God’s will and your mind - Proverbs 16:9; James 4:13-15

Pastor Tim Brown, Calvary Chapel Fremont, Sunday April 19, 2009

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God’s will and your mind - Proverbs 16:9; James 4:13-15

David and Goliath – did he have the idea to fight Goliath and asked God to bless it or did God have to recruit him to the idea?  Did his mind lead or follow?  Moses – go to Pharaoh.  “NO” - $1 bill rejected from machine.  His mind clearly followed/didn’t lead.  How does God want me to use my mind in discovering His will?  I want to talk to you about the will of God and the exercise of your mind.  

V9  Plans = to devise, think, imagine.  The mind of man is active in thinking about where to go/what to do.  The mind of man plans his future - nothing wrong with this.  Some people suppose that the mind of man is to be passive when it comes to God’s will – wait for God to speak or in some way make His will known.  “I won’t move until God speaks.  I won’t serve in Children’s Ministry or go to Mexico unless I hear go say to do it.” This is why some haven’t moved in 20 years.  Bible says: use your mind.  

When you see a hyphen in a sentence it means that there’s more to come.  It’s OK to plan, but every plan of man must be written with a hyphen and not a period.  A period means that this thought is closed.  A hyphen says there is more to come. The mind isn’t suspended, it’s surrendered.  

James 4:13-15 J didn’t correct them by saying, “You let God pick the city/time.” It is OK for you to make specific plans, but not definite ones w/o the approval of God.  “How do I know if God approves?”  Kids and the movies – they can choose movie w/ your approval.
 
Sometimes Paul heard the voice of God and had direct, specific guidance – Acts 9:3-4; 13:1-3; 18:9-10; 27:23-24

Sometimes Paul made decisions based on what he understood to be the will of God – Acts 15:36ff; 16:6-7; cf. Ps. 16:7

Paul had words from the Lord and also proceeded on what seemed prayerfully advisable at the moment.  So, make plans, but leave room for God to correct any error in judgment.  
 
Paul didn’t thank that…

    * God’s will is a tightrope – one false move and plummet to failure

Out of 1M eligible Christian men, there is one, and only one, that is a soul mate for you.  And if you are immature/premature/connect w/ the wrong one, you’ve missed God’s perfect will for your life and have to settle for His permissive will.  Apply to career…

Paul didn’t have this view.  He would head out and trust the Lord to correct him along the way.  There is grace for irreversible decisions.  Spouse – be the best you can.  Career – serve and be an example.

    * God’s will is a four lane highway – God doesn’t care what lane you’re in, just the direction you’re going.  There is wide latitude for you to decide where to go and what to do…

God doesn’t care who you marry, what matters to Him is the kind of person you marry.  As long as he/she is following Christ – go for it.  You are free to marry any of the men/women who fit this criteria.  

God doesn’t care what career you serve as long as you glorify Him in it…God doesn’t have a specific will – only a moral will.  

Paul didn’t have this view - believed in the specific guidance of God.

    * God’s will is a pathway - The Bible teaches me that there is a where of God in the will of God for me.  Apply to who and what.  God desires to be specific w/ me.

God’s will is not a tightrope where one false move plunges me into disobedience and it is not a four lane highway where it doesn’t matter what lane I’m in as long as I stay headed in the right direction.  God’s will is a pathway of obedience to what is written in the Bible, and what is spoken to my mind by the Holy Spirit.  

Paul didn’t think that…

    * the mind is totally unreliable

If God’s will is a tightrope, a razor thin wire of obedience that cannot be deviated from, then I will not trust my mind or give heed to any of my thinking whatsoever so as not to be deceived by the corruption of my mind.  I will not initiate anything – passively wait.

    * the mind is totally trustworthy

If God’s will is a four lane highway, then what I can do is broad and deep.  Line up w/ moral will of God and do as I please.  Paul’s life informs us that he thought of the mind different than this - 

    * the mind is redeemed, renewed, and receptive

Redeemed – my mind has been purchased w/ the blood of Christ and belongs to God

Renewed – my mind has been permeated w/ the timeless teaching of the Word of God and I am developing a godly thought life

Receptive – my mind can be penetrated by the light of the Spirit of Christ that imparts timely guidance and direction

In this view, the mind is flawed, yet redeemed.  The mind is not totally trustworthy nor hopelessly damaged.  As I read Scripture, think and plan, pray and listen to the Holy Spirit, I am led.

WHAT ABOUT THE BIBLE?

The Bible is sufficient for general guidance which in principle covers all situations.  But the Bible is not specific to each situation – it would be too large to carry.

Should I go to Milpitas or Fremont to start a church?  Bible not say.

Four lane highway – doesn’t matter where (maybe Hawaii?)

Tight rope – sweat it out, hoping I was right, fearing His judgment

Pathway – read, pray, listen, plan – the Lord gives the answer and establishes my plans and directs my steps.  I tried another place and there was no response.  

A picture of guidance emerges from this verse in Proverbs and the examples from Paul’s life in the book of Acts – 

    * Make plans that are common sense and in line w/ how God has created you and called you.

“Do you think I should quit the pastorate and go into full time worship ministry?”  You would ask me to reconsider.  Mexico – I have money/time

    * Listen for the Spirit of God to speak and respond to the will of God revealed in the Word of God.

“I won’t teach in Children’s Ministry until I hear a word from the Lord.”  Why not?  Is it God’s will for you to be a servant/help where needed?  

    * Every light is green until it turns red and every door is open until it is closed – move out and remain yielded.  Trying to be a missionary...

God’s interest in you didn’t end when you asked Jesus into your life.
 

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