SERIES: By This We Know - - God Cares (4 of 5)

TITLE: We Know that God Cares

I. Define: Providence

1. The overlapping of two worlds.

   1. Spiritual world of God

   2. Physical world of man

   3. When God steps into our world -

      1. Direct Intervention

      2. Through agents, means, events

   4. There is a God in heaven! Daniel 2:28 There is a God in heaven

      1. How do we know?

      2. Guides the affairs of men. Daniel 4:32 God rules in the affairs of men

   5. Hebrews 1:1-3

      1. God spoke directly to man.

      2. Used many means and methods

II. Examples of Providence

1. Abraham and Isaac – Genesis 22:8 – God will provide the Lamb

2. Joseph – Genesis 45:5 – God sent me before you to preserve life

Genesis 50:20 – You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good

3. Moses

   1. 40 years in house of Pharaoh

   2. 40 years in wilderness

   3. 40 years leading Israel

4. Esther – Esther 4:14 – If you remain silent, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place

5. Jonah – God “Prepared” - -

   1. Jonah 1:4 great wind

   2. Jonah 1:17 great fish

   3. Jonah 4:6 gourd vine

   4. Jonah 4:7 a worm

   5. Jonah 4:8 a fierce east wind (hot wind)

6. Daniel

   1. Daniel 3:16-18 God is able to deliver us, but is not, we will not worship the gold image

   2. Daniel 4:17, 25, 32 – The Most High rules in the kingdom of men

   3. Daniel 6:20-22 – My God sent His angel and shut the lion's mouths

III. Promises of God

1. Philippians 4:19 My God shall supply all your needs

2. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ

3. Ephesians 3:20-21 To Him that is able to do exceedingly above

4. Matthew 6:30 Will He not much more clothe you?

5. Psalms 23:5 You prepare a table before me

6. Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you

7. 2 Timothy 1:12 I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded

8. 2 Timothy 4:18 The Lord will deliver me from every evil work

9. 1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care on Him, He cares for you

10. Genesis 28:15 I am with you, and will keep you wherever you go, bring you back

IV. Does God's providence overrule our freedom?

1. God created us free moral agents

2. Adam and Eve were free to choose

3. We are given freedom to choose

4. God can open doors of opportunity for us

   1. We may reject the opportunity.

   2. Story of man during a flood – Prayed for God to save him – Jeep, boat, helicopter, - all rejected, “God will save me.” – the man drowned – he asked Why? - God said, “I sent a jeep, boat and helicopter.”

5. Illustration: A River

   1. Many springs and streams flow into it.

   2. They are independent of the river.

   3. They join the river & great things happen.

6. If you will "flow with God" - Romans 8:28 – And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

GREAT THINGS CAN HAPPEN IN YOUR LIFE!