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Pithy Puritan Pearls on God's Providence

Ephesians 1:11; Matthew 10:30
Puritan Gems • January, 1 2007 • Audio
28 Sermons
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Puritan Gems • January, 1 2007
28 sermons
Choice Puritan gems on God's Providence!

The sermon titled "Pithy Puritan Pearls on God's Providence" explores the doctrine of divine providence, emphasizing its sovereign and comprehensive nature as articulated by prominent Puritan figures. The key arguments presented are that God's providence governs every aspect of creation—from the grand events in history to the smallest occurrences in daily life—demonstrating His eternal purpose in time, as supported by Scripture in Ephesians 1:11 and Matthew 10:30. By asserting that nothing happens by chance or luck, the sermon underscores that true understanding of God's providence fosters trust and submission to His will, regardless of our limited comprehension of life's events. The practical significance lies in encouraging believers to rely on God's omnipotent wisdom and goodness, affirming that even life's minutiae are under His divine care, thus promoting a deep sense of peace and dependence.

Key Quotes

“Providence is the accomplishment in time of God's sovereign and eternal decree.”

— Don Fortner

“Blessed is that man who is done with chance, who never speaks of luck, but believes that from the least, even to the greatest, all things are ordained by the Lord.”

— Charles Spurgeon

“If God numbers our hairs, much more does he number our heads.”

— Matthew Henry

“The Best Remedy for Affliction is sweet submission to God's providence. What can't be cured must be endured.”

— Charles Spurgeon

What does the Bible say about God's providence?

The Bible teaches that God's providence governs all creation, from the greatest events to the smallest details.

Scripture attests to the comprehensive nature of God's providence, emphasizing that nothing occurs by chance. As seen in Ephesians 1:11, God's sovereign will orchestrates all events, ensuring that every aspect of creation is governed by His wise decree. Matthew 10:30 reassures believers that even the smallest sparrow does not fall without God's knowledge, highlighting His intimate involvement in all of life’s details.

Ephesians 1:11, Matthew 10:30

How do we know God's providence is true?

We know God's providence is true through the consistency of scriptural teaching and the fulfillment of His sovereign will in our lives.

God's providence is affirmed through scripture, which repeatedly asserts that all things are under His sovereign control. The teachings of theologians like Charles Spurgeon reinforce this truth by affirming that nothing happens by accident; everything is arranged by God for His purposes. Believers experience this through both the trials and blessings in life, recognizing that God works all things together for good, as declared in Romans 8:28. Thus, our experiences, coupled with biblical revelation, validate the truth of God’s providential care.

Romans 8:28

Why is trusting in God's providence important for Christians?

Trusting in God's providence assures Christians that all events serve His good purposes, providing peace amid uncertainty.

Trusting in God's providence is crucial for Christians as it instills a deep sense of peace, knowing that God governs every aspect of their lives. J.C. Ryle emphasizes that if God cares for the littlest sparrow, He certainly cares for His children. This trust allows believers to navigate afflictions with a posture of submission, knowing that God's plans are ultimately good and wise. Understanding God's providence also helps believers confront life's uncertainties and challenges, reassuring them that nothing is outside of God's sovereign control.

Matthew 10:30

What role does God's providence play in daily life?

God's providence assures Christians that every detail of their lives is under His sovereign control and care.

The role of God's providence in daily life is fundamentally about His governance over all events, demonstrating His care for His creation. Charles Spurgeon articulates that God's providence extends to the most minute details, affirming that even the smallest incidents are part of divine ordering. By recognizing this, believers can live with confidence and dependency on God, knowing that every moment is significant in His eyes. Providence acts as a guiding hand, leading believers through both joy and suffering, reminding them that nothing is random and everything serves a divine purpose.

Matthew 10:30, Romans 8:28

Sermon Transcript

Auto-generated transcript • May contain errors

100%
chance, accident, luck, or divine
providence. Charles Spurgeon, God's providence
not only extends to mankind in general, and to the beasts of
the field, and the birds of the air, and the innumerable fish
in the sea, but also to every atom of matter in the universe. Don Fortner, Divine Providence
is the accomplishment in time of God's sovereign and eternal
decree. Providence is God bringing to
pass in time, sovereignly, absolutely, and perfectly, all that he purposed
in eternity. Nothing in the universe happens
by luck, chance, fortune, accident, or by blind fate. Everything
that comes to pass in time was purposed by our God in eternity
and is brought to pass by His wise, adorable, holy Providence. Providence is God's government
of His universe. If we have a proper view of God's
providence, we will see the hand of God and the heart of God in
everything, in all the experiences of our lives. Believers ascribe
their sorrows and afflictions to the hand of their Heavenly
Father's wise and good providence. God's providence is always executed
in the wisest manner possible. We are often unable to see and
understand the reasons and causes for specific events in our lives,
in the lives of others, or in the happenings of the world.
But our lack of understanding does not prevent us from believing
God. We bow to His will, which is
evident in His works of providence, and say, O the depth of the riches
both of the wisdom and knowledge of God, How unsearchable are
His judgments and His ways past finding out! The God of Providence
rules all things well. How we ought to trust Him! Ever
remember, our Heavenly Father is God all-wise, good, and omnipotent. He is too wise to err, too good
to do wrong, and too strong to fail. In his wisdom and power,
God cares for, preserves and sustains and upholds, rules and
directs, and governs all creatures, all actions, and all things,
from the largest star in the galaxy to the smallest sparrow
in a tree, for his own glory and the good of his redeemed
people. Charles Spurgeon, blessed is
that man who is done with chance, who never speaks of luck, but
believes that from the least, even to the greatest, all things
are ordained by the Lord. We dare not leave out the least
event. The creeping of an aphid upon a rosebud is as surely arranged
by the decree of providence as the march of a pestilence through
a nation. Believe this, for if the least
thing is omitted from the supreme government, so may the next be,
and the next, until nothing is left in the divine hands. J. C. Ryle There is no such thing
as chance, luck or accident in the Christian journey through
this world. All is arranged and appointed by God, and all things
are working together for the believer's good. Matthew Henry, God who feeds
the sparrows, will not starve his saints. God controls all
the concerns of his people, even of those that are most insignificant
and least regarded. This is an encouragement to live
in a continual dependence upon God's providential care. If God
numbers our hairs, much more does he number our heads. He
takes care of our lives, our needs, our concerns, and our
souls. God's universal providence extends
itself to all creatures, and to all their actions, even the
smallest and most insignificant. Charles Spurgeon, Providence
may be seen as the finger of God, not merely in those events
which shake nations and are duly emblazoned on the page of history,
but in little incidents of common life. Yes, in the motion of a
grain of dust, the trembling of a dewdrop, the flight of a
swallow, or the movement of a fish. Charles Spurgeon, we talk of
God's providence when we have hairbreadth escapes. But are
they not quite as much divine providences when we are preserved
from danger? Charles Spurgeon, it is most
important for us to learn that the smallest trifles are as much
arranged by the God of providence as the most momentous events.
He who counts the stars has also numbered the hairs of our heads.
Our lives and deaths are predestined, but so, also, are our sitting
down and our rising up. Birkhoff, Scripture Everywhere
teaches that even the most insignificant details of life are of divine
ordering. Charles Spurgeon, The Best Remedy
for Affliction, is sweet submission to God's providence. What can't
be cured must be endured. J.C. Ryle, if God has given his
son to die for us, let us beware of doubting his kindness and
love in any painful providence of our daily life. Charles Spurgeon, Divine Providence
is a downy pillow for an aching head and a blessed scarf for
the sharpest pain. He who can feel that his times
are in the hand of God need not tremble at anything that is in
the hand of man.
Broadcaster:
Grace Audio Treasures
Theology:
#Grace #The Glory of God #Covenant Theology
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Same Scripture

Sermons on Ephesians 1, Matthew 10

God's Adorable Providence Don Fortner · Romans 8:28
Chance! George Mylne · Ecclesiastes 9:11; Romans 8:28
A Base Heathenish Invention C. H. Spurgeon
Even in the midst of life's trials, uncertainties, and sorrows! C. H. Spurgeon · Ephesians 1; Romans 11:33
Providence! C. H. Spurgeon · Ezekiel 1:15-19; Matthew 10:30

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