Here are my notes from Bruce Ware's message this morning at the Children Desiring God conference. The audio will be posted next week, Lord willing.

“There is None Besides Me”: Biblical Foundations for the Centrality of God

There are three themes from Isaiah 40-46 that demonstrate that God is exclusively and incomparably God.

1) God as Creator (Isaiah 40:18-26)

Implications:

  • As Creator of all, God is independent of all that he has made. He doesn't need the world or you or me. His creation adds nothing to him. We cannot make God better or enrich his life. He is the Provider, we are the needy recipients.
  • As Creator, God is rightful owner of all that he has made.

Application:

If we understand this rightly we should fall before God with a deep sense of humility and dependence before him. This is how to fight pride: by remembering the greatness, supremacy, and all-sufficient fullness of who God is. We have nothing we we can claim as our own that we have rights over or can take credit for.

2) God as Redeemer (Isaiah 43:1-13)

Implications:

  • As Redeemer, God is rightful owner of his people. This was an implication of him being Creator. It's also an implication of him being Redeemer. Those redeemed by him are twice his people. They are doubly owned.
  • As Redeemer, God demonstrates his selecting and particular love for his people. There is a lavish display of his goodness that God reserves for those whom he chooses with his electing love, though they are no more deserving of it than others.

Application:

This should make us respond with trust and confidence in God. He is for us. Can you believe it? We not only owe him our allegiance because he created us. We also owe it to him because of his great redeeming love for us. And we ought to gladly give it!

3) God as Sovereign Ruler over Good and Evil (Isaiah 44:24-45:7)

Implications:

  • As Sovereign Ruler, God reigns over nature and nations. God not only makes everything; he also controls what they do. Whether sudden catastrophes or the installation of kings, all is in total control.
  • As Sovereign Ruler, God rules over good and evil. We are usually OK with affirming the first. But Scripture is clear: he has absolute control over evil too. But just because God controls both good and evil doesn't mean that he is both good and evil (see Psalm 5:4; 1 John 1:5). God is good and wise in regulating everything that happens, even evil.

Application:

This truth should cause us to respond to God with hope and strength. Because everything is ordained by a wise and loving God, we can remain hopeful and strong in the midst of suffering.

Topic: The Glory of God