How to Find God's Perfect Will

The Structure of the Christian Life:
1) Foundation is Jesus Christ
a) No one can begin the Christian life without personal faith in Christ
b) "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 3:11
c) This is God's "good" will (Rm.12:2) "This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved. . ." 1 Timothy 2:3

2) The Frame work is the written word of God
a) Every believer must build on the foundation with by renewing their minds to the revealed word of God
b) Just like every board must be picked up and assembled into the framework of a house, so must every scripture be studied and applied to a believers life.
c) "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2
d) This is God's "pleasing" (Rm.12:2) will. "This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all me to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:3

3) The Holy Spirit will then Furnish the structure with God's individual plan for that believer's life.
a) Though each one of us must have the same foundation and build with the same revealed word of God the Holy Spirit will lead us and speak to us individually as we walk into God's good, pleasing and then his perfect will for our lives.
b) Each of our lives will be furnished individually just like houses are built the same way but each house has its own decor.
c) ". . .then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is. . ." Romans 12:2
d) "For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you. . ." 2 Timothy 1:6
e) "Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you." 1 Timothy 4:14
f) This is God's "perfect" will (Rm.12:2) "I have finished the race" 2 Timothy 4:7; "Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:2

How to Hear God's Plan for your life
1) Ask God
a) "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." James 1:5
- Stay focused
- Ask and expect God to begin to show you
- Do not be double minded. Keep your mind renewed with the Word of God (James 1:6-8; Matthew 6:22,24)

2) You must "Understand" what God's will is
a) "Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is."
b) The word "understand" is "sunesis" in the Greek and it means "understanding, insight". It refers to the ability to bring things together and to see them in relation to one another.
It is the ability to put together facts and information and craw conclusions.
c) The word "understand" is in the present, active, imperative which means:
-present tense. . .do it now
-active voice. . . you are to do it. (the passive voice would mean God does it, but here it is active voice)
-imperative mood. . .means it is a command to do it.
So, "understand" means right now you are commanded to begin to put together the facts God has taught you and the things he is revealing to you and see what God's
will is for your life. He is not hiding it from you.

3) "For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work . . ." Colossians 1:9-11
a) "wisdom" is "sophia" and means in the Greek mental excellency in its highest and fullest sense. Wisdom in the Hebrew mind meant applying the knowledge of God to life.
b) "understanding" is again the word "sunesis" as seen above.

Praying for God's will
1 Peter 4:1-2
Ephesians 2:10
Ephesians 5:17
Colossians 1:9
Colossians 4:12
1 John 2:17

Jesus
"My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work." John 4:34
- A person lives from that for which he lives.

Conditions for Discovering God's Will
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understadingg;
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil." Proverbs 3:5-6
1) Faith ("trust in the Lord")
2) Self-distrust (renew your mind; "lean not on your own understanding")
3) Obedience ("in all your ways")
4) Decide to Discover God's will

What God's Will Looks Like in Scripture
1) Special Assignments that no one else would be asked to do or repeat. It is a unique call
-Noah was the only one to build an ark
-David was the only one to kill a giant
-No one else started a nation like Abram
-Paul went to the Gentiles; Peter was sent to the Jews

2) It is in your hands. God has been preparing you for your assignment even before you knew or cared. You are right where he wants you to start.
-Moses had a staff
-David had a sling
-Paul was a Pharisee and went to the Gentiles
-Peter was a fisher man and he went to the Jews

3) It is obvious
-Others may already see it in your life

4) It is ordinary
-Do not get caught up in the Hollywood fantasy. Your life is not movie material. Thousands of heroes of faith live and die in obscurity on earth only to be welcomed
into rich glories in heaven.
-Abraham, Isaac and Jacob where simply fathers who handed their faith and the promises of God down to their sons

5) It is supernatually empowere
-The Spirit of God will empower you to fulfill your calling

How will God Reveal it to you:

1) The Spirit will lead you
2) The Bible will give you some kind of example (2 Tim.3:16-17; 2 Cor.6:14; James 2:15)
3) Circumstances - your steps are directed by the Lord (Ps.37:23; Acts 8:1; Rm.8:28)
4) Advice and insight of other believers (1 Timothy 4:14)