I Chronicles 16:31
Chuck Smith's sermon emphasizes the evidence of God's reign in creation and addresses the question of calamities in light of His sovereignty.
Chuck Smith emphasizes the sovereignty of God in his sermon 'The Lord Reigneth,' illustrating the evidence of His reign through the universe, nature, and the intricate designs of creation. He addresses the question of why calamities exist if God reigns, attributing the world's ills to humanity's rebellion against God's authority. Smith reassures believers that despite the chaos, God is still in control, and His reign brings comfort and peace in our lives. He encourages personal acknowledgment of God's rule, which leads to a life of joy and assurance.
Text
"THE LORD REIGNETH"
I. EVIDENCES OF HIS REIGN.
A. In the Universe - "Let the heavens be glad."
1. The stars in their perfect orbits.
2. The sun as the heat and energy source.
a. Earth could only survive 3 days.
b. One square mile of Arizona desert receives
enough solar energy in 1 hr. to run all of our
industries for a year.
3. In the atom.
B. In the delicate balances of nature - "Let the earth rejoice."
1. The oxygen - carbon dioxide balance.
2. The oxygen content in the air -79 nitro
3. The water-land ratio - 2l oxyg
C. In the beautiful designs of creation.
1. We are fearfully and wonderfully made.
a. The heart and blood stream.
b. The brain and nervous system.
2. I was watching some black ants the other day.
a. I marveled when I considered how small their
brains must be.
3. I was listening to a mockingbird this morning
rehearsing his rarity of calls "The Lord reigneth"
II. IF THE LORD IS REIGNING, THEN WHY ALL THE CALAMITIES?
A. Why do we have wars?
1. Bodies being maimed
2. People being killed - families sorrowing
B. Why do we have riots?
1. civil disobedience and confusion.
C. Why so many people hungry while others are over-fed?
D. Why sickness, aging process and death?
E. Why are some babies born with deformities?
F. Man has attempted to usurp God's authority.
1. The earth's ills are the result of man's rebellion
to God's will.
a. Even death and aging process the result of sin.
b. This planet has been in rebellion against God.
1. God has allowed this rebellion.
a. He could have stopped it at the
beginning.
b. He has used it to display His
love.
c. He is using it now to wake
people up - "O God reign."
2. The rebellion is about over.
III. "THE LORD REIGNETH."
A. How glorious when this can be declared on a personal level.
1. I reigned for a long time.
a. Exhalted my wisdom against God's.
b. Things get so messed up - you can't believe.
B. How comforting.
1. God is ruling now over my life. "All things are working
together for good."
2. Should some calamity befall, "The Lord reigneth."
3. The place of peace-joy-rest-comfort.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - '{''A'': ''In the Universe - ''Let the heavens be glad.'''', ''B'': ''In the delicate balances of nature - ''Let the earth rejoice.'''', ''C'': ''In the beautiful designs of creation.''}' - EVIDENCES OF HIS REIGN
- II points: - '{''A'': ''Why do we have wars?'', ''B'': ''Why do we have riots?'', ''C'': ''Why so many people hungry while others are over-fed?'', ''D'': ''Why sickness, aging process and death?'', ''E'': ''Why are some babies born with deformities?'', ''F'': ''Man has attempted to usurp God''s authority.''}' - IF THE LORD IS REIGNING, THEN WHY ALL THE CALAMITIES?
- III points: - '{''A'': ''How glorious when this can be declared on a personal level.'', ''B'': ''How comforting.''}' - '''THE LORD REIGNETH.'''
Key Quotes
“The Lord reigneth.” — Chuck Smith
“All things are working together for good.” — Chuck Smith
“Even death and aging process the result of sin.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- Recognize God's authority in every aspect of life to find peace.
- Understand that calamities are often a result of human rebellion against God.
- Embrace the comfort that comes from declaring 'The Lord reigneth' in personal circumstances.