DailyTheocentrisms
A. W. Pink: from his book, The Sovereignty of God
The Sovereignty of God. What do we mean by this expression? We mean the supremacy of God, the kingship of God, the god-hood of God. To say that God is Sovereign is to declare that God is God. To say that God is Sovereign is to declare that He is the Most High, doing according to His will in the army of Heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth, so that none can stay His hand or say unto Him what doest Thou? (Dan. 4:35). To say that God is Sovereign is to declare that He is the Almighty, the Possessor of all power in Heaven and earth, so that none can defeat His counsels, thwart His purpose, or resist His will (Psa. 115:3). To say that God is Sovereign is to declare that He is “The Governor among the nations” (Psa. 22:28), setting up kingdoms, overthrowing empires, and determining the course of dynasties as pleaseth Him best. To say that God is Sovereign is to declare that He is the “Only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords” (1 Tim. 6:15). Such is the God of the Bible.
How different is the God of the Bible from the God of modern Christendom! The conception of Deity which prevails most widely today, even among those who profess to give heed to the Scriptures, is a miserable caricature, a blasphemous travesty of the Truth. The God of the twentieth century is a helpless being who commands the respect of no really thoughtful man. The God of the popular mind is the creation of maudlin sentimentality. The God of many a present-day pulpit is an object of pity rather than of awe-inspiring reverence. To say that God the Father has purposed the salvation of all mankind, that God the Son died with the express intention of saving the whole human race, and that God the Holy Spirit is now seeking to win the world to Christ; when, as a matter of common observation, it is apparent that the great majority of our fellowmen are dying in sin, and passing into a hopeless eternity; is to say that God the Father is disappointed, that God the Son is dissatisfied, and that God the Holy Spirit is defeated. We have stated the issue baldly, but there is no escaping the conclusion.
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The Sovereignty of the God of Scripture is absolute, irresistible, infinite. When we say that God is Sovereign we affirm His right to govern the universe which He has made for His own glory, just as He pleases. We affirm that His right is the right of the Potter over the clay, i. e., that He may mold that clay into whatsoever form He chooses, fashioning out of the same lump one vessel unto honour and another unto dishonour. We affirm that He is under no rule or law outside of His own will and nature, that God is a law unto Himself, and that He is under no obligation to give an account of His matters to any.
DailyTheocentrism:To be less into you . . .
The problem with trying to be humble to combat selfishness and pride is that you are still focused on YOU! The only way to kill self-pride is to put all your focus on another. The way we learn to not be so into ourselves is by being so into Christ. When we make much of Him – the only one who deserves praise – when we make much of Him, our appetites to make much of ourselves fades away. Let go of the monster . . .
To be less into you, you need to be more into Christ- then humility is born out of the fruit of your love for Christ.
DailyTheocentrism: Ministry = His words, His strength -His Glory. (1 Peter 4:11)
We are stewards of a Message that is not ours. We are not masters of it, but it is to master us. We wield no great power, but rather bear witness to Another’s power. We are not professionals, but paupers rich in love and life.
We are clay pots- dirt baked hard;
We are sheep- even the shepherds are sheep;
We are vines- utterly dependent on the Root for life;
We are sinners, saved through a Message that is not ours;
We are not masters of it, but it is to master us…
The message is not our own;
The strength is not our own;
The ministry is not our own;
We are not our own;
Therefore:
There is no power in prayer, but power in God;
ALL praise belongs to God alone.
There is no power in the preacher, but power in the Gospel.
It is God’s power for salvation.
There is no power in the gifts, but power in the Spirit.
We are impotent- He is omnipotent.
There is no power in the Church, but power in the Head;
Severed from Christ, we are lifeless and lost.
There is no boasting, save in the One who
Made us;
Owns us;
Holds us;
Speaks for us;
Speaks through us;
Guides us;
Strengthens us;
Animates us;
Loves us.
