1. Finding God’s Will

2. What are God’s purposes for my generation?
Finding God’s Will
Acts 13.36
David served God’s purpose in his own generation [NIV]
David served his generation according to God’s will [AV]
Our generation
God’s purposes
What are God’s purposes for my generation?

3. Finding God’s Will
God wants us to know
his will for our lives!

4. ‘loveless in strength and comfortless in pain’
Finding God’s Will
God wants us to learn
about our generation
‘loveless in strength and comfortless in pain’
[Lord, for the years your love has kept and guided]

5. How will God work out his purposes
Finding God’s Will
1 Thessalonians 4.3
God’s will for us - holiness [from NIV]
God’s will for us, our sanctification [AV]
Not “Where?”
But “What?” and “How?”
How will God work out his purposes
in my life?

6. Five Ways God uses to guide us
Finding God’s Will
Five Ways God uses to guide us
Through the Word
Through Prayer
Through the Church
Through Family
Through Circumstance

7. But: Minimum to affect moral and spiritual change is 4 times a week
Finding God’s Will
Hebrews 4:12-13
The Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword …it judges the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Nothing in all creation is hidden in God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
But: Minimum to affect moral and spiritual change is 4 times a week

8. Needs time, effort and faith
Finding God’s Will
Matthew 7.7-8
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives; everyone who seeks finds; and to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
Matthew 6.33
Seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well
Needs time, effort and faith

9. Challenge to the local church:
Finding God’s Will
Acts
While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
Challenge to the local church:
Do we commission all our members, whether to “secular” or “spiritual” ministry?

10. Finding God’s Will Family – believing and not-yet-believing –
2 Timothy 1.5
I remember your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice …
Family – believing and not-yet-believing –
are worth listening to, but do not override God’s Word or his call.

11. Finding God’s Will
Acts Doors close, until one opens:
During the night, Paul had a vision of someone from Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!”
After Paul had seen the vision, we began looking for a way to go to Macedonia. We were sure that God had called us to preach the good news there.
When the Word, Prayer, the Church and Family line up, let circumstance guide.

12. Finding God’s Will
God wants us to enjoy
his will for our lives!