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The Sovereignty of God: Part Four

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

God exercises supreme control over the weather, demonstrating His sovereignty in both daily conditions and catastrophic events. He sends out His command to the earth; His word runs very swiftly. He gives snow like wool, scatters frost like ashes, and casts out hail like morsels. Who can stand before His cold? He sends out His word and melts them; He causes His wind to blow, and the waters flow. His involvement is not limited to what are often called acts of God, such as big disasters, but includes active management of all elements of creation. In significant historical events, God has shown His authority over weather and natural phenomena. He brought forth the flood waters on the earth to destroy all flesh, as declared in Genesis 6:17, indicating that the Flood was not a natural occurrence but a deliberate act of His will. In the plagues on Egypt, as seen in Exodus 10:21-23, He actively supervised who received the plague and how they were affected, using inanimate aspects of creation to execute His purpose. His voice commands the wind and waves, and they obey His sovereignty immediately. Prophetically, Jesus in Matthew 24:7 indicates God's purposeful use of His powers to increase the number and intensity of famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places, even where they are not normally experienced, showing that these events do not follow uniform law but are under His direct control. Amos 4:6-9, 13 provides insight into why God uses such interventions in the affairs of men, revealing that nature does not automatically produce benefits according to natural law but is subject to His active governance. In Zechariah 14:16-19, during the Millennium, God will continue to be involved in actively blessing or cursing all nations through control over weather, demonstrating His ongoing dominion.

The Sovereignty of God: Part Five

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

God exercises sovereign control over the weather and natural disasters as part of His active management of the inanimate elements of His creation. He oversees and overrules these forces to align with His purpose, demonstrating His authority over all aspects of the earth. His involvement ensures that even the seemingly chaotic elements of nature operate under His command, fulfilling His will in precise accordance with His divine schedule.

The Sovereignty of God (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God exercises supreme control over the weather and all inanimate aspects of His creation, demonstrating His sovereignty in every detail. He manipulates weather patterns as a response to mankind's sin, altering rain and causing desolation when necessary, as seen when the land itself seems to reject its inhabitants due to their iniquity. The Flood was not a mere natural event but a direct act of God, overruling natural laws to respond to human sinfulness. In the plagues of Egypt, He tweaked the laws of creation, sending hail to specific areas while sparing others, showing His precise governance over nature. The wind, beyond human control, obeys His command, as evidenced when Jesus Christ spoke and calmed the storm, revealing His authority over the elements. Earthquakes and other natural phenomena increase under His direction, occurring as He wills, not by uniform patterns, underscoring that nothing in creation operates outside His purpose. God's active management ensures that every aspect of nature aligns with His set deadlines and purposes, affirming that no force can hinder His will.

Subtly Ignoring God

Commentary by Mark Schindler

The text describes devastating tornadoes that struck the mid-section of the United States and notes the reports from the National Weather Service detailing their paths and damage. It contrasts common attributions of such events to the wrath of Mother Nature with the truth of God's absolute sovereignty over His creation. The text explains that personifications of nature originated in Greek and Roman mythology but stresses the importance of focusing on God's control instead. It references Job 37 where Elihu proclaims God's majestic sovereignty. Listen all of you to the voice of God to the thunder that comes from His mouth. He sends the lightning across the sky from one end of the earth to the other. Then the roar of His voice is heard the majestic sound of thunder and all the while the lightning flashes. At God's command amazing things happen wonderful things that we cannot understand. He commands snow to fall on the earth and sends torrents of drenching rain. He brings our work to a stop He shows us what He can do. The storm winds come from the south and the biting cold from the north. Lightning flashes from the clouds as they move at God's will. They do all that God commands everywhere throughout the world. God sends rain to water the earth He may send it to punish us or to show us His favor. God's power is so great that we cannot come near Him He is righteous and just in His dealings with us. No wonder then that everyone is awed by Him and that He ignores those who claim to be wise.

The Sovereignty of God (Part Five)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God controls the weather as part of His sovereignty over creation. In Psalm 147 God gives snow like wool and scatters frost like ashes while sending His word to melt ice and cause wind to blow. This involvement extends to Israel in a selective manner that demonstrates active oversight rather than mere uniform law. In Amos chapter 4 God withholds rain from one city while sending it to another in order to draw attention to Himself and prompt repentance. The blessings pronounced by Isaac upon Jacob include dew from heaven and fatness of the earth as gifts from God. Deuteronomy chapter 28 shows that rain in its season and other weather benefits come as conditional responses from God when His people obey. In the millennium described in Zechariah God will send rain upon nations that keep the Feast of Tabernacles while withholding it from those that refuse. These actions illustrate that God observes and responds to the relationship with His people by overruling natural patterns to produce blessings or curses according to His purpose.

Wind and God's Spirit

Sermon by Charles Whitaker

God controls the invisible wind—powerful or gentle—making it an ideal symbol for His Spirit. God's breathing life into Adam foreshadowed giving the Holy Spirit.

The Certainty of God's Promises

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Kim Myers

If we measure God's promises by our own behavior, it would be discouraging and disappointing. But God can be absolutely trusted to keep all of His promises.

Tropical (Storm) Punch

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

We know how hurricanes develop, how various factors steer them, and what to expect from them. But man may as well be a mouse when it comes to controlling them.

The 'Exceptional' 2007 Drought

'WorldWatch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

We tend to consider droughts like the current one to be merely extremes of the meteorological cycle. Yet, God is still at work among His people.

The Rain Comes Down

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

We have a tendency to consider weather patterns as blessings or curses from God. Sometimes they are, and sometimes they are not.

Divine Intervention

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Most modern people, even Christians, do not believe God intervenes in human affairs. The Bible, however, shows that His involvement is a central feature.

Sovereignty, Election, and Grace (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The term 'grace' describes a generous, thoughtful action of God, accompanied by love, which accomplishes His will, equipping us with everything we need.

Rain

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Weather disasters expose the moral weaknesses of a nation. We need to patiently and obediently wait for the early and latter rains that God will provide.

The Time of Jacob's Trouble

Sermon by David C. Grabbe

The curses of Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28 are warning shots over moral decay and national sins. Jacob's trouble will force a total reliance on God.

Don't Allow Fear to Direct Your Life

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Kim Myers

Fear and discouragement have infiltrated the church of God, causing many to stop fellowshipping on the Sabbath and some to give up keeping it altogether.

Sovereignty, Election, and Grace (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Even though we have the free moral agency to run counter to God's purposes, we court disaster if we presumptuously plan against these purposes.

Warning in the Wind

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God can use lethal storms to execute judgment on sinful people. Elihu informed Job that God has sovereign control of the weather, for blessing or cursing.

Are We Already In Captivity?

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Major curses, including economic oppression, famine, pestilence, mental illness, alien invasion, the scattering of modern Israel are yet to occur.

Maintaining Good Health (Part 4)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

While drunkenness and gluttony show self-centeredness and lack of discipline, often leading to poverty and ill health, moderation is the way to glorify God.