God's Plan and Purpose

Okay, good morning everyone. Praise the Lord. Jai Masiki. Okay. Hallelujah. Everyone's quite excited. Good. Welcome to class. A special welcome to all our online students. Thank you for joining us today. and warm welcome to our e-learning students who will be listening to this lecture later on okay okay so last week we discovered that god has a God has a P and a P. What are the two P's? Plan and? purpose okay uh he has planned and purpose for our lives and god prepares us to fulfill his plan and purpose are you ready to be prepared for god's plan and purpose yes tell your neighbor get ready be prepared okay so let's prepare ourselves by praying okay so can one of you lead us in prayer please anyone who wants to pray sure please thank you Geeta dearly God thank you so much father God for this morning to come before you. Thank you so much for all the privileges. Thank you so much, Father God, for all of us joining here. Give us more wisdom and knowledge, Father God, to understand you more and more and draw closer to you. Thank you, Father God. Thank you. Thank you so much for everything you've blessed in our life. Continue to help us, guide us. take care of us father god thank you thank you so much love you pray everything through jesus name amen thank you geeta so last week we discovered that god has a plan and purpose for our lives and god prepares us to fulfill his plan and purpose And we saw that towards the end of our class last week. That even as we go about fulfilling God's plan and purpose for our lives. There will be challenges and difficulties that we face. But God is greater than all of those mistakes that we make. And, you know, he's. greater than all the mistakes that we make and is greater than the time that we spend during the you know that he takes to prepare us So sometimes we think God is taking a lot of time to prepare me to fulfill his plan and purpose. But let that preparation time and process go on because it is for our good. Now think about Apostle Paul. When he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, he was 33 years or between 32 to 33 to 35 years. And you know, it was quite late in his life when he started his ministry. he might have thought god why you know when i was so late 33 to 35 years why did you meet encounter me why not earlier i could have done so much more But we see that God is greater than the time and the mistakes that we make. Look at what he says in 2nd Timothy chapter 4 verse 6 to 8. 2nd Timothy chapter 4 verses 6 to 8 Can somebody read that please loudly? For I am already been poured out like a drink offering and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous judge will reward to me on that day and not only to me but also to all who long for his appearing paul's saying here when he's writing to timothy he's saying that his time for his departure is here departure means what what is his departure to depart from this world yes but what is he saying what does he say after that i have finished the race I have finished the course, I finished my race. That means what God has taken hold of him, what God started in him, you know, he has completed what God has called him to do. And this means that the work that God called him to do, the work that he was caught in, he has completed it. That means he has completed what God called him to do, even though he started out very late. Now what age did Jesus start his ministry? 30 years, right? And in how many years did he finish his ministry? 3 and a half years, right? So God is not in a hurry. Tell your neighbor, God is not in a hurry with you. So when God is preparing you, go through the preparation time. So when we also go through the preparation period, we need to remember that God's call is all about submission and yieldedness and not status. Look at 2nd Timothy chapter 1 verse 9. Can somebody read 2nd Timothy chapter 1 verse 9? Yes. grace which was given to us in christ jesus before time began amen thank you so god has called us not according to permission our works not according to what we have done God does not call us based on how brilliant, smart, talented, strong we are. God is not looking for golden vessels or silver vessels but what kind of vessels he is looking for he is looking for vessels that are yielded submitted, obedient to him are people who are submitted and surrendered and saying god i'm willing to do your will i want to take hold of what you have taken hold of me The Bible tells us that we are earthen vessels, we have treasures in earthen vessels, that means we are earthen vessels. what does it say there we have treasures in what kind of vessels jars of clay or earthen vessels why are we earthen vessels so that the excellence or the power of god can be manifested in and through us So when the Bible says that we are earthen vessels or clays of pot, what does it mean? it means that we are made from dust that means we are very fragile we are imperfect but even though we are fragile imperfect you know the power of God can be manifested through us and we can carry the glory of God so god is not looking for gold and silver vessels he's looking for earthen vessels but vessels that are clean available and yielded to his purposes So that the greatness and the power of God can be manifested in us. God knows that if we are golden or earthen vessels will come to a place of pride now why did Satan who was an angel created by God why was he a fallen angel because of what pride yes he thought he was like god pride so that is why when we are earthen vessels we know we are imperfect and it's only god's power and his glory that is manifested in us On a CD, it's just... Thank you. Now you can say God has called me. But I don't feel adequate. I don't feel capable. I'm not the right person. I made a lot of mistakes. I cannot do anything significant for God. But here is the truth. God is not not looking for your ability. He's looking for your availability. I remember when I was in 12th grade and I was going to write my final exams and my Sunday school teacher taught us that we are going into a new season of life. So pray and ask God what to do next. And I remember I used to study late in the night and then, you know, I used to put out the light and before I go to sleep, bed, you know, I used to pray. and God called and I said God what do you want me to do next and God very clearly called me into full-time ministry and God told me he wants me to he wants me to serve him and go into to study in Bible college and my first response was no way I don't think I am fit for that I am not holy Because I'm imperfect, I'm unclean, I'm not holy person. But God is not looking for our ability, he's looking for our availability. And he's not counting on what you can do, but he will give you the ability to do what he wants you to do. And what he needs from us is a willing heart that says, Lord, I'm here, use me. And it is his power, not us, that will work through us to accomplish his plan and purpose. your life another thing that we need to remember when God is preparing us to do his plan and purpose The enemy will do everything to stop us from fulfilling God's purpose for our lives. Your God-given dream, your God-given assignment, your God-given plan and purpose will always face opposition. and satan will always try to bring in discouragement distract you bringing other things other people you know and also delay to you to fulfill god's plan for your life Now you should be clear about this that when you know you know God's plan and purpose for your life and they are delays that you know stopping it from happening those delays are not from God. Now let me give you an example in Daniel chapter 10. Now Daniel prays. prayed to God and he was looking for an answer from God. So how long did it take for him to get the answer? 21 days, yes. Now, why did it take 21 days for the answer to come? But when Daniel prayed, the answer was released immediately from heaven. But you know the answer was stopped by demonic forces. Satan tried to block it. So Satan uses delays to weaken your desire and your determination to do God's will. To distract your focus He wants to waste your time and energy He wants you to give up God's plan for your life And settle for something less and he wants you to be satisfied with whatever you get from the plan of God. but God's plan needs your full focus that is why we must keep asking God at each step you need to keep asking God is this the direction is this the next step is this your will uh kills one of our online students says god doesn't call the qualified he qualifies the call thank you Amen. Okay, so we need to remember that God's plan for our life is not a hundred meter dash. So what kind of a run it is? If it's not a 100 meter dash, what kind of run it is? It's a marathon. And marathon requires endurance, perseverance and fixed focus. that's why the writer of hebrews says run your race with perseverance the race that is marked for you fixing your eyes on jesus the author perfect and the finisher of your race So when you run the race in life, you will have victories, you will have struggles, you will have moments of great joy and also seasons of testing and trial. But if you endure, you will finish strong. And when you arrive at your destination, every challenge that you face will fade away in comparison to the joy of completing the calling that God has placed in your life. So even if Satan tries to demoralize you, you can turn the tables. Your perseverance, your refusal to quit, your unwillingness to be distracted, these things can demoralize Satan. so all depends upon you and you're fixing your eyes on Jesus amen so that was lesson one So in lesson one, we saw that God has a plan. for your life yes places for you to go yes people he wants you to meet he has lives for you to touch and there's no higher calling than pursuing his purpose so don't say settle in for anything less. Amen. Any questions? Chapter 1. Any doubts? No? Okay, so we'll move to chapter 2. So in chapter 1, we study that God has a plan and purpose for our lives and he reveals it to us. But the question we need to ask ourselves and one of our students asked a question yesterday to last week to this towards the end of the classes. How do we actually find out God's plan and purpose for our lives? So the next few weeks we are going to study the nine guideposts. Guideposts or signposts that point you to help you to recognize God's plan and purpose. And these are all listed out in page 5 of your textbook. Now before we study that, we look at a few more scripture passages that help us to establish the fact that we can know God's will. We will read from the words of the Lord so that we can establish this fact. The Lord's plan is to be fulfilled. So let's start with Ephesians chapter 5 verse 7, it's on page 8 of your textbook. Can somebody read that for us please, Ephesians 5 verse 17. Therefore do not be partners with them. Ephesians 5 verse 17. It's in your book, you can read it from page 8. Therefore do not be foolish but understand what the Lord's will is. Amen. So this verse says do not be foolish or do not be unwise but understand the will of God. So let me ask you this question. Can we understand God's will? Yes, no. Yes, because the scripture very clearly says in Ephesians 5-7 that we can understand the will of God. And we can not only understand, we can know with confidence God's will for our lives. Let's look at another verse, Colossians chapter 1 verse 9-11. It's in your book. Can somebody read that please? Colossians 1 9-11 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. That you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. strengthened with all might according to his glorious power for all patients and long suffering with joy. Amen. Thank you. So Paul is praying for the church at? Paulus at Colossae. Which church? Colossae. Colossae. so what is the first thing that he's praying for them they may be filled with the knowledge of his will now this shows us something powerful if you want to know god's will for your life you can pray and say God fill me with the knowledge of your will And just like Paul expected God to answer, you can expect God to answer this prayer. And what does he add to that, filled with the knowledge of his will? In all wisdom and spiritual understanding. So what does it mean here? It means that it's not just to know God's will. But you also need wisdom and spiritual understanding to live it out. Now many people know God's will and plan for their lives. But they struggle because they lack wisdom and understanding then Paul goes on to say what happens when you're filled with the knowledge of his will what does he say in verse 10 You may walk worthy of the Lord. This means that when you know God's will, your lifestyle will change. You will live in a way that honors God. You will walk worthy of the Lord. fully pleasing well pleasing to him how many of you want to please the Lord if you want to please the Lord it depends on knowing him and knowing his will And what is the third thing? Fruitful in every good work. How many of you want to be fruitful? Yes, if you want to be fruitful in every good work, it depends on what? knowing his will and having spiritual wisdom and knowledge to do that will now many of us are either doing business or you know we are doing a job or we are in the ministry and you don't see any results you don't see any fruit and you're wondering why Are you saying God has called me to ministry, I'm in the ministry but I'm not seeing any fruit, why? You need to ask yourself, is it really God's will to be in that place or being doing what you are doing? If you are bearing fruit, then you know that you are the center of God's will. Because when you are in his will, the Bible says you will be fruitful in every good work. Amen. and if you are in the will of God, then the Bible says that you will be successful in every good deed. Amen. Amen. Okay, and what's the fourth thing? Increase in the knowledge of God. So four things he states, when you know God's will, what will happen, you will walk worthy of him, you will be pleasing of him, you will be fruitful in every good work, and you will keep increasing in the knowledge of God. Now let's look at 1st Corinthians chapter 2 verse 9 to 10. It's also in your books. Can you read that please someone? But as it is written, eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of a man. The things which God has prepared for those who love him, but God has revealed them to us through his spirit. For the spirit searches all things, yes the deep things of God. Amen. So what is this verse that prepared what? What things for us? He has prepared. Great things for us. But how can we know what are these great plans and purposes he has prepared for us? What is the plan of the world for our life? The Holy Spirit reveals it to us. And the Holy Spirit reveals it to us. Look at 1 Corinthians 2.16 And 1 Corinthians 2.16 Would you like to read that? For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him. But we have the mind of Christ. Amen. What does that mean? Paul is saying, who has known the mind of God? So what is the answer for that question? No one can know the mind of? God. Who can know his plan and purposes? No one can know it. But Paul does not stop there. What does he say? He says we have the mind of Christ. What does he mean when he says we have the mind of Christ? the Holy Spirit what does he do he reveals God's plan and purpose he reveals what is in the mind of God he reveals it to us so any season of your life the Holy Spirit reveals God's plan and purpose to you So when God reveals his plan and purpose for you in any season of life, he will do it accurately, completely and clearly. But there is something we need to understand God reveals his plan progressively Like I said last week That means he does not just say This is your blueprint, this is your whole life Take it Oh. But he reveals it step by step, season by season. Now why do you think God reveals his plan progressively for us? So that we can do his work, okay? okay you gives us only when you're ready for it okay why does he think you just give us the whole life plan because when he gives us the whole life plan it'll be too overwhelming for us we can't handle it so when he says a step by step season by season unfolds and prepares us for what is coming that is better okay there's an online student johnson verges he says i have not received the notes there are no notes we are following a publication called fulfilling god's purpose for our lives and i have posted that In the stream page, in the main page of Ministers Foundation, the PDF copy of this book. And most of what I'm saying is, you know, added notes. So you'll have to just follow the video or you just have to listen to the lecture and take down your own notes. Yes. OK, ma'am. Thank you. Thank you. OK, so we'll move on to understand this. Let's look at Proverbs chapter four, verse 18, that God reveals his plan progressively. To understand this, let's look at Proverbs 4.18. Can somebody else read it, please? You can pass on the mic so we can listen to others' voices as well. Lord, let us understand this. The Lord is the one who shows His will. To understand this, let us read Proverbs 4.18. But the path of the just is like the shining sun that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day. Amen. So what does this mean? the path the righteous is like what yes like the rising sun like the shining sun so who is righteous here anyone righteous here none of you are righteous you all are made righteous when you've accepted jesus christ as your lord and savior so all of you raise up your hand tell yourself i'm righteous you're righteous because of who you are in christ jesus Thank you online students. okay so you know it says the righteous your path is like the rising or shining sun what does it mean nothing about the Sun the Sun rises up very early in the morning 4 or 5 a.m. when the Sun rises at 4 or 5 is it very bright like noonday then does its light shine like a dimming candle? No, it starts off very dim and then it gets brighter, writer and by noon it shines in full glory and everything is very clear and visible and bright so when God reveals his will to us it will be like that early morning Sun everything will not be clear but as you take steps of faith and keep walking it will become brighter and brighter and clearer Now let me give you an example. God told Abraham, leave your father's household and go to the land of Egypt. Yes? No. Does God tell Abraham, leave your household and go to Egypt? Or go to Canaan? Hello everyone, don't accept everything that I am saying. You have to think. What does God tell? Go to the land that I will Yes. Did God tell him everything? Did he give him map? Did he give him route? Did he give him the timeline? No. Only what Abraham knew was he has to leave his household and go. and he took that first step and God took him to the land that he wanted him to go that's how it works with us as well some of us say god show me everything then only i will obey but god says hey you take the first step i will show you the next one and the next one and the next one let's look at another example in genesis chapter 24 verse 27 Now Abraham wants to find a wife for his son Isaac And he calls his trusted servant Eliezer And he tells him go find a bride for my son for my family And what does Eliezer pray? Look at Genesis 24, verse 27. Can somebody read that? And he said, blessed be the Lord, God of my master, Abraham. who has not forsaken his mercy and his truth toward my master. As for me, being on the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master's brethren. Did you hear that? Eliezer had this big responsibility. But what does he say? Even as he stepped out in faith, God did not tell him whose house, where, he just stepped out in faith. And see what he says, ask for me being on the way. The Lord led me to the house of my master's brethren So he had to take out that first steps and go and the Lord led him. That is how God works. Don't be discouraged when you don't see the whole picture. Just obey step by step. that's how God reveals his purpose progressively season by season step by step amen okay so we're going to begin looking at the nine ways or you know signposts that God is going to guide us to know his will and plan for our lives It's on page 5. Now as we go through these 9 guideposts or signposts. I wanted to spend time analyzing, thinking and examining your own lives. and think how is God working in my life wherever I see God moving what area do I need to be more sensitive in because by the time we finish studying these 9-9 posts And when we read these 9 paths in September, you will be in a position where you will at least have this general sense of direction where you can say I know I believe this is where God is taking me or this is God's plan for my life The first guideposts recognize the general teaching and instruction of God's word. Now you need to understand this principle. God will never lead you or ask you to do anything that contradicts his word. God will never tell you to do anything that is not written in his scripture. So if you feel God is speaking to you about something or you sense a stirring in your heart, you must always go back to his word. He never leads us contrary to his written word Now let's look at 2nd Timothy chapter 3 verse 16 to 17 It's on page number 10 in your books Want to read it? Read it. If you don't want, please give the mic to him. He is willing to read it. Just give it to him, please, in the front. Yeah, yeah, read it. Thank you. All scripture given by inspiration of God and its profitables for doctrines and reproof and correction for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be complete, truly equipped for. Thoroughly equipped. For every good work. Amen. So let's break this down. All scripture is given by what? Inspiration of God or is God breathed? God breathed means what? that means all scripture is spoken and inspired by God himself amen we'll stop here we'll go for a break and we'll come back and continue

Okay, good morning everyone. Praise the Lord. Jai Masiki. Okay. Hallelujah.

Everyone's quite excited. Good. Welcome to class.

A special welcome to all our online students. Thank you for joining us today. and warm welcome to our e-learning students who will be listening to this lecture later on okay okay so last week we discovered that god has a God has a P and a P.

What are the two P's? Plan and? purpose okay uh he has planned and purpose for our lives and god prepares us to fulfill his plan and purpose are you ready to be prepared for god's plan and purpose yes tell your neighbor get ready be prepared okay so let's prepare ourselves by praying okay so can one of you lead us in prayer please anyone who wants to pray sure please thank you Geeta dearly God thank you so much father God for this morning to come before you. Thank you so much for all the privileges. Thank you so much, Father God, for all of us joining here.

Give us more wisdom and knowledge, Father God, to understand you more and more and draw closer to you. Thank you, Father God. Thank you.

Thank you so much for everything you've blessed in our life. Continue to help us, guide us. take care of us father god thank you thank you so much love you pray everything through jesus name amen thank you geeta so last week we discovered that god has a plan and purpose for our lives and god prepares us to fulfill his plan and purpose And we saw that towards the end of our class last week. That even as we go about fulfilling God's plan and purpose for our lives. There will be challenges and difficulties that we face.

But God is greater than all of those mistakes that we make. And, you know, he's. greater than all the mistakes that we make and is greater than the time that we spend during the you know that he takes to prepare us So sometimes we think God is taking a lot of time to prepare me to fulfill his plan and purpose. But let that preparation time and process go on because it is for our good. Now think about Apostle Paul.

When he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, he was 33 years or between 32 to 33 to 35 years. And you know, it was quite late in his life when he started his ministry. he might have thought god why you know when i was so late 33 to 35 years why did you meet encounter me why not earlier i could have done so much more But we see that God is greater than the time and the mistakes that we make. Look at what he says in 2nd Timothy chapter 4 verse 6 to 8. 2nd Timothy chapter 4 verses 6 to 8 Can somebody read that please loudly?

For I am already been poured out like a drink offering and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous judge will reward to me on that day and not only to me but also to all who long for his appearing paul's saying here when he's writing to timothy he's saying that his time for his departure is here departure means what what is his departure to depart from this world yes but what is he saying what does he say after that i have finished the race I have finished the course, I finished my race.

That means what God has taken hold of him, what God started in him, you know, he has completed what God has called him to do. And this means that the work that God called him to do, the work that he was caught in, he has completed it. That means he has completed what God called him to do, even though he started out very late. Now what age did Jesus start his ministry? 30 years, right?

And in how many years did he finish his ministry? 3 and a half years, right? So God is not in a hurry.

Tell your neighbor, God is not in a hurry with you. So when God is preparing you, go through the preparation time. So when we also go through the preparation period, we need to remember that God's call is all about submission and yieldedness and not status. Look at 2nd Timothy chapter 1 verse 9. Can somebody read 2nd Timothy chapter 1 verse 9?

Yes. grace which was given to us in christ jesus before time began amen thank you so god has called us not according to permission our works not according to what we have done God does not call us based on how brilliant, smart, talented, strong we are. God is not looking for golden vessels or silver vessels but what kind of vessels he is looking for he is looking for vessels that are yielded submitted, obedient to him are people who are submitted and surrendered and saying god i'm willing to do your will i want to take hold of what you have taken hold of me The Bible tells us that we are earthen vessels, we have treasures in earthen vessels, that means we are earthen vessels. what does it say there we have treasures in what kind of vessels jars of clay or earthen vessels why are we earthen vessels so that the excellence or the power of god can be manifested in and through us So when the Bible says that we are earthen vessels or clays of pot, what does it mean? it means that we are made from dust that means we are very fragile we are imperfect but even though we are fragile imperfect you know the power of God can be manifested through us and we can carry the glory of God so god is not looking for gold and silver vessels he's looking for earthen vessels but vessels that are clean available and yielded to his purposes So that the greatness and the power of God can be manifested in us.

God knows that if we are golden or earthen vessels will come to a place of pride now why did Satan who was an angel created by God why was he a fallen angel because of what pride yes he thought he was like god pride so that is why when we are earthen vessels we know we are imperfect and it's only god's power and his glory that is manifested in us On a CD, it's just... Thank you. Now you can say God has called me. But I don't feel adequate. I don't feel capable.

I'm not the right person. I made a lot of mistakes. I cannot do anything significant for God.

But here is the truth. God is not not looking for your ability. He's looking for your availability.

I remember when I was in 12th grade and I was going to write my final exams and my Sunday school teacher taught us that we are going into a new season of life. So pray and ask God what to do next. And I remember I used to study late in the night and then, you know, I used to put out the light and before I go to sleep, bed, you know, I used to pray.

and God called and I said God what do you want me to do next and God very clearly called me into full-time ministry and God told me he wants me to he wants me to serve him and go into to study in Bible college and my first response was no way I don't think I am fit for that I am not holy Because I'm imperfect, I'm unclean, I'm not holy person. But God is not looking for our ability, he's looking for our availability. And he's not counting on what you can do, but he will give you the ability to do what he wants you to do. And what he needs from us is a willing heart that says, Lord, I'm here, use me. And it is his power, not us, that will work through us to accomplish his plan and purpose.

your life another thing that we need to remember when God is preparing us to do his plan and purpose The enemy will do everything to stop us from fulfilling God's purpose for our lives. Your God-given dream, your God-given assignment, your God-given plan and purpose will always face opposition. and satan will always try to bring in discouragement distract you bringing other things other people you know and also delay to you to fulfill god's plan for your life Now you should be clear about this that when you know you know God's plan and purpose for your life and they are delays that you know stopping it from happening those delays are not from God.

Now let me give you an example in Daniel chapter 10. Now Daniel prays. prayed to God and he was looking for an answer from God. So how long did it take for him to get the answer?

21 days, yes. Now, why did it take 21 days for the answer to come? But when Daniel prayed, the answer was released immediately from heaven. But you know the answer was stopped by demonic forces.

Satan tried to block it. So Satan uses delays to weaken your desire and your determination to do God's will. To distract your focus He wants to waste your time and energy He wants you to give up God's plan for your life And settle for something less and he wants you to be satisfied with whatever you get from the plan of God.

but God's plan needs your full focus that is why we must keep asking God at each step you need to keep asking God is this the direction is this the next step is this your will uh kills one of our online students says god doesn't call the qualified he qualifies the call thank you Amen. Okay, so we need to remember that God's plan for our life is not a hundred meter dash. So what kind of a run it is?

If it's not a 100 meter dash, what kind of run it is? It's a marathon. And marathon requires endurance, perseverance and fixed focus.

that's why the writer of hebrews says run your race with perseverance the race that is marked for you fixing your eyes on jesus the author perfect and the finisher of your race So when you run the race in life, you will have victories, you will have struggles, you will have moments of great joy and also seasons of testing and trial. But if you endure, you will finish strong. And when you arrive at your destination, every challenge that you face will fade away in comparison to the joy of completing the calling that God has placed in your life. So even if Satan tries to demoralize you, you can turn the tables. Your perseverance, your refusal to quit, your unwillingness to be distracted, these things can demoralize Satan.

so all depends upon you and you're fixing your eyes on Jesus amen so that was lesson one So in lesson one, we saw that God has a plan. for your life yes places for you to go yes people he wants you to meet he has lives for you to touch and there's no higher calling than pursuing his purpose so don't say settle in for anything less. Amen. Any questions? Chapter 1. Any doubts?

No? Okay, so we'll move to chapter 2. So in chapter 1, we study that God has a plan and purpose for our lives and he reveals it to us. But the question we need to ask ourselves and one of our students asked a question yesterday to last week to this towards the end of the classes.

How do we actually find out God's plan and purpose for our lives? So the next few weeks we are going to study the nine guideposts. Guideposts or signposts that point you to help you to recognize God's plan and purpose. And these are all listed out in page 5 of your textbook. Now before we study that, we look at a few more scripture passages that help us to establish the fact that we can know God's will.

We will read from the words of the Lord so that we can establish this fact. The Lord's plan is to be fulfilled. So let's start with Ephesians chapter 5 verse 7, it's on page 8 of your textbook. Can somebody read that for us please, Ephesians 5 verse 17. Therefore do not be partners with them. Ephesians 5 verse 17. It's in your book, you can read it from page 8. Therefore do not be foolish but understand what the Lord's will is.

Amen. So this verse says do not be foolish or do not be unwise but understand the will of God. So let me ask you this question.

Can we understand God's will? Yes, no. Yes, because the scripture very clearly says in Ephesians 5-7 that we can understand the will of God. And we can not only understand, we can know with confidence God's will for our lives.

Let's look at another verse, Colossians chapter 1 verse 9-11. It's in your book. Can somebody read that please? Colossians 1 9-11 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. That you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

strengthened with all might according to his glorious power for all patients and long suffering with joy. Amen. Thank you. So Paul is praying for the church at?

Paulus at Colossae. Which church? Colossae.

Colossae. so what is the first thing that he's praying for them they may be filled with the knowledge of his will now this shows us something powerful if you want to know god's will for your life you can pray and say God fill me with the knowledge of your will And just like Paul expected God to answer, you can expect God to answer this prayer. And what does he add to that, filled with the knowledge of his will?

In all wisdom and spiritual understanding. So what does it mean here? It means that it's not just to know God's will.

But you also need wisdom and spiritual understanding to live it out. Now many people know God's will and plan for their lives. But they struggle because they lack wisdom and understanding then Paul goes on to say what happens when you're filled with the knowledge of his will what does he say in verse 10 You may walk worthy of the Lord.

This means that when you know God's will, your lifestyle will change. You will live in a way that honors God. You will walk worthy of the Lord.

fully pleasing well pleasing to him how many of you want to please the Lord if you want to please the Lord it depends on knowing him and knowing his will And what is the third thing? Fruitful in every good work. How many of you want to be fruitful? Yes, if you want to be fruitful in every good work, it depends on what? knowing his will and having spiritual wisdom and knowledge to do that will now many of us are either doing business or you know we are doing a job or we are in the ministry and you don't see any results you don't see any fruit and you're wondering why Are you saying God has called me to ministry, I'm in the ministry but I'm not seeing any fruit, why?

You need to ask yourself, is it really God's will to be in that place or being doing what you are doing? If you are bearing fruit, then you know that you are the center of God's will. Because when you are in his will, the Bible says you will be fruitful in every good work. Amen. and if you are in the will of God, then the Bible says that you will be successful in every good deed.

Amen. Amen. Okay, and what's the fourth thing?

Increase in the knowledge of God. So four things he states, when you know God's will, what will happen, you will walk worthy of him, you will be pleasing of him, you will be fruitful in every good work, and you will keep increasing in the knowledge of God. Now let's look at 1st Corinthians chapter 2 verse 9 to 10. It's also in your books.

Can you read that please someone? But as it is written, eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of a man. The things which God has prepared for those who love him, but God has revealed them to us through his spirit.

For the spirit searches all things, yes the deep things of God. Amen. So what is this verse that prepared what?

What things for us? He has prepared. Great things for us.

But how can we know what are these great plans and purposes he has prepared for us? What is the plan of the world for our life? The Holy Spirit reveals it to us.

And the Holy Spirit reveals it to us. Look at 1 Corinthians 2.16 And 1 Corinthians 2.16 Would you like to read that? For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him. But we have the mind of Christ. Amen.

What does that mean? Paul is saying, who has known the mind of God? So what is the answer for that question?

No one can know the mind of? God. Who can know his plan and purposes?

No one can know it. But Paul does not stop there. What does he say? He says we have the mind of Christ. What does he mean when he says we have the mind of Christ?

the Holy Spirit what does he do he reveals God's plan and purpose he reveals what is in the mind of God he reveals it to us so any season of your life the Holy Spirit reveals God's plan and purpose to you So when God reveals his plan and purpose for you in any season of life, he will do it accurately, completely and clearly. But there is something we need to understand God reveals his plan progressively Like I said last week That means he does not just say This is your blueprint, this is your whole life Take it Oh. But he reveals it step by step, season by season. Now why do you think God reveals his plan progressively for us?

So that we can do his work, okay? okay you gives us only when you're ready for it okay why does he think you just give us the whole life plan because when he gives us the whole life plan it'll be too overwhelming for us we can't handle it so when he says a step by step season by season unfolds and prepares us for what is coming that is better okay there's an online student johnson verges he says i have not received the notes there are no notes we are following a publication called fulfilling god's purpose for our lives and i have posted that In the stream page, in the main page of Ministers Foundation, the PDF copy of this book. And most of what I'm saying is, you know, added notes. So you'll have to just follow the video or you just have to listen to the lecture and take down your own notes.

Yes. OK, ma'am. Thank you.

Thank you. OK, so we'll move on to understand this. Let's look at Proverbs chapter four, verse 18, that God reveals his plan progressively. To understand this, let's look at Proverbs 4.18. Can somebody else read it, please?

You can pass on the mic so we can listen to others' voices as well. Lord, let us understand this. The Lord is the one who shows His will.

To understand this, let us read Proverbs 4.18. But the path of the just is like the shining sun that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day. Amen. So what does this mean?

the path the righteous is like what yes like the rising sun like the shining sun so who is righteous here anyone righteous here none of you are righteous you all are made righteous when you've accepted jesus christ as your lord and savior so all of you raise up your hand tell yourself i'm righteous you're righteous because of who you are in christ jesus Thank you online students. okay so you know it says the righteous your path is like the rising or shining sun what does it mean nothing about the Sun the Sun rises up very early in the morning 4 or 5 a.m. when the Sun rises at 4 or 5 is it very bright like noonday then does its light shine like a dimming candle?

No, it starts off very dim and then it gets brighter, writer and by noon it shines in full glory and everything is very clear and visible and bright so when God reveals his will to us it will be like that early morning Sun everything will not be clear but as you take steps of faith and keep walking it will become brighter and brighter and clearer Now let me give you an example. God told Abraham, leave your father's household and go to the land of Egypt. Yes? No.

Does God tell Abraham, leave your household and go to Egypt? Or go to Canaan? Hello everyone, don't accept everything that I am saying. You have to think. What does God tell?

Go to the land that I will Yes. Did God tell him everything? Did he give him map?

Did he give him route? Did he give him the timeline? No. Only what Abraham knew was he has to leave his household and go. and he took that first step and God took him to the land that he wanted him to go that's how it works with us as well some of us say god show me everything then only i will obey but god says hey you take the first step i will show you the next one and the next one and the next one let's look at another example in genesis chapter 24 verse 27 Now Abraham wants to find a wife for his son Isaac And he calls his trusted servant Eliezer And he tells him go find a bride for my son for my family And what does Eliezer pray?

Look at Genesis 24, verse 27. Can somebody read that? And he said, blessed be the Lord, God of my master, Abraham. who has not forsaken his mercy and his truth toward my master.

As for me, being on the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master's brethren. Did you hear that? Eliezer had this big responsibility. But what does he say? Even as he stepped out in faith, God did not tell him whose house, where, he just stepped out in faith.

And see what he says, ask for me being on the way. The Lord led me to the house of my master's brethren So he had to take out that first steps and go and the Lord led him. That is how God works.

Don't be discouraged when you don't see the whole picture. Just obey step by step. that's how God reveals his purpose progressively season by season step by step amen okay so we're going to begin looking at the nine ways or you know signposts that God is going to guide us to know his will and plan for our lives It's on page 5. Now as we go through these 9 guideposts or signposts.

I wanted to spend time analyzing, thinking and examining your own lives. and think how is God working in my life wherever I see God moving what area do I need to be more sensitive in because by the time we finish studying these 9-9 posts And when we read these 9 paths in September, you will be in a position where you will at least have this general sense of direction where you can say I know I believe this is where God is taking me or this is God's plan for my life The first guideposts recognize the general teaching and instruction of God's word. Now you need to understand this principle. God will never lead you or ask you to do anything that contradicts his word.

God will never tell you to do anything that is not written in his scripture. So if you feel God is speaking to you about something or you sense a stirring in your heart, you must always go back to his word. He never leads us contrary to his written word Now let's look at 2nd Timothy chapter 3 verse 16 to 17 It's on page number 10 in your books Want to read it?

Read it. If you don't want, please give the mic to him. He is willing to read it. Just give it to him, please, in the front. Yeah, yeah, read it.

Thank you. All scripture given by inspiration of God and its profitables for doctrines and reproof and correction for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be complete, truly equipped for. Thoroughly equipped.

For every good work. Amen. So let's break this down. All scripture is given by what?

Inspiration of God or is God breathed? God breathed means what? that means all scripture is spoken and inspired by God himself amen we'll stop here we'll go for a break and we'll come back and continue

Transcript for:God's Plan and Purpose

Transcript for:
God's Plan and Purpose