The Providence of God How God Takes Care of His People

Lesson 5 The Providence of God General Providence Special Providence

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.

Some terms defined:   “Providence is God's intervention in the world. A distinction is usually made between ‘general providence’, which refers to God's continuous upholding the existence and natural order of the universe, and ‘special providence’, which refers to God's extraordinary intervention in the life of people.” Wikipedia

Providence Proved 1. From God’s Perfection He is able to provide.   Providence Proved 1. From God’s Perfection He is able to provide. He is willing to provide. His goodness will not permit Him to desert His creation.

Providence Proved 2. From Man’s Dependence   Providence Proved  2. From Man’s Dependence Man has no control over a single one of the laws of nature. Man must rely on God for sustenance in this world and for salvation in the next. Otherwise, man is a helpless victim of chance.

Providence Proved 3. From Scriptures.   Providence Proved  3.  From Scriptures. By its explicit predictions, promises, and threats which have been accurately accomplished: Ex. 12:46……. John 19:36 Ps. 22:18……..John 19:24 Micah. 5:2…….Matt. 2:5

I. General Providence—Evidence of God’s Concern For All His Creation   A. Physical Providence 1. In Nature a. Lilies of the field (Matt. 6:28) b. Sparrows are not forgotten (Luke 12:4)

  A. Physical Providence 2. In Human Lives a. Sustenance (“Give us this day our daily bread”) Available to all—good and bad. World does not recognize God’s providence. World is not thankful for God’s

  A. Physical Providence 2. In Human Lives b. Weather Conducive to sustenance. Causes reflection about the power that makes weather. c. Seasons Compel us to plan our lives. Remind us of God’s faithfulness

  B. Social Providence 1. Civil Government a. Regulation of human society. b. God can use governments to do His will.

  B. Social Providence 2. Domestic relationships a. Home and family b. Security and happiness

  C. Random Providence 1. Time and chance (Ecc. 9:11) a. Element of randomness b. Options above human ability to regulate. c. Fortunate chance (“lucky”) and unfortunate chance (“unlucky”) d. It is dangerous to interpret events as evidence of God’s providence.

a. World sometimes prospers when Christians suffer.  C. Random Providence 2. Worldly prosperity a. World sometimes prospers when Christians suffer. Chance or providence? “God doesn’t settle all accounts in October.” b. It is a mistake to assume that good fortune indicates God’s favor or that misfortune indicates God’s displeasure.

Agents of God’s Providence   Agents of God’s Providence 1. Natural Cause and effect Order of succession (seasons, night and day, etc.) 2. Moral Agents Moral righteousness is voluntary. Humans have a sense of right and wrong. We may choose to obey or disobey. We may choose to do good or evil.

Agents of God’s Providence   Agents of God’s Providence 2. Moral Agents Angels Parents Coaches Friends Mate Enemies Satan

Agents of God’s Providence   Agents of God’s Providence 2. Moral Agents Every Christian is an agent of God’s providence (“God has no hands but our hands…”)

  II. Special Providence—Evidence of God’s Love and Concern for the Elect God’s Special Providence intervenes in three ways: Direct cause: He causes things to happen. Permission: He allows things to happen. Prevention: He keeps things from happening.

  II. Special Providence—Evidence of God’s Love and Concern for the Elect A. The entire Godhead Provides For Us: God (Matt. 6:33); Christ (Matt. 28:20); Holy Spirit (Jn. 7:39) B. God Works Providentially In The Lives of the Faithful. 1. Joshua and Caleb; Moses; Paul 2. All obedient believers (Phil. 2:13; Rom. 8:28)

  C. God’s Providence Is Often At Work Without Our Knowledge 1. David—“No man cared for my soul.” (Ps. 142:4) 2. Elijah—“And I, even I only, am left…” (1 Kings 19:10)

D. Evidence of God’s Providence for Believers   D. Evidence of God’s Providence for Believers 1. Truth: Those who want the truth can find it. (Prov. 1:20-23; 8:17; Matt. 7:7-11; Luke 11:13; Acts 17:27) a. Promise of salvation through God’s providence. (Acts 2:38; 2 Pet. 1:10-11) b. God causes man to look for Him. (Acts 17:27) c. God is not far from anyone. (Acts 17:27) d. God wants all men to find Him. (2 Pet. 3:9; 1 Tim. 2:4) e. God will help honest seekers find Him. (Matt. 7:7 ff.)

D. Evidence of God’s Providence For Believers 2. Grace   D. Evidence of God’s Providence For Believers 2. Grace a. Essentially a New Testament word (Jn. 1:17; Titus 2:11; 2 Cor. 12:9; Heb. 4:16) Law is connected with Moses and works; grace with Christ and faith (Jn. 1:17) Law blesses the good; grace saves the bad (Ex. 19:5) Law demands that blessings be earned; grace is a free gift (Eph. 2:8)

D. Evidence of God’s Providence For Believers 2. Grace   D. Evidence of God’s Providence For Believers 2. Grace b. Grace and character (cf. Paul—Eph 3:8) c. Grace and forgiveness, forbearance, and long- suffering (Matt. 5:43-44) d. Grace and love (Matt. 5:44) e. Grace and acceptance (“…my grace is sufficient for thee.” 2 Cor. 12:9)

  D. Evidence of God’s Providence For Believers 3. Temporal and eternal security for obedient believers (Matt. 6:33; Ps. 37:25) a. The wicked may prosper, but without the promise of security. b. Eternal security for the obedient (Matt. 25:46; Rev. 14:13)

  D. Evidence of God’s Providence For Believers 4. Prayer a. Access to God which the worldly do not have (Jn. 9:31) b. Connection through which many spiritual blessings come to the elect (Jas. 1:5-6)

  E. God Will Bless Others Because of His Faithful Ones (Ps. 37:25; Phil 4:19; Rom. 8:37-39)

  F. Angels Are Somehow Involved in Special Providence 1. They minister to Christians (Heb. 1:14; Matt. 18:10; Luke 16:33) 2. They still need instruction (Eph. 3:8; 1 Pet. 1:12)

  G. God’s Providence May Reverse the Good Fortune of the Faithful for Their Ultimate Benefit. 1. Temptation of Job (Job 42:12) 2. Temptation of Christians (Jas. 1:1-4)

  H. Conditions of Special Providence 1. Do more than others (Matt. 5:47) 2. Ask, seek, knock (Matt. 7:7) 3. Walk in the light (1 Jn. 1:7)

Next Lecture: The Providence of God In Romans 8:28