SundaySermon - Lawrence - Providential Living

 Providential Living

Verse: Romans 8:28

28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

This blessing in this verse (providence) is applicable to people who love God and are called accordingly to his purpose

Verse: 1 Corinthians 2:9

9 That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”

This blessing in this verse (providence) is again applicable to those who love him

God loves us but we are to reciprocate and love God. This expectation for us to love back is not unreasonable. This is because we are people thrive on love. This capacity to love overflows to people around us

Verse: John 13:34‭-‬35

34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 

35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

The extent of the overflow impacts our surrounding that the world will know that we are the disciples of Jesus.

How do you love to impact the World?

Verse: John 21:15

15 After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.

Peter was a person who fell and God through his falling, was teaching him to love. Love is learnable!!! 

And those love God, you will be bestowed with the providence of God. The providential blessing does not appear to be a blessing at that moment. 

  • Like the case of Joseph!!! Joseph life was not pleasant in the beginning.  
  • Like the case of Jacob!!! Jacob was put in a situation and he had to flee.

Providential mindset - Joseph

Joseph was ill-treated.... He was put in a pit, sold as a slave.... But God was in the midst of this trouble.

When things were just settling down, he was falsely accussed and thrown in prison

Have you been punished for no reason? Remember.... God is in the business of making you more that blessing you. The trouble Joseph was facing molded him to be a different person. And God still works through our life struggles to mold us, bless us and make us a blessing. And he said this to his brothers 

Verse: Genesis 50:20

20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.

To enjoy providential blessing you need to enjoy providential mindset!!!

David - Providential Faith!!!

David had many enemies and he faced them in battle. However what broke him most was when his own family (Absalom) was out to kill him. He describes the situation in Psalm 3

Passage: Psalm 3

1 O Lord, I have so many enemies; so many are against me. 

2 So many are saying, “God will never rescue him!” Interlude 

NOTE: He had so many people talking against him. It is just natural for people to talk against you. And God will allow these natural circumstances for our good.

3 But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high. 

4 I cried out to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy mountain. 

NOTE: The assurance that David had through these difficult times, his relied on providential faith

5 I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me. 

NOTE: The assurance (faith) helped him through this situation. He held on to 

But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.



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