TITLE: Providence of God
TEXT: James 1:16-20
PROPOSITION: God is still working in our world.
SCRIPTURE READING:

INTRODUCTION:

1. Define Providence – The foresight of God, to plan and prepare for in advance.
2. Matthew 5:45 – God sends rain on just and unjust
3. James 1:17 – Every good and perfect gift is from above

Examples of Providence

1. Abraham – Genesis 22:13 – Ram in the bushes (vs. 14) Called place The Lord will provide"
2. Joseph – Genesis 45:8 – God sent me ahead to preserve life
3. Esther – Esther 4:14 – Sent to the kingdom for such a time as this?
4. Ethiopian – Acts 8:26 – Join thyself to this chariot

God Still Works

1. Philippians 2:13 – It is God who works in you to do His will
2. 1 Corinthians 10:13 – God will not allow you to be tempted
3. God promised to never leave us or forsake us. Hebrews 13:5-6
4. Things are mindless – Romans 8:28
5. God is aware of each of us – Knows, Loves, Judges

Real Life Examples

1. Romans 11:33-36 Who knows the mind of God?
2. Hebrews 6:10 God will not forget your work and love
3. Matthew 10:42 – Give a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple

Does It ALWAYS Work?

1. Psalm 91:1-3, 5, 10-12, 15
2. Where was this protection for –
   Able Stephen Jesus
3. ANSWER – Romans 11:33-36 Who knows the mind of God?
4. We do not always know what is best for us, for others, for church.

Job 38:41 Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.

Ps 65:9 Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.

Ps 78:20 Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed; can he give bread also? can he provide flesh for his people?

Heb 11:40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.