Sovereign
Is there anything that God cannot do?
in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began —Titus 1:2
…God cannot be tempted with evil… —James 1:13
if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself. —2 Timothy 2:13
Definitions
Sovereignty vs Omnipotence vs Providence
God’s providence is His constant care for and His absolute rule over all His creation for His own glory and the good of His people…nothing, not even the smallest virus, escapes His care and control.”. —Jerry Bridges, Trusting God Even When Life Hurts
What is God sovereign over?
Whatever the LORD pleases, he does,
in heaven and on earth,
in the seas and all deeps.
He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth,
who makes lightnings for the rain
and brings forth the wind from his storehouses. —Psalm 135:6-7
See also Matthew 6:26The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
he frustrates the plans of the peoples.
The counsel of the LORD stands forever,
the plans of his heart to all generations. —Psalm 33:10-11
For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.14
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.15
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.16
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them. —Psalm 139:13-16
See also Acts 17:26; 1 Samuel 2:6-7
What about…
Evil and Suffering?
but, though he [God] cause grief, he will have compassion
according to the abundance of his steadfast love;
for he does not afflict from his heart
or grieve the children of men. —Lamentations 3:32-33
Who has spoken and it came to pass,
unless the Lord has commanded it?
Is it not from the mouth of the Most High
that good and bad come? —Lamentations 3:37-38Free will?
The heart of man plans his way,
but the LORD establishes his steps. —Proverbs 16:9
Sovereignty and the Gospel
So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above —John 19:10-11
this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it —Acts 2:23-24
Questions to Discuss
- How would you describe God’s sovereignty in your own words?
- How does the sovereignty of God help us respond to troubling times?
- What happens when we forget that God is sovereign?
Question - what do you hold on to during times of trouble?
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. —Colossians 3:1-4
What God’s sovereignty means for…
Our
to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,
who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. —1 Peter 1:4-5Our
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. —Romans 8:28-30
Because God is sovereign, we can…
Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth! —Psalm 46:10