1. The Providence of God How God Takes Care of His People

2. 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.

3. Lesson 6 The Providence of God In Romans 8:28

4. Romans 8:28
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” KJV
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” NIV
“We know also that those who love God have his aid and interest in everything—those who have been called in terms of his purpose.” The New Testament: A New Translation (James Moffatt)
“Moreover, we know that to those who love God, everything that happens fits into a pattern for good.” The New Testament in Modern English (J. B. Phillips)

5. Romans 8:28: Some Questions
Romans 8:28: Some Questions
How many things work together for good?
For whom do all things work together for good?
What does Paul mean by “good?”
Is there anything that happens that does not work for the good of the people of God?
What does it mean “to be called?”
What does it mean “to be called according to his purpose?”
What are the implications of this verse for how we live?
How is the format of verse 28 similar to that of verse 1?

6. Context of Romans 8:28 1. Special Providence for God’s People.
Context of Romans 8:28
1. Special Providence for God’s People.
“Upholding all things by the word of his power” (Heb. 1:3).
2. The theme of Romans is “The Gospel of God” (v. 1).
The power of God unto salvation (1:16).
For Jews and Gentiles alike (2:11; 3:29).
--All have sinned (3:23).
--All need redemption (6:23).

7. Context of Romans 8:28 3. Christ died for sinners (5:8).
Context of Romans 8:28
3. Christ died for sinners (5:8).
Sinners are united with Christ in baptism (6:3-6).
The redeemed are delivered “out of the body of death” (7:24-25).
4. Promises to Israel are reconciled with the promises concerning the Gentiles (chapters 9-11).
Through the Deliverer (Rom. 11:26).
5. Romans 12-15—Christian life and service.
6. Romans 16—The outflow of Christian love.

8. Context of Romans 8:28 Chapter 8
Context of Romans 8:28
Chapter 8
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit.
17 …if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
18 For I reckon that the suffering of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

9. Context of Romans 8:28
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

10. Romans 8:28 is a summation of God’s Providence.
Romans 8:28 is a summation
of God’s Providence.
Non-Christian will not understand this verse.
Weak Christians will not always believe it.
Christians who trust in God’s providence will:
1. Pray for increased faith in the face of increased adversity.
2. See the divine purpose behind events in their lives.
2. Look for God’s principle of universal harmony.

11. I. The Principle Stated
A. Overruling providence operates on the benevolent principle that all things work together for good.
B. When this principle is accepted, several facts become more clear:
1. There is purpose in all things.
2. The overall purpose in all things is good.
3. God’s intended purpose works in our lives to the extent that we conform to His will.

12. II. The Working of the Principle
A. Circumstances may contribute to true well-being.
Poverty vs. wealth.
Obscurity vs. honor.
B. Personal experiences may be overruled by God’s providence.
Strength from sorrow.
Patience from adversity.

13. III. Practical Lessons Drawn From the Principle
Those who understand the principle will:
A. View their circumstances more positively.
B. Actively seek to profit from God’s providence.
C. Eagerly anticipate the day when they can look back upon a life of trust in God’s providence and see clearly that God has done all things well.
Adapted from The Pulpit Commentary

14. The Four Laws of Romans 8:28
I. The Law of Operation—“All things work…”
II. The Law of Cooperation—”All things work together…”
III. The Law of Compensation—”All things work together for good…”
IV. The Law of Limitation—”All things work together for good to them that love God and who are the called according to his purpose.”

15. I. The Law of Operation—“All Things Work…”
A. God busily works in His physical world.
B. Law of operation works in the spiritual realm as well.

16. II. The Law of Cooperation—“All Things Work Together…”
A. The Godhead works together. (Gen. 1:26)
B. God works to sustain His creation. (Heb. 1:1-3)
C. God works through human agency to save the world. (Mk. 16:15-16)

17. III. The Law of Compensation—“All Things Work Together For Good…”
A. Why is this law hard to understand?
B. Even that which seems bad for us will ultimately work for our good.
C. Adversaries sometimes bring opportunities.
D. When God closes one door, He opens another.
E. Trials strengthen our spiritual lives and help prepare us for heaven.

18. A. The promise is to them that love the Lord.
IV. The Law of Limitation—All Things Work Together For Good To Them That Love God and Who Are The Called According To His Purpose.”
 A. The promise is to them that love the Lord.
B. The promise is to them that are called according to His purpose.
C. Further conditions of the promise: living for God, doing His will, converting others, etc.
D. God’s providence covers the needs of all true believers (Jn. 14:1-6; Matt. 28:20).
Adapted from Andrew Connally

19. Scriptures To Encourage Us In Difficult Times
Paul: “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Rom. 8:18)
James: “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” (Jas. 1:2-3).
David: “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.” (Ps. 119:71)
Job: “Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with men, to bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.” (Job 33:29-30)

20. The Providence of God in the Lives Of Abraham, Esther, and Joseph
Next Lecture:
The Providence of God in the Lives
Of Abraham, Esther, and Joseph