Is God in Control?

Week 8 –God’s Power Over Nature

God’s power over nature

“I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting

station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we

will only tune in.”

George Washington Carver1864-1943

Agenda

• God’s power over nature• God’s purposes for nature• How do we respond?

God’s power over nature

• God created everything– Psalms 33:6-9

• God’s direct intervention over nature– Plagues of Egypt (Ex 7-11)– Great wind (Jon 1:4)– Star reveals time of place of

Jesus’ birth (Matt 2:1-2)– “Great day of His wrath”

(Rev 6:12-17)

God’s power over nature

• Disabilities– Ex 4:11; John 9:1-3

• Childlessness – Gen 18:9-14; Gen 29:31; 1 Sam

1:5; Jud 13:3; Luke 1:7,13

God’s purposes for nature

• Reveals God’s invisible attributes (Rom 1:18-20)

• Illustrates the uncertainty of life (Jam 4:14; Psa 90:12)

• Shows our dependence on God (Matt 6:11)• Fosters love between people (Jn 15:13; Matt

25:31-40)

God’s purposes for nature

• Punishes sinners– Flood (Gen 6:9-8:22)– Fire and Brimstone

(Gen 19:12-29)– Disease (Num 12)– Drought (Deut 11:16-17)

DISCUSSION: Do you think God uses these things to punish sinners today?

How do we respond?

• DISCUSSION: Is it sinful for us to complain about the weather?

• DISCUSSION: What comfort can we take in Lam 3:31-36 in regards to God allowing grief and affliction in our lives?

• Acknowledge we don’t always understand (1 Cor 1:25)