The Absolute Sovereignty Of God

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.