Herbert Cooper: How to Know God’s Will

I first heard Herbert Cooper give this sermon at Evangel University on Wednesday, September 5th 2012   In this sermon Herbert Cooper (founding pastor of Peoples Church in Oklahoma City) talks about six questions you should ask before making big decisions in your life. These questions will help you determine if the decisions you make are God’s will.

The Six Questions you should ask to determine if the decisions you make are God’s will:

1) Does it agree with the Bible?

1. God never contradicts his word.
2. If the decision you are trying to make does not pass the first test there is no need to continue to the rest of the tests.

₂₃ For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. ₂₄ For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, ₂₅ but the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you.
1 Peter 1:23-25 (NIV)

2) Am I in a right relationship with God?

1. We’re not talking about perfection, we are talking about direction.
2. When our flesh is in control, we will miss God’s will for our life.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2 (NIV)

3) Does it make me more like Christ?

1. Will this decision cause you to love people more?
2. Will this decision cause you to be more <kind, truthful, respectful, patient> towards people?
3. God never leads you to be a jerk.
4. Will this decision cause you to forgive people more?
5. God is never leading you to create hate, division, disunity, or to get even.
6. Will this decision cause you to serve people more?
7. Will this decision cause you to give to people more?

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Matthew 6:14 (NIV)

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
Mark 9:35 (NIV)

“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Acts 20:35 (NIV)

4) Have I sought Godly Counsel?

1. Prerequisites before seeking Godly Counsel
   1. Do they live a Godly life that is producing Godly fruit?
   2. Do they have experience in the area you need wisdom in?
   3. Do they have proven results?

Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.
Proverbs 11:14 (NKJV)

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
Proverbs 15:22 (NIV)

5) Do I have God’s Peace?

1. If you’re getting ready to make a major decision and you feel <stressed out, pressured, anxious, anxiety>, you need to wait on that decision.
2. God always leads through peace.

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
John 16:13 (NIV)

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NIV)

6) Am I perusing God’s Will?

1. Each person falls in to one of three categories
   1. I want what I want
   2. I want what You want, but …
   3. I want what You want.

₄₁ He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, ₄₂ “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
Luke 22:41-42 (NIV)

Source: Pass The Test | Herbert Cooper – People’s Church