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Preparing for the Sermon - Ephesians 1, Psalm 115, Psalm 139

July 25, 2023 by Dalton Vansell Preparing for Sunday
Living in Light of God
PREPARE YOUR HEART FOR THE SERMON BY LOOKING THROUGH THESE SUGGESTIONS THAT WILL ASSIST YOU IN MAKING THE MOST OF OUR TIME TOGETHER HEARING GOD'S WORD.

You will find suggestions for thinking more critically through the passage, meditating more intently on the text, and prayerfully seeking wisdom to deepen your understanding of the passage to be preached this Sunday.

Carefully Think

  • What comes to mind when you think about God’s sovereignty? Assess why this is what you think about? How has what the Bible says impacted the way you think about God’s sovereignty? What passages have informed your understanding of God’s sovereignty?

  • Read Ephesians 1:3-14. Who is the one acting independently, according to his own will and purposes in this passage? What is the sphere of action this section is discussing? How does this section impact your understanding of God’s sovereignty?

  • Focus in on the second part of Eph 1:11 describing God, “who works all things after the counsel of His will.” What is this describing about God? How does this contribute to your understanding of God’s sovereignty?

  • Read Psalm 115:3. What does this verse ascribe to God? According to this verse, does anything limit God? Does anything limit his control? Does anything limit his will? How does this verse shape how you view God’s sovereignty?

  • Read Psalm 139:13-18. What details of life are under God’s control according to these verses? Pay careful attention to the second part of v. 16, “And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them.” What happens to us that is not planned by God according to this verse? How does this passage shape your thinking about God’s sovereignty?

Prayerfully Meditate

  • Consider what you have been taught in the past about God’s sovereignty. Does it align with what these passages teach about God’s sovereignty? What reservations do you have with ascribing to God total and complete sovereignty as these passages of the Bible do? Where do those reservations come from since they conflict with what these passages clearly teach?

  • Consider again the truth of Eph 1:11, Ps 115:3, and Ps 139:16. Meditate upon who God is as he has revealed himself in these verses. Consider your response to what these verses teach.

  • What other passages of Scripture come to mind when thinking about God’s sovereignty? Consider doing a broader study of what the Bible says about God’s sovereignty.