1 00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:05,800 Well, please open your Bibles at Romans and chapter 12. 2 00:00:05,800 –> 00:00:09,400 Last week we asked two questions from this part of the Scripture. 3 00:00:09,400 –> 00:00:14,800 The first was, what is the gospel, and the second, how should we respond to the gospel? 4 00:00:14,800 –> 00:00:21,080 If you were here, you may recall that we did a lightning fast tour over the first 11 chapters 5 00:00:21,080 –> 00:00:24,680 of Romans, and we saw that Paul sets out the gospel there. 6 00:00:24,680 –> 00:00:27,200 We summarized it this way. 7 00:00:27,200 –> 00:00:32,180 God has a problem with you, and that is because of the wickedness and godlessness that is 8 00:00:32,180 –> 00:00:35,060 in every human being ever born into the world. 9 00:00:35,060 –> 00:00:40,419 Second, God has an answer for you and that answer is through the death of the Lord Jesus 10 00:00:40,419 –> 00:00:46,299 Christ, it is through forgiveness and reconciliation, which he offers as a gift, received by faith, 11 00:00:46,299 –> 00:00:52,240 to all who will come to him, and it is the part of the Holy Spirit within you, the power 12 00:00:52,240 –> 00:00:54,639 to live a new life. 13 00:00:54,740 –> 00:01:00,279 There is a problem with you, an answer for you, he has a purpose through you, the old 14 00:01:00,279 –> 00:01:05,059 promise given to Abraham that through him, all the nations of the earth will be blessed, 15 00:01:05,059 –> 00:01:07,800 we are grafted into that ongoing purpose. 16 00:01:07,800 –> 00:01:13,680 As Christian believers and as Christian congregations, Abraham’s purpose becomes our purpose, his 17 00:01:13,680 –> 00:01:19,839 mission is entrusted into the hands of those who are truly his children, by faith in the 18 00:01:19,839 –> 00:01:21,440 Lord Jesus Christ. 19 00:01:21,440 –> 00:01:22,440 That’s the Gospel. 20 00:01:23,139 –> 00:01:27,559 Now Paul’s been setting this out in Romans chapter one through eleven. 21 00:01:27,559 –> 00:01:31,279 And now at the beginning of chapter twelve he’s coming to the question how should we 22 00:01:31,279 –> 00:01:34,260 respond to the Gospel. 23 00:01:34,260 –> 00:01:41,400 Therefore he says, in the light of this, this is the language of consequence, therefore 24 00:01:41,400 –> 00:01:46,599 I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices 25 00:01:46,599 –> 00:01:50,080 holy and pleasing to God. 26 00:01:50,080 –> 00:01:57,959 We saw last week that it’s your body not your heart, it’s a living sacrifice not a 27 00:01:57,959 –> 00:02:06,680 dead one, that we offer this together, not simply alone, and that this response is reasonable, 28 00:02:06,680 –> 00:02:08,360 it is not extreme. 29 00:02:08,360 –> 00:02:15,240 Indeed a sold out response to Christ and his kingdom is really the only reasonable response 30 00:02:15,240 –> 00:02:18,039 to the gospel. 31 00:02:18,039 –> 00:02:27,479 So today we come to verse two and we’re going to see that enthusiasm needs direction, or 32 00:02:27,479 –> 00:02:35,559 to put it another way, willingness, which is a great thing, needs wisdom. 33 00:02:35,559 –> 00:02:42,080 Thinking about this somewhat painful story came back to my memory, first job I ever had 34 00:02:42,080 –> 00:02:46,559 was when I was at high school and I got a part time job at a grocery store. 35 00:02:46,559 –> 00:02:51,520 The first few weeks they had me sweeping the floor and doing price checks. 36 00:02:51,520 –> 00:02:56,000 In the days before bar codes, of course, every time a little sticky price label came off, 37 00:02:56,000 –> 00:02:58,759 the cashier had to ask for someone to go and do a price check. 38 00:02:58,759 –> 00:03:00,320 So that was happening all the time. 39 00:03:00,320 –> 00:03:02,559 It wasn’t the most inspiring of jobs. 40 00:03:02,559 –> 00:03:06,259 And I watched the guys who had been there a little longer and they got to do really 41 00:03:06,259 –> 00:03:07,740 interesting things. 42 00:03:07,740 –> 00:03:13,440 Like bring out tables with large cases of new product and to cut it open with a knife 43 00:03:13,479 –> 00:03:16,720 and split it and price it with a gun and put it on the shelves. 44 00:03:16,720 –> 00:03:19,600 I’d rather do a little bit of that kind of stuff. 45 00:03:19,600 –> 00:03:25,240 And one day after I’d been there just a very few weeks, the manager was walking 46 00:03:25,240 –> 00:03:29,899 down one of the aisles, noticed that the stock was low on one of the particular shelves. 47 00:03:29,899 –> 00:03:34,440 And he said something to the effect of, we need to get that stock out of the back room 48 00:03:34,440 –> 00:03:36,039 out here onto the floor. 49 00:03:36,039 –> 00:03:40,279 And so seizing the opportunity I said I could help with that. 50 00:03:40,960 –> 00:03:46,979 And he looked at me with a distinct air of doubt in his eyes, and then he said, 51 00:03:46,979 –> 00:03:49,520 do you know how to cut cases? 52 00:03:50,880 –> 00:03:55,179 And I said, oh yeah, yeah sure I can do that, and I’d watched the guys do it many times. 53 00:03:55,179 –> 00:03:59,059 And so he said, are you sure, well show me. 54 00:03:59,059 –> 00:04:05,160 So, back to the back store I went came out complete with the table with a knife and this 55 00:04:05,759 –> 00:04:13,440 large box that contained 24 rolls of paper towels for a kitchen. 56 00:04:13,440 –> 00:04:18,720 And with great enthusiasm, because it’s good to show willing you know, took the knife and 57 00:04:18,720 –> 00:04:21,179 scythed into it all four sides. 58 00:04:21,179 –> 00:04:26,820 Banged it, opened it, was about to price it, and he said hold on a minute. 59 00:04:26,820 –> 00:04:31,700 And he reached out his finger and felt around the roll in the corner, pulled it out. 60 00:04:31,720 –> 00:04:35,720 You folks are ahead of me, you know the problem here, don’t you? 61 00:04:35,720 –> 00:04:38,679 And the packaging is all split. 62 00:04:38,679 –> 00:04:45,160 And he said, I can’t sell that one, and he tossed it on the floor. 63 00:04:45,160 –> 00:04:50,920 Then he reached to the opposite corner and felt around the top of that roll. 64 00:04:50,920 –> 00:04:55,320 I can’t sell that one, he said, and threw it on the floor. 65 00:04:55,320 –> 00:04:56,320 You know where this is going. 66 00:04:56,320 –> 00:05:00,640 The next few moments were sheer agony. 67 00:05:00,640 –> 00:05:05,320 And by the time half a dozen of these rolls had been dropped slowly onto the floor, he 68 00:05:05,320 –> 00:05:11,619 then said to me, do you want me to teach you how to cut a case open? 69 00:05:11,619 –> 00:05:20,440 I learned something that day that willingness needs direction. 70 00:05:20,440 –> 00:05:24,600 Willingness needs wisdom. 71 00:05:24,600 –> 00:05:27,959 Enthusiasm needs discernment. 72 00:05:28,079 –> 00:05:32,200 No, that relates to where we are in Romans in chapter 12. 73 00:05:32,200 –> 00:05:38,660 For this reason it is a wonderful thing to come to the place in your life where you wholly 74 00:05:38,660 –> 00:05:44,160 and completely and without conditions and without reservations, offer yourself to Jesus 75 00:05:44,160 –> 00:05:45,160 Christ. 76 00:05:45,160 –> 00:05:47,079 Here am I, use me. 77 00:05:47,079 –> 00:05:50,619 That was the call last Sunday. 78 00:05:50,619 –> 00:05:53,820 But willingness needs wisdom. 79 00:05:53,940 –> 00:05:59,679 And when you come to that place of an unreserved offering of yourself, the question then is, 80 00:05:59,679 –> 00:06:04,619 well, what then does God want you to do? 81 00:06:04,619 –> 00:06:08,359 How can you discern God’s will? 82 00:06:08,359 –> 00:06:15,640 How can you with wisdom shape what you’re doing so that it will be truly effective 83 00:06:15,640 –> 00:06:20,720 and not simply an unproductive spending of energy? 84 00:06:21,579 –> 00:06:25,239 Now you see that is precisely the subject of Romans chapter 12 in verse 2. 85 00:06:25,239 –> 00:06:27,760 Will you look at that with me, please? 86 00:06:27,760 –> 00:06:32,940 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, 87 00:06:32,940 –> 00:06:37,179 but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 88 00:06:37,179 –> 00:06:46,459 Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is— 89 00:06:46,500 –> 00:06:52,040 His good, pleasing, and perfect will. 90 00:06:52,040 –> 00:06:55,799 Now before we get into this, we need to know what Paul is talking about 91 00:06:55,799 –> 00:07:00,859 when he refers to God’s will, because that phrase is used in a number of different 92 00:07:00,859 –> 00:07:05,660 ways, and it could refer to one of three things, and we need to know what he’s 93 00:07:05,660 –> 00:07:10,500 talking about so that we can rightly understand and apply what he says here. 94 00:07:10,500 –> 00:07:17,079 First, God’s will can refer sometimes in the Bible to God’s sovereign purpose. 95 00:07:17,079 –> 00:07:22,140 That is, the almighty power by which God works out everything in conformity 96 00:07:22,140 –> 00:07:23,500 with his will. 97 00:07:23,500 –> 00:07:25,779 This is a marvelous truth. 98 00:07:25,779 –> 00:07:31,339 It means that God can take the worst things in your life and make them a 99 00:07:31,339 –> 00:07:33,420 platform for his grace. 100 00:07:33,420 –> 00:07:35,100 Isn’t that wonderful? 101 00:07:35,100 –> 00:07:38,059 God can redeem the very worst of things. 102 00:07:38,119 –> 00:07:43,640 He works in all things for the good of those who love him, for those who’ve 103 00:07:43,660 –> 00:07:46,459 been called according to his purpose. 104 00:07:46,459 –> 00:07:52,820 But here’s the thing with God’s sovereign will, it is often hidden from us. 105 00:07:52,820 –> 00:07:58,959 I cannot see right now how God will work out everything in my life in conformity 106 00:07:58,959 –> 00:07:59,959 to his will. 107 00:07:59,959 –> 00:08:03,760 I put my trust in this promise that he will but I can’t see it now 108 00:08:03,760 –> 00:08:07,640 and neither can you, neither can any other Christian who’s ever lived. 109 00:08:07,640 –> 00:08:10,700 The secret things belong to the Lord. 110 00:08:10,700 –> 00:08:15,600 Now notice that in Romans 12-2 Paul is talking about a will of God that can 111 00:08:15,600 –> 00:08:18,200 be tested. 112 00:08:18,200 –> 00:08:23,839 I cannot test the secret purposes of God obviously. 113 00:08:23,839 –> 00:08:30,559 I cannot see how God will weave together all the events of my live into his ultimate purpose. 114 00:08:30,559 –> 00:08:36,380 I conclude therefore that Paul cannot be talking about God’s sovereign purpose here 115 00:08:36,520 –> 00:08:39,960 when he refers to the will of God. 116 00:08:39,960 –> 00:08:44,859 Now a second possibility is God’s commandments. 117 00:08:44,859 –> 00:08:47,659 God has revealed his will in the Bible. 118 00:08:47,659 –> 00:08:51,780 God tells us what his will is quite clearly time and again throughout the whole 119 00:08:51,780 –> 00:08:52,979 of the Scripture. 120 00:08:52,979 –> 00:08:54,700 He tells us what he wants us to do. 121 00:08:54,700 –> 00:08:57,700 He tells us what he does not want us to do. 122 00:08:57,700 –> 00:08:58,940 Do not murder. 123 00:08:58,940 –> 00:09:00,679 That’s the will of God. 124 00:09:00,679 –> 00:09:01,960 Do not commit adultery. 125 00:09:01,960 –> 00:09:03,580 That’s the will of God. 126 00:09:03,640 –> 00:09:08,119 Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ 127 00:09:08,119 –> 00:09:10,200 Jesus, Paul says in 1 Thessalonians. 128 00:09:10,200 –> 00:09:13,039 Love one another, that’s God’s will. 129 00:09:13,039 –> 00:09:16,280 Forgive one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you, that’s God’s will. 130 00:09:16,280 –> 00:09:20,059 Go into all the world and preach the gospel, that is God’s will. 131 00:09:20,059 –> 00:09:22,760 Make disciples of all nations, that is God’s will. 132 00:09:22,760 –> 00:09:27,119 The whole Bible is a revelation of God’s will, what we should do, 133 00:09:27,119 –> 00:09:28,200 what we should not do. 134 00:09:28,200 –> 00:09:33,559 It tells us what God wants us and calls us to do. 135 00:09:33,580 –> 00:09:39,119 But again, I want to suggest that is not what Paul is talking about here. 136 00:09:39,119 –> 00:09:41,599 Why? 137 00:09:41,599 –> 00:09:49,880 Because God’s commandments in scripture don’t need to be tested, do they? 138 00:09:49,880 –> 00:09:56,140 And Paul speaks here about testing and proving what God’s will is. 139 00:09:56,140 –> 00:09:59,859 That’s not for me to test the 10 Commandments. 140 00:09:59,900 –> 00:10:06,119 I don’t test what God has already revealed clearly in the Scriptures. 141 00:10:06,119 –> 00:10:10,320 So I’m suggesting that when he talks about God’s will here that we’re to test and that 142 00:10:10,320 –> 00:10:11,780 we’re to discern. 143 00:10:11,780 –> 00:10:17,559 He is not talking about God’s sovereign purpose because we can’t test that and he is not talking 144 00:10:17,559 –> 00:10:22,559 about God’s Commandments because we don’t need to test that, so what is he talking about 145 00:10:22,559 –> 00:10:26,020 when he speaks here about God’s will? 146 00:10:26,200 –> 00:10:32,739 I want to suggest to you that he’s referring to the wisdom that all of us need to discern 147 00:10:32,739 –> 00:10:41,059 what is best before God in life, and all of us have to do this in many ways every day 148 00:10:41,059 –> 00:10:43,799 of our lives. 149 00:10:43,799 –> 00:10:50,400 We face dozens of choices, simple choices in which you and I have to apply the principles 150 00:10:50,400 –> 00:10:56,840 of scripture to particular situations in life but to which there is not one Bible verse 151 00:10:56,840 –> 00:11:02,760 that gives us an obvious or direct command from the Lord, and that application takes 152 00:11:02,760 –> 00:11:10,440 wisdom, it takes maturity, it takes spiritual discernment. 153 00:11:10,440 –> 00:11:14,900 Now the apostle Paul is telling us that this will come in our lives through the renewing 154 00:11:14,900 –> 00:11:15,900 of our mind. 155 00:11:15,960 –> 00:11:17,200 What does he say? 156 00:11:17,200 –> 00:11:22,900 Be transformed through the renewing of your mind. 157 00:11:22,900 –> 00:11:29,039 Then, then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is. 158 00:11:29,039 –> 00:11:34,020 I think he’s saying the same thing as he says in Philippians chapter one, and verse nine, 159 00:11:34,020 –> 00:11:37,359 when he talks about discerning what is best. 160 00:11:37,359 –> 00:11:44,940 Or in Ephesians chapter five and verse 10, where he says we’re to find out what pleases 161 00:11:45,000 –> 00:11:46,000 the Lord. 162 00:11:46,000 –> 00:11:52,039 It’s the wisdom of discernment in all of the great choices of life. 163 00:11:52,039 –> 00:11:57,539 Now let’s then look more closely at what he says because obviously, this is very practical 164 00:11:57,539 –> 00:12:02,140 for every one of us, both individually and together. 165 00:12:02,140 –> 00:12:07,820 Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 166 00:12:07,820 –> 00:12:13,219 It’s very interesting that the word that he uses here for transformed is only used in 167 00:12:13,580 –> 00:12:15,200 places in the New Testament. 168 00:12:15,200 –> 00:12:21,320 And the main one, the primary one, this is the word that is used for the transfiguration 169 00:12:21,320 –> 00:12:23,580 of Jesus. 170 00:12:23,580 –> 00:12:28,820 When the glory of the Lord was seen in him. 171 00:12:28,820 –> 00:12:32,460 And apart from the transfiguration of Jesus, it’s only used in two other places. 172 00:12:32,460 –> 00:12:37,039 One is here in Romans 12 and the other is in the passage that we read earlier from 2 173 00:12:38,020 –> 00:12:42,340 being transformed into the glory of the Lord. 174 00:12:42,340 –> 00:12:47,140 Be transfigured. 175 00:12:47,140 –> 00:12:49,979 Think of that. 176 00:12:49,979 –> 00:12:53,900 That the glory of the Lord will be seen in you and how is it to happen? 177 00:12:53,900 –> 00:12:57,760 Through the renewing of your mind. 178 00:12:57,760 –> 00:13:06,380 Your life will be transfigured, Paul is saying, as your thinking is reshaped by the Gospel. 179 00:13:06,380 –> 00:13:09,960 Now, notice that it is a process. 180 00:13:09,960 –> 00:13:11,299 It’s present tense. 181 00:13:11,299 –> 00:13:12,940 It’s continuing. 182 00:13:12,940 –> 00:13:14,880 Be transformed. 183 00:13:14,880 –> 00:13:17,900 One commentator gives, I think, a helpful translation. 184 00:13:17,900 –> 00:13:21,719 He says, grow transfigured. 185 00:13:21,719 –> 00:13:23,679 That’s a beautiful picture. 186 00:13:23,679 –> 00:13:25,239 Grow transfigured. 187 00:13:25,239 –> 00:13:28,640 He gets the idea of it being continuing and progressive. 188 00:13:28,640 –> 00:13:33,400 See, this isn’t something that happens to you automatically when you become a Christian. 189 00:13:33,400 –> 00:13:36,979 No, he’s saying, look, your life will change. 190 00:13:36,979 –> 00:13:39,859 It will be transfigured over time. 191 00:13:39,859 –> 00:13:41,179 How? 192 00:13:41,179 –> 00:13:45,380 As your thinking is reshaped by the Gospel. 193 00:13:45,380 –> 00:13:53,440 It will be transfigured in as much as your thinking is reshaped by the Gospel. 194 00:13:53,520 –> 00:14:00,340 So, live deeply in the Scriptures and your life will be transformed. 195 00:14:00,340 –> 00:14:02,000 That’s what we’re learning here. 196 00:14:02,000 –> 00:14:07,380 The likeness of Christ in this way will be formed increasingly in you over time and the 197 00:14:07,380 –> 00:14:12,760 evidence of it will become increasingly obvious to all around you. 198 00:14:12,760 –> 00:14:15,619 The word of God is like a living seed. 199 00:14:15,619 –> 00:14:20,840 If you plant it in your soul and it is watered over time, the Holy Spirit will cause it to 200 00:14:21,359 –> 00:14:26,619 bear the fruit of godly character and as that fruit grows, you will have all the wisdom 201 00:14:26,619 –> 00:14:35,460 you need in order to navigate your way through all the decisions that you face in your life. 202 00:14:35,460 –> 00:14:37,760 This is a wonderful thing. 203 00:14:37,760 –> 00:14:42,039 It is telling us that the Christian life comes from within. 204 00:14:42,039 –> 00:14:48,460 It is, as it were, the overflow of an inner change that God’s Holy Spirit works through 205 00:14:48,539 –> 00:14:51,960 the Word in your inner life. 206 00:14:51,960 –> 00:14:57,780 It’s not something external that you have imposed on you. 207 00:14:57,780 –> 00:15:01,380 It’s not something that you learn from outside. 208 00:15:01,380 –> 00:15:03,619 It’s something that grows from within. 209 00:15:03,619 –> 00:15:07,719 There’s all the difference in the world. 210 00:15:07,719 –> 00:15:17,179 I read my own share of how-to books now and then and appreciate some, but I don’t know 211 00:15:17,179 –> 00:15:18,179 about you. 212 00:15:18,179 –> 00:15:23,099 Sometimes, I get to a certain point where I reach a point of frustration with them. 213 00:15:23,099 –> 00:15:27,840 Four steps to building a lasting friendship, five ways to raise an effective family, seven 214 00:15:27,840 –> 00:15:31,599 ways to love your wife or whatever it is. 215 00:15:31,599 –> 00:15:36,039 What happens is you end up with a list of lists. 216 00:15:36,039 –> 00:15:38,359 This is what I’ve got to do about this. 217 00:15:38,359 –> 00:15:39,479 This is what I’ve got to do about this. 218 00:15:39,479 –> 00:15:42,440 This is what I’ve got to do about this. 219 00:15:42,679 –> 00:15:49,179 And how in all the world are you going to integrate the list of lists into your life? 220 00:15:49,179 –> 00:15:51,940 It’s a list of lists. 221 00:15:51,940 –> 00:15:57,159 Now, when you come the Bible, you’re immediately into a different world. 222 00:15:57,159 –> 00:15:59,159 You’re not into a list of lists. 223 00:15:59,159 –> 00:16:01,679 You’re not into a list of techniques. 224 00:16:01,679 –> 00:16:09,760 See, real Christianity is about the life of God being formed within you and then growing 225 00:16:09,760 –> 00:16:13,940 within you so that it finds outward expression because it comes from within. 226 00:16:13,940 –> 00:16:15,239 Thank God for that. 227 00:16:15,239 –> 00:16:17,099 I mean, think about it. 228 00:16:17,099 –> 00:16:22,359 Practically, you’re driving down the road and someone cuts you up in the rush hour in 229 00:16:22,359 –> 00:16:23,880 the morning. 230 00:16:23,880 –> 00:16:30,239 You just don’t have time to recollect Five Principles for Responding in a Christian Manner 231 00:16:30,239 –> 00:16:31,440 to an aggressive driver. 232 00:16:31,440 –> 00:16:33,000 You just don’t, do you? 233 00:16:33,000 –> 00:16:34,659 You don’t. 234 00:16:34,659 –> 00:16:35,880 What happens? 235 00:16:36,359 –> 00:16:40,200 It’s in you, comes out, and it happens all the time. 236 00:16:40,200 –> 00:16:44,219 So the only way to really change, you see, is for you to change from within. 237 00:16:44,219 –> 00:16:53,619 See, Jesus said, the good man brings good things from the good that is stored up in 238 00:16:53,619 –> 00:16:56,099 his heart. 239 00:16:56,099 –> 00:17:02,840 The evil man brings evil things from the evils stored up in his heart, for out of the overflow 240 00:17:03,320 –> 00:17:08,800 of the heart, the mouth speaks. 241 00:17:08,800 –> 00:17:13,900 What’s in you will come out of you. 242 00:17:13,900 –> 00:17:17,959 So the only way to change is not to learn some new techniques, but to change what’s 243 00:17:17,959 –> 00:17:19,199 on the inside. 244 00:17:19,199 –> 00:17:23,640 That’s the Gospel, isn’t it? 245 00:17:23,640 –> 00:17:31,219 Now, be transformed not by learning a bunch of new techniques, but by the renewing of 246 00:17:31,219 –> 00:17:33,280 your mind, in the light of what? 247 00:17:33,280 –> 00:17:37,500 Well, of course, in the light of everything that Paul has been saying in Romans 1 to 11. 248 00:17:37,500 –> 00:17:40,660 Take the truth of what God has done for you. 249 00:17:40,660 –> 00:17:45,920 Let it go deep into your heart and your mind, and as it begins to penetrate and saturate, 250 00:17:45,920 –> 00:17:48,060 it will change your very nature. 251 00:17:48,060 –> 00:17:50,180 It will change the way you think. 252 00:17:50,180 –> 00:17:53,579 It will change the way you are. 253 00:17:53,579 –> 00:17:58,060 It’ll even change the way you respond when someone cuts you up in the road, cuz what’s 254 00:17:58,060 –> 00:17:59,520 in you is different. 255 00:17:59,520 –> 00:18:01,140 It’s changing over time. 256 00:18:01,319 –> 00:18:08,000 Let’s just take a moment to rejoice in what God has done. 257 00:18:08,000 –> 00:18:10,280 Will you help the preacher for a moment this morning? 258 00:18:10,280 –> 00:18:13,219 I mean, you’ve had a few hours. 259 00:18:13,219 –> 00:18:17,719 If what I say, and I’m gonna read you a list of things here, so don’t tire after the third 260 00:18:17,719 –> 00:18:18,719 one, all right? 261 00:18:18,719 –> 00:18:20,280 Because they’re a list of wonderful things. 262 00:18:20,280 –> 00:18:24,660 If they’re true of you, I want you to say amen as a response and in a way that perhaps 263 00:18:24,660 –> 00:18:27,060 reflects the glory of them, okay? 264 00:18:27,060 –> 00:18:28,660 Think of what God has done for you. 265 00:18:29,180 –> 00:18:31,579 Has he loved you? 266 00:18:31,579 –> 00:18:33,739 Has he found you? 267 00:18:33,739 –> 00:18:35,739 Has he forgiven you? 268 00:18:35,739 –> 00:18:40,160 Has he clothed you with the righteousness of Christ? 269 00:18:40,160 –> 00:18:43,099 Has he saved you from the wrath to come? 270 00:18:43,099 –> 00:18:44,619 Has he kept you? 271 00:18:44,619 –> 00:18:46,979 You’re dwindling now, come on. 272 00:18:46,979 –> 00:18:49,300 I haven’t started yet. 273 00:18:49,300 –> 00:18:51,500 Has he kept you? 274 00:18:51,500 –> 00:18:53,300 Has he called you? 275 00:18:53,300 –> 00:18:55,000 Has he gifted you? 276 00:18:55,000 –> 00:18:56,859 Has he empowered you? 277 00:18:56,859 –> 00:18:58,579 Is he for you? 278 00:18:58,579 –> 00:19:00,479 Is he with you? 279 00:19:00,479 –> 00:19:02,359 Does he pray for you? 280 00:19:02,359 –> 00:19:05,180 Has he prepared a place for you? 281 00:19:05,180 –> 00:19:08,219 Is he coming again for you? 282 00:19:08,219 –> 00:19:10,339 Now all these things are true for you. 283 00:19:10,339 –> 00:19:11,239 It’s a gospel. 284 00:19:13,020 –> 00:19:15,599 And as the reality of these things 285 00:19:15,599 –> 00:19:17,699 permeates your mind and your heart, 286 00:19:17,699 –> 00:19:18,540 you’re going to be different. 287 00:19:18,540 –> 00:19:22,300 You’re not going to be going around saying I’m not loved. 288 00:19:22,300 –> 00:19:24,979 How could you, if this is true? 289 00:19:25,939 –> 00:19:28,180 You’re not going to be going around 290 00:19:28,180 –> 00:19:29,819 unto this burden of guilt, 291 00:19:29,819 –> 00:19:31,219 as if you were never forgiven. 292 00:19:31,219 –> 00:19:34,000 How could it be if these things are true? 293 00:19:35,859 –> 00:19:37,920 You’re not going to be living in the insecurity 294 00:19:37,920 –> 00:19:39,819 that’s worried all the time about how things 295 00:19:39,819 –> 00:19:41,939 are going to work out for me in the future. 296 00:19:41,939 –> 00:19:44,160 How could you if these things are true? 297 00:19:46,160 –> 00:19:49,579 Boy, if these things are not true for you, 298 00:19:50,439 –> 00:19:55,339 come in repentance and faith to Jesus Christ 299 00:19:55,339 –> 00:19:57,459 and they will be true for you. 300 00:19:57,459 –> 00:19:58,699 Amen to that. 301 00:20:00,020 –> 00:20:01,459 But if they are true for you, 302 00:20:02,739 –> 00:20:07,420 let them so permeate your mind and your heart 303 00:20:07,420 –> 00:20:09,839 that your life will be transformed. 304 00:20:09,839 –> 00:20:10,839 That’s how it works. 305 00:20:11,780 –> 00:20:13,839 Be transformed, how? 306 00:20:13,839 –> 00:20:18,180 By the renewing of your mind. 307 00:20:19,040 –> 00:20:20,739 Are we ready to move on? 308 00:20:20,739 –> 00:20:22,859 Look at what he says next. 309 00:20:22,859 –> 00:20:25,380 As your mind is renewed, and remember this happens 310 00:20:25,380 –> 00:20:29,219 increasingly and progressively through the Christian life, 311 00:20:29,219 –> 00:20:32,260 two things will happen as a result. 312 00:20:32,260 –> 00:20:35,859 You will gain a new ability that you did not have before. 313 00:20:35,859 –> 00:20:37,699 Look at what it is. 314 00:20:37,699 –> 00:20:40,680 Be transformed by the renewing of your mind, 315 00:20:41,979 –> 00:20:44,239 then, here’s what’s gonna happen. 316 00:20:44,239 –> 00:20:49,239 Then, you will be able to test 317 00:20:49,520 –> 00:20:51,660 and approve what God’s will is. 318 00:20:52,719 –> 00:20:57,239 You will gain the facility of discerning the will of God 319 00:20:57,239 –> 00:20:59,000 as your mind is renewed by the gospel. 320 00:20:59,000 –> 00:21:00,239 This is what he’s saying. 321 00:21:02,119 –> 00:21:05,479 You will find yourself approving the will of God. 322 00:21:05,479 –> 00:21:08,579 You will find yourself in line with the will of God 323 00:21:09,760 –> 00:21:12,380 as your mind is reshaped by the gospel. 324 00:21:13,260 –> 00:21:15,459 You will find that it is in this way, 325 00:21:15,459 –> 00:21:17,180 over time, through your Christian life, 326 00:21:17,180 –> 00:21:19,500 that increasingly you are able to discern 327 00:21:19,500 –> 00:21:22,400 what God wants you to do, which is very important, 328 00:21:23,260 –> 00:21:25,380 and more than that, you will delight 329 00:21:25,380 –> 00:21:30,140 in what God wants you to do, and that’s a wonderful thing. 330 00:21:30,140 –> 00:21:34,300 Now, these two things will ponder a little more the first, 331 00:21:34,300 –> 00:21:36,939 to discern what God wants you to do. 332 00:21:36,939 –> 00:21:39,260 Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 333 00:21:39,260 –> 00:21:41,979 Then, you will be able to test 334 00:21:41,979 –> 00:21:45,359 and approve what God’s will is. 335 00:21:46,619 –> 00:21:48,579 Now, the NIV uses these two words, 336 00:21:48,579 –> 00:21:51,780 test and approve, to translate just one word 337 00:21:51,780 –> 00:21:53,859 that Paul used in the original, 338 00:21:53,859 –> 00:21:55,979 but it really does take these two words 339 00:21:55,979 –> 00:21:59,140 to communicate the meaning in English. 340 00:21:59,140 –> 00:22:01,260 Let’s take the word test first. 341 00:22:02,300 –> 00:22:06,420 The word test reminds us that ideas 342 00:22:06,420 –> 00:22:08,819 about the will of God need to be tested. 343 00:22:08,819 –> 00:22:10,719 That’s a very important principle. 344 00:22:12,160 –> 00:22:15,380 He does not say have a renewed mind 345 00:22:15,380 –> 00:22:17,400 and then you’ll know what God’s will is. 346 00:22:17,400 –> 00:22:18,619 Doesn’t say that does he? 347 00:22:19,459 –> 00:22:23,619 He says as you have a renewed mind 348 00:22:23,619 –> 00:22:28,619 you will be able to test what God’s will is. 349 00:22:28,640 –> 00:22:33,640 There is a process of discernment that is involved here. 350 00:22:35,420 –> 00:22:37,119 Now let’s take a moment to apply that. 351 00:22:37,119 –> 00:22:39,119 You see, some Christians go through their lives 352 00:22:39,119 –> 00:22:40,900 with the idea that if you need 353 00:22:40,939 –> 00:22:43,160 to know the will of the Lord in any situation, 354 00:22:43,160 –> 00:22:45,640 all you need to do is simply to pray about it 355 00:22:45,640 –> 00:22:47,280 and after you’ve prayed about it 356 00:22:47,280 –> 00:22:49,760 then you will know exactly what to do, 357 00:22:49,760 –> 00:22:50,939 that the Holy Spirit will tell you 358 00:22:50,939 –> 00:22:53,180 the answer clearly and directly. 359 00:22:53,180 –> 00:22:55,640 Now God is able to do that 360 00:22:57,780 –> 00:22:59,439 and sometimes He does. 361 00:23:01,020 –> 00:23:02,699 But Romans 12 in verse two 362 00:23:02,699 –> 00:23:06,199 makes it clear that this is not God’s normal way of working. 363 00:23:06,920 –> 00:23:11,000 The normal means by which you will be able to discern 364 00:23:11,000 –> 00:23:13,660 what God’s will is in any particular situation 365 00:23:13,660 –> 00:23:18,400 is not by direct revelation to your mind and to your heart 366 00:23:18,400 –> 00:23:20,880 but rather by a process of testing 367 00:23:20,880 –> 00:23:24,839 that is pursued with a mind renewed by the gospel. 368 00:23:25,780 –> 00:23:27,000 In other words, the apostle Paul 369 00:23:27,000 –> 00:23:31,520 is commending to us a thoughtful approach to life. 370 00:23:32,520 –> 00:23:34,680 We’re not to give uncritical approval 371 00:23:34,680 –> 00:23:39,680 to every idea that someone thinks is the will of God. 372 00:23:40,000 –> 00:23:42,000 We’re to test. 373 00:23:42,000 –> 00:23:43,180 We are to discern. 374 00:23:44,599 –> 00:23:46,060 And the way in which we do this 375 00:23:46,060 –> 00:23:49,760 is by thinking with a mind that is renewed 376 00:23:49,760 –> 00:23:51,459 by the scriptures. 377 00:23:52,300 –> 00:23:57,000 By the way, that is why it’s always a good thing 378 00:23:57,000 –> 00:24:00,280 to cultivate relationships with mature believers 379 00:24:00,319 –> 00:24:05,319 because ability to discern does in some way relate 380 00:24:05,920 –> 00:24:09,459 to the degree to which a mind is re-shaped 381 00:24:09,459 –> 00:24:11,479 by the scriptures. 382 00:24:11,479 –> 00:24:14,579 Those who have walked long with the Lord 383 00:24:14,579 –> 00:24:17,079 often have much to offer in terms of 384 00:24:17,079 –> 00:24:20,540 the wisdom of discernment that has been accumulated 385 00:24:20,540 –> 00:24:24,319 through this if they are deeply taught in the scriptures. 386 00:24:24,319 –> 00:24:27,380 And it’s something to be thankful for. 387 00:24:27,400 –> 00:24:30,500 Your ability to discern the will of God 388 00:24:30,500 –> 00:24:35,500 effectively will grow in as much as your mind 389 00:24:35,699 –> 00:24:38,339 is re-shaped by the Word of God. 390 00:24:39,579 –> 00:24:41,260 And then, as much as it is not, 391 00:24:41,260 –> 00:24:44,660 you will find yourself with a greater degree of confusion 392 00:24:44,660 –> 00:24:46,540 whenever you face choices in life. 393 00:24:46,540 –> 00:24:49,020 So, this is why it’s so important for us to understand 394 00:24:49,020 –> 00:24:52,380 how we grow in the Christian life. 395 00:24:52,380 –> 00:24:54,060 How we change. 396 00:24:54,060 –> 00:24:55,180 How we mature. 397 00:24:57,380 –> 00:24:59,660 Let me give a very simple illustration 398 00:24:59,660 –> 00:25:02,319 to try and give a sense as to how we bring together 399 00:25:02,319 –> 00:25:06,060 the different elements of discerning the will of God, 400 00:25:06,060 –> 00:25:08,500 which we have to do in choices 401 00:25:08,500 –> 00:25:10,280 in which we’re given no direct command 402 00:25:10,280 –> 00:25:12,319 from the Scripture all of the time. 403 00:25:14,219 –> 00:25:15,760 I want you to picture for a moment 404 00:25:15,760 –> 00:25:20,699 a man sitting in a car earlier this morning 405 00:25:20,699 –> 00:25:22,459 in downtown Chicago. 406 00:25:23,400 –> 00:25:25,739 He wants to visit us here 407 00:25:25,739 –> 00:25:28,660 at the Arlington Heights Evangelical Free Church. 408 00:25:28,660 –> 00:25:30,140 He’s never been here before. 409 00:25:31,479 –> 00:25:34,459 So he asks for directions down there 410 00:25:34,459 –> 00:25:37,060 in the center of the city, 411 00:25:37,060 –> 00:25:39,300 and someone who he asks says, 412 00:25:39,300 –> 00:25:40,500 I don’t know where 413 00:25:40,500 –> 00:25:42,699 the Arlington Heights Evangelical Free Church is, 414 00:25:42,699 –> 00:25:45,959 but I do know that Arlington Heights is north. 415 00:25:45,959 –> 00:25:49,680 So, now our friend has the general direction. 416 00:25:50,619 –> 00:25:51,839 It’s not south. 417 00:25:52,739 –> 00:25:54,979 It’s not west. 418 00:25:54,979 –> 00:25:58,819 And from the center of the city it is certainly not east. 419 00:25:58,819 –> 00:26:00,180 And he knows that it’s north. 420 00:26:00,180 –> 00:26:02,239 I’m just checking to see if you’re awake. 421 00:26:03,060 –> 00:26:04,319 He knows that it’s north 422 00:26:04,319 –> 00:26:05,680 and because he knows that it’s north 423 00:26:05,680 –> 00:26:06,819 that gets him moving. 424 00:26:06,819 –> 00:26:07,979 Now let’s imagine, 425 00:26:07,979 –> 00:26:10,699 let’s bring him up on the interstate 90, shall we, okay? 426 00:26:10,699 –> 00:26:12,339 He’s coming up on the 90 427 00:26:12,339 –> 00:26:17,079 and he stops to pay his toll at the O’Hare Plaza. 428 00:26:17,079 –> 00:26:19,219 And he tells the guy in the booth 429 00:26:19,219 –> 00:26:22,160 that he is looking for Arlington Heights. 430 00:26:22,160 –> 00:26:23,859 Oh yes, says the man in the booth, 431 00:26:23,859 –> 00:26:25,479 a few miles up from the road here 432 00:26:25,479 –> 00:26:28,640 you will see a sign clearly posted, 433 00:26:28,640 –> 00:26:30,099 Arlington Heights road. 434 00:26:30,099 –> 00:26:31,699 You just take it, on your right, 435 00:26:31,699 –> 00:26:34,560 and you continue to head north there. 436 00:26:34,560 –> 00:26:37,300 So now he has more than a general direction. 437 00:26:38,199 –> 00:26:41,560 He now has specific signposts. 438 00:26:42,780 –> 00:26:44,420 Once it gets to Arlington Heights road, 439 00:26:44,420 –> 00:26:46,020 he sees the sign very clearly there. 440 00:26:46,020 –> 00:26:47,280 He turns up to his right, 441 00:26:47,280 –> 00:26:48,479 starts heading north 442 00:26:48,479 –> 00:26:51,500 and he thinks now I really need some greater clarity. 443 00:26:51,540 –> 00:26:52,920 So he calls his friend, 444 00:26:52,920 –> 00:26:55,140 who’s here in the congregation. 445 00:26:55,140 –> 00:26:56,800 Hey, Joe, he says on his cell phone. 446 00:26:56,800 –> 00:26:58,560 I’m on Arlington Heights road. 447 00:26:58,560 –> 00:27:01,199 Now, how do I know when I’m at the church? 448 00:27:01,199 –> 00:27:03,619 Oh, that’s easy, his friend says. 449 00:27:03,619 –> 00:27:06,160 You just stay on Arlington Heights road. 450 00:27:06,160 –> 00:27:08,520 You cross over the railway tracks. 451 00:27:08,520 –> 00:27:11,160 You keep going until you come to Thomas school 452 00:27:11,160 –> 00:27:14,500 on your right and we’re at just in behind Thomas school. 453 00:27:14,500 –> 00:27:18,959 Now he has confirming landmarks. 454 00:27:19,819 –> 00:27:23,079 Now, a mind renewed by the gospel 455 00:27:24,500 –> 00:27:28,199 enables you to know the general direction, 456 00:27:29,079 –> 00:27:32,920 to discern the specific signposts, 457 00:27:32,920 –> 00:27:36,739 and to recognize the confirming landmarks 458 00:27:36,739 –> 00:27:39,020 for God’s will in your life. 459 00:27:39,020 –> 00:27:40,599 Let’s think about that. 460 00:27:40,599 –> 00:27:41,939 General direction. 461 00:27:42,880 –> 00:27:44,800 The Bible gives us general direction. 462 00:27:46,500 –> 00:27:48,439 Seek peace and pursue it. 463 00:27:48,479 –> 00:27:50,380 That’s a general direction, isn’t it? 464 00:27:51,400 –> 00:27:54,459 Now, sometimes, it’s hard to discern precisely 465 00:27:54,459 –> 00:27:57,239 how to pursue that in a particular situation, 466 00:27:57,239 –> 00:27:59,160 but at least knowing that that’s the direction 467 00:27:59,160 –> 00:28:00,500 gets you moving forward. 468 00:28:02,119 –> 00:28:03,319 Advance the gospel. 469 00:28:03,319 –> 00:28:06,219 That’s a general direction made clear in the scriptures. 470 00:28:06,219 –> 00:28:09,520 Discerning precisely how the church should do that 471 00:28:09,520 –> 00:28:12,160 is sometimes hard, but knowing the direction 472 00:28:12,160 –> 00:28:14,439 at least gets us moving forward. 473 00:28:15,359 –> 00:28:19,020 Or take a completely different sphere, marriage. 474 00:28:19,020 –> 00:28:24,020 Being yoked to a Christian believer in marriage 475 00:28:24,599 –> 00:28:28,479 is a general direction if that is what God has for you. 476 00:28:28,479 –> 00:28:30,280 Now, that still leaves you with a choice 477 00:28:30,280 –> 00:28:31,479 of several million people, 478 00:28:31,479 –> 00:28:34,500 so you got some discerning to do, right? 479 00:28:34,500 –> 00:28:36,959 But at least the general direction moves you forward. 480 00:28:36,959 –> 00:28:38,380 It tells you where not to go. 481 00:28:40,800 –> 00:28:43,079 Now, when we have the general direction, 482 00:28:43,560 –> 00:28:45,319 we look for specific signposts. 483 00:28:45,319 –> 00:28:47,040 Here’s something to bear in mind. 484 00:28:48,540 –> 00:28:51,739 You only find the specific signposts 485 00:28:51,739 –> 00:28:55,380 when you are moving in the general direction. 486 00:28:56,479 –> 00:28:58,160 It is no use, our friend, 487 00:28:58,160 –> 00:29:01,119 looking for a signpost for Arlington Heights road 488 00:29:01,119 –> 00:29:04,959 when he’s still sitting down in the center of Chicago, right? 489 00:29:04,959 –> 00:29:07,640 It is only as hes moving in the general direction 490 00:29:07,640 –> 00:29:12,640 that he can expect to see the specific signposts. 491 00:29:12,839 –> 00:29:15,099 Won’t happen if he sits there waiting for it. 492 00:29:16,520 –> 00:29:19,579 Now, as you move in the general direction, 493 00:29:19,579 –> 00:29:24,280 you can start looking for specific signposts. 494 00:29:24,280 –> 00:29:26,560 You can ask questions like this. 495 00:29:26,560 –> 00:29:27,719 What is God doing? 496 00:29:29,160 –> 00:29:30,660 Where is he using me? 497 00:29:31,900 –> 00:29:35,640 What resources has he placed into my hands? 498 00:29:35,640 –> 00:29:39,280 What opportunities has he brought to my attention? 499 00:29:39,280 –> 00:29:42,560 What are wise, discerning, and mature believers 500 00:29:42,619 –> 00:29:44,739 saying into my life? 501 00:29:46,280 –> 00:29:47,599 And you can be confident that, 502 00:29:47,599 –> 00:29:49,079 because the Lord is your shepherd 503 00:29:49,079 –> 00:29:50,400 and he does lead and guide, 504 00:29:50,400 –> 00:29:53,160 he will give you the signposts you need 505 00:29:53,160 –> 00:29:55,920 as you need them, as you need them. 506 00:29:56,800 –> 00:30:01,800 So, keep your eyes open as you are moving forward. 507 00:30:04,439 –> 00:30:05,780 That leads us to the third thing, 508 00:30:05,780 –> 00:30:08,540 confirming landmarks. 509 00:30:08,540 –> 00:30:12,079 See, how would we know that we are in the right place 510 00:30:12,079 –> 00:30:13,400 as we move forward? 511 00:30:13,400 –> 00:30:15,900 Well, we will look for the confirming landmarks, 512 00:30:15,900 –> 00:30:18,300 like the railway line or like Thomas School. 513 00:30:18,300 –> 00:30:20,060 What are the confirming landmarks 514 00:30:20,060 –> 00:30:21,619 as we’re pursuing the will of God, 515 00:30:21,619 –> 00:30:24,839 the blessing of God, the agreement of other people? 516 00:30:26,900 –> 00:30:29,619 Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 517 00:30:30,939 –> 00:30:32,099 And here’s the promise. 518 00:30:32,099 –> 00:30:33,780 Then, 519 00:30:33,780 –> 00:30:34,920 then, 520 00:30:36,060 –> 00:30:37,060 then, 521 00:30:37,060 –> 00:30:38,739 you 522 00:30:38,739 –> 00:30:40,939 will be able 523 00:30:41,000 –> 00:30:42,239 to test 524 00:30:43,479 –> 00:30:46,000 what the Lord’s will is. 525 00:30:46,000 –> 00:30:47,680 That’s a promise. 526 00:30:47,680 –> 00:30:48,920 You’ll be able to do this 527 00:30:49,800 –> 00:30:53,619 as your mind is renewed by the gospel. 528 00:30:57,439 –> 00:31:00,479 Now this is of obvious, practical relevance for all of us 529 00:31:00,479 –> 00:31:03,319 as we face so many decisions in life 530 00:31:03,319 –> 00:31:05,339 in a thousand different spheres. 531 00:31:06,640 –> 00:31:09,979 It’s obviously of great importance to us together 532 00:31:11,359 –> 00:31:14,000 the question that has been placed before us is simply this. 533 00:31:14,000 –> 00:31:19,000 What does the Lord want us to do in the next five years? 534 00:31:19,339 –> 00:31:20,680 And there isn’t a bible text 535 00:31:20,680 –> 00:31:22,479 you can look up to get the answer. 536 00:31:23,660 –> 00:31:26,660 What you will find from the scriptures is general direction. 537 00:31:27,699 –> 00:31:29,479 We are to advance the gospel. 538 00:31:30,479 –> 00:31:31,900 We’re to do it in our community, 539 00:31:31,900 –> 00:31:34,760 in our city and around the world, 540 00:31:34,760 –> 00:31:36,739 in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria 541 00:31:36,739 –> 00:31:39,579 and the ends of the earth, that’s clear in the scripture, 542 00:31:39,579 –> 00:31:43,000 how are we to do that, how are we to do that? 543 00:31:44,300 –> 00:31:45,819 Well, the leaders of the church 544 00:31:45,819 –> 00:31:50,459 have been looking at specific signs 545 00:31:50,459 –> 00:31:52,459 and are now inviting you to do the same. 546 00:31:54,500 –> 00:31:56,500 What has the Lord been doing among us 547 00:31:56,500 –> 00:31:58,099 over these last years? 548 00:31:59,219 –> 00:32:00,959 What do we see him doing now? 549 00:32:02,140 –> 00:32:03,920 What needs and opportunities 550 00:32:03,920 –> 00:32:05,939 is the Lord bringing to our attention? 551 00:32:06,900 –> 00:32:10,380 What resources are being placed into our hands? 552 00:32:11,579 –> 00:32:13,640 What burden is he laying on the hearts 553 00:32:13,640 –> 00:32:15,959 of those who have been called to lead us? 554 00:32:17,900 –> 00:32:21,560 But how then will we know if we are in the right place? 555 00:32:21,560 –> 00:32:25,420 We will look for confirming landmarks. 556 00:32:25,420 –> 00:32:29,219 There will be many, the agreement of God’s people, 557 00:32:30,280 –> 00:32:32,520 process with the village, 558 00:32:32,520 –> 00:32:34,619 a whole list that could be continued. 559 00:32:36,500 –> 00:32:39,479 But as your thinking is renewed by the gospel, 560 00:32:39,479 –> 00:32:41,040 the promise of God is this. 561 00:32:41,040 –> 00:32:45,420 You will be able to test. 562 00:32:45,420 –> 00:32:47,520 You will be able to discern. 563 00:32:47,520 –> 00:32:50,439 Every Christian believer will be brought to this position. 564 00:32:51,339 –> 00:32:53,839 Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 565 00:32:53,839 –> 00:32:56,400 Then you will be able to test 566 00:32:56,400 –> 00:32:58,400 and have proved what the Lord’s will is. 567 00:32:59,439 –> 00:33:01,680 If we think self, 568 00:33:02,579 –> 00:33:05,880 we will always be in confusion. 569 00:33:07,619 –> 00:33:09,339 If we think gospel, 570 00:33:10,459 –> 00:33:15,260 we will discern what God wants us to do together. 571 00:33:16,780 –> 00:33:18,780 Now, here’s the last thing more briefly. 572 00:33:18,780 –> 00:33:21,380 Notice that he says here not only 573 00:33:21,380 –> 00:33:24,020 that we’ll be able to discern what God wants us to do, 574 00:33:24,020 –> 00:33:25,900 but also that we will have delight 575 00:33:25,900 –> 00:33:27,920 in what God wants us to do. 576 00:33:27,920 –> 00:33:29,939 Look at the verse one more time, would you? 577 00:33:29,979 –> 00:33:33,180 Be transformed by the renewing of your mind, 578 00:33:33,180 –> 00:33:36,640 then you will be able to test 579 00:33:36,640 –> 00:33:41,140 and approve what God’s will is. 580 00:33:41,140 –> 00:33:43,439 See, it’s not just that you will discern the will of God, 581 00:33:43,439 –> 00:33:45,439 you’ll find joy in it. 582 00:33:45,439 –> 00:33:47,420 It’s not just that you will know it, 583 00:33:47,420 –> 00:33:49,180 it’s you’ll want to do it. 584 00:33:49,180 –> 00:33:50,959 You will approve it, you will embrace it. 585 00:33:50,959 –> 00:33:53,020 You will say, this is my joy 586 00:33:53,020 –> 00:33:54,859 to do what God is calling us to do. 587 00:33:55,819 –> 00:33:58,959 You will say that the will of God is good, 588 00:33:58,959 –> 00:34:03,459 that it is pleasing, that it is perfect. 589 00:34:05,239 –> 00:34:09,659 So here’s a wonderful promise to take hold of today, 590 00:34:09,659 –> 00:34:12,360 individually and together. 591 00:34:13,820 –> 00:34:17,800 As your thinking is reshaped by the gospel, 592 00:34:18,739 –> 00:34:22,399 you will be able to discern God’s will 593 00:34:22,780 –> 00:34:27,219 and you will find joy and delight in doing it. 594 00:34:29,040 –> 00:34:31,800 And you know, from that simple teaching 595 00:34:31,800 –> 00:34:33,560 in this part of the scripture, 596 00:34:33,560 –> 00:34:36,399 I found a very simple principle that has helped me 597 00:34:36,399 –> 00:34:39,040 in my own life many, many times, 598 00:34:39,040 –> 00:34:44,040 and it’s this, that when I lose my joy, 599 00:34:45,219 –> 00:34:47,879 when I lose my delight, 600 00:34:47,879 –> 00:34:50,239 there are really only two possibilities. 601 00:34:50,620 –> 00:34:52,739 There are really only two possibilities. 602 00:34:52,739 –> 00:34:55,860 One is that I’m not in the place that God wants me to be, 603 00:34:57,239 –> 00:34:59,639 the other is that I don’t have the mindset 604 00:34:59,639 –> 00:35:01,639 that God wants me to have. 605 00:35:01,639 –> 00:35:02,739 It’s one of these two. 606 00:35:05,080 –> 00:35:07,199 Many times, I’ve had to come to the Lord, 607 00:35:07,199 –> 00:35:09,479 I tell you many times, 608 00:35:09,479 –> 00:35:14,439 and to say, change me by the renewing of my mind. 609 00:35:15,159 –> 00:35:20,159 Reshape my thinking again, more deeply by the Gospel, 610 00:35:24,040 –> 00:35:29,040 and then restore to me the joy of pursuing your will. 611 00:35:33,800 –> 00:35:36,419 Now as we plan this service for this morning, 612 00:35:36,419 –> 00:35:38,639 it seemed that it would be a good thing 613 00:35:38,639 –> 00:35:40,239 for us to have a few moments 614 00:35:40,239 –> 00:35:44,760 for personal response and reflection. 615 00:35:45,959 –> 00:35:48,679 I want to offer three questions 616 00:35:48,679 –> 00:35:50,560 that you can apply in two ways. 617 00:35:50,560 –> 00:35:53,800 First, you can apply them to any situation 618 00:35:53,800 –> 00:35:55,679 in which you’re trying to discern the will of God 619 00:35:55,679 –> 00:35:57,320 in your own life. 620 00:35:57,320 –> 00:36:00,239 And secondly, you can apply them, 621 00:36:00,239 –> 00:36:01,840 and I ask you to apply them, 622 00:36:01,840 –> 00:36:05,919 as we together are seeking to discern the way 623 00:36:05,919 –> 00:36:09,520 and the will of the Lord over these coming weeks. 624 00:36:09,520 –> 00:36:11,939 Here are the questions. 625 00:36:11,939 –> 00:36:15,000 How does what God has done direct your thinking? 626 00:36:16,899 –> 00:36:19,139 See, how is what we’re seeing 627 00:36:19,139 –> 00:36:21,500 of God at work shaping the way we think? 628 00:36:22,520 –> 00:36:27,320 Our discernment, in what ways are you seeing God at work? 629 00:36:28,939 –> 00:36:32,340 And how would you look for God’s will to be confirmed? 630 00:36:34,280 –> 00:36:35,959 I’m gonna invite you just to take a couple of moments 631 00:36:35,959 –> 00:36:39,419 to address these questions in your own responsibility 632 00:36:39,439 –> 00:36:41,419 to be a discerning Christian 633 00:36:41,419 –> 00:36:44,800 in your individual calling in life, 634 00:36:44,800 –> 00:36:47,379 discerning the will of the Lord in many choices. 635 00:36:47,379 –> 00:36:49,560 You might think of one particularly 636 00:36:49,560 –> 00:36:50,719 that you’re faced with right now, 637 00:36:50,719 –> 00:36:52,879 and these questions will be helpful to you. 638 00:36:54,639 –> 00:36:56,800 I invite you to think about that in your responsibility 639 00:36:56,800 –> 00:36:59,500 as a Christian believer part of this congregation 640 00:36:59,500 –> 00:37:03,959 in the participation you will be playing and are playing 641 00:37:03,959 –> 00:37:07,639 as we participate together over these coming weeks 642 00:37:07,639 –> 00:37:10,780 seeking to discern the mind of the Lord. 643 00:37:10,780 –> 00:37:13,580 So I’m going to ask that we take these few moments, 644 00:37:13,580 –> 00:37:15,459 I’m going to lead in prayer, 645 00:37:15,459 –> 00:37:17,419 and then let’s use a couple of moments. 646 00:37:17,419 –> 00:37:20,219 Please don’t just sit for two minutes. 647 00:37:20,219 –> 00:37:25,219 Please use this as an opportunity to engage a renewed mind 648 00:37:26,979 –> 00:37:30,620 in the responsibilities that you have 649 00:37:30,620 –> 00:37:34,260 for discerning the will of the Lord. 650 00:37:34,260 –> 00:37:35,300 Let’s pray together. 651 00:37:36,300 –> 00:37:39,139 Father, you have given us a wonderful, 652 00:37:39,139 –> 00:37:44,020 wonderful promise here that as, 653 00:37:44,020 –> 00:37:49,020 increasingly over time, our minds are renewed by your Word, 654 00:37:51,780 –> 00:37:56,780 we will have the ability to test, discern your will, 655 00:37:58,979 –> 00:38:01,560 and we’ll want to embrace it, we’ll approve it, 656 00:38:02,560 –> 00:38:05,639 and we’ll do so with joy as we find it. 657 00:38:07,560 –> 00:38:11,739 And this we need and this we want, 658 00:38:11,739 –> 00:38:15,320 individually and together, 659 00:38:17,040 –> 00:38:19,639 and so we thank you for the promise. 660 00:38:21,159 –> 00:38:23,399 We ask that in these days 661 00:38:23,399 –> 00:38:26,600 of great responsibility and opportunity, 662 00:38:26,600 –> 00:38:30,879 you will be at work, shaping our thinking by your truth 663 00:38:30,939 –> 00:38:33,639 so that we may be able to exercise our part 664 00:38:33,639 –> 00:38:34,959 in good discernment, 665 00:38:37,159 –> 00:38:39,199 find joy in embracing your will. 666 00:38:41,800 –> 00:38:45,500 For these things we ask together, in Jesus name. 667 00:38:46,979 –> 00:38:47,820 Amen.