Grapevine Ministries
Messages from the bible to uplift and encourage those that need a word from the Lord, to strengthen their faith. Ps Phillip Barker is an itinerant pastor in Perth, Western Australia.
Grapevine Ministries
Understanding God’s Sovereignty And Your Daily Life
What if the most life-changing work God is doing in you isn’t loud, viral, or obvious? We open the door on sovereignty not as a distant doctrine but as a daily comfort that reshapes motives, quiets hurry, and steadies courage when plans go sideways. Instead of chasing a “big move,” we look for the subtle turns—providences that appear small yet redirect an entire week, a decision, even a life.
We walk through four pillars that make sovereignty practical: God’s supreme authority over all things, his perfect wisdom guiding every season, his unthwartable plans that hold when ours fail, and his purposeful action that folds even hard chapters into redemptive ends. Along the way, we challenge the transactional logic most of us inherit—nothing for free, grind or be left behind—and counter it with grace anchored in Scripture. You’ll hear why podcasts and books can help, but time in prayer and the Bible remains the incorruptible source that calibrates sight and softens motives.
To ground it, we revisit Stonewall Jackson’s battlefield calm—“as safe in battle as in bed”—not to glorify war, but to show how deep trust in God’s timing can produce uncommon steadiness. That kind of courage is available off the battlefield too: in hospital rooms, board meetings, school runs, and quiet decisions no one applauds. We finish by sketching God’s “resume”: eternal before mountains, creator of all things visible and invisible, Lord over beginnings and endings. When that picture becomes more than theory, control gives way to peace, anxiety loosens its grip, and obedience feels lighter. If you’re ready to trade exhaustion for trust and learn to spot the quiet fingerprints of God throughout your day, press play, share it with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review so more listeners can find this conversation.
Good morning, good afternoon, wherever you are in the world - Welcome to Grapevine Ministries.
Here we are again, and we are talking about God's benefit package. But this is well, theoretically, it's the final part. It's part eight. And uh we are talking about God's sovereignty. Now, just want to give you a little bit of a review um, you know, about God's package, and I want to highlight the the benefits of this, and I think sometimes a lot of people don't realize just how easy it is for them to call on the name of the Lord. See, we've got to actually believe in the now moments. You know, God is all about now, He's talking about you know, you don't have to um, you know, it's not like you're going to university and you've got to do an entrance exam and you've got to pass so many things. No, he's ready for you right here and right now, okay? And always remember, uh, irrespective of what you're doing, whether it's prayer, whether it's intercession, whether you're just asking him for something or or wanting him to, you know, let you know that there's something that you can do. And so what you do is you need to know that it's God's perfect timing. And we've got to trust his plan, not our plan, not what we're wanting to do, it's his plan. His plan and purpose is more important than ours ever will be, and that's because of God's power and love, okay? And your motives matter. What is your motivation for spending time in his word or time in in you know prayer? So your motives do matter, and you have the power of gratitude. I mean, there's always time for thanksgiving with the Lord, we've always got to be aware of that, and then understanding that doubt kills. That's number seven, and then we go into number eight, which is today's message, and hopefully, we'll get through this in one sitting, but there's so much to get through. I I just I am just blown away by how many times we can sit in God's word and get new revelation about stuff all the time. It's not like um reading a book or watching a movie, and you go, Oh, yeah, I've seen this before, and you remember certain bits of it, but then other bits you don't. But with God's word, all the time, it's new and it's fresh, and it's what we need to be aware of. So, enough of the review and everything else. Let's just get into the word of God, and we're today we're going to be talking about God's sovereignty. See, we need to be aware that God's working behind the scenes all the time, He's orchestrating events in both mine and your lives in a way many of us will never see. Sometimes you don't see or recognize the things that God has done for you because you're looking for the the big bang or the big, you know, massive move of God in your life. And and you know, sometimes I I get a bit frustrated when everybody's talking revival, revival, and let's uh let's see a move of God and all this sort of stuff. And you know, it's not necessary for him to do big bang theories all the time. Sometimes it's the little things that have just as big an impact in our lives. So don't be dismayed by hearing someone's testimony or what God's done in their life and everything. But even with me, when I was in the wheelchair and God raised me out of the wheelchair, I thought that was a huge thing. But then when I've listened to other people's testimonies and some of the stuff that they've had to walk through to get to where they are, I think, wow, mine's not really that big a deal, really. He just healed me, you know, something that we know that he does because he's the same today, yesterday, and forever. So I'm not reiterating this, but I know this is the final part of God's benefit package, which focuses on God's sovereignty, which is all about biblical truth that God is the supreme, all-powerful ruler over all creation, history, and every aspect of life. And I'm not just talking our lives, everything that is a living entity is all to do with God's sovereignty and what he's done. The key themes include God's complete control and authority, his infallible wisdom guiding events, his plans being unthinkingly worthy of us to receive. This is mainly because we think worldly in the natural, and God thinks spiritual, kingdom-minded. We've got to start looking at things from his perspective rather than ours. And I know it's very, very hard because from a young age we are taught you know holistically the things of the earth and and the way the world works. You know, you don't get something without giving something. Uh, nobody does anything for free, you know, all of these types of um basically worldly f philosophies, you know, everything comes at a cost, right? But Jesus paid the ultimate cost, and that's what we've got to focus on. We've got to understand this. The more time we spend in his word, we get a greater revelation knowledge of what he has really done, the cost of what Jesus did at the cross for us, so we can live the life that we choose. Very few people are born and raised in a Christian family and are taught Christian principles from day one. Most people, okay, are brought up in a worldly perspective and they're taught the things of the world, you know. And so I'm not saying that's bad, but in some aspects, it gives us a bit of a handicap. See, knowing God's ultimate purpose for his own glory and the salvation of his people is vitally important. This podcast will also address the comfort found in God's good and righteous sovereignty while acknowledging the intertwined yet distinct truths of God's rule and human responsibility. See, you know, we're all subject to a higher authority. It doesn't matter whether you're a child and you're the higher authority is your parents. Uh, when you get a little older and you go to school, that's the higher authority in your life because of your lack of knowledge or lack of understanding at that stage. And as we go through life, there is always something, somebody that has a higher authority than what you do. And even when you get to that position of authority and say, let's hypothetically say you become the CEO of a of a massive worldwide company, there's still a higher authority that you need to abide by, and that's things like taxation law, criminal law, you know, corporate law, all of these things. There's always something that has a higher authority, just like gravity. Okay, you jump off a building, you're gonna fall and go splat on the ground because there is a higher authority there, right? And I don't want to get drawn into that too much because you know, you know me, I can go down the rabbit hole a bit, and all of a sudden I get lost and uh I forget my notes, and before you know it, we're off on a tangent, but it's still all about God's biblical truth. So, first thing is to know that there are several core concepts in relation to God's sovereignty, and without these four concepts, it would be very difficult for most readers or listeners of the word to grasp the Rama, Rama knowledge of what that is found within it. Now, I'm not saying these are the be all and the end all, it's just when I've done my research and I've and I've been preparing for this, sometimes God's revealed things to me, and other times I've had to go find them. Okay. But looking at these core principles, number one is the supreme authority. God has absolute authority and control over everything the universe, the governments, the lives of individuals, and even the smallest details like the fall of a sparrow or the growth of a plant. He has supreme authority. Number two, perfect wisdom and knowledge. See, his sovereignty is not random or whimsical, but it's guided by his infinite wisdom, justice, and mercy, a concept that is highlighted in Romans eleven thirty three, which says this, O the depths of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God, how unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable is his ways, and it is also found in Isaiah thirty eighteen, which says this therefore the Lord will wait, and he may be gracious to you, and therefore he will be exalted, that he may have mercy on you, for the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are those who wait on him. You see, everything you need to know about God and his benefits and his plans for you are found within his word, the Bible. Now, look, don't get me wrong, listening to podcasts and listening to online sermons have their benefits the same way reading Christian books uh benefit our spiritual growth. In saying that, nothing has more benefit than actually spending time in prayer and in his word because that is um uncorruptible, right? It's totally incorruptible, his word. You've got to always put things in their perspective, all right? And number three, unworthable plans. I don't even know whether that's really a word, but what it means is nothing can hinder or disrupt disrupt God's plan. His purpose will always stand, and he is never helpless or uncertain about his next move. See, he knows the beginning from the end, he's the Alpha and the Omega, beginning and the end. He we go over, not under, he's above and not beneath. See, God's already set the plan in motion, but in saying that we have the ability to influence um his not necessarily his plan, his overall plan, but we have the ability to to uh influence the way that he looks at things because you know we've got to be after God's own heart. So he he's after our heart. Now finally, but by no means least, number four is purposeful action. See, God's actions, even those perceived as evil by humans, things like the Great Flood, or like Joseph's brothers betraying him, uh, are used by him for a greater good to accomplish his redemptive purpose and to save many lives as shown in the story of David. But let's not get bogged down and talking about David. If you don't know about sorry, not David, Joseph. David's another one. But if you want to know more about Joseph's, just send me a an email or just you know, like a comment or something, and uh we can do a story on that if you need some in-depth understanding of that, if that's where you're looking at. Now, most people that I know, and they will tell you that I'm a bit of a history um military history buff. So this is a small portion of that knowledge. I'm just gonna give you an example of how things are perceived by others by something that is, you know, God's plan in action. Now, cast your your mind back if you um have ever done um your military history or if you're an American, it's mandatory, this sort of teaching. Uh, but there's a scene in the Civil War motion picture called Gods and Generals, and that's what I'm focused on right now, to explain as an example, okay, this in you know, proper perspective. Yes, and before you say it, I have read the book as well as watched the movie. You know, I'm more of a movie person than I am a book person, but over years that has changed, and I'm a little bit more mature and I don't mind a good read. But this movie follows the rise and the fall of a Civil War hero called General Thomas Jackson, and it is uh he does not try to hide his Christianity, his faith. Now, even though he was on the losing side, listen to what actually happens. Oh, and just a side note for those that really do know me, and Paul will be a classic example. I know he listens to my messages uh from Perth. Um, Paul, I'm currently in Victoria visiting family, so um, yes, the weather's not as nice here as it is at Perth, but I digress. Now, I could always be talking about the movie Zulu because I've seen that movie 14 times and I read the book three times. So maybe next time. Uh no, no, just joking. We'll go back to you know General Jackson. But what's actually happening, that particular movie was used as a tool and a training tool for military personnel to understand, you know, that nothing is impossible, right? And maybe I can put a little bit of that in into another message where I think it's appropriate. But let's get back to Colonel Thomas Jackson. Now, his dependence on God is shown time and time again, but never more strikingly than in the early mornings of July the 21st, 1861. Now, this is prior to the first battle of Bull Run. Yes, there was more than one battle at Bull Run, okay? As the glimmers of dawn break forth, Jackson calls out to God asking for his will to be done. Now, that there is very important as we move forward. So listen to it very carefully. Almost immediately, things did not go well for the outnumbered Confederates. See? Now, here you see straight away, you know, Jackson has been praying to God and asking for his will to be done, and all of a sudden, straight away, things go pear-shaped for the Confederates. Union forces quickly overpowered them. The Confederate lines broke, and all-out retreat started to happen. Several Confederate brigades ran to the next line of reinforcements, which was held by Jackson's brigade. Now, this is where it gets interesting. Okay, they've just had their butt kicked and they're in full retreat, and the Union forces are just mowing down anybody that's in their way. Morale was all but gone as the retreating soldiers swarmed Jackson's position with the Union army right on the hills. But then someone yelled over the deafening sounds of the battle of the men, telling them to look at Jackson, right? At that moment, General Jackson was sitting erect in his saddle with cannon fire exploding all around him. His left hand had been wounded by a musket ball, but nevertheless, he did not flinch. Word spread amongst the men. Look at Jackson standing like a stonewall. And they said Stonewall Jackson, as he would be known from that day on, paced his horse back and forth across the hazardous front line. He was shouting orders, charge, as the musket balls pierced the air. His stunning bravery stirred the men to valor, and they turned to face advancing Union forces with a new resolve. At the end of the day, General Jackson returned to the battlefield to survey the losses. 111 Confederates were dead, 373 were missing. Weary and sad, Jackson knelt beside a dead soldier, and it was then that one of his captains asked him, General, how is it that you can keep so surreal and stay so utterly insensible with a storm of shells and bullets around your head? And this is what Jackson replied, right? This is quoting, you know, General Jackson. He said, Captain Smith, my religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed his time for my death. I do not concern myself with that, but to be always ready whenever it may overtake me. If this was the way all men live, then all men would be equally brave, cited by Ronald, you know, Maxwell. And uh he he did the whole story of this in preachingtoday.com if you want to check it out. Now, Stonewall Jackson had was declared his belief that God ruled over the details of his life, even the flight of bullets and shrapnel. So his bravery was about based on his belief that, as A. W. Pink wrote, God is God in fact, as well as in name, that he is on the throne of the universe directing all things, working all things according to the counsel of his own will. That's Ephesians 1 11. And my wife loves Ephesians 1 11 because you know she's into her 1-1-1s. But A. W. Pink, you know, says this the in the attributes of God on page 40, if you ever want to, you know, look this up, basically what General Jackson told his captain is I am invincible until God is through with me. See, today I want to turn to the the flawless diamond of truth about God to examine this facet of his glory. And our focus on this is on the aspect that God that sets him apart from and above all other rivals. So, in saying that, let us explore together the sovereignty of God and the difference that believing in God who is in control makes our life and our work hard, barely hanging on into our daily lives. We need to realize the authority and the power that God has over everything. And the one thing I like about this is because if you look at this from a Christian perspective, or should I say a religious perspective, because everybody talks about a re religion, but religion is man's word, okay? I'm a Christian, I'm a follower of Christ, I'm not religious. But the one thing I will say about any belief structure that is out there, irrespective of what they're called, whether they're Muslims, whether they're Jehovah's, whether they're born again, Seven-day Adventists, Baptists, Catholic, Protestants, you name it, there are so many different religious bases. The one shining factor out of all of these is they believe in God or they believe in a higher power, uh, something that is above them, that is dictating or controlling the universe, which is a good place to start. Right? Let's look at it from this perspective, okay? Everybody should understand this. Uh, God's resume. This is what God's all about, okay? He existed before anything else. Now, Psalm 90 uh 2 says this before the mountains were born, before they gave birth to the earth and the world, from eternity to eternity, you are God. Also, it says in 1 Timothy 616, it tells us that God is the only one who has immortality. Eternity trumps you know finiteness and time itself. Okay, infinity. He trumps that because he always did exist. Now it goes a little further. This is one thing a lot of people have a stumbling block with. He created all things. All things. John 1 3 says this all things were created through him, and apart from him, not one thing was created that has been created. Colossians 1 16 says this, because by him everything was created in heaven and on earth. The visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities, all things have been created through him. And for him, Job coped an attitude with God over the crushing blow he was enduring, only to be reminded that God knows the score in the game of life because he created the game, the field, the ball, the bat, every player. It's all about him. Now, what I'm gonna do is I'm gonna finish this here, but don't worry about it. I'll continue with God's resume uh next week. Uh, I just want to make sure that I get all of this in. I don't want to deprive anybody of anything, but I want to give you so much information that you can actually have something to get your teeth into and a real understanding of God's benefits plan. You know, it's his benefits for us. All right. Talk to you soon. Bye for now.
