The Providence of God How God Takes Care of His People

God’s Scheme of Redemption Lesson 4 God’s Scheme of Redemption The Cross of Christ The Church of Christ

God’s Eternal Purpose: To Create, Sustain, and Redeem Mankind. To create a universe in which to demonstrate His power and glory. To make a place for the habitation of mankind. To create a holy people to glorify Him. To sustain, bless, and redeem His children. To provide an institution for fellowship. To prepare an eternal home for the redeemed. To separate His children permanently from sin.

God’s Scheme of Redemption Y E T R N I Y

God’s Scheme of Redemption Tree of Life C R E A T I O N E T R N I Y E T R N I Y

God’s Scheme of Redemption Tree of Life – LOST C R E A T I O N E T R N I Y E T R N I Y The Fall

The Ideal State— Union With God God Man

The Effect Of Sin God Man SIN

The Cure For Sin: Divine Providence God Man 

Return to the Ideal State— Union With God God Man

God’s Scheme of Redemption Tree of Life – LOST C R E A T I O N E T R N I Y E T R N I Y 1st Patriarchal F L O D The Fall

God’s Scheme of Redemption Tree of Life – LOST C R E A T I O N E T R N I Y E T R N I Y 1st Patriarchal F L O D A B R H M The Fall

God’s Scheme of Redemption Tree of Life – LOST C R E A T I O N E T R N I Y E T R N I Y 1st Patriarchal F L O D A B R H M I S A C & J O B The Fall

God’s Scheme of Redemption Tree of Life – LOST C R E A T I O N E T R N I Y E T R N I Y 1st Patriarchal F L O D A B R H M I S A C & J O B E X O D U S 20 The Fall

God’s Scheme of Redemption Tree of Life – LOST C R E A T I O N E T R N I Y E T R N I Y 1st Mt. Sinai Patriarchal F L O D A B R H M I S A C & J O B E X O D U S 20 The Fall

God’s Scheme of Redemption Tree of Life – LOST C R E A T I O N E T R N I Y E T R N I Y 1st Mt. Sinai Patriarchal F L O D A B R H M I S A C & J O B E X O D U S 20 The Fall

God’s Scheme of Redemption Tree of Life – LOST C R E A T I O N E T R N I Y E T R N I Y 1st Mt. Sinai 2nd Patriarchal Mosaical F L O D A B R H M I S A C & J O B E X O D U S 20 The Fall

God’s Scheme of Redemption Tree of Life – LOST Canaan C R E A T I O N E T R N I Y E T R N I Y 1st Mt. Sinai 2nd Patriarchal Mosaical F L O D A B R H M I S A C & J O B E X O D U S 20 The Fall

God’s Scheme of Redemption Tree of Life – LOST Canaan C R E A T I O N E T R N I Y E T R N I Y 1st Mt. Sinai 2nd Patriarchal Mosaical F L O D A B R H M I S A C & J O B E X O D U S 20 D A V I The Fall

God’s Scheme of Redemption Tree of Life – LOST Canaan C R E A T I O N E T R N I Y E T R N I Y 1st Mt. Sinai 2nd Patriarchal Mosaical F L O D A B R H M I S A C & J O B E X O D U S 20 D A V I J O H N The B A T I S The Fall

God’s Scheme of Redemption Tree of Life – LOST Canaan C R E A T I O N E T R N I Y E T R N I Y 1st Mt. Sinai 2nd Patriarchal Mosaical F L O D A B R H M I S A C & J O B E X O D U S 20 D A V I J O H N The B A T I S The Fall

God’s Scheme of Redemption Tree of Life – LOST Canaan C R E A T I O N  E T R N I Y E T R N I Y 1st Mt. Sinai 2nd Patriarchal Mosaical F L O D A B R H M I S A C & J O B E X O D U S 20 D A V I J O H N The B A T I S The Fall

Sacrifice in the Providence of God 1. Cain offered fruit of the ground. “Without the shedding of blood there is no remission (of sin).” (Hebrews 9:22) 2. Abel offered a lamb. Type of Christ, the Lamb of God

Sacrifice in the Providence of God 1. Passover redeems Israel (Exodus 12) 2. Prophecy of Christ’s sacrifice “…he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter…” (Isaiah 53:7) 3. John’s recognition of Jesus as the sacrifice “Behold the lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)

The Cross and God’s Providence I. The Cross in God’s Eternal Plan 1. It was the eternal purpose of God to save fallen man. “…when the fulness of time was come…” (Gal. 4:4) 2. Jesus was the planned sacrifice. “…the lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” (Rev. 13:8)

The Cross and God’s Providence 3. Jesus came to bear witness of the Father. “…he that hath seen me hath seen the father.” (Jn. 14:9) 4. Christ’s death on the cross was the means of salvation. “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” (Jn. 12:32)

The Cross and God’s Providence 5. The Cross is evidence of God’s love. “For God so loved the world…” (John 3:16) “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8) 6. Christ’s triumph over death inspires believers to come to Christ and God.

The Cross and God’s Providence II. The Cross Made Sinners Aware of Sin And Its Consequences. 1. Sin was nailed to the cross. 2. The message of the cross: “You have sinned.” (Acts 2:37) 3. The response of penitent sinners is: “I have sinned.” (Luke 15:21)

The Cross and God’s Providence III. The Cross Causes Penitent Sinners to Seek Salvation. 1. Awareness of sin is the first step to salvation. (Acts 2:37) 2. The crucified and resurrected Jesus says: “Come unto me…” (Matt. 11:28)

The Cross and God’s Providence IV. The Preaching of the Cross Makes Truth Available to Sinners. 1. Christ reconciled the world to God through the cross. (Col. 1:20-23) 2. The Old Law was nailed to the Cross (Col 2:14) 3. Through the Gospel, God has provided reconciling truth. (John 8:32) 4. God’s Providence brings the Gospel to sinners through preaching. (Eph. 3:8)

The Cross and God’s Providence V. The Preaching of the Cross Saves From Sin. 1. Those who obey the Gospel are free from the condemnation of sin (Rom. 8:1) 2. The redeemed remain saved as long as they walk in the light. (1 John 1:7)

The Cross and God’s Providence VI. The Cross of Christ Teaches Us that We May Live After Death. 1. The crucified and resurrected Christ made this promise. (John 14:1-6) 2. The resurrected Christ promises the crown of life. (Rev. 2:10) 3. “…this mortality shall put on immortality.” (1 Cor. 15:53)

The Cross and God’s Providence VII. To Be Saved By the Cross Requires Sacrifice and Commitment. 1. We must bear the cross of Christ. (Luke 9:23) 2. We must be crucified with Christ. (Gal. 2:20)

God’s Scheme of Redemption Tree of Life – LOST The Great Commission (1 Cor. 15:1-4) Canaan C R E A T I O N  E T R N I Y E T R N I Y 1st Mt. Sinai 2nd Patriarchal Mosaical F L O D A B R H M I S A C & J O B E X O D U S 20 D A V I J O H N The B A T I S The Fall

God’s Scheme of Redemption Tree of Life – LOST The Great Commission Canaan C R E A T I O N P E N T C O S AD 33  E T R N I Y E T R N I Y 1st Mt. Sinai 2nd Patriarchal Mosaical F L O D A B R H M I S A C & J O B E X O D U S 20 D A V I J O H N The B A T I S The Fall

God’s Scheme of Redemption Tree of Life – LOST The Great Commission Canaan C R E A T I O N P E N T C O S AD 33  3rd E T R N I Y E T R N I Y 1st Mt. Sinai 2nd Christian/ Church Patriarchal Mosaical F L O D A B R H M I S A C & J O B E X O D U S 20 D A V I J O H N The B A T I S The Fall

The Church and God’s Providence 1. Church (ecclesia) means “called out.” 2. God has in every age had followers who were “called out” from the rest of the world. “Choose you this day whom ye will serve…” (Joshua 24:15) Believers are predestined to be God’s children. (Eph. 1:5) 3. The number of believers has always been comparatively small. (Matt. 7:13,14)

The Church and God’s Providence 4. God’s providence in regard to the church is seen in: The pattern in the OT Tabernacle. The “church in the wilderness.” (Acts 7:38) The temple in Jerusalem. The NT church. Preservation of the church in every age. The restoration movement. The deliverance of the church to God.

Panoramic View of God’s Providence Concerning the Church: The Church in Purpose The Church in Promise The Church in Prophecy The Church in Preparation The Church in Perfection The Church in Perpetuity

I. The Church in Purpose (Eph. 3:10-11) 1. Pre-millenial view. 2. The Protestant view. 3. The Church in God’s Eternal Purpose.

II. The Church in Promise (Gen. 3:15) 1. God promised in Eden to reconcile man to himself. (Gen. 3:15) 2. God established a human lineage through which the Messiah would come (Gen. 12:1-3) 3. This lineage was continued through Isaac and others who would obey God. (Gen. 22:18)

III. The Church in Prophecy (Isaiah 2:1-3; Daniel 2:44) 1. A great outpouring of the Holy Spirit. (Joel 2:29) 2. A New Covenant written on the heart. (Jer. 31:31-33) 3. A sheep fold with one Shepherd. (Ezek. 34:11-23) 4. “…upon the rock I will build my Church.” Matt. 16:18)

IV. The Church in Preparation 1. By John the Baptist 2. By Jesus Identity of Jesus as the Son of God. (Jn. 1:29) Announcement of the Church. (Matt. 16:18)

IV. The Church in Preparation 3. Implications of preparatory work. Proves the Church had not yet been established. Implies the Kingdom was soon to be established. (Mark 9:1) Proves the church is no accident or substitute.

V. The Church in Perfection (Acts 2) 1. When the fullness of time came, God established the Church according to His Eternal Purpose. (Gal 4:4) 2. Those who obeyed God were added to the Church according to His Eternal Plan. (Acts 2:39, 47) 3. God continues to save those who are subjects of His Eternal Plan. (Acts 2:39)

VI. The Church in Perpetuity (Acts 2:39; Luke 8:11) 1. When proper seed is sown, God brings forth fruit according to His Eternal Purpose. (Luke 8:11-15) 2. The Church is to last forever. (Dan. 2:44) 3. God is to be glorified in the Church “throughout all ages.” (Eph. 3:20-21) 4. Christ will be with His Church until the end of the world. (Matt. 28:20) 5. Christ will deliver the Kingdom to the Father. (1 Cor. 15:24).

God’s Eternal Purpose “Who [God, the Father] has (1) saved us AND (2) called us to a holy life - not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” (2 Timothy 1:9-10)

God’s Scheme of Redemption Tree of Life – LOST The Great Commission Canaan C R E A T I O N P E N T C O S AD 33  3rd E T R N I Y E T R N I Y 1st Mt. Sinai 2nd Christian/ Church Patriarchal Mosaical F L O D A B R H M I S A C & J O B E X O D U S 20 D A V I J O H N The B A T I S The Fall

God’s Scheme of Redemption Tree of Life – LOST C H R I S T’ 2nd O M N G The Great Commission C R E A T I O N P E N T C O S AD 33  3rd E T R N I Y E T R N I Y 1st Mt. Sinai 2nd Christian/ Church Patriarchal Mosaical F L O D A B R H M I S A C & J O B E X O D U S 20 D A V I J O H N The B A T I S The Fall

God’s Scheme of Redemption A V N C H U R Tree of Life – LOST Tree of Life - REGAINED C H R I S T’ 2nd O M N G The Great Commission Canaan C R E A T I O N Egypt P E N T C O S AD 33  3rd E T R N I Y E T R N I Y 1st Mt. Sinai 2nd Christian/ Church Patriarchal Mosaical F L O D A B R H M I S A C & J O B E X O D U S 20 D A V I B i r t h o f Christ J O H N The B A T I S The Fall Church in the Wilderness 2500 1500 2000 Adapted from John Cripps 1997

God’s Scheme of Redemption 1. God’s Rule: Patriarchal – Mosaical – Christian. 2. God’s congregation: 1) Church in the Wilderness; 2) Jews in Palestine; 3) Christ’s Church. 3. Refuge for God’s People: 1) Egypt; 2) Canaan; 3) The Church; 4) Heaven. 4. Salvation for God’s People: 1) to Egypt; 2) from Egypt; 3) Wandering; 4) Canaan; 5) Church; 6) Heaven. 5. Means of Salvation: 1) Corn in Egypt; 2) Passover; 3) Sustenance in the wilderness; 4) Baptized in the cloud and in the sea (1 Cor. 10:2); 5) NT baptism; 6) Eternity with God. 6. Savior for God’s People: 1) Types of Christ (Moses, Abraham, Joseph, David, Ark, Altar); 2) Christ. 7. Tree of Life: Lost and regained.

Next Lecture: General Providence and Special Providence