Alrighty, let me give you just a brief, quick, what we looked at last week. You'll recall, Don, and we're talking about here in chapter 13, the sovereignty of God, and he takes his first thoughts from Psalms 135, verse 6. Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places. Now, I'm just going to cover a couple of quick points that we looked at last week before we go into this morning. And the first one is the sovereignty of God is a matter of great joy. And it truly is.

I mean, that was, I don't know about you folks, but one of the things that jumped out at me when I first heard the gospel, the truth, it wasn't about a Jesus who was waiting for me to make a decision. It wasn't some religion that had something for me to do to add to God's salvation. It was salvation of God. It was of a God who deserved to be called God. Don writes, he goes, every believer rejoices in the sovereignty of God.

God's saints rejoice to hear him say this, as he says in Matthew 20, 15, is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? That sounds like a God, doesn't it? That sounds like a sovereign ruler, a sovereign deity that rules over everything. Is it not lawful for him to do what he will with his own? Or how about this?

Our God is in the heavens. He hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. When we think of scriptures and how God sent his son to be our substitute, our sacrifice, when we think about the wonders of God's grace in his gospel, we can stand on the solid rock that God is in the heavens, and he has done whatsoever he pleased. If he is pleased to save one man, then he saves one man. If he pleads to save a thousand or a hundred thousand or more than any man can count, does he not have the right to do so?

Natural, unregenerate, unbelieving women are happy enough to have God everywhere except on the throne of total universal sovereignty. God's charge against the apostate Israel was this, he said in Psalms that I was altogether such as one as thyself. We take, in our natural sense, in our unregenerate state, we take God and we reduce him to what we are. That's the indictment against this religious world of our day today. Men today imagine that God is moved by sentiment rather than determination of his own will. Don writes this.

He says, when I say that God is sovereign, I'm simply declaring that God is God. He is the most high Lord of heaven and earth and overall blessed forever. He is subject to none. He is influenced by none. God is absolutely independent of and sovereign over all of His creation. He does as He pleases, only as He pleases, and always as He pleases. None can thwart Him. Which tells us this, that none can resist Him neither. None can change Him. None can stop Him. None can hinder Him.

He declares this, He says, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure in Isaiah 46.10. He says this, He doeth according to His will in the army of heaven among the inhabitants of the earth, and none can stay His hand or say unto Him, What doest Thou?

In Dan 4.35.

In this study, Don said, we will consider five things which manifestly and irrefutably reveal the sovereignty of God. And we looked at one last week, predestination, which was also the subject of the week before that. This morning, we're going to look at creation, providence, salvation, and spiritual gifts. But before we do that, allow me to repeat one thing that Don wrote from last week. He said, yes, God predestinated from eternity everything that comes to pass in time to secure the salvation of His elect.

This is the plainly stated doctrine of Holy Scripture in Ephesians 1 verses 3 through 6 and Romans 11.36.

It is written, all things are of God, in 2 Corinthians 5.18, and it is also written, the Lord hath made all things for himself, Proverbs 16.4. So now let's turn our attention to God's sovereignty in creation.

No one, writes Don, can reasonably deny the revelation of God's sovereignty in his marvelous work Genesis 1.1, in the beginning, God created.

Look with me if you would over in Revelation 4, at one verse over in Revelation 4, would you? Just to give us another verse to look at. And there are many that we could look at that point us to God's creation, His sovereignty and creation. But when Don pointed this one out, I haven't read this one in quite a while. Look at chapter 4, verse 11. Thou art worthy, O Lord. This is Revelation 4, verse 11.

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power, for Thou hast created all things. This goes right in line with what we read in John 1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and nothing was created that wasn't created by Him. It says that all things, and for thy pleasure, it says, they were created. God goes on to say, nothing moved God to create except His own sovereign will. What could move Him when there was nothing but God Himself? Truly, the heavens declare the glory of God, as read in Psalms 19. God created the heavens and the earth and as a stage upon which to work out His purpose of grace.

Look over at Psalm 8, if you would. Turn over to Psalm number 8. Job, you've gone too far, just like I did. Psalm number 8. Look at, I think it's only nine verses. Yeah, let's read the whole thing. We're talking about the sovereignty of God in creation. We're talking about earth as a stage upon which to work out his purpose of grace. Oh Lord, our Lord. This is Psalms 8 verse 1. Oh Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth, who has set thy glory above the heavens.

Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength, because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars which thou hast ordained, what is man that thou art mindful of him, and the son of man that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with the glory of honor. And thou hast made him to have dominion over the works of thy hands, and thou hast put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field, the fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.

Our Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all things. He created the angelic host to be a ministering spirit to those who shall be the heirs of salvation. That's what we read in Hebrews 1 verse 13 through 14. But to which of the angels said he at any time sit on my right hand until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

God goes on to say, He says, God created the sun, the moon, and the stars for the benefit of His elect. He created all plants and animals to provide food, comfort, and pleasure for men. At last, God created man in His own image and after His own likeness that He might show forth the glory of His grace in man. Adam was created in the image of Christ, our eternal surety and substitute.

Look over at Romans chapter 5. Turn over to Romans, chapter 5. Look at verse 12. Romans 5, verse 12. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, we're talking about Adam, And the death by sin, so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.

For until the law, sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed where there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come." Did you catch that? We're talking about Adam being created in the image of Christ.

Verse 15, but not as the offense also of the free gift, for if through the offense of one many be dead, much more the grace of God and the gift of grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many, and not as it was by one that sinned, so the gift for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift of many offenses unto justification. For if by one man's offense, Death reign by one, much more they which receive abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one Jesus Christ. Therefore, because of what we just read, as by the offense of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation, even so by the righteousness of one The free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For by as one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

Moreover, the law entered that the offense might abound, but where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. that as sin hath reigned under death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. Don says this, he said, he was created, speaking of that, was created in a conditional holiness. In God's wise, holy, and good purpose of grace, Adam was permitted to fall. And we all fell in him that we might be raised to life again in Christ, the second Adam. Next, we see God and his sovereignty in Providence. We see God's sovereignty in all the works of his daily providence.

That's why we can say these words in Romans 8.28. And we know all things work together. for the good to them that love God, to them who were called according to His purpose.

There's another verse that goes along that path. Romans 11, verse 36. It says, for of Him and through Him and to Him are all things to whom be glory forever. Amen. This is pointing us to God's sovereignty in all things. This is pointing us to the very rock that we sang about in that opening hymn. In Divine Providence, writes John, God Almighty sovereignly accomplishes His eternal purpose of grace in predestination.

The Holy Spirit showed John a beautiful picture of this recorded in the book of Revelation. He saw the Lord Jesus Christ as our mediator, our high priest. That's what the high priest is. He's a mediator who would go between the people and God. And this is what John saw the Lord as.

He saw Him as the Lamb of God, taking the book of God's purposes, opening the book and fulfilling all that was written in it, in all the world. And that's over in Revelation. Let's turn over there to chapter 5, shall we? Revelation 5. Here's a picture of our sovereign God who works all things out according to the purpose of his own counsel. Look at verse 1 of chapter 5, Revelation 5.

And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, who, who is worthy to open the book and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in the earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and read the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not.

Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed. He is overcome. to open the book and to loose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and lo, in the midst of the throne, and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, The four beasts and the four twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them hearts and golden vials full of odors, which were the prayers of the saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seals thereof, for thou was slain and has redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, tongue, people, and nation, and has made us unto our God kings and priests, and we shall reign on the earth. Here, let's look at one more, shall we? Turn over to chapter 10 of Revelation. Turn to the right a couple pages, chapter 10. Look at this, if you would. Verse 1 through 11.

Again, we see the writer John writing these words, and I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven clothed with a cloud, and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire. And he had in his hand a little book open, and he set his right foot upon the sea and his left foot upon the earth, and cried with a loud voice, as wherein a lion roareth. And when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, seal up those things which thou seven thunders uttered, and write them not. And the angel, which I saw standing upon the sea and upon the earth, lifted up his hand to heaven, and swear by him that liveth forever and ever, who created heaven and the earth, and the things that there are in..."

My mind can get kind of... Somebody want to stand up and read for me? You can cut that out. and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer. But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound the mystery of God, should be finished as he hath declared to his servant the prophets.

And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go, and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth. And I went unto the angel, and he said unto me, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up, and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey. And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up, and it was in my mouth sweet as honey. And as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings."

So we see here that God is sitting on His throne. The Lord Jesus is sitting on His throne, ruling over all things. Right now, He who is God, our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, writes, God rules all things in providence by the book of God's predestination. God's sovereign rule of providence extends to all of his creatures, inanimate matter, irrational creatures. All things in this world perform their maker's bidding.

It was the will of our God that the waters of the Red Sea divided in Exodus 14. By his word, the earth opened up her mouth and swallowed his enemies in Numbers 14. When he willed it, the sun stood still in Joshua 10 and went backward 10 degrees on the sundial of Ahaz. Once he had even made an axe head float.

Ravens carried food to his prophet in 1 Kings 17. Lions were tamed by God's decree for his servant Daniel. And He made the fire refuse to burn His faithful servants when they were cast into the fiery furnace. See, folks, all things come to pass, and they are His pleasure. God's rule in providence extends even to the thoughts and the wills and the actions and the words of wicked men. He kept Abimelech. Remember the story of Abimelech? He kept Abimelech from adultery with Abraham's wife, Sarah. He kept the Canaanites from desiring the possessions of Israel when they went to worship him. Look at Exodus 34 if you would. Turn over to Exodus 34. Verses 23 and 24, Exodus 34, 23. We read these words. 34, 23.

And now shall observe the feast of weeks for the first fruits of wheat, harvest, and feasting, gathering the years in. Thrice in the year shall all your men children appear before the Lord God of Israel. That has nothing to do with what we just read, does it? It surely does not. I've got to make sure I check those things. Okay, so let's go on.

The hearts of all men, their thoughts, their intents, their passions are in the hands of our God. As we read in Proverbs 21.1, the king's heart is in the hand of the Lord. As the rivers of water, he turneth it whatsoever he will. Shemaiah was sent of God to curse David.

Remember him? He was the one who was up on the ridge and he was cursing David as him and his army were marching along. We were just talking about this recently, weren't we? And one of the captains said, you want me to go up and kill him? This guy who was sent to, you know this guy? And David said no. He was sent by God to do exactly what he's doing. We read over in Psalm 76 10, praise him and the remainder of wrath that which he chooses not to use for his praise and for his restraints.

The object of God's providence, the object of God in all that he does or allows to be done is threefold. It is for the salvation of his elect, the eternal spiritual good of his people, and the glory of his great name. Here is a resting place for every believer's troubled heart. Neither Satan, the demons of hell, nor men, nor sickness, nor war, nor pestilence, nor whirlwind is beyond the reach of our God's sovereign purpose.

Listen to this from Matthew 10 30, just to put emphasis on that very fact. but the very hairs of your head are all numbered. If God has numbered every hair on your head, and this includes our pastor, Gene Harmon, who doesn't seem to have any hair, but I'm sure he's got one or two little ones there somewhere. God knows it all. That's what we're talking about here. And then lastly, I want to give you some thoughts that Don gives us on spiritual gifts. God is sovereign in spiritual gifts. His sovereignty is also revealed in various spiritual gifts that he bestows upon his people.

Turn over to 1 Corinthians chapter 12. And we'll read several verses in 1 Corinthians chapter 12. And the first one I want to read is verse 14. We're talking about the spiritual gifts that God bestows upon His people. Look at verse 14. For the body is not one member, but many. This is speaking about the congregation, the people of God, the church of God that called out. Look at verse 18 now.

But now hath God set the members, every one of them, in the body as it hath pleased him." Now look at 28 and 29. And God hath set some in the church first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, governments, diversities, and tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets, verse 19, are all teachers, are all workers of miracles, have all gifts of healing, do all speak the tongues, do all interpret, but covet earnestly the best gifts and yet show unto you more excellent ways. Our God sees to it that his church has everything she needs to carry out the work he has for her to do.

We need missionaries and pastors. We need preachers and deacons as well. We need faithful witnesses and we need the prayers of God's saints. We need workers and we need givers. We need some to do great things and some to do small things. In a word, Don says, we need Martha's. We need Mary's. We need John's, James's, Peter's. We need Paul's, Lydia's, Lucas's.

God gives each when they are needed and where they are needed for the accomplishment of his will. Let each child of God cover earnestly the best gift, the gift of love, one for another. If we have that, we will serve God and his people well in our place using all the gifts according to his good purpose. He says, our God is in the heavens. He hath done and is doing whatsoever He hath pleased. So let us therefore believe Him confidently, walk with Him in peace, submit to Him cheerfully, and serve Him faithfully, and honor Him supremely.