James On God's Will

Discuss - what have you heard on the topic of God's voice/will? James 1:5-8 Do you believe that God speaks to you? - John 10:2-4 - My sheep hear my voice - John 14:25-26, 16:13 - the work of the Holy Spirit - What does it mean to be a double minded man, unstable? - doesn't know/believe/understand the character of God - Matt. 7:7-11 "will a father give his son a stone?" James 3:13-17 How do you know what God's will is? - By it's fruit. Matt. 7:16-20 "You will know them by their fruit" - Ex. man who would be a missionary, wracked by doubt. - Also, consider your own walk with God e.g. "Test yourself" 2 Cor. 13:5 - How do we test? - Consider the question: "Am I fulfilling the most important command?" Matt 22:37-40 - everything concerning God's will has to do with his relationship to you and yours to your fellow man James 4:13-16 - (optional) Is the person who says this a rich man? (who is then lambasted by James) What are your initial reactions to this passage? - the planner's attitude is the rich man's attitude: arrogant, lacking thought of God - the man who is asking, "What is God's will?" is not the man who is arrogant - James' attitude is one of acknowledgment of God's sovereignty, openness to God's will - making plans isn't precluded by James' admonishment, being pretentious about God's place in those plans is God only calls us to be obedient to the next faithful step. - ex. 1 Samuel 24:1-7: David sparing Saul's life in the cave. - knew God's will was to be king, but was obedient to the next faithful step: not killing the Lord's annointed - Many times the next faithful step has to do with your relationship with God and man before it has to do with your future