Discovering God’s Will for Your Life

Discovering God’s Will

Scripture References

Primary text

• 1 Thessalonians 4:3
• Psalm 32:8

Other references

• Isaiah 46
• Proverbs 19:21

Overview

Pastor Craig opened a new series—“God, Just Tell Me”—by untangling the common fear of missing God’s will. He showed from Scripture that God is not hiding His plans; He lovingly guides His people. The message outlined four inter-locking aspects of God’s will—sovereign, moral, permissive, and personal—and invited every believer to know God’s heart first, then walk confidently in His direction.

Context

The church was celebrating more than 2,100 baptisms that weekend. Against that backdrop of fresh commitment, Pastor Craig addressed one of the most frequent pastoral questions: “What is God’s will for my life?”

Main Points

1. God’s sovereign will – the unstoppable master plan

• Defined as God’s overarching purpose that cannot be thwarted.

• “Everything I plan will come to pass.” (Isaiah 46 quoted)

• Examples: creation, incarnation, cross, resurrection, and the promised return of Christ.
• Reassurance: your mistakes, Satan’s attacks, or painful seasons cannot derail what God has decreed.

2. God’s moral (revealed) will – how we are to live

• Unchanging truths found in Scripture; not adjusted by culture or opinion.
• Centerpiece text: “God’s will is for you to be holy” (1 Thessalonians 4:3).
• Hagios = set apart, different, dedicated to God.
• Warning: wanting God’s direction for tomorrow while ignoring His instructions for today is self-deception.
• Practical examples: integrity in speech, generosity with money, Christ-like love even when it’s costly.

3. God’s permissive will – the freedom to choose

• God is sovereign but not controlling; He allows genuine choice so real love is possible.
• Some choices are neither caused nor endorsed by God, yet He can redeem their consequences.
• Illustration: Joseph’s betrayal, slavery, and imprisonment—what others meant for evil, God used for good.
• Personal pain, failure, or injustice can still serve God’s purposes.

4. God’s personal will – His unique call for you

• You were not only saved from sin but saved for works God prepared in advance (Ephesians idea quoted).
• Psalm 32:8 repeated as God’s promise of individualized guidance.

• “I will instruct you and teach you… I will counsel you with My loving eye on you.”

• The Good Shepherd’s sheep recognize His voice; our role is to follow.

5. Simplifying the search

• Common problem: we over-complicate God’s will and underestimate His goodness.
• Framework for daily confidence:
  1. Trust God’s sovereign will.
  2. Obey God’s moral will.
  3. Accept God’s permissive will when life is confusing.
  4. Walk in God’s personal will as He reveals it step by step.

6. Story: Pastor Craig’s own path illustrates the four layers

• Born in Houston to an alcoholic father (permissive).
• Learned magic from a neighbor; developed stage skills.
• Injury shifted him from baseball to tennis, leading to OCU.
• At college he met Jesus through a free Gideons Bible (sovereign).
• Met Amy; ministry doors opened; Life.Church launched (personal).
• His father later heard a sermon tape, met Christ, and overcame addiction—proof that nothing is wasted in God’s plan.

Key Truths

• Knowing God’s will starts with knowing God’s heart.
• Holiness is God’s declared will for every believer.
• Free will means our choices matter, yet God’s purposes prevail.
• Pain permitted by God can still be transformed for good.
• God personally instructs, teaches, and counsels those who seek Him.

Response

• Trust the unfailing goodness of God even when circumstances confuse you.
• Examine your life for areas that conflict with God’s revealed moral will; repent and realign.
• Seek intimacy with God through Scripture, prayer, worship, and Christ-centred community.
• Ask the Holy Spirit daily, “What good works have You prepared for me today?” and act on the promptings.
• Celebrate and testify to God’s work—just as baptism candidates publicly declared new life.

Closing

Pastor Craig reminded the church that God is not playing hide-and-seek with His will. As we delight in Him, He shapes our desires and directs our steps. The invitation was clear: turn from sin, trust Christ, and live set apart, confident that the Good Shepherd is always guiding.

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go… My loving eye is on you.” (Psalm 32:8)

Prayer

Pastor Craig thanked God for every baptism, asked the Spirit to draw believers closer to God’s heart, and prayed for courage to repent of anything outside His will, confidently walking in holiness and purpose.

Resources

• YouVersion Bible App (created by Life.Church)