The Lord, Our King

“Building Our Lives on Bedrock” #6 August 11, 2019 GWB “The Lord, Our King” - Psalm 103:19 - We do not believe in “fate,” or in “chance,” or in “mother nature.” We believe in providence: God upholds the universe he has made (Heb. 1:3) so that all life is dependent on him moment by moment (Job 34:14-15). Not a blade of grass grows, nor sparrow dies, apart from God (Ps. 104). God is at work in all that occurs without destroying human will (Acts 4:27-28). And God governs all things toward their proper end—the consummation of the kingdom of God in Christ (Eph. 1:10-11). The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. God reigns over all—and this fact has enormous significance for daily life. I. God rules as King over all Psalm 103:19 1. The Almighty Creator has absolute power and unchallenged authority over all creation—over nature, nations, and events. a. God rules over nature. He names every star (Isa. 40:25-26); He provides food and water for his creatures (Ps. 104:10-18). It is he who governs weather (Job 36:27-33; Matt. 5:45). b. God rules over nations. It is he who sets their boundaries (Acts 17:26), and sets up or deposes leaders (Dan. 4:25; 5:21; Jer. 27:5). God ultimately rules in political affairs (Prov. 21:1; Romans 13:1-7). Both blessing and calamity come from God’s hand (Lam. 3:37-39), both storm (Nah. 1:3) and drought (Amos 4:7-8). 2. God owns all things he has made. (Ps. 24:1; 50:10). In his great power (Isa. 14:27; Dan. 4:35), and perfect knowledge of all things (Ps. 33:13-15), he has authority over all (Isaiah 14:24). 3. God’s rule as King comes to us in Christ. “Repent, for the kingdom of God is near!” he preached. Through his death, resurrection and exaltation to the right hand of God, Christ has been enthroned as King over all. II. God rules as King in our lives Psalm 103:19 1. The Lord rules over individuals as well. “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps” (Prov. 16:9). a. What will happen to us today? tomorrow? It is all under God’s sovereign rule. b. For the believer, all of life is lived with “his right hand holding us fast.” God knows and governs every corner of our lives—he created us in the womb, grants us life, determines the number of our days, and resurrects us after death (study Psalm 139). 2. Think of what God’s sovereignty means for our daily lives: a. Since God is sovereign, prayer is conversation with the King! We call upon God Almighty, who is powerful to save, act, and intervene (Jer. 33:2-3). As our reverence for the King grows, our confidence in prayer is increased. Our patience in prayer grows. b. Since God is sovereign, every good thing in life comes from his hand—and so we should be grateful. Food, clothing, shelter, family, work, Christ—are God’s gifts. Every day is Thanksgiving Day. “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ” (1 Thes. 5:18). c. Since God is sovereign, worry is unnecessary (Rm. 8:28-29). 1) God works all things together for our good, to conform us to the image of Christ. The context of the assurance of v. 28 is suffering (v. 18) and trouble (vv. 35-38)—yet there is great certainty in God’s goodness (v. 28). The one who is sovereign over all is good! The King who governs the world is our heavenly Father. 2) God uses adversity and trial in our lives to strengthen our faith (James 1:2-4). We share in Christ’s suffering and we come to know him better; we learn to cling to the cross. 3) When Job received blessings, he thanked God; when he suffered calamity, he worshiped God (Job 1:21; 2:10). He knew God was at work (Job 13:10). Nothing can come to us that does not pass through the Father’s hand first. d. Since God is sovereign, ministry is in his hands. Whether we sow or reap, or whatever we do, it is God who makes the seed of the gospel grow (1 Cor. 3:6-7). We preach Christ, God opens blind eyes (2 Cor. 4:5-6). Responding to God Since God reigns as King over all, we can face all that life brings with peace. 1. The sovereign rule of our Savior brings us peace of mind. “You will keep in perfect peace, him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you” (Isaiah 26:3). No matter what life may bring, God is sovereign and God is good! 2. Trust in God as King over all energizes our prayer life! The greater our grasp of God’s sovereignty, the more incessant our thanksgiving, and the deeper our faith in prayer. 3. We trust in Christ our King, and share the good news of his saving power with complete confidence in his power to save all who will turn to him. Jesus is King—trust him! “Building Our Lives on Bedrock” #6 August 11, 2019 GWB “The Lord, Our King” - Psalm 103:19 - We do not believe in “fate,” or in “chance,” or in “mother nature.” We believe in providence: God upholds the universe he has made (Heb. 1:3) so that all life is dependent on him moment by moment (Job 34:14-15). Not a blade of grass grows, nor sparrow dies, apart from God (Ps. 104). God is at work in all that occurs without destroying human will (Acts 4:27-28). And God governs all things toward their proper end—the consummation of the kingdom of God in Christ (Eph. 1:10-11). The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. God reigns over all—and this fact has enormous significance for daily life. I. God rules as King over all Psalm 103:19 1. The Almighty Creator has absolute power and unchallenged authority over all creation—over nature, nations, and events. a. God rules over nature. He names every star (Isa. 40:25-26); He provides food and water for his creatures (Ps. 104:10-18). It is he who governs weather (Job 36:27-33; Matt. 5:45). b. God rules over nations. It is he who sets their boundaries (Acts 17:26), and sets up or deposes leaders (Dan. 4:25; 5:21; Jer. 27:5). God ultimately rules in political affairs (Prov. 21:1; Romans 13:1-7). Both blessing and calamity come from God’s hand (Lam. 3:37-39), both storm (Nah. 1:3) and drought (Amos 4:7-8). 2. God owns all things he has made. (Ps. 24:1; 50:10). In his great power (Isa. 14:27; Dan. 4:35), and perfect knowledge of all things (Ps. 33:13-15), he has authority over all (Isaiah 14:24). 3. God’s rule as King comes to us in Christ. “Repent, for the kingdom of God is near!” he preached. Through his death, resurrection and exaltation to the right hand of God, Christ has been enthroned as King over all. II. God rules as King in our lives Psalm 103:19 1. The Lord rules over individuals as well. “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps” (Prov. 16:9). a. What will happen to us today? tomorrow? It is all under God’s sovereign rule. b. For the believer, all of life is lived with “his right hand holding us fast.” God knows and governs every corner of our lives—he created us in the womb, grants us life, determines the number of our days, and resurrects us after death (study Psalm 139). 2. Think of what God’s sovereignty means for our daily lives: a. Since God is sovereign, prayer is conversation with the King! We call upon God Almighty, who is powerful to save, act, and intervene (Jer. 33:2-3). As our reverence for the King grows, our confidence in prayer is increased. Our patience in prayer grows. b. Since God is sovereign, every good thing in life comes from his hand—and so we should be grateful. Food, clothing, shelter, family, work, Christ—are God’s gifts. Every day is Thanksgiving Day. “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ” (1 Thes. 5:18). c. Since God is sovereign, worry is unnecessary (Rm. 8:28-29). 1) God works all things together for our good, to conform us to the image of Christ. The context of the assurance of v. 28 is suffering (v. 18) and trouble (vv. 35-38)—yet there is great certainty in God’s goodness (v. 28). The one who is sovereign over all is good! The King who governs the world is our heavenly Father. 2) God uses adversity and trial in our lives to strengthen our faith (James 1:2-4). We share in Christ’s suffering and we come to know him better; we learn to cling to the cross. 3) When Job received blessings, he thanked God; when he suffered calamity, he worshiped God (Job 1:21; 2:10). He knew God was at work (Job 13:10). Nothing can come to us that does not pass through the Father’s hand first. d. Since God is sovereign, ministry is in his hands. Whether we sow or reap, or whatever we do, it is God who makes the seed of the gospel grow (1 Cor. 3:6-7). We preach Christ, God opens blind eyes (2 Cor. 4:5-6). Responding to God Since God reigns as King over all, we can face all that life brings with peace. 1. The sovereign rule of our Savior brings us peace of mind. “You will keep in perfect peace, him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you” (Isaiah 26:3). No matter what life may bring, God is sovereign and God is good! 2. Trust in God as King over all energizes our prayer life! The greater our grasp of God’s sovereignty, the more incessant our thanksgiving, and the deeper our faith in prayer. 3. We trust in Christ our King, and share the good news of his saving power with complete confidence in his power to save all who will turn to him. Jesus is King—trust him!