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NASB | Psalm 103:19 ¶ The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, And His sovereignty rules over all. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Psalm 103:19 ¶ The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, And His sovereignty rules over all [the universe]. |
Bible Question: "You don't hear much preaching these days," said David Jeremiah in a sermon broadcast on radio this afternoon, "on the sovereignty of God." He told of his amazement to find in Charles Haddon Spurgeon's sermons such a large number of sermons on God's absolute sovereignty. Dr. Jeremiah offered a large list of reasons why he believed that the subject of the sovereignty of God has grown so unpopular in the world today, even in the pulpits and pews of Christian churches. Without writing a full report on Dr. Jeremiah's sermon, I'll ask the Forum: Is it important to teach and preach and meditate upon the sovereignty of God? Why? And why do you think it has become so unpopular a subject? (Has humanism crept into the thinking of Christians? And how would this affect their thinking about the sovereignty of God?) Lastly, what does the Bible say about God's sovereignty? --Hank |
Bible Answer: Greetings Hank - great questions! So I sought out some answers . . . check out Arthur Pink's book, "The Sovereignty of God" - I plan to read through this - thanks for the "push." http://www.pbministries.org/books/pink/Sovereignty/sovereignty.htm Pink says about the value of this doctrine: "The substitution of so-called "practical" preaching for the doctrinal exposition which it has supplanted is the root cause of many of the evil maladies which now afflict the church of God. The reason why there is so little depth, so little intelligence, so little grasp of the fundamental verities of Christianity, is because so few believers have been established in the faith . . ." "The doctrine of God’s sovereignty then is no mere metaphysical dogma which is devoid of practical value, but is one that is calculated to produce a powerful effect upon Christian character and the daily walk. The doctrine of God’s sovereignty lies at the foundation of Christian theology, and in importance is perhaps second only to the Divine Inspiration of the Scriptures. It is the center of gravity in the system of Christian truth—the sun around which all the lesser orbs are grouped. It is the golden milestone to which every highway of knowledge leads and from which they all radiate. It is the cord upon which all other doctrines are strung like so many pearls, holding them in place and giving them unity. It is the plumb-line by which every creed needs to be measured, the balance in which every human dogma must be weighed. It is designed as the sheet-anchor for our souls amid the storms of life. The doctrine of God’s sovereignty is a Divine cordial to refresh our spirits. It is designed and adapted to mould the affections of the heart and to give a right direction to conduct. It produces gratitude in prosperity and patience in adversity. It affords comfort for the present and a sense of security respecting the unknown future. It is, and it does all, and much more than we have just said, because it ascribes to God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—the glory which is His due, and places the creature in his proper place before Him—in the dust." Here are 12 reasons Pink lists on the value of preaching the Doctrine of the sovereignty of God: 1-It deepens our veneration of the Divine Character. 2-It is the solid foundation of all true religion. 3-It repudiates the heresy of salvation by works. 4-It is deeply humbling to the creature. 5-It affords a sense of absolute security. 6-It supplies comfort in sorrow. 7-It begets a spirit of sweet resignation. 8-It evokes a song of praise. 9-It guarantees the final triumph of good over evil. 10-It provides a resting place for the heart. Mommapbs responds: Is it important to teach and preach and meditate upon the sovereignty of God? YES Why? Because of our human tendency to focus on self rather than on God. Meditiation on God's sovereignty keeps everything in HIS perspective - Lord open our eyes that we may see what YOU see . . . Why do you think it (God's Sovereignty) has become so unpopular a subject? Because man continues to want to be "in control" - we are still in rebellion! We think by placing God in the passenger seat we are "going with God!" But is He really going with us? Not when we consider His sovereignty - we delude ourselves with this thinking. Yes, I agree, humanism has had a significant influence upon the church as well as upon individual believers. This man centered mindset encourages independence and values the "I can do it" mentality that America in particular thrives upon. But the effect of humanism upon Christians is to dethrone God. Indeed, we are mostly a self-focused bunch! Very sobering to realize this . . . Lord forgive me. What does the Bible say? From Pink's book I found this fabulous verse: "Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is Thine; Thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and Thou art exalted as Head above all" 1 Chronicles 29:11 May we all fall on our faces like Job and declare:"I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees You;Therefore I retract,And I repent in dust and ashes." Job 42:5-6 Blessings, mommapbs |