WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.679 Heavenly Father, we thank you for this Easter holiday that we just had. 00:00:06.679 --> 00:00:08.599 Thank you for this new turn back. 00:00:08.939 --> 00:00:13.080 ! And we pray that as we consider the glorious truths of Scripture, 00:00:13.800 --> 00:00:19.920 ! glorious truths of who you are, would you please help us to understand these weighty, these lofty things. 00:00:19.920 --> 00:00:22.920 We need your help with this. We need your spirit. 00:00:23.100 --> 00:00:24.780 And so please, would you be at work today, 00:00:25.500 --> 00:00:29.240 giving us, transforming and renewing our minds. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:31.660 And we ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:00:33.359 --> 00:00:35.759 And welcome to Sunday School, everyone. Welcome back. 00:00:36.119 --> 00:00:38.620 If you're new to Adult Sunday School, welcome. 00:00:39.320 --> 00:00:42.000 Or if you're just new in the past few months, welcome. 00:00:42.700 --> 00:00:43.500 It's great to have you. 00:00:43.560 --> 00:00:46.620 Or if you're just a veteran and you've been coming for the past few years, 00:00:48.079 --> 00:00:50.799 welcome back. Hope you've had a good Easter. 00:00:51.820 --> 00:00:56.700 And whether you're new to Adult Sunday School or you've been coming for years, maybe decades, 00:00:56.700 --> 00:01:03.220 before we begin our new series, I just want to kind of lay out what Sunday School is. 00:01:03.420 --> 00:01:05.100 Okay, so just stick with me for a few minutes. 00:01:05.439 --> 00:01:11.219 I want us to think what we're doing here every week and why we're doing this, the purpose of it. 00:01:11.980 --> 00:01:14.100 So I just want us to think, what is Adult Sunday School? 00:01:14.099 --> 00:01:17.059 Well, in Adult Sunday School, we're here. 00:01:18.019 --> 00:01:23.339 The main objective that I love to kind of do here is I want us to learn doctrine. 00:01:24.039 --> 00:01:30.780 So I want us to see what the Bible teaches about different topics of the Bible, 00:01:31.019 --> 00:01:37.039 like topics like God, topics like the cross, which we did last term, the church, covenants. 00:01:37.159 --> 00:01:38.199 Right. That's what doctrine is. 00:01:38.280 --> 00:01:39.359 Doctrine just means teaching. 00:01:39.359 --> 00:01:41.500 It's different topics of the Bible. 00:01:41.739 --> 00:01:47.140 And I want us to just get a clear and a deep understanding of these things. 00:01:47.920 --> 00:01:51.680 And so if learning about the Bible is like learning about animals. 00:01:52.000 --> 00:01:52.260 All right. 00:01:52.579 --> 00:01:54.859 There are two ways that you can learn about animals. 00:01:55.039 --> 00:02:01.039 So one way is you can go on a safari and kind of see the animals as they come. 00:02:01.379 --> 00:02:01.560 All right. 00:02:01.560 --> 00:02:07.219 So you kind of you go in your van through the wild and say, OK, well, there's a giraffe. 00:02:07.219 --> 00:02:08.439 You learn a bit about giraffes. 00:02:08.699 --> 00:02:09.439 Oh, there's an elephant. 00:02:09.759 --> 00:02:10.639 Oh, there's another elephant. 00:02:10.800 --> 00:02:11.419 Oh, there's a lion. 00:02:11.520 --> 00:02:12.719 Oh, there's a warthog. 00:02:13.060 --> 00:02:13.219 Right. 00:02:13.340 --> 00:02:16.219 And you learn the animals as they come along. 00:02:16.780 --> 00:02:17.979 Well, that's a bit like preaching. 00:02:18.340 --> 00:02:23.300 OK, so you can learn about the Bible just as you can travel through the wild of it. 00:02:24.439 --> 00:02:27.919 Or you can learn about animals by going to the zoo. 00:02:28.280 --> 00:02:28.479 Right. 00:02:28.759 --> 00:02:35.659 And you can gather all the giraffes into one place and learn everything about giraffes and gather all the lions together and learn about lions. 00:02:35.659 --> 00:02:40.219 Well, the zoo is like Sunday school. 00:02:40.560 --> 00:02:51.359 OK, every week we're gathering into one place what the Bible says about the church or the Holy Spirit or this term, the sovereignty of God. 00:02:51.840 --> 00:02:53.519 And we're going to learn in that way. 00:02:54.479 --> 00:02:57.379 OK, and why adult Sunday school? 00:02:57.919 --> 00:02:58.759 What's the purpose? 00:02:59.039 --> 00:03:02.719 Well, it's about transforming our minds and our hearts. 00:03:02.719 --> 00:03:04.979 So look at Romans 12. 00:03:06.039 --> 00:03:16.280 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. 00:03:16.280 --> 00:03:23.800 So as Christians, we are called, do you see, for our minds to be transformed and renewed. 00:03:24.439 --> 00:03:28.360 So to think in the way that God wants us to think. 00:03:28.780 --> 00:03:37.420 So to view the world and God and salvation and ourselves and everything in the way that God wants us to. 00:03:37.419 --> 00:03:43.639 Right. So you can think as a non-Christian and you can think as a Christian. 00:03:44.079 --> 00:03:46.779 And this calls us to think as a Christian. 00:03:47.560 --> 00:03:49.500 And that's what happens when we go to the zoo. 00:03:49.739 --> 00:03:57.679 Right. Adult Sunday school is there for our minds to be transformed and to help us to think clearly and deeply as Christians. 00:03:57.680 --> 00:04:01.080 And that means for our hearts to be transformed, too. 00:04:01.340 --> 00:04:13.379 So because the more we understand these things, do you see in Romans 12, the more we are able to live well as Christians, to discern what is the will of God, 00:04:14.040 --> 00:04:17.579 to discern what is good from bad, right from wrong. 00:04:18.000 --> 00:04:21.180 And that will lead us to worship and love God in the right way. 00:04:21.819 --> 00:04:22.040 Right. 00:04:22.040 --> 00:04:24.480 And so adult Sunday school, in a nutshell, is this. 00:04:24.580 --> 00:04:28.120 We are going to the zoo to have our minds and hearts transformed. 00:04:28.260 --> 00:04:30.420 Right. So welcome to the zoo this morning. 00:04:30.540 --> 00:04:30.700 Welcome. 00:04:32.060 --> 00:04:37.040 And this term, the doctrine I want us to think about is the sovereignty of God. 00:04:37.740 --> 00:04:40.759 So that's the section of the zoo we're going to this half term. 00:04:42.180 --> 00:04:43.420 And God's sovereignty. 00:04:44.060 --> 00:04:45.240 You might have heard that word. 00:04:45.300 --> 00:04:46.100 Maybe you haven't. 00:04:46.100 --> 00:04:55.820 God's sovereignty means his rule and his power and authority and his plan over all creation. 00:04:56.900 --> 00:05:03.280 So the sovereignty of God, it's basically it's the kingship of God over creation. 00:05:03.860 --> 00:05:07.780 So that's why we use the word sovereign when it comes to king. 00:05:07.920 --> 00:05:12.700 So King Charles is sometimes referred to as the sovereign over our nation. 00:05:12.699 --> 00:05:16.120 Well, look how God is described in the Bible. 00:05:16.379 --> 00:05:17.240 One Timothy six. 00:05:18.259 --> 00:05:24.620 He who is the blessed and only sovereign, the king of kings and lord of lords. 00:05:25.259 --> 00:05:30.899 Psalm 22 for kingship belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations. 00:05:32.339 --> 00:05:37.699 So even at just a first glance of who God is, first glance of scripture, 00:05:37.699 --> 00:05:45.120 before we even get into the details, we can see at the very least, God has something called sovereignty. 00:05:46.319 --> 00:05:47.839 He is the sovereign. 00:05:47.979 --> 00:05:52.039 He rules and has authority and is king. 00:05:53.300 --> 00:05:57.599 But this half term, I want us to really unpack what that means. 00:05:57.600 --> 00:06:12.320 What that involves and how that works with things like free will and salvation and predestination and the problem of evil, things like that. 00:06:13.080 --> 00:06:15.720 So thinking about the purpose of Sunday school. 00:06:15.939 --> 00:06:19.260 So the purpose of this term is for our minds to be transformed, 00:06:19.259 --> 00:06:25.500 to think about God's sovereignty and rule over this world in the right way, 00:06:26.439 --> 00:06:30.399 in a way that honours him and in a way that I hope will comfort you. 00:06:31.459 --> 00:06:39.060 And I want us also during this half time to answer questions that can often trouble or confuse us. 00:06:39.060 --> 00:06:43.920 Because it's this area of God's sovereignty, this area of the zoo, 00:06:44.500 --> 00:06:50.519 where we often scratch our heads big time and we just puzzle over, 00:06:50.959 --> 00:06:55.480 but hold on, God's sovereignty, how can that really be, right? 00:06:56.459 --> 00:06:59.860 And often we can puzzle about these things, 00:07:00.240 --> 00:07:03.579 either because we're not thinking about God's sovereignty in the right way, 00:07:03.579 --> 00:07:10.519 or we're just not realising where there is mystery and kind of humbly acknowledging the mystery. 00:07:11.819 --> 00:07:17.360 And so we won't answer everything about God's sovereignty really neatly this half term, 00:07:18.259 --> 00:07:21.560 but I want us to think about it in the right way 00:07:21.560 --> 00:07:25.099 and to clear confusion where there can be clarity, 00:07:25.899 --> 00:07:29.579 but to also acknowledge mystery where there is mystery. 00:07:29.579 --> 00:07:34.000 So I want our hearts to be transformed in all of this. 00:07:34.479 --> 00:07:38.759 I want us to, as we just think about God and his sovereignty over this world, 00:07:38.879 --> 00:07:42.879 I want us to trust even more in God's power, 00:07:43.579 --> 00:07:48.219 to be comforted by his care and just to be humbled where there is mystery. 00:07:49.599 --> 00:07:56.879 Now, we won't get into all the details of free will or election all at once, right? 00:07:56.879 --> 00:08:01.459 So today I wanted to just do a bit of an introduction to God's sovereignty, 00:08:02.279 --> 00:08:05.899 and I'm guaranteed that's going to raise questions in your mind like, 00:08:06.000 --> 00:08:08.139 oh wait, oh hold on, but if that's true, 00:08:08.240 --> 00:08:11.240 then what about free will and our decisions? 00:08:11.600 --> 00:08:14.779 And wait, hold on, how does that work with sin and the fall? 00:08:15.759 --> 00:08:18.219 And so those questions will come up, all right? 00:08:18.980 --> 00:08:21.519 Let me just encourage you, just hold on to those questions. 00:08:22.240 --> 00:08:23.899 We're going to get onto that over the weeks. 00:08:23.899 --> 00:08:27.159 I'm going to spend a whole week on free will and God's sovereignty, 00:08:27.459 --> 00:08:29.859 a whole week on election and predestination, 00:08:30.199 --> 00:08:31.859 a whole week on the problem of evil. 00:08:31.979 --> 00:08:33.279 In fact, two weeks on that, all right? 00:08:33.779 --> 00:08:35.340 All right, so we're going to get onto it. 00:08:35.699 --> 00:08:37.139 So just be patient with that. 00:08:37.220 --> 00:08:40.220 And it's actually best to when we get to those, 00:08:40.519 --> 00:08:41.500 to deal with those issues, 00:08:41.500 --> 00:08:44.720 it's best to kind of slowly build up the foundations 00:08:44.720 --> 00:08:45.600 and then get to that, 00:08:45.639 --> 00:08:47.340 because you need a lot of things in place 00:08:47.340 --> 00:08:49.220 and thinking the right way before we get there. 00:08:49.220 --> 00:08:53.740 But today I want us to think about what it means for God to be sovereign. 00:08:54.720 --> 00:08:57.519 Okay, he has sovereignty. 00:08:57.920 --> 00:08:59.379 We've seen that just from those two verses. 00:08:59.820 --> 00:09:00.920 He is king. 00:09:01.940 --> 00:09:04.060 Almost all Christians can agree on that. 00:09:05.060 --> 00:09:06.180 But the key thing to ask is, 00:09:06.320 --> 00:09:09.800 okay, but what is God sovereign over? 00:09:10.960 --> 00:09:14.360 And in what way is he sovereign over those things? 00:09:14.360 --> 00:09:18.080 And there are some, and so we might ask, 00:09:18.180 --> 00:09:20.820 are there some things he isn't sovereign over? 00:09:21.320 --> 00:09:22.580 Okay, he's king, but like, 00:09:22.820 --> 00:09:24.960 maybe he's not king of everything. 00:09:26.159 --> 00:09:28.340 Things he isn't kind of in control of 00:09:28.340 --> 00:09:29.600 or doesn't have a plan for. 00:09:30.259 --> 00:09:33.320 And is he sovereign over some things 00:09:33.320 --> 00:09:34.680 kind of in a more hands-on way 00:09:34.680 --> 00:09:37.340 and other things in a bit more kind of a standoffish way? 00:09:39.659 --> 00:09:40.960 That's what I want us to see today. 00:09:41.899 --> 00:09:43.480 So I want us to just jump in, 00:09:43.480 --> 00:09:45.940 and I'm not trying to answer this question. 00:09:46.120 --> 00:09:47.659 What is God sovereign over? 00:09:48.180 --> 00:09:49.180 It's my first point today. 00:09:49.980 --> 00:09:51.639 And I want you to break out into groups, 00:09:52.399 --> 00:09:54.399 and I've got you a big table there, 00:09:54.779 --> 00:09:56.139 12 different sections. 00:09:56.700 --> 00:09:59.840 And I want you to look up the verses in this chart. 00:10:00.220 --> 00:10:02.779 And each kind of section tells us 00:10:02.779 --> 00:10:04.860 what God is sovereign over. 00:10:05.259 --> 00:10:07.480 Okay, so let's do the first one together. 00:10:07.680 --> 00:10:10.139 So first row, Genesis 1-1. 00:10:10.139 --> 00:10:12.620 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 00:10:12.620 --> 00:10:14.240 And so the next section, 00:10:14.720 --> 00:10:17.039 God is sovereign over dot, dot, dot. 00:10:17.700 --> 00:10:18.460 I'll give you the answer. 00:10:18.600 --> 00:10:20.399 God is sovereign over creation, right? 00:10:20.879 --> 00:10:22.039 There is one creator. 00:10:22.299 --> 00:10:26.360 God is the one who is in control 00:10:26.360 --> 00:10:28.679 and has authority over creation. 00:10:28.840 --> 00:10:30.440 He is the creator, right? 00:10:31.039 --> 00:10:31.720 So there you go. 00:10:31.759 --> 00:10:33.620 You can just write creation in that box. 00:10:34.200 --> 00:10:35.539 And I'll go for the rest of the 11. 00:10:35.919 --> 00:10:38.419 I'll give you six minutes for this. 00:10:38.480 --> 00:10:39.700 Try and work quickly through them. 00:10:39.700 --> 00:10:42.660 You don't need to kind of write a big essay in that box. 00:10:42.900 --> 00:10:43.860 Just if you think, 00:10:44.000 --> 00:10:45.400 okay, he's sovereign over this thing, 00:10:45.660 --> 00:10:46.520 boom, write it in. 00:10:46.920 --> 00:10:47.900 I'll give you six minutes. 00:10:48.379 --> 00:10:48.960 Go for it. 00:10:52.879 --> 00:10:54.660 Okay, let's bring it back together. 00:10:56.420 --> 00:10:59.160 So, minds active. 00:10:59.460 --> 00:11:00.440 Everyone on standby, 00:11:00.580 --> 00:11:01.520 because I'm going to be picking on you. 00:11:01.519 --> 00:11:03.460 So, number two, 00:11:04.039 --> 00:11:04.600 Psalm 135. 00:11:05.319 --> 00:11:06.720 Beth, what is God's sovereign over? 00:11:07.720 --> 00:11:08.340 What did you write? 00:11:09.340 --> 00:11:10.039 Yeah, yeah, yeah. 00:11:11.240 --> 00:11:12.399 Sorry, I caught you off guard. 00:11:12.799 --> 00:11:13.559 Nature, okay? 00:11:13.840 --> 00:11:14.699 That's exactly it. 00:11:15.179 --> 00:11:19.039 So, God is completely in charge over nature. 00:11:20.019 --> 00:11:23.079 So, weather patterns 00:11:23.079 --> 00:11:24.939 and atoms in the sky 00:11:24.939 --> 00:11:25.919 aren't random. 00:11:26.059 --> 00:11:28.699 They aren't out of his control. 00:11:28.700 --> 00:11:31.640 No, he is the one who makes the clouds rise. 00:11:32.300 --> 00:11:34.680 He makes lightning strike 00:11:34.680 --> 00:11:35.940 and brings forth wind. 00:11:36.320 --> 00:11:38.000 It is not just Mother Nature 00:11:38.000 --> 00:11:39.200 out there doing its thing. 00:11:39.740 --> 00:11:41.740 God is in control 00:11:41.740 --> 00:11:42.500 and in charge 00:11:42.500 --> 00:11:43.500 and determining 00:11:43.500 --> 00:11:45.580 all the events of nature. 00:11:45.759 --> 00:11:45.860 Right? 00:11:45.920 --> 00:11:47.160 So, you can write nature in that box. 00:11:47.820 --> 00:11:48.860 How about number three? 00:11:50.759 --> 00:11:51.540 David Fels. 00:11:52.700 --> 00:11:53.320 What do you get for that? 00:11:54.160 --> 00:11:55.379 I wasn't here, but I'm a guest. 00:11:55.440 --> 00:11:56.200 Oh, sorry, sorry. 00:11:56.200 --> 00:11:58.600 No, I'll pick on Lachis. 00:11:58.780 --> 00:12:00.480 The Lord didn't want you to be here. 00:12:00.640 --> 00:12:01.100 Yeah, yeah. 00:12:03.340 --> 00:12:04.840 Lachis, what do you get for number three? 00:12:06.100 --> 00:12:07.220 Times and seasons. 00:12:12.020 --> 00:12:12.420 Yeah. 00:12:12.780 --> 00:12:13.420 Yeah, okay. 00:12:13.540 --> 00:12:14.280 Times and seasons. 00:12:14.460 --> 00:12:14.900 Yeah, yeah, yeah. 00:12:15.300 --> 00:12:17.379 And also, kings, 00:12:17.640 --> 00:12:18.420 setting up kings, 00:12:18.600 --> 00:12:19.180 removing them, 00:12:19.220 --> 00:12:20.940 the events of all those times and seasons. 00:12:21.280 --> 00:12:22.720 I put history, right? 00:12:23.000 --> 00:12:23.780 Human history. 00:12:23.780 --> 00:12:25.060 That might be an easy way 00:12:25.060 --> 00:12:25.920 to sum it up, right? 00:12:26.200 --> 00:12:27.180 And also, 00:12:27.420 --> 00:12:28.520 the boundaries 00:12:28.520 --> 00:12:30.660 of everyone's dwelling place, 00:12:30.900 --> 00:12:32.080 where every single person 00:12:32.080 --> 00:12:33.120 is going to live, right? 00:12:33.820 --> 00:12:34.480 Human history. 00:12:35.060 --> 00:12:35.960 We can put it there. 00:12:36.520 --> 00:12:36.640 So, 00:12:37.280 --> 00:12:40.420 history isn't kind of flowing 00:12:40.420 --> 00:12:42.140 in a kind of 00:12:42.140 --> 00:12:43.560 a cascade of events. 00:12:43.660 --> 00:12:44.780 We don't know what's coming next 00:12:44.780 --> 00:12:45.540 or God doesn't know 00:12:45.540 --> 00:12:46.220 what's coming next. 00:12:46.360 --> 00:12:46.520 No. 00:12:47.540 --> 00:12:48.900 History is a story 00:12:48.900 --> 00:12:51.060 and God is writing it 00:12:51.060 --> 00:12:52.020 or he's written it. 00:12:52.700 --> 00:12:52.860 Okay? 00:12:52.940 --> 00:12:53.940 He's sovereign over it. 00:12:54.160 --> 00:12:55.020 How about number four? 00:12:55.019 --> 00:12:55.799 So, 00:12:55.939 --> 00:12:57.059 a lot is like a 00:12:57.059 --> 00:12:57.860 it's like a dice, 00:12:57.960 --> 00:12:58.740 basically, right? 00:13:00.259 --> 00:13:00.620 Grace. 00:13:01.000 --> 00:13:01.779 What did you get for that? 00:13:04.639 --> 00:13:05.279 Okay, yeah. 00:13:05.460 --> 00:13:06.500 There's a bit of a tricky one. 00:13:06.980 --> 00:13:08.379 I kind of wanted to highlight this. 00:13:08.620 --> 00:13:10.240 It's randomness 00:13:10.240 --> 00:13:11.860 or chance, right? 00:13:11.860 --> 00:13:12.539 So, 00:13:12.539 --> 00:13:14.539 a dice is rolled. 00:13:15.159 --> 00:13:16.060 We think that's random. 00:13:16.180 --> 00:13:17.259 We would say random, right? 00:13:17.919 --> 00:13:18.460 But actually, 00:13:18.659 --> 00:13:19.899 it's every decision 00:13:21.019 --> 00:13:22.279 is from the Lord. 00:13:23.000 --> 00:13:23.120 Right? 00:13:23.159 --> 00:13:23.240 So, 00:13:23.300 --> 00:13:24.399 that's why I'm quoting 00:13:24.399 --> 00:13:25.800 randomness or chance. 00:13:26.419 --> 00:13:27.080 Because actually, 00:13:27.539 --> 00:13:28.639 there is no such thing 00:13:28.639 --> 00:13:29.240 as random 00:13:29.240 --> 00:13:30.120 or chance. 00:13:30.480 --> 00:13:32.360 It looks random to us, 00:13:32.800 --> 00:13:33.740 but God knows 00:13:33.740 --> 00:13:35.340 even how the roll of a dice 00:13:35.340 --> 00:13:36.560 is going to go. 00:13:37.240 --> 00:13:37.440 Right? 00:13:37.480 --> 00:13:38.539 It's from the Lord. 00:13:39.300 --> 00:13:40.259 How about number five? 00:13:40.259 --> 00:13:41.700 This one's a bit tricky. 00:13:41.860 --> 00:13:42.340 I was trying to, 00:13:42.539 --> 00:13:43.679 I'll answer this one. 00:13:43.779 --> 00:13:45.120 I was just trying to kind of capture 00:13:45.120 --> 00:13:46.080 all the things 00:13:46.080 --> 00:13:47.279 that we've seen so far. 00:13:47.840 --> 00:13:47.980 So, 00:13:48.220 --> 00:13:48.620 God 00:13:48.620 --> 00:13:49.899 not only created 00:13:49.899 --> 00:13:50.759 everything, 00:13:51.559 --> 00:13:52.000 but he 00:13:52.000 --> 00:13:53.860 holds everything together. 00:13:54.159 --> 00:13:55.240 Moment by moment, 00:13:55.360 --> 00:13:55.980 Colossians 1. 00:13:56.360 --> 00:13:57.460 All things 00:13:57.460 --> 00:13:59.860 hold together in him 00:13:59.860 --> 00:14:01.120 or in Christ. 00:14:01.120 --> 00:14:03.159 And Matthew 10, 00:14:03.340 --> 00:14:05.500 even down to the, 00:14:05.500 --> 00:14:09.399 even down to the life 00:14:09.399 --> 00:14:10.440 of a sparrow, 00:14:11.159 --> 00:14:13.340 God is in control of that. 00:14:13.539 --> 00:14:13.600 Right? 00:14:14.019 --> 00:14:15.460 What I've said in that box 00:14:15.460 --> 00:14:16.139 is providence. 00:14:16.320 --> 00:14:16.460 Right? 00:14:16.840 --> 00:14:17.799 The term for this 00:14:17.799 --> 00:14:18.480 is providence. 00:14:18.679 --> 00:14:20.840 God's control 00:14:20.840 --> 00:14:22.560 and care 00:14:22.560 --> 00:14:23.980 and kind of 00:14:23.980 --> 00:14:24.980 hands-on 00:14:24.980 --> 00:14:26.639 sovereignty 00:14:26.639 --> 00:14:29.159 over every single moment 00:14:29.159 --> 00:14:30.399 in creation. 00:14:30.399 --> 00:14:30.980 So, 00:14:31.039 --> 00:14:31.519 it's not just 00:14:31.519 --> 00:14:32.720 he creates 00:14:32.720 --> 00:14:33.220 and kind of 00:14:33.220 --> 00:14:34.459 creation is set loose 00:14:34.459 --> 00:14:35.579 and just 00:14:35.579 --> 00:14:36.539 he's kind of 00:14:36.539 --> 00:14:37.159 steps back 00:14:37.159 --> 00:14:38.259 and it runs on its own. 00:14:38.639 --> 00:14:38.759 No, 00:14:38.860 --> 00:14:39.679 he is 00:14:39.679 --> 00:14:41.000 upholding every moment. 00:14:41.879 --> 00:14:43.039 How about number six? 00:14:43.480 --> 00:14:44.659 Psalm 139. 00:14:45.259 --> 00:14:45.559 Jeremiah, 00:14:45.779 --> 00:14:46.220 James, 00:14:46.759 --> 00:14:47.159 Harry, 00:14:47.240 --> 00:14:47.799 what do you get for that? 00:14:48.439 --> 00:14:48.919 Life. 00:14:50.199 --> 00:14:50.379 Right. 00:14:50.500 --> 00:14:50.659 Yeah. 00:14:50.919 --> 00:14:51.120 So, 00:14:51.199 --> 00:14:52.360 not just 00:14:52.360 --> 00:14:53.100 human history 00:14:53.100 --> 00:14:54.360 in the grand sense, 00:14:54.600 --> 00:14:55.399 which that is true, 00:14:55.819 --> 00:14:56.659 but also down to 00:14:56.659 --> 00:14:58.179 individual lives. 00:14:58.379 --> 00:14:58.799 Good fist bump. 00:14:58.840 --> 00:14:59.639 You deserve a fist bump. 00:14:59.639 --> 00:14:59.799 No, 00:14:59.799 --> 00:15:00.139 there you go. 00:15:01.480 --> 00:15:02.879 Individual human lives, 00:15:02.939 --> 00:15:03.199 right? 00:15:03.899 --> 00:15:04.120 So, 00:15:04.199 --> 00:15:05.720 you formed, 00:15:06.819 --> 00:15:07.960 your eyes saw my 00:15:07.960 --> 00:15:09.080 unformed substance. 00:15:09.779 --> 00:15:11.419 You created me 00:15:11.419 --> 00:15:13.019 in the womb. 00:15:13.019 --> 00:15:15.779 all the days of my life 00:15:15.779 --> 00:15:16.439 were written 00:15:16.439 --> 00:15:17.500 before they even happened. 00:15:18.340 --> 00:15:19.419 We see that with Jeremiah. 00:15:19.539 --> 00:15:20.779 Jeremiah is an example of that. 00:15:20.879 --> 00:15:20.960 So, 00:15:21.000 --> 00:15:21.860 it's not just prophets. 00:15:22.579 --> 00:15:23.879 He's an example of that. 00:15:24.000 --> 00:15:25.379 But that goes for all of us. 00:15:26.679 --> 00:15:26.939 And so, 00:15:27.059 --> 00:15:28.860 all our lives depend 00:15:28.860 --> 00:15:29.840 on the Lord's will. 00:15:29.960 --> 00:15:31.319 If the Lord wills, 00:15:31.500 --> 00:15:32.299 we will live 00:15:32.299 --> 00:15:33.539 and do this or that, 00:15:33.639 --> 00:15:33.879 right? 00:15:33.879 --> 00:15:35.460 He's sovereign 00:15:35.460 --> 00:15:36.980 over every single 00:15:36.980 --> 00:15:37.779 life 00:15:37.779 --> 00:15:39.320 and the direction 00:15:39.320 --> 00:15:39.740 of it. 00:15:40.740 --> 00:15:41.620 And number seven, 00:15:41.860 --> 00:15:42.939 how about number seven? 00:15:44.759 --> 00:15:45.220 Yeah, 00:15:45.360 --> 00:15:45.600 Katia? 00:15:46.600 --> 00:15:47.939 It's about the heart 00:15:47.939 --> 00:15:49.980 and the willingness 00:15:49.980 --> 00:15:50.720 of that heart. 00:15:51.000 --> 00:15:51.139 Oh, 00:15:51.559 --> 00:15:52.100 excellent, 00:15:52.200 --> 00:15:52.399 right? 00:15:52.700 --> 00:15:53.759 Human hearts 00:15:53.759 --> 00:15:55.279 and their willingness, 00:15:55.539 --> 00:15:56.159 their decisions. 00:15:56.279 --> 00:15:57.720 I put human decisions, 00:15:58.139 --> 00:15:58.500 right? 00:15:58.500 --> 00:15:59.320 But that, 00:15:59.440 --> 00:15:59.779 of course, 00:15:59.840 --> 00:16:01.019 that's all connected 00:16:01.019 --> 00:16:01.639 to the heart. 00:16:02.440 --> 00:16:02.700 And now, 00:16:02.740 --> 00:16:03.379 this is where, 00:16:03.639 --> 00:16:04.500 I know, 00:16:05.460 --> 00:16:06.559 this can kind of be 00:16:06.559 --> 00:16:07.159 a bit controversial. 00:16:07.320 --> 00:16:08.379 This is where the questions 00:16:08.379 --> 00:16:09.379 start arising. 00:16:09.580 --> 00:16:10.519 We will get there, 00:16:10.980 --> 00:16:12.059 but I just want to see 00:16:12.059 --> 00:16:13.740 what the Bible says, 00:16:14.159 --> 00:16:14.440 right? 00:16:15.340 --> 00:16:15.820 So, 00:16:15.899 --> 00:16:17.059 the king's heart. 00:16:17.440 --> 00:16:18.279 And it's interesting that, 00:16:18.379 --> 00:16:19.659 so if you look at Proverbs 21, 00:16:20.200 --> 00:16:21.419 it's interesting it shows, 00:16:21.620 --> 00:16:22.980 it highlights the king here 00:16:22.980 --> 00:16:23.799 because the king 00:16:23.799 --> 00:16:24.799 of the land 00:16:24.799 --> 00:16:26.379 is kind of the person 00:16:26.379 --> 00:16:28.100 with the most freedom. 00:16:28.500 --> 00:16:28.820 Like, 00:16:28.899 --> 00:16:29.740 the most choices 00:16:29.740 --> 00:16:30.220 of anyone, 00:16:30.320 --> 00:16:30.500 right? 00:16:30.559 --> 00:16:31.039 It's kind of, 00:16:31.440 --> 00:16:32.580 he's the pinnacle 00:16:32.580 --> 00:16:33.500 of humanity, 00:16:33.500 --> 00:16:35.679 but even the king, 00:16:35.759 --> 00:16:36.960 the king's heart 00:16:36.960 --> 00:16:39.120 is a stream of water 00:16:39.120 --> 00:16:39.860 in the hand of the Lord 00:16:39.860 --> 00:16:40.879 and the Lord 00:16:40.879 --> 00:16:42.480 directs his heart 00:16:42.480 --> 00:16:43.620 wherever he will. 00:16:44.700 --> 00:16:45.220 And so, 00:16:45.340 --> 00:16:47.100 we may have plans 00:16:47.100 --> 00:16:48.460 and decisions, 00:16:48.639 --> 00:16:49.860 but it is the Lord 00:16:49.860 --> 00:16:51.779 who establishes them. 00:16:52.740 --> 00:16:53.519 And we see, 00:16:53.659 --> 00:16:54.379 even with someone 00:16:54.379 --> 00:16:55.179 like Pharaoh, 00:16:55.440 --> 00:16:55.960 a king, 00:16:56.840 --> 00:16:58.240 the Lord is in control 00:16:58.240 --> 00:16:59.080 of his heart 00:16:59.080 --> 00:17:00.259 and what he does, 00:17:00.919 --> 00:17:01.159 right? 00:17:01.740 --> 00:17:02.440 God is sovereign 00:17:02.440 --> 00:17:03.779 over human decisions. 00:17:05.400 --> 00:17:05.819 And John, 00:17:06.160 --> 00:17:07.720 and look at number eight, 00:17:08.700 --> 00:17:09.920 I'll give you this one. 00:17:10.440 --> 00:17:11.019 God is sovereign 00:17:11.019 --> 00:17:12.140 over salvation, 00:17:12.460 --> 00:17:12.680 right? 00:17:13.319 --> 00:17:14.259 No one can come 00:17:14.259 --> 00:17:14.859 to the Father, 00:17:15.059 --> 00:17:15.980 can come to me 00:17:15.980 --> 00:17:17.019 unless the Father 00:17:17.019 --> 00:17:18.680 who sent me 00:17:18.680 --> 00:17:19.460 draws him. 00:17:20.259 --> 00:17:21.460 God has mercy 00:17:21.460 --> 00:17:22.720 on whom he has mercy. 00:17:22.720 --> 00:17:26.160 God saves us 00:17:26.160 --> 00:17:27.019 not because of our works, 00:17:27.079 --> 00:17:28.299 but because of his own 00:17:28.299 --> 00:17:29.279 purpose and grace. 00:17:29.660 --> 00:17:30.759 God is completely 00:17:30.759 --> 00:17:31.740 in control, 00:17:32.120 --> 00:17:32.759 in charge, 00:17:32.920 --> 00:17:34.120 and determines 00:17:34.120 --> 00:17:36.460 all matters to do 00:17:36.460 --> 00:17:37.600 with faith and salvation. 00:17:38.940 --> 00:17:40.279 And how about number nine? 00:17:42.779 --> 00:17:43.259 Lamentations, 00:17:43.460 --> 00:17:44.299 1 Samuel 2. 00:17:45.640 --> 00:17:46.079 Lucy? 00:17:46.079 --> 00:17:48.939 We've said 00:17:48.939 --> 00:17:51.539 blessings and curses 00:17:51.539 --> 00:17:53.019 and sort of 00:17:53.019 --> 00:17:54.039 the world 00:17:54.039 --> 00:17:55.240 of fortunes 00:17:55.240 --> 00:17:56.339 and fortunes. 00:17:56.839 --> 00:17:57.119 Yeah, 00:17:57.179 --> 00:17:57.319 yeah, 00:17:57.359 --> 00:17:57.539 yeah, 00:17:57.539 --> 00:17:57.899 yeah, 00:17:57.899 --> 00:17:58.299 that's good. 00:17:58.379 --> 00:17:59.539 I didn't get a neat 00:17:59.539 --> 00:18:00.199 word for this. 00:18:00.199 --> 00:18:01.720 I kind of just 00:18:01.720 --> 00:18:02.439 thought in my head, 00:18:02.559 --> 00:18:04.299 it's the whole spectrum 00:18:04.299 --> 00:18:06.159 of events of life, 00:18:06.439 --> 00:18:07.539 whether it's the good 00:18:07.539 --> 00:18:08.240 and the bad, 00:18:08.740 --> 00:18:09.859 life and death, 00:18:10.079 --> 00:18:11.079 plenty and poverty. 00:18:11.919 --> 00:18:12.799 Think of a neat word 00:18:12.799 --> 00:18:13.119 for that, 00:18:13.199 --> 00:18:13.720 but you can write that 00:18:13.720 --> 00:18:14.079 in the box. 00:18:14.199 --> 00:18:14.980 I've kind of written 00:18:14.980 --> 00:18:15.819 six words there. 00:18:16.079 --> 00:18:16.439 Right? 00:18:16.759 --> 00:18:18.099 It's the whole spectrum 00:18:18.099 --> 00:18:19.759 from good events 00:18:19.759 --> 00:18:21.119 to bad events. 00:18:21.879 --> 00:18:23.960 The Lord is in control 00:18:23.960 --> 00:18:24.859 of all of them. 00:18:25.220 --> 00:18:25.439 Right? 00:18:25.759 --> 00:18:26.879 They're not chaos 00:18:26.879 --> 00:18:27.259 to him. 00:18:28.359 --> 00:18:29.740 Which includes 00:18:29.740 --> 00:18:30.839 row 10. 00:18:32.279 --> 00:18:33.480 I'll give you this one. 00:18:34.379 --> 00:18:35.859 This includes sin 00:18:35.859 --> 00:18:37.439 and evil 00:18:37.439 --> 00:18:39.179 and Satan himself. 00:18:41.419 --> 00:18:42.960 Evil is not 00:18:42.960 --> 00:18:44.740 in control of God. 00:18:44.740 --> 00:18:46.059 God is in control 00:18:46.059 --> 00:18:46.579 of evil. 00:18:47.539 --> 00:18:50.000 And it all unfolds, 00:18:50.000 --> 00:18:51.079 even sin itself, 00:18:51.140 --> 00:18:52.039 it all unfolds 00:18:52.039 --> 00:18:53.660 under his sovereign control. 00:18:54.019 --> 00:18:54.660 He's the one 00:18:54.660 --> 00:18:55.440 in charge of it. 00:18:56.099 --> 00:18:56.700 And we're going to see 00:18:56.700 --> 00:18:57.359 in a few weeks 00:18:57.359 --> 00:18:58.480 that does not mean 00:18:58.480 --> 00:18:59.440 God is the author 00:18:59.440 --> 00:19:00.000 of sin. 00:19:00.680 --> 00:19:01.539 It does not mean 00:19:01.539 --> 00:19:02.220 God 00:19:02.220 --> 00:19:05.700 commits evil. 00:19:06.819 --> 00:19:06.940 No, 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:08.099 God is pure 00:19:08.099 --> 00:19:09.220 and good. 00:19:09.220 --> 00:19:10.220 God is in charge of evil. 00:19:10.220 --> 00:19:11.140 But at the same time, 00:19:11.220 --> 00:19:13.100 he is sovereign over it. 00:19:13.940 --> 00:19:14.279 And so, 00:19:14.539 --> 00:19:15.380 it's either 00:19:15.380 --> 00:19:16.980 evil is in charge of God 00:19:16.980 --> 00:19:18.660 or God is in charge of evil. 00:19:19.319 --> 00:19:19.900 And it's 00:19:19.900 --> 00:19:20.920 the latter. 00:19:21.299 --> 00:19:22.900 God is in charge of... 00:19:22.900 --> 00:19:23.500 And even 00:19:23.500 --> 00:19:24.799 Satan, 00:19:25.120 --> 00:19:25.319 right? 00:19:25.420 --> 00:19:26.640 Satan has to ask 00:19:26.640 --> 00:19:27.240 permission 00:19:27.240 --> 00:19:29.420 from God 00:19:29.420 --> 00:19:30.059 to do something. 00:19:30.059 --> 00:19:31.259 And God 00:19:31.259 --> 00:19:31.639 is the one 00:19:31.639 --> 00:19:32.419 who allows it. 00:19:33.220 --> 00:19:33.500 Now, 00:19:33.599 --> 00:19:33.960 I know 00:19:33.960 --> 00:19:34.859 more questions 00:19:34.859 --> 00:19:35.639 will arise in your head. 00:19:35.779 --> 00:19:37.000 We will get on to that. 00:19:37.259 --> 00:19:38.179 But I want us to see 00:19:38.179 --> 00:19:39.500 this is what the Bible says. 00:19:40.139 --> 00:19:40.240 Right? 00:19:41.079 --> 00:19:41.399 And so, 00:19:41.480 --> 00:19:42.460 he's sovereign over sin 00:19:42.460 --> 00:19:43.559 and even, 00:19:43.700 --> 00:19:44.059 11, 00:19:44.940 --> 00:19:45.599 even 00:19:45.599 --> 00:19:46.899 the greatest 00:19:46.899 --> 00:19:47.839 sin, 00:19:47.919 --> 00:19:48.859 the greatest evil 00:19:48.859 --> 00:19:49.919 that has ever been committed, 00:19:50.740 --> 00:19:51.519 the crucifixion 00:19:51.519 --> 00:19:52.279 of the Son of God. 00:19:52.659 --> 00:19:52.879 Right? 00:19:52.880 --> 00:19:54.220 So, 00:19:54.380 --> 00:19:55.960 Acts 2, 00:19:57.000 --> 00:19:57.580 Peter says, 00:19:57.920 --> 00:19:58.660 this Jesus, 00:19:59.080 --> 00:20:00.100 you crucified 00:20:00.100 --> 00:20:02.660 the crowd, 00:20:02.800 --> 00:20:03.180 the Jews. 00:20:03.620 --> 00:20:04.480 You crucified. 00:20:04.640 --> 00:20:05.480 You're responsible. 00:20:06.440 --> 00:20:07.040 But look, 00:20:07.220 --> 00:20:08.100 it all happened. 00:20:08.300 --> 00:20:09.220 He was delivered up 00:20:09.220 --> 00:20:10.440 according to 00:20:10.440 --> 00:20:11.860 the definite plan 00:20:11.860 --> 00:20:12.760 and foreknowledge 00:20:12.760 --> 00:20:13.140 of God. 00:20:14.260 --> 00:20:14.360 Right? 00:20:14.600 --> 00:20:14.880 God 00:20:14.880 --> 00:20:17.440 was even in control 00:20:17.440 --> 00:20:18.720 over the worst 00:20:18.720 --> 00:20:19.780 evil ever committed. 00:20:20.340 --> 00:20:21.340 It was the will 00:20:21.340 --> 00:20:22.020 of the Lord 00:20:22.020 --> 00:20:22.780 to crush 00:20:22.779 --> 00:20:23.339 Jesus. 00:20:24.879 --> 00:20:25.319 And so, 00:20:25.500 --> 00:20:25.779 12, 00:20:26.440 --> 00:20:27.339 what is God's 00:20:27.339 --> 00:20:27.899 sovereign over? 00:20:28.920 --> 00:20:29.619 Just have a look 00:20:29.619 --> 00:20:29.960 with me. 00:20:30.940 --> 00:20:31.819 I am God 00:20:31.819 --> 00:20:32.700 and there is none 00:20:32.700 --> 00:20:33.339 like me 00:20:33.339 --> 00:20:35.660 declaring the end 00:20:35.660 --> 00:20:36.599 from the beginning. 00:20:37.759 --> 00:20:37.960 So, 00:20:38.039 --> 00:20:38.819 before 00:20:38.819 --> 00:20:41.019 history even starts, 00:20:41.180 --> 00:20:42.220 God has declared 00:20:42.220 --> 00:20:43.139 all that will happen. 00:20:44.200 --> 00:20:44.960 And Romans 11, 00:20:46.160 --> 00:20:47.160 he has no 00:20:47.160 --> 00:20:48.079 counsellor 00:20:48.079 --> 00:20:49.480 to tell him 00:20:49.480 --> 00:20:50.299 what to do 00:20:50.299 --> 00:20:52.379 or how that unfolds. 00:20:52.380 --> 00:20:53.360 But what's that? 00:20:53.440 --> 00:20:54.360 Just look at the last line. 00:20:55.420 --> 00:20:56.280 For from him 00:20:56.280 --> 00:20:57.200 and through him 00:20:57.200 --> 00:20:58.200 and to him 00:20:58.200 --> 00:20:59.840 are all things. 00:21:00.540 --> 00:21:01.360 What is God 00:21:01.360 --> 00:21:02.100 sovereign over? 00:21:03.040 --> 00:21:04.280 All things. 00:21:04.920 --> 00:21:05.040 Okay? 00:21:05.260 --> 00:21:06.400 He's in charge, 00:21:06.540 --> 00:21:07.240 in control 00:21:07.240 --> 00:21:08.220 and determines 00:21:08.220 --> 00:21:09.620 all things. 00:21:09.619 --> 00:21:10.619 and so, 00:21:11.019 --> 00:21:12.099 it is from creation, 00:21:13.099 --> 00:21:18.000 all of human history, 00:21:18.279 --> 00:21:18.899 all the way 00:21:18.899 --> 00:21:19.519 to the end, 00:21:21.079 --> 00:21:22.119 to the new heavens 00:21:22.119 --> 00:21:23.519 and the new earth. 00:21:23.559 --> 00:21:24.559 And everything in between 00:21:24.559 --> 00:21:26.539 from human life, 00:21:28.199 --> 00:21:29.859 kings rising and falling, 00:21:29.859 --> 00:21:34.639 birth, 00:21:34.939 --> 00:21:35.359 death, 00:21:36.899 --> 00:21:37.719 tombstone, 00:21:38.299 --> 00:21:38.959 nature, 00:21:39.959 --> 00:21:42.439 everything, 00:21:42.859 --> 00:21:43.519 everything, 00:21:43.519 --> 00:21:43.679 everything, 00:21:44.240 --> 00:21:45.339 all things. 00:21:45.339 --> 00:21:46.240 So, 00:21:46.279 --> 00:21:47.199 can you see 00:21:47.199 --> 00:21:48.699 what this means 00:21:48.699 --> 00:21:49.279 for God 00:21:49.279 --> 00:21:49.839 to be sovereign? 00:21:50.859 --> 00:21:51.839 He controls 00:21:51.839 --> 00:21:53.240 and has authority 00:21:53.240 --> 00:21:54.859 and determines 00:21:54.859 --> 00:21:56.079 and is powerful 00:21:56.079 --> 00:21:56.359 over 00:21:56.359 --> 00:21:57.599 and has planned 00:21:57.599 --> 00:21:59.980 all things. 00:22:00.939 --> 00:22:01.659 There aren't 00:22:01.659 --> 00:22:03.119 some things 00:22:03.119 --> 00:22:04.379 he's sovereign over, 00:22:04.439 --> 00:22:04.919 but some things 00:22:04.919 --> 00:22:06.279 he can't really touch. 00:22:07.019 --> 00:22:07.139 No, 00:22:07.259 --> 00:22:08.759 every single thing 00:22:08.759 --> 00:22:09.500 in creation, 00:22:09.619 --> 00:22:10.379 down to the last 00:22:10.379 --> 00:22:11.179 electron, 00:22:11.180 --> 00:22:12.820 it is all 00:22:12.820 --> 00:22:13.539 under 00:22:13.539 --> 00:22:14.840 God's 00:22:14.840 --> 00:22:16.360 sovereign control, 00:22:16.700 --> 00:22:17.380 all things. 00:22:21.539 --> 00:22:22.519 And I know 00:22:22.519 --> 00:22:23.120 questions 00:22:23.120 --> 00:22:24.480 will come from this. 00:22:25.200 --> 00:22:26.039 How can God 00:22:26.039 --> 00:22:26.740 be good 00:22:26.740 --> 00:22:27.519 but also 00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:28.580 sovereign over evil? 00:22:29.460 --> 00:22:30.259 How can God 00:22:30.259 --> 00:22:31.120 be in control 00:22:31.120 --> 00:22:32.259 of human decisions 00:22:32.259 --> 00:22:33.480 without us 00:22:33.480 --> 00:22:34.360 just being robots? 00:22:35.580 --> 00:22:36.080 And we will 00:22:36.080 --> 00:22:36.900 get on to that, 00:22:37.680 --> 00:22:38.320 but this is just 00:22:38.320 --> 00:22:39.299 a fundamental thing 00:22:39.299 --> 00:22:40.140 we first need 00:22:40.140 --> 00:22:40.779 to establish 00:22:40.779 --> 00:22:41.799 and must see 00:22:41.799 --> 00:22:42.279 that the Bible 00:22:42.279 --> 00:22:43.180 clearly teaches 00:22:43.180 --> 00:22:44.980 God is sovereign 00:22:44.980 --> 00:22:46.460 over all things. 00:22:48.160 --> 00:22:48.779 And there's something 00:22:48.779 --> 00:22:49.559 else we need 00:22:49.559 --> 00:22:50.519 to see about that. 00:22:51.359 --> 00:22:52.379 I want us to see 00:22:52.379 --> 00:22:53.440 God is sovereign 00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:55.039 over all these things 00:22:55.039 --> 00:22:55.480 because 00:22:55.480 --> 00:22:58.099 he has planned 00:22:58.099 --> 00:22:59.460 and declared it 00:22:59.460 --> 00:23:00.480 from all eternity. 00:23:01.700 --> 00:23:02.379 And this is the next 00:23:02.379 --> 00:23:02.899 thing I want to see. 00:23:03.000 --> 00:23:03.579 We'll try and do 00:23:03.579 --> 00:23:04.440 questions at the end 00:23:04.440 --> 00:23:05.680 or I'll try to avoid 00:23:05.680 --> 00:23:06.440 questions at the end 00:23:06.440 --> 00:23:07.259 and try to overrun. 00:23:07.579 --> 00:23:08.359 But this is the second point. 00:23:08.460 --> 00:23:10.039 God has an eternal decree. 00:23:10.779 --> 00:23:12.059 God has an eternal decree. 00:23:12.200 --> 00:23:13.879 So look at Isaiah 46 00:23:13.879 --> 00:23:15.639 again in box 12. 00:23:16.700 --> 00:23:17.539 So do you see 00:23:17.539 --> 00:23:18.720 that language 00:23:18.720 --> 00:23:19.440 in Isaiah 46? 00:23:20.259 --> 00:23:21.940 God declares 00:23:21.940 --> 00:23:23.039 the end 00:23:23.039 --> 00:23:23.759 from the beginning. 00:23:24.759 --> 00:23:25.059 Do you see 00:23:25.059 --> 00:23:26.220 he has a counsel 00:23:26.220 --> 00:23:28.180 and a purpose 00:23:28.180 --> 00:23:29.220 for all things. 00:23:30.500 --> 00:23:31.359 And this is what 00:23:31.359 --> 00:23:32.180 is often called 00:23:32.180 --> 00:23:34.259 God's eternal decree 00:23:34.259 --> 00:23:35.980 or eternal will. 00:23:35.980 --> 00:23:36.620 right? 00:23:37.019 --> 00:23:38.000 We see it in Ephesians 1 00:23:38.000 --> 00:23:38.360 as well. 00:23:38.839 --> 00:23:39.960 This kind of has a focus 00:23:39.960 --> 00:23:41.220 on salvation with it 00:23:41.220 --> 00:23:41.880 and we're going to look 00:23:41.880 --> 00:23:42.539 at that next week. 00:23:42.839 --> 00:23:43.819 But just look at this 00:23:43.819 --> 00:23:44.559 eternal decree. 00:23:45.759 --> 00:23:46.380 Ephesians 1. 00:23:46.480 --> 00:23:47.799 He chose us in him 00:23:47.799 --> 00:23:49.400 before the foundation 00:23:49.400 --> 00:23:50.019 of the world. 00:23:50.539 --> 00:23:51.400 Before creation. 00:23:51.960 --> 00:23:53.559 He predestined us 00:23:53.559 --> 00:23:54.220 for adoption 00:23:54.220 --> 00:23:54.839 as sons 00:23:54.839 --> 00:23:55.819 through Jesus Christ 00:23:55.819 --> 00:23:57.259 according to the purpose 00:23:57.259 --> 00:23:57.680 of his will. 00:23:58.259 --> 00:23:59.759 Having been predestined 00:23:59.759 --> 00:24:00.799 according to the purpose 00:24:00.799 --> 00:24:01.200 of him 00:24:01.200 --> 00:24:03.339 who works all things 00:24:03.339 --> 00:24:04.759 according to the counsel 00:24:04.759 --> 00:24:05.259 of his will. 00:24:06.720 --> 00:24:08.119 So look what the Bible teaches. 00:24:08.379 --> 00:24:09.680 Before time 00:24:09.680 --> 00:24:11.480 or creation 00:24:11.480 --> 00:24:13.200 even came to be 00:24:13.200 --> 00:24:14.940 in eternity past 00:24:14.940 --> 00:24:16.460 in God's divine mind 00:24:16.460 --> 00:24:18.900 God had thought 00:24:18.900 --> 00:24:19.960 and planned 00:24:19.960 --> 00:24:21.140 and purposed 00:24:21.140 --> 00:24:22.940 and willed 00:24:22.940 --> 00:24:24.420 all that will happen 00:24:24.420 --> 00:24:24.920 in creation. 00:24:25.779 --> 00:24:27.599 And it will all happen 00:24:27.599 --> 00:24:29.299 according to the counsel 00:24:29.299 --> 00:24:30.000 of his will. 00:24:30.359 --> 00:24:31.559 What he wants 00:24:31.559 --> 00:24:32.519 what he says. 00:24:33.519 --> 00:24:34.619 And the Westminster Confession 00:24:34.619 --> 00:24:35.099 of Faith 00:24:35.099 --> 00:24:36.539 which is kind of our guide 00:24:36.539 --> 00:24:37.319 in Sunday school 00:24:37.319 --> 00:24:38.519 our guide through the zoo. 00:24:39.019 --> 00:24:39.699 It says this 00:24:39.699 --> 00:24:40.839 look at chapter 3 00:24:40.839 --> 00:24:41.339 verse 1 00:24:41.339 --> 00:24:42.539 article 1 00:24:42.539 --> 00:24:43.939 God 00:24:43.939 --> 00:24:45.479 from all eternity 00:24:45.479 --> 00:24:47.159 did by the most wise 00:24:47.159 --> 00:24:48.299 and holy counsel 00:24:48.299 --> 00:24:49.219 of his own will 00:24:49.219 --> 00:24:50.399 freely 00:24:50.399 --> 00:24:51.459 and unchangeably 00:24:51.459 --> 00:24:52.339 ordain 00:24:52.339 --> 00:24:53.419 whatsoever 00:24:53.419 --> 00:24:54.419 comes to pass. 00:24:55.500 --> 00:24:56.079 Ordain 00:24:56.079 --> 00:24:57.099 is decree 00:24:57.099 --> 00:24:58.479 declare 00:24:58.479 --> 00:24:59.619 state 00:24:59.619 --> 00:25:00.319 kind of 00:25:00.319 --> 00:25:01.199 pre-plan 00:25:01.200 --> 00:25:02.900 whatsoever 00:25:02.900 --> 00:25:03.819 comes to pass. 00:25:04.420 --> 00:25:05.299 So it's like 00:25:05.299 --> 00:25:07.240 before God said 00:25:07.240 --> 00:25:08.559 let there be light 00:25:08.559 --> 00:25:09.759 before he said that 00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:10.720 he already 00:25:10.720 --> 00:25:11.100 kind of 00:25:11.100 --> 00:25:12.279 had a blueprint 00:25:12.279 --> 00:25:14.440 and a comprehensive 00:25:14.440 --> 00:25:15.059 plan 00:25:15.059 --> 00:25:16.160 for the entire universe. 00:25:16.160 --> 00:25:17.140 He kind of 00:25:17.140 --> 00:25:18.620 had all the history 00:25:18.620 --> 00:25:19.580 books written 00:25:19.580 --> 00:25:20.819 already 00:25:20.819 --> 00:25:22.620 and then 00:25:22.620 --> 00:25:24.340 when he said 00:25:24.340 --> 00:25:25.559 let there be light 00:25:25.559 --> 00:25:27.220 it all just 00:25:27.220 --> 00:25:28.680 started happening 00:25:28.680 --> 00:25:29.500 according to that 00:25:29.500 --> 00:25:29.840 blueprint. 00:25:31.299 --> 00:25:32.560 And as our lives 00:25:32.560 --> 00:25:33.039 happen 00:25:33.039 --> 00:25:33.820 and each 00:25:33.820 --> 00:25:34.460 moment 00:25:34.460 --> 00:25:35.759 passes 00:25:35.759 --> 00:25:36.420 each moment 00:25:36.420 --> 00:25:37.880 is unfolding 00:25:37.880 --> 00:25:38.880 exactly 00:25:38.880 --> 00:25:40.360 as God 00:25:40.360 --> 00:25:40.980 has planned 00:25:40.980 --> 00:25:41.420 and declared 00:25:41.420 --> 00:25:41.940 it to be. 00:25:42.400 --> 00:25:43.560 The history books 00:25:43.560 --> 00:25:44.320 are already written 00:25:44.320 --> 00:25:44.880 and now it's 00:25:44.880 --> 00:25:45.380 unfolding. 00:25:47.140 --> 00:25:47.860 And this is 00:25:47.860 --> 00:25:48.600 expressing 00:25:48.600 --> 00:25:49.700 the teaching of 00:25:49.700 --> 00:25:50.500 you may have 00:25:50.500 --> 00:25:50.900 heard this word 00:25:50.900 --> 00:25:52.279 predestination. 00:25:53.460 --> 00:25:54.340 This is the 00:25:54.340 --> 00:25:55.000 biblical teaching 00:25:55.000 --> 00:25:55.640 that God 00:25:55.640 --> 00:25:56.060 has 00:25:56.059 --> 00:25:57.440 pre-planned 00:25:57.440 --> 00:25:58.740 or predestined 00:25:58.740 --> 00:26:00.559 all things 00:26:00.559 --> 00:26:01.159 in creation 00:26:01.159 --> 00:26:01.679 in history. 00:26:03.200 --> 00:26:03.960 And as soon 00:26:03.960 --> 00:26:04.319 as you hear 00:26:04.319 --> 00:26:05.119 predestination 00:26:05.119 --> 00:26:06.839 you might 00:26:06.839 --> 00:26:07.179 get 00:26:07.179 --> 00:26:08.099 shudders 00:26:08.099 --> 00:26:09.240 down your 00:26:09.240 --> 00:26:09.619 spine 00:26:09.619 --> 00:26:11.079 might strike 00:26:11.079 --> 00:26:11.740 terror in your 00:26:11.740 --> 00:26:12.159 heart 00:26:12.159 --> 00:26:13.019 you may not 00:26:13.019 --> 00:26:13.639 like this word 00:26:13.639 --> 00:26:14.240 you might think 00:26:14.240 --> 00:26:15.099 it's all just 00:26:15.099 --> 00:26:15.519 kind of a bit 00:26:15.519 --> 00:26:16.159 philosophical 00:26:16.159 --> 00:26:18.240 but actually 00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:19.059 I want us to 00:26:19.059 --> 00:26:19.220 see 00:26:19.220 --> 00:26:20.339 predestination 00:26:20.339 --> 00:26:22.179 and God's 00:26:22.179 --> 00:26:23.240 eternal decree 00:26:23.240 --> 00:26:24.579 and God's 00:26:24.579 --> 00:26:25.039 sovereignty 00:26:25.039 --> 00:26:25.779 over all things 00:26:25.779 --> 00:26:27.299 this is all 00:26:27.299 --> 00:26:28.819 just fundamental 00:26:28.819 --> 00:26:30.500 to God 00:26:30.500 --> 00:26:31.519 being God. 00:26:32.420 --> 00:26:32.519 Okay. 00:26:33.259 --> 00:26:33.960 So I want you 00:26:33.960 --> 00:26:34.420 to think of it 00:26:34.420 --> 00:26:34.859 like this. 00:26:40.500 --> 00:26:41.099 God 00:26:41.099 --> 00:26:42.480 what is God? 00:26:42.559 --> 00:26:43.220 God is 00:26:43.220 --> 00:26:44.940 the creator 00:26:44.940 --> 00:26:47.019 of all things. 00:26:53.519 --> 00:26:54.319 All things. 00:26:55.779 --> 00:26:56.420 right? 00:26:57.619 --> 00:26:58.119 And this 00:26:58.119 --> 00:26:58.700 means 00:26:58.700 --> 00:27:01.259 all things 00:27:01.259 --> 00:27:02.519 are dependent 00:27:02.519 --> 00:27:03.559 on him. 00:27:03.559 --> 00:27:04.420 I want to 00:27:04.420 --> 00:27:06.259 extend that 00:27:06.259 --> 00:27:06.480 line 00:27:06.480 --> 00:27:07.240 making sure 00:27:07.240 --> 00:27:07.759 you see 00:27:07.759 --> 00:27:08.359 it's all 00:27:08.359 --> 00:27:09.440 dependent 00:27:09.440 --> 00:27:09.899 on God 00:27:09.899 --> 00:27:10.859 hanging on 00:27:10.859 --> 00:27:11.200 him. 00:27:11.460 --> 00:27:11.559 Right? 00:27:11.819 --> 00:27:12.519 Nothing can 00:27:12.519 --> 00:27:13.399 exist without 00:27:13.399 --> 00:27:13.899 God. 00:27:14.660 --> 00:27:15.399 There is nothing 00:27:15.399 --> 00:27:16.519 independent from 00:27:16.519 --> 00:27:16.680 him. 00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:17.599 Nothing that 00:27:17.599 --> 00:27:18.740 doesn't need 00:27:18.740 --> 00:27:20.259 him for life 00:27:20.259 --> 00:27:20.859 or existence. 00:27:21.000 --> 00:27:21.399 There's nothing 00:27:21.399 --> 00:27:22.799 out here 00:27:22.799 --> 00:27:24.039 exists floating 00:27:24.039 --> 00:27:25.039 but I don't 00:27:25.039 --> 00:27:25.539 need God 00:27:25.539 --> 00:27:26.639 exist on 00:27:26.639 --> 00:27:26.980 my own. 00:27:27.059 --> 00:27:27.200 No. 00:27:27.519 --> 00:27:28.599 All things 00:27:28.599 --> 00:27:30.740 are dependent 00:27:30.740 --> 00:27:31.419 on God 00:27:31.419 --> 00:27:32.299 and God 00:27:32.299 --> 00:27:33.720 is dependent 00:27:33.720 --> 00:27:34.559 on nothing. 00:27:35.059 --> 00:27:35.599 God is the 00:27:35.599 --> 00:27:36.079 source of all 00:27:36.079 --> 00:27:36.339 things. 00:27:36.720 --> 00:27:37.259 He has no 00:27:37.259 --> 00:27:37.639 source. 00:27:38.980 --> 00:27:39.879 And so all 00:27:39.879 --> 00:27:41.019 that happens, 00:27:41.779 --> 00:27:42.519 it happens 00:27:42.519 --> 00:27:44.159 because God 00:27:44.159 --> 00:27:44.879 says so. 00:27:44.880 --> 00:27:46.960 because in 00:27:46.960 --> 00:27:48.040 eternity God 00:27:48.040 --> 00:27:50.400 decreed and 00:27:50.400 --> 00:27:52.960 declares all 00:27:52.960 --> 00:27:53.600 that we're 00:27:53.600 --> 00:27:53.900 being. 00:27:54.900 --> 00:27:55.960 He declares 00:27:55.960 --> 00:27:57.420 the end from 00:27:57.420 --> 00:27:57.840 the beginning. 00:27:58.980 --> 00:27:59.900 So everything, 00:28:00.220 --> 00:28:00.780 all things, 00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:02.720 hang on God's 00:28:02.720 --> 00:28:03.540 word and his 00:28:03.540 --> 00:28:03.940 plan. 00:28:04.520 --> 00:28:05.100 Nothing can 00:28:05.100 --> 00:28:05.920 happen outside 00:28:05.920 --> 00:28:06.580 of God's 00:28:06.580 --> 00:28:06.920 plan. 00:28:08.260 --> 00:28:09.740 And so that 00:28:09.740 --> 00:28:10.560 includes all 00:28:10.560 --> 00:28:11.240 that we've seen 00:28:11.240 --> 00:28:11.860 in the timeline. 00:28:12.480 --> 00:28:13.400 So that timeline 00:28:13.400 --> 00:28:14.020 on the back, 00:28:14.100 --> 00:28:14.300 right? 00:28:14.299 --> 00:28:15.019 It's all 00:28:15.019 --> 00:28:15.299 things. 00:28:15.460 --> 00:28:16.000 Creation, 00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:18.759 new heavens, 00:28:18.859 --> 00:28:19.419 new earth, 00:28:20.779 --> 00:28:21.919 human history, 00:28:22.579 --> 00:28:23.119 kings, 00:28:23.759 --> 00:28:24.359 life and 00:28:24.359 --> 00:28:24.680 death, 00:28:24.940 --> 00:28:25.339 cross, 00:28:25.639 --> 00:28:26.059 everything. 00:28:28.299 --> 00:28:29.460 And this, 00:28:30.019 --> 00:28:30.879 this is 00:28:30.879 --> 00:28:32.559 simply what 00:28:32.559 --> 00:28:33.899 it means 00:28:33.899 --> 00:28:34.940 for God 00:28:34.940 --> 00:28:35.740 to be God 00:28:35.740 --> 00:28:36.319 and Lord. 00:28:37.579 --> 00:28:38.279 This is what 00:28:38.279 --> 00:28:39.059 it means 00:28:39.059 --> 00:28:40.099 to be 00:28:40.099 --> 00:28:40.799 eternal 00:28:40.799 --> 00:28:41.539 and all 00:28:41.539 --> 00:28:41.859 knowing. 00:28:42.419 --> 00:28:43.279 He knows 00:28:43.279 --> 00:28:44.319 all things 00:28:44.319 --> 00:28:45.039 and knows 00:28:45.039 --> 00:28:45.740 the future 00:28:45.740 --> 00:28:46.200 and knows 00:28:46.200 --> 00:28:46.779 the past 00:28:46.779 --> 00:28:47.480 and knows 00:28:47.480 --> 00:28:48.000 all things 00:28:48.000 --> 00:28:48.339 that are 00:28:48.339 --> 00:28:48.599 happening 00:28:48.599 --> 00:28:49.579 right now 00:28:49.579 --> 00:28:50.619 and is in 00:28:50.619 --> 00:28:51.319 control of 00:28:51.319 --> 00:28:51.879 all of it 00:28:51.879 --> 00:28:52.740 because he 00:28:52.740 --> 00:28:54.139 has decreed 00:28:54.139 --> 00:28:55.899 and predestined 00:28:55.899 --> 00:28:56.819 all of it 00:28:56.819 --> 00:28:58.000 before the 00:28:58.000 --> 00:28:58.579 foundation of 00:28:58.579 --> 00:28:58.940 the world. 00:29:00.619 --> 00:29:01.379 And what 00:29:01.379 --> 00:29:02.259 does God 00:29:02.259 --> 00:29:04.440 use or 00:29:04.440 --> 00:29:05.440 rely on 00:29:05.440 --> 00:29:06.399 to do that, 00:29:06.500 --> 00:29:06.920 to make that 00:29:06.920 --> 00:29:07.200 plan? 00:29:07.200 --> 00:29:08.539 what's 00:29:08.539 --> 00:29:09.039 above him? 00:29:09.920 --> 00:29:10.340 Nothing. 00:29:11.860 --> 00:29:12.539 It is all, 00:29:13.039 --> 00:29:13.380 it's his 00:29:13.380 --> 00:29:13.960 language of 00:29:13.960 --> 00:29:14.519 Ephesians 1, 00:29:14.600 --> 00:29:15.480 according to 00:29:15.480 --> 00:29:15.920 the counsel 00:29:15.920 --> 00:29:16.220 of his 00:29:16.220 --> 00:29:16.460 will. 00:29:17.160 --> 00:29:17.759 It's all 00:29:17.759 --> 00:29:18.180 based on 00:29:18.180 --> 00:29:18.960 what God 00:29:18.960 --> 00:29:19.380 in his 00:29:19.380 --> 00:29:20.340 perfect wisdom 00:29:20.340 --> 00:29:21.080 has decided. 00:29:21.980 --> 00:29:22.279 Look at 00:29:22.279 --> 00:29:22.759 Romans 11, 00:29:22.940 --> 00:29:23.700 who does he 00:29:23.700 --> 00:29:24.200 consult? 00:29:24.319 --> 00:29:24.600 Who's his 00:29:24.600 --> 00:29:25.039 counselor? 00:29:25.900 --> 00:29:26.539 No one. 00:29:27.799 --> 00:29:28.519 Which means 00:29:28.519 --> 00:29:29.279 when God 00:29:29.279 --> 00:29:30.259 decreed all 00:29:30.259 --> 00:29:30.519 things, 00:29:30.660 --> 00:29:31.420 he didn't 00:29:31.420 --> 00:29:32.779 look into 00:29:32.779 --> 00:29:33.700 the future 00:29:33.700 --> 00:29:35.680 and see 00:29:35.680 --> 00:29:36.599 what creation 00:29:36.599 --> 00:29:37.200 and humans 00:29:37.200 --> 00:29:38.619 might choose 00:29:38.619 --> 00:29:39.240 to do 00:29:39.240 --> 00:29:39.879 and then 00:29:39.879 --> 00:29:40.619 base his 00:29:40.619 --> 00:29:41.220 plan on 00:29:41.220 --> 00:29:41.660 that. 00:29:42.079 --> 00:29:43.000 As if God 00:29:43.000 --> 00:29:44.180 makes this 00:29:44.180 --> 00:29:44.740 thing called 00:29:44.740 --> 00:29:45.279 creation, 00:29:45.420 --> 00:29:46.559 this concoction 00:29:46.559 --> 00:29:48.059 and it's 00:29:48.059 --> 00:29:48.740 let loose 00:29:48.740 --> 00:29:49.500 and it's 00:29:49.500 --> 00:29:50.339 a bit out 00:29:50.339 --> 00:29:50.799 of God's 00:29:50.799 --> 00:29:51.200 hands, 00:29:51.779 --> 00:29:52.339 he doesn't 00:29:52.339 --> 00:29:52.740 know what's 00:29:52.740 --> 00:29:53.539 coming next 00:29:53.539 --> 00:29:54.440 and he 00:29:54.440 --> 00:29:54.759 doesn't 00:29:54.759 --> 00:29:55.259 intervene 00:29:55.259 --> 00:29:55.799 too much 00:29:55.799 --> 00:29:56.160 out of 00:29:56.160 --> 00:29:56.660 love. 00:29:57.339 --> 00:29:57.559 And so 00:29:57.559 --> 00:29:58.980 he looks 00:29:58.980 --> 00:29:59.480 through the 00:29:59.480 --> 00:30:00.200 corridor of 00:30:00.200 --> 00:30:00.700 time of 00:30:00.700 --> 00:30:01.200 what that 00:30:01.200 --> 00:30:01.759 creation is 00:30:01.759 --> 00:30:02.039 going to 00:30:02.039 --> 00:30:02.420 do, 00:30:02.420 --> 00:30:02.960 kind of 00:30:02.960 --> 00:30:03.519 looks ahead 00:30:03.519 --> 00:30:04.140 and he 00:30:04.140 --> 00:30:04.880 sees the 00:30:04.880 --> 00:30:05.400 choices 00:30:05.400 --> 00:30:07.000 and the 00:30:07.000 --> 00:30:07.500 decisions 00:30:07.500 --> 00:30:08.360 and the 00:30:08.360 --> 00:30:08.900 preferences 00:30:08.900 --> 00:30:09.800 of that 00:30:09.800 --> 00:30:10.200 creation 00:30:10.200 --> 00:30:10.620 he's just 00:30:10.620 --> 00:30:11.140 made. 00:30:11.720 --> 00:30:12.060 As if 00:30:12.060 --> 00:30:12.640 he looks 00:30:12.640 --> 00:30:12.980 into the 00:30:12.980 --> 00:30:13.259 future 00:30:13.259 --> 00:30:14.160 and sees 00:30:14.160 --> 00:30:14.620 Andrew 00:30:14.620 --> 00:30:15.259 Quay in 00:30:15.259 --> 00:30:15.960 2026 00:30:15.960 --> 00:30:17.620 and oh 00:30:17.620 --> 00:30:18.019 that's what 00:30:18.019 --> 00:30:18.640 Andrew likes 00:30:18.640 --> 00:30:19.779 to choose 00:30:19.779 --> 00:30:20.220 and oh 00:30:20.220 --> 00:30:20.620 that's what 00:30:20.620 --> 00:30:21.240 he wants 00:30:21.240 --> 00:30:21.779 there and 00:30:21.779 --> 00:30:22.539 oh he 00:30:22.539 --> 00:30:22.860 wants to 00:30:22.860 --> 00:30:23.060 live in 00:30:23.060 --> 00:30:23.279 Ealing, 00:30:23.440 --> 00:30:23.740 okay, 00:30:24.000 --> 00:30:24.320 okay I 00:30:24.320 --> 00:30:24.860 like that, 00:30:25.300 --> 00:30:26.000 I see 00:30:26.000 --> 00:30:26.300 that. 00:30:26.600 --> 00:30:26.880 And then 00:30:26.880 --> 00:30:27.240 so he 00:30:27.240 --> 00:30:28.180 starts writing 00:30:28.180 --> 00:30:28.880 his decree 00:30:28.880 --> 00:30:29.720 according to 00:30:29.720 --> 00:30:30.680 that and 00:30:30.680 --> 00:30:32.000 then somehow 00:30:32.000 --> 00:30:32.579 that's the 00:30:32.579 --> 00:30:33.000 plan that 00:30:33.000 --> 00:30:33.519 happens. 00:30:35.779 --> 00:30:36.460 That's not 00:30:36.460 --> 00:30:36.839 the case. 00:30:36.980 --> 00:30:37.779 That is a 00:30:37.779 --> 00:30:38.700 wrong teaching 00:30:38.700 --> 00:30:40.160 called, 00:30:40.160 --> 00:30:41.500 do it in, 00:30:41.680 --> 00:30:42.099 do it in, 00:30:42.460 --> 00:30:42.799 that's a 00:30:42.799 --> 00:30:43.279 wrong teaching 00:30:43.279 --> 00:30:43.960 called open 00:30:43.960 --> 00:30:44.500 theism. 00:30:45.799 --> 00:30:46.339 You don't 00:30:46.339 --> 00:30:46.539 need to 00:30:46.539 --> 00:30:47.079 remember this, 00:30:47.200 --> 00:30:48.039 I'm just giving you the term 00:30:48.039 --> 00:30:50.039 just in case I come 00:30:50.039 --> 00:30:50.400 across it, 00:30:50.400 --> 00:30:51.180 open theism. 00:30:51.619 --> 00:30:53.359 And this teaching 00:30:53.359 --> 00:30:54.119 basically says 00:30:54.119 --> 00:30:55.660 there's kind of a 00:30:55.660 --> 00:30:56.960 back and forth 00:30:56.960 --> 00:30:57.720 between 00:30:57.720 --> 00:30:58.400 creation. 00:30:58.400 --> 00:30:58.640 creation. 00:30:59.960 --> 00:31:00.500 And so 00:31:00.500 --> 00:31:01.780 God creates 00:31:01.780 --> 00:31:04.180 fine, 00:31:04.280 --> 00:31:05.120 God creates 00:31:05.120 --> 00:31:13.660 all things, 00:31:14.220 --> 00:31:15.140 all things. 00:31:18.640 --> 00:31:19.320 But, 00:31:20.080 --> 00:31:21.960 but also 00:31:21.960 --> 00:31:23.180 creation is 00:31:23.180 --> 00:31:24.000 free 00:31:24.000 --> 00:31:25.860 in a way 00:31:25.859 --> 00:31:27.039 that God 00:31:27.039 --> 00:31:27.539 doesn't kind 00:31:27.539 --> 00:31:28.779 of sovereignly 00:31:28.779 --> 00:31:29.519 declare 00:31:29.519 --> 00:31:30.339 anything to 00:31:30.339 --> 00:31:30.559 be. 00:31:31.339 --> 00:31:31.859 It kind 00:31:31.859 --> 00:31:32.139 of just, 00:31:32.259 --> 00:31:32.959 it happens 00:31:32.959 --> 00:31:33.500 because it's 00:31:33.500 --> 00:31:33.879 its own 00:31:33.879 --> 00:31:34.319 thing. 00:31:35.279 --> 00:31:35.459 And so 00:31:35.459 --> 00:31:36.759 that means 00:31:36.759 --> 00:31:37.659 God 00:31:37.659 --> 00:31:39.199 learns 00:31:39.199 --> 00:31:39.659 from his 00:31:39.659 --> 00:31:40.199 creation. 00:31:43.439 --> 00:31:43.959 Creation 00:31:43.959 --> 00:31:44.899 provides him 00:31:44.899 --> 00:31:45.959 knowledge of 00:31:45.959 --> 00:31:46.439 what it's 00:31:46.439 --> 00:31:46.799 going to 00:31:46.799 --> 00:31:47.039 do. 00:31:48.799 --> 00:31:50.799 And so 00:31:50.799 --> 00:31:51.599 God plans 00:31:51.599 --> 00:31:52.279 history with 00:31:52.279 --> 00:31:52.619 that in 00:31:52.619 --> 00:31:53.019 mind. 00:31:54.759 --> 00:31:55.000 And now 00:31:55.000 --> 00:31:55.299 just think 00:31:55.299 --> 00:31:55.559 about that. 00:31:55.639 --> 00:31:56.180 What is 00:31:56.180 --> 00:31:56.680 the issue 00:31:56.680 --> 00:31:57.240 with that? 00:31:58.720 --> 00:31:59.319 Really, 00:32:00.000 --> 00:32:00.960 that makes 00:32:00.960 --> 00:32:01.700 God 00:32:01.700 --> 00:32:02.700 dependent 00:32:02.700 --> 00:32:02.940 on 00:32:02.940 --> 00:32:03.500 creation. 00:32:07.319 --> 00:32:07.960 Creation 00:32:07.960 --> 00:32:08.799 is now 00:32:08.799 --> 00:32:09.519 this thing 00:32:09.519 --> 00:32:10.680 that feeds 00:32:10.680 --> 00:32:12.079 God 00:32:12.079 --> 00:32:13.000 knowledge 00:32:13.000 --> 00:32:13.399 that he 00:32:13.399 --> 00:32:13.940 didn't have 00:32:13.940 --> 00:32:14.359 before. 00:32:17.180 --> 00:32:20.039 And in 00:32:20.039 --> 00:32:20.559 that case, 00:32:20.879 --> 00:32:21.440 what does 00:32:21.440 --> 00:32:21.899 that mean 00:32:21.899 --> 00:32:22.220 for all 00:32:22.220 --> 00:32:22.460 that we've 00:32:22.460 --> 00:32:22.960 just seen? 00:32:23.859 --> 00:32:24.359 All 00:32:24.359 --> 00:32:24.960 things 00:32:24.960 --> 00:32:25.900 aren't 00:32:25.900 --> 00:32:26.160 from 00:32:26.160 --> 00:32:26.500 God. 00:32:27.500 --> 00:32:28.059 God 00:32:28.059 --> 00:32:28.980 doesn't 00:32:28.980 --> 00:32:29.880 really 00:32:29.880 --> 00:32:30.340 declare 00:32:30.340 --> 00:32:30.720 the end 00:32:30.720 --> 00:32:31.039 from the 00:32:31.039 --> 00:32:31.319 beginning. 00:32:32.360 --> 00:32:32.640 God 00:32:32.640 --> 00:32:33.799 can't 00:32:33.799 --> 00:32:34.600 predestine 00:32:34.600 --> 00:32:36.279 us for 00:32:36.279 --> 00:32:36.680 adoption. 00:32:37.500 --> 00:32:37.819 In fact, 00:32:37.880 --> 00:32:38.559 there's no 00:32:38.559 --> 00:32:39.120 guarantee 00:32:39.120 --> 00:32:39.860 God can 00:32:39.860 --> 00:32:41.120 do anything 00:32:41.120 --> 00:32:41.420 in the 00:32:41.420 --> 00:32:41.880 future because 00:32:41.880 --> 00:32:42.220 he's 00:32:42.220 --> 00:32:42.819 dependent 00:32:42.819 --> 00:32:43.840 on creation 00:32:43.840 --> 00:32:44.819 and our 00:32:44.819 --> 00:32:45.400 choices 00:32:45.400 --> 00:32:46.600 to plan 00:32:46.600 --> 00:32:47.240 the future. 00:32:48.680 --> 00:32:48.920 And now, 00:32:49.220 --> 00:32:49.799 open theists 00:32:49.799 --> 00:32:50.620 wouldn't 00:32:50.620 --> 00:32:51.360 admit that. 00:32:51.359 --> 00:32:51.959 God 00:32:51.959 --> 00:32:52.379 does have 00:32:52.379 --> 00:32:52.639 a plan 00:32:52.639 --> 00:32:53.019 and he's 00:32:53.019 --> 00:32:53.219 going to 00:32:53.219 --> 00:32:53.500 bring it 00:32:53.500 --> 00:32:53.959 all to 00:32:53.959 --> 00:32:55.179 completion 00:32:55.179 --> 00:32:55.559 and there 00:32:55.559 --> 00:32:56.519 is going 00:32:56.519 --> 00:32:56.699 to be a 00:32:56.699 --> 00:32:56.979 new heavens 00:32:56.979 --> 00:32:57.219 and new 00:32:57.219 --> 00:32:57.419 earth. 00:32:57.559 --> 00:32:58.000 But they 00:32:58.000 --> 00:32:58.399 can't 00:32:58.399 --> 00:32:59.219 account for 00:32:59.219 --> 00:32:59.399 that, 00:32:59.459 --> 00:33:00.059 for this 00:33:00.059 --> 00:33:00.779 way of 00:33:00.779 --> 00:33:00.939 thinking 00:33:00.939 --> 00:33:01.159 about 00:33:01.159 --> 00:33:01.500 God 00:33:01.500 --> 00:33:04.240 because he's 00:33:04.240 --> 00:33:04.839 dependent 00:33:04.839 --> 00:33:05.699 on us 00:33:05.699 --> 00:33:06.399 for the 00:33:06.399 --> 00:33:06.679 future. 00:33:06.679 --> 00:33:07.419 And that 00:33:07.419 --> 00:33:08.119 ultimately 00:33:08.119 --> 00:33:09.099 leaves God 00:33:09.099 --> 00:33:09.719 powerless 00:33:09.719 --> 00:33:10.439 over this 00:33:10.439 --> 00:33:10.759 world. 00:33:11.659 --> 00:33:12.439 He isn't 00:33:12.439 --> 00:33:13.259 really the 00:33:13.259 --> 00:33:13.579 sovereign. 00:33:13.779 --> 00:33:14.939 And in 00:33:14.939 --> 00:33:15.319 this model, 00:33:15.619 --> 00:33:15.959 God 00:33:15.959 --> 00:33:17.000 ceases to 00:33:17.000 --> 00:33:17.459 be God. 00:33:17.460 --> 00:33:19.059 there is 00:33:19.059 --> 00:33:19.660 something 00:33:19.660 --> 00:33:20.559 supreme 00:33:20.559 --> 00:33:21.680 over God 00:33:21.680 --> 00:33:23.480 and something 00:33:23.480 --> 00:33:23.920 that he 00:33:23.920 --> 00:33:24.460 actually 00:33:24.460 --> 00:33:25.640 learns from 00:33:25.640 --> 00:33:27.120 and needs. 00:33:28.559 --> 00:33:29.059 But look 00:33:29.059 --> 00:33:29.279 what the 00:33:29.279 --> 00:33:29.640 confession 00:33:29.640 --> 00:33:30.059 says, 00:33:30.519 --> 00:33:31.400 article 2, 00:33:31.799 --> 00:33:32.299 chapter 3. 00:33:33.279 --> 00:33:34.180 Although God 00:33:34.180 --> 00:33:35.019 knows whatsoever 00:33:35.019 --> 00:33:36.180 may or can 00:33:36.180 --> 00:33:36.620 come to 00:33:36.620 --> 00:33:37.940 pass upon 00:33:37.940 --> 00:33:38.500 all supposed 00:33:38.500 --> 00:33:38.860 conditions, 00:33:38.960 --> 00:33:39.819 he can look 00:33:39.819 --> 00:33:40.279 through the 00:33:40.279 --> 00:33:40.779 corridor of 00:33:40.779 --> 00:33:41.019 time, 00:33:41.100 --> 00:33:41.700 so to speak, 00:33:42.559 --> 00:33:43.160 yet he has 00:33:43.160 --> 00:33:43.980 not decreed 00:33:43.980 --> 00:33:44.740 anything because 00:33:44.740 --> 00:33:45.840 he foresaw 00:33:45.840 --> 00:33:46.460 it as future. 00:33:47.460 --> 00:33:48.600 God is 00:33:48.600 --> 00:33:49.319 sovereign over 00:33:49.319 --> 00:33:50.600 all things 00:33:50.600 --> 00:33:51.880 because he 00:33:51.880 --> 00:33:52.600 has declared 00:33:52.600 --> 00:33:53.100 it. 00:33:54.059 --> 00:33:54.759 It's all 00:33:54.759 --> 00:33:55.299 happening 00:33:55.299 --> 00:33:56.039 according to 00:33:56.039 --> 00:33:56.700 his perfect 00:33:56.700 --> 00:33:58.120 and holy 00:33:58.120 --> 00:33:58.460 will. 00:34:01.220 --> 00:34:01.940 And it's 00:34:01.940 --> 00:34:02.180 here we 00:34:02.180 --> 00:34:02.740 might ask, 00:34:03.039 --> 00:34:03.680 but doesn't 00:34:03.680 --> 00:34:05.259 God will 00:34:05.259 --> 00:34:06.319 things that 00:34:06.319 --> 00:34:06.860 don't happen? 00:34:07.840 --> 00:34:08.460 So 1 00:34:08.460 --> 00:34:09.000 Timothy 2, 00:34:09.699 --> 00:34:10.740 God desires 00:34:10.740 --> 00:34:11.480 all people to 00:34:11.480 --> 00:34:12.139 be saved and 00:34:12.139 --> 00:34:12.480 come to the 00:34:12.480 --> 00:34:12.800 knowledge of 00:34:12.800 --> 00:34:13.000 truth. 00:34:13.099 --> 00:34:13.699 2 Peter 3, 00:34:14.280 --> 00:34:14.820 the Lord is 00:34:14.820 --> 00:34:15.480 not willing 00:34:15.480 --> 00:34:15.980 that any 00:34:15.980 --> 00:34:16.740 should perish. 00:34:17.460 --> 00:34:19.320 But what 00:34:19.320 --> 00:34:19.599 might we 00:34:19.599 --> 00:34:19.800 ask? 00:34:20.019 --> 00:34:21.220 So does 00:34:21.220 --> 00:34:21.840 God will 00:34:21.840 --> 00:34:22.240 things that 00:34:22.240 --> 00:34:22.980 don't come 00:34:22.980 --> 00:34:23.300 to pass? 00:34:23.400 --> 00:34:23.900 How do we 00:34:23.900 --> 00:34:24.380 square all 00:34:24.380 --> 00:34:24.659 of this 00:34:24.659 --> 00:34:25.539 with things 00:34:25.539 --> 00:34:26.059 like this? 00:34:26.400 --> 00:34:26.659 God 00:34:26.659 --> 00:34:27.320 commanding 00:34:27.320 --> 00:34:27.699 things to 00:34:27.699 --> 00:34:27.940 happen? 00:34:28.960 --> 00:34:29.099 Well, 00:34:29.099 --> 00:34:29.599 it's here that 00:34:29.599 --> 00:34:30.000 we need to 00:34:30.000 --> 00:34:30.260 make a 00:34:30.260 --> 00:34:30.579 distinction 00:34:30.579 --> 00:34:31.539 between God's 00:34:31.539 --> 00:34:32.260 hidden will 00:34:32.260 --> 00:34:33.539 and God's 00:34:33.539 --> 00:34:34.240 revealed will. 00:34:34.480 --> 00:34:34.740 We'll finish 00:34:34.740 --> 00:34:35.220 in one minute. 00:34:35.519 --> 00:34:37.059 The difference 00:34:37.059 --> 00:34:37.720 between God's 00:34:37.720 --> 00:34:38.720 decretive will 00:34:38.720 --> 00:34:39.179 and his 00:34:39.179 --> 00:34:40.260 prescriptive will 00:34:40.260 --> 00:34:41.400 or his 00:34:41.400 --> 00:34:42.159 sovereign will 00:34:42.159 --> 00:34:42.440 and his 00:34:42.440 --> 00:34:42.940 moral will. 00:34:43.000 --> 00:34:43.360 That's in the 00:34:43.360 --> 00:34:43.920 little chart 00:34:43.920 --> 00:34:44.519 on your sheet. 00:34:44.519 --> 00:34:46.380 So God's 00:34:46.380 --> 00:34:47.059 sovereign will 00:34:47.059 --> 00:34:47.460 is what he 00:34:47.460 --> 00:34:48.159 has planned 00:34:48.159 --> 00:34:48.639 for all 00:34:48.639 --> 00:34:49.179 things from 00:34:49.179 --> 00:34:49.639 eternity. 00:34:50.440 --> 00:34:51.019 And that's 00:34:51.019 --> 00:34:51.820 secret to us. 00:34:51.900 --> 00:34:52.619 That's in God's 00:34:52.619 --> 00:34:52.780 mind. 00:34:52.880 --> 00:34:53.759 We can't know 00:34:53.759 --> 00:34:54.719 what he's 00:34:54.719 --> 00:34:54.960 planned. 00:34:55.099 --> 00:34:55.480 That's his 00:34:55.480 --> 00:34:56.559 decretive will. 00:34:57.599 --> 00:34:58.539 But God has 00:34:58.539 --> 00:34:59.079 also revealed 00:34:59.079 --> 00:34:59.619 what he wants 00:34:59.619 --> 00:35:00.099 from us, 00:35:00.340 --> 00:35:01.059 our duty. 00:35:01.900 --> 00:35:02.460 He wants 00:35:02.460 --> 00:35:03.340 everyone to 00:35:03.340 --> 00:35:04.119 believe in 00:35:04.119 --> 00:35:04.460 Christ and 00:35:04.460 --> 00:35:04.880 be saved. 00:35:05.619 --> 00:35:06.559 That's why we 00:35:06.559 --> 00:35:07.079 preach to 00:35:07.079 --> 00:35:07.440 everyone. 00:35:07.599 --> 00:35:08.380 That is God's 00:35:08.380 --> 00:35:08.599 will. 00:35:08.980 --> 00:35:09.559 Come to 00:35:09.559 --> 00:35:10.079 Christ, 00:35:10.320 --> 00:35:11.039 repent and 00:35:11.039 --> 00:35:11.340 believe. 00:35:11.340 --> 00:35:13.260 he wants 00:35:13.260 --> 00:35:13.559 that from 00:35:13.559 --> 00:35:13.820 everyone. 00:35:14.000 --> 00:35:14.559 It's the 00:35:14.559 --> 00:35:15.220 simple call 00:35:15.220 --> 00:35:15.500 to the 00:35:15.500 --> 00:35:15.800 gospel. 00:35:16.980 --> 00:35:17.840 And that's 00:35:17.840 --> 00:35:18.660 his moral 00:35:18.660 --> 00:35:19.360 command to 00:35:19.360 --> 00:35:19.600 us. 00:35:20.400 --> 00:35:20.760 It's just 00:35:20.760 --> 00:35:21.079 like you 00:35:21.079 --> 00:35:21.579 shall not 00:35:21.579 --> 00:35:21.820 murder. 00:35:21.940 --> 00:35:23.519 His will 00:35:23.519 --> 00:35:24.519 is everyone 00:35:24.519 --> 00:35:25.200 on earth 00:35:25.200 --> 00:35:25.940 should not 00:35:25.940 --> 00:35:26.240 murder. 00:35:26.620 --> 00:35:27.200 That's his 00:35:27.200 --> 00:35:27.760 will. 00:35:28.680 --> 00:35:30.000 But it's 00:35:30.000 --> 00:35:30.700 his moral 00:35:30.700 --> 00:35:31.000 will. 00:35:31.200 --> 00:35:31.660 It's his 00:35:31.660 --> 00:35:32.260 revealed 00:35:32.260 --> 00:35:32.579 will. 00:35:33.640 --> 00:35:34.240 But that 00:35:34.240 --> 00:35:34.840 doesn't mean 00:35:34.840 --> 00:35:36.140 everyone's 00:35:36.140 --> 00:35:36.500 going to 00:35:36.500 --> 00:35:37.360 obey that 00:35:37.360 --> 00:35:37.860 revealed 00:35:37.860 --> 00:35:38.220 will. 00:35:39.400 --> 00:35:39.760 And when 00:35:39.760 --> 00:35:40.680 they don't, 00:35:40.679 --> 00:35:41.399 when there 00:35:41.399 --> 00:35:42.000 is murder 00:35:42.000 --> 00:35:42.379 or someone 00:35:42.379 --> 00:35:42.819 doesn't 00:35:42.819 --> 00:35:44.319 believe in 00:35:44.319 --> 00:35:44.679 Christ, 00:35:44.799 --> 00:35:45.119 that doesn't 00:35:45.119 --> 00:35:45.440 mean God 00:35:45.440 --> 00:35:46.079 isn't in 00:35:46.079 --> 00:35:46.699 control of 00:35:46.699 --> 00:35:47.519 those things. 00:35:48.679 --> 00:35:49.099 He's not 00:35:49.099 --> 00:35:49.679 like, I 00:35:49.679 --> 00:35:50.759 want everyone 00:35:50.759 --> 00:35:51.359 to be saved. 00:35:51.440 --> 00:35:51.739 That's my 00:35:51.739 --> 00:35:52.259 will. 00:35:52.699 --> 00:35:53.359 That's my 00:35:53.359 --> 00:35:53.980 plan. 00:35:54.259 --> 00:35:55.019 But I 00:35:55.019 --> 00:35:55.659 just can't 00:35:55.659 --> 00:35:56.219 do it. 00:35:56.339 --> 00:35:56.519 Right? 00:35:56.679 --> 00:35:57.039 I've 00:35:57.039 --> 00:35:57.539 revealed it, 00:35:57.579 --> 00:35:57.799 but I 00:35:57.799 --> 00:35:58.139 can't really 00:35:58.139 --> 00:35:58.659 do it. 00:35:59.199 --> 00:35:59.599 No. 00:36:00.419 --> 00:36:01.039 This is 00:36:01.039 --> 00:36:01.440 just a 00:36:01.440 --> 00:36:02.299 distinction 00:36:02.299 --> 00:36:03.539 of how we 00:36:03.539 --> 00:36:04.559 speak about 00:36:04.559 --> 00:36:04.839 God's 00:36:04.839 --> 00:36:05.019 will. 00:36:06.859 --> 00:36:07.339 It's 00:36:07.339 --> 00:36:08.739 revealed and 00:36:08.739 --> 00:36:09.219 it's hidden. 00:36:09.539 --> 00:36:09.940 There are 00:36:09.940 --> 00:36:10.760 two aspects 00:36:10.760 --> 00:36:11.179 to it. 00:36:13.039 --> 00:36:13.280 And so 00:36:13.280 --> 00:36:14.000 God is 00:36:14.000 --> 00:36:15.019 sovereign over 00:36:15.019 --> 00:36:15.440 all these 00:36:15.440 --> 00:36:16.079 things because 00:36:16.079 --> 00:36:16.860 in eternity 00:36:16.860 --> 00:36:18.519 past, he 00:36:18.519 --> 00:36:19.440 decreed all 00:36:19.440 --> 00:36:20.059 things that 00:36:20.059 --> 00:36:20.360 will come 00:36:20.360 --> 00:36:21.000 to pass. 00:36:21.700 --> 00:36:22.039 And it's 00:36:22.039 --> 00:36:22.679 all according 00:36:22.679 --> 00:36:23.780 to the 00:36:23.780 --> 00:36:24.320 purpose of 00:36:24.320 --> 00:36:25.119 his hidden 00:36:25.119 --> 00:36:26.360 decretive 00:36:26.360 --> 00:36:26.960 sovereign 00:36:26.960 --> 00:36:27.240 will. 00:36:28.800 --> 00:36:29.220 And why 00:36:29.220 --> 00:36:29.539 is all this 00:36:29.539 --> 00:36:29.840 important? 00:36:29.980 --> 00:36:30.320 Let me 00:36:30.320 --> 00:36:30.800 leave you 00:36:30.800 --> 00:36:31.119 with this. 00:36:31.220 --> 00:36:31.559 This is 00:36:31.559 --> 00:36:32.059 important because 00:36:32.059 --> 00:36:32.700 this makes 00:36:32.700 --> 00:36:33.300 God, 00:36:33.980 --> 00:36:34.240 God. 00:36:35.240 --> 00:36:35.960 If we are 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:36.639 to have a 00:36:36.639 --> 00:36:37.519 lower view 00:36:37.519 --> 00:36:38.780 of God's 00:36:38.780 --> 00:36:39.059 sovereignty 00:36:39.059 --> 00:36:39.759 than this, 00:36:40.280 --> 00:36:40.920 it makes 00:36:40.920 --> 00:36:41.699 God dependent 00:36:41.699 --> 00:36:42.400 on us. 00:36:42.699 --> 00:36:43.259 He's not 00:36:43.259 --> 00:36:43.780 the source 00:36:43.780 --> 00:36:44.019 of all 00:36:44.019 --> 00:36:44.400 life and 00:36:44.400 --> 00:36:45.179 knowledge and 00:36:45.179 --> 00:36:45.719 therefore he's 00:36:45.719 --> 00:36:46.480 not God. 00:36:46.619 --> 00:36:47.259 And so this 00:36:47.259 --> 00:36:47.780 way of 00:36:47.780 --> 00:36:49.139 thinking honours 00:36:49.139 --> 00:36:49.840 who God 00:36:49.840 --> 00:36:50.320 really is. 00:36:51.340 --> 00:36:52.059 But also 00:36:52.059 --> 00:36:52.880 God's sovereignty 00:36:52.880 --> 00:36:53.400 is important 00:36:53.400 --> 00:36:53.860 because this 00:36:53.860 --> 00:36:55.860 means nothing 00:36:55.860 --> 00:36:56.840 in your life 00:36:56.840 --> 00:36:57.360 is out of 00:36:57.360 --> 00:36:57.679 control. 00:36:59.019 --> 00:36:59.920 God is in 00:36:59.920 --> 00:37:01.039 complete control 00:37:01.039 --> 00:37:01.960 of all of 00:37:01.960 --> 00:37:02.099 it. 00:37:02.179 --> 00:37:03.219 He's upholding 00:37:03.219 --> 00:37:04.440 you every 00:37:04.440 --> 00:37:05.059 moment with 00:37:05.059 --> 00:37:06.119 every step 00:37:06.119 --> 00:37:06.900 you take. 00:37:07.299 --> 00:37:07.539 And when 00:37:07.539 --> 00:37:07.920 you belong 00:37:07.920 --> 00:37:08.340 to Christ, 00:37:08.659 --> 00:37:09.579 everything in 00:37:09.579 --> 00:37:10.199 your life 00:37:10.199 --> 00:37:11.519 has a good 00:37:11.519 --> 00:37:12.259 and wise 00:37:12.259 --> 00:37:12.599 purpose. 00:37:12.679 --> 00:37:12.880 Look at 00:37:12.880 --> 00:37:13.360 Romans 8 00:37:13.360 --> 00:37:13.659 28. 00:37:14.440 --> 00:37:15.219 And we 00:37:15.219 --> 00:37:15.639 know that 00:37:15.639 --> 00:37:16.099 for those 00:37:16.099 --> 00:37:16.480 who love 00:37:16.480 --> 00:37:16.739 God, 00:37:16.860 --> 00:37:17.679 all things 00:37:17.679 --> 00:37:18.360 work together 00:37:18.360 --> 00:37:18.900 for good 00:37:18.900 --> 00:37:19.799 for those 00:37:19.799 --> 00:37:20.039 who are 00:37:20.039 --> 00:37:20.259 called 00:37:20.259 --> 00:37:20.619 according 00:37:20.619 --> 00:37:20.920 to his 00:37:20.920 --> 00:37:21.299 purpose. 00:37:22.179 --> 00:37:22.900 For those 00:37:22.900 --> 00:37:23.199 in Christ, 00:37:23.279 --> 00:37:23.579 God has 00:37:23.579 --> 00:37:24.400 planned and 00:37:24.400 --> 00:37:25.159 purposed all 00:37:25.159 --> 00:37:25.599 things in 00:37:25.599 --> 00:37:26.219 your life 00:37:26.219 --> 00:37:27.299 for what is 00:37:27.299 --> 00:37:27.900 good for 00:37:27.900 --> 00:37:28.159 you. 00:37:29.099 --> 00:37:29.619 Nothing 00:37:29.619 --> 00:37:29.920 is in 00:37:29.920 --> 00:37:30.619 action. 00:37:30.779 --> 00:37:31.019 Nothing 00:37:31.019 --> 00:37:31.519 is out of 00:37:31.519 --> 00:37:31.900 control. 00:37:32.420 --> 00:37:33.320 No problem 00:37:33.320 --> 00:37:33.719 you are 00:37:33.719 --> 00:37:34.440 facing 00:37:34.440 --> 00:37:35.820 is too 00:37:35.820 --> 00:37:36.340 great for 00:37:36.340 --> 00:37:36.619 God to 00:37:36.619 --> 00:37:36.940 deal with 00:37:36.940 --> 00:37:37.380 because 00:37:37.380 --> 00:37:39.079 he is 00:37:39.079 --> 00:37:39.420 the king 00:37:39.420 --> 00:37:39.700 of heaven 00:37:39.700 --> 00:37:40.039 and earth. 00:37:40.119 --> 00:37:40.539 He's not 00:37:40.539 --> 00:37:40.980 dependent. 00:37:41.460 --> 00:37:41.679 And so 00:37:41.679 --> 00:37:42.000 we don't 00:37:42.000 --> 00:37:42.300 need to 00:37:42.300 --> 00:37:42.940 fear the 00:37:42.940 --> 00:37:43.300 future. 00:37:44.000 --> 00:37:44.599 We don't 00:37:44.599 --> 00:37:44.880 need to 00:37:44.880 --> 00:37:45.599 worry about 00:37:45.599 --> 00:37:46.099 God's plan 00:37:46.099 --> 00:37:46.380 for our 00:37:46.380 --> 00:37:46.860 lives because 00:37:46.860 --> 00:37:47.920 nothing ahead 00:37:47.920 --> 00:37:48.440 of us is 00:37:48.440 --> 00:37:48.740 random, 00:37:48.900 --> 00:37:49.360 even that 00:37:49.360 --> 00:37:49.720 roll of 00:37:49.720 --> 00:37:50.139 the dice. 00:37:51.380 --> 00:37:51.679 And we 00:37:51.679 --> 00:37:52.059 know this 00:37:52.059 --> 00:37:52.420 because of 00:37:52.420 --> 00:37:53.000 a fundamental 00:37:53.000 --> 00:37:53.679 truth about 00:37:53.679 --> 00:37:54.039 God. 00:37:54.760 --> 00:37:55.700 God is 00:37:55.700 --> 00:37:56.639 sovereign.