The Good News of God’s Rule over Sin
John Piper teaches that God's sovereign rule over sinful human actions, including the crucifixion of Jesus, is the foundation of the gospel and salvation.
This sermon emphasizes the profound connection between the life of Joseph and the life of Jesus, highlighting the importance of recognizing God's sovereignty over the sinful actions of men. It challenges the notion of rejecting God's control over human actions, as it ultimately leads to rejecting the saving work of God in Jesus, as seen in the crucifixion. The message stresses that the gospel of salvation was accomplished through the evil acts of sinful men, showcasing the intentional plan of God for our redemption.
Full Transcript
So let me end with the experience of Jesus, which is vastly more important than mine. I think the life of Joseph is the life of Jesus or the life of Jesus is the life of Joseph in a very profound sense. Let me tell you why this is important for me to say right now as we close.
UBSF leaders are going to discover that there are thousands of people around the world who do not want to hear what I have just said. They don't like it. They don't want to believe that God governs the actions of sinful men, like the brothers, jealousy and hatred.
God governs the actions of sinful men. They're not going to want to hear this, that the Bible teaches that the sinful selling of Joseph into slavery was the sending by God of Joseph into saving work. So what you're going to need to show them to help them, because not everybody submits to the Bible, you're going to have to help them see that if they follow the logic of rejecting the sovereignty of God over the sinful actions of humans, they are going to reject the saving work of God in Jesus.
That's what you have to show them. That's pretty serious. They're not going to want to go there, probably.
That's true, you know. If God does not, cannot govern the sinful actions of people in crucifying his son, there is no gospel. Let me read you the key text.
This is Acts chapter 4, verses 27 to 28. The saints are praying. Truly in this city, Jerusalem, they were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, Herod, Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.
Herod's mockery, the purple robe, Pilate's cowing to the crowds, Gentile soldiers pushing a crown of thorns down on Jesus' head and smacking him and mocking him, the crowds crying, crucifying, crucifying, all of it doing what God had planned and predestined for your salvation. The gospel of our salvation was accomplished through the evil of sinful men as they killed the Son of God. Random evil saves nobody.
Are you with me? Sinful men killed Jesus and they killed Jesus. Random evil saves nobody. This was not random.
700 years before Isaiah, 700 years before Jesus, Isaiah said, it was the will of the Lord to crush him. He has put him to grief. Isaiah 53 verse 10.
This is not random evil. This is planned.
Sermon Outline
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I
- The parallel between the lives of Joseph and Jesus
- God's governance over sinful human actions
- The challenge of accepting God's sovereignty
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II
- The sinful selling of Joseph as part of God's saving plan
- The necessity of God's control over sin for the gospel
- The rejection of God's sovereignty leads to rejecting salvation
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III
- The prayer of the saints in Acts 4 affirming God's plan
- The crucifixion as a predestined act for salvation
- Sinful actions are not random but part of God's purpose
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IV
- Isaiah's prophecy of the suffering servant
- The will of the Lord to crush Jesus for our salvation
- The gospel accomplished through planned suffering
Key Quotes
“God governs the actions of sinful men.” — John Piper
“Random evil saves nobody.” — John Piper
“The gospel of our salvation was accomplished through the evil of sinful men as they killed the Son of God.” — John Piper
Application Points
- Trust in God's sovereign plan even when faced with suffering caused by sin.
- Recognize that Jesus' death was purposeful and central to salvation.
- Share the gospel boldly, knowing God's control over all events.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is God's sovereignty over sin important?
Because without God's control over sinful actions, the gospel and salvation through Jesus' death would be meaningless.
How does the story of Joseph relate to Jesus?
Both experienced suffering caused by others' sin, but God used those events to accomplish a greater saving purpose.
What does Acts 4:27-28 teach about Jesus' crucifixion?
It shows that the crucifixion was predestined by God and part of His divine plan for salvation.
Is the evil done to Jesus random?
No, it was planned by God as part of His will to bring salvation to humanity.
How should believers respond to the sovereignty of God over sin?
They should trust God's purpose even in suffering and proclaim the gospel confidently.