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
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
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
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
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.
First Peter 3, verse 12 and first John 5 verses 14 and 15
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
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.
Again in John 5 verse 39, and 40 and Revelations 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
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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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