7/8/17 CCP SERIES STUDY WEEK 8 – GOD IS...KING (SOVEREIGN)

COMMUNITY GROUP/FAMILY AND DAILY STUDIES BASED UPON OUR PREACHING SERIES AT COMMUNITY CHURCH PUTNEY

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COMMUNITY GROUP/FAMILY STUDY

During the coronation of our queen in 1953 she was given a golden orb and cross to hold and the Archbishop said, 

"Receive this orb set under the Cross, and remember that the whole world is subject to the power and empire of Christ our Redeemer,”

Our queen, at the beginning of her reign was reminded that she rules on behalf of and under Jesus’ rule. What is Almighty God’s relationship with creation? God’s rule is a comfort but it can also throw up many questions.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR GOD TO BE SOVEREIGN?

In the last study we saw how God is omnipotent - infinite in power. This is intimately linked with the idea of God’s sovereignty or providence, which is exploring the how God applies His power in ruling. There are a number of conclusions one can come to regarding God’s rule: He rules none of it, some of it, doesn’t care, or He rules all of it. Louis Berkhof wrote,

‘The sovereignty of God is strongly emphasized in Scripture. He is represented as the Creator, and His will as the cause of all things.’

Ø What does Proverbs 16:33 say about things we might call random?

Ø Read Ephesians 1:11 and discuss: how encompassing is God’s will?

Ø What does Daniel 4:34-35 teach us about God’s greatness?

If God is king and rules everything, who is responsible for evil?

The story of Joseph shows God’s complete control whilst people make evil choices for which they are accountable. 

Ø Read Genesis 37:19-20.  Who does evil for which they are accountable?

Ø How might Joseph felt about God’s rule? (See Genesis 39:16-20; 40:23)

Ø What does Genesis 45:4-7 say about God’s rule?

Jesus’ death is the outstanding example of God’s sovereignty, and human sinful choices

Ø What does Acts 2:23 say about the mystery (paradox) of God’s sovereignty and human freedom?

LET’S RESPOND TO WHO GOD IS

Ø How can one grow in trust that God reigns?

Ø What do Romans 5:3 and 1 Peter 1:6-7 say about how our faith grows?

Ø If God is the infinite, omnipotent king how should we pray? Do you pray for big and challenging things knowing that His power is sufficient?

Ø Read James 1:16-17. Knowing that God is king motivates us to give thanks for all His good gifts that fill our lives. How regularly do you or could you give thanks to God?

The coronation service is also a service of communion. During the crowning ceremony the queen in 1953 they took bread and wine as memorials of Jesus’ death for their sin. What a beautiful thing to do! At the heart of our British monarchy is the example of Jesus, the heavenly king. Our omnipotent King descended to serve through death on the cross. At the heart of the British crown is service to the servant king. 

Jesus, as we have seen, is unchanging (immutable). In our good and also our dark days, let’s remember that Jesus suffered according to the perfect will of God and He continues to love us, which was the reason for His suffering. 

Ø What does Romans 8:32 say about God’s desire to do us good and what does His sovereignty say about His ability to do us good?

GOING DEEPER PERSONAL DAILY STUDIES

Monday: God rules over all things

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Wayne Grudem summarises God’s sovereignty under 3 headings: ‘God is continually involved with all created things in:

1.    Preservation-Keeps things existing and maintaining the properties with which he created them

2.    Concurrence-Cooperates with created things in every action, directing their distinctive properties to cause them to act as they do

3.    Government-Directs them to fulfil his purposes’

Tuesday God is ruler or is ruled

Daniel 4:34-35 His dominion is an eternal dominion; His kingdom endures from generation to generation. 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?”

Only two alternatives are possible: God must either rule, or be ruled; sway, or, be swayed; accomplish his own will, or be thwarted by his creatures. Accepting the fact that he is the "Most High", the only Potentate and King of kings, vested with perfect wisdom and illimitable power, and the conclusion is irresistible that he must be God in fact, as well as in name. (A W Pink The Sovereignty of God)

Wednesday: God’s will of Command (Revealed will)

God has revealed much of His will in the bible in the form of teaching and commands. Often called ‘God’s will of command’. This can be defied; for example the first of the Ten Commandments,

Exodus 20:2-3 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me.

We all break this command; we violate God’s will, incurring just condemnation which required the death of Christ to gain our redemption.

Tuesday: God’s will of Decree (Secret will)

Another form of God’s will is ‘God’s will of decree’. This is God’s plan for all things (including people’s free choices). God wills (decrees) many things that we don’t know about. For example, if you are a Christian it is because God willed it. None of us, however, know whom God has predestined. All that happens in local and world politics, is ultimately governed by God. God’s will of decree cannot be defied. His omnipotence and sovereignty work together to perfectly fulfil all that God wills.

James 4:15 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. ¹⁵ Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”

Ephesians 1:11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.

Thursday: God’s permissive will

God’s Permissive will is that by which He allows people to make free choices, even evil, whereby they are responsible. Yet, all things are still under God’s rule as He allows and uses them for His ends. A good example of this is as both God and Pharaoh are presented as hardening Pharaoh’s heart.

Exodus 4:21 The Lord said to Moses, “When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go. (7:3; 9:12; 10:1, 20, 27; 11:10; 14:4, 8, 17)

Exodus 7:14Then the Lord said to Moses, “Pharaoh’s heart is unyielding; he refuses to let the people go. (7:13, 14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7, 34, 35; 13:15)

God hardened his heart in permissively allowing Pharaoh to act; Pharaoh also did it as he chose to act according to his tyrannical heart. God is in control no matter what. The end of the story is that God’s people are released from slavery.

Friday: God redeems our mistakes

It’s easy to wear our mistakes like scars. They become a permanent part of our identity with debilitating power over us. God the omniscient ruler knew and made provision for all of your mistakes. Their condemning power is nailed to the cross and its negative consequences are being used by God for good and bring Him glory; to say otherwise is to dethrone God and give the devil a foothold. Peter’s denial is a good example,

John 13:37-38 Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!

Peter’s worst day has become riches for us as every struggling and failing Christian find hope of restoration in this failure.

Saturday: Let’s act because God reigns

A weak understanding of God’s sovereignty will render us passive as we wait for God to act. God’s reign is designed to cause us to prayerfully take action, trusting that He will lead, empower and make clear when we are taking the wrong path. It is Jesus’ authority that is the source of our confidence for mission and everything else.

Matthew 28:18-20 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”