Knowing and Doing God’s Will

Seeking and Accepting Advice

John OakesSan Diego Singles

October, 2013

Knowing God’s Will Coll 1:9-14Knowing God’s Will Coll 1:9-14

Knowing God’s Will Coll 1:9Knowing God’s Will Coll 1:9

Actually doing God’s will Coll 1:10Actually doing God’s will Coll 1:10

How Can We Know God’s Will?How Can We Know God’s Will?

1. By reading and applying scripture. 1. By reading and applying scripture.

Psalm 119:105Psalm 119:105

2. By living a dedicated and righteous life. 2. By living a dedicated and righteous life.

Romans 12:1-2Romans 12:1-2

3. By prayer. 3. By prayer.

James 1:5James 1:5

4. By seeking and accepting advice.4. By seeking and accepting advice.

Seeking and Accepting AdviceSeeking and Accepting Advice

Prov 15:22Prov 15:22

Prov 11:14Prov 11:14

Prov 19:20Prov 19:20

Prov 12:15Prov 12:15

Prov 13:10Prov 13:10

The key to all this is humility Prov 11:2The key to all this is humility Prov 11:2

Everybody’s DifferentEverybody’s DifferentStages in Christian Development:Stages in Christian Development:

I. ChaosI. Chaos

II. ConformityII. Conformity

III. QuestioningIII. Questioning

IV. ConvictionIV. Conviction

Moving from advice-based to Bible-Moving from advice-based to Bible-based and godly conviction-based based and godly conviction-based decisions. But we always need decisions. But we always need advice.advice.

Chaos

Christian Advice: PracticalsChristian Advice: Practicals

The three biggies:The three biggies:

Finances/CareerFinances/Career

Relationships/Dating/MarriageRelationships/Dating/Marriage

Parenting/(for us: Discipling?)Parenting/(for us: Discipling?)

Advice: PracticalsAdvice: Practicals

Do not go advice-shopping.Do not go advice-shopping.

Remember, it is often good, better, best.Remember, it is often good, better, best.

Avoid giving unsolicited advice.Avoid giving unsolicited advice.

Remember: Advice is Advice. Let God work.Remember: Advice is Advice. Let God work.

Remember the goal: Colossians 1:9-10.Remember the goal: Colossians 1:9-10.