Understanding God's Sovereignty and Our Submission in Prayer

 

Summary

In the exploration of Matthew 6:10b, the focus is on the phrase "Your will be done on Earth as it is in heaven," which is part of the model prayer for disciples of Jesus. This phrase encapsulates a profound theological concept that requires an understanding of the nature of God's will. The will of God is multifaceted, encompassing His desires, intentions, purposes, decisions, and plans. It is a broad concept that is deeply intertwined with the doctrine of God's sovereignty.

The sovereignty of God is a central doctrine that affirms God's supreme authority and control over all creation. It is the belief that God sits in the heavens and does all that He pleases, without any hindrance or opposition. This sovereignty extends to all aspects of existence, including the unfolding of history and the lives of individuals. The biblical narrative provides numerous examples of God's sovereign will at work, such as the humbling of King Nebuchadnezzar, who, after a period of living as a beast, acknowledges God's everlasting dominion and the futility of resisting His will.

The sermon delves into the distinction between God's decretive will and His preceptive will. God's decretive will refers to His eternal decrees, the things that He has ordained to come to pass. This includes events that unfold according to His plan, regardless of human actions. On the other hand, God's preceptive will encompasses the commands and precepts He has given to humanity, which are to be obeyed. While God's decretive will is always accomplished, His preceptive will can be obeyed or disobeyed by individuals.

The interplay between God's decretive and preceptive wills can be complex, as seen in the story of Joseph, whose brothers sold him into slavery—an act of evil that God used for good to save many lives. This demonstrates that God's sovereign plan can encompass and redeem even the sinful actions of humans for His purposes. The sermon cautions against trying to separate God from the presence of evil more than He separates Himself, emphasizing the need to remain biblical and trust in God's sovereignty.

The sermon also addresses the question of fairness in God's sovereign decrees, particularly in the case of Pharaoh during the Exodus. The hardening of Pharaoh's heart by God is discussed as part of God's plan to demonstrate His power through the plagues and the deliverance of the Israelites. The sermon suggests that God's hardening of the heart can occur through the removal of consequences, leading to a natural hardening as a result of one's own unbelief.

Ultimately, the sermon calls for a prayerful submission to God's will, both His decretive and preceptive aspects. It encourages believers to align their desires with God's and to trust that He is working all things for good. The sermon concludes with an exhortation to worship God on Earth as He is worshiped in heaven, reflecting the eternal adoration of the divine that takes place in the heavenly realm.

Key Takeaways:

- The concept of God's will is expansive, including His desires, intentions, and plans, which are all rooted in His sovereignty. This sovereignty is the foundation for understanding that everything that occurs is under God's control and is part of His divine plan. [02:06]

- God's decretive will is unchangeable and encompasses all that He has ordained to happen. It is a comfort to know that nothing happens by chance, and everything, including suffering and evil, is used by God for His good purposes. This understanding provides peace and assurance in the midst of life's trials. [19:27]

- God's preceptive will consists of His commands and precepts given to humanity. While God's decretive will is always fulfilled, His preceptive will requires human obedience. The tension between God's sovereign plans and human responsibility is a mystery that calls for humility and trust in God's wisdom. [21:30]

- The interplay between God's sovereignty and human sin is exemplified in the story of Joseph and his brothers. Even when humans intend evil, God can sovereignly work through those actions to bring about His redemptive purposes. This perspective helps believers to find peace and joy in suffering, knowing that God is in control and working for good. [17:22]

- Prayer that aligns with God's will is transformative. It shifts the focus from personal desires to God's desires, leading to a change in perspective and priorities. Praying for God's will to be done on Earth as it is in heaven is an act of worship and submission to His sovereignty, fostering peace and obedience in the believer's life. [50:53]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 6:10b - "Your will be done on Earth as it is in heaven."
2. Daniel 4:34-35 - "But at the end of those days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes toward heaven and my knowledge returned to me and I blessed the most high and praised and honored him who lives forever for his Dominion is an everlasting Dominion and his kingdom endures from generation to generation and all the inhabitants of the Earth are accounted as nothing but he does according to his will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of Earth and no one can strike against his hand or say to him what have you done."
3. Genesis 50:20 - "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to do what has happened on this day to keep many people alive."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does the phrase "Your will be done on Earth as it is in heaven" mean in the context of the Lord's Prayer? ([02:06])
2. How does the story of King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4:34-35 illustrate God's sovereignty? ([06:56])
3. In Genesis 50:20, how does Joseph interpret the evil actions of his brothers in light of God's sovereign plan? ([17:22])
4. What are the two aspects of God's will discussed in the sermon, and how are they different? ([21:30])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding God's sovereignty, as illustrated in Daniel 4:34-35, impact our view of current events and personal circumstances? ([07:31])
2. What does the story of Joseph and his brothers teach us about the interplay between human sin and God's redemptive purposes? ([17:22])
3. How can the distinction between God's decretive will and preceptive will help us understand the complexity of God's plans and human responsibility? ([21:30])
4. How does the hardening of Pharaoh's heart in Exodus 4:21-23 challenge our understanding of fairness and God's justice? ([26:27])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on Matthew 6:10b, how can you align your daily prayers more closely with seeking God's will rather than your own desires? ([39:53])
2. In what ways can you find peace and assurance in the belief that God is sovereign over all events, including suffering and evil? ([19:27])
3. How can you practically obey God's preceptive will in your daily life, especially in areas where you struggle with sin? ([22:52])
4. Think of a situation where you experienced suffering or injustice. How can the story of Joseph help you see God's hand at work in that situation? ([17:22])
5. How can you cultivate a heart of worship and submission to God's will, as exemplified by the worship in heaven described in Revelation 4? ([44:15])
6. How can you encourage others in your small group to trust in God's sovereignty, especially when they are facing difficult circumstances? ([37:55])
7. What specific steps can you take this week to ensure that your actions and decisions reflect a prayerful submission to God's will? ([50:53])

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing God's Sovereign Design
God's will is a tapestry of desires and plans, sovereignly woven to encompass all of creation. This divine blueprint assures us that every detail of existence is under His meticulous care, guiding the universe towards His ultimate purpose. Understanding this can bring peace to the heart amidst life's unpredictability. [02:06]

Isaiah 46:9-10 - "Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, 'My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.'"
Reflection: How does recognizing God's sovereignty over your life change your perspective on current challenges you are facing?

Day 2: Comfort in God's Unchangeable Will
The certainty of God's decretive will brings comfort, knowing that His eternal decrees are unshakable and that He orchestrates all events, including suffering, for His greater purpose. This divine assurance allows us to find peace even when the world around us seems chaotic. [19:27]

Ephesians 1:11 - "In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent hardship. How can the knowledge of God's unchangeable will help you to trust in His greater purpose for your life?

Day 3: The Mystery of Divine Commands
God's preceptive will, revealed through His commands, invites our obedience yet remains distinct from His sovereign plan. This divine invitation to participate in His will calls for a humble response and a trust in His wisdom that transcends our understanding. [21:30]

Deuteronomy 30:15-16 - "See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess."
Reflection: In what ways can you more fully align your daily actions with God's preceptive will and commands?

Day 4: Sovereignty and Human Sin Interwoven
The narrative of Joseph reveals the profound mystery of God's sovereignty, which can weave even human sin into the fabric of His redemptive plan. This truth challenges us to trust in God's ultimate authority and goodness, even when evil seems to prevail. [17:22]

Genesis 50:20 - "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."
Reflection: Can you think of a situation where you've seen God bring good out of a difficult or harmful circumstance?

Day 5: Transformative Prayer in God's Will
Praying for God's will to be done is an act of surrender that transforms our desires to mirror His. This alignment with the divine will is an act of worship that fosters peace and obedience, shaping our lives to reflect His glory on Earth as in heaven. [50:53]

Micah 6:8 - "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
Reflection: How can your prayer life change to more earnestly seek and reflect God's will in your everyday experiences?

Quotes

1) "When God decrees something to come to pass, it comes to pass. It happens, it must, just as when he said let there be light and there was light, everything he decrees happens." [10:26]

2) "God is Sovereign over it all and when God decrees something to come to pass, it comes to pass. It happens, it must." [10:26]

3) "God's decretive will refers to His eternal decrees, the things that He has ordained to come to pass. This includes events that unfold according to His plan, regardless of human actions." [03:30]

4) "God's preceptive will encompasses the commands and precepts He has given to humanity, which are to be obeyed. While God's decretive will is always accomplished, His preceptive will can be obeyed or disobeyed by individuals." [21:30]

5) "Praying for God's will to be done on Earth as it is in heaven is an act of worship and submission to His sovereignty, fostering peace and obedience in the believer's life." [50:53]

6) "Even when humans intend evil, God can sovereignly work through those actions to bring about His redemptive purposes." [17:22]

7) "There's nothing in my life, there's nothing in this world, and beloved, there's nothing in your life that does not come to pass because of chance, because of random circumstance. Everything was seen by God, but more than that, everything was ordained and decreed by God." [18:45]

8) "Prayer like this is transformative. It shifts the focus from personal desires to God's desires, leading to a change in perspective and priorities." [50:19]

9) "God's sovereignty is the foundation for understanding that everything that occurs is under God's control and is part of His divine plan." [02:06]

10) "The interplay between God's sovereignty and human sin is exemplified in the story of Joseph and his brothers. Even when humans intend evil, God can sovereignly work through those actions to bring about His redemptive purposes." [17:22]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?