Attributes of God: Providence...

THE Sovereignty Of God may be defined as the exercise of His supremacy (God’s providence). Infinitely elevated above the highest creature, He is the Most High, Lord of heaven and earth; subject to none, influenced by none, absolutely independent. God does as He pleases, only as He pleases, always as He pleases. None can thwart Him, none can hinder Him. So His own Word expressly declares what?

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Once we understand that God is the all-powerful Creator, it seems reasonable to conclude that He also preserves and governs everything in the universe as well.

We are going to look at coupls subtopics to help us understand more clearly:

(1.) Preservation. God keeps all created things existing and maintaining the properties with which he created them.

What does state? ___________________

It does not mean simply “sustain,” but has the sense of active, purposeful control over the thing being carried from one place to another. Jesus is “continually carrying along all things” in the universe by His word of power. Christ is actively involved in the work of providence.

What does state? ___________________

Grudem, W. A. (2004). Systematic theology: an introduction to biblical doctrine (p. 316). Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House.

The phrase “all things” refers to every created thing in the universe (see v. 16), and the verse affirms that Christ keeps all things existing—in him they continue to exist or endure.

If He stops or were to cease His continuing activity of sustaining all things in the universe, then all except the triune God would instantly cease to exist.

In in who do we have our “being”? ________

One aspect of God’s sovereign preservation is the fact that He continues to give us breath each moment. What does Elihu, in his wisdom, say of God (; see also ) __________________________

(2.) Concurrence. God cooperates with created things in every action, directing their distinctive properties to cause them to act as they do.

Grudem, W. A. (2004). Systematic theology: an introduction to biblical doctrine (p. 316). Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House.

(2.) Concurrence.

This is expanding the idea of preservation. says, that, "... we were predestined according to the plan of the One who works out everything in agreement with the purpose of his will,” () No event in creation falls outside of His sovereignty.

No event in creation falls outside of His sovereignty.

Scripture Proof!

Inanimate (not alive, non organic) Creation.

There are many things in creation that we think of as merely “natural” occurrences. Yet Scripture says that God causes them to happen. List the parts of God’s creation that executes God’s command in (make sure to hold your place here).

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Let’s read some similar statements in ; .

Again, the psalmist declares that "The Lord does whatever he pleases in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all the depths.” (). Then in the next sentence he illustrates God’s doing of His will in the weather: "He causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain and brings the wind from his storehouses.” (; cf. 104:4).

God also causes the grass to grow: 14 "He causes grass to grow for the livestock and provides crops for man to cultivate, producing food from the earth,” ()

God directs the stars in the heavens, asking Job, "Can you bring out the constellations in their season...?” ()

God directs the stars in the heavens, asking Job, “Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons or lead out the Bear with its cubs?” ( NIV; “the Bear” or Ursa Major is commonly called the Big Dipper; v. 31 refers to the constellations Pleiades and Orion). Moreover, God continually directs the coming of the morning (), a fact Jesus affirmed when he said that God “makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” ().

Moreover, God continually directs the coming of the morning (), a fact Jesus affirmed when he said that God “makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous” ().

2. Animals. Scripture affirms that God feeds the wild animals of the field, for, 27 "All of them wait for you to give them their food at the right time. 28 "When you give it to them, they gather it; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things. 29 "When you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust.” (; cf. ). What does Jesus affirm? __________________ (see Matthew 10:29)

And he said that not one sparrow "... not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s consent.” ()

3. Seemingly “Random” or “Chance” Events. From a human perspective, the casting of lots (or its modern equivalent, the rolling of dice or flipping of a coin) is the most typical of random events that occur in the universe. But Scripture affirms that the outcome of such an event is from God. What’s say? ______________

4. The Affairs of Nations.Scripture also speaks of God’s providential control of human affairs. What do we read of God doing to the nations in ? ___________

Grudem, W. A. (2004). Systematic theology: an introduction to biblical doctrine (p. 318). Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House.

Grudem, W. A. (2004). Systematic theology: an introduction to biblical doctrine (p. 319). Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House.

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And when Nebuchadnezzar repented what did he learn in ? ______________________________________________________________________________________________

5. All Aspects of Our Lives. It is amazing to see the extent to which Scripture affirms that God brings about various events in our lives. What do we depend upon God for? () _____________________________

Similarly, Paul, looking at events with the eye of faith, affirms that “my God will supply every need” of His children (), even though God may use “ordinary” means (such as other people) to do so.

What does David say about our days on earth ()? _____________________________________

God plans our days before we are born. What does Job say about that? () _______________________

Similarly in "But when God, who from my mother’s womb set me apart and called me by his grace, was pleased” ()

"I chose you before I formed you in the womb; I set you apart before you were born. I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” ()

All our actions are under God’s sovereign control. We not only live and have our being from God but what else in ? ___________________

Every step you took today was directed by Who? (see ; see also , ; ).

Success and failure come from God. We read, "Exaltation does not come from the east, the west, or the desert, for God is the Judge: He brings down one and exalts another.” (). So Mary can say, “He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree” (). The LORD gives children, for children “are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward” ().

All our talents and abilities are from the Lord. What does Paul ask the Corinthians ()? ____________

David knew that to be true regarding his military skill, even though he must have trained many hours in the use of a bow and arrow, what does he actually say of God in ? ______________________

Grudem, W. A. (2004). Systematic theology: an introduction to biblical doctrine (p. 320). Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House.

Grudem, W. A. (2004). Systematic theology: an introduction to biblical doctrine (p. 321). Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House.

God influences rulers in their decisions. We read earlier, "A king’s heart is like channeled water in the Lord’s hand: He directs it wherever he chooses.” ()

What did God do to the king of Assyria’s attitude or heart? () ___________________________

How about the kind of Persia? () ______________

It’s not just the heart of kings that God influences. Who else (see ). ______________

When we realize that the heart in Scripture is the location of our inmost thoughts and desires, this is a significant passage. God especially guides the desires and inclinations of believers, working in us “both to will and to work for his good pleasure” ().

(3.) Government.

(2.) Concurrence.

(3.) Government.

(3.) Government.