Ep 371 | God's Providence - Darrell Brewer 1/9/11

We have a good crowd today, and we're certainly glad to see

everyone who's here this morning and my prayer is as in harmony

with Terry's prayer. This morning, is that the

teaching part of my responsibility, this morning

will be to edify you this morning, the body of Christ.

I'm not sure that this has been taught on for a while here at

this congregation, but it's always been an interesting

subject to me. And I just hope and pray that

I'll be able to delve into the subject matter this morning and

explain it in such a way that all of us can understand the

Providence of God is a deep deep subject and there's quite a few

different ideas about what it is and how it works.

And And so on and so forth. And want to take a few minutes

with you and see if we can figure out exactly what God has

to say in his word about this wonderful subject.

First of all, and some remarks that I need to make before we

start our in-depth study, the Bible, the Glorious word of God

shows to us and teaches us a very strong and a very important

part. And that is that God is the god

of the universe. According to Genesis 1 Hebrews

11 and so on and so forth. Those are just too.

First of all, examples of talking about the great God that

has created all things, the god of scripture is the god of

history, and we believe that in our study of him and the things

that he set up for us in the way that we should live.

Today we realize that if from time to time he has intervened

In the Affairs of man, who we classify ourselves as the

created or the Creature. If you please, one thing that he

is not is merely a god of the past.

God, the Father whom we serve today is eternal.

He is called the, I am over in Exodus 3.

And verse number 14, the one who is and who was and who is to

come. It's talked about in Revelations

1 and verse number 4. And those of us today, who have

assembled here in this congregation to collectively

worship him today. Have a very reverent regard for

God, the Father Jehovah, that's what we're talking about.

And I believe that all of us believe today, that God is in

charge, he is the ruler of the things that he has created, and

that's everything even to the talking about this great

universe that we're aware of. But one of the things that I

want to stress this morning, that it's also important for us.

Us as Christians to understand exactly how God works in this

world today, especially in our lives.

And I believe that the Bible plainly teaches if I can just

dig it out and get it forth to you so that you can understand.

Let's start now with some basic ideas concerning God's activity

in the world. First of all, there are several

basic ideas that man entertain about this particular subject.

Now I'm just going to name three this morning because time just

will not permit for us to do an in-depth study of the different

ideas that man has about the Providence of God.

The first one, I'm going to step over and put a word on the

board. It's called deism.

And there we have it. And now let me see if I can

Define it for you and explain to you what some men think about

it, some men in talking to them or having discussions about God

and his word and so on and so forth.

Their view is the fact that God is an intelligent creator of all

things they believe that. But also according to a man by

the name of Harvey he says that deism is the view that regards

God as an intelligent creature of an independent and

law-abiding world but denies that he providentially guides it

or intervenes it in any way with the course of death Annie.

Now in essence. What they're saying is that God

created all things, then he stepped back and whatever

happens will happen. I don't believe the Bible

teaches that today and I believe that we can show you from God's

word exactly how it worked. Now, since these individuals and

their discussion of this subject, simply point out to us,

that this is the way it is. God refuses to recognize and

doing anything that would intervene in our spiritual

well-being. They also will not agree or will

not believe that God does anything from his word that we

can have the authority of the scriptures talking about

miracles, the church prayer, and I could mention any number of

things but they do not want to say or agree with that.

God, providentially has anything to do with it.

It's just that it's hands off Brethren and whatever happens

will happen. Well, this is false.

Let me give you three reasons to start out.

In our study. It makes absolutely no sense for

the god of the universe to create the world and then adopt

this handoff policy. Secondly it attacks.

The love, the mercy, the benevolence of God, the Father

toward his creation, it destroys that and it does away with it

and that's not at the case, either it expressly denies the

scriptures and therefore leaves unexplained these Great Divine

Events of history that are documented by Witnesses and

they're there for our learning, they're there for us to read and

to understand all of us with the ability to do, so can be

involved in the explanation of what God does in this world.

Today s basic idea, I want to consider with you, is some men

will in discussion a firm to us that God has an activity in this

world, but yet he interprets almost everything.

I say, almost everything. As when it happens it's a

miracle. Now this is important that we

understand what we're talking about right here.

For instance, those who are of the Pentecostal persuasion, they

assume that virtually every febrile event especially in the

life of a Christian is a miracle.

If you get sick and all of a sudden you're restored, that's a

miracle. If you have a bad car accident,

accident and the car is torn up Beyond reason that you had the

ability to walk away from it. For some reason, that's a

miracle. And we go on and on, and on.

Listen, those who believe this notion Overlook the fact that

although Jehovah God has used miracles in the past.

They always occupied a very unique role in his plan.

In other words, God deemed to use these things for an Express

purpose and it's important that we be able to realize the

difference, the your the Lord himself.

You remember, according to Genesis 1, I'm just going to

cite a couple, Psalms 33:6 show us how he used miracles in the

Psalms 33:6

creation and in this review. Healing of his word and this

plan that he sets in motion for us the creation to be saved one

day. They deny you see.

All right. Well it was made known to us in

scripture and exodus 4 verses 1 through 9, Mark, 16 and verse

Exodus 4:1–9

number 20. Now, let me tell you right here

and stop for just a minute. Why I'm quoting these scriptures

and not reading them, I don't have time.

And in order for me to just plant the seed for us to study

this extremely important subject, I'll read a few but

quote most of them. Supernatural works are not

performed by the god of heaven today and that's one thing in

our lesson, I want to stress. This is evidenced by the fact

that number one, the purpose of a miracle.

If you were asked the question, how would you answer that?

What was the purpose of a miracle?

It was not only to confirm the word, but it was a production

process that put into motion our faith, our faith, It produced

Faith. But It's no longer needed to

produce our faith. Faith is supplied today by the

complete scriptures. According to John, 20 and Romans

Romans 10:17

10 verse 17. So then Faith cometh by hearing

hearing by the word of God. You see how this works.

Secondly, the methods by which these miraculous gifts were

reduced Road bestowed upon the world is no longer needed.

Absolutely not We're talking about Holy Spirit.

Baptism the impartation of the Apostles hands.

According to Ephesians, 4 acts 18, thirdly, we can see

according to scripture over in First Corinthians 13, verses 8

1 Corinthians 13:8–13

through 13 and Ephesians 4, how it is that the cessation of the

Miracles was going to come about in this our lifetime way back.

Thirdly and this is the view that I think that we all need to

have and we need to take in response to this particular

subject. The biblical view recognizes

that God the Father operates providentially in the world

today by means of yes, natural law, natural law, Jesus as the

Lord Works to bring about man's salvation through spiritual law.

His What purpose is enhanced for sake of a better term in his

Sovereign, use of God's will to the Perfection of one of these

days. Having us all saved.

That's the important part that we need to be mindful of today.

Why does he use his Providence? It's for the production of the

Plan of Salvation that we are involved in today, one of these

days, we hope to attain heaven. Now, let me Define This word

Providence, the term Providence means or is derived from the

Latin Providencia, and it signifies foresight foresight,

if you can put that together in your mind set, the word is used

to denote the biblical idea. And I want to quote from

McClintock who said that the wisdom and power, which God

continually exercises in the preservation and government of

the world for the ends, which he proposed to accomplish.

Now then contrary to the idea that God created everything.

And then step back and let's everything unfold as it will is

not true. It has something that God has

used down through the centuries to enhance, or to make this

plan, be carried out in a very supportive way.

Providence and this is according to a man, a scholar, he calls

himself. Self by the name of teni.

He said, Providence concerns, God support care and supervision

of all creation from the moment of the first creation to all the

future in eternity. In other words to Simply put it,

God is in charge of everything. And that's the focal point of

the lesson today is for us to remember, as his dear children,

we are indeed in the plan that God has created.

Because we have obeyed from the heart that form of Doctrine.

We have moved in the right way that God has designed and we're

all a part of that particular movement.

The church today is what I'm talking about.

Well, this idea of providence is opposed to deism.

Which asserts God's non-interest in the world.

It is the opposite of Faith. Or chance would seize world

events as uncontrollable God, controls everything.

It's not something that we just watch happen and and is

documented in witnessed, that's not the case we can go to

scripture. As I'll be able to point out I

hopefully in this lesson today and show you how he observes all

these things. Now at this particular Point,

let me make something very clear while God exercises, a general

Providence over the universe and its creatures as a whole.

There is also a Special special Providence.

That God cares and manifests on behalf of us who are his

children and you need to be reminded from time to time and

so, do I that God cares for us because we are his creation.

You know, this fact I think is really, really cemented in the

doctrine of prayer. Does God hear and respond to the

petitions of Christians. I believe he does.

But also, I believe that there's a condition that goes, along

with our prayers. Let me illustrate it like this.

Suppose I said in my living room, turn on the TV munch on

popcorn and just get up to go to the bathroom or get a drink of

water and pray to God fervently. That there be a new car in my

driveway tomorrow morning. How soon do you think that's

going to happen? It will not happen.

You see because that's not the way God designed it.

He most. Assuredly does though contribute

to our well-being. This is further documented over.

Over in John 15 James 5 verse 16.

James 5:16

First Peter 3, verse 12 and first John 5 verses 14 and 15

1 Peter 3:12 1 John 5:14

and these prayers can be answered but it takes something

for us to do our part. You see along with God's caring

for us now, then let me move on down and let's discuss some

principles for understanding Divine Providence and you can

take these things because they're scriptural all the way

to the bank. So to speak.

It's very important that a consideration on our part be

given to certain principles that are involved in the operation of

Divine Providence. That is the province of God

Almighty. Remember, and this is critical.

Remember that any concept of Since that, you choose to

believe, has to coincide and corroborate what the Bible says,

you can't have it both ways, just dreaming up.

Some idea about God's doing s or God's doing that and try to make

it work. It's, that's not the way it

works, folks. Our prayers have to coincide

with what the Bible teaches. You can't pray for some

off-the-wall, something and expect God to give it to you,

but if it coincides, With what the Bible teaches.

For instance, if I pray for my health that scriptural if I pray

for myself to have close to close my neck, clothe my naked

body, that scriptural, a house to live in food to eat.

That's all scriptural, you see? And it works because it is from

God's word and the Bible in general, Alright, the first

principle I want to consider with you.

God never operator operates providentially.

And anyway, that is in conflict with his nature or his revealed

will talking about the word. Now, nothing that God does in

our lives, in the, the furtherance of the universe.

Is in conflict, because God is in charge of everything.

First, let me notice with you and Isaiah 6.

And verse number 3, the Bible plainly teaches over there, that

God is a holy being and that's critical.

It's important. Secondly, he is righteous,

Psalms 89. And verse number 14 is just one

place that mentions that to us. His acts of Providence always

will be assistant with these traits Holiness and right doing

righteousness. If you please for instant, God,

never temps people to do evil James first chapter verse 13 and

14 and one could never conclude that God has influence man.

Providentially to do anything. That's wrong.

That's not the way God operates. How do we know that in Romans 9

verse number 17 supports that when Jehovah I raised up pharaoh

and it's interpreted in this particular light.

All right. Secondly, Providence is him

implemented in harmony with heavens will and is revealed to

us in scripture. And this just simply means to

cite one example that since God has revealed the conditions for

the remission of our sins, Mark 16 verse 16 and Acts 2:38 one

Mark 16:16 Acts 2:38

never should make any assumption that it can be done any other

way. Let me step to the board now and

just take a minute and Spend over here.

I'm going to put the Plan of Salvation upon the board and

then we'll talk about it just a little bit.

Now these two one puts us into the body of Christ hear believe

repent confess and be baptized and then when we send we repent

and we have prayer. All right.

Those two things sustain us, right?

All right, because of the way that we are revealed from God's

word this morning, God's Providence is going to show to

us. There's no other way that we can

have this accomplished in our life.

The world today in some quarters and to me this is so sad.

They'll tell us we don't have to be baptized anymore.

You can just get rid of it. It's a an outward expression of

obedience and and but you don't have to absolutely don't have to

do it. They tell us that we can just

let Jesus Christ. The Savior come into our hearts,

and make an impression, and everything will be fine.

Even to the day that we die, whether we worship him or

whether we do not, and I could go on and on and on about these

ideas that are See before God. But listen, in harmony with

heavens will and reveal scripture sins.

Cannot be remitted any other way than what we've just mentioned

and to maintain it in any other way, it just won't work.

And that's the way God has given it to us.

Second principle this morning, Divine Providence does not

negate or cancel out men's freedom of Will and this is

really important too. Let's amplify this proposition

that we just mentioned just a moment ago.

It has to be stressed. That Providence never will

overthrow one's personal. Willpower, God's not going to do

that. He absolutely will not now then

why would I mention that? Why would I even bring the

subject up because Augustine and a man by the name of John

Calvin, is Doctrine is still practiced today.

Teaches that very thing, Here's what he says.

The notion that a man is so depraved in sin, that he has

lost his power of choice. Is what these two men have

taught in the past and it is still exercise.

Today, the methodists are one who preaches John Calvinism.

And it is simply this that you and I are so depraved.

So encompassed in sin that we've lost our ability to reason and

make any kind of choice on her own.

That is a fallacy. All right, where can we find?

Where we have a freedom of human will over?

Just one is in Matthew 23 verse 37.

Matthew 23:37

Again in John 5 verse 39, and 40 and Revelations 22:17.

John 5:39 Revelation 22:17

Specifically tells us that we are a free moral agent and we

can make our decisions as we choose to.

And that's where that is really rewarding because God has given

- that Freedom by his promise, our Providence, God will never

never coerce a person to do, either good or evil.

But on the other hand and I'm going to show you in just a

minute, he can use people to accomplish a Divine Purpose in

either capacity. Whether to do good or to do evil

and I want to give you some examples.

The Chaldeans were the Bible says, they were a bitter and

they were a hasty Nation marching across this, this land

where they were dwelling at the time to put what Pros s conquer,

everything that they come in contact with if not, they

destroyed it. They were a terrible Dreadful of

violent group of people. Well, God, used them.

You remember to punish his rebellious people?

Because the Lord said of his purpose to bring Babel and

against Judah, he said I'm working a work in your days

which you will not believe though.

It'd be told you about hook verse or chapter 1 verses 5

through 11. God said in essence folks, I'm

doing this yet. He used those those who were

disposed to do evil to accomplish that task.

That's Providence. That's the way God works.

And that's the way he's always worked ever since he created

Adam and Eve in the garden and set in motion.

His Plan of Salvation for man. Secondly, to use the example of

favorable. You remember, at this old,

Wicked King says that he was hardened in his heart.

He rebelled against God, Exodus 8 and, and chapter 9, but the

Lord determined to use him. And here's what he said for this

cause have I made thee that is Pharaoh to stand to show the my

power that my name may be declared throughout all the

Earth that's in, Exodus 9, and verse number 16.

And, you know what, folks, here's what's amazing about.

The whole thing and the gist of it is the fact that 35 Plus

centuries. We've been talking about that,

great event. And who won the event?

God did Pharaoh, let the people go Moses took them out.

All of a sudden he hardened his heart and he said, no, I want

him back and he went after him and they all drowned in the Red

Sea. So you see how God works?

The providential must be distinguished though from the

miraculous and I won't spend a long time on this but it's

important that I mentioned it. A miracle is God's working on a

plane that is above the natural law.

I don't know how else to explain it.

Providence is his utilization of natural law in a miracle.

The Lord Works directly in Providence he works in directly

and uses certain means to accomplish his end a man by the

name of Watson wrote. Something that is very

interesting to me. I hope it is to you.

He said, Providence is the conduct and the direction of the

several parts of the universe. By a superior intelligent being

the notion of providence is founded upon this true, Ruth,

that the creator has not. So fixed any ascertained the

laws of nature, not so connected.

The chain of second causes as to leave the world to itself, but

had he still preserves the reins in his own hands and

occasionally intervenes Alters, restrains, enforces, suspends

etc, etc. These laws by particular

Providence that's just about right in it.

That's just about the way God has has evolved and worked now,

let me show you in. This is really a simple

illustration for you to understand this concept that I'm

talking about at this time. Before Mary was known, as her in

her sexual relationship with her husband Joseph, you remember

that? She was found with child of the

Holy Spirit and subsequently gave birth to the baby Jesus

over in Matthew 1. And also, Luke one is where we

find the record. The Virgin birth was a

fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy or his sign in Isaiah 7 and

verse number 14 and indeed, It was a miracle.

Well, when Mary was impregnated by supernatural act as a result

of God's direct power, this was a miracle and you can call it

that and been be safe and so doing.

But in contrast, listen to this Hannah of the Old Testament,

whose womb, the Bible says was shut up for Samuel 1 verse 6

prayed fervently over and over and over.

Again that if God would only open up her womb and let her

have a child, she would give him all the days of his life to God

to serve him Faithfully. You remember that.

This was heard by. God was given a child and she

dedicated him to god Jehovah. Through all the days of his

life. He became the great prophet

Samuel. You remember.

And this was the Providence of God working.

You see? So you have Miracle, contrast

Providence, these two children were sent into the world, the

one, a prophet, the one, the Son of God, the Son of God by a

miracle and The Prophet by Providence of the other.

So you see, it's really quite simple.

When you get it down and explain it and understand it, number

four, in Providence, God works behind the scenes, and I'll not

spend a long time right here, but a miracle from the very

nature of the case. Is designated to demonstrate

something. And it's important that we

understand that concept, when we study this subject, it's an open

exceedingly, dramatic event that is documented by Witnesses.

That's what it is. Even the enemies of Christianity

have noticed that those things that are mentioned in Acts, the

fourth chapter verses 14 through, 16 that are termed to

be Miracles. They admit, so they admit it.

That's the way it is. Providence is quite different.

Let me just simply say that sometimes Providence is provable

and non provable. Now, that sounds like a

contradiction, doesn't it? But listen, I want to use it in

two different ways and see if I can explain it.

God works in this particular fashion because the Bible, so

plainly teaches it that Providence is provable.

It is a Fundamental Bible truth affirmed from beginning to end.

We've already mentioned that so I'll not dwell there for a long

time. Listen Providence is non

provable in the sense that no person can point to a A

particular circumstance in his life in anybody's life and say,

that's absolutely the way it is. Now, hope everybody understood,

the statement, I just made because that's important, when

we, assert our, when we say to someone, I know that this was

the providential invert intervention at work, you can't

prove that And so let's be careful, let's be careful.

And in trying to explain what God's doing as far as

Providence. When we make that statement,

someone now we may believe it me way.

We may want it to be that way and we may strive and say yes

this is but we have to be careful.

Citing one example is people when they petition Mary, the

Mother of God are Sons some Saint through prayer to do what

they want it to be. Done is absolutely unprovable

and it's meaningless so while it's true that God does work in

the lives of man and we believe it does and they're frequently

are unaware of it. We may suspect believe hope it

to be the case and even act in a way as to accommodate it.

But folks, we have to be so careful because the Bible says,

we walk by faith and not by sight, Second Corinthians, the

fifth chapter in verse number 7. I'll just cite you two examples

and times getting away. I can see it.

Already Jehovah. You Cyrus the Persian king to

do. What to deliver the kingdom of

Judah from Babylonian captivity. God said, I will gird thee

though. Thou Hast not known me.

Secondly, there's certainly no doubt in the mind of a serious

Bible student. That Esther, you remember, aided

God's men, the spies and keeping them safe from the old evil

individual by the name of Haman. He said, Mordecai said this and

Esther 4 verse 14 and who knoweth whether thou are not

Esther 4:14

come to the kingdom of such a time as this in conclusion to

the lesson today and I'll try to bring it all together.

Now I want to show you the scope of our God.

I want to show you how vast this Divine Providence has become or

is From the vastness of the universe.

And we know how great that is. We can't even assume that we

know all there is to know about how big this universe is even

down, folks to the counting of the hairs on your head.

In mind, God is in charge. God knows everything about

everybody and I want to see if I can show you some Bible

examples. First of all, talking about this

universe In a grand and very great exaltations of Christ

Jesus. The writer of Hebrews declared

that the Savior, the Bible says is upholding all things over in

Colossians, are Hebrews 1 verse 3.

Hebrews 1:3

He says that the word is his power.

That's what holds and consists and holds all things together.

Now in Colossians ones for 17 in him all things, Consist and in

studying that word consists weight comes from a Greek word.

Sinistra me, which means it stands together.

It is in workable Force because it's together or it's

cohesiveness Christ, is the controlling and unifying force

in nature, according to Robinson.

Now, he's a scholar that I read quite a bit, and I believe that

he's got this right. Christ is a controlling and

unifying. Unifying force in nature, the

word of almighty, God, causes all things to stand together or

consist. That's the way it is.

And that's the way it's been designed.

All right now, the forces of nature, God is in control of the

forces of nature. We realized that as we've

already studied in detail, he maintains a continuity of the

seasons. Genesis 8 verse 22, he covers

Genesis 8:22

the heavens with clouds prepares rain for the earth makes grass

to grow up on the mountains. Psalms 147.

He controls the sun and stars job 9 by his breath Isis.

Given job 37, he gives snow like wool.

He scatters the hoarfrost like ashes, he casts forth, his ice

like morsel and will stand before his cold who will stand

before his cold. He send out sends out his work,

and melts them causes his wind to blow and Waters to flow,

Psalms 147, and he left not himself without witness in that

he did. Good and gave you from Heaven

rains and fruitful seasons. That's all biblical.

That's what God does. That's who he is acts 14.

And verse number 17 further. Substantiates this let me talk

to you very, very briefly about animal creatures since the life

of every living thing is in the hand of God.

According to job, 12 verse 10. It's not a surprise or should

Job 12:10

not be a surprise to you or me to learn that God, maintains and

uses his Creation. Yes, it does.

Listen animals, neither. So they neither reap nor gather

up in Barns. Well, what about them?

God feeds them, Matthew 6 verse 26.

Matthew 6:26

He gives to the Beast, his food and to the young Ravens, which

cry Psalms 147. Again, the Young Lions Roar

after they pray it and seek their food from God.

Psalms 104, folks, listen, there's not even a bird that

falls to the ground that God doesn't know about.

If he can number the hairs on an individual's head, he knows

everything about everybody and even your thoughts are Amplified

in his ear. If you're a child of God, that's

scary. We cannot conceal ourselves from

God Almighty were an open book. God, not only exercises, this

General Providence that were talking about over the animal

kingdom, but he can use his creatures in a very special, a

very marvelous way. So, for example, you remember,

he provided a ram caught in the thicket by his horns for Abraham

to use as a sacrifice, Genesis 22 verse 13.

Genesis 22:13

He sent quails into the bread brought by Ravens first king 17

verse 6. The Lord sent fiery serpents to

bite the Israelites in numbers too.

He sent she-bears to punish The Lads of Bethel Second Kings to

and used a lion to slay a disobedient.

Young Prophet First Kings 13. He shut the Lions mouths to

protect David and Daniel chapter 2.

Daniel 2 · chapter mention

The causes or so magnificent you can't ignore them.

So this deism that we're talking about here this morning at the

outset of our lesson it's it's wrong.

It's just not the way it is, God takes care of his own.

Now, let me talk about God in the nation.

Since the fall of Man almighty God has been working a plan

designed to bring into motion and to effect The Redemption of

us who are sinful. When he brought Christ into this

old world, it was the culmination of the ultimate

price that was to be paid for my sins of yours.

Terry prayed a wonderful prayer this morning.

He talked about this very Son of God and what he did for every

one of us. It was in God's plan of things

and he providentially has brought this to being and today,

we contrary to what these people believe and others in the world.

When we obeyed from the heart that form of Doctrine, we become

what his children. Were born into the family of

God. And we can maintain it.

When we realize that we have done publicly something that is

not right in the sight of God, whether by our own knowledge or

somebody pointing it out to us, can repent, confess our sins and

the church will pray with us in forests and we can maintain

continually this relationship that God has prepared for us.

Last but not least upon this little idea.

Let me talk to you about a special Providence for the

people of God. That's us, that's those of us

who are assembled here today. Does the person those of us

today who are genuinely devoted to serving God, the father have

any profit promise of providential advantage in this

world. Well, I'm here to declare to you

today. That we certainly do.

And I believe that after studying this even more, I

believe it. While it is true to say that God

sends his reins rain upon the just and the unjust that plainly

is taught in Matthew Chapter 5, it is not to the alien, but to

Matthew 5 · chapter mention

the saint that this is Promised in a Philippians 4, verse, 19.

Listen closely. And my God, shall supply every

need of yours. According to his riches, who

owns the universe and all the things.

Found therein. He is the god of Heaven, who can

give us all things that pertain to life and godliness.

Why? Because he providentially cares

for us and he wants us to be saved in heaven.

One day. That is the ultimate goal that

God is performing through different means.

I think that sometimes we just forget and we discount the

wonderful things that God does for us is his children and we

ought not to do that. The Book of Job reveals that

even the righteous can suffer suffer from time to time.

And even the robbers do Prosper job, 12 verse 6.

Job 12:6

So there's a contrast there. however, this does not cancel

out the truth that Providence operates and a special way for

us who are children of the almighty God Bible History is

clear concerning this now In conclusion in are just about

through I want to use the Apostle Paul for a direct

example simply because on Wednesday evenings, we've been

studying the book of Acts and this really fits there is a

number of instances of Providence, found in God's word

in the life that surrounds the Apostle Paul.

Here it is. On his third missionary trip

Paul from Corinth. In Greece, penned his epistle to

the Romans Acts. 20, Romans 16 in Romans 1 though, verses 9 and

10. He said, and he mentioned, how

that he continually made a request that is in the prison.

Now he continually all the time is what it means.

He made this request. He said that I'm a coming to

you. Enjoy through the will of God

Romans 15. God will answer that prayer and

his own, providential timeframe in his own way.

Now, let me notice with you the sequence of things and you'll

see how this unfolds, first of all.

Paul Paul returns to Jerusalem when he's arrested for

allegedly, defiling the temple that's found in Acts 20:1.

Acts 20:1

We just studied that in the night.

The Lord tells him that he must bear witness in Rome. 23:11

we're going to study that pretty soon secondly to save his life

from the Jewish mob. You remember that, the Roman

leaders have Paul taken to says, Ria by night Now this is all

done for a reason, so stay with me here, he's imprisoned for two

years. Finally exercising his right as

a Roman citizen. He appeals to Caesar.

Why? Because he knows he has certain

of a alienable rights under his jurisdiction.

Number four in the Early Autumn of AD 60 or approximately that

timeframe he's put on a ship for Rome.

In route, their Shipwrecked and all hope of being saved from the

disaster, is said to be lost. Not going to survive, they're

all going to lose their lives in the night, an angel appeared to

God and promised thou must stand before.

Caesar he says again The following spring safe and sound

Paul and his company arrived in Rome.

Is that prayers answered? Is that God's Providence?

This is the way he works. This is the way he wants us to

know that, this providential care can work and our lives.

Now, we don't have the time as already mentioned were limited

to study, another two verses of scripture, but I want to read

them first Corinthians 10, and verse number 13.

Listen to this closely. God is faithful.

We all know that. Who will not suffer you to be

tempted above that ye are able but will with the Temptation

make also, the weight Escape that you may be able to endure

it. A faithful child of God will

never be put in a circumstance. He can't overcome Does that

excite? You does that make us feel good

about being a member of the church.

It absolutely should. Secondly, and we know that to

them, that love God, all things work together for good, even to

them, that are called according to his purpose.

Romans 8, verse 28, other places we could.

Romans 8:28

Cite that cohesiveness would bring us together to realize

that God cares for us. As long as we're faithful, God

will see to it. That were taken care of, that's

providential care. If you, please last this

morning, I'm going to read something belief in Providence

determines many of the basic attitudes of troop.

Right piety, the knowledge that God watches and works in our

lives. Teaches us to wait on him and

faithfulness. Were the most amount of humility

that we can possess and patiently for Vindication and

deliverance from this old world and the things that are found

there in that are evil. David talked about that in

Psalms 37 and James mentioned it in chapter 5.

And verse number 7, we thank you for listening to our podcast,

put on by the Church of Christ at 22:15 plans.

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