Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 51:10 — 44.3MB)
Subscribe: RSS
GOD’S GOVERNMENT PART ONE
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can download our service on iTunes or tune in for “The Good Word” each day on AM 1230 WSAL or on Hoosier Country 103.7 FM just after 8am. Today we are going to examine God’s government. One way to define God’s governing relationship to His creation according to Millard Erickson is by defining it as “God being actively engaged in achieving His purposes in His creation and that sin cannot thwart those purposes.” I’m going to use Mr. Erickson’s outline. We will look at the first 4 truths today, and the other 3 next week.
- GOD’S GOVERNING ACTIVITY IS UNERRING! God’s sovereignty/providence is what directs the universe, and everything that happens in it. And it is unerring at every point! Caution! Do not confuse or mistake God’s perfect guidance over all of your life for a life of ease. Any true man or woman of God knows by personal experience that God’s perfect plan sometimes leads us through hot fires, dark valleys, severe trials, sharp rebukes, and other life changing processes that are neither easy nor pleasant while they are being experienced. Finally,
- GOD’S GOVERNING ACTIVITY IS UNPREJUDICED! In His sermon on the Mount Jesus says, “God causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and unrighteous.”James 1:17 = “every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from The Father of the heavenly lights, Who does not change like shifting shadows.” There are certain benefits or blessings that God’s adopted children enjoy, that the unsaved and ungodly do not. However, God extends much of His goodness to all people everywhere. God’s universal laws work for all people whether saved or unsaved. Gravity keeps everything everyone that it’s supposed to in contact with the surface of the earth; God’s laws of physics are applied consistently everywhere to everyone. The love of God, His offer of salvation to all people without regard to the color of their skin or where they live –all have the same effect on people around the world. Notice next
- GOD’S GOVERNING ACTIVITY IS UNIVERSAL! David says in Ps. 103:19 = “His kingdom rules over all.” We read in Daniel 4:35 “He does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay His hand or say to Him, ‘What are you doing?’” Paul writes in 1 Cor. 15:27, “ God has put all things in subjection under His feet.” What these Scriptures and others like them are telling us is that God’s governing hand reaches two and touches every part of creation. The emphasis in Scripture is on the good that results from God’s universal governing activity. Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman at the well; Jesus healing the blind man by the pool; or perhaps something a little closer to home! How about those times you have been involved in conversations that’s began with some general topic – and turned to a discussion concerning the Lord? A coworker approached you asking you to pray for them – or ask you to answer a Biblical question? Please understand beloved, those are not random acts of chance! All of those are deliberately planned events that are result of God’s governing His creation. And here is what you should remember about that – sometimes God includes you in His government! Think about that! Now notice
- GOD’S GOVERNING ACTIVITY IS UNIQUE! God’s family of adopted children is now and always will be innumerable. Only God Himself knows the number of people that will eternally inhabit the new earth. But here’s something you must remember –God calls every person to salvation individually! God does not have a family made of cookie-cutter children. You are as uniquely individual as your DNA. In a culture and society where people are being reduced to numbers, God’s children can be confident that He does not allow them to get lost in the shuffle. So beloved, if you are a true child of God rest assured you have His full attention – does he have yours?
If we can help you answer your spiritual questions, call us at (574) 643-9419.
