The Absolute Sovereignty
Of
God
Jeremiah 10:23
Intro: In a world full of opinionated people, everyone has a view of what God is like. Yet, the Word of God speaks specifically to the nature and attributes of God; therefore we must simply accept them by faith or reject them on the notion that they are not rational. God’s sovereignty is such a topic, it drives people mad either trying to prove or disprove this simple biblical truth. God is God in all of His glory and He is seated on the throne of the universe ruling and reigning over the affairs of man. Today’s message is one on the sovereignty of God working in and through the lives of everyday people just like you and I.
Quote: That the Almighty does make use of human agencies and directly intervenes in human affairs is one of the plainest statements in the Bible. I have had so many evidences of his direction, so many instances when I have been controlled by some other power than my own will, that I cannot doubt that this power comes from above.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
I. As seen in the call of the Prophets and Apostles
Proverbs 16:1
The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.
1. Jeremiahs call to ministry
Jeremiah 1:4-5
4 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
Note: Before Jeremiah was conceived, before the birth of his parents God had a plan for the nation of Israel and for their prophet. You can call it providence or predestination; either way God was in control of the situation at hand.
A. A Prophet chosen before conception (Predestined)
B. A Prophet Before birth (cleansed or saved or elected)
C. A Prophet ordained by God (Appointed)
Note: Jeremiah never questioned God’s calling on his life, neither did he accept the position by “Choice” but rather accepted through obedience to the call.
2. Jonah’s call to evangelism
Jonah 1:2
2 Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.
It might be said of God and Jonah that there was a battle of the “will”; God’s will was for him to preach to the Ninevites and Jonah’s will was not to preach but run far away from the call of God.
A. Jonah fights the will of God by going to Tarsus
B. Jonah’s will caught in the belly of a great fish
C. Jonah’s obedience to the will of God
Quote:
At first laying down, as a fact fundamental,
That nothing with God can be accidental.
HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW
That nothing can be accidental with God goes without saying; both Jeremiah and Jonah had a date with destiny and God was in full control of the situation. Hard still for you to except that God is sovereign over all of creation, then we must continue.
3. Paul’s call to ministry
Acts 9:15
15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
Note: Paul has changed the paradigm of election through his calling to ministry. Look at it this way: Paul was a religious man in everyway, yet he had never experienced salvation, real forgiveness of sin, or the unconditional love of Christ until the day Christ spoke to him on the Damascus Road.
A. Paul called elected unto salvation
Many try to refute the biblical truth that Paul was called from a life of open rebellion, even killing believers throughout Judah to salvation without personal choice on Paul’s part. Paul played NO role in salvation; either in rejection of acceptance of God’s grace.
B. Paul chosen by God (hand picked vessel)
C. Paul the light bearer to the gentile world
Something had taken place for Saul the tyrant to become Paul the Martyr: that change took place in the heart of Saul, converting him; yet there is no record given where he had to make a choice in the matter. Paul he goes so far as to say, “Woe is unto me if I preach not the Gospel!”
II. As seen in the establishing of the Church of God
A. From the calling of the disciples
B. From the calling of Judas Iscariot
a. Scripture had to be fulfilled
Acts 1:16
16 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.
b. Judas was that man
There are those who think Judas had a choice in the matter, but let’s take a moment and look at the biblical truth revealed unto us.
1. Jesus called Judas
Logic states that Jesus was God therefore He can’t make mistakes; Judas was called with purpose in mind, the fulfilling of scripture.
2. Jesus knew all things from the beginning of time
Logic also teaches us that Christ is “all knowing”; therefore He knew Judas even before he was born and knew also the outcome of the things that were to take place at the Passover they shared together.
John 6:70-71
70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? 71 He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.
The term Jesus uses for chosen is: eklegomai {ek-leg’-om-ahee} to hand pick for purpose.
See, Jesus knew what he was doing when Judas was called to be part of the group.
III. As seen in the work of Christ
1. The virgin birth
It was God’s will that Mary be the mother of the Lord Jesus; mind you that God didn’t ask permission from Mary to impregnate her with the power of the Holy Ghost, He only warned her and proclaimed to her that she was highly favored among women. But a choice, I think not.
Galatians 4:4-5
4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
2. The atoning death on the cross
Revelation 13:8
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
A. Pilot had no choice in the matter
Pilot would like to have had the people let Jesus go after flogging him, but the people cried even louder crucify him. Pilot only consented to the will of God.
IV. Practical application
Since God is all knowing and full of unconditional love for creation, then we must therefore trust Him with our lives.
We can trust Him because:
1. He knows our every need
2. He knows what is best for us
