God Our Guide J.I. Packer Knowing God Chapter 20

God Our GuideGod Our Guide

J.I. Packer J.I. Packer

Knowing God Chapter 20Knowing God Chapter 20

God Our Guide God Our Guide

OutlineOutline

I.I. Divine Guidance Is AvailableDivine Guidance Is Available

II.II. How Can We Receive It?How Can We Receive It?

III.III. Six Common PitfallsSix Common Pitfalls

IV.IV. No Simple AnswersNo Simple Answers

V.V. When We Miss The RoadWhen We Miss The Road

Introduction

If God can guide us, wants to guide us, and has promised to do so – why do we fail to get the directions and follow them?

1.We are ignorant of His instructions or will

2.We know what He wants us to do, but we are not willing to obey (stubborn or selfish)

3.We know what He wants, but we are afraid to do it

The world wants you to believe you are on your own

I.I. Divine Guidance Is AvailableDivine Guidance Is AvailableA.A. God has a plan for us God has a plan for us

1.1. Eternal purpose - Eph. 3:11Eternal purpose - Eph. 3:11

2.2. Plan for ages - Eph. 1:9-11Plan for ages - Eph. 1:9-11

3.3. Examples: Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Examples: Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Daniel, Jesus (Matt. 6:10 & Luke 22:42)Daniel, Jesus (Matt. 6:10 & Luke 22:42)

4.4. All things accomplished according to All things accomplished according to His will (John 4:34)His will (John 4:34)

I.I. Divine Guidance Is AvailableDivine Guidance Is AvailableB.B. He wants to communicate with usHe wants to communicate with us

1.1. Examples of His will being made known:Examples of His will being made known:

a.a. Philip & Ethiopian Eunuch – Acts 8:26, 29Philip & Ethiopian Eunuch – Acts 8:26, 29

b.b. Paul & Cornelius – Acts 10:19-20Paul & Cornelius – Acts 10:19-20

2.2. Explicit OT promises of divine guidanceExplicit OT promises of divine guidance

a.a. David- Psalm 32:8 I will instruct .. in way to goDavid- Psalm 32:8 I will instruct .. in way to go

b.b. Israel – Isaiah 58:11 If you will …He will…Israel – Isaiah 58:11 If you will …He will…

c.c. General – Psalm 25:8-9, 12 - guidance re: wayGeneral – Psalm 25:8-9, 12 - guidance re: way

d.d. Proverbs 3:5-6 He will make paths straightProverbs 3:5-6 He will make paths straight


3.3. Explicit NT promises of divine guidanceExplicit NT promises of divine guidance

a.a. Col. 1:9 – Filled with knowledge of Col. 1:9 – Filled with knowledge of His willHis will

b.b. Col. 4:12 – Stand firm in all the Col. 4:12 – Stand firm in all the will of Godwill of God

c.c. James 1:5 – If anyone lacks wisdom, … askJames 1:5 – If anyone lacks wisdom, … ask

Wisdom is knowledge of course of action that Wisdom is knowledge of course of action that will please God and secure lifewill please God and secure life

d.d. Romans 12:2 – prove what the will of God isRomans 12:2 – prove what the will of God is


4.4. Good parents give kids good guidanceGood parents give kids good guidance

a.a. We are sons of God (from last week)We are sons of God (from last week)

b.b. Same principles apply – Matt. 7:7-11Same principles apply – Matt. 7:7-11

5.5. Scripture is His word – 2 Tim. 3:16-17Scripture is His word – 2 Tim. 3:16-17

a.a. Teaching (doctrine, ethics, morals, will of God)Teaching (doctrine, ethics, morals, will of God)

b.b. Reproof, correction, training (apply to disorder)Reproof, correction, training (apply to disorder)

c.c. Equipping for every good work (Lives ready to Equipping for every good work (Lives ready to go God’s way will have a go God’s way will have a goodgood result) result)


6.6. His Spirit is our instructorHis Spirit is our instructor

a.a. He teaches – 1 John 2:27He teaches – 1 John 2:27

b.b. He guides – John 16:13-15He guides – John 16:13-15

7.7. His glory is the objectiveHis glory is the objective

a.a. To glorify, you must obeyTo glorify, you must obey

b.b. To obey, you must know His will (Word)To obey, you must know His will (Word)

c.c. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His Name sake – Psalm 23:3His Name sake – Psalm 23:3

II.II. Receiving God’s guidanceReceiving God’s guidanceA.A. Why do Christians seeking God’s Why do Christians seeking God’s

guidance often take wrong turns?guidance often take wrong turns?

1.1. Distorted notion of God’s natureDistorted notion of God’s nature

2.2. Look in wrong places (rely on feelings) Look in wrong places (rely on feelings)

3.3. Refuse to obey clear instruction from Refuse to obey clear instruction from God’s WordGod’s Word

4.4. Afraid of what might happenAfraid of what might happen

II.II. Receiving God’s guidanceReceiving God’s guidanceB.B. God is more concerned about God is more concerned about

character than about choicescharacter than about choices

1.1. No Biblical instruction on should I…No Biblical instruction on should I…

a.a. Marry KatieMarry Katie

b.b. Join this churchJoin this church

c.c. Take that jobTake that job

d.d. Have 3 childrenHave 3 children

e.e. Buy that houseBuy that house

II.II. Receiving God’s guidanceReceiving God’s guidanceC.C. Two things to know about making Two things to know about making

“vocational / daily life choices” “vocational / daily life choices”

1.1. They can not be resolved by direct They can not be resolved by direct application of Scriptural instructionapplication of Scriptural instruction

• There is no verse on what car to buyThere is no verse on what car to buy

2.2. Other factors need to be consideredOther factors need to be considered

a.a. Counsel of other Godly peopleCounsel of other Godly people

b.b. CircumstancesCircumstances

c.c. FinancesFinances

d.d. FeelingsFeelings

II.II. Receiving God’s guidanceReceiving God’s guidanceD.D. Be careful Be careful

1.1. Avoid listening to “voices & feelings”Avoid listening to “voices & feelings”

• Not a matter of “inner self” promptingsNot a matter of “inner self” promptings

2.2. Rational Creator guides rational Rational Creator guides rational creatures through rational under-creatures through rational under-standing and application of His Wordstanding and application of His Word

• Our hearts, heads, & souls work in unityOur hearts, heads, & souls work in unity

II.II. Receiving God’s guidanceReceiving God’s guidanceE.E. Be aware of fundamentals for livingBe aware of fundamentals for living

1.1. Basic convictions (right and wrong)Basic convictions (right and wrong)

• Turn from evil and do good – Psalm 34:14Turn from evil and do good – Psalm 34:14

2.2. Attitudes (of gratitude) – Matt. 25:21Attitudes (of gratitude) – Matt. 25:21

• Follow example of Jesus – joyful servantFollow example of Jesus – joyful servant

3.3. Ideals Ideals

• Know and fulfill your responsibilitiesKnow and fulfill your responsibilities

4.4. Value Judgments Value Judgments

• Be led by the Spirit – Romans 8:14Be led by the Spirit – Romans 8:14

II.II. Receiving God’s guidanceReceiving God’s guidanceF.F. Stay between the linesStay between the lines

1.1. God has set limits or boundaries on God has set limits or boundaries on acceptable behavior acceptable behavior

2.2. Never expect to blessed if you …..Never expect to blessed if you …..

a.a. Marry an unbeliever – 2 Cor.6:14Marry an unbeliever – 2 Cor.6:14

b.b. Elope with a married person Ex20:14Elope with a married person Ex20:14

c.c. Psalm 23:3 says He guides me in the paths Psalm 23:3 says He guides me in the paths of righteousness of righteousness

III.III. Six Common Pitfalls or DitchesSix Common Pitfalls or Ditches

These are things that quench the These are things that quench the Spirit from revealing God’s will and Spirit from revealing God’s will and involve an involve an unwillingnessunwillingness to: to:

1.1. Think – Deut. 32:29Think – Deut. 32:29

2.2. Think ahead – Deut. 32:29Think ahead – Deut. 32:29

3.3. Take advice – Prov. 12:15Take advice – Prov. 12:15

4.4. Suspect ourselves – Psalm 139:23-24Suspect ourselves – Psalm 139:23-24

5.5. Discount personal status – 1 Thes 5:21Discount personal status – 1 Thes 5:21

6.6. Wait – Isaiah 40:31Wait – Isaiah 40:31

IV.IV. No Simple Answers No Simple Answers

A.A. Doing all the right things does not Doing all the right things does not mean you will avoid trouble mean you will avoid trouble

1.1. Jesus proved that via crucifixion Jesus proved that via crucifixion

2.2. James 1 – consider it all joyJames 1 – consider it all joy

3.3. John 16:33 – you will have troubleJohn 16:33 – you will have trouble

B.B. Other examples: (Joseph & Jonah)Other examples: (Joseph & Jonah)

1.1. God led Israel by fiery cloud – Ex 13:21fGod led Israel by fiery cloud – Ex 13:21f

2.2. Disciples in storm – Mark 4:37 & 6:48 Disciples in storm – Mark 4:37 & 6:48 were instructed to go - Mark 4:35, 6:45were instructed to go - Mark 4:35, 6:45

V.V. When We Miss the Road (Turn) When We Miss the Road (Turn)

A.A. Take the next fork or turn around Take the next fork or turn around

1.1. God forgives sin – 1 John 1:9God forgives sin – 1 John 1:9

2.2. We can get back on track – yield to HimWe can get back on track – yield to Him

3.3. Repentance is “turning around”Repentance is “turning around”

B.B. Objective is to get homeObjective is to get home

1.1. Two ways you can get to my home from here Two ways you can get to my home from here in straight line (allowing for earth curvature) in straight line (allowing for earth curvature)

a.a. One way is 7 milesOne way is 7 miles

b.b. The other is 25,000 miles The other is 25,000 miles

2.2. Story about Ron Dun and trip to ChicagoStory about Ron Dun and trip to Chicago

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God Our Guide J.I. Packer Knowing God Chapter 20