Sermon
#1272[1] Miscellaneous
Sermons
Title: All Things
Text: 2 Corinthians 5:18
Reading: Psalm 34:1-22 or Psalm 57:1-11
Subject: What God’s Word
Teaches Us About All Things
Date: Sunday Morning - January 19, 1997
Tape # T-31
Introduction:
I have received news this week from
friends, brothers and sisters in the family of God, who are enduring great
trials of faith, who are yet sustained by God’s providence and the blessed,
confident assurance that the Lord has done all things well.
·
Byron’s Death (Ed and
Mindy)
·
Jennifer’s Family
·
Debbie H.’s Trial
·
E.B.’s Trial
·
The Lady at Ashland
Ave.
Some of God’s saints seem to have trials and temptations,
one upon the heels of another. Those of
you who have the most difficult trials seem to bear them so well. You are
always an encouragement to me. In the light of the heavy, heavy trials some
believers bear with such grace, I get a little disturbed when people get all
bent out of shape and complain about hangnails and dripping faucets!
As I thought about, and tried to pray for and help some
troubled friends this week, my heart and mind have been once more directed to
meditate almost constantly upon the gracious, wise, and adorable providence of
our God.
Proposition: When trials and
temptations assail our souls, nothing is more helpful and comforting than the
blessed knowledge of God’s all-wise, universal providence.
I thought it might be profitable for
us this morning to look once more at two words, “all things,” used throughout the Word of God in
relation to God’s providence and grace. I will have nothing new or profound to
say to you in this message. I simply want to give you a message that will, I
trust be blessed of God the Holy Spirit to your hearts as it has been to my
own, for the glory of Christ.
These two words, “all things,” are used
together in the Word of God two hundred and twenty times. More often than not,
they are used in some connection with the Lord our God. Whenever we read these
words in Holy Scripture, or think about them in relation to our God, we ought
always to remember that when God says “all things,” he means “all things.” He does not mean some things, or most things, or even all good
things. He means all things.
Obviously, we cannot look at all the
places in the Bible where these two words are used together. That would take a
while! But we are going to look at a bunch of them. I have a message today with
nineteen points; but I plan to be finished in forty-five minutes. So I am not
going to be doing much preaching. I want to simply weave these nineteen texts
together and read them with you. We will let the Word of God expound itself.
You cannot get better preaching than that.
This
is a message that will thrill the heart of every believer, comfort your
soul, encourage your faith, and strengthen your spirit, if God the Holy Spirit
will graciously deliver it to your souls. It is a message that I trust may also
be used of him to cause some of you who are yet without life before God to live
and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. We know that faith comes by hearing and
hearing by the Word of God. May God now cause you to hear wondrous things out
of his Word. If you will follow m now
through the Scriptures, you are going to see that this Book asserts
emphatically and constantly that “all
things” are under the absolute control of he Lord our God.
I.
We will begin
at 2 Corinthians 5:18, where the apostle Paul tells us - “ALL THINGS ARE OF GOD.”
2 Corinthians 5:18 "And all
things are of God, who hath
reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of
reconciliation;"
Just
how far are we to take Paul’s statement here? Think about that for a
minute. “All things are of God.” How
far do you take that? Let me tell you. If I understand what this Book teaches,
at all, you can carry those words just as far, just as high, just as deep, just
as wide as your imagination will carry you. And when you have reached the
utmost end of your imagination, as someone once said, you will only have “begun
to commence, to get started!”
Take this blessed, inspired
declaration just as far back as eternity past, and just as far forward as
eternity future. Take it up to the highest heaven. Take down to the lowest
hell. Take it around the world, through the world, and through all the ages of
time. When all that is, has been, and shall be has been considered, write this
title over the picture and this explanation for the story - “ALL THINGS ARE OF GOD.”
A. In the
creation of the universe, “all things are
of God.”
Revelation 4:11 "Thou
art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast
created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created."
B. In the wise
and orderly disposition of providence, “all
things are of God.”
Romans 11:36 "For of him,
and through him, and to him, are all
things: to whom be glory for ever.
Amen."
C. In the
salvation of our souls, “all things are
of God.”
Here in 2 Corinthians 5, that is
obviously what Paul is specifically talking about. Look at any one aspect of
salvation, or look at the whole package of grace. However you look at it, “Salvation is of the Lord!”
·
Election,
predestination, and redemption are of the Lord.
·
Forgiveness, pardon,
and justification are of the Lord.
·
Reconciliation,
regeneration, and sanctification are of the Lord.
·
Repentance, faith,
and conversion are of the Lord.
·
Preservation,
resurrection, and glorification are of the Lord.
II.
Next turn to
Proverbs 16:4, and we will see that ALL
THINGS ARE FOR GOD, FOR THE GLORY OF GOD.
Proverbs 16:4 "The LORD hath
made all things for himself: yea,
even the wicked for the day of evil."
I do not presently see what God is
doing in all things; but I am assured that in all things the Lord is making for
himself an everlasting and a glorious name.
Isaiah 63:12-14 "That led them by the right hand of Moses with his
glorious arm, dividing the water before them, to make himself an everlasting name? (13) That led them through the deep, as
an horse in the wilderness, that they
should not stumble? (14) As a beast
goeth down into the valley, the Spirit of the LORD caused him to rest: so didst
thou lead thy people, to make thyself a
glorious name."
III. In Ephesians 1:10-11, the Holy Spirit informs us that ALL THINGS ARE DISPOSED OF BY GOD IN TIME
ACCORDING TO HIS OWN PURPOSE OF GRACE IN ETERNITY IN DIVINE PREDESTINATION.
Ephesians 1:10-11 "That in the
dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things
in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: (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:"
The
essence of all that is this - Everything that comes to pass in time was
predestinated by God in eternity, and is brought to pass according to God’s
purpose for the salvation of his elect and the glory of his own great name.
IV. Turn to Hebrews 2:8-9. ALL
THINGS HAVE BEEN PUT INTO THE HANDS AND UNDER THE FEET OF OUR MOST GLORIOUS
CHRIST, THE GOD-MAN, AS OUR MEDIATOR.
Hebrews 2:8-9 "Thou hast put
all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection
under him, he left nothing that is not
put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. (9) But we see Jesus, who was made a
little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and
honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man."
John 3:35 "The Father
loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand."
A.
All things have always been in his hands and under his feet
as God.
B.
All things have been put into his hands and under his feet
for him to rule over and dispose of for the salvation of his people, as the
God-man, our Mediator.
John 17:2 "As thou hast
given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as
thou hast given him."
Romans 14:9 "For to this
end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the
dead and living."
C.
All
things shall yet be put under his feet.
Philippians 2:9-11 "Wherefore God
also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: (10) That at the name of Jesus every
knee should bow, of things in heaven,
and things in earth, and things under the earth; (11) And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the
Father."
V. Let’s go back to 2 Corinthians again. This time, we will
look at chapter four, verse fifteen. Here the inspired writer tells us, “ALL THINGS ARE FOR YOUR SAKES!”
2 Corinthians 4:15 "For all
things are for your sakes, that the
abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of
God."
Psalms 57:2 "I will cry
unto God most high; unto God that
performeth all things for me."
What a God, what a Savior we have! He “performeth all things for us!” Imagine
that! Can you get hold of that? He “performeth
all things for us!” Whatever has been, is now, or shall be hereafter, is
for your sake!
VI. Take one more brief glance at Romans 8:28. Here the Holy
Spirit teaches us that ALL THINGS WORK
TOGETHER FOR THE SPIRITUAL AND ETERNAL GOOD OF GOD’S ELECT.
Romans 8:28 "And we know
that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are
the called according to his purpose."
Look at this
verse with me, word by word.
A.
“We”
B.
“Know”
C.
“That All Things”
D.
“Work”
E.
“Together”
F.
“For Good”
G.
“To Them That Love
God”
H.
“To Them Who
Are The Called”
I.
“According To His Purpose.”
Romans 8:28-31 "And we know
that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are
the called according to his purpose. (29) For whom he did foreknow, he also
did predestinate to be conformed to
the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (30) Moreover whom he did predestinate,
them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he
justified, them he also glorified. (31) What
shall we then say to these things? If
God be for us, who can be against us?"
VII. In 1 Corinthians 3:21, we are told “ALL THINGS ARE YOURS!”
1 Corinthians 3:21 "Therefore let
no man glory in men. For all things are yours."
If you are a believer, if you trust
the Lord Jesus Christ, this is God’s word to you, to you personally, and to all
of us collectively - “All things are
yours!”
A.
All Things Spiritual…
·
All Grace!
·
All Blessings!
·
All Privileges!
·
All Ministry!
B.
All Things Temporal…
·
To Use and Enjoy for
the Glory of God and One Another’s Good!
C.
All
Things Heavenly…
·
The Angels of God!
·
The Throne of God!
·
The Son of God!
D.
All
Things Eternal…
·
All the Glory of
Glory!
VIII. Here is a text designed and intended specifically for the
benefit of you who are yet under the wrath of God. Look at Matthew 22:4. Here
the Lord Jesus commands saved sinners to declare to lost sinners that “ALL THINGS ARE READY!”
Matthew 22:4 "Again, he
sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have
prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings
are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage."
The Lord God has sent me to you with
an invitation to the marriage supper of the Lamb. Come just as you are. Bring
nothing with you. This is one marriage at which no guests with gifts will ever
be admitted. At this marriage, all the gifts come from the Father of the Groom
and are bestowed because of the Groom. The bride has no dowry! In Christ all things
are ready for the salvation and eternal bliss of needy sinners. “The Spirit and the Bride say, Come; and
whosoever will, let him come!”
A.
Here is
Complete Pardon - His Blood Atonement!
B.
Here is
Complete Righteousness - His Obedience!
C.
Here is Sure
Acceptance - His Promise!
D.
Here is Unconditional
Salvation - His Grace!
E.
Here is
Absolute Security - His Life!
IX. Turn to Acts 13:39. Listen to this - “BY CHRIST ALL THAT BELIEVE ARE JUSTIFIED FROM ALL THINGS!”
Acts 13:39 "And by him
all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be
justified by the law of Moses."
A.
There is no
justification by the works of the law.
B.
There is no
justification by religious rites and ceremonies.
C.
There is free, full,
complete justification from all things in Christ.
·
All Iniquity!
·
All Transgression!
·
All Sin!
D.
This free, full,
complete justification in Christ belongs to every believer. It is ours
presently; and it is ours permanently.
Acts 13:23-26 "Of this man's
seed hath God according to his promise
raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus: (24)
When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to
all the people of Israel. (25) And as
John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after
me, whose shoes of his feet I am not
worthy to loose. (26) Men and brethren, children of the stock of
Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this
salvation sent."
X. In the story of the rich young ruler (Matt. 19:26), we are told,
“WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.”
Matthew 19:23-26 "Then said
Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly
enter into the kingdom of heaven. (24) And
again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a
needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. (25) When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed,
saying, Who then can be saved? (26) But
Jesus beheld them, and said unto
them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."
When the disciples saw this
impressive, moral, upright, religious man walk away from the Master, they
understood what had happened. This young man was confronted with the claims of
Christ the Lord and refused to bow. Then they said, “Who then can be saved?” And our Lord tells us two things plainly,
in response to their question…
A.
“With men this
is impossible!”
B.
“But with God
all things are possible!”
No sinner is beyond the reach of God’s
omnipotent grace. There is no filth that the blood of Christ cannot cleanse.
There is no spiritual deformity that the grace of Christ cannot correct. There
is no nakedness of soul that the righteousness of Christ cannot cover.
XI. In Mark 9:23, we read about a man who brought his demon
possessed, speechless son to the Master. This is what the Lord Jesus told him. “IF THOU CANST BELIEVE, ALL THINGS ARE
POSSIBLE TO HIM THAT BELIEVETH."
Mark 9:23-24 "Jesus said
unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are
possible to him that believeth. (24) And
straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I
believe; help thou mine unbelief."
Here is a father believing Christ for his son. “Lord, I believe; help thou mine
unbelief."
Our Savior said, that faith as a grain
of mustard seed is sufficient to pull up a full grown sycamore tree or to
remove a mountain (the mountain of our sins) and cast it into the sea.
The apostle Paul declared, “I can do all things through Christ, which
strengtheneth me.”
XII. Let’s look at 2 Corinthians 5:17. Here we are told that CHRIST OUR SAVIOR MAKES ALL THINGS NEW.
2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if
any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are
passed away; behold, all things are become new."
A.
In
Regeneration - A New Nature!
B.
In
Reconciliation - A New Record!
C.
In Resurrection - A
New Body! A New Life!
D.
In Renovation - A New
Havens and A New Earth!
Revelation 21:5 "And he that
sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me,
Write: for these words are true and faithful."
XIII. In Romans 8:32, the apostle Paul assures us that, having
given us his dear Son, THE LORD OUR GOD
WILL FREELY GIVE US ALL THINGS AS WE NEED THEM.
Romans 8:32 "He that
spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with
him also freely give us all things?"
He who sacrificed his darling Son for us, to redeem and save
us, will assuredly give us…
A.
All The Things
We Need!
B.
All The Grace
We Need!
XIV. In Proverbs 28:5, the wise man declares, by the Spirit of
inspiration, “THEY THAT SEEK THE LORD
UNDERSTAND ALL THINGS.”
Proverbs 28:5 "Evil men
understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things."
A.
We understand The Origin Of All Things - God!
B.
We understand The End Of All Things - The Salvation
of God’s Elect and The Glory of His Name!
C.
We understand The Nature Of All Things - Temporal!
D.
We understand All Things Spiritual!
All who are born of God and taught of God have the mind of
Christ and understand all things vital and necessary to the saving of their
souls.
1 John 2:20 "But ye have
an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things."
XV. Ephesians 5:20 teaches us that IT IS BOTH THE RESPONSIBILITY AND THE JOY OF BELIEVERS TO GIVE THANKS
TO GOD FOR ALL THINGS.
Ephesians 5:20 "Giving thanks
always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ;"
You will notice in the context that
Paul is talking about walking in the Spirit and being filled with the Spirit.
The Spirit filled life is the life of a believer giving thanks to God.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 "In every
thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning
you."
A.
It is our duty
to give thanks to God always and for all things.
B.
It glorifies
God for us to praise him and give thanks to him.
C.
It breeds joy and
peace in our own hearts and among our brethren for us to ever give thanks to
God for all things.
XVI. Read Acts 3:21 with me, and understand that THERE IS A DAY COMING CALLED “THE
RESTITUTION OF ALL THINGS.”
Acts 3:19-21 "Repent ye
therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times
of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; (20) And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached
unto you: (21) Whom the heaven must
receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by
the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began."
In that great and glorious day, when
all things are brought to their final end, when time shall be no more, all
things will glorify our God!
A.
Either His
Grace!
B.
Or His
Justice!
Everything that has been, all things, all events, all
creatures, and all the actions of all creatures, whether good or evil, will
praise him and prove to have been good!
XVII. Now, look at Revelation 21:7. “HE THAT OVERCOMETH SHALL INHERIT ALL THINGS.”
Revelation 21:7 "He
that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall
be my son."
A.
All true
believers may rightfully sing, “We shall overcome some day!”
·
Sin!
·
Satan!
·
The World!
B.
We shall then
inherit all things by the grace of God.
·
With Christ!
·
In Christ!
·
For Christ’s Sake!
XVIII. I cannot conclude this message without having you look at 1
Peter 4:7, where we are told, “THE END
OF ALL THINGS IS AT HAND!’
1 Peter 4:7 "But the end
of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer."
“Behold,
he cometh!” When our great and glorious Christ appears the second time,
without sin, unto salvation, then the end of all things will come.
A.
The End of All
Our Troubles!
B.
The End of All
Our Struggles!
C.
The End of All Our
Toils!
D.
The End of All Our
Trials!
E.
The End of All
Our Temptations!
F.
The End of All
Our Sins!
G.
The End of this
World!
H.
The End of
Your Opportunities!
I.
The End of God’s Grace!
XIX. Turn with me now to Mark 7:37. This is my final word to you
this morning. When the end of my days on this earth comes when I look over my
life’s finished story, I am confident, this will be my final word then. And
when the end of all things has come, and time shall be no more, this will be
the final word of all story and of all rational creatures - “HE HATH DONE ALL THINGS WELL!”
Mark 7:37 "And were beyond measure astonished,
saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the
dumb to speak."
A.
With Me and
Mine!
B.
With His
Church!
C.
With this World!
D.
With You and Yours!
Scripture Reading - Sunday
Morning, January 19, 1996
Psalms 34 "A Psalm of David, when he changed
his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed. I will
bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall
continually be in my mouth. (2) My soul shall make her boast in the
LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and
be glad. (3) O magnify the LORD with
me, and let us exalt his name together.
(4) I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. (5) They looked unto him, and were
lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.
(6) This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. (7) The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear
him, and delivereth them. (8) O taste
and see that the LORD is good:
blessed is the man that trusteth in him. (9) O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for
there is no want to them that fear
him. (10) The young lions do lack,
and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing. (11) Come, ye children, hearken
unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD. (12) What man is he that desireth
life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?
(13) Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. (14) Depart from evil, and do good;
seek peace, and pursue it. (15) The
eyes of the LORD are upon the
righteous, and his ears are open unto
their cry. (16) The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off
the remembrance of them from the earth.
(17) The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of
all their troubles. (18) The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken
heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. (19) Many are the
afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. (20) He keepeth all his bones: not one
of them is broken. (21) Evil shall
slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate. (22) The LORD redeemeth the soul of his
servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate."
Psalms 57 "To
the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the
cave. Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in
thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. (2) I will cry unto God most high; unto
God that performeth all things for
me. (3) He shall send from heaven,
and save me from the reproach of him
that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth. (4) My soul is among lions: and I lie
even among them that are set on fire,
even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue
a sharp sword. (5) Be thou exalted, O
God, above the heavens; let thy glory
be above all the earth. (6) They have prepared a net for my
steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst
whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah. (7) My heart is fixed, O God, my heart
is fixed: I will sing and give praise.
(8) Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early. (9) I
will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the
nations. (10) For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth
unto the clouds. (11) Be thou
exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy
glory be above all the earth."