The Bible does not tell us that we can strong-arm God by praying whatever we want to pray, as if our wills were constraining God’s will. Scripture tells us these are sins. Do you believe that today? God does not rescue us from the 'facts of life.' The Bible instructs believers to examine themselves, but does it tell us to what extent or how often we should question our salvation? He created the world and all that is in it. Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. We can see where God says, "I raise up kings. John Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. Does God pay attention ... a middle-aged man named Jim relates: “I constantly prayed for peace and self-control, but sooner or later, my anger always returned. Therefore, if God knows all things and is all-powerful, then that means He is in control. What does God tell us about worry and depression? If gods real,why does he think he has a right to control us? God is always in control. Isaiah 59:1. He can do whatever he wants to, and he can do it whenever he wants to. Jesus demonstrated what it means to serve the King, submitting to ultimate authority. God does not get caught off guard by anything that we experience. Life itself falls under the command of He who bestows life in the first place. He may move the mightiest nation on earth to move a couple a few miles. Be strong and courageous. But because God gave Man free will to choose—and because there is a Devil, a creature of hate and darkness, and Man chose to listen to him—evil was able to come into the creation. He is Master over the things that affect His purpose for each of us. He offers us blessing and cursing, right and wrong, life and death. God not only leads but protects, accepting responsibility for His people. Luke 2:1-7; Matthew 2:1-6. Here’s Amos 3:6: “Is a trumpet blown in a city, and the people are not afraid? My point was to say he can drive every kind of car, and here’s an illustration of it. Since God owns everything, it is not sinful for him to take a life or destroy something. Well … uh … yes. The concept of the control of God over everything is called the “sovereignty” of God. If God is in control, I don’t need to deal with my own sin; God will guide me in the right direction. Nothing gives us strength and confidence like an understanding of the sovereignty of God in our lives. Madonna and Mirwais produced the song along with Mike Dean. All rights reserved. For example, if I say my friend (who knows how to drive every kind of car) drove an electric car without instruction the first time he got into it, you wouldn’t think he knows how to only drive electric cars. DISCUSSION: [ beginning of this god is in control sermon ] I. This means the Bible isn’t simply an instruction manual with rules you must follow. In other words, God has a plan, and nothing is going to derail His plan as a whole and for us individually. "God Control" is a song by American singer-songwriter Madonna from her fourteenth studio album, Madame X. That means “this or that” — anything you do — you should go into it saying, “I’m not in control here.” It’s arrogant, he says, to think you’re in control. Because God is in control, it is safe to drink at the oasis and to dance in the tent because our enemy cannot find us under the shadow of God’s protection. They do so because they freely choose to sin. If God is in control, we can absolve ourselves from responsibility and use it as … We’re on a mission to change that. Just wait, it’ll get better” NO starting in verse 14 (read 14,15,16) God said get up off your duff and get busy. It is an … What is your life? - BUT God is still on the throne. The answer to that is that God is sovereign and can do … For this free will to be true, God must also allow us to suffer the consequences of our actions as well as any benefits. There is nothing to be afraid of in your life because, whatever trouble you face, God was in it before it started and will be with you through it to the end. Not only is God in control of the world; He is also in control of history. He enlists our input, not because he needs it, but because he desires to have an authentic, dynamic relationship with us … When Paul says, “God, who works all things according to the counsel of his will, specifically predestined us,” it doesn’t mean “He really doesn’t work all things according to the counsel of his will; he only predestined us.” That’s exactly the opposite of the way Paul is arguing. Job’s testimony demonstrates how trials should bring us closer to God, instead of driving us away. Christians can trust and rely on Him to supply a rescue as He did by the sacrifice of His Son for His glory. He reports to nobody. My answer is that we know this because the Bible teaches it. 5. 3. While God is able to control us, and if he wanted to he could override our freedom, he chooses not to. If God is in control, I don’t need to share my faith; God will bring people into the kingdom. - Things never get beyond the control or the reach of God. Please look deep. But the Bible makes it very clear that the one in control of this world—the one responsible for the suffering, evil, and sin we see around us—is not God Himself, but actually His enemy. Just wait, it’ll get better” NO starting in verse 14 (read 14,15,16) God said get up off your duff and get busy. He’s talking about predestination of Christians.” Now when somebody says that, you need to pause and think about the words “he’s just talking about.” They are so vague. This may sound confusing sorry, but I hear people tell me that God let's us do whatever we want with our lives because we aren't like robots. We all submit to something—whether to God or to desires of the flesh—but only submission to His authority frees us from slavery. 3. Therefore, if God was in absolute control of the world, where would there be any place for evil in it? Instead, God forgives our sins and welcomes us into His family. No one is coerced into loving God. So individuals developed their own views. Let me end with a statement and a question. How do we know that God always controls everything? Love cannot be coerced. God encourages each one of us to exercise self-control in all things we do. Candice Lucey is a freelance writer from British Columbia, Canada, where she lives with her family. Not only does God love us, but He has the ability to care for us. Isaiah 35:4 say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you. Some people might think this makes God a megalomaniac or puppet master, abusing His authority to exalt Himself. Instead you ought to say” — this is what the biblical inspired writer James says we ought to say — “‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’”. Scripture tells us these are sins. If that is so, and we sin, then is God making us sin? Galatians Ch.5:22-23 NIV The New Testament writers assure us that our Father does indeed have everything under control in our lives. The answer is no. The temple was destroyed at the cross and raised again three days later. So the Ninevites in effect turn on God by trusting in themselves and choosing to live corrupt and evil lives apart from God. Let’s open God’s word and examine some passages that reveal His sovereignty. Trying to be in control just tires us out because it’s a futile exercise. 2. The answer is a definite no. Here are seven Bible verses that remind us that God is always in control. They try rolling dice, and they draw lots, and they put out pieces of cloth on the ground — whatever. He mapped out the resolution to sin and death before we were born. We see unjust, uncaring or even clearly wicked people doing things that adversely affect us. Romans 2:4 says, “God’s kindness is intended to turn you from your sin.” God is not an overbearing taskmaster, who angrily forces us to do things against our will. God’s will is going to become apparent if you pay attention, like the man in Matthew 7 who built his house on a rock. Based on Romans 13:1 – “Let everyone be subject to… Including the freedom to make wrong or stupid choices. He does not give us free will then take it away. They do so because they freely choose to sin. God displays his beautiful sovereignty by deciding not to always unilaterally decide matters. If that is so, and we sin, then is God making us sin? If God is in control, then why do bad things happen to us? Isaiah 14:24 “The Lord Almighty has sworn, ’Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen.’”. Proverbs 16:33: “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” Human beings decide all kinds of ways to make a decision. Again, this is not easy to do, and we need to ask Jesus for the grace to obey him, but when we do he will help us. If He wants America to prosper He will give us presidents that will make the economy grow. If God is in control of everything, why do bad things happen to us? All of those passages sweepingly say that everything that human beings do is, in the end, the will of God. It's called free will. Perhaps you don’t want to be under His authority. The Bible records cases of evil spirits taking control of individuals. Do you believe that today? But how do we know that God always controls everything?”. Proverbs 19:21: “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” Whatever humans anywhere in the world are planning and doing, what stands is God’s will. God often allows failure to point us to one critical truth: we can't live the Christian life on our own. Our lives are in His hand. It is their fault, not God’s fault. It was written by Madonna, longtime collaborator Mirwais, and American musician Casey Spooner. God has the last word, but that word is not what we are expecting. Every decision is from the Lord. God doesn’t want to control you; He wants to transform you. God doesn’t want to control you; He wants to transform you. It is only for a while. He gives us options. Find out more about her here. GOD IS IN CONTROL. God is not controlling. Notice that God, in the form of the Holy Spirit, does not sovereignly do everything, but He helps us as we choose to be doers of God's Word. “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10). Here are seven Bible verses that remind us that God is always in control. The Jews asked under whose authority Jesus overturned the tables and whipped the vendors. Any use or disposition He chooses to make of any part of His creation is His sovereign right. 1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV / 52 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful. He gives us options. I think that means he always controls everything. Here’s what Jesus says in Luke 22:31: “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. Even unbelievers like Cyrus are subject to God’s command. When The Wolf Is At The Door. Nothing gives us strength and confidence like an understanding of the sovereignty of God in our lives. They can’t support the point the person is trying to make without more careful attention. Jesus’ disciples could not imagine any other type of display, least of all the agonized and humiliated form of their crucified Rabbi. Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. GOD IS IN CONTROL. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. Our lives are in His hand. God does not rescue us from the 'facts of life.' He sustains this world by the power of His word. Here’s Ephesians 1:11: “In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will.” Let me say it again. That’s his mindset. The concept of the control of God over everything is called the “sovereignty” of God. That’s the statement. When Wars Rage (or the wicked cause great harm) 1. When Joseph was thrown into a pit to be left to die, his brothers sold him into slavery; and then he was taken by Potiphar, the Pharaoh’s captain of the guard but then was thrown into prison when falsely accused of trying to take Potiphar’s wife. The implication is the biblical writer assumes every kind of event that comes to a city is ultimately from the Lord. Why would it benefit a person to live under God’s control? Thank you that I don’t have to be in control because YOU are. Everything that God does for us, he does for our own good. Mar 17, 2020 | All, Tommy and Brook. The Lord is already in control, so let Him tell you what to do next. There will be times when God places us in situations that cause us to realize our insufficiency and depend more on him. First, God works all things according to his will. Lyrically the song talks about gun control and also touches on the political climate of the United States at the time. This is the power of petitionary prayer. Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear. John Piper writes “the natural person prefers his own autonomy” and will sin as a result. In the name of Jesus, Amen. No matter what someone does to us, God will use it for our good. We need to think carefully when people make vague statements, trying to limit a context when the context is clearly expansive. Here is James 4:13–15: “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’ — yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. God does not force anyone to sin. Introduction - It is wonderful to know that God is still in control. 2. Proverbs 20:24 reads, “A man’s steps are from the Lord; how then can man understand his way?” A general statement about all his steps. The Lord is already in control, so let Him tell you what to do next. We simply cannot understand all the details of the Divine plan. God does not control us. He is not required at any time to give to any person any explanation for anything He says or does. We all know that a specific application of a general statement doesn’t nullify or limit the truth of the general statement. Isaiah 45: “I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.” (Isaiah 45:3), Isaiah is talking about King Cyrus, referring to him “as Jehovah’s ‘shepherd,’ the Lord’s ‘anointed,’ who was providentially appointed to facilitate the divine plan” of setting Israel free from captivity. And I explain why. The Hebrew Bible does not answer this question. He modeled loving submission to the Father. Many evangelicals believe that God chooses who our president will be. No one is coerced into loving God. - It can seem at times that things are out of control. Father, I have tried to control my life and even to control other people’s behavior to suit my purposes: forgive me. We must always remember the doctrine of sovereignty, if we don’t we won’t understand why bad things happen. This same thing happens in Lamentations 3:37: “Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it?” In other words, the only explanation the biblical writer sees behind anything being commanded is that the Lord ultimately brought it to pass. Christians are freed from imagining we can somehow convert a person or prevent a person from coming to Christ. Subject to none, influenced by none, absolutely … I will not yield my glory to another.” (Isaiah 48:11) Our purpose is to praise and worship Him, not to try to manipulate Him for answers to prayer on our terms. God does not want us to live like this. When you give more careful attention, what you realize is that Paul is using a general statement about God’s working everything according to the counsel of his will as a support for a specific statement about predestination. It is free when it is liberated from preferring what is infinitely less preferable than God, and from choosing what will lead to destruction.” (Ibid.). Against such things there is no law. The New Testament writers assure us that our Father does indeed have everything under control in our lives. We must always remember the doctrine of sovereignty, if we don’t we won’t understand why bad things happen. God is in control of everything. He is commander of an army, God’s people are His soldiers, and He exercises authority over them. God is in control of everything. II. We pick up the story in Nahum where Israel is being oppressed by Nineveh, and the Ninevite… He is not required at any time to give to any person any explanation for anything He says or does. He is author of. Sometimes demon-possessed people were struck blind or mute or even injured themselves. Sometimes people say, “Well, no, no, no. No, God is in control. Instead, God forgives our sins and welcomes us into His family. Does God control us sometimes or do we control ourselves? That illustration doesn’t nullify the fact that he can drive every kind of car. Proverbs 21:1 “In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.” Joseph Benson wrote that the king’s “very inward purposes and inclinations, which seem to be most in a man’s own power, and out of the reach of all other beings; and much more his tongue, and hand, and all his outward actions [...] are in the hand of the Lord — Subject to the influence, control, and government of the great Lord of all.”. He can do whatever he wants to, and he can do it whenever he wants to. When we come face-to-face with the problems, disasters, and tragedies of life, we need to remember God IS in control. Because God is in control we can pray in faith. Perhaps you have a hard time seeing His power because life is full of storms, swelling and threatening everything you hold dear. God can defeat our enemies with trumpets (Joshua and the walls of Jericho), light (Gideon against the Midianites in Judges), and water (Pharaoh’s army at the Red Sea in Exodus). “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord…” His authority is safety for the vulnerable. God does not force anyone to sin. When Jesus died on the cross, God was finally able to forgive our sins forever, and to rescue us from spiritual death (1 Cor. Thank you for perfect leadership, for your omniscient command of every situation, and for loving us while you hold all things together. 15:54-57). Michael Phillips (Jesus Alliance CEO) shares a message today with two points you need to hear. 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