“Sinful Means” Esther 1-2:14
Providence: The Protective Care of God
“Let me end with a statement and a question. The statement is that human beings are responsible, accountable, praiseworthy, or blameworthy for what they do. God’s sovereignty does not diminish human accountability. That’s the statement.”
“The question is, which world would you rather live in? One where humans or Satan or chance govern what happens to you? Or one where an infinitely good, infinitely wise, infinitely powerful God works everything together for the good of those who trust him and for his glory?” John Piper
- Esther 1, Page 410 in the Pew Bibles
- Walk through text
- vs. 1:1-9 1. Drunken Debauchery
- vs. 1:10-182. Male Pride,
- vs.1:11-22 3. Abuse of authority,
- vs. 2:1-44. Degradation of women,
- vs. 2:5-11 Introduce main characters
- vs. 2:12-14 5. Fornication
- But yet God allows and sovereignly governs them to bring about his will.
- Through these sinful means God Providentially brings about his will. He will save a people… This is CRAZY!
- Walk through text
“Let me end with a statement and a question. The statement is that human beings are responsible, accountable, praiseworthy, or blameworthy for what they do. God’s sovereignty does not diminish human accountability. That’s the statement.” John Piper
Is man responsible for his actions? Yes
- So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 14:12
- He will render to each one according to his works Romans 2:6a
- I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:36-37
Is God in control? Yes
- #1. God works all things according to his will.
- In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, Ephesians 1:11
- #2. God governs all human plans and acts.
- The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9
- The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. Proverbs 16:33
- #3. God’s sovereign will governs all daily events.
- Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”—yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:13–15
- #1. God works all things according to his will.
- #2. God governs all human plans and acts.
- #3. God’s sovereign will governs all daily events.
“The question is, which world would you rather live in? One where humans or Satan or chance govern what happens to you? Or one where an infinitely good, infinitely wise, infinitely powerful God works everything together for the good of those who trust him and for his glory?” John Piper
Benediction
May you remember an infinitely good, infinitely wise, infinitely powerful God works everything together for the good of those who trust him and for his glory.