<< Previous | Index | Next >>"THE SOVEREIGN RULE OF GOD" INTRODUCTION 1. We live in a time of great uncertainty... a. Turmoil in places abroad b. Terrorism in places at home 2. It is easy to be filled with anxiety... a. What does the future hold? b. Will things get better, or only worse? 3. What attitude should the Christian have in such times as these...? a. Should we fear the future? b. Shall we worry for our well-being? [The answer can be found in remembering that God is in control. But is He really? Even in times of uncertainty and anxiety? It may help to understand by reviewing "The Sovereign Rule Of God"...] I. THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT A. DECLARED BY THE PROPHETS... 1. Such as Isaiah, who: a. Prophesied God would have the Medes overthrow Babylon - Isa 13:17-20 b. Depicted the nations as "tools" in the hand of God - Isa 10:5-15 1) Using wicked nations to punish other wicked nations 2) But leaving none unpunished c. Proclaimed God's judgment upon such nations as... 1) Babylon - Isa 13-14 2) Assyria and Philistia - Isa 14 3) Moab - Isa 15-16 4) Damascus - Isa 17 5) Ethiopia and Cush - Isa 18 6) Egypt - Isa 19 7) Edom and Arabia - Isa 21 8) Jerusalem - Isa 22 9) Tyre - Isa 23 -- All these judgments came true as prophesied; verifying God's existence and sovereignty - cf. Isa 46:8-11 2. Such as Daniel, who: a. When God revealed Nebuchadnezzar's dream and its interpretation, came to realize the sovereign rule of God - cf. Dan 2:19-21 b. Prophesied the rise and fall of the Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Greek and Roman empires - Dan 2:36-40 c. Explained that Nebuchadnezzar's dream of a great tree and it's fulfillment was to impress him with God's sovereignty - Dan 4:19-26, cf. 34-37 B. THE BASIS UPON WHICH GOD GOVERNED SUCH NATIONS... 1. Implied in Pr 14:34 a. A righteous nation is exalted, but a sinful nation is disgraced b. This distinction based upon righteousness supported in Jer 18:7-10 2. Some illustrations of this principle a. Babylon, to be punished for its evil treatment of its subjects - Isa 10:1-4 b. Other pagan nations, as listed by Amos - Am 1:3-2:3 c. Likewise Judah and Israel - Am 2:4-8 [God's sovereignty over the nations in Old Testament times was clearly manifested. But what about today...?] II. THE SOVEREIGNTY OF CHRIST IN THE NEW TESTAMENT A. PROCLAIMED IN MESSIANIC PROPHECY... 1. Pertaining to the Messiah's reign - Isa 9:6-7 a. The government will be on His shoulder b. There will no end to increase of His government 2. Regarding God's everlasting kingdom - Dan 2:44 a. Established in the days of the fourth kingdom, the Roman empire b. A kingdom which will never be destroyed - cf. Lk 1:31-33 c. A kingdom which will break in pieces and consume all kingdoms -- Such prophecies indicate that the sovereignty of God would continue in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ! B. PROFESSED BY JESUS AND HIS APOSTLES... 1. After His resurrection, Jesus claimed all authority - Mt 28:18 2. His apostles taught that Jesus had all authority a. He is head over all things - Ep 1:20-22 b. All have been made subject to Him - 1Pe 1:22 c. He is the ruler of the kings of the kings of the earth - Re 1:5 d. He will reign until He comes again - 1Co 15:24-26 1) A reign "in the midst of His enemies" - cf. Ps 110:1-2 2) Destroying with His coming the last enemy, death! - 1Co 15:26 -- The sovereignty once exercised by the Father is now being exercised by the Son! C. WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE CHRISTIAN... 1. Jesus is truly Lord of lords and King of kings! - cf. 1 Ti 6:15; Re 17:14; 19:16 2. No government exists without His approval - cf. Ro 13:1-2 3. What happens in governmental affairs is a matter of His concern a. He rules the nations with a rod of iron - cf. Re 2:26-27 b. He brings nations into judgment, especially those that oppose Him (the theme of Revelation, Re 17:14) c. As did His Father, the Son has various means at His disposal to judge the nations (war, famine, pestilence) - cf. Re 6:1-8 d. Don't forget, such judgment may involve using one wicked nation against another! 4. The best thing a Christian can do for the welfare of his country: a. Spread the gospel 1) It has the power to save men - Ro 1:16 2) And to make them righteous - Ro 1:17; cf. Pr 14:24 b. Pray fervently - 1Ti 2:1-3; cf. Lk 18:7-8 1) Every time you pray, you are given a private audience with the King! 2) Sincere prayer to the King will have more influence than a trip to the ballot box! c. Remember that our true strength is in the Lord 1) Not in weapons (such as horses) - cf. Isa 30:15-16; 31: 1-3 2) But in righteousness, wisdom, and knowledge - cf. Isa 33:5-6 CONCLUSION 1. We need not look to the future with anxiety... a. For the one in control is our Lord and Savior, Jesus b. If we seek His kingdom and righteousness first, our needs will be provided - Mt 6:33 2. Even if persecuted, we can still rejoice... a. For the kingdom of heaven is ours! - Mt 5:10-12 b. Jesus can help us to "weather the storms" - Mt 7:24-27 3. Speaking of the sovereignty of Christ... a. His sovereignty over the nations began when He was raised from the dead b. When we are united with Him in His resurrection, we can enjoy His sovereign rule How can one be united with Christ in His resurrection? By being baptized into His death and then raised with Him to walk in newness of life...! - cf. Ro 6:3-11<< Previous | Index | Next >>
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