TITLE:  Listen to God’s Directions (Part 2 of 2)
TEXT:  2 Timothy 3:15-17
PROPOSITION:  We must understand how God answers our prayers.
QUESTION:  How?
KEY WORD:  Methods
SCRIPTURE READING:  Same

 INTRODUCTION:

1. I pray for God to help with a decision or direction in my life.
2. How do I know what the answer is?
3. How does God show His will in answer to prayer?
4. This morning I discussed 6 points – tonight I will add 8 more

 Human Authority

1. Hebrews 13:17 – elders
2. Romans 13:1-4 – civil rulers
3. Ephesians 5:21-24 – Husband / wife

 Word of God

1. 2 Timothy 3:15-17 – Scripture is inspired of God
2. Psalm 119:105 – Word is a lamp to my feet, a light to my pathway

 Condemnation

1. Conscience must not be violated
2. Guilt feelings are there for a reason – you are guilty
3. 1 John 3:20-21 – Heart condemns – you are condemned
4. Romans 14:23 – If it is not of faith, it is sin.

 Motivated by the temporal vs. eternal

1. “Don’t sacrifice the eternal on the altar of the present.”
2. Hebrews 12:15-17 – Esau traded birthright for a bowl of soup
3. Prodigal Son traded inheritance for momentary pleasure

 Used by others

1. Are others pushing you a direction you are not comfortable going?
2. Acts 5:29 – We ought to obey God rather than men.

 Motivated by selfish gain

1. Appeal to the flesh – personal desires
2. Self gets an ego trip
3. 1 Corinthians 10:31 – Whether you eat or drink, do all to the glory of God.

 Motivated by Revenge

1. Ephesians 4:25-32
   Verse 31 – Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice.
2. Matthew 6:15 – If you do not forgive others, you will not be forgiven

 Motivated by Fear

1. 2 Timothy 1:7 – God has not given us a spirit of fear, but love and sound mind
2. Fear does not move us toward God – but cower, hide, move away from God

(See “Direction from God” for the first part of this study.)