Sermon Recap — August 11, 2020

Sermon Recap

Drawing Near to Our Sovereign God

Jeremy Bell
Isaiah 46:1-11
August 9, 2020
Sermon Audio & Video

Defining God’s Sovereignty:

“God has a purpose in all that He does in the world and He providentially governs or directs all things in order that they accomplish His purposes.” — Wayne Grudem

“Divine sovereignty means that God is the ultimate, final, and complete authority over everything and everyone. Whatever happens stems from His decisions and control. God’s sovereign will is also free, for nobody forces Him to do anything, and whatever He does is in accord with His own purposes and wishes.” — John Feinberg

I. God Is Distinct in His Sovereignty (verses 5, 9)
• “I am God and there is no other; I am God and there is none like me (verse 9)”
• “To whom will you liken me and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be alike (verse 5)?”

“The doctrine of providence teaches Christians that they are never in the grip of blind forces (fortune, chance, luck, fate), all that happens to them is divinely planned, and each event comes as a new summons to trust, obey, and rejoice, knowing that all is for one’s spiritual and eternal good.” — JI Packer

“The fact that evil exists in a universe governed by a perfectly holy God must mean that He has good purposes in mind.” — RC Sproul

II. God Knows How It Is All Going to Turn Out (verse 10a)
• “Declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done (verse 10a).”

III. God’s Every Purpose Will Be Accomplished and Cannot Be Thwarted (verses 10b, 11b)
• “My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose (verse 10b)”
• “I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it (verse 11b).”

Concluding Encouragements:

Let us Stand Firm in God’s Sovereignty Over All Things (verse 8)
• “Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind (verse 8).”

Let us Rejoice that He Carries Us All our Days (verses 3-4)
• “Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been borne by me from before your birth, carried from the womb: even to your old age I am He, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save (verses 3-4).”

Questions For Discussion/Application:

  • Re-read the text, Is. 46:1-11. What initial observations and insights do you have from reading this text?
  • What does it mean that God is sovereign?
  • What scriptures can you think of that point to God’s sovereignty?
  • Read the Packer and Sproul quotes under the first point. What practical application does the doctrine of sovereignty have in the life of the believer?
  • How does it affect you when you consider that God’s plans cannot be thwarted?
  • What does it look like practically, in these days, to “stand firm in God’s sovereignty over all things?”
  • How does the doctrine of God’s sovereignty produce joy in the heart of the believer?
  • Consider taking time to pray, asking God to help us to trust fully in His sovereign control over all things.

Contact Us

Contact us below with any questions or just to say hello.

We can't wait to meet you—online or in person!

We meet Sunday's 10AM at Dock Mennonite Academy

420 Godshall Rd., Souderton, PA 18964

144 Allentown Rd., Souderton, PA 18964

215.799.2212

Dock Mennonite Academy

formerly called Penn View Christian School

420 Godshall Rd. Souderton, PA 18964

Get Directions