T.I.G.E.R.

What if we had a life positioning system where God would say, “Turn left in 500 feet.”? Wouldn’t that be wonderful? If it were only that easy. Well, maybe it is.

Read: Acts 16:6-10 & Philippians 1:12-14; 19-26

Ask: How did Paul receive guidance from God?

This is a huge point and we do not need to miss it. What is the point?

We discover God’s guidance on the go!! It is easier for God to guide a moving object.

Object Lesson:

Go out in the parking lot. Go to one of your cars and turn the key in the ignition to unlock the stirring wheel. Do not start the car, just turn the key far enough to unlock the stirring wheel.

How hard is it to turn the stirring wheel?

It is hard to turn a stationary object! If you are “stationary” in your spiritual life, you are difficult to turn or guide. I am going to give you three steps for hearing guidance from God.

If you want guidance from God, the first thing you must do is...

You might be asking, “Which way do I go? What do I do? Where am I going?”

Look at the passage:

Acts 16:6-10

6 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. (NIV) (Underlines mine)

Do you see it? They didn’t form a committee or study group. They had a bias for action! Get moving! It is easier to guide a moving object. If the actions you take do not get the desired result, at least you have learned what not to do or how to do it better the next time. The paralysis of analysis kill more good intentions than just about anything. Remember that Galatians 6:7 tells us we reap what we sow. Well, you got to sow first, so get moving!

Garry Friesen wrote a book named Decision making and the Will of God. This book is nothing less than life changing. His basic thesis is that God does not have a unique life plan for each believer that must be discovered in order to make correct decisions. Friesen attacks the notion that the key to life is to wait on the Lord and notes that doing so often results in lost opportunities and even immature decisions. He believes that God gave man free will as well as responsibility for his decisions and that the key to making good decisions is simply determining whether they are consistent with God's commandments. Every Southern Baptist should be required to read this book.

Ask:

Agree or disagree: It is not so important that we choose the one right way as it is important that we do something. Explain your answer.

Make a list of 20 decisions that most every person makes in their life. Mark each one that you think God has a specific will in.

Go and do something good!

Notice in the passage above that there we times when God told Paul: STOP! Examine what you are doing and see if you are getting the result that God wants.

Using this class as an example of God’s guidance and what He wants to see happen, ask:

As a class, are we getting the desired result? Are we growing?

What do we need to change?

Have we gotten to big?

Be flexible and willing to change directions to get the result that God wants you to get. You might find that you need to do something different.

Speaking of which, we need to invite every member and every prospect to every fellowship every month. Take some time now to discuss the following:

What three fellowships do we have planned in the next three months?

Who will invite the people?

Who will plan the party?

1. Get moving

2. Be flexible

If this sounds like a contradiction to the first point, in a way it is. Truth is often a midpoint between two extremes. “Be still and know that I am God.” (Ps 46:10)

Paul wrote most of the New Testament. Now this is speculation, but perhaps the reason God allowed Paul to go to prison was because he was too busy preaching and moving around to sit and write what God wanted him to write. Sometimes God has to slow us down.

Remember the story of Mary and Martha. Martha was up doing all the work and was angered by Mary’s laziness. Jesus said to Martha, “Mary has chosen better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:42) Notice Jesus said Mary picked the better. What Martha was doing wasn’t wrong, but she could have done better by slowing down and enjoying those few moments with the Lord.

What is your tendency? Action or procrastination?

Do you tend to be inflexible?

Do you go off “half cocked”, not thinking before you act?

Ask: What is God calling you to do or be in this world?

Movie Clip: Keeping the Faith

Father Brian Finn and Rabbi Jacob Schram have been best friends since their youth. When their childhood friend Anna returns to New York, both men are amazed that her beauty and success haven’t spoiled her fun-loving and compassionate nature. Both Brian and Jacob consider dating Anna, but they must also consider the impact this romantic relationship would have on their ministries and their friendship.

This Clip:

Start  1:35:39  Father Havel lights a cigar.
Stop  1:37:55  "God will give you your answer."

Brian is wrestling with thoughts of giving up the priesthood to pursue a life with Anna. He wants to know what he should do, and he wants to know right now. Father Havel shares how he almost gave up his calling for the love of a woman. Then he tells the young priest that when you’re called to do something in life, you may have to recommit yourself to that calling occasionally. As for discovering some quick answers, Father Havel reminds Brian that only God has the answer and that it will come in His timing.

Ask:

When asking for guidance, does God provide the answers to our problems, let us figure out the answers on our own, or something in between? Explain.

Read Romans 8:28. Explain what this verse means. Explain what it doesn’t mean.

1. Get moving! You are easier to guide when you are in action.

2. Be flexible! Be ready to change if necessary.

3. Slow down! Take advantage of quiet times to hear God’s voice.