PDF version (180K)

Psalm 47:7 "For God is the King of all the earth..." 1 Chronicles 29:10-13 David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, "Praise be to you, O LORD, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name." Psalm 98:8-9 "Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; let them sing before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity."

As human beings we want someone to be in control of things, but at the same time we want a say in all decisions! Maybe it’s inherent in being an American, with a government which allows input by the people; we have strong opinions about how things should be run. In fact, a well-known slogan during the Revolutionary War was: "We serve no sovereign here!" The trouble with that thinking is, someone is in control - God - but He’s not asking for advice! James Boice writes: "Let me begin with God’s sovereignty. He has absolute authority and control over his creation. In order to be sovereign God must also be all-knowing, all powerful and absolutely free. If He were limited in any one of these areas, He would not be entirely sovereign. The doctrine of the sovereignty of God is the doctrine that gives meaning and substance to all other doctrines." It is, as Arthur Pink observes, "the foundation of Christian theology...the center of gravity in the system of Christian truth - the sun around which all the lesser orbs are grouped." The NIV translates 'adonay yahweh as "Sovereign LORD." The first word is an intensive form of "master" or "lord" and is used only of God. The second is the personal name of God, indicated in English versions by LORD. Older versions render the phrase by "LORD God." The NIV translators chose the word "sovereign" to represent in English what Hebrew readers would have understood--that the name acknowledges Israel's God as ultimate Lord. NIV Bible Dictionary Read the Scriptures in the box to the left and jot down your observations about what they say concerning God’s sovereignty:

Job’s Experience
Job had a tough time. If you don’t remember his story, remind yourself by reading the first 2 chapters of Job. Then read God’s response to Job in chapters 38-41. What is God’s point? Summarize it in one sentence:

Then read Job 42:1-6. What has Job learned about God’s sovereignty?

Seven Key Verses
"The following seven verses, when put together, cover almost all the fundamentals of Christianity." (James Boice) Look up each verse and comment on why it is so pivotal to Christian beliefs:

"Taken together, these verses declare that God is able to save us for this life and for eternity, to keep us from falling into sin and temptation, to lead us into the best in human experience and to satisfy us completely."

Hebrews 7:25

2 Timothy 1:12

2 Corinthians 9:8

Hebrews 2:18

Ephesians 3:20

Philippians 3:21

Jude 24-25

____________________

Life Response
Do you believe the following are true statements?

Recommended Reading: Several quotes in this study have been taken from James Boice’s excellent theology: "Foundations of the Christian Faith", Inter-Varsity Press

If so, how are they true?

A realization of God’s sovereignty...
1. ...deepens our worship of the living and true God.

2. ...comforts us in the midst of trials, temptations or sorrows.

3. ...produces encouragement and joy in evangelism.

4. ...gives us a deep sense of security.