God The Father | The Father Who is Sovereign
About this talk:
One of the clearest things the Bible consistently communicates to us is that there is one true God who is sovereign over all things. From the opening words - “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1) - to the Shema - “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one” (Deuteronomy 6:4) - to the early church at prayer - “Sovereign Lord…you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them” (Acts 4:24) - it is clear that a biblical worldview holds that God is supreme, unrivalled, sovereign.
A. W. Pink defined God’s sovereignty as, his ‘exercise of His supremacy, meaning God does as He pleases, only as He pleases, and always as He pleases…The doctrine of God's sovereignty is the center of gravity in the system of Christian truth…It is designed as the sheet-anchor for our souls amid the storms of life.’
God’s sovereignty needs to be distinguished from human forms of rule. He is sovereign in an absolute sense - he really does reign over everything - unlike, for example, King Charles III who has influence, of course, but quite limited power. He is sovereign in a self-giving manner, unlike some earthly kings through the centuries who have used their position and power for self-serving reasons. And he is eternally and universally sovereign, unlike human rulers who come and go and only ever rule over a certain part of the world.
Isaiah 46 extols the virtues of our sovereign God:
vs 1-2: Bel and Nebo, gods in Babylonian culture, were carried on the backs of animals and were nothing but a burden that would ultimately be carried off into captivity when Babylon was overthrown.
vs 3-4: In contrast, God has carried his people from birth to old age. Having made them, he will carry, sustain and rescue them.
vs 5-7: The foolishness of bowing down to other gods is made clear by the fact that God has no equal, no one with whom he can be compared. Gods made of gold and silver are completely impotent - they cannot move, answer or save from troubles.
vs 8-10: Their history as his people should make it clear to them: “I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me” - he knows all things and does all that he pleases. God's self-existence, known as his aseity, means he is entirely independent, existing from and by Himself, without any cause or need for anything outside Himself, unlike creation which depends on Him.
v 11: And God is sovereign not only over his own people, but over all peoples, as highlighted here by the statement, “From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfil my purpose,” a reference to Cyrus, who God elsewhere refers to as his shepherd and his anointed (Isaiah 44:29; 45:1). The believers’ prayer in Acts 4:24-30 reflects this understanding that God rules over all human rulers and is at work, even in them, to fulfil his purposes; “What I have planned, that I will do.”
vs 12-13: And his sovereign plan will ultimately work for those who are “far from my righteousness” because he is “bringing my righteousness near” - his salvation and splendour will be known by his people, which he supremely fulfils in Jesus.
God is sovereign in creation, in all of history, in salvation and will be in recreation. While this doctrine raises many questions, it is both tremendously humbling and reassuring. For modern people influenced by western thinking and like to think they are autonomous, self-determining, in charge of their own destiny, we are confronted with the need to “Humble [our]selves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand” (1 Peter 5:6). And yet the very next verse says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” Knowing that he is reigning and that he cares for us - that he is all-powerful and all-loving - is wonderfully reassuring. ‘There is no attribute more comforting to God’s children than that of his sovereignty’ (C. H. Spurgeon).
We should add that God’s sovereignty leads us not to passivity or fatalism, but to partnership and proactivity in many areas of life. David’s testimony in Psalm 23 is helpful here. He knows the Lord is sovereign, yet knows him as his shepherd who provides, leads, guides and protects. David is being led by a loving Father / shepherd, not controlled by a detached sovereign. Being sovereign and relational means that much of the time God asks us to work with him. Think also of the church at prayer in Acts. God’s sovereignty is the source of their confidence that he will lead them to “speak your word with great boldness” Acts 4:29).
Audio only
Life Group activity
Characteristics of God
Split into 2 or 3 groups (roughly 4 - 5 people per group)
Come up with some characteristics/aspects for God the Father based on the letters FATHER.
e.g. F = a father who Forgives….. (Luke 15:11 - 32)
Include a Scripture verse for each.
Share
As each person to pick one of those characteristics that has a particular significance for them and share that in their smaller groups, including a reason why that characteristic is so meaningful.
Get each group just to share what characteristics they've come up with (see how many have done different ones)
Create a rap or poem
Each smaller group makes a song or rap or poem based on those 7 characteristics and presents that back to the whole group.
Pray
END by people praying out and thanking God for a particular characteristic that stood out for them.
Worship
End by singing along to 'Good Good Father'
Have a great week, remembering our amazing Father God, who has lavished his love upon us!
