John 3:27

The Sovereignty of God

Robert Pitts – 7/23/2011Upper Springs Ministries.org

John 3:27

John answered and said, "A man canreceive nothing unless it has been given tohim from heaven.

This verse defies all of man‟s thoughts ofindependence.

Americans tend to think the United StatesConstitution and the Bill of Rights overrulesGod‟s law.

The rest of the world hold similar views.

Scriptures affirm that God is on His Throne.

He directs all things by His Word.

“Whatever the LORD pleases He does, Inheaven and in earth, In the seas and in alldeep places.”

Romans 11:36

Psalms 135:6

For of Him and through Him and to Him areall things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

Ephesians 1:11

The Lord had one plan from before thefoundations of the earth.

In Him also we have obtained aninheritance, being predestined according tothe purpose of Him who works all thingsaccording to the counsel of His will,

Acts 15:18

"Known to God from eternity are all Hisworks.”

John 17:24

"Father, I desire that they also whom Yougave Me may be with Me where I am, thatthey may behold My glory which You havegiven Me; for You loved Me before thefoundation of the world.,

Matthew 25:34

"Then the King will say to those on His righthand, „Come, you blessed of My Father,inherit the kingdom prepared for you fromthe foundation of the world:

1 Peter 1:20

He indeed was foreordained before thefoundation of the world, but was manifestin these last times for you

Ephesians 2:10

For we are His workmanship, created inChrist Jesus for good works, which Godprepared beforehand that we should walkin them.

Nothing happens by accident.

Whose in control?

The Lord is in total control, no exceptions.

Psalms 115:3

But our God is in heaven; He does whateverHe pleases.

Proverbs 16:4

The LORD has made all for Himself, Yes,even the wicked for the day of doom.

That God reigns in Heaven once wasconceded, but today it is more and moredenied.

Man‟s wisdom denies God‟s reigns on earth.

Man‟s wisdom says God is not the Creator

Man‟s wisdom says God is not in control -Only natural laws prevail

James 3:15

This wisdom does not descend from above,but is earthly, sensual, demonic.

When God is removed from His Creation,Chaos is rampant

Scenes of confusion on every side

Suicide

Murder

Deceit

Abortion

Fear

Sin is rampant

Adultery

Hatred/Anger

Theft

Abuse

Emotional

Physical

Sexual

Sin becomes the norm among men.

2 Timothy 3:13

But evil men and impostors will growworse and worse, deceiving and beingdeceived.

Luke 21:26

“Men‟s hearts failing them from fearand the expectation of those thingswhich are coming on the earth, for thepowers of heaven will be shaken.

In the religious realm

After 20 centuries, Christ is still despised &rejected by men

In most pulpits, Christ is dishonored by awatered down gospel

Most churches are dying

Almost no one is making disciples

God‟s people are bewildered, helpless,powerless & captive

The cause: walking by sight & not by faith

2 Corinthians 5:7

For we walk by faith, not by sight.

But without faith it is impossible to pleaseHim, for he who comes to God must believethat He is, and that He is a rewarder ofthose who diligently seek Him.

Hebrews 11:6

Other results of walking by sight & not byfaith

Jude 1:8

Likewise also these dreamers defile theflesh, reject authority, and speak evil ofdignitaries.

Speaking evil of such as: President,Congressmen, Mayors, Law enforcement,Preachers, Deacons, Teachers andneighbors

Problems caused by evil speaking:

Disrespect for civil authority

Decay of parental authority

Disregard for God‟s Word

Irreverence and no respect

Lawlessness of every despicable sort

Self will

Self centeredness

As authority of God‟s Sovereignty is fadinginto background we begin to see in society:

Consciences seared

A total disregard for any authority

Not only will people do evil, butencourage others to do the same

People will not enter in to God‟sKingdom themselves nor will theyallow others to enter

To change things we must start with God &move toward man, not the opposite,because everything begins with God andends with God.

John 1:1

In the beginning was the Word, and theWord was with God, and the Word was God.

Hebrews 1:10

And: "You, LORD, in the beginning laid thefoundation of the earth, And the heavensare the work of Your hands.

Psalms 102:25

Of old You laid the foundation of the earth,And the heavens are the work of Yourhands.

2 Peter 3:5

For this they willfully forget: that by theword of God the heavens were of old, andthe earth standing out of water and in thewater,

Trying to work back toward God will seemfruitless

All of our spiritual problems begin with ourlack of faith.

Disappointments

Faith endures and overcomes:

Hardships

Heartaches

Loneliness

When we become occupied by anythingother than God, we have neither rest forour hearts or peace of mind.

If we are motivated or swayed by opinions& views of men, we have no rest or peace

Luke 14:26

"If anyone comes to Me and does not hatehis father and mother, wife and children,brothers and sisters, yes, and his own lifealso, he cannot be My disciple.

God has to be number one in our lives.

Man of faith vs. Faithless man

Believer Un - Believer

Spiritual minded Carnal minded

Uses God‟s standards Uses world standards

Says not my will, but Thy will

Says only I — Me —My

Fellowships daily with the Lord

Forgets about God until trouble arises

We must remember Hebrews 11:6

But without faith it is impossible to pleaseHim, for he who comes to God must believethat He is, and that He is a rewarder ofthose who diligently seek Him.

To become all that Jesus died for us to be,we must believe and expect great thingsfrom a Great God.

To do this, we must first know Who Godand His Son, Jesus Christ is.

Secondly, we must know who we are inChrist.