HOW TO DISCOVER GOD’S WILL

TEXT- EPHESIANS 5:15-17

INTRODUCTION

I appreciate being able to come and preach for you this morning.

The last time I filled in for your Pastor was nearly twenty years ago when he was out of town.  I remember that Sunday just as if it were today.

My wife, Debra, was pregnant with our daughter, Kimberly and was not feeling too well because she was experiencing morning sickness.  We stayed with Sharon on Saturday night and when I woke up on Sunday morning I felt sicker than a dog.  To this day my wife says that I was suffering from sympathy pains.  In fact, I was so sick that I didn’t think I was even going to be able to preach that morning.  Eventually I pulled myself together, but was so weak that I only managed to preach for about 10-15 minutes.

But I am happy to say that I’m feeling very well today!

This last June I resigned as the pastor of the church I had been pastoring for 13 years.

During the last few months I have spent a lot of my time praying to the Lord and seeking his will for my life and ministry.

This morning I would like us to examine what the Bible says about discovering God’s will for our life.

My text is found in Ephesians 5:15-17 and I have provided an outline to help you remember what we study today.

Ephesians 5:15-17  Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise,  16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  17 Therefore do not be foolish, but (WHAT) understand what the Lord's will is.  CIRCLE THAT PHRASE

God doesn’t want you to be ignorant of His will for your life.  He wants you to understand it.

Have you discovered in your own life that it is easier to know what God’s will is with hindsight looking back over the past and more difficult to know what it is looking to the future?

This morning I would like us to look at five ways you can discover God’s will for your life.

The eternal principles we are going to examine today will help you understand God’s will in any situation you face in life.

They will help you know God’s will if you are thinking about getting married, looking for a different job, selecting a college, moving to another city, changing churches, or anything else.