Providence and Purpose

Intro

- Illustration- Seasons

o Living in WI vs. living in Palau

o You can either complain about the seasons or enjoy them

o We can count on the seasons, farmers order their lives by them

§ What would happen if a farmer said, “I’d rather grow my crop in the winter!”

§ Despite his best efforts, he will not produce much if anything- certainly not as much as he could if he planted at the proper time

o You see, we have no control over the seasons- we simply live in the reality that they come and go in their time, and we order our lives accordingly

- This morning we are going to look at the wonderful truth of God’s providence in our lives

o Not only does God order the seasons, but he also orders our lives and the world around us

o and much like the seasons, we learn that we have little control over what goes on around us

o So what does that mean for us? How should we respond?

- The truth of God’s providence guides the understanding of our purpose in life and helps us respond to the harsh realities of the world around us.

The Reality of God’s Providence (1-8)

A. Time is in His hands

1. Time- it is one thing we cannot escape

a. Even with all the scientific and medical advancements we have- to my knowledge, no one has invented a time machine

b. We are all bound by time

2. And there is great comfort in knowing that God is in control

3. But there is also a somewhat frightening aspect that we cannot know the mind of God and his timing

a. Brings us into a dependence on him

4. There is a beauty to God's control of time

B. Our sinful nature desires control

1. We want to call the shots!

a. Illustration- I love driving toys- motorcycles, 4 wheelers, jet skis, you name it. But being a passenger is different! Heather

2. So when we realize we realize that we may not be in control, our desire is to take control, and we see this in the world around us.

a. A time to be born and a time to die- abortion seeks to control this aspect of human existence

b. If God is in control of all things, if it is his timing, then we must understand that no creation of human life is an accident, a mistake, or an inconvenience. - we cannot say, it's just not a good time

c. Ps. 139:13-16 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

d. Jer. 1:4-5 Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

e. Gal. 1:15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace

f. Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

3. so how should we respond to the recent Supreme Court ruling?

a. Celebration- this is not the end, but it is a step in the right direction

b. Compassion

(1) For those on the opposing side- I truly believe that they are deceived and believe they are fighting for something right- pray that God opens the eyes to the truth

(2) For those that have been impacted by abortion in the past- God offers forgiveness and healing

c. Clarity

(1) We must be clear on our position

(a) If you need resources, I am happy to provide them to you

(2) We must be clear on what we are fighting against

(a) Abortion is the intentional killing of an unborn human being

4. Farming illustration

a. Work with nature, not against it- this is the only way you will be successful

b. Same as our approach to life- know the principles of life that God has given to us and cooperate with them

Understanding of Our Purpose (9-15)

A. Recognize God

1. Solomon is finally lifting his eyes from the world around him, "under the sun", and acknowledging God above

a. There has to be a time when we do the same

2. He has planted eternity in the human heart

a. We have a longing for something greater- separates us from the animals

(1) the ability to look beyond the present moment to something greater, something eternal

b. But we never can fully understand the eternal, God's plans

3. But it's amazing that God created us with the ability to know there is more, but drives us to dependence because we cannot fully know or control it

4. He has given us an awareness of eternity, but we will not fully understand it until we reach eternity

B. When we understand God's providence, his control over our lives and the world around us, we must learn to cooperate with God's timing

1. We cannot spend our lives fighting against it

2. Farming illustration

a. Work with nature, not against it- this is the only way you will be successful

b. Same as our approach to life- know the principles of life that God has given to us and cooperate with them

3. God has intentionally created us to be a part of his eternal plan- this should cause us to rejoice!

a. Security cannot be found in this world, but God's actions and providence will stand forever. They can be counted on

(1) Contrast our vanity with God's permanence

(2) What does this lead to? Fear, awe of who God is and what he does

(3) When we fear God, we will fear nothing else

C. We must point others to God

- So if it is true that God is in control of all things, that leads the question… why is there so much injustice in this world!

The Response to Injustice and Oppression (16-4:3)

A. Where there should be justice, there is corruption

1. Illustration of District Attorney in SF- Chesa Boudin- “progressive prosecutors”- they are open that they have no intention of applying laws that they don’t agree with or that they feel affects people unfairly.

2. Chesa Boudin was recently recalled- even SF felt that this was too much

3. It doesn’t take long to convince us that even in the courts of justice there is corruption- they make entire tv shows out of it!

B. God will judge- 15, 17

1. There will be a future time when all will give an account for their actions

2. But God is also judging now- 18- testing

a. Without God, we are no different than the animals

b. Man and animals- we are different- but we both die and we both return to dust

3. How can we know what will happen to us after we die?

a. We can't prove it with science or experience

b. The importance of faith

c. 1 John 5:11-13 11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.

C. Oppression is a harsh reality in this world

1. What happens to your faith when you see these things?

2. We must have a right understanding of God's providence and the effect of sin in a fallen world

3. Then we must act!

a. Comfort the oppressed- sometimes we cannot change their circumstance, but we must be there with compassion and truth

b. Speak for the voiceless- If God has given you a platform, use it to help those with none

c. Find hope in the promise of a day when oppression and injustice will be no more

Conclusion

- The truth of God’s providence guides the understanding of our purpose in life and helps us respond to the harsh realities of the world around us.

So What?

- Recognize that there is a higher power orchestrating our lives and the world around us

- Know that we are connected to him, bearers of his image, and that he has a purpose for our lives

- Understand the reality of injustice and oppression. Comfort those who suffer and speak up for the truth.