Topical Sermon: The Providence of God in Our Lives

Scripture Reading: Romans 8:28-32

The Providence of God in Our Lives

Intro.

1. In our zeal to oppose false doctrines like God acting miraculously today, it is possible we have minimized the abiding and comforting truth that God is working in this world & in our lives.

2. Rom. 8:28: Context of enduring sufferings with a view toward future glory. Included in this suffering are the physical results of the fall of God's creation (8:19-23). God’s over-ruling providence in the affairs of men.

3. How the providence of God should affect us as we live by faith.

I. DEFINING PROVIDENCE.

A. God’s Foresight, Care & Control.

1. “Foresight, timely care; etc.” (Webster)

2. God’s “foresight & forethought in creating the universe whereby he could be in control & carry out his purpose to its ultimate consummation.” (Prayer & Providence, Hailey, 115)

3. God’s hand in the affairs of men.

B. Illustrations: Joseph, Gen. 45:4-7; 50:20. (Ex. Pharaoh, Rom. 9:17; Exo. 9:16; Cyrus, Isa. 44:24-28; Ezra 1:1-4; Esther, Est. 4:14)

C. God is in Control of All…

1. Nature, Acts 14:17 (Matt. 5:45; 6:30).

a. God gives the seasons & their produce; “This is my Father’s world!”

b. This is the God in whom we put our faith!

2. Animal (Job 12:10; 38:41; Psa. 104:19-30; Matt. 6:26).

a. God holds the life of all creatures in His hand.

b. God’s foresight for animals assures us of His care for us.

3. Nations, Psa. 66:7 (Dan. 2:21; 4:25, 35).

a. Men only rule as the Ruler of all allows it (Jer. 27:4-8; Dan. 2:37).

b. God controls kings (Prov. 21:1; Ezra 7:27).

c. This is why prayers for leaders is effective (1 Tim. 2:1-2).

4. Lives of individuals, 1 Sam. 2:6-7 (Prov. 16:9; Psa. 31:15).

5. Even the smallest things, Matt. 10:29-31.

-To ignore the overruling presence of God in our lives is faithlessness & is to invite foolishness & peril, Jas. 4:15. “If the Lord wills…”

II. HOW THEN SHOULD WE LIVE? Faith in God’s providence helps us…

A. Seize Every Opportunity God Gives You, Eccl. 9:10; Gal. 6:9-10.

-God’s providence does not encourage inactivity (“God is in charge, so I’ll just sit back & wait for him to act!”).

B. Live with a Quiet Acceptance of those things beyond our Control, Eccl. 3:1-8.

1. Accept the events/courses of life (& enjoy what comes to us).

a. Rejoice in life & fear our God.

b. Don't reject God’s rule in this world through sinful reactions like anger, anxiety, doubt & unbelief, 3:12-14; Paul, 2 Cor. 12:8-10.

C. Develop a Contented Spirit, Heb. 13:5-6.

1. Knowledge of God's providence leads us to contentment, Phil. 4:6-7, 11-13.

2. Also helps us have a sympathetic, compassionate spirit, Col. 3:12.

D. Guard against Bitterness of Spirit.

1. Bad things happen in a sin-cursed world.

2. Sometimes people become bitter because of them (Hannah, 1 Sam. 1:10; Job, Job 7:11).

3. Bitterness becomes fertile soil for Satan (Heb. 12:14-15).

E. Guard against Murmuring & Complaining, Phil. 2:14; 1 Cor. 10:10.

1. Shows lack of respect for God & His will in our lives – dissatisfaction with His rule over world (cf. Num. 21:5: Loathed the manna).

2. Promotes dissatisfaction with God by others – not “letting our light shine!”

F. Learn to Trust in God more Completely.

1. Faith to be as He is, Matt. 5:44-45, 48.

2. Replace anxiety with trust, Matt. 6:30-31.

3. God especially watches over His children (Matt. 6:25-34).

G. Remember to Pray more Fervently, Matt. 7:7-11.

1. If God is not active in our lives, then there is no power or protection in prayer!

2. Prayer works because God is at work! Jas. 5:13-18

Conclusion

1. Many things about God’s government of this world that we cannot know or fully understand (finite knowing the infinite), Deut. 29:29.

2. But, we can learn to trust His providential care over us, Rom. 8:28-29.