I'm going to say something bold...

But True.

There are only two teams.

God's Team

and Satan's

You are on one or the other.

Now most of you reading this are on God's team...

So the question is not which team are you on..

Rather..

The big Question for this morning is..

How do I know which team I am LIVING for?

• Are my choices helping God's team or Satan's?
• Am I doing God's will or Satan's?
• How can I know??

These are questions we must answer.

So let's grab our cup of coffee and search for some Hokmah.

First, a Story of My Foolishness...

I remember the day like it was yesterday.

I was in 7th grade...

Finally made the varsity Basketball team...

And it was game day!

The small gym at my Christian school was stuffed and stuffy... 

and you could charge a Tesla off the atmosphere alone. 

And there we were...

"Mini-men..." 

running up and down that court 

(hoping to impress the ladies :) )

Well, I wouldn't impress them for long...

You see, my mega moment of momentary madness happened as we were all lined up for a free throw.

The opposing team was shooting, and I was at the top of the key... waiting to "block out" the shooter and get the rebound...

But I started to day dream...

I don't know where I went, but moments later a team mate hurled the ball my way... 

With only moments to snap out of "La-La Land," 

I did what I knew would make me a hometown hero...

• I got into shooting position...
  • My uniform gracefully flopping like a parachute on my skinny physique...  
• And I shot a textbook jumper...

Nothing but net!

If you don't play basketball... that is a good thing... 

Usually...

But, as you may have already figured out...

I shot it in the wrong hoop (insert face-palm here).

I was on the right team... but I was scoring points for the opponent.

And this is how many Christians live their lives.

Friend, you may be a Christian, and still scoring Points for Satan's Team.

One of my favorite quotes goes like this

“Just two choices on the shelf, pleasing God or pleasing self.” - Ken Collier

Friend, not every decision you make is the right one, simply because you are a Christian.

I know that sounds like common sense...

But it is so important for us to ponder.

We can make decisions that seem good... but actually help Satan.

Don't believe me?

Here is a simple example

"For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God." - James 1:20

When you act in wrath, you are not helping God's team.

Even if you feel the person deserves your wrath.

Even if it feels right.

Even if you think it is for the right reasons...

Friend, we can make decisions that seem good... but actually help Satan.

But it goes deeper than that.

Each decision we make matters.

There are no neutral decisions.

We either live for God in that moment... or we don't.

"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." - 1 Cor 10:31

Friend, every choice matters!

• Small choices
• Medium Choices
• Big Choices
• Life altering choices...

They all matter.

So how can we make sure we aren't living for the wrong team.

I find this framework laid out by George Muller to be immensely helpful.

How to discern God's Will.

Here is George Muller's Framework:

Step 1. "I SEEK AT THE BEGINNING to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter.  Nine-tenths of the trouble with people is just here.  Nine-tenths of the difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to do the Lord's will, whatever it may be.  When one is truly in this state, it is usually but a little way to the knowledge of what His will is." - Muller
 

Friend, our life is meant to be lived in continual surrender to the Will of God.

Take time early in the day to surrender your will to His. And when ever you find your own desires creeping in, take time to pray and make sure your desires are submitted to His.

Step 2. "HAVING DONE THIS, I do not leave the result to feeling of simple impression.  If I do so, I make myself liable to great delusions." - Muller
 

We live in a day where many Christians follow their heart and think they are following the Spirit.

"Thus saith the Lord God; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!" - Ezekiel 13:3

This is a dangerous combination!

Friend, don't assume all impressions you have are from God. Don't immediately jump to the conclusion that "God showed me this."

If so, we make ourselves liable to great delusions.

Step 3. "I SEEK THE WILL of the Spirit of God through, or in connection with, the Word of God.  The Spirit and the Word must be combined.  If I look to the Spirit alone without the Word I lay myself open to great delusions also.  If the Holy Ghost guides us at all, He will do it according to the Scriptures and never contrary to them." - Muller
 

What a needed truth!

The Word of God and the Spirit of God are needed.

As we seek to live according to His will, we must saturate ourselves with His Word.

You cannot know the Will of God merely by impressions of the spirit... you must try the impressions by the Word of God.

Why?

Because we are prone to mistake our heart for the Holy Spirit

Step 4. "NEXT I TAKE into account providential circumstances.  These often plainly indicate God's will in connection with His Word and Spirit." - Mueller
 

After the first three steps, it is good to look at how life is unfolding. 

• How has God been using circumstances you couldn't control to guide you?
• How do these circumstances line up with what the Word of God has been showing you and how the Spirit has been impressing you?

Step 5. "I ASK GOD in prayer to reveal His will to me aright." - Muller
 

No comment needed :)

Step 6. "THUS, THROUGH PRAYER to God, the study of the Word, and reflection, I come to deliberate judgment according to the best of my ability and knowledge, and if my mind is thus at peace, and continues so after two or three more petitions, I proceed accordingly." - Muller
 

Here is a humble attitude of waiting.

Too often we desire to rush God into answering us immediately.

George Muller spent time seeking the will of God... and not just in big decisions... He goes on to say

"In trivial matters, and in transactions involving most important issues, I have found this method always effective." - Muller

Friend, take time to use this method when you are making decisions.

• Do you have something you need to discuss with your spouse?
• Are you wondering how to talk to your boss about something?
• Do you need direction on what to teach or preach?
• Are you thinking about moving?
• Are you wondering how to handle a situation with your child?
• Are you wanting to know how to best use your finances this month?

This list could go on and on...

Our desire should be, "Not my will but Thine be done."

Is that your desire this morning.

Remember... Every Decision Matters.

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." - 2 Corinthians 5:10

May we not live for the wrong team...

May God help us make decisions for His cause.