Decision Making and the Will of God (Part 1)

Sermon Outline:

The Book of Philippians

Paul’s Conclusion to the Philippians (4:4-23) (Part 6)

Paul Commanded the Philippians (4:4-9) (Part F)

Practicing the Presence of the Lord (Part 6)

VII. Paul’s Conclusion to the Philippians (4:4-23)

A. Paul Commanded the Philippians (4:4-9)

1. Live in Light of Christ’s Nearness (4:4-7)

a. A Life Full of Joy (4:4)

b. A Life Fervent in Gentleness (4:5a)

c. The Fact of Christ’s Return (4:5b)

d. A Life Free from Anxiety (4:6)

1) Eliminate Anxiety (4:6a)

2) Embrace Dependency (4:6b)

a) By Petitioning God Through Prayer (4:6b1-7, 10-17)

b) By Pleasing the Lord Through Thanksgiving (4:6b8-9)

3) Experience Peacefulness (4:7)

Parenthesis: Decision Making and the Will of God

I. God Has a Will and Exercises It (Capability)

A. God’s Will is Self-Determined

B. God’s Will Includes Me

II. God has a Purpose for His Will (Intention)

A. The Terms Involved

B. The Decretive/Secret Will of God

C. The Preceptive/Revealed Will of God

D. Accountability and the Will of God

III. God’s Will is Morally Definitive (Result)

A. Living in the Right

B. Living out the Good

● good intrinsically good

IV. The Perfect Will of God Explained