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The Sovereignty of God (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod's sovereignty over the nations is a central theme in understanding His purpose and authority over all creation. From the beginning, He establishes Himself as the Creator, the source of life and purpose, flowing from Him alone, leaving mankind without excuse in recognizing Him as the central figure in all of life. He governs His creation with supreme authority, intervening in the affairs of men to direct events toward the conclusion of His determined purpose. He sets the bounds of nations' habitations and their times, managing and adjusting the course of events, both national and personal, as seen in early examples like the flood and the tower of Babel. God moves the hearts of kings wherever He wills, directing their decisions to influence entire nations, just as a farmer directs water through an irrigation ditch. No king is strong enough to turn Him aside, for all governmental control is under the hand of the Almighty. While He does not direct every thought or decision, where it concerns His purpose, He influences and directs events to the end He has purposed. His will prevails over the most powerful individuals and nations, ensuring that His creation moves in the direction He desires. Even in the face of seemingly illegal or unjust governments, God's sovereignty remains paramount. He permits or brings about circumstances for His overarching purpose, as demonstrated by Jesus Christ's submission to the Father's will under Roman authority and the temple's leadership. God's allowance of such powers reflects His ultimate rule, and no conspiracy or effort to overthrow His plans can stand against Him. He laughs at mankind's puny attempts to rule without considering Him, their Creator, in whom they live, move, and have their being. God's interventions are evident in history, such as when He confused tongues at Babel to thwart Nimrod's plans, turned Esau's anger to joy toward Jacob, compelled Balaam to bless Israel instead of curse them, and brought Haman to be hanged on his own gallows. He used Assyria to punish Israel, empowering them only as far as His purpose allowed, showing that nations and individuals act only under His sovereign will. His counsel is clear: safety lies in the Lord, for His will shall be done, and no force can hinder His purpose.
The Sovereignty of God: Part Five
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughGod's sovereignty over the nations is evident in His absolute control and authority over all aspects of human history and governance. He exercises His will among both Israelites and Gentiles, determining their preappointed times and the boundaries of their habitation. He has predestined when nations will rise to power, prosperity, and dominance, and when they will fade into weakness, poverty, and subjection. Almighty God oversees the mighty angelic kingdom, demons, Israelite nations, Gentiles, and the church across millennia, keeping all moving toward the successful conclusion of His purpose. Either God rules or is ruled; either He has His way or man has his. Man is not entirely free to do as he pleases, nor is he such a rebel against God's throne that God cannot fulfill His plan through him. God is powerful enough to complete His purpose despite mankind's perversity. He can simply overrule what man does, as seen in the incidents of the Flood and the Tower of Babel. Beyond this, God can work with and through a person to carry out His will without their knowledge, as exemplified by Pharaoh of Egypt and Judas Iscariot. Even the king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, turned wherever He wishes, demonstrating that all governors of men are completely beneath His governmental control. No ruler can resist Him, though He does not inspire their evil decisions but oversees and allows them for His purpose. Fulfilled prophecy offers breathtaking evidence of God's intervention and control over human events. Isaiah's prophecy of Cyrus, king of Persia, specifically naming him as the Jews' deliverer, underscores this truth. God's power over mankind is absolute, holding the breath of life in His hand and controlling all ways, permitting movement and return only at His pleasure. Man continues living only at His discretion, and no human wisdom, insight, or counsel can stand against Him. Victory and deliverance rest with the Lord, and no one, regardless of shrewdness or advice, can oppose His will. God is infinitely stronger than the greatest confederacies, laughing at man's puny attempts to rule without considering Him, their Creator, in whom they live and move and have their being.
The Sovereignty of God: Introduction
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughGod's sovereignty over the nations is a profound truth that underscores His supreme authority and power over all creation. He is above all others, chief and greatest, holding supreme rank and dominion over everything. His sovereignty means He shapes the history of nations, placing and displacing rulers of both mighty and lesser powers as He wills. From His sovereign position, He regulates affairs on earth, governing all His creation in righteousness, despite the failures of some angels and mankind to submit to Him. Consider Israel's history as a testament to His sovereign hand. They were a slave people freed without revolution, sustained through a 40-year journey, and given a land amidst stronger nations, surviving constant conflict. Even today, they persist against all odds. This is no accident but a clear demonstration of His purpose and power. As with Israel, the church, now His inheritance, is under His sovereign will, and no one can withstand what He determines to accomplish. His sovereignty extends to the smallest details, as even a sparrow does not fall without His notice. In His church, the focus of His attention, nothing occurs without His scrutiny and judgment. He must either rule or be swayed by others, and there is no middle ground—His will is done, for He is the only King of kings with perfect vision, wisdom, and limitless power. Through faith, we endure life's mysteries, knowing He is too wise to err and too loving to allow us to be overwhelmed, assured that He rules His creation and is ever on the job.
The Sovereignty of God (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod's sovereignty over the nations is absolute and unchallengeable. He is the Almighty, possessing all power in heaven and earth, and no one—neither individual, group, nor all of creation combined—can thwart His purpose or resist His will. He manages and controls all nations, governing with supreme authority. He sets up kingdoms and overthrows empires, establishes dynasties, and determines the extent of rulerships, regardless of how powerful they appear on earth. If He decrees their fall, they fall, and no force can stop Him. David declares Him as the governor among the nations, and Daniel affirms that it is God who orchestrates the rise and fall of powers. He blessed Zadok with an everlasting priesthood, ensuring its continuation through His unyielding will. Even when events seem dormant or delayed, as seen in the long spans between major biblical figures and events, His power remains active, operating according to His purpose, perspective, plan, and time schedule. In Egypt, He delivered Israel with mighty miracles, yet allowed the Amalekites to persist as a thorn in Israel's side, demonstrating that His decisions are His alone to make. His sovereignty extends to individual lives and national destinies alike. He chooses Assyria as the rod of His anger against Israel, while designating Egypt as the basest of nations. He exercises mercy and judgment as He wills, deciding whom to heal, whom to deliver, and whom to leave in trial, as evidenced by the varied fates of His servants. His counsel stands firm, and His pleasure will be accomplished, for nothing—neither time nor any being—can turn Him aside from what He has set His will to achieve. We must adjust our thinking to this reality, trusting that He is always there, guiding events for His greater purpose, even when His actions surprise or challenge us.
The Sovereignty of God (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod's sovereignty over the nations is a profound demonstration of His supreme authority and intimate involvement in the affairs of mankind. He exercises His dominion with precision, setting deadlines and bringing events to pass according to His perfect schedule, not ours, requiring us to trust in Him. As seen in Psalm 147, He is deeply and actively engaged with His people, showing a unique intimacy with Israel, unlike any other nation, and even more so with His church, His spiritual children. In Amos 4, God's involvement is evident as He uses elements like weather to draw attention to Himself, urging His people to recognize His sovereignty and reflect on their relationship with Him. He selectively blesses or curses, as illustrated in Deuteronomy 28, where blessings and curses are conditional, showing that He observes and responds to the actions of His creation, overriding natural laws to ensure His will is accomplished. In Zechariah, during the millennium, He will selectively plague nations that disobey by not keeping the Feast of Tabernacles, further demonstrating His authority over specific groups. God's spiritual purpose overrides all, even when obedience does not result in expected prosperity, as seen in the lives of Job and Jesus Christ. Despite their righteousness, they suffered for a greater purpose under His sovereign plan. Similarly, in Ezekiel 34, He chooses to bless nations that submit to Him, showing that His decisions are guided by both uniform law and the state of relationship with Him. In Acts 17, His sovereignty extends to all humanity, as He manipulates the movements and lives of even the unconverted across history, positioning them to seek Him. He maneuvers the minds and circumstances of kings and nations, as with Belshazzar in Daniel 5, and uses entities like Assyria as instruments of His will, as stated in Isaiah, to fulfill His greater purpose. The heart of a king is turned by Him, as in Proverbs 21:1, ensuring that leaders and governors are under His control, guiding events to provide opportunities for His people to exercise their free moral agency in alignment with His divine plan.

Structure and Sovereignty in Daniel 2-7
Sermon/Bible Study by Richard T. RitenbaughDaniel chapters 2-7 form a chiastic (X shaped) structure. Chapters 2 and 7, 3 and 6, and 4 and 5 are paired and mirrored, reinforcing significant themes.
Sovereignty, Election, and Grace (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod, as Creator, takes the initiative (as the potter over the clay) for the elect's salvation, enabling us to build the repertoire of habits called character.
Is God to Blame?
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe 9/11 bombings were tragic and terrible. Some have since asked, 'Was God involved? Is He to blame?' These tough questions have challenging answers.
Is America a Christian Nation? (Part One)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The founding of the United States and the other nations of modern Israel was not random or accidental, but purposely orchestrated by our Creator.
Is the United States a Christian Nation? (Part One)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Governments of men are enmity against God. Our allegiance can be only to Jesus Christ, and not to the hopelessly corrupt political systems of the world.
Power Belongs to God (Part Two)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughHuman beings, even those who have been called, have an innate fear that God will not always provide. This fear originates in doubt about God's power.
Cyrus: God's Anointed
'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. RitenbaughWhen we think of messiah, we think of Jesus Christ. Yet the Bible has a much broader definition. The pagan emperor Cyrus the Great was also a messiah!
Faith, Government, and the Calendar (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe calculated Hebrew calendar reflects God's faithfulness in providing His children a reliable calendar. Concocting one's own calendar is presumptuous.
It IS All About Government
Sermon by Mark SchindlerEvery form of human government established on this earth has been established as an attempt to declare independence from the sovereignty of God.
Is America a Christian Nation? (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Though the United States was not established as a Christian nation, the founding Fathers established a legal system based upon biblical ethical standards.
Do You See God in Deuteronomy?
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God displaced the Amorites because they had defiled the land; not one righteous person existed. Israel was warned not to defile themselves with demonism.
Power Belongs to God (Part 2)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe may be going through a period of hopelessness, but must believe that all things work together for those who believe and are called for His purpose.
Is America a Christian Nation? Summary (Part One)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The founders made no covenant between the People of the United States and God. American citizenry never practiced true Christianity.

All Nations Before Him Are As Nothing!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod used the unconverted Israelites as His instrument of removal of the Canaanites, but showed them the fruits of war, including captivity for disobedience.

Prepare to Meet Your God! (Part Two)
Article by John W. Ritenbaugh and Richard T. RitenbaughBecause of God's intimate relationship by covenant with Israel and His church, His people have a greater responsibility to follow His instructions.

A Course Correction?
'WorldWatch' by Richard T. RitenbaughThe assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump could indicate God's sovereign intervention in world affairs, leading to Christ's return.
Implications of the Gospel of the Kingdom
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeGod's people must let go of the world's solutions, involving party spirit, revolutions, and power struggles, placing their trust in the sovereignty of God.
To Know Good and Evil
Sermon by Mark SchindlerEvery human government that has ever existed, including the American constitutional republic, has been flawed because it has not looked to God for what is right and wrong.
Should a Christian Go To War? (Part 1)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsConscientious objection to military action requires exercising mature faith, involving submission, loyalty, dedication, and conscientious obedience to God's Law.
In Our Time of Need
Sermonette by Austin Del CastilloWhen we accepted God's calling, we trusted in His ability to fend off the evil influences of the world as well as our deadly carnal nature.
We Still Need a Sense of Urgency
Sermon by Kim MyersGod's selecting a particular candidate does not necessarily mean He has given America a reprieve from the results of her sins. We still need a sense of urgency.
Don't Meddle and Always Be Ready to Answer
Sermon by Mark SchindlerSatan seeks to distract God's people by enticing them to meddle in governmental matters, thereby endangering their relationship with God.
Micah (Part One): Hope for the Hopeless
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe prophecy of Micah had a delayed effect, taking many years before a reformer emerged on the scene. Jeremiah's life was spared because of the memory of Micah.
Destroying America From Within (Part Two)
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Recently, 'Christians Against Nationalism' published a set of 'Interfaith Principles,' suggesting that any religion is acceptable—and thus denying Christ.
Deuteronomy and Holiness
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God has provided the God-plane marriage relationship to teach us how to submit to one another, sacrificing our self-centeredness for the benefit of our spouse.
The Unshakable Kingdom!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsBecause all things will be violently shaken, God commands His people to place their trust in the unshakeable Kingdom of God which will displace all empires.
Israel: Future
'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. RitenbaughWhat is in store for the nations of Israel? Is their future promising or bleak—or both? This article concludes a three-part series on the people of Israel.
Habakkuk: A Prophet of Faith (Part One)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe should never be tripped up when we see bad things happen to good people or vice versa, realizing that history is indeed following God's timetable.

Zephaniah (Part One): The Day of the Lord Is Near!
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughZephaniah's prophecy is sharply focused on Judah and Jerusalem because they should have known better. They are ordered to keep silent and consider their sins.
Lamentations (Part Eight)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAs we approach the coming self-examination prior to Passover, we can apply six significant lessons taught to ancient Israel through the book of Lamentations.
The Sixth Commandment (Part 2): War! (1997)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughA reason lies behind the devastating wars that have plagued mankind since the beginning. The reason is simple: Men have broken the sixth commandment!