Lecture Notes: God's Will and Our Lives

Introduction

The lecture started with an enthusiastic good morning.
Preview of upcoming series: Summer of Stories focusing on the parables of Jesus.
Current series discussion: Decisions – Understanding what Scriptures say about making decisions.
Main question posed: How valuable would knowing your future be to you?
- Mention of various ways people seek to know the future (fortune tellers, astrology, etc.).
- Example of a Christian version: using a magic 8-ball.

Introduction to a childhood game called M.A.S.H. to illustrate future predictions.
Emphasis on Christians' obsession with seeking God's will for their lives.
Distinction between revealed will and mysterious will of God.

Key Verse: 1 Thessalonians 4:3
- God's will that we be sanctified and avoid sexual immorality.
Sanctification: the process of becoming more like Jesus.
Personal anecdotes from young adult ministry focusing on relationships and sexual purity.
Emphasis on change as part of the Christian journey (Michelangelo's David analogy).

Key Verses: Ephesians 5, 1 Peter 2:13-15, James 4:7
- Submission to God, others, and authorities.
- The importance and challenge of submitting to imperfect human authority.
- Examples and consequences of being rebellious to authority.

Key Verses: 1 Peter 4:19, 3:17
- Suffering as an indicator of walking in the center of God's will.
- Suffering is productive: like exercise or sculpting, it creates something valuable.
- Acknowledgement of real-world sufferings and finding purpose in them.
- Suffering produces intimacy with God and is part of conforming to Christ's image.

Key Verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:18
- Giving thanks in all circumstances as God's will for us.
- Practicing gratitude even in challenges.
- Personal anecdotes of children's prayers cutting through superficial requests.

Encouragement to focus on God's revealed will.
Challenge to avoid obsessing over God's mysterious will by striving to:
- Be sanctified (embracing change and becoming like Jesus).
- Submit to various authorities (God, church, government, employers).
- Suffer well (seeing purpose in hardships).
- Show gratitude (acknowledge and thank God in all circumstances).
The call for non-Christians: God's will for all to come to salvation through Jesus.
Personal reflection: learning to align personal desires with God's stated desires.
Closing prayer: Guidance to be faithful and aligned with God's revealed will.

God’s revealed will is clear in Scripture, and believers should focus on following it.
Emphasis on enduring suffering with hope, submitting to rightful authorities, and continuously showing gratitude.