The Sovereingty of God

Introduction:

TExas Holding something in tension. (Teeter taughter are no fun when adult / kid (It is a thigh burner).

Don’t buy a guy membership, have a kid or babysit a kid and take them to a park and find htee teeter totter. YIKES

God’s sovereignty and our human responsibility.

if you don’t like the teeter totter...

Monkey bars (have you tried to do this as an adult? - shoulder workout (forearm - america ninja warrior? what in the world- I rememver doing this in a park and time has set in)

to make it across the monkey bars you have to hold on to a bar and then propel your body forward and hold onto anohter one. and every other bar will either be God’s soveriengty and also God’s goodness.

There is not a scarier thougth in all of life than to be aware of a God who excersices universal efficacious control who is not bound by goodness.

If God is just some far off, caprious, all powerful divine being that is NOT bound by His own goodness, I don’t want to exist in universe because I would conduct my life in constantly worried and anxious waiting for the lightnihg bolt to come abliterat me at any moment for any reason.

If i don’t hold onto the goodness of God I will fall off the monkey bars.

So enough playground talk…let’s enter into the real world and see if we can see God’s soveriengty demonstrated in the world of the bible and then see if we can embrace it’s wonderful, life giving, hope sustaining reality in our lives.

Word of warning we will see how this has sustained (VIDEO)

A sovereign is a ruler, a king, a lord, and Scripture often refers to God as the one who rules over all.

His control means that everything happens according to his plan and intention.

God’s control is always efficacious; nothing can prevent him from accomplishing his purpose (see Ps. 115:3; 135:6; Isa. 14:24–27; 43:13; 55:11; Dan. 4:34–35; Rev. 3:7).

It is also universal; that is, it covers all the events of nature and history. This includes the natural world (Ps. 65:9–11; 135:6-7), human history (Acts 17:26), and individual human life (1 Sam. 2:6–7; James 4:13–16). God even governs the free decisions of human beings (Prov. 16:9), including our attitudes toward others (Dan. 1:9; Ezra 6:22). More problematically, God even foreordains people’s sins (Exod. 4:21; Deut. 2:30; 1 Kings 22:23; Rom. 9:17–18). But, as sovereign Lord, he also ordains that some will come to faith and salvation (Eph. 2:4–10).

maybe you wonder if God is good? look at all this mess. We look around and since we are honest we see a lot of mess. We have been messed with and we have made a mess of our own lives

Sovereign and good. What comfort is there if for us not also good? How does he demonstrate goodness? Christ crucified. Communion

How can we go about embracing the sovereignty of God? Today I want to discuss a topic that is so massive that it will be impossible with the time allotted to even begin to scratch the surface of its contents. I can also say that if we had a full hour or a full sermon series or all of the time left in the in what will one day be known as human history even that time would not be enough to cover the topic at hand. So even as I begin this message know that we are doomed for failure.

This is the theme in my heart so often. So what is so big that even if you added up all the years of human history that that time frame would still not be enough to cover it adequately...that topic is the Sovereignty of Almighty God.

What do I hope to accomplish with this message today? First, I hope to not speak for God, but let God speak for Himself on this topic. And thankfully He has spoken extensively on this topic in the Word. I don’t want to presume that I can add anything of value more so than God can...so toward the end of this message... I am simply going to be reminding you all of some of the amazing words of our God as recorded by the various biblical authors concerning His own sovereignty.

Secondly, I laugh at this next goal because of how absurd it sounds to an immature biblically illiterate mind but here it is...if we listen rightly to this message (which I take absolutely no credit for...this is truth rooted in who God is...not truth that I have created about Him)...so let me rephrase what I just said...if

we listen rightly to God’s message to us today...we will be equipped with a weapon so powerful that if we utilize it we will never be defenseless against attacks of: anxiety, thoughts of purposelessness, thoughts of insignificance, and the fear that torments us when we think that our lives are spinning out of control due to our own sin, or because of sins that have happened to us, or spinning out of control due to our schedules, or relationships, or the defects in our spouses, or the failings of our past, present or future. If we listen rightly to God’s message today we will be equipped with a “shield of faith, with which we can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”

We can say begone anxious thoughts...and they are gone. We can say depart depression and it departs. We can say leave worries of this world and they leave. And this is only possible if we can begin to grasp the immensity of the sovereignty of God.

At the end of this message we are going to watch a video that I put together for a service last year that was dedicated to raising our awareness of modern day martyrs of the faith and when you watch it you will be disturbed and you will questions the goodness and sovereignty of God...but you must know that what sustained these people that were have horrific acts done to them was their belief in the sovereignty of God. These people are modern day examples of Hebrews 10:32-35. These are people who endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. People who compassion on those in prison, and who joyfully accepted the plundering of their property, since they knew that they themselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore they did not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.” So those are some lofty, life changing goals set before us. And they WILL NOT be employed unless God so chooses to bless us with His favor and the by the convicting work of His Holy Spirit. So lets pray. What is the Sovereignty of God – toward a definition Before we define what it is...let’s look at a few passages of scripture and let’s let them lead us toward a definition.

Isaiah 46:5–8 ESV

5 “To whom will you liken me and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be alike? 6 Those who lavish gold from the purse, and weigh out silver in the scales, hire a goldsmith, and he makes it into a god; then they fall down and worship! 7 They lift it to their shoulders, they carry it, they set it in its place, and it stands there; it cannot move from its place. If one cries to it, it does not answer or save him from his trouble. 8 “Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors,

 Unique in His likeness – incomparable (holy)  Declaring – the future happenings in the world (foreknowledge)  My Counsel shall stand – what I have “said” or “declared” will stand it won’t not happen. (it is a certainty – it will certainly happen). AND  I will accomplish all my purpose (pleasure) – I will (ACCOMPLISH – achieve successfully) every one of his purposes (intentions or goals).  I have spoken, - - I have said things  I will bring it to pass - Those things I have said will happen  I have purposed – they happen bc there is a reason for happening.  I will do it – I will bring about my purposes.  MY SUMMARY – God is the unequaled solitary being in the universe who is able to (himself) actively execute and achieve all of His intentions that are rooted in His purposes.

 RECAP o Nothing has ever happened, o or will ever happen o that God did not purpose to happen. o Everything that has happened, is happening or will happen is purposed by God to happen (PIPER). 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...  Predestined – decided before time (determination or intention of God)  that was done on the basis of His Purpose – reasons for his pre determining things)  Works all things – bringing everything about (ability to do so)  His will counsels the working of all things – (ILLUSTRATION – if I die this is what is to happen) – His will counsels or instructs “ALL THINGS” to do what they do!  and now our jaw hits the floor as we stand amazed at such power and authority and freedom and control. Colossians 1:16–17 (ESV) 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities— all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.  through him – the source of everything  for him – everything that has been made, is being made or will be made is “FOR HIM” – belongs to Him  All things hold together – like glue and sustaining power (Job 12:10 – “In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.” Hebrews 1:3 (ESV) ...and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. 4

Daniel 4:34–35 (ESV) 34 At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; 35 all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?”  As nothing – add everything up that ever was, is or will be (communion cup ocean)  According to His will (in the unseen realm and the physical realm)  What have you done? – I have done what I have intended and purposed. SUMMARY OF SOVEREIGNTY  When we say that God is Sovereign we affirm His right to govern the universe which He has made for His own glory, just as He pleases. We affirm that His right is the right of the Potter over the clay, i. e., that He may mold that clay into whatsoever form He chooses, fashioning out of the same lump one vessel unto honor and another unto dishonor. We affirm that He is under no rule or law outside of His own will and nature, that God is a law unto Himself, and that He is under no obligation to give an account of His matters to any. A. W. Pink  The Sovereignty of God is the biblical teaching that all things are under God's rule and control, and that nothing happens without His direction or permission. God works not just some things but all things according to the counsel of His own will (see Eph. 1:11). His purposes are all-inclusive and never thwarted (see Isa. 46:11); nothing takes Him by surprise. The sovereignty of God is not merely that God has the power and right to govern all things, but that He does so, always and without exception. – standard definition 5

 God is the unequaled solitary being in the universe who is able to (himself) actively execute and achieve all of His intentions that are rooted in His purposes. – Shawn Clarke  In my classes in the seminary, I raise questions like, “Is God in control of every single molecule in the universe?” When I raise that question, I say, “The answer to that question will not determine whether you are a Christian or a Moslem, a Calvinist or an Arminian, but it will determine whether you are a theist or an atheist.” Sometimes the students can’t see the connection. And I say to them, “Don’t you realize that if there is one molecule in this universe running around loose outside the scope or the sphere of God’s divine control and authority and power, then that single maverick molecule may be the grain of sand that changes the entire course of human history, that blocks God from keeping the promises he has made to his people?” It may be that one maverick molecule that will prevent Christ from the consummation of his kingdom. For if there is one maverick molecule, it would mean that God is not sovereign. – RC SPROAL  “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!” Abraham Kuyper How is this a comfort to me? How does belief in the sovereignty of God combat anxiety, worries fears and evils?  Helps me realize that it is not all up to me. The weight of the world is not on my shoulders!  It comforts me because purpose is powerful and it removes the burden of ultimate responsibility.  The point of the universe is GOD not me.  God made humans in his image so that the world would be filled with reflectors of God. Images of God. Seven billion statues of God. So that nobody would miss the point of creation. – piper 6

God’s Sovereignty and Human Responsibility  Not fatalism – Fatalism teaches that God, if he even exists, does all things arbitrarily and without purpose or without motive.  Bible teaches that God is personal, that he rules and governs all things for his glory and out of love for his elect. He works all things for their good. Even the sinners have a purpose in glorifying God (Romans 9).  Fatalism = “whatever will be will be” therefore do whatever you want to do, since it is all determined anyway. – this will end up in a bad place.  Bible teaches that man is responsible for his actions. He must obey God's law. He must respond to the Word. He must believe on Christ to be saved. After he is regenerate and has faith, he must produce fruit.  During his days as guest lecturer at Calvin Seminary, R. B. Kuiper once used the following illustration of God’s sovereignty and human responsibility. “I liken them to two ropes going through two holes in the ceiling and over a pulley above. If I wish to support myself by them, I must cling to them both. If I cling only to one and not the other, I go down. “I read the many teachings of the Bible regarding God’s election, predestination, his chosen, and so on. I read also the many teachings regarding ‘whosoever will may come’ and urging people to exercise their responsibility as human beings. These seeming contradictions cannot be reconciled by the puny human mind. With childlike faith, I cling to both ropes, fully confident that in eternity I will see that both strands of truth are, after all, of one piece.”

How Do we Embrace this?  We desperately want to understand...but we will be unable to. That is why we must receive this biblical teaching with childlike faith.  (PING PONG BALL) – My son is amazed with me. His mind is not developed enough to understand the laws of gravity, or Newton’s 3rd law of motion “every action has an equal and opposite reaction. He simply looks at it and is amazed! He then grabs the ball and tries to replicate what I have done...but he can’t. He likes to try, but to no avail. He doesn’t need to understand all those laws of the physical universe to receive the joy of the experience.

 Matthew 18 – who is the greatest? – Jesus takes and child and says be like this...simply receive what is offered to you.  If you could just simply receive this message from our father this evening you will be blessed.  This is what has happened to me. Examples of childlike faith in the sovereignty of God when bad things have happened in my life.  Romans 11:33-36  Phil Penner - We want to understand God and package him (but this will cheapen His glory and reduce Him) – Therefore, why worship?  Elijah Philip – birth story  Think of the sovereignty of God like a rivers powerful current. You can either fight against it or let it carry you.  Fighting Against It - Acts 26:14 – Saul, hard to kick against the goads (don’t go against the plans of God it will end up hurting you more.  Flowing with It - Job 1:20–22 - Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.  So when the flood waters rise in our lives and we see death and destruction all over the place remember that “The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king forever.” (Psalm 29:10). He is on His throne. We are to come and adore Him. When Stephen was being stoned to death he “gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:55) – HIS GOD WAS REIGNING OVER THE FLOOD OF STONES THAT WERE BARRAGING HIM.

Do we have a distant cold God?  We have a God who stepped into the story.  We have a God who can walk on water, raise the dead, calm the storms, turn water to wine, and multiply fish and loaves.  We have a God who is not bound by the laws of gravity or physics.  He knew that on the other side of the disciples boat was 153 fish. 8

 He healed the centurions servant by speaking.  He made blind eyes see by spitting in the dirt and rubbing mud on a blind man’s eyes.  He made the fishing pole, which caught the fish He made, which had a 4 drachma coin, which he made, which was necessary for the temple tax, which Jesus and Peter were obligated to pay, which was in place because of a religious system that had gone wrong, which He had come not to abolish but to fulfill so that we could marvel at His grace and stand in our freedom for it is for freedom that Christ has set us free (Gal. 5:1)...and therefore since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham. (Heb. 2:14-16).  He is a God who raised his friend Lazarus from the dead, who restored the severed ear of the high priest and who himself rose from the dead and ascended into heaven to reign forevermore as the KING OF KINGS and the LORD OF LORDS and who has the ability to grant relief to us who are in the present beset with afflictions and difficulties because according to 2 Thes. 1:7-10 at some point in the future...”the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10 when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed.”  He is our God who is in heaven and who according to Psalm 115:3 – does whatever He pleases. So let me now be quiet and let me let God speak for himself...and may His words about His sovereignty be a source of blessing to you. 9

Matt 6:25-26 (TEB) "...Do not be worried about the food and drink you need to stay alive, or about clothes for your body. After all, isn't life worth more than food? And isn't the body worth more than clothes? Look at the birds flying around: they do not plant seeds, gather a harvest, and put it in barns; your Father in heaven takes care of them!" Matt 6:27-30 (TEB) "Which one of you can live a few more years by worrying about it? And why worry about clothes? Look how the wild flowers grow: they do not work or make clothes for themselves. But I tell you that not even Solomon, as rich as he was, had clothes as beautiful as one of these flowers. It is God who clothes the wild grass-- grass that is here today, gone tomorrow, burned up in the oven. Won't he be all the more sure to clothe you? How little faith you have!" Matt 6:31-34 (RSV) "So do not start worrying: 'Where will my food come from? or my drink? or my clothes?' (These are the things the heathen are always concerned about.) Your Father in heaven knows that you need all these things. Instead, be concerned above everything else with his Kingdom and with what he requires, and he will provide you with all these other things. So do not worry about tomorrow; it will have enough worries of its own. There is no need to add to the troubles each day brings." Luke 12:32“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Job 26:7–14 (ESV) 7 He stretches out the north over the void and hangs the earth on nothing. 8 He binds up the waters in his thick clouds, and the cloud is not split open under them. 9 He covers the face of the full moon and spreads over it his cloud. 10 He has inscribed a circle on the face of the waters at the boundary between light and darkness. 11 The pillars of heaven tremble and are astounded at his rebuke. 12 By his power he stilled the sea; 10

by his understanding he shattered Rahab. 13 By his wind the heavens were made fair; his hand pierced the fleeing serpent. 14 Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways, and how small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power who can understand?” Isaiah 45:5–7 (ESV) 5 I am the LORD, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me, 6 that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the LORD, and there is no other. 7 I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the LORD, who does all these things. Proverbs 16:33 The lot is cast but every decision is from the LORD Job 38:8–11 (ESV) 8 “Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb, 9 when I made clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling band, 10 and prescribed limits for it and set bars and doors, 11 and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stayed’? Acts 17:24–25 (ESV) 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. Prayer: God give us the confidence of Job who said, "I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

Now we see that God is sovereign, but is this truth a comfort or a threat to us? Well, we need to answer the question is God good?

Well, let’s just consider one thing real quick.

Can anything good come out of Nazereth.

John 1:46 ESV

46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

Why do you call me good? only God is good.

Peter says - it is good for us to be here…let me set up a tent and let’s stay. that would be so temporaty what we need is Jesus to not have some temporary earthy tabernacle we need a Hebres type temple - pass thorugh teh heavese so we can go too (

Matthew 17:4 ESV

4 And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

Matthew 19:16–17 ESV

16 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.”

John 10:11 ESV

11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

John 10:14 ESV

14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,

John 10:33 ESV

33 The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.”