God Is In Charge

There’s so much craziness in the world today that it makes one wonder if everything is going out of control. It would be easy to simply give up trying to make sense out of it.

Acts 2:23–24 NIV84

This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.

We have here part of the first Christian sermon after the death and resurrection of Jesus.

God’s sovereignty

Nothing can happen that God does not allow

Doesn’t mean He causes everything to happen, but everything happens because He permitted it.

God has a plan, formed in eternity past, is working now to carry out that plan, and will bring it to completion.

Over nature

Psalm 135:6–7 NIV84

The Lord does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths. He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth; he sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses.

Over events

Proverbs 16:33 NIV84

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.

Not necessarily every time someone cast a lot or tosses a coin, but when it is being done to determine God’s will.

Over people

Proverbs 16:9 NIV84

In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.

We see this in the events of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Acts 4:27–28 NIV84

Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.

God’s sovereignty and human responsibility

It was God’s will that Jesus be crucified, but both Judas who betrayed Him and those who crucified Him bear the guilt.

We are responsible to do our best to find and to do God’s will.

Our assurance

Events are not the product of blind fate or chance

There is a purpose and a plan to achieve it

God is working all things together for our good

God will give us the strength we need

God’s plan will be achieved

Sin and evil done away with

Justice established