Thou canst do all things
William MacDonald teaches that God's sovereign purposes cannot be thwarted by human actions, illustrating how God's plans prevail despite opposition and evil.
In this sermon, William MacDonald explores the unshakable sovereignty of God, demonstrating through biblical examples how God's purposes prevail despite human opposition and evil. He encourages believers to trust in God's divine providence, even in the face of trials and apparent setbacks. Using stories from Scripture and a vivid illustration, MacDonald reveals the comforting truth that God's plans cannot be thwarted and that He is always working for the ultimate good.
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“I know that Thou canst do all things, and that no purpose of Thine can be thwarted.” Job 42:2 NASB)
No purpose of God can be thwarted. Man may have his wickedness, but God has His way. Man may have a lot to say, but God will have the last word. Solomon reminds us that “there is no wisdom or counsel against the Lord” (Prov. 21:30). And Jeremiah adds his testimony that “every purpose of the Lord shall be performed” (Jer. 51:29).
Joseph’s brothers decided to get rid of him by selling him to a band of Midianites. But all they succeeded in doing was accomplishing the will of God. The Midianites provided free transportation for Joseph to Egypt where he rose to be Prime Minister and the savior of his people.
When the man who was born blind received his sight and trusted the Savior, the Jews excommunicated him from the synagogue. Was it a great victory for them? No, Jesus would have led him out anyway because the Good Shepherd “calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out” (John 10:3 NASB). So they merely saved Jesus the effort of doing it.
Men’s wickedness reached its Everest when they took the Lord Jesus and, nailing Him to a cross, put Him to death. But Peter reminded them that He was delivered up by “the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God” (Acts 2:23). God overruled man’s gargantuan crime by raising Christ up to be Lord and Savior.
Donald Gray Barnhouse told the story of a wealthy landowner who had beautiful trees on his estate. “But he had a bitter enemy who said, ‘I will cut down one of his trees; that will hurt him.’ In the dark of the night the enemy slipped over the fence and went to the most beautiful of the trees, and with saws and axes he began to work. In the first light of morning he saw in the distance two men coming over the hill on horseback, and recognized one of them as the owner of the estate. Hurriedly he pushed the wedges out and let the tree fall; but one of the branches caught him and pinned him to the ground, injuring him so badly that he died. Before he died, he screeched out, ‘Well, I have cut down your beautiful tree,’ and the estate owner looked at him with pity and said, “This is the architect I have brought with me. We had planned to build a house, and it was necessary to cut down one tree to make room for the house; and it is the one you have been working at all night.’”
Sermon Outline
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I. The Infallibility of God's Purpose
- No human plan can thwart God's will
- Scriptural affirmations of God's sovereign control
- Examples from Job, Proverbs, and Jeremiah
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II. Biblical Examples of God's Sovereignty
- Joseph's brothers' evil plan fulfilled God's good purpose
- The man born blind's healing and rejection
- Jesus' crucifixion as part of God's predetermined plan
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III. The Overruling Power of God in Adversity
- God's ultimate victory over human wickedness
- The story of the landowner and the tree illustrating divine providence
- Encouragement to trust God's plan amid trials
Key Quotes
“I know that Thou canst do all things, and that no purpose of Thine can be thwarted.” — William MacDonald
“Man may have a lot to say, but God will have the last word.” — William MacDonald
“God overruled man’s gargantuan crime by raising Christ up to be Lord and Savior.” — William MacDonald
Application Points
- Trust in God's sovereign control even when circumstances seem difficult or confusing.
- Remember that God can use adverse situations for His greater purpose and your good.
- Hold fast to faith knowing that no human opposition can ultimately defeat God's plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that no purpose of God can be thwarted?
It means that God's sovereign will will ultimately be accomplished regardless of human opposition or evil intentions.
How does the story of Joseph illustrate God's sovereignty?
Though Joseph's brothers intended harm by selling him, God used that event to position Joseph to save many lives, showing God's control over circumstances.
Why was the man born blind excommunicated after being healed?
The religious leaders rejected him because his healing challenged their beliefs, but Jesus, the Good Shepherd, still claimed and led him.
How does the story of the landowner and the tree relate to God's plan?
It illustrates that what appears as harm or loss may actually be part of God's greater design and purpose.
What encouragement does this sermon offer to believers facing trials?
Believers are encouraged to trust that God is sovereign and working all things for good, even when circumstances seem adverse.