Decision Making in the Spirit.

Steve Gentry

[0:00] Just want to welcome each and every one of you. [0:02] Start off with tomorrow, I don’t know if you’re new here, [0:07] you didn’t know this, or if you weren’t paying attention, [0:09] you may not have known it either. [0:10] But tomorrow we have a team flying out of Richmond [0:14] to go to East Asia to do some mission work

[0:17] with a couple of missionaries on the ground there. [0:19] And I’m gonna ask that team to come up right now. [0:22] So we can, thanks for leaving the stage, [0:24] just come back, Joey. [0:25] Appreciate that. [0:27] If I could get you all to come down right now

[0:29] so that we can commission you guys out as a church, [0:33] sending you out on mission.

[0:36] What I want you to realize, [0:37] what I want you to grasp this morning [0:40] is that in less than 48 hours, [0:42] Village Church will be represented [0:45] in reaching people in Asia with the gospel. [0:49] And I don’t know if the burden of that is on you,

[0:51] but that’s huge. [0:53] And there’s gonna be some trials, [0:55] the enemy’s not happy when people go [0:57] for the purpose of the gospel. [0:58] So I’m gonna ask you guys as a church [1:00] to keep us in prayer while we’re on the trip,

[1:04] while we’re kind of getting used to a culture [1:05] that’s not our own, [1:07] while we’re trying to reach people [1:08] that don’t necessarily speak the same language that we do. [1:10] But we know that in the book of Acts, [1:12] Paul is standing before he walks into Corinth

[1:15] where he may be arrested. [1:17] And the Lord says, don’t fear, [1:18] there are people in that city that are mine. [1:21] Paul hadn’t even been there yet, [1:22] and God’s promising that. [1:24] So I know that there are people in this city

[1:26] that belong to the Lord. [1:27] And he’s already at work there, [1:30] we’re just joining him. [1:31] So Pastor Nate will come up. [1:32] I’m going, so it’d be awkward for me to commission myself. [1:36] So Pastor Nate is gonna pray for us,

[1:38] and I just ask that you guys keep us in prayer [1:41] for the next two weeks. [1:43] I wanna reiterate what Steve just said. [1:45] I mean, we’ve given to this [1:47] to support the folks that are going to East Asia. [1:49] Now it’s our responsibility to pray.

[1:52] If you’re on the church email list, [1:54] you will get prayer updates while they’re gone. [1:56] If you’re not on the email list, [1:57] just go on the website to get connected [1:59] and put in your email address, [2:00] and you’ll start to get those.

[2:02] But please join us every day if you could. [2:05] Pray for the team, pray for what they’re doing. [2:07] And right now, I would ask actually, [2:09] if you could please stand with us all [2:11] as we pray for this team that’s leaving tomorrow.

[2:16] Father, we just wanna first of all just thank you. [2:18] Thank you, God, for your son. [2:20] Thank you that you sent him to die for our sins. [2:22] We can now serve you, God. [2:23] I just thank you for this team [2:25] that has the privilege of taking that message

[2:27] to the other side of the world. [2:28] Thank you for our church, God, [2:30] even as a small body of believers, [2:32] not even three years old yet, [2:33] that we can be a part of your global mission [2:36] on the other side of the world,

[2:37] and we thank you for that, God. [2:39] All right, now we just wanna pray [2:40] for our brothers and sisters here who are going. [2:43] God, give them courage. [2:45] I pray for health. [2:46] I pray for safety during the whole trip.

[2:48] God, we pray for the families of these people [2:50] who are staying behind. [2:52] But God, right now, what we really wanna pray for, Father, [2:55] is that you would do what we can’t do, God. [2:57] We’ve planned and we’ve prepared, [2:58] but we can’t change hearts.

[3:00] And so, God, we ask that you would prepare hearts right now [3:03] to hear your gospel, to hear about Jesus for the first time. [3:07] And so, Father, we ask right now [3:08] that through our work, through our effort, [3:10] that you would take that as worship, Father, [3:12] and change hearts, God, the way only you can.

[3:16] So right now, I just pray for this whole team [3:17] that they would just have courage to speak [3:19] and that you are working in people’s hearts even right now. [3:23] But God, we do pray for fruit. [3:24] We pray for encouragement for the missionaries [3:27] that are there, help us to do that, God.

[3:29] But God, our goal, our purpose in going [3:31] is that more people would hear about you. [3:33] And so, we pray this morning that that would happen [3:35] all the way on the other side of the world [3:37] in the next 10 days. [3:39] We pray this together in Jesus’ name, amen.

[3:41] Amen, amen. [3:42] Thanks, guys. [3:44] Pray for them, because they also have to put up with me [3:46] for 10 days. [3:48] Only my wife and my parents and my sister [3:51] know what that’s like.

[3:53] So please pray for them, wow. [3:56] Now, it’s a little more family business to take care of. [3:59] Last week, we talked about the building on Genito Road [4:02] that we’re looking to lease. [4:04] If you weren’t here, I’m not gonna restate everything [4:07] that I said last week.

[4:08] Go catch the podcast.

[4:12] Today, I just kinda wanna go through some notes, [4:14] wrote some stuff down here [4:15] so that I wouldn’t forget anything. [4:17] We got a lot of really good feedback [4:20] over the course of this week from people about the building. [4:23] So I wanna let you know, we are moving forward with this.

[4:26] We’re gonna move forward with leasing the building. [4:28] We’re gonna move forward with doing some renovation work, [4:31] and we’re gonna move forward with raising some money [4:34] so that we can do this completely as a church. [4:37] Now, we’re not going to pass an offering plate around. [4:41] What we’re gonna do is, for the next four weeks,

[4:45] when you come to take communion, over here, over here, [4:49] and I believe in the back as well, [4:50] there’s gonna be some baskets. [4:52] Now, in the handout that you got this morning [4:55] should be an envelope and a card connected to that. [4:58] Now, I understand that over the last week,

[5:01] you may not have been able to come up with money, okay? [5:04] So what we wanna do as a church [5:05] is we want everybody to be involved, [5:07] and I want you to understand [5:07] that this is an act of worship, and this is an act of trust, [5:10] and this is an act of sacrifice,

[5:12] because we’re asking for you to give above and beyond [5:14] that which you normally give, [5:16] and I know that is a sacrifice. [5:17] And so, on this card, over the next four weeks, [5:20] we’re gonna be letting you come forward, give. [5:23] There’s a place on the website you can do it as well,

[5:25] and if you don’t have all that you feel God [5:27] leading you to give right now, [5:29] there’s somewhere on that card that you can pledge, [5:32] and over the course of the rest of this year, [5:34] until January, you can kind of give slowly [5:38] to fulfill that pledge.

[5:40] What we wanna do is we wanna join as a church [5:42] and go into this venture to further the gospel [5:46] throughout Midlothian and beyond. [5:48] Now, I want you this week, [5:50] if you’ve dealt with it this week [5:51] and you know exactly what you wanna do, bring, give.

[5:55] But if, for most of you, I assume [5:57] that maybe you haven’t had time to think about this, [5:59] maybe you weren’t here last week, [6:00] maybe you wanna pray a little more about it. [6:02] Well, for the next four weeks, [6:05] we’re gonna be taking pledges, we’re gonna be taking offering,

[6:07] and then the rest of the year, [6:08] we’re gonna be taking offering as well. [6:10] So go home as a family, pray, [6:13] and figure out what God wants you to do, [6:17] and frankly, where God wants you to sacrifice [6:19] so that this building can be used as a missional hub

[6:23] to reach the Richmond area for the gospel, [6:26] because that’s our heart, that’s what we wanna do. [6:28] Now, some of you have contacted us and said, [6:31] how can I do manual labor? [6:34] Trust me, over the next few weeks, you will be contacted, [6:39] because there’s a lot of that to go around, okay?

[6:42] We’re not gonna hire professionals [6:44] to do a lot of this stuff unless you are a professional, [6:47] and then let me know, maybe you could do it for free. [6:50] But you guys, we’re gonna get our hands dirty, all right? [6:54] So in the next couple of weeks, [6:56] we’re gonna call on you, or just offer,

[6:58] just get in touch with us, let us know what you can do [7:01] and what you’re willing to do, [7:02] what you’re willing to sacrifice on a Saturday [7:04] or on a weeknight, and let’s get our hands dirty together, [7:07] all right, we’re gonna be knocking down walls, [7:09] we’re gonna be putting up new frames,

[7:10] we’re gonna be doing all sorts of stuff, [7:12] I’m praying I don’t get electrocuted or anything, [7:14] but we figure we can figure that out. [7:16] But just be willing to serve, [7:19] because we’re doing this as a church, [7:21] we’re gonna join together, and we’re gonna do this,

[7:24] and we’re gonna reach people, like we said last week, [7:27] we as 150 people, give or take, [7:30] are going to sacrifice so that 1,000 can be reached later, [7:34] and I’m trusting God for that, [7:37] he can do it and he will do it, [7:39] but we must be willing to be used by him.

[7:42] Now, if you have your Bibles, [7:43] open them up to Ephesians chapter five, [7:45] Ephesians chapter five, [7:46] past few weeks we’ve been talking about [7:48] the life of the Spirit in us as he guides us, [7:52] as he gives us the very life that we use,

[7:54] we’ve talked about the gifts, [7:55] we’ve talked about prayer last week, [7:57] we talked about wisdom and the fact that [7:59] God through his Spirit, he’s given us wisdom, [8:01] and we kind of came to the conclusion last week [8:04] that wisdom always furthers the gospel into my life,

[8:10] and into the lives of others through me, [8:12] through the way that I’m living my life. [8:14] If it’s not doing that, it’s not wisdom, [8:16] it’s not the wisdom of God, [8:17] because God wants to further the mission of Jesus [8:20] into as many lives as possible in your lifetime.

[8:23] God wants to use you. [8:25] Now, let’s get more specific this week, [8:27] I wanna talk about decision making in the Spirit. [8:29] Now, if you’re building on top of that foundation [8:32] of the fear of God, where you understand [8:34] his ultimate authority, you understand his ultimate love

[8:37] in the redemption that he gives us through Jesus [8:39] so that we can have the privilege and the ability [8:41] to bring him glory. [8:43] How does that affect the decisions that I make in my life, [8:46] and more than that, how do I go about [8:49] making decisions in my life?

[8:51] Does the scripture tell me, what is God’s will for my life? [8:56] As long as I’ve been in ministry, [8:57] and as long as I’ve been in church, [8:59] that’s really the number one thing. [9:00] When I was talking to teenagers as a youth pastor, [9:02] they would know, pastors even,

[9:04] how do I know God’s will? [9:06] Or better yet, there was a great fear in them, [9:09] what if I miss God’s will? [9:12] Now, the scripture talks about God’s will [9:14] in two different areas. [9:16] The first area, it starts out from the beginning,

[9:19] letting this out, even in the book of Genesis, [9:20] you see it throughout, and that’s God’s sovereign will. [9:24] And that is God’s secret work, like in Ephesians, [9:28] it says before the foundations of the earth [9:30] he chose us in him. [9:31] In the book of Revelation, it says that the Lamb’s Book

[9:33] of Life was sealed before the foundations of the earth. [9:35] It says the gospel was planned [9:36] before the foundations of the earth. [9:38] God has been working through history to bring redemption, [9:42] and he is working the world in such a way [9:44] that number one, it brought forth Jesus

[9:46] through the nation of Israel [9:47] to bring redemption to the entire world. [9:49] And secondly, he’s working to bring about [9:52] that which will take place in the end [9:54] at the return of Christ, as we see in the book of Revelation. [9:57] That God is certain, and he has made promises

[10:00] that he is going to fulfill, [10:03] and he is working behind the scenes to make it happen. [10:06] In Genesis chapter 50, you see Joseph make the comment, [10:09] he looks at his brother who’s done great evil towards him, [10:11] and he says, bro, what you meant for evil, [10:13] God worked for good.

[10:15] In other words, through the wrong actions [10:17] that his brothers were taking, [10:19] God was behind the scenes working to make it good, [10:23] to save the nation of Israel through Joseph being in Egypt. [10:26] Then in Romans 8.28, we see that great verse [10:28] that people give us when things aren’t going too well,

[10:30] and we want to punch him in the face, [10:31] but it’s still true that for those who love God, [10:35] to those who are called according to his purpose, [10:37] he works all things for good. [10:41] So these are promises, and so it speaks [10:44] that God is sovereign and he’s working his will.

[10:47] There’s a second will that we see in scripture, [10:49] and that is God’s moral will. [10:53] That there are specific things [10:56] that God sets boundaries on for us [10:59] and that God commands us to do. [11:02] So basically we see,

[11:03] and I’m gonna give you four simple points this morning, [11:07] and then I’m gonna use some scriptures [11:08] that I’m hoping you’re already familiar with. [11:11] And if you’re not, that’s okay, [11:12] but I think these are the types of scriptures [11:14] that we’re already sort of familiar with,

[11:16] and that is what is the way of wisdom [11:19] that God has given us for finding out his will? [11:22] Can I specifically know the will of God in my life? [11:28] All right? [11:29] Recently, probably in the past hundred years or so, [11:33] there has come, because we’re very individual,

[11:36] there has come a teaching on a third will, [11:39] because we talked about the sovereign will, [11:40] we talked about the moral will. [11:42] Well, there’s now what we see as the third will of God, [11:45] and that is his individual will for my life. [11:48] And I just wanna be very honest with you.

[11:52] Scripture does not deal with that.

[11:56] Scripture does not come out and say point blank, [12:00] okay, Joey, James, boom. [12:03] There’s the individual will. [12:04] Here’s the person you need to marry, [12:06] here’s the job you need to take, [12:07] here’s what you need to eat,

[12:09] whether corn flakes or frosted flakes on Monday morning, [12:11] here’s where it is, Scripture doesn’t deal with that. [12:14] And so sometimes, I don’t know if you’re like me, [12:16] but you’re like, man, my life would be a lot easier [12:17] if God would just let it out for me. [12:20] Because sometimes I have very hard decisions to make.

[12:23] But Scripture does not have that individual will. [12:27] And sometimes we deal with it where God’s moral will [12:30] is the outer circle on a target, [12:33] and his individual will is that bullseye. [12:36] And if I miss any part of that bullseye, [12:39] my life is not going to be as good as it could have been.

[12:46] And people use all sorts of excuses for their lives [12:48] when it doesn’t turn out the way that they want it. [12:50] It’s like, I must have missed that one thing. [12:52] Like, think about it. [12:53] If this is true, think about it. [12:54] All right, what do we call spouses?

[12:57] The one. [12:58] You know, you complete me, that type of deal? [13:00] All right, that’s terrible theology, by the way. [13:03] Awful. [13:04] All right, oh, she’s the one. [13:08] Well, here’s a really,

[13:09] you want to feel some real burden in your life? [13:11] What if you miss the one? [13:13] There are what, six billion people in the world? [13:15] Talk about a needle in a haystack. [13:18] How do I know the ones in my school, [13:19] the ones in my college, the ones at work,

[13:21] the ones in Afghanistan? [13:24] Wow. [13:25] Well, what if I miss the one?

[13:28] Then I’m gonna have the wrong kids.

[13:32] I’m gonna have the wrong house. [13:34] I’m gonna have the wrong car, [13:35] because, you know, that’s a joint decision. [13:37] We’re gonna have joint checking accounts, [13:39] so we’ll have the wrong checking account. [13:41] And on and on and on.

[13:42] Oh my goodness, this is irreparable damage.

[13:47] It was once a missionary friend of a pastor [13:50] that I was working with, [13:51] and he used this type of theology, [13:53] which is vastly dangerous. [13:55] And I’m basically gonna spend a lot of time [13:56] warning you against this today.

[13:59] Where he uses it as the excuse to leave his wife [14:02] and go into an adulterous affair with a woman. [14:04] He said that when he married his wife, [14:06] he missed God’s will and he married the wrong woman, [14:08] and in order to get back into God’s will, [14:09] he had to divorce her.

[14:14] Friends,

[14:16] no. [14:18] I can’t put it any more bluntly, [14:20] and here’s why I know that that’s not true. [14:23] And that’s because of God’s moral will. [14:26] All right, we are very self-centered as a culture, [14:29] so when we begin to deal with God’s will,

[14:31] the first place we start is here. [14:33] We start looking in the mirror. [14:34] I wanna know what God’s will is from me. [14:36] Well, the problem is, [14:37] the Scripture isn’t chiefly concerned with you.

[14:41] Scripture’s chiefly concerned with God. [14:44] Scripture’s his story, not yours. [14:48] Now, therefore, when you begin with yourself, [14:50] you begin in the very wrong place, [14:52] because life’s not about you and God’s not about you. [14:54] God’s about himself because he’s God,

[14:56] and if it was about you, then you’d be God [14:58] and he’d have to worship you, [14:59] so he’s about himself so that he can stay as God. [15:01] Okay? [15:02] Now, when we’re dealing with God’s will, [15:05] we first must deal with God and what he has said.

[15:09] Do not go into life with you [15:13] being the centerpiece of God’s will, [15:15] but rather begin with what he has clearly stated, [15:17] and you’re gonna have a much easier time, right? [15:20] Well, what has he said? [15:20] Has God said anything about him

[15:22] having a specific will about anything? [15:24] Absolutely. [15:25] He’s said a ton of stuff, [15:26] and I just wanna really quickly [15:28] go through a bunch of things [15:29] that God has made very clear about his moral will

[15:33] in mine and yours life. [15:35] These are gonna be up on the screen, [15:36] but I’m gonna go so fast [15:38] that there’s no way you’re gonna be writing them down. [15:39] You can try, maybe you’ll prove me wrong. [15:41] All right, number one,

[15:43] we are called specifically to grow in knowledge of God [15:47] to understand his wisdom. [15:49] That’s in Colossians chapter one, nine through 10. [15:51] Secondly, we’re called to be transformed by God’s power [15:54] and conform our minds to him. [15:56] Romans chapter 12, verses one and two.

[15:58] Thirdly, we’re supposed to take our thoughts captive [16:00] to obedience to Jesus. [16:02] Second Corinthians, chapter 10, five and six. [16:05] Next, give thanks to God. [16:06] I didn’t number these, so. [16:08] Once I get into numbers like four, which is really high,

[16:12] I start to get confused. [16:14] All right, next is to give thanks to God [16:15] for everything in worship and prayer. [16:18] Then, love all in the way Jesus loves. [16:22] Next, walk in the Holy Spirit displaying his fruit. [16:27] If you walk around angry, wrathful,

[16:32] hot tempered all the time, [16:33] guess what, you miss God’s will.

[16:36] Next, we are supposed to walk for the purpose [16:38] to please God set apart for his work, [16:42] abstaining from sexual immorality. [16:44] First Thessalonians, chapter four, verses one through four. [16:47] All right, God gets to how we act [16:51] where his will is concerned.

[16:54] If you wanna be in God’s will, guess what, [16:56] marry one woman for your life.

[16:59] Or man, by the way, if you are a woman. [17:03] Let’s not get that. [17:05] The mechanism there.

[17:09] Next, be and build God’s church [17:12] by living through the fullness of Christ.

[17:16] You ever wonder who’s called into the ministry? [17:19] Do you believe in Jesus? [17:20] You.

[17:23] Next, tell others the good news of redemption in Jesus. [17:26] Romans chapter 10. [17:28] I don’t know if I’m called to be a missionary. [17:32] Yeah, you are. [17:33] The scripture’s pretty specific. [17:36] You are.

[17:38] And finally, and I could have put 150 things on this list [17:41] as at a minimum, but I chose not to be here for five hours. [17:45] Finally, live with the intent of teaching others [17:48] how to obey Jesus.

[17:52] There’s been a great deal of thought behind the grammar [17:56] in the Great Commission and that term, [17:58] what does that term go mean? [18:00] Is it as I go through life or is that I’m supposed [18:03] to go through life specifically for making disciples [18:07] or is it just kind of like this thought

[18:08] of as I’m walking down life, if it happens, [18:10] I make a disciple, if it doesn’t happen, [18:12] it must not have been God’s will. [18:13] Now, the imperative in that sentence is on make disciples. [18:18] Therefore, the go means go with the intent purpose [18:22] of making disciples.

[18:25] So God’s will for your life is that the chief aim [18:29] of your life is to bring God glory [18:32] by teaching others how to obey Jesus. [18:36] What’s the presupposition there? [18:37] The presupposition is that you know how to obey Jesus.

[18:43] So has God been specific as to what his will [18:45] for your life is? [18:46] He couldn’t have been clearer.

[18:50] Couldn’t have been clearer. [18:51] God has set boundaries on our lives and he has said, [18:56] my will is within these boundaries.

[19:00] Go with the intent purpose of these things. [19:04] Please me in these things. [19:07] That God has made moral commands [19:11] and where God commands, we must obey. [19:16] That’s God’s will for your life, the long and the short of it. [19:19] Now, you’re like, well, that sounds fantastic.

[19:22] What about who I’m supposed to marry?

[19:25] I think it’s a good question. [19:26] I mean, that’s a good one. [19:27] What about your job? [19:28] What are you supposed to do? [19:28] You got to pay bills, right? [19:31] Absolutely.

[19:31] How do you know what God’s will for your job is? [19:35] Second point this morning, where there is no command, [19:39] God gives us freedom and responsibility to choose.

[19:46] There is freedom in God’s will. [19:50] But here’s the problem with most of us. [19:53] We’re not, and we haven’t lived lives [19:55] where we have been that concerned [19:57] with that which God has clearly pointed out to us. [20:00] Whether it be that you’re a brand new Christian

[20:02] and you’re somewhat new to knowing God’s word, [20:05] so you didn’t even know about those commands [20:07] that I just rattled off to you. [20:09] Or whether it be that you have lived a life [20:11] where you were sort of a nominal Christian, [20:13] you were just a little bit engaged

[20:14] and you’ve not really gotten into the word, [20:15] so you didn’t know those things. [20:17] So life has become kind of like a yard [20:21] that’s just really overgrown. [20:22] You ever mowed grass? [20:24] That’s been about four weeks worth of rain.

[20:28] You ever done that and you set your mower on the highest? [20:31] You can and you go through it and then every three feet,

[20:36] and the mower just cuts off on you. [20:38] Well, I’ve been there, I’ll admit it. [20:40] I’ve let my grass grow too long sometimes. [20:43] Well, sometimes our decision making [20:44] and the way that we look at God’s will, [20:45] it can get like that where we’ve got a lot of weeds

[20:48] and a lot of grass that we’ve got to mow through [20:51] so that we can then come to a place [20:53] where if we’ll just pay more attention, [20:56] we can start mowing a lot easier. [20:59] And God has given us great freedom, but here’s the key. [21:01] Here’s how we want to look at that freedom sometimes,

[21:04] that because Jesus has freed us from the condemnation [21:07] of sin, in other words, we are not going to pay the penalty [21:10] for the sins that we have done [21:11] because they’ve been laid on Jesus, [21:13] our relationship with God has been completely reconciled [21:16] and we walk in freedom.

[21:17] Well, we want to look at that and say, [21:18] well, then I can do whatever I want. [21:21] I’m going to be forgiven anyway. [21:23] So if I miss God’s will, fantastic.

[21:27] There’s this thing inside of freedom [21:29] and that’s called transformation. [21:31] That’s called the changed life. [21:33] One of those things was the second thing I talked about [21:35] was Romans chapter 12, verses one and two, [21:37] where it says, be transformed, do not be conformed

[21:39] to this world, rather be conformed to God’s spirit [21:42] in your mind, the way that you think, [21:44] the way that you choose, the way that you make decisions. [21:47] Be changed. [21:49] So inside of that, we have a great responsibility [21:52] and that responsibility is in what God

[21:54] has already commanded us. [21:56] And that is to make real decisions [21:59] within the boundaries that he sets for our lives.

[22:04] How does that work?

[22:07] If you are obedient to God in all of those things,

[22:14] it’s like when Psalm chapter 37, verse four, [22:18] says that, delight yourself in the Lord [22:19] and he’ll give you the desires of your heart. [22:21] That’s not talking about boats and houses. [22:24] That’s talking about God’s gonna change you so much [22:26] that his desires become your desires

[22:28] and you want what he wants. [22:30] When you’re living that type of life, guess what? [22:32] You can literally do whatever you want [22:34] and it’s in the will of God.

[22:37] The pressure’s off.

[22:40] You’re free.

[22:43] You’re like, I can do whatever I want [22:45] but if I’m doing those things, [22:46] I’ll be doing what he wants. [22:48] Right. [22:50] There you go. [22:53] Because what you want will be conformed to what he wants

[22:55] and you will understand and rather take joy

[23:01] in being obedient and conforming your life to his image [23:06] rather than being so consumed with your image [23:09] and your comfort and leisure.

[23:14] In Ephesians chapter five, [23:15] this is what I wanna jump off of today. [23:18] God makes a pronouncement through the apostle Paul [23:22] where he says, look carefully then.

[23:28] It’s interesting, he says, look carefully then. [23:31] He’s really adding up everything he’s been talking about [23:34] in the book of Ephesians so far [23:35] and what’s Ephesians chiefly concerned with [23:37] and that is the building of God’s church [23:38] and being the people of God.

[23:40] So if you’re going to be the people of God, [23:43] if you’re going to be living a life that brings God glory, [23:46] look carefully then how you walk. [23:50] Not as what? [23:51] Unwise, but as wise. [23:55] Making the best use of the time because the days are evil.

[24:00] We’ll do verse 17 in a moment. [24:02] But I wanna stop there. [24:04] And if we understand God’s will as this great circle [24:07] of things that God has given us [24:09] as transformed followers of Jesus Christ, [24:12] then we must understand that inside of that,

[24:14] we have a great deal of decisions to make. [24:18] I don’t know if you know this, [24:20] but when you get married men, [24:22] you slip a ring on your finger. [24:24] I’ve got one of those. [24:25] You know what this ring is?

[24:27] In romantically, it’s the never-ending circle, [24:30] like the never-ending love between my wife and I [24:33] and it’s true, it’s all that true. [24:34] But you know what else it does? [24:36] This ring limits me. [24:38] You know that?

[24:40] When I said yes, [24:42] to, thank you. [24:45] When I said yes to my beautiful wife, [24:49] you know what else I did? [24:51] I said no to everybody else. [24:54] I did.

[24:55] I said no. [24:55] I said she’s the one. [24:58] I’m gonna be with her. [24:59] And when I wear this, this is a sign, stay off. [25:03] This is like, this is a raid, man. [25:04] Get away.

[25:06] I’m not saying they were running in droves, but you know.

[25:12] But this limits me. [25:17] Every decision that you make in your life limits you. [25:23] And there are some ones that really limit you. [25:25] And I take joy in this limitation. [25:28] I love my wife, but that’s a big decision. [25:32] And I had to weigh a lot of things

[25:33] when I decided to marry my wife. [25:36] And I was a follower of Jesus when I married my wife. [25:38] So a big part of my life was to marry my wife. [25:39] And a big part of that decision was, [25:41] is will she be my partner in furthering the gospel? [25:45] And one of the big questions in her life was,

[25:48] will he be my partner in furthering the gospel?

[25:54] Single people, when you get married, [25:56] that’s question number one.

[26:01] Because your spouse can be a great limitation to you [26:04] as to how far God can work the gospel [26:07] into your life and out of your life. [26:08] The number one influence in your life is your spouse. [26:12] And I praise God that he gave me one [26:13] that’s a great influence in my life.

[26:16] And I’ve experienced so many blessings for that.

[26:20] But it limits you. [26:21] Every decision that I make, [26:23] the circle gets smaller and smaller and smaller. [26:26] Same thing with your career. [26:28] Don’t walk as unwise, walk as wise, [26:30] knowing that the days are evil.

[26:31] When you’re looking at your career, [26:33] put it together with this.

[26:37] So how will this influence my obedience to God?

[26:42] How will this influence my obedience to God? [26:44] Because you have freedom. [26:46] You have responsibility.

[26:49] If I weren’t a pastor, could I further the gospel? [26:52] Absolutely.

[26:54] I look at you guys, some of you, [26:56] it’s a lot easier maybe for you to further the gospel [26:58] than it is for me. [26:59] When my neighbors hear the word pastor, [27:01] they’re like, oh, we won’t invite you to the cookout.

[27:08] But what has God called you to do to further his gospel [27:12] into your life and into the lives of others? [27:14] And what are you allowing into your life [27:16] that’s limiting that?

[27:19] Sometimes it can be a career.

[27:23] God is concerned with every single area of your life, [27:27] but he has given you great freedom and responsibility [27:29] in those areas inside of your life. [27:32] We have a responsibility from God to make wise decisions [27:35] in marriage, career, finances, geography of where we live, [27:40] education, et cetera.

[27:42] It gets more and more specific, [27:43] but every decision in my life is one I must understand [27:47] affects my worship of God and my ability to be used by him. [27:52] All of them. [27:54] And for some of us, the grass is really high. [27:57] So we got a lot of work to do to cut it.

[27:59] We may even have to take the weed whacker [28:01] before we even take the lawnmower to it. [28:04] We may have to call in a tractor to drag the big mower [28:07] before we can really begin to make the types of decisions [28:10] that will further the gospel in my life. [28:12] But understand, the fact that you have made unwise decisions

[28:16] that limits the scope of how you can further the gospel [28:19] into your life does not take away the responsibility [28:22] for you to begin to make wise decisions [28:24] so that the gospel can go further. [28:26] It just means you’re gonna have to work harder [28:28] under the power of the Holy Spirit

[28:29] to begin to make wiser decisions.

[28:36] Redemption is God taking you out of sin [28:40] and setting you on to dry ground to begin to follow him. [28:45] It is not God taking you out, dusting you off, [28:47] and then putting a diving board so you can jump back in.

[28:52] But oftentimes, practically, we may not say that verbally, [28:56] but practically, that’s how we live.

[29:00] When the reality is, is we’re not trusting the Spirit [29:04] to strengthen us to make the changes that need to be made [29:08] because we’re more consumed with ourselves [29:09] than we are with God.

[29:15] We are not free to make unwise decisions. [29:20] And you say there’s freedom in that, okay? [29:21] So as long as I’m inside of this, the circle of God’s will [29:25] where God has revealed these made commands [29:27] and I’m in redemption and I’m walking [29:29] and I’m in discipleship and I’m making disciples

[29:31] and I have a couple of decisions to make [29:33] and here’s a wise one and I know what the most wise decision [29:37] thing to do is, but I am free to do that unwise thing [29:40] as long as I stay inside of the circle. [29:43] No, you’re not.

[29:45] James 4.17 says, is that anybody that knows the good to do [29:48] and doesn’t do it to him, it is a sin.

[29:53] If God has clearly revealed what the wise thing [29:55] for you to do, do that wise thing. [29:59] Because when you begin to just make unwise decision [30:02] after unwise decision and willfully knowing [30:04] what the wise decision is to do, [30:06] but you continue to do the unwise thing,

[30:07] you are not revealing fruit of the Spirit.

[30:12] You are revealing fruit outside of God’s will.

[30:19] The more and more those things pile up, [30:21] you begin to have to ask yourself some very hard questions [30:23] inside of that inventory and you begin to have to say, [30:26] do I know Jesus if I’m just willfully running away [30:29] from his will over and over and over again? [30:32] See, the freedom does not just say I can do whatever I want,

[30:35] it says that I have great responsibility. [30:37] Thirdly, where there is no command, [30:39] God gives wisdom to choose. [30:41] Where there’s no command, God gives wisdom to choose. [30:44] Because sometimes I think what we do is, [30:46] is we look at the responsibility and we’re petrified

[30:48] so we don’t do anything.

[30:51] What do you think about it this way? [30:52] When God made Adam and Eve, put them inside of the garden, [30:55] he tells them, he gives them restrictions. [30:57] He places a circle of boundaries around them [31:00] and he says, number one, he says, [31:01] I’ve made all the fruit of the trees.

[31:03] He said, you can eat any of it, [31:05] you’re free to eat any of it [31:07] except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. [31:11] He says, that one, don’t eat it.

[31:16] Now, that sounds pretty easy. [31:18] Okay, I can eat whatever I want. [31:22] Then I can’t eat that one. [31:24] So do you think Adam and Eve did this? [31:25] Because sometimes I think this is what we do. [31:27] Now, all right, I can eat an apple or a pear.

[31:33] Which one does God want me to eat? [31:35] The apple or the pear, the apple or the pear, [31:37] the apple or the pear, oh no. [31:39] If I eat an apple, I might be out of God’s will. [31:41] Maybe I should eat the pear, oh no, I want the apple. [31:44] Maybe the pear, apple, pear, apple, pear.

[31:46] Which one does God want? [31:47] Either.

[31:49] Just eat one.

[31:54] Now, [31:56] God has called you to further his gospel.

[32:03] And he’s gifted you in different ways [32:07] throughout the entire church to do that.

[32:12] If it furthers the gospel, do it.

[32:20] That’s it. [32:22] You don’t have to look at it and say, all right, [32:26] I got two community groups I can go to.

[32:30] I got one on Wednesday night, I got one on Thursday night. [32:35] Oh boy, what if I go to the wrong one?

[32:41] I’m not gonna get blessed, [32:42] I’m not gonna get filled with the Spirit, [32:43] I’m gonna end up in hell, I just know it. [32:46] Number one, don’t do that to our leaders. [32:49] Don’t put that responsibility on. [32:51] Number two, just go to one.

[32:55] Because after six months, you’re still sitting there [32:57] debating Wednesday or Thursday, [32:59] and you haven’t grown at all [33:00] because you haven’t been in community with anybody. [33:04] Just go to a group.

[33:08] Sometimes when we overthink it, [33:09] we’re playing directly into the hands of the evil one [33:12] who just wants us to be distracted enough [33:14] to where we don’t grow at all.

[33:17] He’s not trying to call you into a garage [33:19] with a couple of 15 year olds whose dads didn’t hug them [33:21] enough to sit around a pentagram and worship him. [33:24] No, he just wants to distract you enough [33:25] to where the gospel doesn’t get furthered into your life [33:27] and into the life of others.

[33:31] The freedom and responsibility is yours. [33:33] Stop finding excuses or stop being so uncertain [33:37] to where you don’t pull the trigger [33:39] to do something for the gospel. [33:41] Do something for the gospel. [33:44] And use strategy.

[33:46] If you look in the book of Acts, [33:47] there’s a great description of what the apostle Paul did [33:50] when he furthered the gospel. [33:52] When he was furthering the gospel, this is what he did, [33:54] he looked at towns that were on ports [33:57] that were trade cities.

[33:59] And if you look, as his missionary journeys progress, [34:02] that’s where he’s planting churches. [34:04] Do you want to know why he planted churches there? [34:06] Because number one, they were business centers [34:09] and had high populations so more people would be reached. [34:12] Number two, they were port cities

[34:13] where traders would come in and the gospel would go in [34:16] and then some of those guys were taking the gospel [34:18] back to Africa, into Asia. [34:21] It ends up in Rome because of where churches are planted. [34:23] We see Aquila and Priscilla already there [34:25] when Peter is taking the gospel there.

[34:27] We see Paul using strategy in order to further the gospel [34:31] more and more and more. [34:33] But you know what Paul never does? [34:35] Paul never says, is it God’s will for me [34:38] to further the gospel?

[34:43] Hmm. [34:45] Because he knew it was, you want to know why? [34:48] Because he knew Jesus.

[34:51] See, in the person and work of Jesus, [34:53] God revealed so much of his will [34:54] because what was Jesus’ chief aim? [34:56] Seeking and saving the lost.

[35:00] As soon as Paul was saved, [35:01] he knew he needed to further the gospel, [35:03] he just looked for the best way to do it and he did it.

[35:09] So it’s not if you should further the gospel, [35:11] you need to just start looking at how [35:13] and do it the best way you can. [35:15] What has God gifted you with?

[35:20] What natural abilities do you have that God gave you [35:22] because all of your abilities are from God [35:24] and he wants you to use all of them for him.

[35:28] And secondly, get with God. [35:32] Communicate with him. [35:34] There was a period in the book of Acts [35:35] where Paul’s headed one direction [35:36] and the Holy Spirit won’t let him go any further [35:38] and he says, mm-mm, take a right.

[35:41] I know you want to go here. [35:42] Other way.

[35:46] If you’re not getting with God, [35:47] how’s he gonna speak to you?

[35:51] Because God will reveal things to you. [35:55] See, when I was looking at what I was gonna do with my life, [35:59] began to deal with the scripture [36:00] and it didn’t take me very long to say, [36:03] well, number one, he wants me to further the gospel [36:04] and he wants me to be obedient in all these areas,

[36:06] so that’s what I should do. [36:08] And then number two, okay, what has he gifted me with?

[36:14] And then also, what is he speaking into my soul?

[36:19] See, for some of us, the grass is so high [36:21] that he’s not speaking into your soul.

[36:25] And step one is to begin to let the Holy Spirit, [36:28] the great gardener who is God the Father, begin to prune.

[36:33] Look at John 15.

[36:36] Great metaphor there where God prunes us for his glory.

[36:41] Some of you are so outside, your soul is so unhealthy [36:45] because God is not able to communicate with you [36:48] because you just aren’t willing to communicate with him. [36:53] And some of you, you know God speaking certain things [36:55] into your life and you’re just trying to ignore it.

[37:02] Do the decisions in your life [37:04] just come from what’s gonna further you?

[37:08] Or the decisions come from your inner self? [37:09] Can your life come from God?

[37:13] And in point one, and go back and listen to the podcast, [37:17] we already saw how much he’s revealed to us [37:19] and it’s great how much he’s revealed to us.

[37:23] But how are we using things in our lives as a cop-out? [37:27] Finally today.

[37:29] When we have chosen what is moral and wise, [37:33] we must trust the sovereign God to work [37:35] all of the details together for good. [37:40] When we have chosen what is moral and wise, [37:43] we must trust the sovereign God [37:45] to work all the details together for good.

[37:48] Some of us have been unwise [37:52] with the decisions that we’ve made in our lives. [37:54] We’ve made bad decisions or are currently making decisions [37:57] that do not at all fit with what God has revealed. [38:00] We want to get it right, but don’t know where to start [38:03] because you’ve been so unwise in some areas of your lives.

[38:06] First, you have to understand that Jesus redeems. [38:09] Jesus redeems.

[38:12] He redeems you completely. [38:15] He forgives your foolishness [38:17] and wants to put you on solid ground [38:19] with a new life of wisdom. [38:22] You are not sunk.

[38:28] Because Jesus came to rescue you from your wrecked life.

[38:33] But he wants to deal with you personally. [38:36] He wants to transform you wholly. [38:38] He wants to redeem you. [38:40] You do not have to carry the guilt [38:42] of your bad decisions for the rest of your life. [38:45] Jesus paid it all, friends.

[38:50] The temptation, though, sometimes is [38:53] to base our decisions on our immediate happiness [38:56] rather than God’s eternal wisdom. [38:58] Because of our preoccupation with ourselves, [39:00] we believe God’s will can be found [39:03] by even doing something that he calls

[39:06] immoral to be happier. [39:09] Now, some of you might look inside of your life [39:12] and you say,

[39:16] my spouse is why I’m so unhappy.

[39:23] That’s the problem. [39:25] My career is why I’m so unhappy.

[39:30] Richmond, oh, the worst city in the world. [39:33] That’s why I’m so unhappy.

[39:37] And so you will begin to make what you think is wise decisions [39:42] to start to change those things. [39:45] And guess what? [39:46] Buddy, you can leave your wife. [39:49] You can do it. [39:50] And you can get another one in there,

[39:52] and in five years she’s not going to make you happy either. [39:54] You want to know why? Because the problem’s not your wife. [39:55] The problem’s you.

[40:00] Wife, problem’s not your husband. [40:01] The problem might be you. [40:02] Now, there’s some circumstances that may be different in that one, [40:06] but here’s the key. [40:07] The key is that when God wants to redeem your life, [40:09] he wants to redeem your life.

[40:10] He doesn’t want to just redeem the circumstances in your life. [40:13] He wants to begin with you. [40:15] So before you leave your spouse,

[40:19] take inventory of yourself.

[40:23] And nine times out of ten you won’t have to leave your spouse.

[40:29] Before you quit your job,

[40:32] take a look at the people in that job [40:35] and start to ask yourself, how have I been a missionary for the Gospel to them? [40:39] And how can God work redemption into my life to change the workspace?

[40:47] Are you letting God deal with you, [40:50] or are you letting God deal with people around you?

[40:55] Because God wants to deal with you.

[41:01] We must make decisions based on all that God has revealed through God’s moral will [41:06] and the wisdom of the Spirit as we walk and step with him [41:09] and trust God to work it on and for his good.

[41:16] God can be trusted. [41:18] If we’re walking hand in hand with him, [41:21] if we’re delighting in his presence,

[41:25] we will be living a life of God. [41:26] You are the life that furthers his will, [41:28] and then Romans 8.28 will apply to your life because you love the Lord [41:32] and you are called according to his good. [41:35] What does he use as evidence of that?

[41:39] He uses his sovereign will as proof that if you stay with him, [41:47] you will further his glory.

[41:52] Those whom he foreknew, [41:54] he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his son [41:58] in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers [42:01] and those whom he predestined, he also called, [42:03] and those whom he called, he also justified, [42:06] and those whom he justified, he also glorified.

[42:14] His will begins by trusting him more than you trust yourself. [42:22] The book of Jeremiah says that the heart is deceitful above all things. [42:27] Don’t follow your heart.

[42:32] You may have seen that in a romantic comedy. [42:34] Just follow your heart. Your happiness is what’s most important.

[42:38] No, it’s not.

[42:41] No, it’s not. [42:43] The only one that can be trusted is God’s heart.

[42:48] My heart will deceive me so many times.

[42:52] That’s why I need the Spirit in my life. [42:54] That’s why I need to follow the Spirit.

[42:59] You may be saying this morning,

[43:02] I can’t do it. [43:04] I can’t make the changes that God is leading me. [43:06] He’s prompting me. I know He is, but I can’t do it. [43:09] It’s too hard.

[43:12] Oftentimes, when you say, that’s hard, [43:14] God said, that’s redemption.

[43:20] You’ve been used to this, but God wants you to get used to this. [43:24] God wants you to get used to His worship. [43:26] He wants you to get used to His glory. [43:27] He wants you to get used to sacrifice. [43:29] He wants you to get used to trusting in Him when the times are hard. [43:34] He wants you to get used to changing for the glory of the Gospel.

[43:38] He wants you to get used to constantly being transformed. [43:41] I don’t care how old you are. [43:43] I don’t care how young you are. [43:44] God wants to change your life.

[43:50] If you want to know how God’s will is working in your life, [43:52] ask yourself, how have I changed for the Gospel recently?

[43:58] Has anything in my life changed? [44:00] Am I doing the same things I’ve always done? [44:02] Am I thinking the same ways I’ve always thought? [44:04] Or are there places that I can look at where real changes happen? [44:07] And don’t make something up. [44:09] Because you don’t have to tell me, you’re telling yourself.

[44:11] Don’t lie to yourself. [44:12] Are you changing? Are you growing?

[44:18] God would have our joy to be full in Him.

[44:29] That’s where His will is.

[44:33] When you’re finding your joy in Him. [44:38] Are your decisions flowing out of your relationship with God? [44:42] Through the power of the Spirit?

[44:45] Or are you just doing the best you can by your own power [44:48] for what you think is going to bring you comfort, leisure, my best life now?

[44:56] Do you base it on what will further the Gospel as far as possible in your lifetime? [45:00] Or what will further your comfort as far as possible in this lifetime?

[45:08] Jesus came to reveal to us true wisdom so that we could take joy in bringing God glory in this life.

[45:19] The will of God is not a fear-filled mystery.

[45:23] The will of God is a joy-filled pursuit of the cross.

[45:31] And when you’re focused on that, [45:34] when you’re focused on that, [45:38] you’re going to have to make decisions.

[45:43] But you will have clarity and you will have freedom. [45:46] Because God will be with you. [45:49] Never once will you go through Him. [45:55] Never once will you walk through life. [45:58] Never once will you experience hardship. [46:01] And never once will you go through a tough time where He’s not right there with you.

[46:10] His will has been made known. [46:15] Follow Him. [46:17] Follow Him.

[46:19] Because He’s good. [46:22] The band’s coming up right now.

[46:25] We’re going to close out with some worship.

[46:29] We’re going to do two things. [46:31] The first one is we’re going to reflect in communion.

[46:37] God screams His will to us through Jesus.

[46:41] He screams His glory to us by sacrificing for our sins. [46:46] By redeeming us to Himself so that we can follow Him.

[46:52] When we reflect on communion, that’s what we’re reflecting on. [46:56] We’re reflecting on His broken body. We’re reflecting on His shed blood. [47:00] And we’re reflecting on the fact that God has taken all of the barriers to His will in my life down. [47:06] And He says, come to my table. [47:09] Come fellowship with me. [47:12] He says, you are free to be in my presence.

[47:17] And that is your chief concern. [47:21] And that is the chief aim of your life.

[47:26] That Jesus redeems you. [47:29] And keeps you redeemed so that you can be with God. [47:33] Secondly, we’re worshiping through giving to the building. [47:41] I want you to take a moment before you come up. [47:43] And I just want you to ask God to move in your life and ask Him what He would have you do.

[47:50] How would He have you further His mission this way? [47:54] What has He given you that you can give back to Him?

[47:59] I’m going to ask you to spend a few moments praying where you are. [48:02] And then come forward when you’re ready. The table is wide open. [48:06] If you’re not a follower of Jesus, or those weeds are so thick in your life, [48:13] you don’t even think you want them. [48:15] Those weeds are so thick that you don’t know how to get through them.

[48:22] Before you come to the table, maybe you should come talk to me or somebody in the back.

[48:27] You can meet Jesus today.

[48:31] Today is the day of salvation for you. [48:34] And you can begin the journey of God.

[48:39] Working His way into your life. [48:41] So you can follow Him. Unhindered.

[48:47] Spend some time with Jesus.