Topical Sermons - Executable Outlines

Mark A. Copeland
1. There is a more special and particular providence which He exercises over and in behalf of
the good, those whose wills are in harmony with the divine will - ISBE
a. God’s general providence is and must be special, in that it descends to particulars - to
the minute details of creaturely existence - and is always and everywhere active - ibid.
b. But the Scriptures teach that there is a more special care over and ordering of the lives
of the spiritually good than pertains to the wicked, who have not the fear of God before
their eyes - ibid.
c. The following Scriptures set forth in unmistakable terms the doctrine of a special
providence exercised by the heavenly Father over and in behalf of the righteous (Psa
37:23; Pro 3:6; Mt 6:33; Ro 8:28) - ibid.
2. There are some things to keep in mind in regards to the special providence of God
a. The ultimate end sought is man’s spiritual good, not material benefits
1) Material blessings may come to one as a result of special providence - Mt 6:33
2) Yet God may also allow financial hardship, illness, or other physical trials to occur if
He deems them suitable for our spiritual benefit - cf. Ro 5:3-5; Ja 1:2-4
3) Thus we conclude that His ultimate goal is our spiritual good
b. We should not presume all things are the result of special providence
1) Things may happen that are accidental or coincidental - Ecc 9:11
2) Too many credit God or give Him blame for every good or ill in life
3) Some things may be the result of Satan’s activity (remember Job?) - cf. 1 Pe 5:8-9
4) Other things may be the consequence of evil men’s actions (e.g., drunken driver)
5) Of course, God’s special providence helps us overcome such evil - Ro 8:35-39
c. Special providence and man’s cooperation
1) Promise of God’s care does not mean that we need not take action
2) We must both pray and work for our food - cf. Mt 6:11; 2 Th 3:10; 1 Ti 5:8
3) We must work out our salvation, while God helps us - Mt 6:33; Ph 2:12-13; 1 Pe
3:10-12
[Thus God graciously provides for His creation in both general and special ways, the latter being a
particular blessing of walking with God. Even so, it is not easy to know when something is coincidental
or providential...]
III. THE DETERMINATION OF PROVIDENCE
A. THE NEED FOR CAUTION...
1. Many are quick to interpret what happens as indications of God’s judgment
a. If something bad happens, those who experience must be wicked
b. If something good happens, those who experience must be righteous
2. Yet the Bible reveals that there many exceptions
a. Bad things often happen to the righteous (cf. Job, the early Christians)
b. Good things often happen to the wicked - cf. Psa 73:3-12; Job 21:7-13
3. Likewise, we cannot always be certain whether something is providential
a. A series of events may be coincidental or happenstance
b. We can easily misread what happens, come to the wrong conclusion
c. The danger is even greater if we are ignorant of God’s revealed will (the Scriptures)
d. We might conclude something to be right (because it seems successful), when it may be
contrary to what God has spoken on the subject
B. THE BEST WE CAN DO...
Topical Sermons 291