January 5, 2025
What does God expect from me? #
Romans 12:1-2
Introduction
This morning we looked at keys to a New Year, setting Goals, and moving toward God. I want to focus on the ending part of these two verses, "that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God"
There are some very clear things in the Word of God that we are not going to focus on, but they are certainly important and part of the conversation!
1 Thessalonians 4:3 “^3\ ^For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:”
1 Thessalonians 5:18 “^18\ ^In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
If you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, His will for your life is that you trust Jesus Christ as your Personal Saviour! There is no doubt about this!
2 Peter 3:9 “^9\ ^The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
We have three 'W's, and it isn't the world wide web.
I. Word of God (Ps 119:105) #
Psalm 119:105 “^105\ ^NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
A. Light exposes the street "light unto my path" #
1. If the Word of God is a lamp, then the way clearly is dark and in need of illumination! #
Isaiah 5:20 “^20\ ^Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”
B. Light exposes the Step "lamp unto my feet" #
1. Where you place your foot, is just as important to seeing the street! #
2. The Word of God exposes where you are stepping! #
II. Walking in the Spirit (Gal 5:16) #
Galatians 5:16 “^16\ ^This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”
A. Self Convinced #
1. Be Careful! - sometimes we want something so bad, we convince ourself it is God's will! #
Proverbs 21:2 “^2\ ^Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.”
B. Submission to God! #
1. Denial of self - You cannot be submitted to God, and living for self. #
Matthew 6:24 “^24\ ^No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
2. Submission is yielding to governance or authority! #
III. Wisdom of Counsel #
A. Authority (Word of God is our ultimate) #
1. Children #
Ephesians 6:1 “^1\ ^Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.”
2. Government #
1 Peter 2:13–15 “^13\ ^Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; ^14\ ^Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. ^15\ ^For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:”
- IF/When they are in opposition:
Acts 5:29 “^29\ ^Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”
B. Spiritual Counselors! #
Ephesians 4:11–12 “^11\ ^And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; ^12\ ^For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”
Proverbs 12:15 “^15\ ^The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.”