PRINCIPLES OF DIVINE GUIDANCE
#865 (w 781d) PRINCIPLES OF DIVINE GUIDANCE
Scripture I John 5:15, NIV Orig. Date 5-21-1980
Rewr. Dates 1-6-1991
Passage: 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.
Purpose: Share a Sunday night with my people to encourage them in understanding some of the ways by which God leads His children.
Keywords: Will of God Guidance Series: Prayer
Cross reference: #781d
Introduction
Charles Hadden Spurgeon was a man of rare gift in relation to following the guidance of God in his life. Not only was he the outstanding evangelist preacher of his day, several other notable ministries were performed through the church he served.
After touring a series of Baptist churches, preaching in most of them, he collected funds from many of these churches to use in an orphanage run by his own church. On the way back to London, he perceived the Lord had spoken to him about these very funds. Instead of using them in London, he was to give them to his friend, George Muller who ran an orphanage in Bristol. He said that he resisted these instructions, but finally, relented and did what he thought he was to do.
When he delivered the funds to Muller, his friend explained to him a pressing need of the very amount now in his possession. Even though he was surrendering needed capital, Spurgeon rejoiced with his friend over this met need. Arrived back in London, he found an envelope on his desk containing a sum greater than he had given away that was to be used in his own work. Spurgeon felt that God had honored his obedience. Had he not been faithful in what he had been called upon to do, these larger funds would not have come to him at all.
How do we develop the attributes in our own lives that enable us to know what God expects of us?
I. First, a Word about Seeking Guidance. I John 5:15, “And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us.”
The appropriate beginning place is prayer, E.W. Kenyon: “Prayer is simply talking it over with Him, getting His views, His will, His plan, and our carrying out these plans, with His grace, ability, and wisdom.”
Prayer is not intended to be a one-sided conversation. Call someone on the telephone, the receiver is lifted, yet no one talks. Attempt to talk with someone who has lost their voice box. Dad struggled with that time when the doctor wanted to remove voice box.
God is not interested in being a voiceless co-respondent. He intends to hear us. It is His will for us to hear Him.
We are to pursue the will of God through the following means. The will of God is made known in the Word of God. Deuteronomy 7:11, “Thou shalt keep the commandments which I command thee this day.” They were given
***THE REMAINDER OF THIS SERMON HAS BEEN LOST***
KNOWING GOD’S WILL
#781d (w 865) KNOWING GOD’S WILL
Scripture I John 5:14, KJV Orig. Date 5-21-1980
Passage: 14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.
Prayer—E.W. Kenyon—“Prayer is simply talking it over with Him, getting His views, His will, His plan, and our carrying out these plans, with His grace, ability, and wisdom.” In His Presence.
Cross reference #865
I. Seeking Guidance.
1-The will of God is made known in God’s Word. Deuteronomy 7:11 Thou shalt keep the commandments, which I command thee this day. The Ten Commandments—Exodus 20. 2 Peter 1:21 “. . . Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”
2-The will of God is made known by circumstance—An open door, or a closed one; confirmation by another person; fleece—Judges 6.
3-The will of God is made known by the Holy Spirit. John 14:17, “Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” John 16:13, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” I Corinthians 12:7, “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit with.”
II. Principles of Divine Guidance.
1-It is possible to hear God’s voice. (It is basic to any understanding of guidance that we can know God’s will.) Colossians 1:9,”. . . that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will.” They are to live differently. Ephesians 4:20, “Ye have not so learned Christ.” Ephesians 5:9, 10, 9 “(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.” I Peter 2:15 “For so is the will of God, that with well doing you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.”
Illustration of the blind woman from LaMancha in Madrid, looking for evangelical church. In prayer she is directed to a bus. A woman sits beside her who is going to that church. Gutenberg illustration: “To work then! God has revealed to me the secret that I demanded of Him.”
2-The purpose of all guidance is to become more intimate with Christ as Lord. Rosalind Rinker—We need to learn to pray in His presence and let Him speak with us, to be in tune with Him until we are willing to hear what He has to say to us. So close to Jesus when He calls my name. Every day with Him in heaven will be the ___. Philippians 3:10, “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.” No further in Christian life, and in relationship to God, than we go in prayer.”
3-The place from which God speaks is the place where He dwells. He speaks from dark curtain of anonymity, He speaks in judgment from lofty throne. He speaks in companionship from within. Luke 17:21, “The kingdom of God is within.” I Corinthians 6:19, “Ye are the temple of God.”
4-The Holy Spirit is the voice of all true guidance, John 16:13, “When he, the spirit of truth is come, he will guide you to all truth.”
5-God’s Word is the final judge in all guidance. Satan does not want you to do God’s will. 2 Peter 1:17, “there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory.” V 19, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy.” 2 Peter 1:17 and Matthew 17:5, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Spurgeon’s illustration of the angel’s announcement that his name is in the Lamb’s book of life.
In the instance before us, the strong angel had proclaimed with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?” And there was no response from heaven, or earth, or hell. No man was able to open the book, neither to look therein. The divine decrees must remain for ever sealed in mystery unless the once slain Mediator shall take them from the hand of God, and open them to the sons of men. When no one could do this, John wept much. At that grave moment the Lamb appeared. Old Master Trapp says, “Christ is good at a dead lift”; and it is so. When there is utter failure everywhere else, then in him is our help found. If there could have been found another bearer of sin, would the Father have given his Only-Begotten to die? Had any other been able to unfold the secret designs of God, would he not have appeared at the angel’s challenge? But he that [he who] came to take away the sin of the world now appears to take away the seals which bind up the eternal purposes. O Lamb of God, thou art able to do what none beside may venture to attempt! Thou comest forth when no one else is to be found. Remember, next time you are in trouble, that when no man can comfort and no man can save, you may expect the Lord, the ever-sympathetic Lamb of God, to appear on your behalf. –Charles H. Spurgeon, “The Lamb in Glory”, July 14, 1889, Revelation 5:6-7
6-Guidance, from God, is always accompanied by God’s peace. James 3:17 LB, “But the wisdom that comes from Heaven is first of all pure and full of quiet gentleness.” Matthew 18:19, “If two of you on earth agree (symphōneo) about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.”
7-God speaks through various means. Cloud. Still, small voice. “Heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork.”
8-Most guidance from God comes unawares but not unsought. Psalm 25:9 KJV “The meek will He guide in judgment.” Isaiah 45:2-5, 2 I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron: 3 And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel. 4 For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me. 5 I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me…
9-There are various sources for guidance, but only one is dependable. God/flesh/Satan. James 4:7, “Submit yourselves therefore to God; resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
10-Hearing God speak must prompt to action. Isaiah 6:8, “Here am I: Send me.”
11-Divine Guidance Comes from Meeting God’s Conditions. George Muller (“How George Muller Started His Day”): i-Begin by getting heart [to a] state where I have no will. ii-Refuse to leave the result to feeling. iii-Seek the will of the Spirit through the Word of God. iv-Consider providential circumstances. v-Ask God in prayer to reveal His will alright. vi-Through prayer, the study of the word, and reflection, judge accordingly.
12-Divine guidance does not mean that we will know the future. Mumford, “Take another look at guidance.” Little boy watching parade of circus through a knothole in the fence. Clown happiness/lion fear—friend calls to him from a rooftop. But we are not spectators in life, we are participants. God has willed that we will know His will as seeing it in brief.
13-Guidance is not always pleasant. Isaiah 55:8,9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways.
14-Guidance is a skill to be learned.
***THE REMAINDER OF THIS SERMON IS PERSONAL COMMENTS
FILED AT “RANDOM FINDINGS”***