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PROVIDENCE:
"Our God is able to deliver us.”

1. Definition.

  1. Dictionary - The foreseeing care and guardianship of God over His creatures; a provident or prudent management of resource; prudence; To look before, to make provision.
            1. God is interested in you.        Matt. 10:29-31
            2. We must live by faith.        2 Cor. 5:7
            3. God's promises are sure.        2 Cor. 1:20

  2. General - That which God provides for all His creation. These things are provided by God without stipulation of faith or conduct.
            1. Universe        Dan. 4:35
            2. Physical world        Ps. 104:14; Matt. 5:45
            3. Animal creation        Ps. 104:21, 28; Matt. 6:26
  3. Nations        Jer. 18:7-10; Rom. 13:1-4; Ac. 17:26
            5. Man's birth                Gal. 1:15-16; Jer. 1:5
            6. Seeming insignificant                Matt. 10:30
            7. Protect righteous        Rom. 8:28; 1 Cor. 10:13
            8. Supply needs        Matt. 6:8, 32-33; Phil. 4:19

  4. Specific. In addition to the things provided in creation for all the world, God provides in special ways for his children. This study will focus on the specific providence of God.

2. Four types of Providence.
  1. Preventive. (Stops sin) Gen. 20:6; Ps. 19:13
  2. Permissive. (Teaches, instructs) Ps. 81:12-13; Acts 14:16; Rom. 1:24, 26; Matt. 19:8
  3. Directive. (Turns evil to good.) Gen. 50:20; Acts 4:27-28; Rom. 9:17-18
  4. Determinative. (Sets limits) Job 1:12; 2:6; Ps. 124:2; 1 Cor. 10:13
3. Theories Opposing Providence.

  1. Fatalism. The mold is set. The dye is cast. We can't change anything. "What will be, will be." Our destinly is predetermined. When your number is up, your number is up.
  2. Casualism. All is a matter of chance. Everything is just coincidence. All events are fate, luck, fortune.
  3. Clock-winder. God is a Master clock-winder. He set the universe in motion under laws. Now God just maintains these laws.
4. Erroneous Concpets.
  1. Whimsical, arbitrary.
    1. Finding a parking space.
    2. Providencially hindered" from attending worship.

  2. A monster.
    1. Job 1:22 Do not make foolish charges against God.
    2. God took my baby to be in heaven."
    3. God took my wife to be in the heavenly choir."

5. Examples of Providence.
  1. Joseph. Gen. 45:7-8; 50:20
    1. Sold into slavery.
    2. Cast into prison.
    3. King's dream.
    4. Famine.

  2. Daniel. Dan. 6:16-23

  3. Firey Furnace. Dan. 3:16-18

  4. Esther. Esther 4:13-16

  5. Nebuchadnezzar. Dan. 4:25, 32, 34-35

  6. Moses. Ex. 9:16
    1. Raised in Pharaoh's house.
    2. Flee to winderness.
    3. Burning bush.

  7. Abraham.

  8. Birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.

  9. Paul. 1 Cor. 16:9

6. New Testament Teaching.

  1. Phil. 4:19
    1. God shall supply all your needs
    2. According to His riches in glory

  2. Rom. 8:28
    1. We know
    2. All things
    3. Work together for good
    4. To those who love God
    5. Are called by His purpose

  3. Luke 6:38
    1. Give to God and His work
    2. Men shall give to you

  4. 2 Tim. 1:12
    1. Sufer without being ashamed
    2. I know whom I have believed
    3. He is able to keep me

  5. 2 Tim. 4:18
    1. Lord shall deliver me
    2. From every evil work
    3. Preserve me unto the heavenly kingdom

7. Teaching Related to Providence.

  1. Prayer. We must either start REALLY believing in the providence of God OR quit praying. If we believe that God can hear and answer our prayers - WE MUST BELIEVE IN THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD!
  2. Faith. Mark 11:24
    1. Believe that you have received them (past tense)
    2. They shall (future tense) be yours.

  3. Free Agency of man.
    1. Acts 5:4
    2. Rom. 6:12-18

  4. Divine guidance.
    1. Ps. 23:2
    2. Ps. 27:11
    3. Rom. 8:14

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