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Sermon #90 — Romans Series

 

Title:                           GodÕs Adorable Providence

 

Text:                            Romans 8:28

Subject:                     Divine Providence

Date:                          Sunday Morning — June 5, 2016

Reading:       Psalm 107:1-43

Introduction:

 

ÒJudge not, that ye be not judgedÓ (Matthew 7:1). — ÒFor God so loved the worldÓ (John 3:16). — ÒAll things work together for goodÓ (Romans 8:28). — I suppose that men and women quote those three portions of Holy Scripture more commonly than any others. People who donÕt know God from a billy goat use those phrases all the time. How often I have heard people quote that portion of Romans 8:28, as if they were knocking on wood, rubbing a rabbitÕs foot, or something else to conjure up a little Ògood luck,Ó trying to mix magic and religion, superstition and faith together. But what does Romans 8:28 say? What does that blessed verse of Holy Scripture teach? LetÕs look at it together — Romans 8:28.

 

(Romans 8:28) ÒAnd we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.Ó

 

And

 

ÒAndÓ — What a blessed word that word ÒandÓ is, as it is used by the Spirit of God in this place!

 

(Romans 8:1-4) ÒThere is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (3) For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: (4) That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. —— (Romans 8:28) ÒAnd we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.Ó

 

(Romans 8:16-17) ÒThe Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: (17) And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.Ó —— (Romans 8:28) ÒAnd we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.Ó

 

(Romans 8:26-27) ÒLikewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (27) And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.Ó —— (Romans 8:28) ÒAnd we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.Ó

 

It is my delight to preach to you once more about the providence of God. — GodÕs Adorable Providence That is the title of my message. — Hold your Bible open at Romans 8:28; and ask God the Holy Ghost whose Word you have in your hand to inscribe the message of this text upon your heart.

 

(Romans 8:28) ÒAnd we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.Ó

 

Divine providence is the daily, constant sovereign rule of our God over all things for the accomplishment of his eternal purpose of grace in predestination.

 

Predestination is the sovereign, eternal, immutable, unalterable purpose of God almighty, by which he ordained and ordered, according to his own will and good pleasure, all things that come to pass in time.

 

Divine providence is the accomplishment of GodÕs sovereign will and purpose. Providence is God doing in time what he purposed in eternity. Providence is God sovereignly and absolutely bringing to pass in time what he predestined in eternity.

 

Predestination is GodÕs purpose. Providence is GodÕs execution of his purpose.

 

Hear me well. Be sure you understand the doctrine of Holy Scripture with regard to the providence of God. Nothing in the universe happens by luck, chance, fortune, or accident. Everything that comes to pass in time was purposed by our God in eternity, and is brought to pass by his holy, wise, adorable, and good providence. Nothing comes to pass in time that God did not purpose in eternity, in sovereign predestination. And all that God purposed in in eternal predestination he sovereignly brings to pass in his providence.

 

Proposition: That which God predestinated in eternity and brings to pass in his providence is for the good of his elect and the glory of his name.

 

LetÕs see if that is truth or heresy. What does the Word of God say? ÒLet God be true, and every man a liar!Ó (Psalm 76:10; Proverbs 16:4, 9, 33; 21:1; Daniel 4:34, 35, 37; Isaiah 46:9-11; Romans 11:33-36).

 

(Psalms 76:10) ÒSurely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.Ó

 

(Proverbs 16:4) ÒThe LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.Ó

 

(Proverbs 16:9) ÒA manÕs heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.Ó

 

(Proverbs 16:33) ÒThe lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.Ó

 

(Proverbs 21:1) ÒThe kingÕs heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.Ó

 

(Isaiah 46:9-11) ÒRemember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, (10) Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: (11) Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.Ó

 

(Daniel 4:34-35) ÒAnd at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth forever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: (35) And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?Ó

 

(Daniel 4:37) ÒNow I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.Ó

 

(Romans 11:33-36) ÒO the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! (34) For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been his counsellor? (35) Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? (36) For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen.Ó

 

Specifically, I want us to look at that which the Holy Spirit reveals and teaches in Romans 8:28. If we can learn just that which is taught in these twenty-five words about GodÕs adorable providence, we will leave here rejoicing in God our Savior.

 

(Romans 8:28) ÒAnd we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.Ó

 

Divisions:      May God the Holy Spirit, who inspired these words, effectually inscribe them upon our hearts for the glory of Christ, enabling us in all things to believe, worship, and give thanks unto our Triune God for his good providence. I call your attention to just four things in our textÉ

  1. A Delightful Persuasion — ÒWe knowÉÓ
  2. A Divine Providence — ÒWe know that all things work together for goodÉÓ
  3. A Designated People — ÒWe know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the calledÉÓ
  4. A Declared Purpose — ÒWe know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.Ó

 

A Delightful Persuasion

 

1stOur text speaks of a delightful persuasion. ÒWe knowÉÓ The word ÒknowÓ in this sentence refers to a knowledge beyond speculation, theory, doctrine, or even sound judgment. It is the knowledge of a confident, assured persuasion based upon fact and experience. It is my prayer that God will graciously and thoroughly convince us of these things as he did the Apostle Paul. Paul says, ÒWeÓ — All true believers — Òknow.Ó But how do we know? What is the basis of this knowledge? Is this a pipe dream; or a matter of established fact?

 

We know these things by the revelation of GodÕs Word.

 

(Psalms 84:11) ÒFor the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.Ó

 

(Psalms 91) ÒHe that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. (2) I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. (3) Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. (4) He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. (5) Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; (6) Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. (7) A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. (8) Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. (9) Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; (10) There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. (11) For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. (12) They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. (13) Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. (14) Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. (15) He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. (16) With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.Ó

 

(Proverbs 12:21) ÒThere shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.Ó

 

(Hosea 2:18) ÒAnd in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely.Ó

 

We know these things, and walk in the comfort of GodÕs providence, because of the inner witness and anointing of the Holy Spirit, who teaches us all things, by whom we have the mind of Christ (1 John 2:20; 1 Corinthians 2:16).

 

(1 John 2:20) ÒBut ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.Ó

 

We know the wisdom and goodness of GodÕs adorable providence because we have experienced it.  Rolfe Barnard used to say, ÒWe only believe what we experience.Ó He was exactly right. Are you persuaded, really persuaded of what Paul teaches us here? If you are, you have a persuasion that will keep your soul in peace. Indeed, this is the only persuasion that will keep your soul in peaceÉ

 

ÒWhen sorrows like sea billows roll.Ó

 

A Divine Providence

 

2ndThe Holy Spirit here reveals a divine providence by which all things are ordered, ruled, and disposed of in time. — ÒWe know that all things work together for goodÉÓ

 

Providence is GodÕs government of the universe. This is a subject of deepest importance. If we have a proper view of GodÕs providence, we will see the hand of God and the heart of God in everything, in all the experiences of our lives. Let us never talk like the unbelieving Philistines who said, Òit was a chance that happened to usÓ (1 Samuel 6:9). Believers talk likeÉ

 

á      Job (1:21).

 

(Job 1:21) ÒAnd said, Naked came I out of my motherÕs womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.Ó

 

á      Eli (1 Samuel 3:18).

 

(1 Samuel 3:18) ÒAnd Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good.Ó

 

á      David (2 Samuel 16:11-12).

 

(2 Samuel 16:11-12) ÒAnd David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? Let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him. (12) It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.Ó

 

God is not idle. He is the one Person who is always on the job. He never needs to rest, recuperate, or regroup! God almighty, our God and heavenly Father, is always at work, governing the world.

 

You may sometimes think, ÒGod is not doing a very good job of running this world.Ó I have often heard fools say, ÒIf God were running everything, then this or that would not happen.Ó You might, in your great depth of wisdom, propose a lot of changes. Could not the Almighty easily put an end toÉ

á      Sickness, Poverty, and War?

á      Sin, Crime, and Disease?

á      Fornication, Adultery, and Sodomy?

á      Famine, Earthquakes, and Death?

á      Rape, Murder, and Abortion?

 

Indeed, he could. But God almighty will not be dictated to by us! Who are we to dare set ourselves up as instructors to the all-wise God? He Òworketh all things after the counsel of his own will.Ó I want to remind you, my brothers and sisters in Christ, of three things about GodÕs providence.

 

  1. GodÕs providence is mysterious (Romans 11:33-36).

 

(Romans 11:33-36) ÒO the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! (34) For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? (35) Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? (36) For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.Ó

 

His judgments are a great deep. His ways are past finding out. But I know thisÉ

á      God always has his way.

á      His ways are not our ways.

á      His way is always right and best.

 

  1. GodÕs providence is minute (Matthew 10:30).

 

(Matthew 10:30) ÒBut the very hairs of your head are all numbered.Ó

 

Divine providence is all inclusive! God rules everything, great and small, everywhere, and always!

 

God is in control of all inanimate matter.

á      The Creation

á      The Red Sea

á      The Jordan River

á      The Fiery Furnace

á      The Whirlwind

 

Our great God is in total control of all irrational creatures.

á      The Flies, Frogs, and Locusts in Egypt

á      The Whale that Swallowed Jonah

á      The Cock that Crew for Peter

 

ÒThe Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; his kingdom ruleth over all!Ó

 

Our great God and heavenly Father controls, (absolutely and totally) all rational creatures too. He controls all men and women everywhere, good and bad, in the good they do and in the evil they perform. All angels, all demons, and Satan himself are under the total control of our God.

 

(Psalms 76:10) ÒSurely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.Ó

 

(Isaiah 14:24-27) ÒThe LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand: (25) That I will break the Assyrian in my land, and upon my mountains tread him under foot: then shall his yoke depart from off them, and his burden depart from off their shoulders. (26) This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations. (27) For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? And his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?Ó

 

We have no trouble believing that God controls good things and good people; but those are not the things that bother me. ItÕs the bad stuff that disturbs me. I want to know who is in control of wickedness and evil. That is the One I will worship.

 

Many have a lot of trouble with this. They do not understand that God truly is God, as fully in control of hell as he is in heaven, as totally in control of wickedness as of righteousness.

 

What about sin? What about the fall? ÒGod allows sin because he is able to overrule it for his own glory. God is not the Author of sin; but he is the Controller and Director of sin. God is not the Causative Force, but the Directing Agent in the sins of men. Men are rebellious; but they have not pushed God off his throne. They are not out from under his control.Ó

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    C. D. Cole

 

Illustration: Irrigation Canals

 

(Isaiah 45:7) ÒI form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things

 

(Proverbs 16:4) ÒThe LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.Ó

 

(Proverbs 16:33) ÒThe lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.Ó

 

(Proverbs 21:1) ÒThe kingÕs heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.Ó

 

(Acts 2:23) ÒHim, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain.Ó

 

(Acts 4:27-28) ÒFor of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, (28) For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.Ó

 

  1. GodÕs providence is mysterious and minute. But be sure you get this third thing. —    GodÕs providence is good! ÒAll things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.Ó

 

No event in history is isolated from any other event. — ÒAll things work together!Ó

 

What does Paul mean when he says that Òall things work together for goodÓ?

á      Not Necessarily Immediate Good.

á      Not Necessarily Temporal Good.

á      But Spiritual Good.

á      Eternal Good.

á      Collective Good.

 

Actually, that which is truly good for me is very often the exact opposite of that which is presently good.

 

Illustrations:       Tom Dejarnette — ÒIf I had not been in prison for murder, I would never have learned the gospel.Ó

                              Brad and Iris Johnson

                              Paul on the Damascus Road

                              The Prodigal Son

                                                Onesimus

 

It is good for me to know Christ and be found in him. Whatever it takes for God to get my attention and turn my eyes and my heart to Christ, that is good! It is good for meÉ

á      To fellowship with God and walk humbly before him.

á      To be a blessing to others.

á      To be weaned from this world.

á      To be a better preacher.

á      To continue in the faith.

á      To finish my course with joy.

á      To die in the faith.

á      To rise in glory and be like Christ!

 

Whatever God sees fit to use to accomplish these things for us and in us is good! At your leisure, read Psalm 107 again. There we are given a detailed view of GodÕs providence. — ÒAll things work together for good.Ó

 

Illustration: A Pharmacist Mixing Medicine

 

Too much joy would intoxicate me. Too much misery would drive me into despair. Too much sorrow would crush me. Too much suffering would break my spirit. Too much pleasure would ruin me. Too much defeat would discourage me. Too much success would puff me up. Too much failure would keep me from doing anything. Too much criticism would harden me. Too much praise would exalt me. — My God knows exactly what I need. His providence is wisely designed and sovereignly sent for my good! Let him therefore send and do what he will. By his grace, I willÉ

á      Face it.

á      Bow to it.

á      Accept it.

á      Give thanks for it.

 

ÒI welcome all His sovereign will,

For all His will is love.

And when I know not what He does,

IÕll wait for light above.Ó

 

A Designated People

 

3rdPaul speaks of a designated people.ÒWe know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the calledÉÓ

 

This promise of God is not for and is not given to everyone. It is a special promise, made to a special people. It is GodÕs promiseÉ

á      ÒTo them that love God.Ó Them that love God are them that are loved of God from eternity, redeemed by the Son of God at Calvary, andÉ

á      ÒTo them who are the called.Ó

 

A Declared Purpose

 

4thHere is a declared purpose, according to which God almighty rules, governs, and disposes of all things.ÒWe know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.Ó

 

(Romans 8:28-31) ÒAnd we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (29) For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (30) Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. (31) What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?Ó

 

Oh, how I give thanks to God my Savior for his wise, good, adorable providence!

 

Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

Don Fortner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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