Is God Directing My Life. This is an excerpt from a sermon entitled, the Path To Full and Lasting Pleasure. Here’s the video… (the excerpt I showed begins at the 27:28 mark). If you missed Sunday School and would like a Psalm 16 to mark up, stop by my office. I have some extra copies. Enjoy!
Submitting to God’s Word and Your Relationship With God
An importantly relevant word from Tim Keller on 1 John 2:3-6, which we’ll look at this coming Lord’s day:
Timothy J. Keller, The Timothy Keller Sermon Archive. (New York City: Redeemer Presbyterian Church, 2013). This particular citation is from a 1994 sermon entitled “The Freedom of Obedience”
Recap – Will of God
Today’s sermon from Colossians 1:10 entitled “Walking in the Will of God” is up and online. Continuing the thought he began in 1:9, Paul elaborates and unpacks what walking in God’s will looks like. This morning, specifically, the characteristics of those walking in God’s will are:
1) They live to please the Lord
2) They are blossoming in good deeds
3) They are growing in their knowledge of God
I thought these principles can be applied in many ways…
These are great things to pray for another believer.
They are great characteristics to pursue.
We can have confidence that, as we practice them, we are “walking in God’s will.”
Any thoughts?
Knowing God’s Will
In yesterday morning’s sermon, I alluded to some ideas about how we view the will of God and what ramifications this has for our life.
Too many people narrowly define the will of God in terms of this or that decision they are facing. I think God, in His Word, is wanting us to see His will as something larger (i.e. sanctification in 1 Thessalonians 4:3, believing in Jesus as Savior in John 6:40). When we narrowly define God’s will in terms of who we will marry, which job to choose, or other decisions like this, we run the risk of missing out what God’s will actually is for us.
For more info, I would also recommend Kevin DeYoung’s excellent work, Just Do Something.