“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28

“Providentia”Pro = beforeVideo = see

To see in front ofTo see before

Providence is, "the divine intervention in the affairs of man within the confines of natural law to bring about God’s objectives"

Joseph Sold by brothers into slavery Became second in command in Egypt

“But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” Gen. 50:20

Moses All boy babies thrown into Nile Pharaoh's daughter Miriam his sister Raised by his own mother

Esther In a position to save her people, Jews Mordecai came asking her to help

“…Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14 NKJV

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

Genesis 8:22

“…for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matt. 5:45

MOSES - Burning Bush - Exodus 2

Deism

God set universe in motionRun by natural lawsNo miracles ever performed

Fear, depression, anxietyJames 1:6-7 “Ask in faith”

Supernatural

Direct revelationSpeaks directly to themPerforms miracles today

1 Cor. 13 - ceased

“The activity of God as accomplished through natural law.”

Mary – virgin Isa.7:14Birth of JesusMatthew 1

Hannah – 1 Sam. 1Birth of Samuel

Believe God will hear our prayersHow does He answer ?

In days of Miracles = A MIRACLENo miracles today

Miracle = surpasses natural laws and accomplishes the desired effect Natural laws temporarily suspended

Today God works within the laws of nature to accomplish His desired purpose

That is not miraculousExample - James 5:17-18

Providence of God working through His natural laws.

Example - Acts 1:23-26 Matthias - lots

Providence of God working through His natural laws.

Is why we pray

Prayer is not answered through miraclesPrayer is answered through ProvidencePrayer is a demonstration of our Faith in God’s Providence

1 Pet. 3:12 “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”

If we do not believe in the providence of God then our prayers are not prayers but merely words spoken to ourselves.

Is that preservation, care and government which God exercises over all things He has created, in order that they may accomplish the ends for which they were created.

God answers prayer

Pray with “Thy will be done” in our heart

Be faithful in our living

“The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:16b

Sermon by Arthur Pigman

Evans Church of Christ

515 Gibbs Road

Evans, Ga. 30809

706-855-1249

evanscoc@bellsouth.netevanscoc@bellsouth.net

www.evansgachurchofchrist.orgwww.evansgachurchofchrist.org

Sunday Morning Oct. 24, 2010