35 Sermon Illustrations on Divine Sovereignty

Daniel said it long ago. It is God who "removes kings and raises up kings." (Daniel 2:21). This was the way Daniel stated the truth that God is the One who controls and rules the world. Regarding Jesus, John said that He is now "King of kings and Lord of lords." Yet it still surprises us when faced with the reality of God's control. We don't like what we cannot easily explain. If we cannot say exactly how God does something, we are at a loss. It's time we accept the vantage point of many Bible writers when they could not explain, but they could declare the power of God. November 9, 1989 stands as a testimony to the rule of God. That's the day the Berlin Wall fell. No one saw it coming; no political leader, no social scientist, no church leader saw what was happening. It shocked the world. No one can explain how it came about. Then nation after nation of Eastern Europe eliminated Communism as master. Is it answered prayer? Yes! Is it God's work? Yes! He now gives the church an open door. Do we believe He can get us through the door? A Father's Love Would you like to marry someone whom your parents chose for you? Dr. Joyce Hardin in her book, Three Steps Behind, recounts a conversation with a Korean young lady. Dr. Hardin expressed surprise at the custom of arranged marriages and questioned how a woman could ever marry a person whom her father picked out. The Korean replied that her father loved her and knew her better than she knew herself. She was convinced that her father would never do anything to harm her and would make only the best choice for her. Besides, she added, she had the right to reject his choice, but doubted that she would. Are we willing to trust God as much as some trust their parents? If we are willing to completely surrender ourselves to Him we can believe that He will give us what is the very best for us (Romans 8:28). What more comfort could we ask than to believe that even when we do not understand life's happenings, we can know that our Father loves us? Which God Are You Banking On? One day a brother was in a strange part of town and in somewhat of a rush. He needed to get some money from his bank, so he obtained directions to one of its branches-one he had never been to before. The brother followed the advice, and sure enough there was a bank right across the street from the big store he was told to seek. He rushed in and handed over his book and other forms to the smiling teller. "I'm sorry, sir. I can't accept this," she said. "Why not? I am sure it is all in order. I wrote it out very carefully," he countered. "I am sure you did, but this is not our bank. The one you want is across the street." Shamefaced, he retreated to the other bank, the right one, which was also across the street from the big store, only on the other side. In a similar way, how many people rush to a god, any god, seeking comfort, solace or salvation, only to find that it is not the God, our heavenly Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit? One may rectify going to the wrong bank, but one cannot recover from banking on the wrong god. When Life Caves In John Newton signed on with a slave ship leaving from Africa with its "cargo." He was an experienced sailor and navigator, but his cursing and blaspheming turned hardened sailors' ears red. Soon the ship was caught in a horrible storm and was taking in water. The crew had to pump 24 hours a day to stay afloat. But the constant wind rocked the boat so dangerously that the sailors had to tie themselves to the deck to keep from being swept overboard. At one point, several of the crew tried to throw Newton overboard. They figured that God was punishing him like Jonah of the Old Testament. The captain declared that the only way the ship would make it in to safe harbor was by God's power. He commanded everyone-including Newton-to pray. "God, if You're true," Newton prayed earnestly, "make good your Word. Cleanse my vile heart." After four weeks of storms and constant brushes with death, the ship limped into an Irish port. John Newton, former "free thinker," former slave trader and atheist, declared his faith in Jesus. He became a well-known preacher and writer. In fact, we chiefly know him as the author of the hymn "Amazing Grace."

Bill comes to the alley where for years he has parked his car, only to find a ticket on it. He fumes and fusses because there was no sign prohibiting parking in that area. Nevertheless he pays his fine and resolves never to park his car there again. Still, he can't understand the why of it. Some days later, however, he has his answer. During a windstorm a mammoth oak had fallen right across the place where he had been parking his car. Had it been in its accustomed place, it would have been smashed. Thanks to the ticket that cost him three dollars it was not there. Of course, it pleases God sometimes never to explain to us the reasons for many of His actions in our lives. But Paul maintains that the more mature we become as Christians the more God will reveal to us.

"Wicked men are preserved in reference to the godly, they are but as a defence of thorns about a garden of roses. Now, when the roses are cropped off, what will become of the thorns?" This is a solemn question, and should arouse the careless. Ungodly men are a sort of scaffold to God's house, and when the house is finished they must be pulled down. The husk is needful to the wheat at a certain time, but when the corn is ripe the husk is useless chaff, and must be separated from it. An ungodly mother is to a pious son as the chaff to the wheat, and ere long the chaff must be driven away. What think ye of this, ye unsaved parents of godly children? What think ye of this, ye unregenerate brothers and friends, by whom the godly are succoured, while you yourselves remain unsaved? When good men die the wicked should reflect that there is so much the less salt left to preserve society. There is one pleader less for the preservation of the barren tree. Every saint taken home brings the world so much nearer its end. Much as they may despise the godly, the deaths of righteous men ought to be solemn warnings to the thoughtless world, as they reflect upon what must happen to the world when those who are its light and its salt are taken away.

"SUPPOSING HIM TO BE THE GARDENER." THE BRAZEN SERPENT. THE DROPPING WELL OF KNARESBOROUGH. THE ESSENCE OF SIMPLICITY. THE HOLD FAST. THE PEARL OF PATIENCE. THE PERPETUITY OF THE LAW THE PRIEST DISPENSED WITH. THE SEA! THE SEA! THE WIDE AND OPEN SEA. THE SILVER TRUMPET. THE TURNING POINT. THE UPPER HAND. THE WAY OF SALVATION. THERE GO THE SHIPS. TOKEN FOR THE BEREAVED.

WORKS BY OTHER AUTHORS. A BODY OF DIVINITY, contained in Sermons upon the Assembly's Catechism. By the Rev. THOMAS WATSON, Rector of St. Stephen's, Walbrook. A new and complete edition, revised and adapted to modern readers, by the Rev. George Rogers, Camberwell. With a Preface and Appendix by Pastor C. H. Spurgeon. Price 6s. Every divine of Calvinistic views should read it, and every private Christian also. We can heartily recommend it to all lovers of sound doctrine, among whom we hope for a large sale.--C. H. Spurgeon.

ELISHA COLES ON DIVINE SOVEREIGNTY. With Preface by C. H. Spurgeon. 2s. 6d. Romaine says of this book: "The doctrines of grace, of which this book treats, are the truths of God: our author has defended them in a masterly manner. He has not only proved them to be plainly revealed in the Scriptures, but has also shown that they are of such constant use to the children of God, that without the steadfast belief of them, they cannot go on their way rejoicing. In the practical view of these points Elisha Coles is singularly excellent."

HENRY'S OUTLINES OF CHURCH HISTORY: A Brief Sketch of the Christian Church from the First Century. By JOSEPH FERNANDES, LL.D. 2s. 6d. "The Church Histories hitherto in vogue are too cumbersome, too verbose, too involved to be used in schools and colleges, and we entertain the hope that the present work will remedy that evil, and supply a work which all our friends who are tutors can use with pleasure and safety. Every young Christian should be acquainted with ecclesiastical history; it should be taught in every school of a high grade, to young ladies as well as to their brothers."--C. H. Spurgeon.

GLIMPSES OF JESUS; or, Christ Exalted in the Affections of his People. By W. P. Balfern. Fifth Thousand. Fcap. 8vo. cloth 3s. "I hailed with pleasure the advent of this precious volume. I sat down to read it, and soon discovered its beauty; it was a feast of fat things, a season long to be remembered. I have read it again and again, and would desire to adore the Holy Spirit for that gracious unction which rested on me in its perusal."--C. H. Spurgeon.

LESSONS FROM JESUS: or, the Teachings of Divine Love. By W. P. Balfern. Second Edition. 3s. "This is a worthy sequel to 'Glimpses of Jesus,' by the same author. Every book is valuable that fixes our attention upon Jesus, and revives our perception of his beauty; and especially when it discovers new beauties, and rings his whole character more vividly before us. Such will be the effect of these 'Lessons from the life of Jesus.'"--C. H. Spurgeon.

THE BEAUTY OF THE GREAT KING, and other Poems for the Heart and Home. By W. P. Balfern, Author of "Glimpses of Jesus." Second Edition. 2s. 6d. We strongly recommend this book to the attention of our readers. No child of God can read it without pleasure and profit. It has been written in the furnace, and will comfort such as are in it. The Author has seen some of 'The Beauty of the Great King,' and has well uttered the joy of that great sight. We hope that many will have equal delight with ourselves as they read this book."--C. H. Spurgeon.

Pastor C. H. SPURGEON: his Life and Work to his Forty-third Birthday; with an Account of his Ancestors for 200 Years. By George J. Stevenson, M.A. Paper covers, 1s.; cloth, 3s.

THE PATHOS OF LIFE: or, Touching Incidents Illustrative of the Truth of the Gospel. By W. Pootz Balfern. Second Edition. 2s. 6d. "Sensitive, refined, and tender, suited to contact with the highest class of mind, he yet seeks to reach the finer feelings of those who externally too often exhibit a rough, hard, and unimpressible aspect. The young, we venture to say, will be charmed by the fatherly tenderness characteristic of many of these poems. The book will be highly valued by the Sunday-school teacher, by the minister of the gospel, and by all who know anything of Mr. Balfern and his writings, or who can appreciate earnest and deep-toned, yet cheerful spirituality."--Literary World.

BOOKSELLERS AND BOOKBUYERS in Byeways and Highways. By C. H. Spurgeon, Samson Mannine, LL.D., and G. Houtpen Price. With a Preface by the Right Hon. the Earl of Shaftesbury, K.G. Cloth, gilt edges, 1s. 6d. "Externally this is an attractive book. It is brought out with the view of creating and increasing public interest in Colportage. It remains a mystery with us that we cannot obtain support for Colportage in as liberal a measure as so good a work demands. It does not say much for the wisdom and prudence of Christian people. If they gave most where the best return might legitimately be expected, we may say of our religious societies--these are last which would be first. If these addresses, papers, and reports should bring us in a revenue of sympathy, it will soon be followed by substantial help. To reach the villages and hamlets by means of sound literature taken to the cottagers' doors is a most worthy work; and as the rural population becomes smaller, and Nonconformist churches become feebler, it will become more and more an absolutely needful work, if we are to keep alive the light of the gospel among the poor and scattered. Our heart sighs and groans because this blessed agency is still so limited when every day the needs of the people cry for an increase. Scotland is supplied with colporteurs from sea to sea, and why is England so far behind?"--C. H. Spurgeon.

THE PULPIT BY THE HEARTH. Being Plain Chapters for Sabbath Reading. By Arthur Mursell. Price 2s. 6d.

CONFERENCE ADDRESSES, being a Selection from Addresses delivered at the Annual Conferences of the Pastors' College, by the Rev. George Rogers. With a recommendation by C. H. Spurgeon. 2s. 6d. "Our honoured friend, the Rev. George Rogers, has given an address at each meeting of our College conference, and on each occasion he has been singularly happy in his theme and in his mode of handling it. It would have been a pity and a sin to allow these racy addresses to be forgotten; and, accordingly we are glad to see them preserved in print. Twelve such addresses it would be very hard to find anywhere else. We firmly believe that every student and minister who heard them will be anxious at once to possess a copy, and we shall be greatly surprised if the volume does not command a host of readers. Mother wit is blended with fatherly wisdom, and the whole is sanctified by zeal for the cause of God. We cannot too heartily commend the volume to our subscribers."--C. H. Spurgeon.

A COLLECTION OF RARE JEWELS. From the Mines of William Gurnall. (1680). Dug up and deposited in a Casket, by ARTHUR AUGUSTUS REES (1853). Second Edition. Price 2s. "Of all the Puritans, Gurnall is the best adapted for quoting. He is sententious, and withal pictorial, and both in a high degree. Mr. Rees has made his selections with a discerning eye; they are not mere clippings at random, but extracts chosen with judgment."--C. H. Spurgeon.

FOUR LETTERS TO THE CHRISTIANS CALLED "BRETHREN," on the subject of Ministry. By Arthur Augustus.

WAYMARKS FOR WANDERERS. Being Five Addresses delivered in the Metropolitan Tabernacle. By W. Y. Fullerton, Esq. Price 1s. "A little book upon the prodigal son. The theme has been often descanted on, but this treatise is not a trition; it is full of freshness and originality. It is better, its earnest pleadings and plain gospel statements are sure to be useful to seeking souls, and we commend it for wide distribution by those who wish to lead others to the home above."--C. H. Spurgeon.

BUNYAN'S WATER OF LIFE. Preface By C. H. Spurgeon. 1s

Robert Holgate, because he could not enjoy peaceably his small living in Lincolnshire, on account of a quarrelsome knight, went up to London to right himself; and there came into favor with King Henry VIII., and was at length appointed Archbishop of York. What was intended to do him much harm fell out to his great advantage.

It is with Fortune as with fantastical mistresses, — she makes sport with those that are ready to die for her, and throws herself at the feet of others that despise her. J. Beaumont.

Pythagoras, being asked what he was, answered, that if Hiero were ever at the Olympian games, he knew the manner, — that some came to try their fortune for the prizes, and some came as merchants to utter their commodities, and some came to make good cheer and meet their friends, and some came to look on; and that he was one of them that came to look on. But men must know, that, in this theatre of man's life, it is reserved only for God and angels to be lookers-on. Lord Bacon.

We sleep: but the loom of life never stops; and the pattern which was weaving when the sun went down is weaving when it comes up to-morrow. Beecher.

Even God is said to be unable to use force against necessity. — Plato. — Necessity is stronger far than art. — Eschylus. — Necessity is stronger than human nature. — Dionysius. — Necessity imposes law, does not herself relieve it. — Ramage.

It is hard to say what is really little: many things which appear so turn out to be possessed of an importance beyond our foresight, and run on to issues over which we have no control. The difference of an inch in the fall of a raindrop on a roof may determine, according to the slope it hits, the whole course of its percolations, and decide which of two seas it shall finally reach, though their waters are wide of each other as the opposite shores of a kingdom. If we did not believe in the reign of a God, it would be terrible to think that life has in it turns equally decisive. S. Coley.

The bow of God's wrath is bent, and the arrow made ready on the string, and justice bends the arrow at your heart, and strains the bow; and it is nothing but the mere pleasure of God, and that of an angry God, without any promise or obligation at all, that keeps the arrow one moment from being made drunk with your blood.

— J. Edwards

The great drama of a nation's politics, and the most mighty changes in the history and character of mankind, may hinge on circumstances of the most trivial nature. One of the most remarkable instances of this sort is found in the history of Mohammed. When his pursuers followed hard upon him to take his life, they were turned away from the mouth of the cave in which he had the moment before taken shelter, by the flight of a bird from one of the shrubs that grew at its entry! For they inferred that if he had recently passed that way, the bird must previously have been frightened away, and would not now have made its appearance. It is a striking remark of the historian, that this bird, by its flight on this occasion, changed the destiny of the world—instrumental as it was in perpetuating the life of the false Prophet, and with him the reign of that superstition which to this day hath a wider ascendancy over ourspecies than Christianity itself. Such are the links and concatenations of all history. It is well that God has the management, and that what to man is chaos, in the hands of God is a sure and unerring mechanism.

A Frenchman who doubted the dispensation of Providence in the world, one day visited a ribbon factory. His attention was attracted by a marvelous piece of machinery. Countless wheels and thousands of threads were twirling in all directions, but he could understand nothing of its movements. He was informed that all this motion was connected with the center, where there was a chest which was kept shut. Eager to understand the principle of the machine, he asked permission to see the interior. “The master has the key,” was the reply. The words were like a flash of light. Here was the answer to doubt and unbelief. Yes, “Master has the key.” He governs and directs all.

Men for high positions are not always chosen because of previous preeminence, but frequently through circumstances of situations or from expediency:

There are Presidential candidates and aspirants who have an erroneous idea of the candidacy, similar to that of many persons on the subject of wines and cigars, who consider the oldest as the best; while the real connoisseur knows perfectly well that such commodities are not permitted to exceed a certain age without losing rather than gaining in quality. Some keep their Presidential aspirations constantly before the people--as, for instance, Blaine and Sherman for several years. Others get up a drumming and fifing as soon as the year for the nomination comes on? If most of these people would poke their noses a little into the political history of this country, they would find that for a generation or more we have had no President whose reputation and “boom” was two years older than the hour of his election. When the Democrats nominated James K. Polk as their candidate, the politicians, surprized and disillusioned, inquired, “Who is James K. Polk?” The name of the Whig President, Zachary Taylor, was famous scarcely one year before the election. Pierce and Buchanan were absolutely less known than their rivals, Marcy and Cass, and before Lincoln’s nomination there was nowhere any talk about him; every one was thinking of Seward. Who, in 1862, would have prophesied that U. S. Grant would one day become General-in-chief and President of the Republic? Such an individual would have been regarded as fit subject of a lunatic asylum. Hayes owed his nomination to his hard-won victory of the year previous over the Democrat, Allen, in the gubernatorial campaign in Ohio; and no one had thought of Garfield two days before his nomination.--_Der Deutsche Correspondent._

A minister esteemed it his religious duty to visit an extreme frontier settlement to preach. To reach that settlement he had to pass through a wilderness infested with hostile Indians. When about to start on one of these journeys, he took his rifle from its rack and was about to depart with it on his shoulder when his good wife said to him: “My dear husband, why do you carry that great, heavy rifle on these long journeys? Don’t you know that the time and manner of your taking off has been decreed from the beginning of time, and that rifle can not vary the decree one hair’s breadth?” “That is true, my dear wife, and I don’t take my rifle to vary, but to execute the decree. What if I should meet an Indian whose time had come according to the decree and I didn’t have my rifle?”

— HENRY C. CALDWELL

In “Famous Stories of Sam P. Jones” may be found this bit of wisdom:

A well-trained musician sits down to a piano and sweeps his fingers over the keys. A cloud gathers on his face as he recognizes a discord in the instrument. What is the matter? Three of the keys are out of harmony. These three keys that are out of harmony are out of harmony with everything in the universe that is in harmony. I say to that musician, “Close up that piano and let it alone until it puts itself in harmony.” He replies, “It is impossible for the piano to put itself in harmony.” “Who can put it in harmony?” I ask. He replies, “The man who made the instrument. The instrument is put into the hands of the man who made it, and in a few hours every key on the piano is in harmony, and the piano being in harmony with itself is in harmony with everything else in the universe.”

God alone can put discordant souls into harmony.

One of the blest effects of the flight of time is that old animosities are forgotten and the nobler things of reconciliation and peace are seen. An instance of this lately occurred in the South:

A group of gentlemen, soldiers of the present and the past, were gathered upon an historic Southern battle-field, Missionary Ridge. They stopt to read the inscription upon a tablet, simple and unpretentious, which marked the position of a Confederate battery. This tablet bore the name of “Luke E. Wright, Second Lieutenant.” Luke E. Wright, Secretary of War of the United States of America, surrounded by his officers and friends, paused a moment to read again this chapter from his youth. A distinguished general of the regular army laid his hand affectionately upon the shoulder of General Wright and remarked: “General, how queerly things turn out! Who could have foreseen that the boy in gray, who served his guns upon this spot, would one day be my chief, at the head of the Army of the United States?”

A moral reason for the survival of the fittest is given by Walton W. Battershall in the _Critic_:

The weak give way that stronger may have room For sovereign brain and soul to quell the brute. Thus, in the epic of this earth, harsh rhythms Are woven, that break the triumph song with moans And death-cries. Still rolls the eternal song, Setting God’s theme to grander, sweeter notes, For us to strike; fighting old savageries That linger in the twilights of the dawn.(Text.)