Trusting God's Sovereignty: Peace in Uncertain Times
Summary
In our exploration of Matthew's account of Christ's birth, we delve into the fulfillment of two significant prophecies: Jesus being born in Bethlehem and the family's journey to Egypt. These events are not mere coincidences but are orchestrated by God's sovereign hand. The prophecy from Micah 5:2 about Bethlehem and Hosea 11:1 about Egypt highlight God's meticulous planning and His ability to use all circumstances to fulfill His divine purposes. This morning, we reflect on how God uses His sovereignty and providence to accomplish His will, even when it involves using unlikely means or people, such as Caesar Augustus, to bring about His plans.
We often find ourselves pondering the "what ifs" of life, questioning how we arrived at certain moments. This reflection is not just about personal introspection but also about understanding God's hand in the grand narrative of history. God's sovereignty means He has the right and power to do all He desires, and His providence is the wise and purposeful use of that sovereignty. This is evident in how He orchestrated events leading to Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, fulfilling ancient prophecies.
The journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem, prompted by a decree from Caesar Augustus, is a testament to God's providence. Despite the challenges and discomforts, their faith and obedience played a crucial role in fulfilling God's plan. This journey, though arduous, was necessary for the fulfillment of prophecy and serves as a reminder that God's purposes often require us to step out in faith, even when the path is difficult.
God's timing is perfect, though it may not align with our chronological expectations. While we live within the constraints of time, God operates outside of it, orchestrating events according to His appointed time, or "kairos." This understanding challenges us to trust in God's timing, even when it seems delayed or inconvenient.
Ultimately, peace is not the absence of chaos but the presence of Christ in our lives. In the midst of life's challenges and uncertainties, we find peace by trusting in God's sovereignty and His perfect timing. This peace is rooted in the assurance that God is in control and that His purposes will be fulfilled in His time.
Key Takeaways:
- God's Sovereignty and Providence: God's sovereignty is His right and power to do all He desires, and His providence is the wise use of that sovereignty to accomplish His purposes. This is evident in how He orchestrated events leading to Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, fulfilling ancient prophecies. [07:23]
- Faith and Obedience: The journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem, despite its challenges, highlights the importance of faith that results in obedience. Their willingness to trust and obey God played a crucial role in fulfilling His plan. [26:05]
- God's Perfect Timing: While we live within the constraints of chronological time, God operates outside of it, orchestrating events according to His appointed time, or "kairos." This challenges us to trust in God's timing, even when it seems delayed or inconvenient. [35:55]
- Peace Amidst Chaos: True peace is not the absence of chaos but the presence of Christ in our lives. By trusting in God's sovereignty and perfect timing, we find peace amidst life's challenges and uncertainties. [46:19]
- Trusting God's Plan: In the midst of life's difficulties, we are called to trust in God's plan and His ability to work all things for His purposes. This trust is rooted in the assurance that God is in control and that His purposes will be fulfilled in His time. [39:23]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:08] - Pondering Prophecies
- [03:26] - Fulfillment of Prophecies
- [04:36] - Journey to Bethlehem
- [07:23] - God's Sovereignty and Providence
- [09:01] - God Uses Unlikely Means
- [10:58] - Examples of God's Providence
- [13:00] - Caesar Augustus' Decree
- [14:53] - God's Unconventional Methods
- [17:13] - The Challenge of Faith
- [20:10] - The Journey's Difficulty
- [22:22] - Walking by Faith
- [26:05] - Faith and Obedience
- [32:28] - God's Perfect Timing
- [35:55] - Kairos vs. Chronos
- [39:23] - Trusting God's Plan
- [46:19] - Peace Amidst Chaos
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Micah 5:2
- Hosea 11:1
- Matthew 2:1-5
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Observation Questions:
1. What are the two prophecies mentioned in the sermon that were fulfilled in the birth and early life of Jesus? How do these prophecies connect to the events described in Matthew 2? [03:26]
2. How did the decree from Caesar Augustus play a role in fulfilling the prophecy of Jesus being born in Bethlehem? [04:36]
3. What examples from the sermon illustrate God's use of unlikely means or people to accomplish His purposes? [09:01]
4. How does the sermon describe the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, and what challenges did they face? [17:13]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon explain the concept of God's sovereignty and providence, and how are these attributes demonstrated in the events surrounding Jesus' birth? [07:23]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that faith and obedience are crucial in fulfilling God's plans, as seen in the lives of Mary and Joseph? [26:05]
3. How does the sermon differentiate between chronological time (chronos) and God's appointed time (kairos), and what implications does this have for understanding God's timing in our lives? [35:55]
4. What does the sermon suggest about finding peace amidst chaos, and how is this peace connected to the presence of Christ in our lives? [46:19]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you questioned the "what ifs" in your life. How can you see God's hand in orchestrating events for His purposes, even when they seemed unlikely or challenging? [02:44]
2. How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereignty and providence, especially when His plans involve unexpected or difficult paths? [13:00]
3. In what areas of your life is God calling you to step out in faith and obedience, similar to Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem? How can you take practical steps to respond to this call? [26:05]
4. Consider a situation where God's timing felt delayed or inconvenient. How can you shift your perspective to trust in His perfect timing, even when it doesn't align with your expectations? [32:28]
5. How can you find peace in the midst of life's chaos by focusing on the presence of Christ rather than the absence of conflict? What specific practices can help you maintain this peace? [46:19]
6. Identify a current challenge or uncertainty in your life. How can you apply the sermon’s message of trusting God's plan and timing to this situation? [39:23]
7. Think of a person or situation that tests your faith. How can you demonstrate faith and obedience in this context, trusting that God is working all things for His purposes? [24:36]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Sovereignty in Action
God's sovereignty is His ultimate authority and power to accomplish His will, and His providence is the wise and purposeful use of that sovereignty. In the birth of Jesus, we see God's sovereignty in action as He orchestrates events to fulfill ancient prophecies. The prophecy from Micah 5:2 about Bethlehem and Hosea 11:1 about Egypt are not mere coincidences but are part of God's meticulous plan. Even the decree from Caesar Augustus, which led Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, was used by God to fulfill His divine purposes. This reminds us that God is in control of all circumstances, using even unlikely means or people to bring about His plans. [07:23]
"For the LORD of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?" (Isaiah 14:27, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a situation in your life where you feel things are out of control. How can you trust in God's sovereignty to bring about His purposes in that situation today?
Day 2: Faith and Obedience in the Journey
The journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem, prompted by a decree from Caesar Augustus, is a testament to God's providence. Despite the challenges and discomforts, their faith and obedience played a crucial role in fulfilling God's plan. This journey, though arduous, was necessary for the fulfillment of prophecy and serves as a reminder that God's purposes often require us to step out in faith, even when the path is difficult. Their willingness to trust and obey God highlights the importance of faith that results in obedience, even when the journey is challenging. [26:05]
"By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going." (Hebrews 11:8, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a challenging situation you are currently facing. How can you step out in faith and obedience, trusting that God is leading you through it?
Day 3: Trusting in God's Perfect Timing
God's timing is perfect, though it may not align with our chronological expectations. While we live within the constraints of time, God operates outside of it, orchestrating events according to His appointed time, or "kairos." This understanding challenges us to trust in God's timing, even when it seems delayed or inconvenient. The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, at the appointed time, is a powerful reminder that God's purposes will be fulfilled in His time, not ours. Trusting in His timing requires patience and faith, knowing that He is working all things for His glory. [35:55]
"But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." (2 Peter 3:8, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt impatient with God's timing. How can you cultivate patience and trust in His perfect timing today?
Day 4: Finding Peace Amidst Chaos
Ultimately, peace is not the absence of chaos but the presence of Christ in our lives. In the midst of life's challenges and uncertainties, we find peace by trusting in God's sovereignty and His perfect timing. This peace is rooted in the assurance that God is in control and that His purposes will be fulfilled in His time. By focusing on Christ and His presence in our lives, we can experience true peace, even when circumstances are chaotic. This peace surpasses all understanding and guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. [46:19]
"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." (Isaiah 26:3, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a chaotic area in your life. How can you invite the presence of Christ into that situation to experience His peace today?
Day 5: Trusting God's Plan
In the midst of life's difficulties, we are called to trust in God's plan and His ability to work all things for His purposes. This trust is rooted in the assurance that God is in control and that His purposes will be fulfilled in His time. Even when the path is unclear or challenging, we can have confidence that God is working behind the scenes, orchestrating events for His glory and our good. Trusting in His plan requires surrendering our own desires and aligning our hearts with His will. [39:23]
"The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps." (Proverbs 16:9, ESV)
Reflection: Think of an area in your life where you struggle to trust God's plan. What steps can you take today to surrender that area to Him and trust in His divine purpose?
Quotes
"God is sovereign, and God uses his sovereignty in a providential way to accomplish his purposes. And here we find this story in the middle of this where Mary and Joseph are living in Nazareth, but the Bible says, and God prophesied, that the Son of God would be born in Bethlehem. Mary is pregnant, conceived by the Holy Spirit in this immaculate conception, but she's in Nazareth. God will always use whatever means necessary to accomplish his purpose. To accomplish his purposes." [00:12:27] (47 seconds)
"Can I tell you this morning, in his providence, the wise use of his sovereignty, God moved the heart of a man named Caesar Augustus. Now this was not a man who was worshiping God. This was not a man who was following after God. This was a Roman emperor. We talked about this a little bit in our politics discussion. Especially in light of voting, and election, and who's going to be elected." [00:13:13] (50 seconds)
"Mary and Joseph both have angelic visitations that promise that the Lord was at work in their midst. And that he was going to accomplish this thing. Mary went earlier before we get to this time after she had her angelic visitation from Gabriel. Who told her that she was going to carry the son of God into the earth. And you remember in that encounter she said may it be unto me as you have said." [00:26:32] (24 seconds)
"Blessed is she who believed. Joseph believed. And that's not an intellectual ascent. Can I just tell you that this morning? There's an intellectual ascent to believing. If there's a rubber meets the road, I've got to walk this path. I'm expected to go 90 miles to Nazareth believing. Do you see the difference?" [00:27:48] (24 seconds)
"God's timing is perfect. Oh, hold on. Wilson, I bet over the course of the last six months and the things that you and Janice have gone through, you wondered whether or not God's timing was perfect in the different journeys that you went through. I bet there are others that are sitting in the room that have gone through some things that you're thinking, I don't think God's timing is perfect." [00:32:14] (32 seconds)
"God's timing is not chronological. And that's where we wrestle. Because we wrestle in this place where is this time up yet? Wouldn't it be nice if you could just plan it all out, ladies? I know you, back when Lila was bringing our children for it, they didn't have the computer program like they do now. The doctor carried this little, we call it the magic wheel in the pocket of his coat, right? He'd pull that out and spin the wheel." [00:34:13] (32 seconds)
"Peace comes from. That's how we get peace into our lives. Can I just tell you, stop working in your own power to try to fix the stuff that's going on in your life that's causing you difficulty and chaos, and rather lean into trusting God in the midst of all the things that are happening in your life." [00:47:35] (20 seconds)
"God works all things in his time for his purposes even when it looks nasty like a 90-mile hike through the hot sun between Nazareth and Bethlehem and God is working all things in your life because God is not a man that eats a fly God does not operate outside of his own nature and his own character God is still working all things for his purposes amen and that's the anchor for our faith." [00:30:49] (31 seconds)
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