Finding Courage and Confidence in God's Sovereignty

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I. Introduction

All true believers receive their authority and power from God is a common one in the Bible.

This closely with the fact that believers should not fear what man can do to them, but rather fear God, who holds eternity in his hands.

II. Believers do not operate on their own authority!

Romans 1:1 KJV 1900
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
Galatians 1:1 KJV 1900
Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)

A. Paul emphasizes that he was called to be an apostle by Jesus Christ, not by any human authority.

Ephesians 4:7–8 KJV 1900
But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

B. Paul emphasizes that believers have received their gifts and abilities through the grace of Christ, rather than through their own merit.

2 Timothy 1:9 KJV 1900
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

C. Paul emphasizes that believers have been saved and called to a holy calling not because of their own works, but because of the purpose and grace of God.

1 Corinthians 1:26–27 KJV 1900
For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

D. Paul emphasizes that believers have been called by God, not because of their own wisdom, power, or social status, but because God has chosen to use the weak and foolish things of the world to shame the wise and strong.

Colossians 1:25–26 KJV 1900
Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

E. Paul emphasizes that he became a minister to the church in Colossae through the stewardship or authority that God had given him, and that his ministry was to make the word of God fully known to the believers.

1 Timothy 1:12–13 KJV 1900
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

F. Paul emphasizes that he has been appointed to serve Christ and do his work, not because of his own faithfulness or merit, but because Christ judged him faithful and gave him strength.

III. As Christians we are not obligated to man as the world sees it, bur rather our obligations ought to be to God alone!

Matthew 10:28 KJV 1900
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

A. Jesus encourages his disciples not to fear those who can only kill their physical bodies, but rather to fear God, who has the power to destroy both the soul and the body in hell.

Luke 12:4–5 KJV 1900
And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

B. Jesus again encourages his disciples not to fear those who can only kill their physical bodies, but rather to fear God, who has the authority to cast both the soul and the body into hell.

Psalm 56:3–4 KJV 1900
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, In God I have put my trust; I will not fear What flesh can do unto me.

C. The psalmist expresses his trust in God, and his confidence that no matter what man may do to him, he has nothing to fear, because God is with him.

Isaiah 41:10 KJV 1900
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: Be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; Yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

D. God encourages his people not to fear, because he is with them and will strengthen, help, and uphold them.

2 Timothy 1:7 KJV 1900
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

E. Paul reminds believers that God has not given them a spirit of fear, but rather a spirit of power, love, and self-control, which enables them to overcome fear and live confidently in the face of challenges.

IV. Conclusion.

A. These examples show that the Bible teaches that believers receive their authority and power from God, rather than from human agency or their own merit.

B. The Bible also encourages believers not to fear what man can do to them, but rather to fear God, who holds eternity in his hands.

Psalm 118:6 KJV 1900
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: What can man do unto me?
Isaiah 41:13 KJV 1900
For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, Saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

C. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you when you are filled with the Holy Ghost! You don’t have to live in the dead things of this world, but you can have LIFE!

Romans 8:11 KJV 1900
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

1. God is Sovereign! Meaning He is the One who has supreme, permanent authority.

I. Not just in this world, but in ALL PLACES!

Let God be Sovereign!

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