The Sovereignty of God Blanchester Church of Christ

The Sovereignty of God Blanchester Church of Christ November 7, 2004

Definition n Sovreignty – 1) 2) – 3) – Supreme excellence or an example of it. Supreme power, freedom from external control. One that it sovereign, an autonomous state

The Nature of God The greatest thought the mind can think is God n A TRUE concept of God is basic to Christianity because - No one’s religion rises above his concept of God. n We create God in our image instead of trying to comprehend him at his level. n

It is possible to know about God, but not know God. The point of this lesson: provide info to help us better know the nature of God. n Some say they can’t comprehend God. n John 10: 10(KJV) 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Two types of Revelation from God n Natural Revelation – – Nature Manifestation of his mighty power Romans 1: 20(KJV) 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Two types of Revelation from God n Special Revelation – – – The Bible Many things can only be learned through special revelation. A cursory read of The Bible will reveal the sovereignty of God

The Sovereignty of God Think about Moses. n Think about the task. n Think about Moses’ reaction. n Think about Moses going before Pharoah. n

The Sovereignty of God n Pharoah’s answer. Exodus 5: 2(KJV) 2 And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go. n God’s answer Exodus 3: 14(KJV) 14 And - Given to Moses. God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

I AM THAT I AM n These 5 English words capture the essence of the sovereignty of God. – – – Moses expressed the eternality of God From everlasting to everlasting The Alpha and Omega The great creator of all that is He that is without beginning or end God who is sovereign has sent me

I AM THAT I AM n Further – – – God does what he wants When he wants Where he wants How he wants Man will not dictate to God how something will be done, where it shall be done, when it shall be done, or what shall be done!

God Is Sovereign In His Power Always was -- is now -- always shall be. n Moses and the Red Sea -- Exodus 14: 23 -38 n Jericho -- Joshua 6 n Daniel -- Daniel 6: 16 - 23 n Shadrach, Meshec, Abednego -- Daniel 3 n David and Goliath -- 1 Samuel 17 n Uzzah n

God Is Sovereign In His Power n Uzzah – – – The story of the innocent bystander Recap David broke the commandments of God

David Broke God’s Commands Exodus 25: 12(KJV) 12 And thou shalt cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in the four corners thereof; and two rings shall be in the one side of it, and two rings in the other side of it. 1 Chronicles 15: 2(KJV) 2 Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the LORD chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto him for ever.

God Is Sovereign In His Power n Uzzah – – – n The story of the innocent bystander Recap David broke the commandments of God David took things into his own hands – – Was told how to move the ark and Who was to move it Was not told to move it, when to move it or where to move it to.

God Is Sovereign In His Power n Uzzah 2 Samuel 6: 6 - 7(KJV) 6 And when they came to Nachon’s threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. 7 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.

God Is Sovereign In His Power n Why did Uzzah die? – 1) He flatly disobeyed God. – Numbers 4: 15(KJV) 15. . . but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. . . – 2) God is sovereign in his power. n God will not be dictated to n We should not presuppose that God needs our help n God did not NEED Uzzah to steady the Ark. n NOBODY DICTATES TO GOD AND GETS BY WITH IT!!!

How Do You Feel About Uzzah? n Some think, “Why would God strike someone down who is sincerely trying to help? ” – This is the whole point of today’s lesson… n God is Sovereign n He is in control n He is ruler n He is God – God does NOT want just sincerity, he demands obedience!

John 14: 15(KJV) 15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Many are Sincere but Sincerely Wrong n Psalms 111: 9(KJV) 9 He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name. n Matthew 23: 9(KJV)9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. n Hebrews 10: 25(KJV) 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. n James 2: 24(KJV) 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

God is Sovereign in His Power Not to minimize the importance of Faith in salvation… n Faith only goes beyond the sovereignty of God n REMEMBER n – – No one dictates to God and gets by with it! God is sovereign n Always has been, is now, and always will be!

God is Sovereign in His Power n God’s sovereign power not always evident… – – Why would God allow Pharoah to be destroyed (Ex. 14 ) and let Ai run all over Israel (Josh 7) Why would God destoy Jericho but none of the other cities (Josh 6) Why would he deliver Daniel from the Lion’s den (Dan 6) and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the firey furnace (Dan 3) and yet let James die at the sword of Herod (Acts 12: 1) and John the Babtist at the sword of Herod Antipas Why would go allow Stephen and the apostles to be martyrs and yet deliver Paul and Silas from death.

God is Sovereign in His Power n God’s power is not always evident as we think of evident but… – These things we can be sure of n We do not know enough to question God n Nothing causeless happens n God is ruling n God is in power n God knows best because he is sovereign n We shall not dictate to God and get by with it.

God is Sovereign in his delegation of Power Always has been, is now, and always shall be n One of the best examples n – Korah, Dathan and Abiram Numbers 16: 12 -14 (KJV) 12 And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab: which said, We will not come up: 13 Is it a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, except thou make thyself altogether a prince over us? 14 Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land that floweth with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up.

Korah, Dathan and Abiram n Numbers 16: 5(KJV) 5 And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the LORD will show who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him.

Korah, Dathan and Abiram n Numbers 16: 30 -35(KJV)30 But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD. 31 And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them: 32 And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. 33 They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation. 34 And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also. 35 And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.

God is Sovereign in his delegation of Power n What is the lesson here? – God will give authority to… n Whom he wills n When he will n Where he will n and How he will n Elders today. n Hebrews 13: 17(KJV) 17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

God is Sovereign in His Creation Imagine this world as just a thought in the mind of an all-powerful God. n Who was there to question God? n He could create n – – What he willed When he willed Where he willed How he willed

God is Sovereign in His Creation n Consider Job. – – Job wanted to ask God some questions Instead, our sovereign God asked Job some questions.

Job 38: 4 - 6 n 4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. 5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? 6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;

Job 38: 12, Job 38: 16 -18 n Job 38: 12(KJV)12 Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place; n Job 38: 16 - 18(KJV) 16 Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth? 17 Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death? 18 Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all.

Job’s answer -- Job 42: 1 -3 n 1 Then Job answered the LORD, and said, 2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. 3 Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.

God is Sovereign in His Creation n Yet God’s sovereignty in his creation is not always evident as we think of evident – – Why would God make the rose with thorns, but not the lily? Why would God make some animals intelligent and some not? Why would God make some plants bear delicious edible fruit, but some deadly fruit? Why would God make 2/3 of the Earth covered with water, and much of the rest unihabitable?

God is Sovereign in His Creation n Because God is Sovereign in his creation. – – God and only God knows his purpose in creation. God is sovereign in his creation… Always has been, is now and obviously from scripture always will be!

God is Sovereign is Grace & Mercy Always was, still is, and always shall be n Grace & Mercy not the same but similar n Cannot be spoken of as deserving n – n Contradiction of terms Here is an illustration of Grace and Mercy

God is Sovereign is Grace & Mercy n Moses and Hezekiah – – – Moses prayed to go over into the promised land. Deut. 4: 1 -2 Moses learned about the sovereignty of God Hezekiah prayed to God to extend his days.

God is Sovereign is Grace & Mercy n Moses – – n n Moses wrote, “The Lord would not hear me. ” and he died Hezekiah was answered, “I have heard thy prayer” and 15 years was added to his life A beuatiful exemplification of Romans 9: 15 15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

God is Sovereign is Grace & Mercy Was this fair? n It is absolute fairness -- God is sovereign n Not always evident n – – – Why were the Jews chosen instead of Gentiles Why was Ishmael cast out and not Isaac Why was Esau deprived of his birthright and Jacob made a vessel of honor.

Conclussion n n n It is time that we understand the nature of the God whom we serve. If we actually believe in God, it is time that we start acting like it It is time we understand that God demands more than sincerity, he demands obedience. It is time we understand no one lives wrong and dies right. It is time to subscribe to the age old saying, “God said it, I believe it and that settles it” It is time to reach out and study the great word of God, stop compromising and start realizing, “God is coming back and Boy is he mad. ” Heb, 10: 31 “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God

God’s Plan of Salvation n Hebrews 11: 6(KJV) 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. n Luke 13: 3(KJV) 3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall likewise perish. n Romans 10: 10(KJV) 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Acts 2: 38(KJV) 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. n