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The Lord's Day Bible Message Outlines

March 14, 21, 2010
Pastor Dana Johnson

"Whatever the LORD pleases He does." -Psalm 135:6

Whatever the LORD pleases He does, 1n heaven and in earth, 1n the seas and in all deep places.

1. In contrast to the false gods of the earth and to humanity Jehovah is sovereign because of:
Psalm 135:5 - For I know that the LORD is great, and our Lord is above all gods.

a. His omnipotence.
Psalm 135:5a - For I know that the LORD is great.

b. His supremacy.
Psalm 135:5b - And our Lord is above all gods.

2. God's sovereignty is demonstrated in His rule over His creation. He is overseeing and controlling:
Psalm 135:6-7 - Whatever the LORD pleases He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deep places. 7He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; He makes lightning for the rain; He brings the wind out of His treasuries.

a. The natural rhythm of life.
Psalm 104:27-30 - These all wait for You, that You may give them their food in due season. 28What You give them they gather in; You open Your hand, they are filled with good. 29You hide Your face, they are troubled; You take away their breath, they die and return to their dust. 30You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; and You renew the face of the earth.

b. The natural disasters.

c. The supernatural events.

3. God's sovereignty is demonstrated in His attention to Israel.

a. He chose Israel for Himself to be His treasure.
Psalm 135:4 - For the LORD has chosen Jacob for Himself, Israel for His special treasure.

b. He favored Israel over other nations.
Psalm 135:8-12 - He destroyed the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast. 9He sent signs and wonders into the midst of you, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh and all his servants. 10He defeated many nations and slew mighty kings; 11Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan; 12and gave their land as a heritage, a heritage to Israel His people.

 4. The sovereignty of God is an unpopular if not unwelcome concept in both secular and Christian culture. What are some explanations?

a. Sociological explanations: The American tradition of independence/selfishness. Feminism influence on society. Liberalism.

b. Theological explanations: Pride.

5. As those who are favored, like Israel, by His sovereign grace, what should be our response to the sovereignty of God?

a. To stand in awe of such unrivaled dominion.

b. To seek His sovereign rule.

c. Not to suspect God of any impudence or impropriety in His rule.

d. To submit cheerfully to His rule and rest.

6. God's sovereignty is stated here in His authority and ability to do as He pleases. Let's remind ourselves of some of the things God has been pleased to do:

a. God was pleased to bruise His Son for our sin.
Isaiah 53:10 - Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand.

b. God was pleased that all His fullness should dwell in His incarnate son
Colossians 1:19 - For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell.

c. It was God's will to place the salvation of His elect in the keeping of His Son.
John 6:39 - "This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day."

d. It was the Father's good pleasure to predestine us to sonship in Christ.
Ephesians 1:5 - Having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.

e. It pleased the Father to call His elect through the preaching of the Gospel in all the world.
1 Corinthians 1:21 - For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

 

(All Scripture quoted is from the New King James Version)