Established By God

Q: What does the Bible say about God's presence with His people?

The Bible teaches that God's presence is essential for spiritual strength and growth, as seen in passages like 2 Samuel 5:10. The Scriptures consistently affirm that God's presence is crucial for the success and growth of His people. In 2 Samuel 5:10, we see that David's greatness was not due to his own abilities but because 'the Lord God of hosts was with him.' This signifies that any strength or success believers experience is fundamentally rooted in God's presence. Similarly, in Philippians 4:13, Paul emphasizes that through Christ, believers can do all things, indicating that our growth and victory come from Him alone. It is through the Holy Spirit that we are enabled to grow in grace and knowledge. Without God's presence, we are spiritually dead and incapable of any significant growth.

Q: How do we know that spiritual growth is God's work?

Scripture clearly states that all spiritual growth is a result of God's work within us, as shown in Philippians 1:6. The belief that spiritual growth is solely the work of God is strongly supported by Scripture. Paul writes in Philippians 1:6 that 'He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.' This indicates that spiritual growth is not self-produced; it is the divine work of God in the believer's life. Just as David grew great because God was with him, believers grow because of Christ dwelling in them through His Spirit. The consistent theme throughout Scripture is that all good things come from God, and we rely on Him for every aspect of our spiritual journey. Therefore, acknowledging God's role in our growth leads to humility and gratitude.

Q: Why is it important for Christians to understand God's providence?

Understanding God's providence reassures Christians that He is actively working for their good in every circumstance. Comprehending God's providence is vital for Christians as it establishes the foundational belief that all things work together for the good of those who love God (Romans 8:28). This truth provides peace and assurance in the face of trials and uncertainties. Throughout Scripture, we see instances where God uses not only miraculous means but also ordinary events and actions, as highlighted in David's story where God utilized Hiram, a Gentile king, to fulfill His purposes for Israel. Recognizing that God's providential hand is guiding our lives helps us perceive His goodness and sovereignty in all circumstances, encouraging us to trust Him more fully.

Q: What does it mean that Christ is our King?

Christ being our King means that He rules with authority for the good of His people, providing security and salvation. The doctrine of Christ as King is a central theme in Reformed theology, emphasizing His sovereign reign over all creation. As stated in the sermon, Christ is exalted for the benefit of His people; His kingdom is established not merely for His glory but for the salvation and eternal happiness of those who trust in Him. Believers can take comfort knowing that He works all things together for their good and that His reign offers peace and security. The assurance that we are united with Christ, seated in heavenly places, underscores our identity in Him, ensuring that nothing can separate us from His love. This understanding cultivates a profound sense of belonging and hope for believers.

Q: How do Christians find strength in Christ?

Christians find their strength in Him through faith, as He strengthens believers to accomplish God's purposes. The strength of a Christian is deeply rooted in their relationship with Christ. Philippians 4:13 reminds us, 'I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.' This indicates that our ability to endure trials and grow spiritually comes directly from relying on Christ. His indwelling presence empowers believers, reminding them that without Him, they can do nothing (John 15:5). Understanding our complete dependence on Christ not only fosters spiritual strength but also cultivates humility as we recognize that all our attributes and victories are granted by His grace. Emphasizing Christ as the source of our strength leads to a life characterized by faith rather than self-reliance.

Q: What does it mean to be established by God?

Being established by God signifies that our identity, worth, and growth are grounded in His sovereign work. To be established by God refers to the profound truth that our lives are anchored in His sovereign plan and purpose. In the sermon, it is emphasized that everything David received and achieved was established by God. Similarly, believers can affirm that their identity and worth are not self-derived but are firmly rooted in God's grace. This foundation brings assurance and stability, as it conveys that our future, sustenance, and spiritual growth are driven by His providential care. The believer can take comfort in knowing that God has a purpose for their lives, and through His power, we can fulfill the calling placed upon us.

Turn with me again tonight to 2 Samuel chapter 5, please. I just want to look at three verses tonight, verses 10 through 12. As I told you already, I titled this message, Established by God. I want you to keep that in mind as we go through these verses. It's God who establishes 2 Samuel 5 verse 10. That word established in our text tonight means to set up on a firm or permanent basis. To show something to be true or certain. You see, only God can do that.

Verse 10, and David went on and grew great And the Lord God of hosts was with him. David didn't prosper because of his military skill and David didn't, it wasn't his leadership ability that made him to grow. And it definitely wasn't his personal strength. People talk about the secret to their success. There's no secret here to David's success. other than the Lord of hosts was with him.

For the believer, this verse carries important truths. First, any strength that we have is found in God's presence. The Lord is with us. He said, I'll be with you always, even to the end of the earth. Every spiritual blessing I mean everyone. Every victory over sin, every growth in grace, any usefulness in the kingdom of God is because the Holy Spirit in Christ is with us. The Lord promised just that, as I said, I'll be with you always, even to the end of the world.

And we may feel weak. You ever feel weak? I do pretty much all the time. Do you ever feel inadequate? Yes. Most of the time. Overwhelmed? Absolutely. But God's presence is the only source of our strength. Never forget that. And when you're feeling weak and when you're feeling inadequate, Remember that you can do all things through Christ, which strengthens you.

Philippians 4.13, excuse me. The Lord said, without me, you can do nothing. But that tells us that with Him, we can, we can do something. We can do all things, matter of fact. That's what Paul said, I can do all things through Christ, which strengthens me. Spiritual growth comes from God. We often pray, Lord, enable us to grow in the grace and in the knowledge of the Lord. And we pray that because he's the only one that can.

We can't make ourselves grow no more than we could as children. You know, you can't grunt and try to grow. It just doesn't work that way. Verse 10 says David went on and grew great. Believers are called to grow We're called to grow in faith. We're called to grow in knowledge. We're called to grow in grace. Yes, in holiness, usefulness, yes. But yet in and of ourselves, we're spiritually dead and there's no growth. God's got to give the increase. That's the theme throughout all scripture. God's got to enable us to grow. God's got to make us grow.

So growth is not self-produced, it's a result of God's work within us. And it's so obvious that most in religion today do not really believe that mankind is spiritually dead. You say, well, what makes you say that? Well, if they did, they wouldn't be trying to accomplish these things that God requires on their own. It's just he that hath begun a good work in you.

Paul wrote in Philippians 1.6, we'll perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. That's my hope of growing in grace and in the knowledge. That's my hope of salvation, that that work that God hath begun, he will complete and perform it until the day that Christ comes again. And we are conformed into his image perfectly. That's what the Lord's doing for us. He's conforming us to the image of Christ.

Just as David's kingdom increased because God was with him, believers grow because Christ dwells in them through His Spirit. Apart from Him, there's no growth. Apart from Him, there's no life. God's presence is the distinguishing mark of His people. I love to think about the Lord being with us. Two or three are gathered, he's in their midst. The Lord is here tonight. Most every Old Testament king had armies and they had wealth and they had influence. But what distinguished David from all the others was this, God was with him. Don't look over those words there in verse 10. God was with him. The same is true of all God's people.

The church's greatest treasure is the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. Modern day religion boasts of their numbers, they boast of their programs, they boast of their resources, but where is the true preaching of Christ and Him crucified? That's the only thing that will save sinners. Is that message of Christ. Who He is. He's God. What He did for sinners. He died in their room instead. That's the only way that God's law is fulfilled in our lives. That's the only way that holy justice is satisfied. That's by Christ doing for me what I cannot as a dead person do.

When Moses interceded for Israel, you remember that? He prayed, for wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? And then he answered that question. He said, is it not in that thou goest with us? And this again shows us the importance of a sinner's union with Christ. This verse ultimately points us to the Lord Jesus, as all Scripture does. David grew great because God was with him. David foreshadows the greater King. How many times have we said that? And we'll continue to see it throughout this book and in every study. Old Testament study specifically. David foreshadows the greater King. The Lord Jesus is the true King of God's people. I hope it never becomes just cliche with us when we say things like, he's the king of kings. He really is the king of all kings. And what a king he is. He's called Emmanuel.

What does that mean? God with us. That's the blessing, isn't it? God is with His people. He did not merely, David didn't merely have God's presence. And Christ is not merely God's presence. He is God in the flesh. Because Christ came and Christ lived and died and rose again. Believers now enjoy what David did in part. The child of God fully enjoys the abiding presence of God. Now I know sometimes we feel like he's a thousand miles away. But He's not. He's in us, in His people. God is with us and God is for us. Our hope, our preservation, our, in the end, ultimate glory comes from Christ being with us and in us. And that's why Paul said, if God be for us, who can be against us? Look at verse 11.

And Hiram, king of Tyre, sent messengers to David, and he sent cedar trees and carpenters and masons, and they built David a house." The immediate lesson here is that God used an unbelieving king. in a Gentile nation to establish David in the kingdom.

Hiram was moved by God. Now you think about this. A man that didn't know God. Do you have to know God to be moved by Him? No. God can use any means to bless His people. further his kingdom. Hiram was moved by God to provide the resources, to provide the labor and the support to build David's house.

Isn't that an amazing thought? How does that apply to you and I, the believer? Well, God can and often does use unbelievers to bless his people. Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly used pagan rulers and Gentile nations to provide for, to protect, and to advance His people.

Pharaoh comes to mind. He elevated Joseph and preserved Israel during a famine. God did that. God did that. How many times do we read in the story of Joseph, it says, and the Lord was with him. The Lord blessed him. The Lord caused all that to come to pass.

You remember Cyrus? He was a Gentile king. He financed the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple. Didn't know God. God called him a servant. He was, unbeknownst to him. Nebuchadnezzar was used to accomplish God's sovereign purposes despite his unbelief. God owns all things. It all belongs to Him. Everything does. God can move anyone, anywhere, at any time to accomplish His will.

Later on, the same Gentile king named Hiram is the very one that helped Solomon build the temple in Jerusalem. He provided again supplies and the laborers to come and build God's temple and didn't know God. My God provides what his people need to fulfill their calling. Let me ask you, is there any of you here tonight that God doesn't provide your every need?

He provides every single need we have. As God's appointed king, David needed a capital city, and God gave him Jerusalem. We looked at that last week. David needed a throne, a royal residence. And here God supplies those things. Why? Because God supplies all things. He shall supply all our need. All our need. He supplies all His people's need. For David and every believer, God provides what they need to accomplish what is necessary for His purposes. Paul wrote just that. My God shall supply all your need.

I've pointed this out many times. It doesn't say needs there, that's included. Everything that we need, we have many needs. But it says need there singular. That is Christ. And it's according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Our needs, plural, are according to Christ's riches. And Christ is our only true need, singular. If we have Christ, we've got it all. We have everything. Everything that we need.

God's providence works through ordinary as well as extraordinary means. There's no miracle recorded here. No sea is parted, no fire is sent from heaven like it was in Elijah's day. God works through diplomacy and God works through commerce. God works through carpenters. God works through stonemasons. God works through cedar wood.

God provided all the things that David needed to build a house because all of it belongs to God. Don't ever forget that. Everything belongs to God. All that we have is just on loan to us. It's just God giving it to us according to His mercy and grace.

And folks by nature, they look for dramatic interventions. Men by nature are consumed with the supernatural. Throughout the Lord's ministry, you know, they sought a sign. They wanted to see miracles. But sometimes God just works through circumstances and relationships and opportunities and provisions behind the scenes to accomplish His will and purpose. The carpenter's hammer. The mason's chisel are instruments of God's sovereign providence, just as Elijah's fire from heaven was. And again, this points us to Christ.

But unlike David, the Lord Jesus did not come to receive a palace, did he? God, who made all things. God, who spoke all things into existence. came in humility, and He was rejected by men. And the Scripture is very plain, He had no place to lay His head.

After His suffering came His exaltation. God established, there's that word again, He established Christ's everlasting Kingdom, and He establishes ours. Christ is now seated upon His heavenly throne. And we're seated with Him. He didn't need an earthly throne. Matter of fact, that was the problem Judas had. He, along with many others, thought the Lord Jesus had come to set up an earthly kingdom. to give the Jews freedom from the Roman Empire. But that's not why Christ came at all. He came to set up a heavenly kingdom. He came to call people that He's gone to prepare a place for. And His kingdom is now our kingdom.

And that's where we're going to dwell one day very soon. And I can't wait. I can't wait. And it's not because I'm looking forward to cloud hopping and all that nonsense that people talk about today. Because it's there in Heaven's glory when I'll be face to face with Christ my Savior, the One who loved me and gave Himself for me. We're seated with Him in heavenly places. That simply means that His Kingdom is our Kingdom. hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places." Where? In Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2.6. I can't help but to think, got to reminiscing today about our brothers and sisters that have now left us. Got to thinking about many that are no longer with us and what they're experiencing now. My, my.

Heaven's glory with the Lord Jesus Christ. When He died, we died with Him. When He was buried, we were buried with Him. When He rose, we were raised with Him. And when He sat down at His Father's right hand, this verse in Ephesians 2 verse 6 tells us that we were seated with Him. This again emphasizes our union with Christ. God sees His people as perfectly joined in the Lord Jesus. We're one body, and He is our head.

And you can't take that too far. You see, our acceptance before God is already settled. There's none of this that's undecided and that's unsure. It's for certain. Our citizenship and our kingdom is in heaven, and our future glory is certain. That's why I don't have any problem with, you know, once saved, always saved. If God saves you, you're saved. And we're going to endure to the end because Christ loved us until the end. Don't ever doubt that. We don't climb our way to heaven. Aren't you glad? Christ has secured heaven already for the believer, and God is actively arranging all things for the good of His King and His people. If God prospers His King, He prospers us, because we have a perfect union with Him. And God has prospered His King.

His name is above every name. Every name. There's no other name by which we can be saved. And just as Hyrum unknowingly served God's purpose for David, every circumstance, every person, every event ultimately serves God's purpose through ordinary means. God never lacks the resources to care for His people.

And sometimes he uses extraordinary means. Whatever he determines is what he does. Verse 12, And David perceived that the Lord had established him, established him, king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom. Now look at these last five words. He exalted His kingdom for His people, Israel's sake. May God cause this verse to be a great revelation for us.

You know, we live in a day where many chase success. People are consumed with it. Many pursue wealth while others seek influence. Many desire approval of people around them. Nearly everyone desires some kind of assurance that their lives have not been wasted. It's drilled in us from a young age to do well and to succeed in life.

But here David finally understood something that every single sinner must learn. And God has to teach it. David's security was not found in himself. His success was not because of him. Neither is ours. Any success that we experience in this life, it's God that caused it.

Everything he had, David, as king, was established by God, sustained by God, and intended for God's people. The Lord had established Him. The Lord had exalted His kingdom. The Lord did it for the good of His people. I don't think it can be any clearer than it's stated there in verse 12. And in that realization, David becomes a picture, and is a picture, of the far greater King, the Lord Jesus Christ.

His kingdom was established by God. His throne can never be shaken. His reign is entirely for the good of His people. Jesus Christ is the only King in whom sinners can find true security, eternal assurance, eternal rest, eternal peace, and eternal salvation. There's no other way. No other way. And how does this apply to the believer?

Every blessing is established by God. Every blessing you have, thank God for because He's the one that gave it to you. Every single blessing. Oh, we ought to count our blessings, shouldn't we? All the little things, just the little things that we so often take for granted.

Again, David didn't establish himself and you and I don't establish ourselves. God establishes us. We are what we are by the grace of God. Our standing is not self-achieved. It's God-given. What do we have that we didn't receive? Who makes thee to differ from another? What do we have we didn't receive? And if we received it, why do we glory or act proud as if we didn't receive it?

Every single thing we have is God's gift to us. Paul said, by the grace of God, I am what I am. Think about that. All that we have, all that we are is because of God's grace to us. And our salvation, our acceptance, as I said, our preservation is not because we persevere. It's because God preserves us. And all future glory rests upon God's work and not our own. And I'm so thankful for that.

It's not but works of righteousness that we do. Why? Because we don't have any works of righteousness. It's all filthy rags, isn't it? God's greatest works are for the benefit of His people. That's just amazing. when you consider who those people are. Wretched sinners. Wretched sinners. Those who would not have Christ to rule over them. Those that God had to intervene in their lives and to give them a new heart before they would ever believe and ever trust in the Savior. David understood that God exalted the kingdom for His people, Israel's sake. God's dealings with David were never merely about David. They were about the welfare of God's covenant people.

God didn't choose Israel because they were more in number or because they were special. He chose them. There was no reason outside of Himself that He chose them. And listen, there's no reason outside of Himself that He chose you or me. We don't have anything to be proud about. No reason for any arrogance. Just humility and thanksgiving. God exalted His Son not for His own glory, but for the blessing and salvation and protection and eternal happiness of His people.

I know sometimes we worry about things and we shouldn't worry about them at all. God's going to take care of you. We often fear things that God's not going to allow to come upon us. Why do we do that? He's with us. Every second of every day. And anything that does happen to us, it's designed by Him to be for our good and for His glory. To teach us to lean on Him and Him alone. Oh God, help us to see these things. Everything that Christ accomplished as King benefits those who belong to Him and His Kingdom. He's my King. He's out to do me good.

Believers are made to perceive God's hand in all things. The verse says David perceived. There came a point when David recognized what God was doing. There came a point by God's grace that you and I perceive what God's doing. And then we see that it's for the good of His people. Believers should seek to discern God's providence in their lives.

You know, looking back, I can just see how God was establishing, how He was preserving, how He was guiding and leading and correcting and doing for me long before I ever truly understood that it was Him doing it. You know, I think they call it 20-20 hindsight. A lot of times we see a whole lot clearer when we look back than what we did when we were going through it.

My, my. By God's grace, I'm now beginning to see the fingerprints of God upon all the events of my life. How this led to this, and this led to that, and that led to this, and ultimately, led to crossing my path with the preaching of the gospel, the truth of Christ and Him crucified, and saving me by His grace. It wasn't by accident. It was on purpose.

The deepest picture of the gospel is found in Christ, our King of kings. David was established as king for the sake of Israel. And the Lord Jesus Christ is exalted as King for the sake of His people. He works all things together for the good of them.

Of the world? No, of them that love God, who they called according to His purpose. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall have everlasting life. Do you believe in Christ? Do you trust in Him? then everything's going to be alright. It sure is.

God raised Christ from the dead, seated Him at His right hand, and gave Him all authority. And it wasn't merely to display His power. God already displayed His power in the creating of the universe. God's already displayed His power in the sending of His Spirit to speak light and life into a dead sinner. God's not out to prove Himself. God doesn't need our approval. He remains God in spite of men's unbelief.

God raised David up and God raised Christ up to highly exalt Him. Philippians 2. Yes, God highly exalted David and He highly exhausted Christ, who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. You know why? Because He was God. But the Lord Jesus Christ made Himself of no reputation. But the Lord Jesus took on the form of a servant, it says. How? By being made in the likeness of man. And in doing so, He humbled Himself even further by becoming obedient unto death. And the Scripture says even. Even the death of the cross. Paul writes this after that statement.

Wherefore God hath highly exalted. You know what that word exalted means? Established. God highly exalted established Him and has given Him a name above every name. The Father established Christ's kingdom for the good of His elect people. Now that's what I want you to take home with you tonight. All the gospel, the good news to sinners is just that. God's highly exalted the Lord Jesus Christ that He may highly exalt us in Him. His victory is our victory. His righteousness is our righteousness. His life is our life. His inheritance is our inheritance. His throne is our security. He's not going to let anybody do anything to us. David finally understood that his kingdom existed for Israel's benefit. The believer understands that Christ reigns for the benefit of His people. And that is why the Gospel is such good news. The King on the throne is for us. The Father hath exalted Christ, and all the power and authority and wisdom and grace of His kingdom are employed for the eternal good of those that trust in Him."

So, do you trust in Him? How are the children of God established? By God, through the Lord Jesus Christ. There's a greater King than David. The Lord Jesus Christ has been established, exalted, enthroned, not for His own benefit, but for the salvation of His people.

Everything the Father has given Christ, every victory won, every enemy conquered, every blessing secured, has been for the glory of God and the salvation of His people. Look to the cross at Calvary. What do you see there? I see God providing the only way that a wretch like me could be redeemed, made perfect, which is what God requires, given the perfect righteousness that I must have in order to be accepted. So, when you feel the weakest, don't look within yourself. Don't do that. You won't find any comfort there. You'll only find more despair, more uncertainty when you look within.

Look to the King whom God has established. When you see your failures, look to the King who's successful in all things. He's never failed. And when you feel unable to stand, Look to the King whose kingdom can never be shaken. Look to Jesus Christ and live. That's a simple statement, but it's a divine command. Look to Christ. That's the best advice I can give you. It's the greatest encouragement that there is. Look to Christ who did all things for you. And only He can enable us to do that. So we're totally dependent on Him for every single thing. May God be pleased to add His blessings to the preaching of His Word.

Established By God

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about God's presence with His people?

How do we know that spiritual growth is God's work?

Why is it important for Christians to understand God's providence?

What does it mean that Christ is our King?

How do Christians find strength in Christ?

What does it mean to be established by God?

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Established By God

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