A Rattled Cage

Have you ever been cut off in traffic? As you respond by yelling and screaming at the car in front of you, have you ever stopped and said “that is not how I should respond.” It is as if there is something inside you that wants to stand up and be defensive or proud. It’s like you know you need to have humility, but you just can’t seem to do it. Why is this? What should you do?

Intro

Lack of humility

Lock-up: A show about prisoners.

One girl came in thinking she would go home sooner and was all arrogant and proud. After she didn’t get out when she thought, things turned. She became depressed.

Pride and arrogance can get one in trouble fast.

Or, how about the 18 year old from Alabama who didn’t want a plea deal for murder and theft. He was offered 25 years. He laughed and stated “he didn’t have time for this.” So, the judge gave him the full 65 years.

How do we react when our “cage is rattled?”

When something happens in our life that throws us off because it is what we call “abnormal.”

Many of us say we believe in God, but we still live a life of fear and worry about the future.

How do we reconcile this as Christians?

There is still a part of us that fails to humbly rely on God as we should.

Drama

The early church was becoming something phenomenal. People were being changed and it shows us what God was doing with his people. He was sanctifying them. He was sanctifying them so he could use them to reach other people.

They were growing in Christ to then Go into the world.

The apostles were arrested, they came back to report what had happened.

Notice their response. They did not arm up and go seek a way to take out the leaders and rulers. They didn’t start plotting a way to get back at these men.

If we were in that situation we may seek ways to defend ourselves and our reputation. We might pick up the banner of Jesus and start walking the streets to prove our stance.

No, they responded with humility and grace

Jesus: Blessed are the poor in spirit (1), blessed are the meek (3) Matt 5

There is a shift within the church:

Members where now seen as friends

These friends recognized God’s sovereign hand in the things that were happening around them

Their conversion and the phenomenal power of God had changed how they now saw the world

The problem: We are far enough removed from these events that we seem to be forgetting these very facts that show us God’s Sovereign hand in all things.

Today we will be reminded of the work of God and His sovereignty through these events.

When we are reminded of God’s Sovereignty it is easier to have humility and grace toward others.

Doctrine

Evidence for God’s Sovereignty

Romans 1:19–20 ESV

For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

Romans 1:19–20 ESV

For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

Through Creation (v24)

Because of His position (vs 25-26)

He is worshipped by the creature

He is ruler over the worldly rulers

King David

How was David a servant of God? He was King over all of Israel. Kings cannot be servants can they?

Psalms - My Lord

110: 1 The Lord says to My Lord:

David understood and lived with the knowledge of God’s Sovereignty

Methodology of God’s Sovereignty

God’s Methodology

He has a solid plan for his creation

Redemptive Historical Plan of God

for people

the lost (vs 25)

his enemies (vs 26)

for his own people (29-30)

His plan included the death of Jesus Christ (27-28)

He governs all circumstances of his creation

Wicked

God used them to kill Jesus for a greater end

Chosen

Benefited from the death of Jesus

His plan includes using whom he wishes, but especially his people

God uses his people to build his Kingdom, His Church

through their words

through their deeds

Men are sanctified to be like Christ in order to be used to bring others into the Kingdom. This is how God has it set up. Yo may not like it and it may be hard, but this is reality.

Once we come to this realization it is easier to approach life with humility and grace.

Man’s response to God’s Sovereignty

God’s sovereignty demands a specific response

Humble reliance on Him

through worship and praise (v24)

through prayer (v31)

Right orientation toward God

I remember Dr. Oliver challenging the class to not do school work on Sunday.

through the HS’s work in us

to be a witness to God’s sovereignty

His plan for the world

His position

His authority

Doxology

We should live our life in humble reliance to God’s sovereignty

We need to recognize we are creatures and have a humble approach to life.

Trust in all things that happen in our life

Be prepared to be used by him for his purposes

Worship and praise him all that happens in our life

My call to ministry. Originally applied to be a navy pilot.

Let us be a people who comes humbly before God, completely dependent on Him

Let us be a humble people with one another

Love God and love our neighbor - then and only then are we obedient

Let us be in humble reliance in all things to our Sovereign God!!!!