Introduction

Prescriptive and Descriptive Texts

prescriptive

descriptive

Genesis 50:20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

1

Joseph“Providence“sermon #1November 6, 2016

Competing Worldviews

deism - teaches that God created the world and then essentially ____________________ it

pantheism - teaches that the creation does not have a real ___________________ existence in itself but is only part of God

chance – teaches ___________________

fate - teaches ___________________

A Definition of Providence

“We may define God’s providence as follows: God is continually involved with all created things in such a way that he (1) keeps them existing and maintaining the properties with which he created them, (2) cooperates with created things in every

2

action, directing their distinctive properties to cause them to act as they do; and (3) directs them to fulfill his purposes.” (Systematic Theology, Wayne Grudem, page

315)

“God, the great Creator of all things, doth uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures, actions, and things, from the greatest even to the least, by his most wise and holy providence, according to his infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of his own will, to the praise of the glory of his wisdom, power, justice, goodness, and mercy.”

(Westminster Confession of Faith)

3

God is the primary cause of

the ___________________ of the universe

everything that ____________ ___________ in the universe

Proverbs 16:9 The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.

.

4

The Extent of God’s Providence

1 – God’s providence extends over the entire ___________________. (Daniel 4:34-35)

2 - God’s providence extends over the entire ___________________ world. (Psalm 135:5-7)

3 - God’s providence extends over the affairs of the ________________. (Psalm 22:28, Acts 17:24-26)

4 - God’s providence extends over the ___________, _____________, and ______________ of our birth, as well as our _________ in life. (Psalm 139:13-16)

5 - God’s providence extends over all our outward _________________ and ___________________. (Psalm 75:6-7)

6 - God’s providence extends over things that are seemingly _______________ or ______________. (Psalm 16:33)

7 - God’s providence extends to the ________________ of the righteous. (Psalm 121:1-7, Philippians 4:19)

5

8 - God’s providence covers all the ________________ of God’s people. (Genesis 22:8)

9 - God’s providence provides answers to all of our _______________. (Matthew 7:7)

10 - God’s providence extends to the ________________ and ___________________ of the wicked. (Psalm 11:6)

This is a radical notion: that the providence of God extends to all places

and occurrences. (Ephesians 1:3-14)

6

The Providence of God and Human Freedom

God acts in His providence without…

infringing on our ________________.

relieving us of our ___________________.

5 points

James 1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.

The nature of sin is not _________________ by the use God makes of it.

The will of God never contains _________________ for us to do what runs contrary to the revealed will of God.

7

God not only _____________ sin, but He makes ___________ of it.

God is not ___________________ for sin, but since God creates, sustains, and upholds all things, somehow, in the mystery of it all, He has ___________________ that these things should be.

This understanding is profitable as it allows us to ponder the dark side of

things.

“The providence of God is often a dark impenetrable abyss to us.” (John Murray) (Psalm 74:1-8)

It is not an impenetrable abyss to ____________.

We must be aware that God’s ways are ____________.

When we understand the providence of God,

a number of things follow.

8

Prosperity should never be an occasion of __________.

Uncertainty should not be the occasion of __________.

There is security in ____________.

There is comfort in ______________.

“The Christian solace is in this, to know that his heavenly Father so holds all things in His power, so rules by His authority and will, so governs by His wisdom that nothing can befall unless He determines it.” (John Calvin)

We see the providence of God in the death of Jesus.

(Isaiah 53:10, Acts 2:22-24, Acts 4:27-28)

9