God Who Sustains All

Hebrews 1:1–4 ESV

1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

Introduction:

There are two words we can use when we think of, “God Who Sustains all Things:” Providence, and Pre-eminence.

Jesus Christ, Sustains all Things

Jn 1:3; Col 1:15–17 The title “firstborn” implies that Jesus Christ is the heir, that everything belongs to him; Heb 1:2–3

John 1:3 ESV

3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Colossians 1:15–17 ESV

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

See also Jn 13:3; 1 Co 8:6; Eph 1:22; Eph 4:10

A Peek at God’s Sustaining

God sustains the created order

Ge 8:22 A promise given by God to all peoples.

Genesis 8:22 ESV

22 While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.”

See also Ne 9:6; Is 40:26; Col 1:17; Heb 1:3

All life is dependent on God

1 Timothy 6:13 ESV

13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession,

See also 1 Sa 1:27; Job 1:21; Ps 127:3; Ec 3:2; Ec 9:9; Eze 24:16; Da 5:26; Mt 4:4; Mt 10:29

God controls the elements

Psalm 147:8 ESV

8 He covers the heavens with clouds; he prepares rain for the earth; he makes grass grow on the hills.

See also Job 37:1–13; Ps 29:3–9; Ps 135:6–7; Mt 5:45; Ac 17:25–28

God provides for the created world

Psalm 145:15–16 ESV

15 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. 16 You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing.

See also Job 38:39–41; Ps 104:27–28; Ps 136:25; Ps 147:9; Lk 12:6–7; Ac 14:17; 1 Ti 6:17

God Sustains Miraculously

Job 5:9–10 God’s regular activity in providing for human beings is regarded as being miraculous in just the same way as special demonstrations of his power.

Job 5:9–10 ESV

9 who does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number: 10 he gives rain on the earth and sends waters on the fields;

See also Ex 16:11–14; Nu 16:28–35; Jdg 15:18–19; 1 Ki 17:5–6; 2 Ki 4:42–44

Anything exists did not create itself

I did not create myself something outside of me had to create me

therefore I am established by something other than myself

I am provided for by something outside of myself

I am dependent on something greater than myself

A cup of coffee can not create itself

something outside of coffee must bring it into existence

that which brings coffee into existence is subject to that which caused it to be (come into existence)

The world is lost when it does not recognize what has brought it into existence

what sustains it

what provides for it

what is pre-eminent (came before) to it

God Establishes in Human History

God establishes human intentions

Habakkuk 1:12 ESV

12 Are you not from everlasting, O Lord my God, my Holy One? We shall not die. O Lord, you have ordained them as a judgment, and you, O Rock, have established them for reproof.

This is so key

Men have free will

men can choose God

men can refuse God

God respects mans choice and it is established by his (man) actions

God does not make us sin or do good

God records or establishes our choices

He allows us to be responsible for our choices

So because God knows something is going to happen does not mean He is the cause of that something happening

yet the something that has happened will be established and used in judgement

man is without excuse and must give an account of the deeds done in the body...

See also 1 Ki 22:19–20; 2 Ki 19:27–28; Is 10:15; Hab 1:6

God’s providential actions on behalf of individuals

Romans 8:28 ESV

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

See also Job 1:12; Job 2:6; Ps 107:12–14; Ps 107:24–29; Ps 107:33–38; Is 38:17

God’s saving purposes fulfilled through providence

Genesis 50:20 ESV

20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

See also Ge 22:13; Ge 45:5–8; 2 Ch 36:22–23; Ezr 6:14; Is 44:28–45:1; Ac 2:23; Ac 4:27–28; Ga 4:4–5

God Sustains His Ultimate Purpose

God is forming a people for himself

Revelation 21:3 ESV

3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.

See also Ex 6:7; Je 31:33; 2 Co 6:16; Eph 2:14–16; 1 Pe 1:3–5; Re 7:9

God will bring all things under Jesus Christ’s authority

Ephesians 1:9–10 ESV

9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

See also Is 45:22–23; Is 66:23; 1 Co 15:24–26; Php 2:10–11; Col 1:20; Re 11:15

God will complete his purpose for creation

Romans 8:20–21 ESV

20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

See also Is 65:17; Is 66:22; 2 Pe 3:13; Re 21:1

God directs all things for his glory

Romans 11:36 ESV

36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

See also Ps 46:10; Ro 9:23; Ro 11:36; Eph 1:4–6; Eph 1:11–12

God’s Ultimate Purpose - Salvation

Romans 10:17 (ESV)

17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

John 8:24 (ESV)

24 I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.”

Acts 17:30 (ESV)

30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,

Romans 10:10 (ESV)

10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

Galatians 3:27 (ESV)

27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Revelation 2:10 (ESV)

10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

See Ro 10:17; Jn 8:24; Ac 17:30; Ro 10:10; Ga 3:27; Re 2:10