Series Details
Have you ever wondered if you are living within the will of God? Despite its complexity, Scripture still offers a lot of clarity about knowing and doing God’s will.
Join Pastor Chuck Swindoll for an inspiring series on the will of God.
Learn how to think theologically, make wise decisions, and walk obediently. And ultimately remember that God uses all things for your good and His glory!
Understanding the will of God is one of the most complex yet essential pursuits of the Christian life. In this 11-part series, Pastor Chuck Swindoll moves beyond simple formulas to explore the deep, and often mysterious, nature of how God directs our lives. By distinguishing between God’s sovereign, decreed will and His permissive will, Chuck provides a theological framework that helps believers make wise decisions, handle closed doors, and trust in God’s unchanging character even when His path seems unclear.
1. Foundational Principles about God’s Will
- Overview: Introduces the three aspects of God’s will: His decreed will (what He makes happen), His perceptive will (what He reveals in Scripture), and His permissive will (what He allows).
- Key Fact: Understanding these distinctions prevents us from blaming God for human sin while still resting in His ultimate control.
- Scripture: Ephesians 1:11 – “In Him also we have obtained an inheritance… according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will.”
2. Moving from Theory to Reality
- Overview: Addresses the frustration of waiting. Chuck explores how we bridge the gap between knowing God has a plan in theory and experiencing it in the “messy” reality of daily life.
- Key Fact: God’s will is rarely a straight line; it often involves “holding patterns” designed to develop our character and patience.
- Scripture: Psalm 27:14 – “Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord.”
3. Fleshing Out the Will of God
- Overview: Focuses on the “revealed” will of God in Scripture. Before seeking “secret” guidance, we must be obedient to what God has already clearly commanded.
- Key Fact: God is unlikely to reveal the “unknown” parts of His will if we are ignoring the “known” parts found in the Bible.
- Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:3 – “For this is the will of God, your sanctification.”
4. Another Deep Mystery: God’s Sovereignty
- Overview: A deep dive into the absolute authority of God. Chuck explains that because God is sovereign, nothing is an accident, even the events that cause us pain.
- Key Fact: Sovereignty is the “cushion” for our hearts in times of crisis; it means God has the final word over every circumstance.
- Scripture: Psalm 115:3 – “But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.”
5. Reading God’s Mysterious Lips
- Overview: Discusses how to discern God’s leading through circumstances, inner peace, and the counsel of others. It warns against “fleece-setting” and encourages a mature use of wisdom.
- Key Fact: Discernment is a process of “reading” how God’s Spirit aligns with His Word and our current opportunities.
- Scripture: Proverbs 3:5–6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart… and He will make your paths straight.”
6. The Magnificent ”Chesed” of God
- Overview: Explores the Hebrew concept of Chesed—God’s loyal, steadfast, loving-kindness. This attribute is the “safety net” that ensures God’s will is always motivated by love.
- Key Fact: No matter how difficult God’s will may seem, it is always an expression of His “loyal love” toward His children.
- Scripture: Psalm 136:1 – “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His lovingkindness (Chesed) is everlasting.”
7. God’s Mysterious Immutability
- Overview: Addresses the “unchanging” nature of God. Because God does not change His mind, His character, or His purposes, His will is a stable foundation.
- Key Fact: God’s immutability means His promises are just as reliable today as they were when they were first written.
- Scripture: Malachi 3:6 – “For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.”
8. Can God’s Will Make Us Holy?
- Overview: Explains that the primary objective of God’s will is not our comfort, but our sanctification. God uses the “tough stuff” to mold us into the image of Christ.
- Key Fact: Our holiness is more important to God than our happiness; His will is designed to produce spiritual fruit.
- Scripture: 1 Peter 1:15 – “But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior.”
9. Surprised by God
- Overview: Discusses the “unpredictability” of God’s timing. Just when we think we have Him figured out, He often does something completely unexpected.
- Key Fact: Being “surprised” by God keeps us from becoming self-sufficient and forces us to stay in a posture of constant dependence.
- Scripture: Isaiah 55:8 – “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways.”
10. Closed Doors, Open Doors
- Overview: A practical look at how to interpret opportunities. Chuck provides wisdom for when God says “No” and how to handle the frustration of a closed door.
- Key Fact: A closed door is just as much a part of God’s will as an open one; it is His way of protecting us from paths that aren’t His best.
- Scripture: Revelation 3:8 – “I have put before you an open door which no one can shut.”
11. A Better Way to Look at God’s Will
- Overview: The series concludes by moving from a “dot” mentality (finding the one exact spot) to a “relationship” mentality (walking with the Shepherd).
- Key Fact: God’s will is less about a destination and more about the Person you are walking with along the journey.
- Scripture: Psalm 23:3 – “He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”
Common Questions: The Mystery of God’s Will
1. How do I know if I’m in God’s “permissive” will or His “decreed” will? In “Foundational Principles,” Pastor Chuck explains that we often only see this in hindsight. God’s decreed will is what He makes happen (sovereignty), while His permissive will involves the things He allows—including human choices. The key is to stay obedient to His revealed will (the Bible).
2. Why does God close doors that seem “good” for me? The message “Closed Doors, Open Doors” suggests that God sees a much larger picture. A door might be closed because the timing isn’t right, because it would lead to a spiritual detour, or because He has something better prepared that requires you to wait.
3. Is it okay to “lay out a fleece” to find God’s will? Chuck cautions against this in “Reading God’s Mysterious Lips.” While Gideon did it, he did it out of doubt, not faith. A more mature way to find God’s will is through the “triangulation” of Scripture, godly counsel, and the internal peace of the Holy Spirit.
4. If God’s will is for me to be “holy,” why is it so painful? As discussed in “Can God’s Will Make Us Holy?”, holiness often requires the “pruning” of our old habits and selfish desires. The pain is not intended to hurt us, but to “refine” us, like gold in a furnace.
5. How can I find God’s will for my career or marriage? The series conclusion, “A Better Way to Look at God’s Will,” suggests that if you are walking in a close relationship with Christ and obeying His Word, you have a lot of freedom to make choices. God’s will isn’t a “tightrope” where one wrong step ruins everything; it’s a “pathway” where the Shepherd guides those who follow Him.
