Doctrines of Grace: God's control and our control
A Biblical Review of Sean Myers’s Sermon on God’s Control and Our Control
Introduction
Purpose: This analysis evaluates Sean Myers’s sermon with a Berean mindset (Acts 17:11), testing its scriptural accuracy, logical coherence, and theological integrity against the Hebrew Scriptures (Tanakh) and New Testament, from a Biblical perspective that sees Yeshua as the promised Messiah fulfilling God’s covenants with Israel and the nations.
Details: Delivered on an unspecified Sunday in August (assumed 2024, based on context clues like planning for 2022 and the current date prior to March 09, 2025), by Sean Myers at Pella (likely a church name), lasting approximately 56 minutes, within a teaching-focused worship service.
Theme: God’s sovereignty over all events coexists with human responsibility, framed within Reformed theology’s doctrines of sovereignty and concurrence.
1. Sermon Agenda
Goals:
Teach Reformed theology systematically over five weeks, starting with God’s sovereignty and concurrence (2:11-3:09).
Equip the congregation with tools to discern truth amid cultural issues (4:40-5:10).
Foster humility and awe at God’s control (7:30-8:20, 54:59-55:34).
Alignment with Biblical View: The emphasis on God’s sovereignty aligns with Tanakh (Isaiah 46:9-10) and Yeshua’s role (Hebrews 1:3), but the Reformed framework risks overshadowing scripture’s covenant focus with Gentile systematic theology.
Focus Summary: Myers seeks to establish God’s exhaustive control and human responsibility via Reformed doctrine, diverging from Torah’s balance of divine will and human choice.
2. Scriptural Usage and Contextual Analysis
Key Verses Cited:
Hebrews 1:3 (11:01) – “He is upholding the universe by the word of His power.”
Context: Yeshua sustains creation, rooted in Genesis 1 and Psalm 33:6, fulfilled as Messiah (Colossians 1:15-17).
Accuracy: Correctly shows Yeshua’s divine authority; “upholding” (Greek pherōn, "sustaining") is ongoing.
2 Timothy 3:4 Check: Promotes God-focus, countering self-conceit.
Depth: Meat—links creation to Yeshua’s role, requiring mature reflection.
Colossians 1:17 (12:03) – “In Him all things hold together.”
Context: Yeshua’s preeminence over creation, echoing Deuteronomy 6:4’s monotheism.
Accuracy: “Hold together” (Greek sunistēmi, "cohere") is apt, but Myers’s molecular stretch (13:02) exceeds intent.
2 Timothy 3:4 Check: Encourages awe, not pleasure-seeking.
Depth: Meat—demands grasp of Yeshua’s lordship.
Ephesians 1:11 (15:44) – “He accomplishes all things according to the counsel of His will.”
Context: God’s redemptive plan includes Gentiles (Ephesians 2-3), rooted in Isaiah 49:6.
Accuracy: “Accomplishes” (Greek energeō, "works") fits sovereignty, but Myers’s universal application (16:51) misaligns with its redemptive scope (Ephesians 1:7-10).
Correction: Isaiah 46:10 limits “all things” to God’s purpose, not every event (Ecclesiastes 9:11).
Depth: Milk—broad use lacks covenant depth.
Job 1:21 (31:05) – “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away.”
Context: Job submits to God’s will amid suffering (Ecclesiastes 7:14).
Accuracy: Shows God’s oversight, but Myers’s concurrence (30:40) overstates causation; God permits (Job 1:12), not dictates.
Correction: Genesis 50:20—God redirects, not co-causes, evil acts.
Depth: Meat—complex tension, muddled by Reformed lens.
Acts 2:23 (51:25) – “Delivered up according to the definite plan… you crucified… by lawless men.”
Context: Yeshua’s death fulfills Isaiah 53:10, executed by human sin.
Accuracy: Highlights God’s plan and human guilt, but concurrence (48:17) distorts—God uses, not co-causes, acts (Romans 6:16).
Correction: John 19:11—human responsibility stands under God’s purpose.
Depth: Meat—rich atonement truth, clouded by Reformed terms.
Conclusion: Scripture affirms God’s sovereignty and Yeshua’s role, but Myers’s Reformed determinism and concurrence distort the balance of divine will (Isaiah 46:10) and human agency (Deuteronomy 30:19).
3. Logical Soundness and Fallacies
Argument Outline:
Claim 1: God ordains all events (10:20-23:20).
Claim 2: Humans choose within God’s control (24:49-36:51).
Claim 3: Evil is foreordained yet mysterious (38:03-46:05).
Reasoning: Verses (e.g., Hebrews 1:3) show control; examples (Job, Pharaoh) suggest concurrence; evil’s tension humbles us.
Fallacies:
False Dichotomy (38:52): “If evil isn’t foreordained, God isn’t sovereign” ignores permission (1 Samuel 16:14).
Overgeneralization (16:51): Every event ordained exceeds Ephesians 1:11’s redemptive focus.
Assumptions: Reformed theology best resolves tension (25:30), neglecting Deuteronomy 30:15-20’s balance.
Conclusion: Logic holds within Reformed bounds but fails biblically due to deterministic overreach.
4. Scriptural Corrections
Ephesians 1:11 Misuse (15:44):
Error: Reformed determinism applies “all things” to every event.
Correction: Isaiah 46:10 and John 7:17 limit it to redemption, not micromanagement (Ecclesiastes 9:11).
Fix: Focus on Yeshua’s victory.
Job 1:21 Misuse (31:05):
Error: Concurrence implies God co-caused Job’s loss.
Correction: Job 1:12 and Genesis 50:20—God permits and repurposes, not dictates.
Fix: Emphasize God’s redemptive oversight.
Acts 2:23 Misuse (51:25):
Error: Concurrence suggests dual causation of Yeshua’s death.
Correction: Acts 4:27-28 and Romans 6:16—God’s plan uses human sin, not co-causes it.
Fix: Highlight human guilt, divine purpose (Isaiah 53).
5. Psychological Methods for Encouraging Giving
Tactics: None explicit; PDF offer (8:39) aids teaching, not fundraising.
Conclusion: No manipulation, aligns with Deuteronomy 16:17’s voluntary giving.
6. Calls to Action for Giving
Appeals: None for financial giving.
Conclusion: Consistent with 2 Corinthians 9:7’s cheerful giving.
7. Contradictions
Scripture vs. Claims:
Issue: God ordains every act (17:16) clashes with real choices (28:37); Deuteronomy 30:19 affirms agency.
Resolution: Joshua 24:15—choice is real, God redirects (Proverbs 16:9).
Internal Logic:
Issue: Evil foreordained (38:52) yet “makes no sense” (44:20) obscures God’s goodness.
Resolution: Habakkuk 1:13—God permits evil, not decrees it (James 1:13).
Conclusion: Reformed paradoxes undermine scriptural clarity.
8. Denominational Biases and Corrections
Reformed Theology Bias:
Evidence: Determinism (10:20), concurrence (24:55), evil foreordained (38:52).
Correction:
Sovereignty: Psalm 115:3—purposeful, not exhaustive (Deuteronomy 30:19).
Concurrence: Genesis 50:20—God repurposes, not co-causes (Proverbs 16:9).
Evil: Habakkuk 1:13—permitted, not ordained (James 1:13).
Conclusion: Reformed theology complicates scripture’s balance, corrected by Tanakh and Yeshua’s teaching.
9. Alignment with Easy Belief or Denominational Structure
Easy Belief: Not emphasized; focus is theological (4:22).
Structure: Reformed/Evangelical—pastor-led, not a Torah-rooted kahal.
Conclusion: Rigidly Reformed, less biblical in practice.
10. Pastoral Responsibility and Authority
Shepherd (Ro’eh): Myers guides to Reformed doctrine, not Torah/Yeshua (5:17-5:40).
Pride: Claims humility (6:11) but defends Reformed superiority (25:30).
Conclusion: Risks misleading by prioritizing tradition over scripture (James 3:1).
11. Practical Application and Ethical Fruit
Equipping: Theological tools (4:40), not Torah living (Micah 6:8).
Tone: Sincere (Titus 2:7), lacks ethical focus.
Conclusion: Conceptual, not covenant-practical.
12. Anti-Semitic Language
Evidence: Acts 2:23 (51:59)—“You crucified” is historical, not anti-Semitic.
Correction: Romans 11:18—Gentiles share guilt (Isaiah 53).
Conclusion: Needs covenant context, not bias.
13. Warnings to a New Believer
Risk 1: Reformed theology confuses with human ideas.
Explanation: Terms like “concurrence” (24:55) complicate simple truth (5:17).
Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:11-14—God’s Word is clear.
Risk 2: Ignores covenant roots.
Explanation: Focuses on control (1:35), not Israel’s role (Romans 11:26).
Scripture: Isaiah 49:6—Yeshua fulfills God’s plan for all.
Risk 3: Evil’s “foreordination” misrepresents God.
Explanation: Suggests God causes evil (38:52), not permits it.
Scripture: James 1:13—God is holy, evil is from sin.
Final Assessment
Recap:
Agenda: Teaches Reformed sovereignty/concurrence, partially biblical, heavily Gentile-leaning.
Scripture: Accurate in Yeshua’s role, distorted by Reformed determinism.
Logic: Reformed-sound, biblically flawed.
Giving: No pressure, scriptural.
Contradictions: Sovereignty vs. choice, evil’s role unresolved.
Biases: Reformed theology overshadows Tanakh.
Authority: Tradition over scripture.
Application: Theological, not practical.
Anti-Semitism: Minimal, needs context.
Warnings: Avoid man-made doctrines.
Strengths: Awe at God’s power, Yeshua’s centrality.
Weaknesses: Reformed filter obscures covenant balance, overcomplicates truth.
Fixes: Teach God’s purposeful sovereignty (Psalm 115:3), human choice (Deuteronomy 30:15), and evil’s permission (James 1:13), rooted in Yeshua (Romans 8:28).
Depth Check: Meat in Yeshua’s role (Hebrews 1:3), milk in Reformed reliance (Ephesians 1:11).
Shepherd Accountability: Myers invites scrutiny (6:39) but defends Reformed tradition (5:17), risking James 3:1 judgment.
Reject Human Traditions: Reformed doctrines—determinism, concurrence, evil’s ordination—are Gentile constructs. Scripture (Tanakh, Yeshua’s words) shows God’s purposeful rule, real choice, and evil’s defeat.
Back to Roots: Study Torah, Prophets, and New Testament—ask who Yeshua is and what God’s covenant demands. Truth is in scripture alone.
Use if Corrected: Valuable if reframed biblically, but personal study is key.
Exhaustive Summary for a New Believer
Sean Myers’s sermon is about how God is in charge of everything—like the world, your life, and even bad things—while saying you still make real choices. He uses big ideas from something called “Reformed theology,” like God controlling every single event (even a fly landing, 17:04) and a tricky idea called “concurrence,” where God and people both fully cause things (24:55). He also says God planned evil but it’s a mystery we can’t understand (38:52). He pulls this from Bible verses like Hebrews 1:3 (Yeshua holds everything together, 11:01), Job 1:21 (God gave and took away, 31:05), and Acts 2:23 (Yeshua’s death was God’s plan and our fault, 51:25). His goal is to make you amazed at God and give you tools to think about tough topics (4:40).
Key Takeaways:
God is Big and Trustworthy: The Bible says God rules over all (Psalm 115:3—“Our God is in the heavens; He does all that He pleases”). You can trust Him because He’s bigger than anything you face—like how Yeshua keeps the world going (Hebrews 1:3). That’s awesome and comforting!
Yeshua’s Death Shows God’s Love and Plan: Acts 2:23 tells us Yeshua, the Messiah, died because God planned it to save us from sin (Isaiah 53:10—“It was the will of the Lord to crush Him”). Even though people chose to kill Him, God used it for good—your good! That’s the heart of the Bible’s story.
Clear Warnings:
Watch Out for Man-Made Ideas: Myers uses “Reformed theology” (5:17), which adds confusing stuff like “God controls every little thing” or “God and you both fully cause everything.” The Bible doesn’t say that! Deuteronomy 30:11-14 tells us God’s Word is simple—“It’s not too hard for you.” Don’t get tangled in fancy terms—stick to what God says in the Torah (like Deuteronomy 30:19—“Choose life”) and Yeshua’s words (John 10:27—“My sheep hear My voice”). Human ideas like Reformed theology, Calvinism, or others can twist the truth.
Don’t Miss God’s Covenant: The sermon focuses on God’s control (1:35) but skips how He works through His promises to Israel and all nations (Romans 11:26—“All Israel will be saved”). Yeshua’s mission ties back to the Torah (Isaiah 49:6—“A light to the nations”). If you miss that, you miss the full picture!
God Doesn’t Cause Evil: Myers says God “foreordained” evil (38:52), which sounds like God made bad things happen. That’s wrong—James 1:13 says, “God cannot be tempted with evil, nor does He tempt anyone.” Evil comes from sin and the devil (John 8:44), not God. He allows it but turns it for good (Romans 8:28), like with Joseph (Genesis 50:20). Don’t let anyone make God seem unfair!
You Have Real Choices: The sermon says your choices matter (28:37), but the Reformed idea that God controls everything (17:16) can make it feel fake. The Bible says you really choose—Joshua 24:15: “Choose this day whom you will serve.” God guides, but He doesn’t force you. That’s freeing and serious!
Encouragement: You’re new to trusting Yeshua, the Messiah—great! This sermon can spark wonder at God’s power, but don’t stop here. Grab a Bible—start with the Torah (Genesis to Deuteronomy), then the Prophets (like Isaiah), and the New Testament (like John or Romans). Read it yourself and ask: Who is Yeshua? What does God want from me? You don’t need a pastor’s big words—God’s Word is clear and alive (Hebrews 4:12). Test everything you hear (Acts 17:11) against it, and you’ll grow strong in real truth!
The Gospel: God’s Love, Yeshua’s Sacrifice, and Your Free Choice: Here’s the best news—the gospel! God loves all of His creation so much that He didn’t abandon it when sin broke everything. Genesis 1:31 says, “God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good.” He made you, the world, everything—and He still loves it all, even after we messed it up (Romans 5:8—“God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Messiah died for us”). Sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2—“Your iniquities have made a separation”), but He didn’t want that to be the end. So, God sent Yeshua, His Son, to die for you—to redeem you and bring you back to Him. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” That’s everyone—you, me, all people! Yeshua’s death on the cross paid the price for your sins (1 Peter 2:24—“He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree”), and His resurrection proves He beat death (1 Corinthians 15:20-22—“Messiah has been raised… so in Messiah shall all be made alive”). God loves you that much—He died to save you!
Now, here’s the key: you get to choose. God doesn’t force you—He invites you. Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth that Yeshua is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” That’s your free will at work! Deuteronomy 30:19 says, “I have set before you life and death… choose life.” God’s love is there, Yeshua’s sacrifice is done, but you decide—will you trust Him? Logic backs this up: if God loves you (John 3:16), He won’t override you—love doesn’t force. If Yeshua died for you (Romans 5:8), the offer’s real, not fake. Revelation 3:20 says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in.” He’s knocking—your choice to open the door matters. Say yes to Yeshua today—He’s the way back to God’s love (John 14:6—“I am the way, and the truth, and the life”)!
