Words Of Truth

Hijacked - The Providence Of God

I. Introduction: False doctrine is now and has long been prevalent in this world (Philippians 3:18-19 and II Timothy 4:1-5). With many following such (II Peter 2:1-3), there are a lot of WONDERFUL Biblical subject matters/terms that have been perverted. This is the first lesson, of a few, wherein I plan to cover a few awesome subject matters that have been hijacked [stolen] and perverted by false teachers. Faithful saints must realize that when we speak of Biblical matters most people hear the truth out of your mouth differently than what you think they hear. This is true because these truths we speak have been heavily perverted. Consider our lesson today as one of many Biblical truths that are grossly misunderstood.

A. The word “providence” is defined in one dictionary as: “the protective care of God or of nature as a spiritual power. (Providence) God or nature as providing protective or spiritual care” (New Oxford American Dictionary).

1. It is wonderfully true, in some sense, that God has provided some “protective care” (i.e. John 10:27-30, Galatians 6:1-2, II Corinthians 8:1-4, II Timothy 3:15-17, I John 4:14, etc.).
2. He has also provided some wonderful things naturally (Genesis 8:22, Ezekiel 47:12, Matthew 5:45, Acts 14:17, etc.).
3. We have all things pertaining to life and godliness (II Peter 1:3-4).
4. Yet, saying some things without clarification confuses people. I wish I could say, without clarification, that God comforts me (cf. II Corinthians 1:3-4). However, because many have been taught to think of God supernaturally doing something I have to explain how God comforts me (Romans 15:4, II Corinthians 7:6, and I Thessalonians 5:11-14).

1. Calvinists say: “Divine providence is the governance of God by which He, with wisdom and love, cares for and directs all things in the universe. The doctrine of divine providence asserts that God is in complete control of all things” (https://www.gotquestions.org/divine-providence.html) .
2. Churches of Christ commonly say things such as: “My conclusion in this article is that while the supernatural means have ceased, the supernatural source in ways unseen by human eyes continues to control His universe and His people today” (https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/the-providence-of-god/). Or “So, what is divine providence? First, there is the providence that speaks to God, the Creator, establishing the forces of nature. God is everywhere, watching, overseeing, and governing everything for the best interest of man. He did not create the world and then turn it over to chance. He is in control over wind, rain, and weather. He provides for the animal kingdom, and for us, with food, clothing, and shelter. He controls all things according to His will, His purpose. And secondly, there is His providence for the individual, for you and for me. That is the providence which my message focuses on today.
3. Is God in everything? The question supposes that there are things in this world that are outside His reach, beyond His attention, not of interest to Him. God’s hand is in everything. Nothing is beyond Him or beneath His notice. Not that God works everything which comes to pass.  Man is still a free moral agent, but God is near….” (https://www.cedarparkchurchofchrist.org/resources/articles/2019/04/07/providence-and-prayer).

1. This amazing fact is part of a question in a Psalm (Psalms 8:1-9).
2. We see God’s desire in man having dominion in this world in various ways:

1. The household (Ephesians 5:22-6:4).
2. Civil government (Romans 13:1-7).
3. In the Lord’s church (I Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, and I Peter 5:1-4).

3. In all of this, God is the ultimate authority (I Corinthians 11:3).
4. Yet, man is fully capable of rejecting God’s will (Jeremiah 8:5-9, Zechariah 7:4-12, John 12:48, etc.).
5. God has given man the full ability to choose (Deuteronomy 30:15-20)!

1. Do they understand that Joseph was a prophet and interpreter of dreams and this is how God worked MIRACULOUSLY through Him (Genesis 37:1-11 and Genesis 40:1-42:3; cf. Acts 7:8-19)?
2. There are no prophets today (I Corinthians 13:8-13).

1. One cannot logically state that God accomplishes everything He wants by means of His own power and at the same time claim man has freewill. This point proves that. He is longsuffering for a reason (II Peter 3:9). Yet, that is not going to change what He foreknows is going to happen.
2. One must understand that with God knowing the future He knew when His will would be accomplished with certainty (Isaiah 46:9-10).

1. Before the world began He determined to send Jesus as a sacrifice (I Peter 1:18-20).
2. He also knew the right time for His will to be accomplished to send Jesus into this world (Galatians 4:1-6).
3. So, He sent Jesus into this world at the right time in which His will would be accomplished (Acts 2:22-23).
4. Imagine if a football coach (offensive coordinator) knew exactly the right time to call a certain play before the game was even scheduled. He knew the defense that would be called, how every player on both sides of the ball would react, etc. God is even greater than that illustration (Jeremiah 32:17).

1. The ignorance that abounds in such statements ignores that the Holy Spirit, given by the laying on of the Apostle’s hands (Acts 8:12-24 and Acts 19:1-7), worked directly among first century Christians.
2. In connection to James 1:5-8, these were spiritual gifts given by the Spirit (I Corinthians 12:3-11).
3. As indicated earlier, such gifts have ceased. A reasonable person doesn’t need to think about this too long. Are you seeing man raise dead people (Matthew 10:8 and Acts 9:36-42)?

1. In one sense, you cannot promise to be somewhere tomorrow for the Lord determines whether or not tomorrow comes (James 4:13-16; cf. Matthew 24:35-36).
2. However, when most people make the statement “Lord willing” they are not saying it with that in mind. Most think that everything that happens in this world is controlled directly by God.
3. If you point out the things we have talked about, some who have knowledge of Bible verses will come back with I Corinthians 4:19; 16:7 [and like passages]. What they are ignorant of is that where Paul went WAS directly influenced by the Holy Spirit (Acts 16:1-10). The people that use such phrases don’t understand that. So, we have to be careful in using phrases that might be true in a sense, but are commonly abused. THAT STINKS, doesn’t it?