1 00:00:03,300 --> 00:00:06,100 We have a good crowd today, and we're certainly glad to see 2 00:00:06,100 --> 00:00:11,000 everyone who's here this morning and my prayer is as in harmony 3 00:00:11,000 --> 00:00:14,400 with Terry's prayer. This morning, is that the 4 00:00:14,400 --> 00:00:17,500 teaching part of my responsibility, this morning 5 00:00:17,500 --> 00:00:21,500 will be to edify you this morning, the body of Christ. 6 00:00:24,100 --> 00:00:28,300 I'm not sure that this has been taught on for a while here at 7 00:00:28,300 --> 00:00:31,500 this congregation, but it's always been an interesting 8 00:00:31,500 --> 00:00:34,600 subject to me. And I just hope and pray that 9 00:00:34,600 --> 00:00:40,300 I'll be able to delve into the subject matter this morning and 10 00:00:40,300 --> 00:00:44,900 explain it in such a way that all of us can understand the 11 00:00:44,900 --> 00:00:49,400 Providence of God is a deep deep subject and there's quite a few 12 00:00:49,400 --> 00:00:53,100 different ideas about what it is and how it works. 13 00:00:53,100 --> 00:00:56,500 And And so on and so forth. And want to take a few minutes 14 00:00:56,500 --> 00:01:00,100 with you and see if we can figure out exactly what God has 15 00:01:00,100 --> 00:01:04,099 to say in his word about this wonderful subject. 16 00:01:05,600 --> 00:01:10,200 First of all, and some remarks that I need to make before we 17 00:01:10,200 --> 00:01:17,000 start our in-depth study, the Bible, the Glorious word of God 18 00:01:18,500 --> 00:01:23,100 shows to us and teaches us a very strong and a very important 19 00:01:23,100 --> 00:01:26,700 part. And that is that God is the god 20 00:01:26,700 --> 00:01:31,500 of the universe. According to Genesis 1 Hebrews 21 00:01:31,500 --> 00:01:34,700 11 and so on and so forth. Those are just too. 22 00:01:35,800 --> 00:01:40,000 First of all, examples of talking about the great God that 23 00:01:40,000 --> 00:01:44,300 has created all things, the god of scripture is the god of 24 00:01:44,300 --> 00:01:50,600 history, and we believe that in our study of him and the things 25 00:01:50,600 --> 00:01:53,000 that he set up for us in the way that we should live. 26 00:01:53,000 --> 00:01:57,700 Today we realize that if from time to time he has intervened 27 00:01:58,500 --> 00:02:04,000 In the Affairs of man, who we classify ourselves as the 28 00:02:04,000 --> 00:02:08,800 created or the Creature. If you please, one thing that he 29 00:02:08,800 --> 00:02:11,700 is not is merely a god of the past. 30 00:02:13,000 --> 00:02:16,100 God, the Father whom we serve today is eternal. 31 00:02:16,700 --> 00:02:20,300 He is called the, I am over in Exodus 3. 32 00:02:20,300 --> 00:02:25,700 And verse number 14, the one who is and who was and who is to 33 00:02:25,700 --> 00:02:29,100 come. It's talked about in Revelations 34 00:02:29,100 --> 00:02:33,600 1 and verse number 4. And those of us today, who have 35 00:02:33,600 --> 00:02:38,300 assembled here in this congregation to collectively 36 00:02:38,300 --> 00:02:43,000 worship him today. Have a very reverent regard for 37 00:02:43,000 --> 00:02:46,400 God, the Father Jehovah, that's what we're talking about. 38 00:02:46,400 --> 00:02:52,800 And I believe that all of us believe today, that God is in 39 00:02:52,800 --> 00:02:57,400 charge, he is the ruler of the things that he has created, and 40 00:02:57,400 --> 00:03:02,000 that's everything even to the talking about this great 41 00:03:02,000 --> 00:03:06,200 universe that we're aware of. But one of the things that I 42 00:03:06,200 --> 00:03:10,100 want to stress this morning, that it's also important for us. 43 00:03:10,100 --> 00:03:16,300 Us as Christians to understand exactly how God works in this 44 00:03:16,300 --> 00:03:19,200 world today, especially in our lives. 45 00:03:19,900 --> 00:03:23,000 And I believe that the Bible plainly teaches if I can just 46 00:03:23,000 --> 00:03:26,600 dig it out and get it forth to you so that you can understand. 47 00:03:26,900 --> 00:03:32,800 Let's start now with some basic ideas concerning God's activity 48 00:03:32,800 --> 00:03:36,500 in the world. First of all, there are several 49 00:03:36,500 --> 00:03:41,500 basic ideas that man entertain about this particular subject. 50 00:03:41,500 --> 00:03:45,400 Now I'm just going to name three this morning because time just 51 00:03:45,400 --> 00:03:50,400 will not permit for us to do an in-depth study of the different 52 00:03:50,400 --> 00:03:53,400 ideas that man has about the Providence of God. 53 00:03:54,300 --> 00:03:57,300 The first one, I'm going to step over and put a word on the 54 00:03:57,300 --> 00:04:00,200 board. It's called deism. 55 00:04:02,500 --> 00:04:04,900 And there we have it. And now let me see if I can 56 00:04:04,900 --> 00:04:08,100 Define it for you and explain to you what some men think about 57 00:04:08,100 --> 00:04:15,600 it, some men in talking to them or having discussions about God 58 00:04:15,600 --> 00:04:18,000 and his word and so on and so forth. 59 00:04:20,000 --> 00:04:26,600 Their view is the fact that God is an intelligent creator of all 60 00:04:26,600 --> 00:04:31,500 things they believe that. But also according to a man by 61 00:04:31,500 --> 00:04:36,200 the name of Harvey he says that deism is the view that regards 62 00:04:36,200 --> 00:04:40,200 God as an intelligent creature of an independent and 63 00:04:40,200 --> 00:04:44,900 law-abiding world but denies that he providentially guides it 64 00:04:44,900 --> 00:04:49,300 or intervenes it in any way with the course of death Annie. 65 00:04:50,100 --> 00:04:52,900 Now in essence. What they're saying is that God 66 00:04:52,900 --> 00:04:57,300 created all things, then he stepped back and whatever 67 00:04:57,300 --> 00:05:00,300 happens will happen. I don't believe the Bible 68 00:05:00,300 --> 00:05:04,500 teaches that today and I believe that we can show you from God's 69 00:05:04,500 --> 00:05:09,700 word exactly how it worked. Now, since these individuals and 70 00:05:09,700 --> 00:05:13,300 their discussion of this subject, simply point out to us, 71 00:05:13,300 --> 00:05:19,400 that this is the way it is. God refuses to recognize and 72 00:05:19,400 --> 00:05:23,200 doing anything that would intervene in our spiritual 73 00:05:23,200 --> 00:05:28,500 well-being. They also will not agree or will 74 00:05:28,500 --> 00:05:32,500 not believe that God does anything from his word that we 75 00:05:32,500 --> 00:05:36,200 can have the authority of the scriptures talking about 76 00:05:36,200 --> 00:05:40,500 miracles, the church prayer, and I could mention any number of 77 00:05:40,500 --> 00:05:44,500 things but they do not want to say or agree with that. 78 00:05:44,500 --> 00:05:47,400 God, providentially has anything to do with it. 79 00:05:47,500 --> 00:05:51,000 It's just that it's hands off Brethren and whatever happens 80 00:05:51,000 --> 00:05:55,100 will happen. Well, this is false. 81 00:05:55,600 --> 00:05:58,000 Let me give you three reasons to start out. 82 00:05:58,000 --> 00:06:02,900 In our study. It makes absolutely no sense for 83 00:06:02,900 --> 00:06:06,500 the god of the universe to create the world and then adopt 84 00:06:06,500 --> 00:06:11,300 this handoff policy. Secondly it attacks. 85 00:06:11,300 --> 00:06:16,100 The love, the mercy, the benevolence of God, the Father 86 00:06:16,100 --> 00:06:21,500 toward his creation, it destroys that and it does away with it 87 00:06:21,600 --> 00:06:25,600 and that's not at the case, either it expressly denies the 88 00:06:25,600 --> 00:06:31,100 scriptures and therefore leaves unexplained these Great Divine 89 00:06:31,100 --> 00:06:36,200 Events of history that are documented by Witnesses and 90 00:06:36,200 --> 00:06:39,100 they're there for our learning, they're there for us to read and 91 00:06:39,100 --> 00:06:43,700 to understand all of us with the ability to do, so can be 92 00:06:43,700 --> 00:06:47,600 involved in the explanation of what God does in this world. 93 00:06:47,600 --> 00:06:53,300 Today s basic idea, I want to consider with you, is some men 94 00:06:54,100 --> 00:06:59,600 will in discussion a firm to us that God has an activity in this 95 00:06:59,600 --> 00:07:03,400 world, but yet he interprets almost everything. 96 00:07:03,400 --> 00:07:07,200 I say, almost everything. As when it happens it's a 97 00:07:07,200 --> 00:07:10,100 miracle. Now this is important that we 98 00:07:10,100 --> 00:07:13,600 understand what we're talking about right here. 99 00:07:13,700 --> 00:07:18,500 For instance, those who are of the Pentecostal persuasion, they 100 00:07:18,500 --> 00:07:24,000 assume that virtually every febrile event especially in the 101 00:07:24,000 --> 00:07:26,300 life of a Christian is a miracle. 102 00:07:27,700 --> 00:07:32,600 If you get sick and all of a sudden you're restored, that's a 103 00:07:32,600 --> 00:07:36,400 miracle. If you have a bad car accident, 104 00:07:36,400 --> 00:07:40,700 accident and the car is torn up Beyond reason that you had the 105 00:07:40,700 --> 00:07:44,000 ability to walk away from it. For some reason, that's a 106 00:07:44,000 --> 00:07:47,000 miracle. And we go on and on, and on. 107 00:07:47,900 --> 00:07:53,500 Listen, those who believe this notion Overlook the fact that 108 00:07:53,500 --> 00:07:57,200 although Jehovah God has used miracles in the past. 109 00:07:57,600 --> 00:08:03,700 They always occupied a very unique role in his plan. 110 00:08:03,700 --> 00:08:08,200 In other words, God deemed to use these things for an Express 111 00:08:08,200 --> 00:08:13,200 purpose and it's important that we be able to realize the 112 00:08:13,200 --> 00:08:16,000 difference, the your the Lord himself. 113 00:08:16,000 --> 00:08:19,600 You remember, according to Genesis 1, I'm just going to 114 00:08:19,600 --> 00:08:24,700 cite a couple, Psalms 33:6 show us how he used miracles in the 115 00:08:24,700 --> 00:08:29,600 creation and in this review. Healing of his word and this 116 00:08:29,600 --> 00:08:34,600 plan that he sets in motion for us the creation to be saved one 117 00:08:34,600 --> 00:08:37,700 day. They deny you see. 118 00:08:37,900 --> 00:08:41,100 All right. Well it was made known to us in 119 00:08:41,100 --> 00:08:46,300 scripture and exodus 4 verses 1 through 9, Mark, 16 and verse 120 00:08:46,300 --> 00:08:48,900 number 20. Now, let me tell you right here 121 00:08:48,900 --> 00:08:51,800 and stop for just a minute. Why I'm quoting these scriptures 122 00:08:51,900 --> 00:08:53,900 and not reading them, I don't have time. 123 00:08:54,600 --> 00:08:58,500 And in order for me to just plant the seed for us to study 124 00:08:58,500 --> 00:09:02,600 this extremely important subject, I'll read a few but 125 00:09:02,900 --> 00:09:08,100 quote most of them. Supernatural works are not 126 00:09:08,100 --> 00:09:12,000 performed by the god of heaven today and that's one thing in 127 00:09:12,000 --> 00:09:15,200 our lesson, I want to stress. This is evidenced by the fact 128 00:09:15,200 --> 00:09:18,700 that number one, the purpose of a miracle. 129 00:09:18,700 --> 00:09:22,500 If you were asked the question, how would you answer that? 130 00:09:22,500 --> 00:09:24,900 What was the purpose of a miracle? 131 00:09:24,900 --> 00:09:29,100 It was not only to confirm the word, but it was a production 132 00:09:29,100 --> 00:09:34,400 process that put into motion our faith, our faith, It produced 133 00:09:34,400 --> 00:09:37,000 Faith. But It's no longer needed to 134 00:09:37,000 --> 00:09:40,000 produce our faith. Faith is supplied today by the 135 00:09:40,000 --> 00:09:43,900 complete scriptures. According to John, 20 and Romans 136 00:09:43,900 --> 00:09:46,600 10 verse 17. So then Faith cometh by hearing 137 00:09:46,800 --> 00:09:49,300 hearing by the word of God. You see how this works. 138 00:09:50,600 --> 00:09:54,000 Secondly, the methods by which these miraculous gifts were 139 00:09:54,000 --> 00:09:58,400 reduced Road bestowed upon the world is no longer needed. 140 00:09:58,800 --> 00:10:02,900 Absolutely not We're talking about Holy Spirit. 141 00:10:02,900 --> 00:10:05,800 Baptism the impartation of the Apostles hands. 142 00:10:05,800 --> 00:10:11,800 According to Ephesians, 4 acts 18, thirdly, we can see 143 00:10:11,800 --> 00:10:15,300 according to scripture over in First Corinthians 13, verses 8 144 00:10:15,300 --> 00:10:20,100 through 13 and Ephesians 4, how it is that the cessation of the 145 00:10:20,100 --> 00:10:27,100 Miracles was going to come about in this our lifetime way back. 146 00:10:28,200 --> 00:10:31,500 Thirdly and this is the view that I think that we all need to 147 00:10:31,500 --> 00:10:34,800 have and we need to take in response to this particular 148 00:10:34,800 --> 00:10:39,000 subject. The biblical view recognizes 149 00:10:39,000 --> 00:10:43,800 that God the Father operates providentially in the world 150 00:10:43,800 --> 00:10:51,700 today by means of yes, natural law, natural law, Jesus as the 151 00:10:51,700 --> 00:10:56,500 Lord Works to bring about man's salvation through spiritual law. 152 00:10:56,500 --> 00:11:03,200 His What purpose is enhanced for sake of a better term in his 153 00:11:03,500 --> 00:11:09,100 Sovereign, use of God's will to the Perfection of one of these 154 00:11:09,100 --> 00:11:10,600 days. Having us all saved. 155 00:11:10,800 --> 00:11:14,300 That's the important part that we need to be mindful of today. 156 00:11:14,700 --> 00:11:19,600 Why does he use his Providence? It's for the production of the 157 00:11:19,600 --> 00:11:24,300 Plan of Salvation that we are involved in today, one of these 158 00:11:24,300 --> 00:11:29,600 days, we hope to attain heaven. Now, let me Define This word 159 00:11:29,600 --> 00:11:34,200 Providence, the term Providence means or is derived from the 160 00:11:34,200 --> 00:11:40,200 Latin Providencia, and it signifies foresight foresight, 161 00:11:40,200 --> 00:11:44,700 if you can put that together in your mind set, the word is used 162 00:11:44,700 --> 00:11:47,200 to denote the biblical idea. And I want to quote from 163 00:11:47,200 --> 00:11:51,000 McClintock who said that the wisdom and power, which God 164 00:11:51,000 --> 00:11:55,000 continually exercises in the preservation and government of 165 00:11:55,000 --> 00:11:58,800 the world for the ends, which he proposed to accomplish. 166 00:11:59,600 --> 00:12:05,700 Now then contrary to the idea that God created everything. 167 00:12:05,900 --> 00:12:11,300 And then step back and let's everything unfold as it will is 168 00:12:11,300 --> 00:12:14,800 not true. It has something that God has 169 00:12:14,800 --> 00:12:20,400 used down through the centuries to enhance, or to make this 170 00:12:20,400 --> 00:12:24,800 plan, be carried out in a very supportive way. 171 00:12:25,400 --> 00:12:29,100 Providence and this is according to a man, a scholar, he calls 172 00:12:29,100 --> 00:12:31,000 himself. Self by the name of teni. 173 00:12:31,100 --> 00:12:37,000 He said, Providence concerns, God support care and supervision 174 00:12:37,000 --> 00:12:41,300 of all creation from the moment of the first creation to all the 175 00:12:41,300 --> 00:12:45,300 future in eternity. In other words to Simply put it, 176 00:12:45,600 --> 00:12:51,100 God is in charge of everything. And that's the focal point of 177 00:12:51,100 --> 00:12:55,400 the lesson today is for us to remember, as his dear children, 178 00:12:55,900 --> 00:13:00,500 we are indeed in the plan that God has created. 179 00:13:00,500 --> 00:13:03,700 Because we have obeyed from the heart that form of Doctrine. 180 00:13:03,700 --> 00:13:08,100 We have moved in the right way that God has designed and we're 181 00:13:08,100 --> 00:13:10,700 all a part of that particular movement. 182 00:13:10,800 --> 00:13:13,100 The church today is what I'm talking about. 183 00:13:13,600 --> 00:13:18,800 Well, this idea of providence is opposed to deism. 184 00:13:19,400 --> 00:13:22,400 Which asserts God's non-interest in the world. 185 00:13:22,800 --> 00:13:26,900 It is the opposite of Faith. Or chance would seize world 186 00:13:26,900 --> 00:13:31,000 events as uncontrollable God, controls everything. 187 00:13:32,000 --> 00:13:35,100 It's not something that we just watch happen and and is 188 00:13:35,100 --> 00:13:38,800 documented in witnessed, that's not the case we can go to 189 00:13:38,800 --> 00:13:41,000 scripture. As I'll be able to point out I 190 00:13:41,008 --> 00:13:45,000 hopefully in this lesson today and show you how he observes all 191 00:13:45,000 --> 00:13:48,800 these things. Now at this particular Point, 192 00:13:48,800 --> 00:13:55,000 let me make something very clear while God exercises, a general 193 00:13:55,200 --> 00:13:59,900 Providence over the universe and its creatures as a whole. 194 00:14:00,400 --> 00:14:03,900 There is also a Special special Providence. 195 00:14:05,400 --> 00:14:10,300 That God cares and manifests on behalf of us who are his 196 00:14:10,300 --> 00:14:14,700 children and you need to be reminded from time to time and 197 00:14:14,700 --> 00:14:19,400 so, do I that God cares for us because we are his creation. 198 00:14:20,300 --> 00:14:26,400 You know, this fact I think is really, really cemented in the 199 00:14:26,400 --> 00:14:31,200 doctrine of prayer. Does God hear and respond to the 200 00:14:31,200 --> 00:14:34,100 petitions of Christians. I believe he does. 201 00:14:34,900 --> 00:14:37,900 But also, I believe that there's a condition that goes, along 202 00:14:37,900 --> 00:14:40,400 with our prayers. Let me illustrate it like this. 203 00:14:41,900 --> 00:14:46,800 Suppose I said in my living room, turn on the TV munch on 204 00:14:46,800 --> 00:14:49,900 popcorn and just get up to go to the bathroom or get a drink of 205 00:14:49,900 --> 00:14:54,500 water and pray to God fervently. That there be a new car in my 206 00:14:54,500 --> 00:14:57,700 driveway tomorrow morning. How soon do you think that's 207 00:14:57,700 --> 00:15:00,800 going to happen? It will not happen. 208 00:15:00,900 --> 00:15:04,300 You see because that's not the way God designed it. 209 00:15:04,700 --> 00:15:08,300 He most. Assuredly does though contribute 210 00:15:08,300 --> 00:15:11,600 to our well-being. This is further documented over. 211 00:15:11,700 --> 00:15:15,700 Over in John 15 James 5 verse 16. 212 00:15:15,800 --> 00:15:20,500 First Peter 3, verse 12 and first John 5 verses 14 and 15 213 00:15:20,700 --> 00:15:24,100 and these prayers can be answered but it takes something 214 00:15:24,900 --> 00:15:29,700 for us to do our part. You see along with God's caring 215 00:15:29,700 --> 00:15:34,900 for us now, then let me move on down and let's discuss some 216 00:15:34,900 --> 00:15:38,900 principles for understanding Divine Providence and you can 217 00:15:38,900 --> 00:15:42,300 take these things because they're scriptural all the way 218 00:15:42,400 --> 00:15:43,700 to the bank. So to speak. 219 00:15:44,300 --> 00:15:49,200 It's very important that a consideration on our part be 220 00:15:49,200 --> 00:15:53,000 given to certain principles that are involved in the operation of 221 00:15:53,000 --> 00:15:55,900 Divine Providence. That is the province of God 222 00:15:56,000 --> 00:15:59,300 Almighty. Remember, and this is critical. 223 00:15:59,900 --> 00:16:04,800 Remember that any concept of Since that, you choose to 224 00:16:04,800 --> 00:16:09,500 believe, has to coincide and corroborate what the Bible says, 225 00:16:10,500 --> 00:16:13,600 you can't have it both ways, just dreaming up. 226 00:16:13,600 --> 00:16:18,100 Some idea about God's doing s or God's doing that and try to make 227 00:16:18,100 --> 00:16:19,900 it work. It's, that's not the way it 228 00:16:19,900 --> 00:16:23,500 works, folks. Our prayers have to coincide 229 00:16:23,500 --> 00:16:27,000 with what the Bible teaches. You can't pray for some 230 00:16:27,000 --> 00:16:29,700 off-the-wall, something and expect God to give it to you, 231 00:16:30,300 --> 00:16:34,600 but if it coincides, With what the Bible teaches. 232 00:16:35,300 --> 00:16:42,600 For instance, if I pray for my health that scriptural if I pray 233 00:16:42,600 --> 00:16:46,900 for myself to have close to close my neck, clothe my naked 234 00:16:46,900 --> 00:16:51,500 body, that scriptural, a house to live in food to eat. 235 00:16:52,200 --> 00:16:56,400 That's all scriptural, you see? And it works because it is from 236 00:16:56,600 --> 00:17:01,200 God's word and the Bible in general, Alright, the first 237 00:17:01,200 --> 00:17:02,900 principle I want to consider with you. 238 00:17:02,900 --> 00:17:06,000 God never operator operates providentially. 239 00:17:06,000 --> 00:17:11,099 And anyway, that is in conflict with his nature or his revealed 240 00:17:11,099 --> 00:17:16,599 will talking about the word. Now, nothing that God does in 241 00:17:16,599 --> 00:17:20,700 our lives, in the, the furtherance of the universe. 242 00:17:22,900 --> 00:17:26,599 Is in conflict, because God is in charge of everything. 243 00:17:27,099 --> 00:17:30,400 First, let me notice with you and Isaiah 6. 244 00:17:30,600 --> 00:17:33,900 And verse number 3, the Bible plainly teaches over there, that 245 00:17:33,900 --> 00:17:37,500 God is a holy being and that's critical. 246 00:17:37,500 --> 00:17:41,900 It's important. Secondly, he is righteous, 247 00:17:42,000 --> 00:17:45,100 Psalms 89. And verse number 14 is just one 248 00:17:45,100 --> 00:17:50,600 place that mentions that to us. His acts of Providence always 249 00:17:50,600 --> 00:17:56,000 will be assistant with these traits Holiness and right doing 250 00:17:56,600 --> 00:18:00,400 righteousness. If you please for instant, God, 251 00:18:00,400 --> 00:18:05,800 never temps people to do evil James first chapter verse 13 and 252 00:18:05,800 --> 00:18:10,400 14 and one could never conclude that God has influence man. 253 00:18:10,400 --> 00:18:13,400 Providentially to do anything. That's wrong. 254 00:18:13,900 --> 00:18:18,300 That's not the way God operates. How do we know that in Romans 9 255 00:18:18,300 --> 00:18:22,800 verse number 17 supports that when Jehovah I raised up pharaoh 256 00:18:22,800 --> 00:18:25,500 and it's interpreted in this particular light. 257 00:18:26,600 --> 00:18:29,800 All right. Secondly, Providence is him 258 00:18:30,200 --> 00:18:34,500 implemented in harmony with heavens will and is revealed to 259 00:18:34,500 --> 00:18:37,700 us in scripture. And this just simply means to 260 00:18:37,700 --> 00:18:42,300 cite one example that since God has revealed the conditions for 261 00:18:42,300 --> 00:18:48,200 the remission of our sins, Mark 16 verse 16 and Acts 2:38 one 262 00:18:48,200 --> 00:18:52,600 never should make any assumption that it can be done any other 263 00:18:52,600 --> 00:18:55,000 way. Let me step to the board now and 264 00:18:55,000 --> 00:18:57,200 just take a minute and Spend over here. 265 00:18:57,700 --> 00:19:02,200 I'm going to put the Plan of Salvation upon the board and 266 00:19:02,700 --> 00:19:04,500 then we'll talk about it just a little bit. 267 00:19:06,800 --> 00:19:11,100 Now these two one puts us into the body of Christ hear believe 268 00:19:11,100 --> 00:19:15,100 repent confess and be baptized and then when we send we repent 269 00:19:15,100 --> 00:19:17,100 and we have prayer. All right. 270 00:19:17,100 --> 00:19:19,100 Those two things sustain us, right? 271 00:19:19,800 --> 00:19:24,500 All right, because of the way that we are revealed from God's 272 00:19:24,500 --> 00:19:28,400 word this morning, God's Providence is going to show to 273 00:19:28,400 --> 00:19:31,100 us. There's no other way that we can 274 00:19:31,100 --> 00:19:33,300 have this accomplished in our life. 275 00:19:35,100 --> 00:19:39,100 The world today in some quarters and to me this is so sad. 276 00:19:39,500 --> 00:19:41,900 They'll tell us we don't have to be baptized anymore. 277 00:19:43,100 --> 00:19:48,300 You can just get rid of it. It's a an outward expression of 278 00:19:48,300 --> 00:19:51,800 obedience and and but you don't have to absolutely don't have to 279 00:19:51,800 --> 00:19:55,000 do it. They tell us that we can just 280 00:19:55,500 --> 00:19:59,500 let Jesus Christ. The Savior come into our hearts, 281 00:19:59,500 --> 00:20:02,500 and make an impression, and everything will be fine. 282 00:20:02,800 --> 00:20:06,700 Even to the day that we die, whether we worship him or 283 00:20:06,700 --> 00:20:10,400 whether we do not, and I could go on and on and on about these 284 00:20:10,900 --> 00:20:16,100 ideas that are See before God. But listen, in harmony with 285 00:20:16,100 --> 00:20:20,100 heavens will and reveal scripture sins. 286 00:20:20,100 --> 00:20:24,800 Cannot be remitted any other way than what we've just mentioned 287 00:20:24,900 --> 00:20:27,900 and to maintain it in any other way, it just won't work. 288 00:20:28,400 --> 00:20:30,300 And that's the way God has given it to us. 289 00:20:30,900 --> 00:20:34,100 Second principle this morning, Divine Providence does not 290 00:20:34,100 --> 00:20:39,000 negate or cancel out men's freedom of Will and this is 291 00:20:39,000 --> 00:20:45,300 really important too. Let's amplify this proposition 292 00:20:45,300 --> 00:20:47,500 that we just mentioned just a moment ago. 293 00:20:48,100 --> 00:20:51,300 It has to be stressed. That Providence never will 294 00:20:51,600 --> 00:20:56,400 overthrow one's personal. Willpower, God's not going to do 295 00:20:56,400 --> 00:21:00,200 that. He absolutely will not now then 296 00:21:00,200 --> 00:21:02,700 why would I mention that? Why would I even bring the 297 00:21:02,700 --> 00:21:07,200 subject up because Augustine and a man by the name of John 298 00:21:07,200 --> 00:21:09,900 Calvin, is Doctrine is still practiced today. 299 00:21:10,200 --> 00:21:12,700 Teaches that very thing, Here's what he says. 300 00:21:14,000 --> 00:21:18,500 The notion that a man is so depraved in sin, that he has 301 00:21:18,500 --> 00:21:21,800 lost his power of choice. Is what these two men have 302 00:21:21,800 --> 00:21:24,700 taught in the past and it is still exercise. 303 00:21:24,700 --> 00:21:29,800 Today, the methodists are one who preaches John Calvinism. 304 00:21:30,600 --> 00:21:35,100 And it is simply this that you and I are so depraved. 305 00:21:35,500 --> 00:21:39,900 So encompassed in sin that we've lost our ability to reason and 306 00:21:39,900 --> 00:21:41,600 make any kind of choice on her own. 307 00:21:42,400 --> 00:21:46,600 That is a fallacy. All right, where can we find? 308 00:21:46,600 --> 00:21:50,100 Where we have a freedom of human will over? 309 00:21:50,100 --> 00:21:53,400 Just one is in Matthew 23 verse 37. 310 00:21:54,000 --> 00:21:59,800 Again in John 5 verse 39, and 40 and Revelations 22:17. 311 00:21:59,800 --> 00:22:05,400 Specifically tells us that we are a free moral agent and we 312 00:22:05,400 --> 00:22:08,000 can make our decisions as we choose to. 313 00:22:08,800 --> 00:22:12,100 And that's where that is really rewarding because God has given 314 00:22:12,200 --> 00:22:18,400 - that Freedom by his promise, our Providence, God will never 315 00:22:18,800 --> 00:22:22,700 never coerce a person to do, either good or evil. 316 00:22:23,000 --> 00:22:26,200 But on the other hand and I'm going to show you in just a 317 00:22:26,208 --> 00:22:31,500 minute, he can use people to accomplish a Divine Purpose in 318 00:22:31,500 --> 00:22:35,900 either capacity. Whether to do good or to do evil 319 00:22:36,400 --> 00:22:37,900 and I want to give you some examples. 320 00:22:38,400 --> 00:22:43,800 The Chaldeans were the Bible says, they were a bitter and 321 00:22:43,800 --> 00:22:48,400 they were a hasty Nation marching across this, this land 322 00:22:48,400 --> 00:22:53,600 where they were dwelling at the time to put what Pros s conquer, 323 00:22:54,100 --> 00:22:57,300 everything that they come in contact with if not, they 324 00:22:57,300 --> 00:23:02,100 destroyed it. They were a terrible Dreadful of 325 00:23:02,100 --> 00:23:06,800 violent group of people. Well, God, used them. 326 00:23:06,900 --> 00:23:09,300 You remember to punish his rebellious people? 327 00:23:09,800 --> 00:23:12,700 Because the Lord said of his purpose to bring Babel and 328 00:23:12,700 --> 00:23:16,500 against Judah, he said I'm working a work in your days 329 00:23:17,100 --> 00:23:19,000 which you will not believe though. 330 00:23:19,000 --> 00:23:23,300 It'd be told you about hook verse or chapter 1 verses 5 331 00:23:23,300 --> 00:23:26,500 through 11. God said in essence folks, I'm 332 00:23:26,500 --> 00:23:29,600 doing this yet. He used those those who were 333 00:23:29,600 --> 00:23:33,000 disposed to do evil to accomplish that task. 334 00:23:33,300 --> 00:23:36,800 That's Providence. That's the way God works. 335 00:23:36,800 --> 00:23:40,200 And that's the way he's always worked ever since he created 336 00:23:40,200 --> 00:23:43,000 Adam and Eve in the garden and set in motion. 337 00:23:43,200 --> 00:23:48,400 His Plan of Salvation for man. Secondly, to use the example of 338 00:23:48,400 --> 00:23:50,200 favorable. You remember, at this old, 339 00:23:50,200 --> 00:23:53,600 Wicked King says that he was hardened in his heart. 340 00:23:54,000 --> 00:23:59,200 He rebelled against God, Exodus 8 and, and chapter 9, but the 341 00:23:59,200 --> 00:24:03,200 Lord determined to use him. And here's what he said for this 342 00:24:03,200 --> 00:24:08,000 cause have I made thee that is Pharaoh to stand to show the my 343 00:24:08,000 --> 00:24:12,200 power that my name may be declared throughout all the 344 00:24:12,200 --> 00:24:15,800 Earth that's in, Exodus 9, and verse number 16. 345 00:24:16,500 --> 00:24:18,600 And, you know what, folks, here's what's amazing about. 346 00:24:18,600 --> 00:24:24,000 The whole thing and the gist of it is the fact that 35 Plus 347 00:24:24,000 --> 00:24:26,300 centuries. We've been talking about that, 348 00:24:26,300 --> 00:24:29,000 great event. And who won the event? 349 00:24:29,500 --> 00:24:35,100 God did Pharaoh, let the people go Moses took them out. 350 00:24:35,500 --> 00:24:37,900 All of a sudden he hardened his heart and he said, no, I want 351 00:24:37,900 --> 00:24:40,700 him back and he went after him and they all drowned in the Red 352 00:24:40,700 --> 00:24:44,600 Sea. So you see how God works? 353 00:24:45,700 --> 00:24:48,800 The providential must be distinguished though from the 354 00:24:48,800 --> 00:24:52,000 miraculous and I won't spend a long time on this but it's 355 00:24:52,000 --> 00:24:56,500 important that I mentioned it. A miracle is God's working on a 356 00:24:56,500 --> 00:24:58,900 plane that is above the natural law. 357 00:25:00,800 --> 00:25:02,400 I don't know how else to explain it. 358 00:25:03,000 --> 00:25:08,800 Providence is his utilization of natural law in a miracle. 359 00:25:10,100 --> 00:25:14,900 The Lord Works directly in Providence he works in directly 360 00:25:15,200 --> 00:25:21,200 and uses certain means to accomplish his end a man by the 361 00:25:21,200 --> 00:25:23,700 name of Watson wrote. Something that is very 362 00:25:24,300 --> 00:25:26,500 interesting to me. I hope it is to you. 363 00:25:27,100 --> 00:25:31,500 He said, Providence is the conduct and the direction of the 364 00:25:31,500 --> 00:25:36,100 several parts of the universe. By a superior intelligent being 365 00:25:37,100 --> 00:25:40,000 the notion of providence is founded upon this true, Ruth, 366 00:25:40,000 --> 00:25:43,300 that the creator has not. So fixed any ascertained the 367 00:25:43,300 --> 00:25:45,900 laws of nature, not so connected. 368 00:25:45,900 --> 00:25:50,600 The chain of second causes as to leave the world to itself, but 369 00:25:50,600 --> 00:25:54,700 had he still preserves the reins in his own hands and 370 00:25:54,700 --> 00:26:00,900 occasionally intervenes Alters, restrains, enforces, suspends 371 00:26:00,900 --> 00:26:04,100 etc, etc. These laws by particular 372 00:26:04,100 --> 00:26:06,900 Providence that's just about right in it. 373 00:26:07,900 --> 00:26:12,000 That's just about the way God has has evolved and worked now, 374 00:26:13,100 --> 00:26:15,900 let me show you in. This is really a simple 375 00:26:15,900 --> 00:26:19,500 illustration for you to understand this concept that I'm 376 00:26:19,500 --> 00:26:27,100 talking about at this time. Before Mary was known, as her in 377 00:26:27,100 --> 00:26:32,200 her sexual relationship with her husband Joseph, you remember 378 00:26:32,200 --> 00:26:34,300 that? She was found with child of the 379 00:26:34,300 --> 00:26:39,000 Holy Spirit and subsequently gave birth to the baby Jesus 380 00:26:39,000 --> 00:26:41,900 over in Matthew 1. And also, Luke one is where we 381 00:26:41,900 --> 00:26:44,700 find the record. The Virgin birth was a 382 00:26:44,708 --> 00:26:49,800 fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy or his sign in Isaiah 7 and 383 00:26:49,800 --> 00:26:53,200 verse number 14 and indeed, It was a miracle. 384 00:26:53,800 --> 00:27:00,400 Well, when Mary was impregnated by supernatural act as a result 385 00:27:00,400 --> 00:27:05,400 of God's direct power, this was a miracle and you can call it 386 00:27:05,400 --> 00:27:07,800 that and been be safe and so doing. 387 00:27:08,300 --> 00:27:13,500 But in contrast, listen to this Hannah of the Old Testament, 388 00:27:13,500 --> 00:27:18,300 whose womb, the Bible says was shut up for Samuel 1 verse 6 389 00:27:18,700 --> 00:27:22,100 prayed fervently over and over and over. 390 00:27:22,200 --> 00:27:26,300 Again that if God would only open up her womb and let her 391 00:27:26,300 --> 00:27:31,500 have a child, she would give him all the days of his life to God 392 00:27:31,500 --> 00:27:34,100 to serve him Faithfully. You remember that. 393 00:27:34,100 --> 00:27:38,400 This was heard by. God was given a child and she 394 00:27:38,400 --> 00:27:41,600 dedicated him to god Jehovah. Through all the days of his 395 00:27:41,600 --> 00:27:44,100 life. He became the great prophet 396 00:27:44,200 --> 00:27:45,900 Samuel. You remember. 397 00:27:46,800 --> 00:27:50,200 And this was the Providence of God working. 398 00:27:50,500 --> 00:27:53,900 You see? So you have Miracle, contrast 399 00:27:53,900 --> 00:27:57,800 Providence, these two children were sent into the world, the 400 00:27:57,800 --> 00:28:01,900 one, a prophet, the one, the Son of God, the Son of God by a 401 00:28:01,908 --> 00:28:05,600 miracle and The Prophet by Providence of the other. 402 00:28:05,700 --> 00:28:07,800 So you see, it's really quite simple. 403 00:28:07,800 --> 00:28:12,000 When you get it down and explain it and understand it, number 404 00:28:12,000 --> 00:28:17,300 four, in Providence, God works behind the scenes, and I'll not 405 00:28:17,300 --> 00:28:20,700 spend a long time right here, but a miracle from the very 406 00:28:20,700 --> 00:28:25,200 nature of the case. Is designated to demonstrate 407 00:28:25,200 --> 00:28:27,800 something. And it's important that we 408 00:28:27,800 --> 00:28:32,200 understand that concept, when we study this subject, it's an open 409 00:28:32,600 --> 00:28:38,500 exceedingly, dramatic event that is documented by Witnesses. 410 00:28:39,600 --> 00:28:43,400 That's what it is. Even the enemies of Christianity 411 00:28:44,100 --> 00:28:50,400 have noticed that those things that are mentioned in Acts, the 412 00:28:50,500 --> 00:28:53,700 fourth chapter verses 14 through, 16 that are termed to 413 00:28:53,700 --> 00:28:57,300 be Miracles. They admit, so they admit it. 414 00:28:57,300 --> 00:29:01,100 That's the way it is. Providence is quite different. 415 00:29:01,600 --> 00:29:06,200 Let me just simply say that sometimes Providence is provable 416 00:29:06,500 --> 00:29:09,500 and non provable. Now, that sounds like a 417 00:29:09,500 --> 00:29:12,500 contradiction, doesn't it? But listen, I want to use it in 418 00:29:12,500 --> 00:29:15,000 two different ways and see if I can explain it. 419 00:29:15,800 --> 00:29:19,600 God works in this particular fashion because the Bible, so 420 00:29:19,600 --> 00:29:22,900 plainly teaches it that Providence is provable. 421 00:29:23,200 --> 00:29:28,000 It is a Fundamental Bible truth affirmed from beginning to end. 422 00:29:28,000 --> 00:29:30,600 We've already mentioned that so I'll not dwell there for a long 423 00:29:30,600 --> 00:29:34,700 time. Listen Providence is non 424 00:29:34,700 --> 00:29:38,400 provable in the sense that no person can point to a A 425 00:29:38,408 --> 00:29:43,600 particular circumstance in his life in anybody's life and say, 426 00:29:43,600 --> 00:29:47,800 that's absolutely the way it is. Now, hope everybody understood, 427 00:29:47,800 --> 00:29:51,400 the statement, I just made because that's important, when 428 00:29:51,400 --> 00:29:56,500 we, assert our, when we say to someone, I know that this was 429 00:29:56,500 --> 00:30:00,100 the providential invert intervention at work, you can't 430 00:30:00,100 --> 00:30:04,900 prove that And so let's be careful, let's be careful. 431 00:30:04,900 --> 00:30:08,800 And in trying to explain what God's doing as far as 432 00:30:08,800 --> 00:30:10,800 Providence. When we make that statement, 433 00:30:10,800 --> 00:30:14,700 someone now we may believe it me way. 434 00:30:14,700 --> 00:30:20,100 We may want it to be that way and we may strive and say yes 435 00:30:20,100 --> 00:30:22,300 this is but we have to be careful. 436 00:30:23,400 --> 00:30:29,400 Citing one example is people when they petition Mary, the 437 00:30:29,400 --> 00:30:34,200 Mother of God are Sons some Saint through prayer to do what 438 00:30:34,200 --> 00:30:37,500 they want it to be. Done is absolutely unprovable 439 00:30:37,500 --> 00:30:42,300 and it's meaningless so while it's true that God does work in 440 00:30:42,300 --> 00:30:45,500 the lives of man and we believe it does and they're frequently 441 00:30:45,500 --> 00:30:49,300 are unaware of it. We may suspect believe hope it 442 00:30:49,300 --> 00:30:53,300 to be the case and even act in a way as to accommodate it. 443 00:30:54,500 --> 00:30:57,500 But folks, we have to be so careful because the Bible says, 444 00:30:57,500 --> 00:31:01,300 we walk by faith and not by sight, Second Corinthians, the 445 00:31:01,300 --> 00:31:05,100 fifth chapter in verse number 7. I'll just cite you two examples 446 00:31:05,100 --> 00:31:06,900 and times getting away. I can see it. 447 00:31:06,900 --> 00:31:11,100 Already Jehovah. You Cyrus the Persian king to 448 00:31:11,100 --> 00:31:14,600 do. What to deliver the kingdom of 449 00:31:14,600 --> 00:31:18,900 Judah from Babylonian captivity. God said, I will gird thee 450 00:31:19,100 --> 00:31:20,800 though. Thou Hast not known me. 451 00:31:23,000 --> 00:31:27,000 Secondly, there's certainly no doubt in the mind of a serious 452 00:31:27,000 --> 00:31:30,800 Bible student. That Esther, you remember, aided 453 00:31:30,800 --> 00:31:37,000 God's men, the spies and keeping them safe from the old evil 454 00:31:37,000 --> 00:31:41,900 individual by the name of Haman. He said, Mordecai said this and 455 00:31:41,900 --> 00:31:46,900 Esther 4 verse 14 and who knoweth whether thou are not 456 00:31:46,900 --> 00:31:52,100 come to the kingdom of such a time as this in conclusion to 457 00:31:52,100 --> 00:31:54,900 the lesson today and I'll try to bring it all together. 458 00:31:54,900 --> 00:31:58,500 Now I want to show you the scope of our God. 459 00:31:58,600 --> 00:32:03,700 I want to show you how vast this Divine Providence has become or 460 00:32:03,700 --> 00:32:07,700 is From the vastness of the universe. 461 00:32:08,700 --> 00:32:12,300 And we know how great that is. We can't even assume that we 462 00:32:12,300 --> 00:32:17,100 know all there is to know about how big this universe is even 463 00:32:17,100 --> 00:32:20,200 down, folks to the counting of the hairs on your head. 464 00:32:20,200 --> 00:32:25,600 In mind, God is in charge. God knows everything about 465 00:32:25,600 --> 00:32:29,000 everybody and I want to see if I can show you some Bible 466 00:32:29,000 --> 00:32:31,300 examples. First of all, talking about this 467 00:32:31,300 --> 00:32:39,800 universe In a grand and very great exaltations of Christ 468 00:32:39,800 --> 00:32:42,000 Jesus. The writer of Hebrews declared 469 00:32:42,000 --> 00:32:47,900 that the Savior, the Bible says is upholding all things over in 470 00:32:47,900 --> 00:32:50,600 Colossians, are Hebrews 1 verse 3. 471 00:32:51,200 --> 00:32:53,800 He says that the word is his power. 472 00:32:54,100 --> 00:32:57,800 That's what holds and consists and holds all things together. 473 00:32:57,800 --> 00:33:04,700 Now in Colossians ones for 17 in him all things, Consist and in 474 00:33:04,700 --> 00:33:08,100 studying that word consists weight comes from a Greek word. 475 00:33:09,000 --> 00:33:12,900 Sinistra me, which means it stands together. 476 00:33:13,800 --> 00:33:17,700 It is in workable Force because it's together or it's 477 00:33:17,700 --> 00:33:22,600 cohesiveness Christ, is the controlling and unifying force 478 00:33:22,600 --> 00:33:24,600 in nature, according to Robinson. 479 00:33:25,300 --> 00:33:28,200 Now, he's a scholar that I read quite a bit, and I believe that 480 00:33:28,200 --> 00:33:32,000 he's got this right. Christ is a controlling and 481 00:33:32,000 --> 00:33:35,300 unifying. Unifying force in nature, the 482 00:33:35,300 --> 00:33:39,800 word of almighty, God, causes all things to stand together or 483 00:33:39,800 --> 00:33:43,000 consist. That's the way it is. 484 00:33:43,000 --> 00:33:44,400 And that's the way it's been designed. 485 00:33:44,700 --> 00:33:48,300 All right now, the forces of nature, God is in control of the 486 00:33:48,300 --> 00:33:50,600 forces of nature. We realized that as we've 487 00:33:50,600 --> 00:33:55,400 already studied in detail, he maintains a continuity of the 488 00:33:55,400 --> 00:33:59,900 seasons. Genesis 8 verse 22, he covers 489 00:33:59,900 --> 00:34:03,800 the heavens with clouds prepares rain for the earth makes grass 490 00:34:03,800 --> 00:34:06,800 to grow up on the mountains. Psalms 147. 491 00:34:07,100 --> 00:34:11,699 He controls the sun and stars job 9 by his breath Isis. 492 00:34:11,800 --> 00:34:15,199 Given job 37, he gives snow like wool. 493 00:34:15,199 --> 00:34:18,900 He scatters the hoarfrost like ashes, he casts forth, his ice 494 00:34:18,900 --> 00:34:22,900 like morsel and will stand before his cold who will stand 495 00:34:22,900 --> 00:34:26,000 before his cold. He send out sends out his work, 496 00:34:26,000 --> 00:34:29,900 and melts them causes his wind to blow and Waters to flow, 497 00:34:29,900 --> 00:34:34,100 Psalms 147, and he left not himself without witness in that 498 00:34:34,100 --> 00:34:36,600 he did. Good and gave you from Heaven 499 00:34:36,600 --> 00:34:40,900 rains and fruitful seasons. That's all biblical. 500 00:34:41,600 --> 00:34:46,000 That's what God does. That's who he is acts 14. 501 00:34:46,000 --> 00:34:49,600 And verse number 17 further. Substantiates this let me talk 502 00:34:49,600 --> 00:34:54,600 to you very, very briefly about animal creatures since the life 503 00:34:54,600 --> 00:34:58,000 of every living thing is in the hand of God. 504 00:34:58,200 --> 00:35:03,600 According to job, 12 verse 10. It's not a surprise or should 505 00:35:03,600 --> 00:35:08,500 not be a surprise to you or me to learn that God, maintains and 506 00:35:08,500 --> 00:35:11,400 uses his Creation. Yes, it does. 507 00:35:11,700 --> 00:35:18,600 Listen animals, neither. So they neither reap nor gather 508 00:35:18,600 --> 00:35:21,700 up in Barns. Well, what about them? 509 00:35:21,700 --> 00:35:25,100 God feeds them, Matthew 6 verse 26. 510 00:35:25,600 --> 00:35:28,700 He gives to the Beast, his food and to the young Ravens, which 511 00:35:28,700 --> 00:35:32,600 cry Psalms 147. Again, the Young Lions Roar 512 00:35:32,600 --> 00:35:35,600 after they pray it and seek their food from God. 513 00:35:35,600 --> 00:35:39,500 Psalms 104, folks, listen, there's not even a bird that 514 00:35:39,500 --> 00:35:41,700 falls to the ground that God doesn't know about. 515 00:35:44,200 --> 00:35:47,800 If he can number the hairs on an individual's head, he knows 516 00:35:47,800 --> 00:35:51,900 everything about everybody and even your thoughts are Amplified 517 00:35:51,900 --> 00:35:55,400 in his ear. If you're a child of God, that's 518 00:35:55,400 --> 00:35:58,900 scary. We cannot conceal ourselves from 519 00:35:58,900 --> 00:36:04,700 God Almighty were an open book. God, not only exercises, this 520 00:36:04,700 --> 00:36:07,900 General Providence that were talking about over the animal 521 00:36:07,900 --> 00:36:12,600 kingdom, but he can use his creatures in a very special, a 522 00:36:12,600 --> 00:36:16,600 very marvelous way. So, for example, you remember, 523 00:36:16,600 --> 00:36:20,700 he provided a ram caught in the thicket by his horns for Abraham 524 00:36:20,800 --> 00:36:24,600 to use as a sacrifice, Genesis 22 verse 13. 525 00:36:24,900 --> 00:36:28,500 He sent quails into the bread brought by Ravens first king 17 526 00:36:28,500 --> 00:36:31,400 verse 6. The Lord sent fiery serpents to 527 00:36:31,400 --> 00:36:33,500 bite the Israelites in numbers too. 528 00:36:35,200 --> 00:36:38,900 He sent she-bears to punish The Lads of Bethel Second Kings to 529 00:36:39,400 --> 00:36:41,400 and used a lion to slay a disobedient. 530 00:36:41,400 --> 00:36:46,200 Young Prophet First Kings 13. He shut the Lions mouths to 531 00:36:46,200 --> 00:36:49,100 protect David and Daniel chapter 2. 532 00:36:50,800 --> 00:36:55,500 The causes or so magnificent you can't ignore them. 533 00:36:56,000 --> 00:36:58,900 So this deism that we're talking about here this morning at the 534 00:36:58,900 --> 00:37:02,500 outset of our lesson it's it's wrong. 535 00:37:02,500 --> 00:37:06,400 It's just not the way it is, God takes care of his own. 536 00:37:07,400 --> 00:37:09,800 Now, let me talk about God in the nation. 537 00:37:09,800 --> 00:37:15,600 Since the fall of Man almighty God has been working a plan 538 00:37:15,600 --> 00:37:22,900 designed to bring into motion and to effect The Redemption of 539 00:37:22,900 --> 00:37:27,300 us who are sinful. When he brought Christ into this 540 00:37:27,300 --> 00:37:30,700 old world, it was the culmination of the ultimate 541 00:37:30,700 --> 00:37:33,200 price that was to be paid for my sins of yours. 542 00:37:34,400 --> 00:37:36,200 Terry prayed a wonderful prayer this morning. 543 00:37:36,200 --> 00:37:40,000 He talked about this very Son of God and what he did for every 544 00:37:40,000 --> 00:37:44,100 one of us. It was in God's plan of things 545 00:37:44,300 --> 00:37:47,900 and he providentially has brought this to being and today, 546 00:37:47,900 --> 00:37:52,900 we contrary to what these people believe and others in the world. 547 00:37:53,000 --> 00:37:56,300 When we obeyed from the heart that form of Doctrine, we become 548 00:37:56,300 --> 00:38:00,900 what his children. Were born into the family of 549 00:38:00,900 --> 00:38:03,800 God. And we can maintain it. 550 00:38:03,800 --> 00:38:08,500 When we realize that we have done publicly something that is 551 00:38:08,500 --> 00:38:13,600 not right in the sight of God, whether by our own knowledge or 552 00:38:13,600 --> 00:38:19,600 somebody pointing it out to us, can repent, confess our sins and 553 00:38:19,600 --> 00:38:22,000 the church will pray with us in forests and we can maintain 554 00:38:22,000 --> 00:38:25,700 continually this relationship that God has prepared for us. 555 00:38:27,900 --> 00:38:30,700 Last but not least upon this little idea. 556 00:38:30,700 --> 00:38:33,100 Let me talk to you about a special Providence for the 557 00:38:33,100 --> 00:38:36,300 people of God. That's us, that's those of us 558 00:38:36,300 --> 00:38:40,300 who are assembled here today. Does the person those of us 559 00:38:40,300 --> 00:38:47,100 today who are genuinely devoted to serving God, the father have 560 00:38:47,100 --> 00:38:50,800 any profit promise of providential advantage in this 561 00:38:50,800 --> 00:38:53,100 world. Well, I'm here to declare to you 562 00:38:53,100 --> 00:38:55,000 today. That we certainly do. 563 00:38:55,700 --> 00:38:58,500 And I believe that after studying this even more, I 564 00:38:58,500 --> 00:39:01,000 believe it. While it is true to say that God 565 00:39:01,000 --> 00:39:05,500 sends his reins rain upon the just and the unjust that plainly 566 00:39:05,500 --> 00:39:10,200 is taught in Matthew Chapter 5, it is not to the alien, but to 567 00:39:10,200 --> 00:39:15,100 the saint that this is Promised in a Philippians 4, verse, 19. 568 00:39:15,100 --> 00:39:19,300 Listen closely. And my God, shall supply every 569 00:39:19,300 --> 00:39:23,500 need of yours. According to his riches, who 570 00:39:23,500 --> 00:39:25,300 owns the universe and all the things. 571 00:39:25,500 --> 00:39:29,100 Found therein. He is the god of Heaven, who can 572 00:39:29,100 --> 00:39:32,600 give us all things that pertain to life and godliness. 573 00:39:32,600 --> 00:39:36,100 Why? Because he providentially cares 574 00:39:36,100 --> 00:39:39,000 for us and he wants us to be saved in heaven. 575 00:39:39,000 --> 00:39:43,200 One day. That is the ultimate goal that 576 00:39:43,200 --> 00:39:46,500 God is performing through different means. 577 00:39:48,100 --> 00:39:55,100 I think that sometimes we just forget and we discount the 578 00:39:55,100 --> 00:39:59,000 wonderful things that God does for us is his children and we 579 00:39:59,000 --> 00:40:02,000 ought not to do that. The Book of Job reveals that 580 00:40:02,000 --> 00:40:05,200 even the righteous can suffer suffer from time to time. 581 00:40:05,600 --> 00:40:09,400 And even the robbers do Prosper job, 12 verse 6. 582 00:40:09,500 --> 00:40:14,600 So there's a contrast there. however, this does not cancel 583 00:40:14,600 --> 00:40:19,100 out the truth that Providence operates and a special way for 584 00:40:19,100 --> 00:40:23,900 us who are children of the almighty God Bible History is 585 00:40:23,900 --> 00:40:29,300 clear concerning this now In conclusion in are just about 586 00:40:29,300 --> 00:40:34,600 through I want to use the Apostle Paul for a direct 587 00:40:34,600 --> 00:40:37,900 example simply because on Wednesday evenings, we've been 588 00:40:37,900 --> 00:40:41,600 studying the book of Acts and this really fits there is a 589 00:40:41,600 --> 00:40:47,600 number of instances of Providence, found in God's word 590 00:40:48,200 --> 00:40:50,900 in the life that surrounds the Apostle Paul. 591 00:40:51,200 --> 00:40:55,800 Here it is. On his third missionary trip 592 00:40:56,200 --> 00:41:01,800 Paul from Corinth. In Greece, penned his epistle to 593 00:41:01,800 --> 00:41:07,100 the Romans Acts. 20, Romans 16 in Romans 1 though, verses 9 and 594 00:41:07,100 --> 00:41:10,800 10. He said, and he mentioned, how 595 00:41:10,800 --> 00:41:15,000 that he continually made a request that is in the prison. 596 00:41:15,000 --> 00:41:19,200 Now he continually all the time is what it means. 597 00:41:19,300 --> 00:41:22,400 He made this request. He said that I'm a coming to 598 00:41:22,400 --> 00:41:24,300 you. Enjoy through the will of God 599 00:41:24,300 --> 00:41:28,100 Romans 15. God will answer that prayer and 600 00:41:28,100 --> 00:41:32,700 his own, providential timeframe in his own way. 601 00:41:32,900 --> 00:41:36,000 Now, let me notice with you the sequence of things and you'll 602 00:41:36,000 --> 00:41:38,200 see how this unfolds, first of all. 603 00:41:38,400 --> 00:41:42,300 Paul Paul returns to Jerusalem when he's arrested for 604 00:41:42,300 --> 00:41:46,300 allegedly, defiling the temple that's found in Acts 20:1. 605 00:41:46,300 --> 00:41:49,000 We just studied that in the night. 606 00:41:49,000 --> 00:41:54,100 The Lord tells him that he must bear witness in Rome. 23:11 607 00:41:54,100 --> 00:41:57,800 we're going to study that pretty soon secondly to save his life 608 00:41:57,800 --> 00:42:00,200 from the Jewish mob. You remember that, the Roman 609 00:42:00,200 --> 00:42:05,900 leaders have Paul taken to says, Ria by night Now this is all 610 00:42:05,900 --> 00:42:10,100 done for a reason, so stay with me here, he's imprisoned for two 611 00:42:10,100 --> 00:42:15,100 years. Finally exercising his right as 612 00:42:15,100 --> 00:42:17,900 a Roman citizen. He appeals to Caesar. 613 00:42:18,600 --> 00:42:21,200 Why? Because he knows he has certain 614 00:42:21,200 --> 00:42:25,600 of a alienable rights under his jurisdiction. 615 00:42:26,100 --> 00:42:31,000 Number four in the Early Autumn of AD 60 or approximately that 616 00:42:31,000 --> 00:42:33,800 timeframe he's put on a ship for Rome. 617 00:42:35,300 --> 00:42:39,000 In route, their Shipwrecked and all hope of being saved from the 618 00:42:39,000 --> 00:42:44,200 disaster, is said to be lost. Not going to survive, they're 619 00:42:44,200 --> 00:42:48,600 all going to lose their lives in the night, an angel appeared to 620 00:42:48,600 --> 00:42:51,200 God and promised thou must stand before. 621 00:42:51,200 --> 00:42:57,200 Caesar he says again The following spring safe and sound 622 00:42:57,500 --> 00:43:00,000 Paul and his company arrived in Rome. 623 00:43:01,200 --> 00:43:05,200 Is that prayers answered? Is that God's Providence? 624 00:43:06,200 --> 00:43:09,400 This is the way he works. This is the way he wants us to 625 00:43:09,400 --> 00:43:13,200 know that, this providential care can work and our lives. 626 00:43:14,000 --> 00:43:18,200 Now, we don't have the time as already mentioned were limited 627 00:43:18,700 --> 00:43:22,900 to study, another two verses of scripture, but I want to read 628 00:43:22,900 --> 00:43:26,600 them first Corinthians 10, and verse number 13. 629 00:43:26,600 --> 00:43:30,500 Listen to this closely. God is faithful. 630 00:43:30,600 --> 00:43:33,600 We all know that. Who will not suffer you to be 631 00:43:33,600 --> 00:43:37,500 tempted above that ye are able but will with the Temptation 632 00:43:37,500 --> 00:43:41,100 make also, the weight Escape that you may be able to endure 633 00:43:41,100 --> 00:43:44,900 it. A faithful child of God will 634 00:43:44,900 --> 00:43:50,700 never be put in a circumstance. He can't overcome Does that 635 00:43:50,700 --> 00:43:53,600 excite? You does that make us feel good 636 00:43:53,600 --> 00:43:55,200 about being a member of the church. 637 00:43:55,300 --> 00:44:00,600 It absolutely should. Secondly, and we know that to 638 00:44:00,600 --> 00:44:05,700 them, that love God, all things work together for good, even to 639 00:44:05,700 --> 00:44:07,900 them, that are called according to his purpose. 640 00:44:07,900 --> 00:44:11,100 Romans 8, verse 28, other places we could. 641 00:44:11,100 --> 00:44:16,600 Cite that cohesiveness would bring us together to realize 642 00:44:16,600 --> 00:44:22,300 that God cares for us. As long as we're faithful, God 643 00:44:22,300 --> 00:44:25,100 will see to it. That were taken care of, that's 644 00:44:25,100 --> 00:44:29,300 providential care. If you, please last this 645 00:44:29,300 --> 00:44:34,200 morning, I'm going to read something belief in Providence 646 00:44:34,300 --> 00:44:37,900 determines many of the basic attitudes of troop. 647 00:44:37,900 --> 00:44:42,300 Right piety, the knowledge that God watches and works in our 648 00:44:42,300 --> 00:44:45,500 lives. Teaches us to wait on him and 649 00:44:45,500 --> 00:44:49,800 faithfulness. Were the most amount of humility 650 00:44:49,800 --> 00:44:55,100 that we can possess and patiently for Vindication and 651 00:44:55,100 --> 00:44:59,100 deliverance from this old world and the things that are found 652 00:44:59,100 --> 00:45:02,700 there in that are evil. David talked about that in 653 00:45:02,700 --> 00:45:06,000 Psalms 37 and James mentioned it in chapter 5. 654 00:45:06,000 --> 00:45:10,700 And verse number 7, we thank you for listening to our podcast, 655 00:45:10,700 --> 00:45:14,600 put on by the Church of Christ at 22:15 plans. 656 00:45:14,600 --> 00:45:18,200 Road in Bakersfield, if you would like any additional 657 00:45:18,200 --> 00:45:21,400 information, or you would like to receive a free Bible 658 00:45:21,400 --> 00:45:26,900 correspondence, course by mail. Please email us at info at her 659 00:45:26,900 --> 00:45:29,400 Church of Christ Bakersfield.com. 660 00:45:30,000 --> 00:45:35,200 Our service times are on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. and 661 00:45:35,200 --> 00:45:39,700 Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. Please make plans to join us. 662 00:45:40,200 --> 00:45:42,400 We would love for you to be our honored guest.