Recognizing the Sovereignty of God

Introduction

This morning we continue in our series Walking in Victory. Last week we spoke of the importance of our recognition of our need for Jesus in every aspect of life, not just in the places we feel comfortable letting Him in.

In the past several hundred years, throughout history really; God has been subjected to the rationality of humanity

Of all the doctrines of the Bible none is so offensive to human nature as the doctrine of God’s sovereignty. To be told that God is great, and just, and holy, and pure, man can bear. But to be told that “He has mercy on whom He will have mercy”—that He “gives no account of His matters,” that it is “not of him that wills, nor of him that runs, but of God that shows mercy”—these are truths that natural man cannot stand. J.C. Ryle

God is free to do all He wills

Psalm 135:6 ESV

Whatever the Lord pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps.

See also ; ; ;

God is able to do whatever He wills

Gabriel speaking to Mary.

See also ; ;

God cannot be successfully opposed

Job 42:2 ESV

“I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

From Job’s prayer of submission and repentance.

From Job’s prayer of submission and repentance.

See also ; ; ; ; ; ;

God rules and reigns

He is King

Psalm 29:10 ESV

The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king forever.

See also ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

He is Lord of heaven and earth

Deuteronomy 4:39 ESV

know therefore today, and lay it to your heart, that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other.

See also ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

His throne is a symbol of his sovereignty

; ; ; ; Isaiah’s commission; ; ; ; ; Daniel’s dream; ; Jesus Christ teaches his disciples about things to come; ; ; ; ; ;

God’s sovereignty extends over all things

He is sovereign over creation

Revelation 4:11 ESV

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”

See also ; ;

He is sovereign over human life

1 Chronicles 29:12 ESV

Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.

Part of David’s prayer on the occasion of gifts being brought to the temple.

Part of David’s prayer on the occasion of gifts being brought to the temple.

See also ; ; ;

He is sovereign over the minutest details of life

Matthew 10:29–30 ESV

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.

He is sovereign in electing his people

Romans 9:11 ESV

though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls—

Ephesians 1:11 ESV

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,

;

Romans 8:29 ESV

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Romans 9:18 ESV

So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.

; ;

; ;

He is sovereign in the life and salvation of his people

1 Corinthians 1:30 ESV

And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,

See also ; ; ;

He is sovereign over the sufferings of believers

Philippians 1:29 ESV

For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,

;

1 Peter 3:17 ESV

For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

He is sovereign over world history

Proverbs 21:1 ESV

The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.

See also ; ; ;

God is sovereign over all other gods and over demonic forces

God is supreme over all gods

“gods” are part of the created order and subject to God’s sovereignty.

See also ; ; ; ; ;

Satan is defeated through God’s sovereign purposes at work in Jesus Christ

Colossians 2:15 ESV

He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

See also ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

We have detailed the many ways that God is Sovereign. When Moses asked God who He was, God didn’t say “I am whoever you want Me to be”. He did not say that He would be understanding of our false ideologies of His character.

What if you didn’t really know me before today and I told you that I am 5’11” and about 245 pounds, I come from a mixed background that has French, Native American, English and so on? But then two of you go out into the parking lot and have a discussion that goes something like this.

“I know the pastor says he is all these things but I think he is really much taller and probably has some Nigerian heritage”

Other person

“No I feel like he is probably much shorter and his family is Japanese”

The two go back and forth bickering about the reasons why they think they are right until a third person approaches and says “Hey don’t argue, you can both be right as long as you really believe it with all of your heart!”

That is essentially what humanity has done with the Sovereignty of God, diluted His true character into a more manageable entity that does not impose any threat to our agenda in life.