The Sovereignty of God #5

For those who are not on my email list, there's a new posting available every Saturday using the same link: https://johngps.blogspot.com 

God is sovereign over the affairs of man, right up until the very end of history including when the Antichrist is thrown into the lake of fire (Rev. 19:20). God is not a bystander watching a play, nor is He a puppet master pulling the strings for man’s actions. Man is responsible for his thoughts and deeds. 

Ps 9:10 Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.  (NIV)

No matter how perfect, both angels (Lucifer and fallen angels) and man (Adam and Eve) as created beings cannot achieve and maintain a permanent state of holiness needed to dwell eternally with a perfect and holy God. So, an imperfect world goes on of its own accord. But the Day of the Lord (1 Thess. 5:1-3) will come in accordance with His perfect plan and timing. 

2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.  (NIV)

Knowing the frailty of man, and inability to maintain a holy state worthy of dwelling with God, He created a plan of salvation, or all of mankind would be lost forever. But His plan carried a very high price tag for God, which demonstrates His perfect justice and His perfect love for an imperfect people. 

When God created Adam and Eve, He knew they would fall, and the consequences that went with it. If He did nothing the entire human race would perish. He also knew what the cost of our salvation would be, to be paid in full by Him, because we are incapable of doing so ourselves. Jesus had to become man in order to officially be our representative by being one of us. 

Some would say, it was only a tiny sin, why did God ban them from the Garden? Why didn’t He just forgive them? A single drop of poison in a glass of pure, crystal clear water, contaminates all the water. There is no way of separating the poison from the water. The same with our relationship with a holy God. One sin was enough to ban them from fellowship and condemn them to spiritual and physical death, and eternal separation from God’s holiness.

Only God could be perfectly just and yet perfectly merciful. Only Jesus could pay the price for our sins achieving perfect mercy and paying the price for perfect justice. It cost God far more than anything we can imagine – He came Himself, in the person of Jesus, and paid the penalty of our sins. 

Most likely Judas didn’t intend betraying Jesus when he joined the apostles. Nor did God instill betrayal in Judas, nevertheless, Judas was selected by God for that very reason and at the specific time. Betrayal wasn’t instilled by God, but came from within Judas because Jesus didn’t conform to Judas’ vision of the Messiah. In other words, Jesus fell short of Judas’ version of a Messiah that would drive out the Romans, a common hope by many Jews at the time. Over time there would be a Jewish revolt against the Romans, leading to their own destruction. 

Jesus went through five trials, so we didn’t have to go through one before a righteous God. First, Annas the high priest, who sent Him to Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin (called a brood of vipers by John the Baptist), who then sent Him to Pilate, the only one with authority to crucify Him. 

Matt 3:7 But when he [John the Baptist] saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?  (NIV)

Those who had arrested Jesus first took him to the house of the high priest, Annas. The goal was to trick Jesus into saying something they could accuse Him of before the Roman curator (governor), which didn’t happen. They didn’t stop trying even though He didn’t break any Jewish or Roman laws. But, their hatred was so vile, they kept trying. We even see things like this in politics. Sound familiar? No comparison intended, of course, or possible. 

Who exactly was Annas that they brought Jesus to him first? Though he was unofficially the high priest, he had previously been removed from office by the Roman procurator (equivalent to governor), nevertheless, Annas retained his influence and sense of authority with the Sanhedrin.

V.22 was the first of many physical blows struck against Jesus. If Jesus had wanted, an angel could have easily struck that official dead. But He did not. After the questioning, they didn’t respond to Jesus (v.24), because they didn’t have a legitimate reason to restrain Him or hit Him. So, they immediately sent Him off to Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin. 

Jesus stood trial before the Sanhedrin (Matthew 26:57-68)—the highest Jewish tribunal consisting of 71 members. It was made up of both Pharisees and Sadducees. It was basically the Supreme Court and legislative body of ancient Israel. 

Principle difference in beliefs between Pharisees and Sadducees are as noted. They both served on the high court located in the temple complex (next 3 slides). If you don’t believe in an afterlife, you don’t fear consequences for your actions or thoughts.

The Jerusalem temple, besides being a place of worship and animal sacrifice, the Great Sanhedrin met there in a building called the Hall of Hewn Stones, located as noted, where Jesus stood trial by the Sanhedrin. The Great Sanhedrin convened every day except the sabbath day and Jewish festivals. 

What the inner hall area would have looked like when Jesus stood trial, showing where He would have stood before the High Priest. Its location in the temple is pointed to in the lower right-hand corner (and previous slide). To prevent eye strain, description of Sanhedrin is on next slide. If you can’t win the argument by logic you destroy the individual any way you can….and that’s exactly what the Sanhedrin did with Jesus, including ignoring His miracles of healing, and even raising the dead.  None of it mattered to them. Since large crowds of people followed Jesus, He posed a threat to their prestige, authority and power over the people. 

As stated, the Jewish leaders needed the Romans to execute Christ. They could have stoned Him as they did with Stephen (Acts 7:51-59), but it may have violated Roman law, also they wanted everyone to disavow Jesus, and the way to do that was with a public trial and execution, proclaiming His guilt (whatever that may have been). 

Why did Pilate have Jesus crucified when he wasn’t guilty of violating Roman law? Pilate feared the Sanhedrin potentially complaining to Caesar, accusing him of allowing insurrection—which Rome would not tolerate. Maintaining his position was more important than justice for one man. So, he asked the Jewish people, and their response was… (next slide) Does any of this sound familiar in our own Congress? Christians need to be aware of injustice no matter when or where. 

In 70 AD, probably within most of their lifetime, certainly their children’s lifetime, those same Jews crying out for Jesus’ blood (death) got what they asked for (v.25). Rome destroyed Jerusalem and the Jewish nation, slaughtering many Jews, and selling many into slavery, also scattering many across the known world. 

Pilate accepted the Jews at their word and washed his hands of the whole affair—thinking, "So let His blood be on them." 

God’s wrath fell on the Jews via Rome, destroying the City of Jerusalem and the temple, including the very chamber where Jesus’ trial was held. This occurred 38 years after the crucifixion. Little did those Jews realize that they were calling God’s “wrath” upon themselves when they called for Jesus’ crucifixion. 

Just a few years after the crucifixion, Pilate’s fate didn’t fare much better than the Jews. Why? Prior to the destruction of Jerusalem, and after the crucifixion, Pilate incurred the enmity of the Jews in Roman-occupied Palestine by insulting their religious sensibilities, when he hung worship images of the emperor throughout Jerusalem and had coins bearing pagan religious symbols minted (Matt. 22:19). One responsibility of Roman curators was to preserve the peace. The Jews obviously accused him of bringing disorder to Judah; something that Rome was especially sensitive to.

The state of the world hasn’t improved over the centuries. Jesus Christ had to bear the full measure of God’s wrath and make full restitution to atone for all of our sins across all of history. Yet many reject Him, just as they did when the Jews said “let His blood be on us and our children”. The world always had its share of sin. Is it getting worse? What exactly does it mean to be a born-again Christian in this fallen world? How should we respond? Jesus’ crucifixion and death showed that He is a God of personal love and mercy.

Adrian Rogers' 40-minute sermon on “Standing Firm in a Pagan World”. If you know people that need to hear about Jesus as Savior, why not copy this sermon-link and send it to them via email or even post it on your Facebook page. A good way to share your faith. 

https://youtu.be/F9IKFsiG0-Y 

(copy and post link in your web browser)

Pray that America turns back to God. Pray for our church, our pastor and his family. 

End of the Sovereignty of God #5

 

The Sovereignty of God #4

For those who are not on my email list, there's a new posting available every Saturday using the same link: https://johngps.blogspot.com 

There is no aspect of life, religious or secular, war or peace, that is divorced from God’s sovereignty, be it Sunday morning worship or the voting booth, ever mindful that God is sovereign over everything, including the very existence of the United States of America. Our nation wasn’t a historical accident but was predestined by God for a purpose.  

There are no surprises, nothing is hidden from His view; and nothing is outside of His control. So, why does He let evil happen? People sin and commit evil deeds. He can wipe us all out and start over, but the next group of humans wouldn’t do much better. He could wipe out only evil people, but many have decent children with faith in Jesus Christ. So, He allows evil people to commit evil deeds, but He limits the extent of their evil. One example used before is the Holocaust that Hitler meant for evil but God used it to achieve His purpose and compel His chosen people to return to Israel. There’s absolutely no way European Jews would otherwise have left a comfortable life in Europe to go to a barren land in the Middle East. God allowed evil, yet He used it to achieve His plan in accordance with Bible prophesy.

Does today’s world look like it’s in chaos, disorder, disarray, turmoil, bedlam, even anarchy? Is it a warning of God’s withdrawal or His punishment? Maybe both. BUT, and it’s a big BUT, God is sovereign and in control, YES, even in regard to the pandemic and the 2020 election results. The pandemic may have opened the door turning people to God, asking “why?” Even with the recent election outcome, people may be turning to God and asking “why?” Where do they get an answer? If anything, perhaps it’s an evangelism opportunity. 

Job 42:2 "I know that you [God] can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.  (NIV)

One clear example of God’s sovereignty is Joseph in Genesis; his jealous brothers sold him into slavery, where he ended up in an Egyptian jail for refusing to sin, and then, interpreting Pharaoh’s dream, ended up in the palace as Prime Minister of Egypt; creating a home for his Hebrew family, saving them from famine. But the story doesn’t end there…. it picks up 400 years later with Moses. All according to God’s predestined plan. 

Do the two go together? Absolutely! But don’t take my word for it. Let’s see….

President George Washington: “It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God to obey His will to be grateful for His benefits and humbly to implore His protection and favor.”

As a student of history, I believe America’s colonial farmers and shop keepers never could have defeated the professional and well-trained British Army without God’s sovereign providence and protection. God’s plan for American wasn’t as a British colony, but as a sovereign nation. 

The original 13 colonies were settled by Britain. But France and Spain had very large footprints across what today constitutes the United States. If America hadn’t declared its independence, France and Spain most likely would have maintained their respective dominance over the areas identified. And over time evolved into different nations, like French Quebec, or Spanish Central and South America. But God decreed otherwise, and the United States, breaking away from Britain, extended its dominance as a nation, across the continent—”from sea to shining sea”. 

The Cause of the American Revolution was a series of events beginning as a disagreement over the way Britain governed the colonies. The colonies believed they weren’t treated with equity, including taxation without representation and no direct representation; being treated as subjects and not as fellow countrymen. They shared the same language, the same culture and the same love of country, Britain. Since God is sovereign, we can be certain it wasn’t just an accident of history. It was decreed by God for a purpose. Which we will continue to look at. He even used man’s sinful and stubborn nature to achieve it. 

The Thirteen American Colonies declared their independence from Britain, resulting in a costly Revolutionary War from 1775-1783. Ultimately, they defeated the British, thus gaining their independence and establishing the United States of America, the first modern constitutional democracy. Was it predestined by God? Absolutely! But not by just sitting back and waiting for God to perform a miracle. 

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence [sic], promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

This preamble to the Constitution speaks volumes regarding the very foundation of the USA. America was a British colony. Most of these Founders were of British heritage. Yet liberty was at the heart of their independence. How much has our Nation changed since then? Do we see the same principles in the 2020 Congress? They saw liberty as a blessing—and blessings come from God. Most were men of faith with their ideology anchored in the Bible. 

Since God is sovereign, what happened? 

Map shows pre-Civil War America. Northern states, and Southern states in the more temperate climates ideal for large plantations that required cheap labor, i.e. slaves from Africa. Why did a sovereign God allow slavery? God isn’t a puppet master. People, of their own free will, serving their own needs and desires, some even using the same Bible, justified their own actions. Even the Presbyterian Church split over slavery—North vs. South. The Southern States meant to perpetuate slavery, but God chose to end it. 

Passions and tension grew between North and South, and in 1861 a Civil War broke out, the main issue being slavery, seen as a moral issue by the North and a states rights issue by the South. The War began on April 12, 1861 and ended with Union Victory on May 9, 1865. Yet both sides read the same Bible and prayed to the same God. Was it a matter of biblical morality or political differences? Or both? Bitterness and resentment lingered on for another century. 

When Pearl Harbor was attacked by Imperial Japan on December 7, 1941, we literally became one people with one mind and one purpose—to protect and preserve the United States of America against a foreign enemy. Most Americans did not want a foreign entanglement, especially after WWI. Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor drew America into war, with the full support of the American people. If America wasn’t in the war, Japan would have conquered the entire Far East and Germany the West. 

There are two world views. The Christian view proclaims the sovereignty of God. That the very existence of the United States was part of God’s plan, which included the defeat of Imperial Japan and Nazi Germany that otherwise would have successfully exterminated the Jews worldwide. And those tyrannical powers most likely would still exist today, without America's involvement, which would not have been possible if America had not become what it was, a united nation, with the capability it had within. It emerged after the war as a superpower, thus preventing the complete takeover of all of Europe by the Communist Soviet Union. 

Which brings us too today. Just as George Washington said, we as a people are to pray humbly to implore God’s protection and favor. Anyone following the news recognizes that America is at a crossroad, which is why this blog contains a mix of selected political stuff and biblical stuff. Often, they are intertwined, such as abortion and gender identify being both political and moral. God’s Word applies to every aspect of life, which is more than just setting time aside for devotional reading and Bible study—both of which are important for our Christian walk. Everything is under the sovereignty and watchful eye of God. He doesn’t leave anything out. We either pay attention to governance and prayerfully participate or let others decide for us and suffer the consequences—which very well may have happened. 

Result of the 2020 election include the U.S. government paying for abortions in developing countries. Is that political or moral? Biological transgender-boys being allowed to compete in girl sports—putting an end to girl sports as many claim—and sharing the girls’ locker rooms. Political or moral? The military will now perform transgender operations for military personnel. Political or moral? Those decisions and more, can continue to move our nation further away from biblical values and God. If Christians withdraw from the political process, guess who would be making all the decisions? 

New president, new policies, new direction, new America. On day one, President Biden signed a slew of executive orders including stopping construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, and the wall along our southern border; stopping deportation of all illegals, including criminals; restored funding for Planned Parenthood; etc. The link below shows the executive orders signed by Biden on the first day. There are up to 40 now. We can all agree that we need to pray for America, asking God not to abandon us, yet remaining mindful of His sovereignty. 

https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/22/politics/joe-biden-executive-orders-first-week/index.html

Political or moral? How long will God tolerate the murder of innocence? Is this America’s Holocaust? 

Matt 2:18 "A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more."  (NIV)

Christianity isn’t just a Sunday morning faith. It helped steer a nation. We should care about our neighbors, our nation, and prayerfully take an active role for good, even in the political process. 

New “Human Rights” policies are being urged to decertify religious schools that do not accept secular sexual values—where government decisions overrule the Bible. We know what that entails, right? 

https://www.christianpost.com/news/lgbt-group-urges-biden-to-force-christian-schools-to-capitulate.html

God has one plan for all of history. He doesn’t have multiple plans, that if one fails, He goes onto a new plan. God uses everything to accomplish His plan, even political elections. Sometimes evil prevails so that good may abound. When we say trust in God’s sovereignty, we do so knowing that He’s in control and will ultimately achieve His purposes. 

As noted before, we see this played out with Joseph in Genesis 50. When Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery, they did it with evil intent of jealousy and personal gain, but God used it for His plan not otherwise possible. He saved both Egypt, and the Hebrews from famine. 

Gen 50:19 But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them. (NIV)

The ultimate example of how God uses evil to accomplish good in accordance with His plan, in the suffering, crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. The Pharisees, the Romans, and Satan, meant it for evil but God used it for our salvation, as the only way to fully pay our sin debt before a perfectly holy and righteous God. Not otherwise possible. The scourging by the Romans literally stripped sections of Jesus’ flesh away as shown. 

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NIV)

Even though God is sovereign over everything, we are still responsible for our thoughts and actions. The same is true of nations. They move either toward God or away from God of their own choice. God wouldn’t tell us to pray if prayer didn’t matter. I believe our prayers are interwoven into the very fabric of His eternal plan from the very beginning of time. 

How much of politics is built on a lie?  What about unfulfilled or misleading campaign promises? What about outright false promises to gain power? Is it political or moral? How essential is the truth for good governance? The same is true in the church, with false gospels that distort the Bible to allow people to remain comfortable in their sin. Pastor John MacArthur explains in this week’s lesson …. (next slide)

Pastor John MacArthur’s 57-minute lesson on "The Promise of Peace in a Worried World." Should we worry? In all things God is Sovereign. 

https://youtu.be/yGTHQ7oC-a4

(copy and paste into your web browser)

Does America need our prayers? Will God bless America if we ask Him? OR will God pour out His wrath? We are already getting a sense of God’s wrath with a global pandemic and the type of decisions being make in our government. Will prayer change it? 

Matt 6:7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.  (NIV)

End of the Sovereignty of God #4