Developing a Christian Worldview - Embracing God’s Sovereignty

— Last week we spent our time together looking at three specific area when developing our own CWV.

— Your CWV and mine DO NOT HAVE to be the same.

— God has given each person the opportunity or privilege to interact with God and His word

— Here is the danger in that… our foundation, our morals, our personal standards are laid down early in life… by 15 years old for women and 21 for men. Yes, there is a difference.

— Or within 2-3 years of an adult making a decision for Christ.

— There is a danger in that… I’m sure that you see it.

— BE VERY WARY of what you put into your heart, mind, soul and body

— Even small… supposedly insignificant items, ideas, compromises and thought changes how we look at the world.

— Last week we heard that there are 3 elements of a Christian Worldview, that we must surround ourselves with.

The Authority of Scripture

The Sovereignty of God

The Reality of Sin and Redemption

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#1. The Authority of Scripture

— The Bible provides the ultimate standard for truth and morality, guiding believers in all aspects of life.

#2. The Sovereignty of God

— God is the ultimate ruler of the universe and has the absolute right and power to govern all creation according to His will.

#3. The Reality of Sin and Redemption

— Since “The Fall” we are born with a sin nature, And separate from God

— The very fact that we all still sin.. this affects our CWV.

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— Now of course there is a flip side to that coin

— When we grasp these three elements,

— When we understand and return to scripture, to further understand God’s Sovereignty

— And how sin stains us and draws away from God

— AND FINALLY AND MOST IMPORTANTLY… The redemption, the payment for our sins the washing of our sins by Jesus on the Cross.

— Our lives in total, adapt our ChristianWV, our circumstances, our culture, and our understanding of the scriptures.

Let’s Pray

— God we thank you for today; for the opportunity to gather

— For the opportunity to look closely at ourselves

— God as we dive in here again..

— be with us; send The Holy Spirit to lead, guide and convict us in our lives, choices, and our successes

— In your name we pray.. AMEN!!

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— So last week was focused on the “Authority of Scripture.”

— Or… Is the Bible true, in everything that it speaks.

— I can tell you personally, that since I have become a Christian, nearly 40 years ago

— I haven’t found one thing that is FALSE, MISLEADING or HARMFUL if correctly understood and applied.

— This week we are going to be discussing the

Sovereignty of God

The Lord’s presence is infinite, his brightness insupportable, his majesty awful, his dominion boundless and his sovereignty incontestable.

Matthew Henry

— This is the God that we serve and worship.

— Our Christian worldview is built on the foundation of biblical truth.

— Embracing biblical truth helps us to navigate the complexities of life and to make decisions that align with God's will.

— In this message, we will explore the key points of the Sovereignty of God.

God’s Sovereignty: The Purposeful Design of Creation

— Psalm19.1

Psalm 19:1 ESV

1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

— The natural world is a testament to God's majesty and creative power.

— The vastness of the heavens and the beauty of the skies speak to the glory and greatness of God.

Application - Cultivate Awe and Reverence for God, Worship Him for His Creation and Strengthen your faith.

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- Cultivate Awe and Reverence for God

— Let these moments deepen your reverence for God, acknowledging His power and creativity.

- Worship Through Creation

— Use the natural world as a starting point for worship. Whether it's a sunrise, a starry night, or the changing seasons,

—Let these sights remind you of God's glory and lead you into worship and thanksgiving.

- Strengthen Your Faith:

— Reflect on how the heavens and the skies consistently proclaim God’s handiwork.

— Let this strengthen your faith, knowing that the same God who created the universe is intimately involved in your life.

- Share the Gospel Using Creation:

— Use the evidence of God's glory in creation as a bridge to share your faith with others.

— Point out how nature reveals God's existence and attributes, opening the door for deeper conversations about His love and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

God’s Sovereignty: In Creating Us!

Psalm 139:13–16 ESV

13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

— Our very existence is a testimony to God's sovereign will.

— He has created each of us with purpose and intentionality.

— He has created us to live by His Principles

Colossians 3:16 NIV84

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

— Living out biblical principles means allowing the message of Christ to dwell richly among us.

— Colossians 3:16 encourages us to teach and admonish one another with wisdom, singing with gratitude in our hearts.

—When we apply biblical principles to our daily lives, we experience the fullness of God's blessings and live in a way that reflects His truth.

— Ultimately we are created to Worship and Glorify the Lord.

— We are called to turn our lives our to Christ

Application - Dwell in the love of Christ, dwell with one another, as you teach and admonish. Share hymns and spiritual songs with GRATITUDE

God’s Sovereignty: In our communities and homes

Ephesians 4:29–32 NIV84

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

— God has called us here to earth, to Sunnyside to be His ambassadors

— We need to all be God’s agents wherever he has placed us

— The “Name of Jesus” -Sometimes you have shout it; other times you can and should whisper it

— There is no need to drag someone else down through your mud

— Keep your unwholesome talk… Don’t share

— Build each other up… ACCORDING TO THEIR NEEDS, Not my needs but others needs.

Philippians 2:3–4 ESV

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Application - God’s sovereignty in creation calls us to worship Him for His power and majesty.

— Bury these truths deeply in your soul!

— You are part of a larger plan that God has

— Look around you, all that God has created He created for us, all of us to enjoy

God’s Sovereignty: Over Nations and Leaders

Daniel 2:21 ESV

21 He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding;

— Let me explain…God’s sovereignty extends over the affairs of nations and the rise and fall of leaders.

— He orchestrates history according to His divine plan.

— The Prophet Isaiah said…

Isaiah 46:9–10 ESV

9 remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, 10 declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’

— Listen up world, national, Washington, Sunnyside leaders

— God’s counsel is perfect… Just listen, just know.

Application - Even when the world seems chaotic, we can trust that God is in control and His purposes will prevail.

God's Sovereignty: In Salvation

Ephesians 1:4–5 ESV

4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

Assurance of Salvation: Confidence that salvation is secure because it is grounded in God's unchangeable will.

Humility: Recognizing that salvation is entirely by God's grace fosters humility and gratitude.

Evangelism: Inspires believers to share the gospel, trusting that God will draw those He has chosen to Himself.

— We are children of the King; as such we have a special relationship with God and Jesus.

— If you have not yet accepted Christ into your life this is an opportunity to turn to him

John 10:28–29 ESV

28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

Application: Be encouraged to live boldly and confidently in your faith, knowing that your salvation is secure in Christ and you are never far from the loving care of God.

Let’s Review Our Application Points

Cultivate Awe and Reverence for God, Worship Him for His Creation and Strengthen your faith.

Dwell in the love of Christ, dwell with one another, as you teach and admonish. Share hymns and spiritual songs with GRATITUDE.

Be encouraged to live boldly and confidently in your faith. You are secure in Christ and never far from God.

Even when the world seems chaotic, we can trust that God is in control and His purposes will prevail.

Rest in the knowledge that our salvation is secure because it is grounded in the Sovereign will of God.

Discussion Questions

1. How does recognizing that salvation is entirely by God's grace foster humility and gratitude in our lives?

2. What does it mean to live boldly and confidently in our faith knowing that our salvation is secure in Christ?

3. In what ways can we be encouraged to live boldly and confidently in our faith, knowing that we are never far from the loving care of God?

4. How can embracing biblical truth help us navigate the complexities of life and align with God's will?

5. How can we cultivate awe and reverence for God through His creation?

6. What does it mean to reflect on the heavens and the skies consistently proclaiming God's handiwork? How does this strengthen our faith?

7. How can we use the evidence of God's glory in creation as a bridge to share our faith with others?

8. Why is it important to be cautious of what we put into our hearts, minds, souls, and bodies?

9. How can we adapt our Christian worldview based on the circumstances, culture, and understanding of the scriptures in our lives?

10. In what ways can we be God's agents in our communities and homes? How can we build each other up according to their needs?

11. How can we trust that God is in control over the affairs of nations and leaders, even in chaotic times?