The Eternal Decrees: God's Sovereign Plan for Creation
Summary
In our exploration of the doctrine of God, we have reached a pivotal point: the works of God, specifically the doctrine of the Eternal Decrees. This doctrine is foundational, as it precedes the creation of the world and humanity. It is essential to understand that before God created anything, He had already determined, willed, and decreed certain things in His eternal counsel. This understanding is crucial because it shapes our perception of God's actions and His relationship with creation.
The doctrine of the Eternal Decrees is challenging, much like the doctrine of the Trinity, but it is scriptural and must be addressed. It reveals the character of God's actions and the principles that underlie all His works. These decrees are not arbitrary; they are rooted in God's omniscience and omnipotence. They are unchangeable, sovereign, and encompass all events, including the free actions of individuals and even the sinful actions of humanity. This does not imply that God causes sin, but rather that He permits it and overrules it for His holy purposes.
Understanding this doctrine provides profound comfort and assurance. It assures us that our lives are not subject to chance but are part of God's eternal plan. This realization should lead us to a deeper worship of God, recognizing His sovereignty and grace. It also guards us against errors and misconceptions about salvation and God's nature.
As we delve into this doctrine, we must approach it with humility, reverence, and faith, acknowledging our finite understanding. We must be willing to accept the mysteries of God's will and trust in His perfect wisdom and benevolence. Ultimately, the doctrine of the Eternal Decrees magnifies the glory of God and assures us of His unwavering purpose and love for His creation.
Key Takeaways:
- The doctrine of the Eternal Decrees emphasizes that God has an unchangeable plan for all creation, determined before the foundation of the world. This plan is not subject to human actions or decisions but is rooted in God's sovereign will and purpose. [05:24]
- God's decrees encompass all events, including the free actions of individuals and even sinful actions. While God permits sin, He does not cause it; instead, He overrules it for His holy purposes, demonstrating His sovereignty and wisdom. [27:51]
- Understanding the Eternal Decrees provides comfort and assurance, as it reveals that our lives are part of God's eternal plan. This knowledge should lead us to deeper worship and trust in God's sovereignty and grace. [11:47]
- Approaching the doctrine of the Eternal Decrees requires humility, reverence, and faith. We must acknowledge our finite understanding and be willing to accept the mysteries of God's will, trusting in His perfect wisdom and benevolence. [13:53]
- The doctrine magnifies the glory of God and assures us of His unwavering purpose and love for His creation. It challenges us to focus on the greatness of God rather than solely on subjective experiences, leading to a more profound worship of Him. [10:46]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to the Doctrine of God
- [01:02] - The Works of God
- [02:08] - What Comes Next?
- [03:29] - The Doctrine of Creation
- [04:15] - The Character of God's Activities
- [06:00] - The Eternal Decrees of God
- [08:25] - Why Consider the Eternal Decrees?
- [10:46] - The Glory of God and Worship
- [12:31] - Approaching the Doctrine
- [14:28] - Faith and Biblical Limits
- [16:15] - The Necessity of the Eternal Decrees
- [17:34] - Propositions of the Doctrine
- [20:02] - God's Plan and Free Actions
- [27:51] - Sin and God's Sovereignty
- [39:18] - God's Nature and Sin
- [45:09] - Assurance in God's Decrees
- [46:31] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Ephesians 1:11 - "In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will."
2. Romans 9:11 - "For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth."
3. Proverbs 16:33 - "The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord."
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Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the doctrine of the Eternal Decrees in understanding God's actions and relationship with creation? ([05:24])
2. How does the sermon describe the nature of God's decrees in relation to human actions, including sinful actions? ([27:51])
3. What comfort and assurance does the doctrine of the Eternal Decrees provide to believers, as mentioned in the sermon? ([11:47])
4. How does the sermon suggest we should approach the doctrine of the Eternal Decrees, given its complexity and our finite understanding? ([13:53])
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In Ephesians 1:11, Paul speaks of being predestinated according to God's purpose. How does this align with the sermon's teaching on God's unchangeable plan for creation? ([17:34])
2. Romans 9:11 discusses God's purpose according to election. How does the sermon explain the relationship between God's sovereignty and human free will? ([30:21])
3. Proverbs 16:33 suggests that even seemingly random events are under God's control. How does this perspective influence our understanding of God's sovereignty as discussed in the sermon? ([23:07])
4. The sermon emphasizes approaching the doctrine with humility and faith. How does this approach help in reconciling the mysteries of God's will with our understanding? ([14:58])
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt your life was subject to chance. How does the understanding of God's eternal plan change your perspective on that situation? ([11:47])
2. The sermon suggests that God's decrees include the free actions of individuals. How can this understanding impact the way you view your personal decisions and their consequences? ([21:07])
3. In what ways can acknowledging the mysteries of God's will lead to a deeper trust in His wisdom and benevolence in your daily life? ([13:53])
4. How can the doctrine of the Eternal Decrees inspire you to worship God more profoundly, focusing on His greatness rather than solely on personal experiences? ([10:46])
5. Consider a situation where you struggle to understand God's purpose. How can you practice humility and faith in accepting the limits of your understanding? ([14:58])
6. The sermon mentions that God's decrees are not dependent on human actions. How does this influence your view of God's grace and your response to it? ([30:41])
7. Identify an area in your life where you need to trust in God's sovereign plan. What steps can you take this week to surrender that area to His control? ([45:32])
Devotional
Day 1: God's Unchangeable Plan for Creation
Before the foundation of the world, God established an unchangeable plan for all creation. This plan is not influenced by human actions or decisions but is rooted in God's sovereign will and purpose. Understanding this doctrine helps us recognize that everything in the universe is part of a divine blueprint, meticulously crafted by God. It assures us that nothing happens by chance, and every event is part of a larger, divine narrative. This realization should lead us to trust in God's wisdom and sovereignty, knowing that He is in control of all things. [05:24]
Ephesians 1:11-12 (ESV): "In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory."
Reflection: Consider a situation in your life that feels uncertain or out of control. How can you trust in God's unchangeable plan and find peace in His sovereignty today?
Day 2: God's Sovereignty Over Sin
God's decrees encompass all events, including the free actions of individuals and even sinful actions. While God permits sin, He does not cause it; instead, He overrules it for His holy purposes, demonstrating His sovereignty and wisdom. This understanding challenges us to see God's hand even in the midst of human failure and sin. It reassures us that God can bring good out of evil and that His purposes will ultimately prevail. This perspective encourages us to trust in God's ability to redeem and restore, even in the darkest situations. [27:51]
Genesis 50:20 (ESV): "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today."
Reflection: Think of a time when you witnessed or experienced wrongdoing. How can you see God's sovereignty and redemptive power at work in that situation?
Day 3: Comfort in God's Eternal Plan
Understanding the Eternal Decrees provides comfort and assurance, as it reveals that our lives are part of God's eternal plan. This knowledge should lead us to deeper worship and trust in God's sovereignty and grace. Knowing that our lives are not left to chance but are part of a divine purpose gives us peace and confidence. It encourages us to live with a sense of purpose and direction, knowing that God is guiding our steps and working all things for our good. [11:47]
Psalm 139:16 (ESV): "Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent challenge or decision you faced. How does knowing that your life is part of God's eternal plan change your perspective on that situation?
Day 4: Humility in Approaching God's Decrees
Approaching the doctrine of the Eternal Decrees requires humility, reverence, and faith. We must acknowledge our finite understanding and be willing to accept the mysteries of God's will, trusting in His perfect wisdom and benevolence. This humility allows us to approach God with a sense of awe and wonder, recognizing that His ways are higher than our ways. It challenges us to let go of our need for control and to trust in God's perfect plan, even when we don't fully understand it. [13:53]
Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you struggle to understand God's will. How can you practice humility and trust in God's wisdom in that area today?
Day 5: Magnifying God's Glory
The doctrine magnifies the glory of God and assures us of His unwavering purpose and love for His creation. It challenges us to focus on the greatness of God rather than solely on subjective experiences, leading to a more profound worship of Him. By recognizing God's eternal decrees, we are invited to see the bigger picture of His divine plan and to worship Him for His majesty and power. This understanding calls us to shift our focus from ourselves to the greatness of God, deepening our worship and adoration of Him. [10:46]
Romans 11:33-36 (ESV): "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen."
Reflection: In what ways can you shift your focus from your own experiences to the greatness of God in your daily life? How can this shift lead to a deeper worship of Him?
Quotes
In other words before God proceeded to create the world and Men God had thought and God had willed and God had determined on certain things. I think therefore you will agree with me that this consideration must come in at this point. There were certain things that were decided in the Eternal mind and counsel of God before he had done anything at all in the matter of actual creation. [00:05:01]
The doctrine of the Eternal decrees of God and that's what I want to consider with you tonight. The doctrine of the Eternal decrees of God. These are the things which God determined and decided and ordained and decreed before he had done anything at all. [00:06:00]
Understanding this doctrine provides profound comfort and assurance. It assures us that our lives are not subject to chance but are part of God's eternal plan. This realization should lead us to a deeper worship of God, recognizing His sovereignty and grace. It also guards us against errors and misconceptions about salvation and God's nature. [00:11:47]
Approaching the doctrine of the Eternal Decrees requires humility, reverence, and faith. We must acknowledge our finite understanding and be willing to accept the mysteries of God's will, trusting in His perfect wisdom and benevolence. Ultimately, the doctrine of the Eternal Decrees magnifies the glory of God and assures us of His unwavering purpose and love for His creation. [00:13:53]
God has from eternity had an unchangeable plan with reference to his creatures. May I repeat that God has from eternity had an unchangeable plan with reference to all his creatures. The Bible is constantly using a phrase like this before the foundation of the world God had determined certain things. [00:17:34]
The plan of God comprehends and determines all things and events of every kind that come to pass. The plan of God comprehends and determines all things and all events of every kind that come to pass. Let me explain a little what I mean by that. If you agree that God has determined certain ends, what then? [00:20:02]
The doctrine of the Eternal decree of God says that all events are ultimately determined and decreed by God. Now this of necessity must include the free actions of free agents. If everything is determined by God, it must include, I say, the free actions, the voluntary action of free and voluntary agents. [00:21:02]
Even the sinful actions of men are in the hands of God. Even the sinful actions, listen to the evidence, listen to Peter preaching on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem. I'm going to read you the 23rd verse in the second chapter of the book of The Acts of the Apostles. [00:27:51]
God does not cause evil in any sense or in any degree. He doesn't approve of evil, but he permits the wicked agents to perform it and then overrules it for his own wise and holy ends. Or take it like this if you prefer, the same decree of God which ordains the moral law that prohibits and punishes sin. [00:28:08]
The decrees of God are in all things perfectly consistent with his own most wise, benevolent, and holy nature. I think I needn't argue that. I simply repeat it. The decrees of God are in all things perfectly consistent with his own most wise, benevolent, and holy nature. [00:38:18]
The salvation of men and of certain men in particular was determined by God before the foundation of the world. He does this entirely of his own good will and his grace. I would again refer you to Matthew 11:25 and 26 in John 6:37 you have all that the father giveth me shall come to me. [00:40:09]
Let us bow before his majesty, let us humble ourselves in his holy presence, let us submit ourselves to the Revelation that he has so graciously been pleased again. Let us pray Almighty and ever blessed God, we confess that we feel small and insignificant in thy holy sight. [00:46:31]
Chatbot
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