WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:17.120 Let's record this. Welcome everyone. Come take a seat. If this is your first time this half term, welcome. We're looking at the sovereignty of God this half term. We've seen so far that God is sovereign over all things. 00:00:17.120 --> 00:00:36.799 And by sovereign, we mean God's kingly rule. So you think of the word sovereign, think of kings ruling. Well, God's sovereignty is his kingly rule and power and control and authority and plan over all things. 00:00:36.799 --> 00:00:48.359 And we've seen that really does cover all things. Right. It is creation, history, all the events of this world, even down to the roll of a dice. 00:00:48.439 --> 00:00:56.920 What we would say is random or chance is no such thing. God knows even down to those details, sovereign over them, control, controlling those things. 00:00:56.920 --> 00:01:08.780 He's sovereign over where we live, over life and death, good and bad, poverty and wealth, the whole spectrum, every single detail of the universe. 00:01:09.840 --> 00:01:23.280 And what is the reason behind why he is sovereign over all of this? Because he has decreed, declared all things to happen from eternity. 00:01:23.280 --> 00:01:29.079 So look at confession 3.1. Remember, this is our guide for Sunday school. 00:01:30.019 --> 00:01:39.659 God from all eternity did by the most wise and holy counsel of his own will, freely and unchangeably ordained whatsoever comes to pass. 00:01:40.480 --> 00:01:44.819 Everything. And this is what we often call predestination. 00:01:45.180 --> 00:01:50.900 God predestines, pre-declares all that will come to pass. 00:01:50.900 --> 00:01:56.420 And that includes, as we saw last week, whom God saves. 00:01:57.600 --> 00:02:03.440 We saw last week God has elected and predestined everyone he's going to save. 00:02:04.219 --> 00:02:07.219 You could say in the history books were all the events of history. 00:02:07.719 --> 00:02:11.780 And in those history books, there's also a list of every single person he's going to save. 00:02:11.780 --> 00:02:14.039 If you're in Christ, your name is there. 00:02:16.140 --> 00:02:26.280 And a key reason why this is such an important truth is because if God didn't elect us, no one would be saved. 00:02:27.379 --> 00:02:29.379 Our sin is so bad. 00:02:29.520 --> 00:02:30.719 We're so spiritually dead. 00:02:30.840 --> 00:02:33.819 We would never willingly choose God. 00:02:33.819 --> 00:02:40.959 And so God graciously elects and predestines undeserving sinners. 00:02:41.099 --> 00:02:42.599 And we can have thought about it like this, right? 00:02:43.859 --> 00:02:49.359 So it's not so much, oh, well, we're neutral going along and then God chooses either heaven or hell. 00:02:49.859 --> 00:02:55.479 No, we are by nature, undeserving, already kind of by people going to hell. 00:02:55.479 --> 00:03:00.939 But God, in his grace, elects sinners to eternal life, right? 00:03:02.039 --> 00:03:08.179 And so we saw that sin, grace and election are all connected. 00:03:09.039 --> 00:03:11.679 Because we're dead in our sin, we can't do anything. 00:03:12.179 --> 00:03:15.979 Therefore, salvation must be by grace, all from God. 00:03:16.359 --> 00:03:20.519 And if it's all from God, then he must be choosing. 00:03:20.859 --> 00:03:23.219 It's by his will that he saves. 00:03:23.219 --> 00:03:25.179 So therefore, it must mean election. 00:03:25.699 --> 00:03:26.859 And they're all interconnected. 00:03:27.019 --> 00:03:29.239 You take one out, it all crumbles. 00:03:31.119 --> 00:03:32.479 Now, there is mystery to this. 00:03:32.599 --> 00:03:35.019 We're dealing with eternal things here. 00:03:35.679 --> 00:03:41.280 But the big thing I want us to remember from this is predestination, it's all about grace. 00:03:45.199 --> 00:03:49.319 This is a glorious doctrine. 00:03:50.319 --> 00:03:52.139 It may be a mysterious doctrine. 00:03:52.139 --> 00:03:53.039 There's lots of mystery to it. 00:03:53.039 --> 00:03:56.900 But it is a glorious doctrine because it highlights God's grace. 00:03:57.359 --> 00:03:59.400 We are entirely undeserving. 00:04:00.120 --> 00:04:03.739 And God, out of his grace, elects us, calls us out of sin. 00:04:05.439 --> 00:04:08.519 But today, I want us to focus on another big topic. 00:04:08.520 --> 00:04:18.220 I want us to think about God's sovereignty over evil and over sin and over suffering. 00:04:18.220 --> 00:04:25.400 As we saw, so God is sovereign over all things. 00:04:25.900 --> 00:04:33.180 And that must include and does include sovereign over sin and evil and suffering. 00:04:33.180 --> 00:04:40.920 God is in control and has planned and has purposed all of that. 00:04:42.400 --> 00:04:44.680 But of course, that raises questions, doesn't it? 00:04:45.639 --> 00:04:48.300 How exactly is God sovereign over these things? 00:04:49.040 --> 00:04:53.939 If God has decreed it, doesn't that make him the author of evil? 00:04:53.939 --> 00:04:58.699 How can he be good and sovereign over these things at the same time? 00:04:59.980 --> 00:05:02.199 Well, we'll try to get into all of that. 00:05:02.779 --> 00:05:05.240 And let me say that there will be mystery to this. 00:05:05.480 --> 00:05:09.939 And by mystery, we just mean something that we can't get our heads around. 00:05:09.939 --> 00:05:16.540 And we won't fully wrap our heads around it and be perfectly satisfied with the answer. 00:05:17.959 --> 00:05:21.040 And so we need to just humbly acknowledge there will be mystery. 00:05:22.160 --> 00:05:25.379 And also, we won't cover all questions this week. 00:05:25.519 --> 00:05:28.980 There'll be questions about the fall, which we'll get on to next week. 00:05:29.279 --> 00:05:30.659 Questions about free will. 00:05:31.100 --> 00:05:32.860 We'll get on to that in two weeks' time. 00:05:32.860 --> 00:05:40.400 But I want us just to see today that God is sovereign over sin and evil. 00:05:41.100 --> 00:05:45.819 And actually, this is a really good and comforting truth. 00:05:46.860 --> 00:05:55.120 Because if God isn't sovereign over these things, then that means evil is in control. 00:05:55.660 --> 00:05:58.000 Which is a terrifying thought. 00:05:58.000 --> 00:06:05.959 And if God isn't sovereign, then there's also no guarantee that this world can even be fixed or will be fixed. 00:06:06.800 --> 00:06:11.959 But thankfully, we will see today that God is truly sovereign over evil. 00:06:13.540 --> 00:06:17.199 And to begin with, we need to just establish some truths. 00:06:18.079 --> 00:06:18.220 Okay? 00:06:18.420 --> 00:06:20.279 Three pillars is what I'm calling them. 00:06:20.420 --> 00:06:22.860 Three pillars that hold up these doctrines. 00:06:22.939 --> 00:06:25.579 Three things that we just need to have firmly in place. 00:06:25.600 --> 00:06:27.240 And then we can kind of build everything on top of it. 00:06:27.240 --> 00:06:30.019 And so we're going to look at three pillars. 00:06:30.340 --> 00:06:32.360 And there are also three Ps in our points today. 00:06:32.480 --> 00:06:34.000 So the first P is pillars. 00:06:34.680 --> 00:06:36.079 So this is the first point. 00:06:36.660 --> 00:06:39.439 So remember, Sunday school is a zoo. 00:06:40.060 --> 00:06:43.199 And we're gathering all the animals of biblical truth together. 00:06:43.800 --> 00:06:45.840 And we're going to see what the Bible has to say. 00:06:45.900 --> 00:06:47.259 That's how we're going to learn about the Bible. 00:06:48.180 --> 00:06:53.939 And so today, before we go any further, we need to gather the right animals into the zoo. 00:06:54.660 --> 00:06:56.960 Into this area of sovereignty and sin. 00:06:57.240 --> 00:07:01.720 Otherwise, we just might think about this in the wrong way. 00:07:02.639 --> 00:07:05.259 And so I want us to gather three key animals. 00:07:06.000 --> 00:07:07.060 These are the three pillars. 00:07:07.500 --> 00:07:09.220 And so I want you to break out into groups. 00:07:09.340 --> 00:07:13.280 Answer these questions about these three key truths. 00:07:13.560 --> 00:07:14.379 Three pillars. 00:07:14.620 --> 00:07:15.460 So break out in groups. 00:07:15.459 --> 00:07:16.939 I'll give you four minutes for this. 00:07:16.979 --> 00:07:18.039 So work quite quickly. 00:07:19.959 --> 00:07:21.560 Let's see what we have. 00:07:22.219 --> 00:07:22.560 Okay. 00:07:22.680 --> 00:07:23.539 First question. 00:07:23.540 --> 00:07:29.240 What do these verses say about God's ability to sin and do evil? 00:07:31.819 --> 00:07:32.300 Pratik. 00:07:32.300 --> 00:07:33.300 Perfect. 00:07:33.300 --> 00:07:34.300 Perfect. 00:07:34.300 --> 00:07:35.300 Perfect. 00:07:38.579 --> 00:07:34.660 Right. 00:07:39.040 --> 00:07:39.220 Okay. 00:07:39.420 --> 00:07:41.860 God cannot commit evil. 00:07:42.020 --> 00:07:42.840 He cannot sin. 00:07:43.199 --> 00:07:43.300 Right. 00:07:43.840 --> 00:07:46.060 He's completely opposed to it. 00:07:46.060 --> 00:07:47.519 So he does. 00:07:47.660 --> 00:07:48.819 He doesn't even tempt. 00:07:49.139 --> 00:07:49.339 Right. 00:07:49.759 --> 00:07:54.259 So God is never morally responsible for evil. 00:07:54.759 --> 00:07:57.220 He never can have sin on his hands. 00:07:57.220 --> 00:08:00.840 You could say he's too pure and holy for that. 00:08:01.379 --> 00:08:01.519 Right. 00:08:01.620 --> 00:08:03.680 And this is a pillar number one. 00:08:03.740 --> 00:08:03.879 Right. 00:08:03.879 --> 00:08:06.040 You can even write that next pillar number one. 00:08:06.540 --> 00:08:08.860 God cannot commit evil. 00:08:09.360 --> 00:08:09.459 Right. 00:08:09.800 --> 00:08:11.759 God cannot commit evil. 00:08:13.620 --> 00:08:14.699 Now question number two. 00:08:14.879 --> 00:08:18.540 What do these verses say about man's responsibility in sin? 00:08:20.480 --> 00:08:21.319 David Fels. 00:08:24.259 --> 00:08:25.019 There you go. 00:08:25.180 --> 00:08:25.319 Yeah. 00:08:25.920 --> 00:08:29.120 Man is responsible for his own sin. 00:08:29.379 --> 00:08:29.560 Right. 00:08:30.180 --> 00:08:32.899 We are responsible for the evil we cause. 00:08:32.899 --> 00:08:33.919 When we sin. 00:08:34.579 --> 00:08:35.659 We sin. 00:08:36.019 --> 00:08:36.279 Right. 00:08:36.819 --> 00:08:38.120 So justice. 00:08:38.639 --> 00:08:39.439 True justice. 00:08:40.100 --> 00:08:44.340 And God's ways of punishment says it is our fault when we sin. 00:08:44.679 --> 00:08:44.840 Right. 00:08:47.319 --> 00:08:48.199 How about. 00:08:48.519 --> 00:08:50.259 So that's pillar number two. 00:08:50.799 --> 00:08:53.659 Man is responsible for his evil. 00:08:54.019 --> 00:08:54.220 Right. 00:08:54.480 --> 00:08:55.600 And when I say evil. 00:08:56.220 --> 00:08:56.779 That includes that. 00:08:56.879 --> 00:08:57.819 I mean sin as well. 00:08:58.000 --> 00:08:58.179 Right. 00:08:59.939 --> 00:09:02.480 Man is responsible for his evil. 00:09:02.899 --> 00:09:03.340 Right. 00:09:03.759 --> 00:09:04.159 Now. 00:09:05.480 --> 00:09:06.220 Question number three. 00:09:06.340 --> 00:09:10.620 What do these verses say about God's control over evil? 00:09:12.459 --> 00:09:12.860 Katya. 00:09:12.860 --> 00:09:13.980 Okay. 00:09:13.980 --> 00:09:14.320 Um. 00:09:14.560 --> 00:09:17.480 That even if you do evil or sin. 00:09:17.879 --> 00:09:19.879 God can try and surround you to good. 00:09:20.080 --> 00:09:21.180 So it's always his purpose. 00:09:21.360 --> 00:09:21.960 His plan. 00:09:22.659 --> 00:09:22.919 Okay. 00:09:23.279 --> 00:09:23.500 Okay. 00:09:23.820 --> 00:09:24.139 Yes. 00:09:24.220 --> 00:09:24.800 So there are. 00:09:24.919 --> 00:09:25.820 There are a few things there. 00:09:25.899 --> 00:09:26.060 Right. 00:09:26.300 --> 00:09:26.480 So. 00:09:27.840 --> 00:09:28.980 Sin and evil. 00:09:29.300 --> 00:09:31.340 It's all within God's plan. 00:09:31.539 --> 00:09:31.720 Right. 00:09:32.320 --> 00:09:34.000 He has purposed it. 00:09:34.120 --> 00:09:34.340 We saw. 00:09:34.519 --> 00:09:35.759 You can see that in Genesis 50. 00:09:36.240 --> 00:09:37.019 It's meant. 00:09:37.139 --> 00:09:38.100 It's intended. 00:09:38.100 --> 00:09:39.200 By God. 00:09:39.300 --> 00:09:39.600 Right. 00:09:40.040 --> 00:09:42.200 It's all within his plan. 00:09:43.040 --> 00:09:43.360 Um. 00:09:44.259 --> 00:09:44.580 Oh no. 00:09:44.639 --> 00:09:44.920 So that. 00:09:45.159 --> 00:09:45.759 That's not. 00:09:45.800 --> 00:09:46.480 That's not a different. 00:09:46.980 --> 00:09:47.840 That's question four. 00:09:47.960 --> 00:09:48.259 But anyway. 00:09:48.460 --> 00:09:49.060 Genesis 50. 00:09:49.240 --> 00:09:50.300 It's all intended. 00:09:50.759 --> 00:09:52.060 A purpose by God. 00:09:52.420 --> 00:09:52.659 Nothing. 00:09:52.820 --> 00:09:52.980 No. 00:09:53.040 --> 00:09:56.720 No sin or evil can happen outside of God's control. 00:09:56.820 --> 00:10:00.680 He's completely sovereign over evil and suffering. 00:10:00.920 --> 00:10:01.220 Right. 00:10:01.639 --> 00:10:03.879 It can only happen by his command. 00:10:03.879 --> 00:10:06.439 And he's more powerful than evil. 00:10:06.679 --> 00:10:06.919 Right. 00:10:07.439 --> 00:10:08.500 Because one day. 00:10:09.000 --> 00:10:10.059 He will end it. 00:10:10.899 --> 00:10:12.480 So the way reality is. 00:10:12.580 --> 00:10:14.379 It's not like yin and yang. 00:10:14.600 --> 00:10:15.379 You know yin and yang. 00:10:15.759 --> 00:10:16.740 Chinese philosophy. 00:10:17.419 --> 00:10:18.360 Like you know the. 00:10:18.439 --> 00:10:19.259 Like the two. 00:10:19.759 --> 00:10:20.460 Black and white. 00:10:20.720 --> 00:10:21.659 Shapes coming together. 00:10:21.659 --> 00:10:21.919 Right. 00:10:22.379 --> 00:10:23.019 As if. 00:10:23.320 --> 00:10:23.799 That saying. 00:10:24.200 --> 00:10:24.320 Well. 00:10:24.580 --> 00:10:25.720 Good and evil are kind of like. 00:10:25.820 --> 00:10:28.019 Equal and opposite forces in the world. 00:10:28.519 --> 00:10:29.080 Or like. 00:10:29.700 --> 00:10:30.559 Sith and Jedi. 00:10:31.039 --> 00:10:31.159 Right. 00:10:31.159 --> 00:10:32.939 Some of you Star Wars nerds. 00:10:33.019 --> 00:10:33.459 Well no. 00:10:33.459 --> 00:10:34.459 They're not equal and opposite. 00:10:34.659 --> 00:10:35.439 You know what I mean. 00:10:35.500 --> 00:10:35.659 Okay. 00:10:36.019 --> 00:10:36.179 That. 00:10:36.860 --> 00:10:37.639 Sin and evil. 00:10:37.939 --> 00:10:39.120 Aren't like that. 00:10:39.199 --> 00:10:39.459 Sorry. 00:10:39.759 --> 00:10:40.579 Good and evil. 00:10:40.740 --> 00:10:41.480 God and sin. 00:10:41.699 --> 00:10:42.839 Aren't like that. 00:10:43.899 --> 00:10:44.339 God. 00:10:44.339 --> 00:10:45.759 God is completely. 00:10:46.439 --> 00:10:47.679 Sovereign over those things. 00:10:48.319 --> 00:10:48.439 Right. 00:10:48.879 --> 00:10:51.039 He's utterly powerful over them. 00:10:51.779 --> 00:10:53.000 And this is the third pillar. 00:10:53.600 --> 00:10:54.339 You can write down. 00:10:54.559 --> 00:10:54.980 God. 00:10:55.199 --> 00:10:56.379 Is sovereign. 00:10:56.959 --> 00:10:58.079 Over evil and suffering. 00:10:59.240 --> 00:11:00.600 God is sovereign. 00:11:01.159 --> 00:11:02.339 Over evil and suffering. 00:11:02.679 --> 00:11:04.579 And what kinds of evil. 00:11:05.079 --> 00:11:06.259 Is God's sovereign over. 00:11:07.519 --> 00:11:08.399 Shout out. 00:11:08.639 --> 00:11:09.259 Isaiah 10. 00:11:12.339 --> 00:11:13.279 The nations. 00:11:13.539 --> 00:11:13.699 Right. 00:11:14.719 --> 00:11:16.259 What the nations do. 00:11:16.500 --> 00:11:17.059 And plan. 00:11:17.059 --> 00:11:18.339 And actually in particular. 00:11:18.719 --> 00:11:19.959 Because Assyria is the focus here. 00:11:20.279 --> 00:11:21.819 Even the enemy nations. 00:11:22.059 --> 00:11:22.120 Right. 00:11:22.240 --> 00:11:23.579 The enemies of God. 00:11:24.379 --> 00:11:26.079 God actually sends them. 00:11:26.299 --> 00:11:27.319 And commands them. 00:11:27.759 --> 00:11:28.959 To achieve his purposes. 00:11:29.399 --> 00:11:30.299 Look at some of the language. 00:11:30.299 --> 00:11:31.819 So their staff. 00:11:31.899 --> 00:11:33.079 A serious staff. 00:11:33.219 --> 00:11:34.099 Their kind of weapons. 00:11:35.000 --> 00:11:35.679 Their staff. 00:11:35.799 --> 00:11:37.399 Is actually my fury. 00:11:37.839 --> 00:11:38.339 God says. 00:11:38.659 --> 00:11:40.139 I'm using them. 00:11:40.240 --> 00:11:41.459 To achieve my purposes. 00:11:42.000 --> 00:11:42.219 Yes. 00:11:42.219 --> 00:11:43.799 It's their anger. 00:11:43.799 --> 00:11:44.699 And their war. 00:11:44.819 --> 00:11:45.759 And their sin. 00:11:46.199 --> 00:11:48.000 But I'm using it. 00:11:48.399 --> 00:11:48.579 Right. 00:11:49.319 --> 00:11:50.539 For my purposes. 00:11:50.539 --> 00:11:52.980 And 1 Peter 4. 00:11:53.459 --> 00:11:54.699 What is God's sovereign over. 00:11:55.439 --> 00:11:55.899 Shout out. 00:11:57.639 --> 00:11:58.120 Suffering. 00:11:58.360 --> 00:11:58.439 Right. 00:11:58.759 --> 00:11:59.919 This is in particular. 00:12:00.639 --> 00:12:01.120 Persecution. 00:12:01.219 --> 00:12:01.559 Suffering. 00:12:01.559 --> 00:12:01.939 Right. 00:12:01.939 --> 00:12:04.419 It's all a part of God's will. 00:12:04.639 --> 00:12:05.240 And plan. 00:12:06.240 --> 00:12:07.120 Jonah 1. 00:12:07.120 --> 00:12:10.620 What is God's sovereign over. 00:12:11.259 --> 00:12:12.659 The sea. 00:12:13.220 --> 00:12:13.639 Nature. 00:12:13.759 --> 00:12:14.639 Natural disaster. 00:12:15.019 --> 00:12:15.220 Right. 00:12:15.379 --> 00:12:15.539 Yeah. 00:12:16.039 --> 00:12:16.600 Storms. 00:12:16.720 --> 00:12:17.340 Earthquakes. 00:12:17.720 --> 00:12:18.320 Tornadoes. 00:12:18.720 --> 00:12:21.139 God is sovereign over all of that. 00:12:21.700 --> 00:12:23.879 It's all a part of his plan and decree. 00:12:24.740 --> 00:12:25.779 2 Samuel 24. 00:12:26.679 --> 00:12:28.440 We don't often use the word pestilence. 00:12:29.720 --> 00:12:30.399 Disease. 00:12:30.919 --> 00:12:31.120 Right. 00:12:31.620 --> 00:12:32.919 Even disease. 00:12:33.679 --> 00:12:35.360 The Lord is sovereign over it. 00:12:35.840 --> 00:12:38.259 It's a part of his intention and plan. 00:12:39.179 --> 00:12:40.240 And what about Job 1? 00:12:43.899 --> 00:12:44.460 Satan. 00:12:44.740 --> 00:12:44.919 Right. 00:12:45.440 --> 00:12:47.340 It's interesting if you read Job 1. 00:12:47.340 --> 00:12:49.879 The dynamic between God and Satan. 00:12:50.799 --> 00:12:53.060 Satan has to come to God. 00:12:53.440 --> 00:12:54.620 And ask for permission. 00:12:55.340 --> 00:12:56.080 And God. 00:12:56.539 --> 00:12:57.680 In his sovereignty. 00:12:57.980 --> 00:12:59.299 Allows what happens to Job. 00:12:59.379 --> 00:13:00.259 Allows Satan. 00:13:00.259 --> 00:13:01.659 To do these things. 00:13:02.100 --> 00:13:03.559 Not that Satan's just let loose. 00:13:03.639 --> 00:13:04.399 And God's just like. 00:13:04.460 --> 00:13:05.519 Well he's out of the cage now. 00:13:05.580 --> 00:13:06.460 I can't really do anything. 00:13:06.939 --> 00:13:07.120 No. 00:13:07.279 --> 00:13:09.299 God is sovereign over all these events. 00:13:09.399 --> 00:13:11.139 In fact we're going to see that in Job next week. 00:13:11.220 --> 00:13:11.860 We're going to. 00:13:11.860 --> 00:13:13.379 Kind of think about Job a bit more. 00:13:13.939 --> 00:13:14.259 But. 00:13:14.799 --> 00:13:15.480 Martin Luther. 00:13:15.480 --> 00:13:16.159 The reformer. 00:13:16.299 --> 00:13:17.100 He has a helpful. 00:13:17.100 --> 00:13:18.059 A couple of. 00:13:18.059 --> 00:13:19.559 A couple of phrases about the devil. 00:13:20.039 --> 00:13:20.799 He calls the devil. 00:13:21.080 --> 00:13:21.740 God's devil. 00:13:22.139 --> 00:13:22.220 Right. 00:13:22.639 --> 00:13:23.819 Or God's ape. 00:13:25.039 --> 00:13:25.480 He's. 00:13:25.559 --> 00:13:26.600 He's on a leash. 00:13:27.139 --> 00:13:28.600 But Satan is not this. 00:13:28.600 --> 00:13:31.220 Equal and opposite force to God. 00:13:31.560 --> 00:13:33.480 He is under God's control. 00:13:33.659 --> 00:13:34.420 And sovereignty. 00:13:35.620 --> 00:13:37.159 And how about Genesis 50. 00:13:37.960 --> 00:13:39.200 What is God sovereign over? 00:13:40.980 --> 00:13:42.779 Got to think about the story of Joseph here. 00:13:44.460 --> 00:13:44.639 Yeah. 00:13:44.779 --> 00:13:44.940 Noah. 00:13:45.700 --> 00:13:45.980 Sorry. 00:13:46.320 --> 00:13:46.759 Rulers. 00:13:47.580 --> 00:13:48.100 Rulers. 00:13:48.180 --> 00:13:48.360 Okay. 00:13:48.440 --> 00:13:49.560 So you're thinking about Egypt. 00:13:50.460 --> 00:13:50.899 Yeah. 00:13:50.960 --> 00:13:51.120 Yeah. 00:13:51.159 --> 00:13:51.379 Okay. 00:13:51.379 --> 00:13:52.220 So again. 00:13:52.299 --> 00:13:53.019 Even the nations. 00:13:53.200 --> 00:13:53.480 Pharaoh. 00:13:53.480 --> 00:13:54.159 Rulers. 00:13:55.120 --> 00:13:56.779 Who's the you here? 00:13:57.320 --> 00:13:58.759 What you intended? 00:14:00.480 --> 00:14:01.000 Brothers. 00:14:01.120 --> 00:14:01.279 Right. 00:14:01.740 --> 00:14:02.480 Joseph's brothers. 00:14:03.120 --> 00:14:04.000 Their sin. 00:14:04.799 --> 00:14:06.179 Their sin of murder. 00:14:06.340 --> 00:14:07.000 Or attempted murder. 00:14:07.840 --> 00:14:08.000 Right. 00:14:08.759 --> 00:14:10.139 God's purpose. 00:14:10.559 --> 00:14:11.659 Is sovereign. 00:14:12.279 --> 00:14:12.799 Over. 00:14:13.000 --> 00:14:14.679 Even over the evil purposes. 00:14:14.679 --> 00:14:15.860 Of Joseph's brothers. 00:14:16.480 --> 00:14:16.740 Right. 00:14:17.519 --> 00:14:17.980 Yes. 00:14:18.080 --> 00:14:19.039 They intended it. 00:14:19.580 --> 00:14:20.080 But really. 00:14:20.299 --> 00:14:21.440 God was intending. 00:14:21.720 --> 00:14:22.399 Superintending. 00:14:22.500 --> 00:14:23.379 The whole thing. 00:14:23.980 --> 00:14:24.080 Right. 00:14:24.340 --> 00:14:25.379 How about Exodus 9. 00:14:25.740 --> 00:14:26.639 What is God sovereign over? 00:14:28.759 --> 00:14:29.519 Say again. 00:14:30.340 --> 00:14:30.639 Pharaoh. 00:14:31.180 --> 00:14:32.180 And what about Pharaoh? 00:14:33.299 --> 00:14:34.740 His heart. 00:14:35.840 --> 00:14:36.080 Right. 00:14:36.460 --> 00:14:37.899 Well think about this a bit more in a bit. 00:14:38.659 --> 00:14:39.860 But he's sovereign. 00:14:39.860 --> 00:14:41.759 It says. 00:14:41.960 --> 00:14:42.180 God. 00:14:42.740 --> 00:14:43.960 Harden Pharaoh's heart. 00:14:44.060 --> 00:14:44.919 He's sovereign. 00:14:45.580 --> 00:14:47.320 Over Pharaoh's heart. 00:14:47.399 --> 00:14:48.379 And his decisions. 00:14:49.120 --> 00:14:50.120 And he controls it. 00:14:50.899 --> 00:14:51.080 Again. 00:14:51.139 --> 00:14:52.019 We'll think a bit more. 00:14:52.100 --> 00:14:53.460 Exactly how he does that. 00:14:53.980 --> 00:14:55.159 But we can see it here. 00:14:56.300 --> 00:14:57.879 And how about Job 1 again? 00:15:00.060 --> 00:15:00.860 You've got to again. 00:15:00.919 --> 00:15:02.039 Think about the story of Job. 00:15:02.779 --> 00:15:03.159 Wealth. 00:15:05.340 --> 00:15:05.779 Possessions. 00:15:05.779 --> 00:15:09.720 And all the loss of it. 00:15:10.679 --> 00:15:11.419 Job is. 00:15:12.019 --> 00:15:13.240 Job loses everything. 00:15:14.159 --> 00:15:14.559 Family. 00:15:15.839 --> 00:15:16.240 Wealth. 00:15:17.699 --> 00:15:18.179 Possessions. 00:15:19.980 --> 00:15:21.139 His own health. 00:15:21.600 --> 00:15:21.759 Right. 00:15:21.759 --> 00:15:23.919 This kind of sums up what we've looked at. 00:15:26.139 --> 00:15:27.799 God is sovereign over death. 00:15:28.100 --> 00:15:28.839 And suffering. 00:15:29.579 --> 00:15:30.419 And all of it. 00:15:30.899 --> 00:15:31.459 All of it. 00:15:32.480 --> 00:15:33.419 And how about Acts 2. 00:15:33.419 --> 00:15:33.519 Who? 00:15:36.659 --> 00:15:37.219 Crucifixion. 00:15:37.799 --> 00:15:39.959 God planned the crucifixion. 00:15:40.039 --> 00:15:41.439 He intended it. 00:15:41.620 --> 00:15:42.439 And controlled. 00:15:43.159 --> 00:15:43.819 Controlled it. 00:15:43.899 --> 00:15:44.719 And purposed. 00:15:45.279 --> 00:15:46.459 The greatest sin. 00:15:46.599 --> 00:15:47.839 That was ever committed. 00:15:49.519 --> 00:15:49.919 And now. 00:15:50.059 --> 00:15:51.759 This is where we need to begin. 00:15:52.379 --> 00:15:53.299 And what we must. 00:15:53.759 --> 00:15:55.559 Hold firmly to. 00:15:56.139 --> 00:15:57.819 But hold very carefully as well. 00:15:58.179 --> 00:15:59.519 It's these three pillars. 00:15:59.519 --> 00:16:00.000 Okay. 00:16:00.439 --> 00:16:02.399 God cannot commit evil. 00:16:02.399 --> 00:16:04.779 We are responsible. 00:16:05.459 --> 00:16:06.740 For the evil that we commit. 00:16:07.459 --> 00:16:10.299 And God is completely sovereign over all evil. 00:16:10.919 --> 00:16:11.039 Right. 00:16:11.259 --> 00:16:13.860 It's all a part of his eternal plan and decree. 00:16:15.459 --> 00:16:19.620 And before we kind of get into how these things fit together. 00:16:20.459 --> 00:16:21.939 How this can be. 00:16:21.940 --> 00:16:26.060 We must simply just hold these facts first of all. 00:16:26.260 --> 00:16:26.480 Okay. 00:16:27.400 --> 00:16:30.320 All these three things are true. 00:16:30.960 --> 00:16:33.800 And we must never lose these truths. 00:16:33.800 --> 00:16:34.320 Right. 00:16:35.000 --> 00:16:37.800 And the confession kind of sums up what we see here. 00:16:38.000 --> 00:16:38.480 Yeah. 00:16:38.580 --> 00:16:39.140 It's on the back. 00:16:39.320 --> 00:16:40.240 3.1. 00:16:40.240 --> 00:16:43.720 This is the rest of this article. 00:16:44.299 --> 00:16:53.639 God from all eternity did by the most wise and holy counsel of his own will freely and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass. 00:16:54.299 --> 00:17:00.799 Yet so as thereby neither is God the author of sin nor is violence offered to the will of the creatures. 00:17:00.799 --> 00:17:01.479 Okay. 00:17:02.759 --> 00:17:03.419 Do you see what it's saying? 00:17:03.500 --> 00:17:04.279 God is sovereign. 00:17:05.299 --> 00:17:07.240 Yet God is not the author of sin. 00:17:08.440 --> 00:17:10.879 But that does leave us with a mystery, doesn't it? 00:17:12.680 --> 00:17:14.639 Truths that seem to contradict. 00:17:15.000 --> 00:17:16.279 God is sovereign over evil. 00:17:16.980 --> 00:17:19.259 But at the same time, he's not the author of evil. 00:17:19.259 --> 00:17:27.180 And this is the great mystery we encounter when we think about sovereignty and sin. 00:17:28.200 --> 00:17:33.859 This is where I'd have to say I don't have any neat answers to these things. 00:17:34.480 --> 00:17:42.980 But these three pillars are just simply the three key truths of the Bible that we must hold. 00:17:43.220 --> 00:17:43.259 Right. 00:17:43.400 --> 00:17:47.279 They are all true and we must always hold them together at the same time. 00:17:47.279 --> 00:17:53.059 But how exactly they fit, that is where the mystery is. 00:17:53.420 --> 00:17:53.539 Okay. 00:17:54.539 --> 00:18:00.500 And so you don't need to think, oh, well, there's this huge kind of complicated answer out there about God's sovereignty and sin. 00:18:01.639 --> 00:18:02.599 It's basic. 00:18:02.700 --> 00:18:04.379 I don't want to kind of oversimplify it. 00:18:05.420 --> 00:18:11.279 But it is basically these three pillars, these three biblical teachings that are all true. 00:18:11.720 --> 00:18:12.819 We hold them together. 00:18:13.359 --> 00:18:16.720 But it is a mystery to exactly how they fit together. 00:18:17.279 --> 00:18:20.740 And so if you want to just leave now, you could. 00:18:21.099 --> 00:18:24.740 That basically sums up sin and suffering and God's sovereignty. 00:18:25.019 --> 00:18:25.160 Okay. 00:18:26.660 --> 00:18:28.279 It's holding these three pillars. 00:18:29.440 --> 00:18:31.920 But a little bit more can be said. 00:18:32.259 --> 00:18:32.359 Right. 00:18:33.119 --> 00:18:38.480 Particularly, we can say more about what these pillars do and don't mean. 00:18:39.480 --> 00:18:41.559 And so I want us to dive a little deeper. 00:18:41.720 --> 00:18:43.500 And I want us to look at another P. 00:18:43.759 --> 00:18:44.039 Right. 00:18:44.519 --> 00:18:48.900 And this P sheds some light on how these pillars fit together. 00:18:49.140 --> 00:18:49.360 Right. 00:18:50.140 --> 00:18:55.539 How God can ordain evil things but not be the author of sin and still be good. 00:18:55.860 --> 00:18:56.099 Okay. 00:18:56.460 --> 00:19:02.339 And the answer is found in the purpose of why evil happens. 00:19:02.339 --> 00:19:02.939 Okay. 00:19:03.259 --> 00:19:05.079 It's my second P and my second point. 00:19:05.419 --> 00:19:05.779 Purpose. 00:19:05.919 --> 00:19:07.339 God's good intention behind evil. 00:19:08.699 --> 00:19:10.919 So we will stop for questions in a bit. 00:19:11.720 --> 00:19:17.859 One thing I want us to see when we say God is sovereign over evil is not. 00:19:17.859 --> 00:19:18.339 Okay. 00:19:18.740 --> 00:19:25.539 It's not that God is just good at cleaning up the mess after evil happens. 00:19:26.299 --> 00:19:26.479 Okay. 00:19:26.819 --> 00:19:32.799 And then God is just sovereign over evil because he's really good at making good come out of it. 00:19:32.939 --> 00:19:35.619 He's not sovereign kind of when the mess is happening. 00:19:36.079 --> 00:19:38.379 But he's good at kind of making something good come out of it. 00:19:38.619 --> 00:19:39.639 It's not that. 00:19:39.799 --> 00:19:40.039 Right. 00:19:40.879 --> 00:19:42.659 His sovereignty is more than that. 00:19:42.660 --> 00:19:53.660 God is sovereign over evil by having a good and holy purpose and intention and control in sin and evil. 00:19:54.660 --> 00:19:56.840 And the best way to see that is the cross. 00:19:57.640 --> 00:19:59.420 So look again at Acts 2. 00:20:01.500 --> 00:20:02.640 Acts 2.23. 00:20:02.640 --> 00:20:09.360 This Jesus delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God. 00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:13.580 You crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 00:20:15.440 --> 00:20:20.040 So we're faced here with the greatest sin ever committed. 00:20:20.680 --> 00:20:22.660 The worst evil to ever happen. 00:20:22.740 --> 00:20:24.420 The crucifixion of the son of God. 00:20:25.560 --> 00:20:30.060 And can you see all three pillars come together in this verse? 00:20:30.059 --> 00:20:34.279 So God does not commit this evil. 00:20:34.700 --> 00:20:36.839 In fact, he condemns it through Peter's preaching. 00:20:37.220 --> 00:20:38.720 It was a lawless act. 00:20:41.579 --> 00:20:45.220 Yet at the same time, man is responsible for this sin. 00:20:45.559 --> 00:20:46.359 Do you see the language? 00:20:46.980 --> 00:20:48.179 You crucified. 00:20:49.200 --> 00:20:50.679 You killed Jesus. 00:20:51.700 --> 00:20:53.019 So man is responsible. 00:20:53.980 --> 00:20:58.359 Yet the crucifixion was according to the eternal plan of God. 00:20:58.359 --> 00:21:01.419 He was sovereign over it all. 00:21:01.959 --> 00:21:07.679 It was foreknown and intended and purposed and controlled by God. 00:21:07.919 --> 00:21:12.039 Think about all the prophecies of the Old Testament, right? 00:21:12.379 --> 00:21:14.740 It was planned, intended by God. 00:21:15.559 --> 00:21:17.799 Three pillars seemingly contradictory. 00:21:18.639 --> 00:21:20.899 But the Bible holds them together all in one verse. 00:21:20.900 --> 00:21:24.180 And what holds them together? 00:21:24.680 --> 00:21:27.259 It's God's good purpose. 00:21:28.519 --> 00:21:31.360 It was the greatest sin. 00:21:31.920 --> 00:21:35.780 The Romans and the Jews intended it for evil reasons. 00:21:36.420 --> 00:21:42.620 But God planned and purposed and designed it for an incredibly good reason. 00:21:43.400 --> 00:21:45.060 The salvation of lost sinners. 00:21:45.059 --> 00:21:53.139 The crucifixion in itself, that was an evil, abhorrent act. 00:21:54.659 --> 00:21:58.440 Crucifying the Son of God, that is a great evil to commit. 00:21:59.599 --> 00:22:02.519 Evil human purposes were a part of it. 00:22:02.599 --> 00:22:04.179 They were all in that act. 00:22:05.099 --> 00:22:07.399 But something bigger was going on. 00:22:07.400 --> 00:22:14.940 God ordained and decreed and had a greater purpose in and over it all. 00:22:16.660 --> 00:22:22.440 And so those who flogged him were still guilty that they wanted to do it. 00:22:22.480 --> 00:22:23.320 It was their sin. 00:22:23.400 --> 00:22:24.240 It was their desire. 00:22:25.320 --> 00:22:28.920 Yet God sovereignly ordained it for a good purpose. 00:22:28.920 --> 00:22:33.039 And it's the exact same principle as Joseph and his brothers. 00:22:33.600 --> 00:22:36.860 You could say Genesis 50, before the crucifixion. 00:22:37.500 --> 00:22:41.300 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good. 00:22:42.420 --> 00:22:46.220 You could say, as for you Pharisees, you meant evil against Jesus, 00:22:46.759 --> 00:22:49.500 but God meant it for good the whole time. 00:22:50.220 --> 00:22:52.300 The salvation of his whole church. 00:22:52.299 --> 00:22:59.159 And this is as close as we can get as how these pillars hold together. 00:23:00.539 --> 00:23:04.639 And this is a general principle for evil and suffering in this world. 00:23:05.539 --> 00:23:10.379 The Lord has ordained and decreed and has it all a part of his plan. 00:23:10.960 --> 00:23:13.839 And he's done it for a good purpose. 00:23:15.059 --> 00:23:18.859 And not just making it turn out right in the end, 00:23:18.859 --> 00:23:22.579 but it was kind of chaos and not really in control when it was happening. 00:23:23.459 --> 00:23:23.939 No. 00:23:24.719 --> 00:23:29.879 He's purposed and intended it from the very beginning in his grand plan. 00:23:30.740 --> 00:23:33.379 That there's a good purpose running throughout. 00:23:35.319 --> 00:23:39.679 And you might think, well, okay, figures like Christ or Joseph, 00:23:39.899 --> 00:23:41.319 they're kind of a bit unique. 00:23:41.319 --> 00:23:45.819 But I want us to see that this happens in all sorts of ways, 00:23:46.419 --> 00:23:50.599 at all levels of suffering for God's holy purposes. 00:23:51.799 --> 00:23:55.579 And I want you to just think and see about what some of them are. 00:23:55.799 --> 00:23:57.240 So break out into groups again. 00:23:57.579 --> 00:24:01.419 What are some of the purposes God intends sin and suffering for? 00:24:02.419 --> 00:24:02.579 Okay. 00:24:02.579 --> 00:24:08.139 Again, shout out. 00:24:08.240 --> 00:24:11.500 So what are some of the purposes God intends sin and suffering for? 00:24:12.619 --> 00:24:13.639 Deuteronomy 28. 00:24:16.079 --> 00:24:16.980 Any thoughts? 00:24:19.839 --> 00:24:20.359 Punishment. 00:24:20.579 --> 00:24:21.000 Judgment. 00:24:21.220 --> 00:24:21.859 Exactly, right? 00:24:22.939 --> 00:24:26.359 On account of your evil deeds, because you have forsaken me, 00:24:26.859 --> 00:24:29.000 therefore God will send this suffering. 00:24:29.179 --> 00:24:30.220 Curses, right? 00:24:30.220 --> 00:24:34.799 It's not nice, but it is good. 00:24:35.039 --> 00:24:38.079 This is God's good judgment on sin. 00:24:39.500 --> 00:24:41.079 How about Luke 13? 00:24:44.259 --> 00:24:46.299 This might be a bit trickier to think about. 00:24:48.180 --> 00:24:48.900 Right. 00:24:49.220 --> 00:24:49.720 Exactly. 00:24:49.860 --> 00:24:51.079 Calling people to repentance. 00:24:51.779 --> 00:24:58.640 God uses suffering in this world as a pointer to final judgment. 00:24:58.640 --> 00:25:00.420 Do you see Jesus' language here? 00:25:01.840 --> 00:25:05.080 People ask him, well, what about that suffering over there? 00:25:05.259 --> 00:25:06.040 Why did that happen? 00:25:06.259 --> 00:25:10.700 And he said, well, unless you repent, you all will likewise perish. 00:25:11.180 --> 00:25:16.360 Jesus uses that as a pointer to final judgment, saying, okay, the suffering in this world, 00:25:16.460 --> 00:25:17.380 it's there. 00:25:17.780 --> 00:25:21.800 You must look at it and realize a greater suffering is coming. 00:25:22.160 --> 00:25:23.340 So you must repent. 00:25:23.460 --> 00:25:24.780 It's used as a pointer. 00:25:25.880 --> 00:25:26.980 How about Hebrews 12? 00:25:26.980 --> 00:25:29.819 Yeah, Katya? 00:25:30.039 --> 00:25:36.720 Well, that discipline is painful, yet the practice I think that we get from the right 00:25:36.720 --> 00:25:39.559 in our heart, and we'll be at peace. 00:25:40.839 --> 00:25:41.720 Right, yeah. 00:25:41.819 --> 00:25:46.420 So this is talking about suffering that happens within the Christian life. 00:25:46.420 --> 00:25:46.900 Right. 00:25:47.440 --> 00:25:52.039 It's actually, it can be, Christian won't turn that off. 00:25:52.640 --> 00:25:58.960 It can actually be God's good, fatherly, loving discipline towards us. 00:25:59.160 --> 00:25:59.279 Right. 00:25:59.920 --> 00:26:03.980 Discipline, when you discipline a child, it's never pleasant in the moment, is it, for them? 00:26:04.640 --> 00:26:06.440 But it's actually good for us. 00:26:06.539 --> 00:26:09.759 It's discipline to grow us in the faith. 00:26:10.160 --> 00:26:11.800 Maybe keep us from sin. 00:26:11.799 --> 00:26:12.680 Right. 00:26:13.379 --> 00:26:16.259 How about 1 Peter 1? 00:26:21.899 --> 00:26:22.619 Yeah. 00:26:23.119 --> 00:26:25.039 We might go through trials. 00:26:25.220 --> 00:26:28.500 Again, this is the suffering of persecution. 00:26:29.440 --> 00:26:32.899 But this is to refine our faith, Peter says. 00:26:34.200 --> 00:26:35.599 How about Romans 8? 00:26:35.599 --> 00:26:35.639 Romans 8. 00:26:35.639 --> 00:26:35.720 Romans 8. 00:26:35.720 --> 00:26:35.720 00:26:35.720 --> 00:26:35.720 00:26:35.720 --> 00:26:35.720 00:26:41.799 --> 00:26:43.779 This kind of, this sums it all up, doesn't it? 00:26:44.799 --> 00:26:49.440 For all God's people, all things work together for our good. 00:26:50.339 --> 00:26:57.480 Our Heavenly Father has intended and designed all things in our lives for a good reason. 00:26:58.139 --> 00:27:01.919 Whether that be discipline or refining our faith, right? 00:27:02.859 --> 00:27:04.579 It might mean our sanctification. 00:27:05.079 --> 00:27:06.960 It might be protecting us from something. 00:27:06.960 --> 00:27:09.000 It might be for the sake of our spiritual growth. 00:27:10.120 --> 00:27:14.319 Whether that be pleasant things or difficult things or unexpected things. 00:27:14.880 --> 00:27:16.920 All of it is for our good. 00:27:17.700 --> 00:27:21.740 It's all a part of God bringing us to the finish line. 00:27:23.200 --> 00:27:29.519 And what those exact reasons can be, that's just a great unknown to us. 00:27:29.519 --> 00:27:35.299 Why is God bringing this painful experience of all things in my life? 00:27:36.139 --> 00:27:38.680 We don't know exactly why that. 00:27:39.559 --> 00:27:42.139 But we do know it is for our good. 00:27:43.099 --> 00:27:46.240 Because God is our loving Heavenly Father. 00:27:46.700 --> 00:27:49.740 And He's sovereignly intending all things for our good. 00:27:51.019 --> 00:27:53.019 And we're going to get more onto that next week. 00:27:53.299 --> 00:27:55.000 But I want us just to see here. 00:27:55.079 --> 00:27:56.259 Nothing is random. 00:27:56.259 --> 00:28:01.920 No sin or evil or unexpected suffering is random. 00:28:02.119 --> 00:28:06.339 Nothing in your life is pointless or out of control. 00:28:06.960 --> 00:28:08.700 No, there is a good purpose. 00:28:09.680 --> 00:28:12.660 And we can humbly trust in God in it. 00:28:13.059 --> 00:28:14.400 Now that isn't always easy. 00:28:14.740 --> 00:28:16.720 It is a great test of faith. 00:28:17.400 --> 00:28:19.839 But we can humbly trust in Him. 00:28:20.180 --> 00:28:21.200 Because He is sovereign. 00:28:21.200 --> 00:28:25.840 And the Confession has a helpful article on this. 00:28:26.059 --> 00:28:27.420 It's about God's providence. 00:28:28.440 --> 00:28:29.400 It's a bit longer. 00:28:29.640 --> 00:28:31.940 But I think it's helpful to reflect on. 00:28:32.600 --> 00:28:33.380 5.4. 00:28:34.420 --> 00:28:42.259 The almighty power, unsearchable wisdom and infinite goodness of God so far manifest themselves in His providence. 00:28:42.539 --> 00:28:45.120 Remember His control over all things every step of the way. 00:28:45.119 --> 00:28:48.959 That it extends itself even to the first fall. 00:28:49.219 --> 00:28:50.259 Think about that next week. 00:28:50.899 --> 00:28:53.139 And all other sins of angels and men. 00:28:53.679 --> 00:28:55.119 And that not by a bare permission. 00:28:55.219 --> 00:28:57.359 He's not just kind of stepping back and allowing it to happen. 00:28:57.500 --> 00:28:59.500 And it's kind of the cages unleashed. 00:28:59.679 --> 00:29:01.439 And He has no control other than that. 00:29:01.859 --> 00:29:02.079 No. 00:29:02.079 --> 00:29:03.359 Not by a bare permission. 00:29:04.139 --> 00:29:12.299 But such as has joined with it a most wise and powerful bounding and otherwise ordering and governing of them. 00:29:13.019 --> 00:29:16.240 In a manifold dispensation to His own holy ends. 00:29:16.319 --> 00:29:17.439 His own holy purposes. 00:29:18.639 --> 00:29:22.740 Yet so as the sinfulness thereof proceeds only from the creature and not from God. 00:29:23.079 --> 00:29:28.419 Who being most holy and righteous neither is nor can be the author or approver of sin. 00:29:28.420 --> 00:29:29.500 Right. 00:29:30.160 --> 00:29:36.480 God is completely sovereign and is intended all evil in this world. 00:29:36.759 --> 00:29:38.660 But for His own holy purposes. 00:29:40.320 --> 00:29:43.779 And there's one thing, final thing I want to address. 00:29:44.039 --> 00:29:46.660 It's the idea of God hardening people's hearts. 00:29:47.940 --> 00:29:49.560 I think I'll get on to that next week. 00:29:49.779 --> 00:29:50.759 We'll stop for questions. 00:29:50.759 --> 00:30:20.740 We'll stop for questions.