The closer we get to Jesus Christ, the more we want to submit to His ways. When you admire and love someone, it’s only natural to want to please them. Its the same when you know Jesus Christ as your Savior. This is Key One of Submitting to God: God’s Sovereignity.
Why do we bow to HIm? Not just because we love Him, but because He is sovereign.
Sovereign is not a usual word in our language. Here are some questions to think about.
- How do you explain the sovereignity of God?
- What are examples of God’s Sovereignity?
- What does the Bible say about the sovereignity of God?
- How do you acknowledge God’s sovereignity?
How do you explain the sovereignty of God?
Definition
“The biblical teaching that God is the source of all creation and that all things come from and depend upon God. Sovereignty means that God is in all and over all.Holman Bible Dictionary
As humans we like to think we have control. It doesn’t take long in this life to learn that is not true. Most things are in a area we cannot touch. That is God’s area and what makes Him sovereign. He controls what goes on here and in heaven.
1 Chronicles 29:11 NIV
Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, Lord, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.
His attributes give Him that control. His greatness, power, glory, majesty and splendor. There is no one else like Him.
What are examples of God’s Sovereignty?
He is over all things
Revelation 21:6 NIV
"He said to me: 'It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.'"
Jesus is speaking here. His sovereignty runs from the beginning of time until the end. He is the only one that gives life.
He is in Control
Psalm 103:19 NIV
“The Lord has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.”
The Lord is in control of everything. Although the world seems to be out of control, it’s because God has allowed humans to have free will. The ultimate
control belongs to God and one day He will make it right again.
He Can Do Anything
Jeremiah 32;17
"Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you."
He is in Control
Psalm 103:19 NIV
“The Lord has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.”
The Lord is in control of everything. Although the world seems to be out of control, it’s because God has allowed humans to have free will. The ultimate control belongs to God and one day He will make it right again.
He Can Do Anything
Jeremiah 32;17
"Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you."
The nation of Israel was under seige by the Babylonians. This verse begins Jeremiah’s prayer to God which includes the power of God in history. (Jeremiah 32 NIV)
He knows what God has done and can do. Our world would be wise to listen to what God is saying to us.
He is All Knowledge
Romans 11:33 NIV
"Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?
Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay them?
For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen."
“While this exalted and moving ascription of praise has in view God’s plans and operations in the history of salvation affecting both Jews and Gentiles, the closing verse applies also to the individual life that pleases God. For the life of every believer has its source in God, lives by his resources, and returns to him when its course has been run. To God be the glory!” Expositor’s Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition): New Testament
Paul is talking to the Gentile believers about their place and the Jew’s place in the Gosple. He is giving a doxology of praise to God for His vast knowledge and understanding. His superiority far exceeds everyone.
He is the Creator
Colossians 1:16 NIV
"For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him."
Genesis 1:1 NIV
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
To give God His rightful place, you need to acknowledge He is the creator of everything. Leader of government only have power that God has given them
Matthew 10:29-30 NIV
"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."
Sparrows were customarily thought of as the smallest of creatures, and the penny was one of the least valuable Roman coins (cf. 5:26). God is sovereign over even the most insignificant events.” Crossway
What does the Bible Say About the Sovereignity of God?
1, Only God is Sovereign
Isaiah 46:9-11 NIV
"Remember the former things, those of long ago;
I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me.
10 I make known the end from the beginning,
from ancient times, what is still to come.
I say, ‘My purpose will stand,
and I will do all that I please.’
11 From the east I summon a bird of prey;
from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose.
What I have said, that I will bring about;
what I have planned, that I will do."
If we don’t agree with this verse, then why have faith? If we don’t believe He is capable of fulfilling His plan, then where is His power? If He doesn’t have power, then why believe?
Only God can be sovereign. He is the only one that has all the attributes to pull it off.
2, God’s Sovereign Plan Will Win
Proverbs 19:21 NIV
"Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails."
We think we know best, we have it together. How often does that work out? No matter how hard we try, God’s way is better and will win out.
By trusting Him, we can be successful in the way He has for us. He is knows the right direction for us to follow.
3. Who Can Question God In His Sovereignty?
Daniel 4:35 NIV
“All the peoples of the earth
are regarded as nothing.
He does as he pleases
with the powers of heaven
and the peoples of the earth.
No one can hold back his hand
or say to him: “What have you done?”
God’s Sovereignty cannot be denied. Of all the people on earth, can any of us council Him? Do we have the knowledge, power, or presense to tell Him what to do?
Submitting to God: How do we acknowledge that God is Sovereign?
Deuteronomy 4:39 NIV
"Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other."
- Acknowledge that everything came from God and depends on God.
- Believe it in the depths of your heart.
- Know He rules over earth as well as heaven.
Conclusion
We are interested here in learning to submit to God. Recognizing that God rules is the basis of our faith.
If we don’t put Him in His proper place, our faith will not grow. How can you ask someone to help if they don’t have control?
Remember the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 NIV? This is an example Christ gave to the apostles on how to pray.
In verse 9-10,
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.'”
He is telling them that the first thing they should pray is to acknowledge who God is and that He is in control of everything. How else will the prayer work?
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