Sermon Central
-
The Provision Factor Series
Contributed by David Welch on Apr 19, 2018 (message contributor)
Summary: 7th message in a series exploring the wonder of God as our Father. This message focuses on the fact that our Heavenly Father provides for our needs.
“The Provision Factor”
(The Fatherhood of God Pt 7)
God made this promise…
I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me." 2 Corinthians 6:16-18
The Bible focuses on a number of factors related to God’s role as Father.
I. The Likeness Factor – Dad’s perfect genes
II. Unconditional love and acceptance factor – Dad’s unconditional love
III. Protection and security Factor – Dad’s perpetual protection
IV. The Presence Factor – Dad’s strategic presence
V. The Wisdom Factor – Dad’s infallible counsel
VI. The Provision Factor – Dad’s inexhaustible provision
Children completely depend on their parents for the provision of their daily needs. I can remember thinking after each baby how utterly helpless they were and absolutely dependent on us to care for them. Children learn dependence early as the healthy foundation for a life of interdependence later. Our Heavenly father is the original provider. He is the only self-existent being in the universe. He alone is dependent on no one or no thing. He is the only uncaused and un-needy being ever. He alone has no need to be sustained and He alone is the sustainer of all.
Who does God sustain and what does the Great provider provide? This subject is known as the providence of God or the providential care of God. The word itself means “to see”. God sees the need and what is needed and does something about it. He fully understands the helplessness of His creation and their absolute dependence on His care.
The whole Bible flows with examples of God’s providential care over all His creation. He didn’t speak it into being and then stand back and let it go. The writer of Hebrews tells us that Jesus continually sustains or upholds the world by the word of his power. Without God’s intentional and continual sustaining energy, our environment would most certainly deteriorate in spite of our noblest efforts.
A. God continually sustains a viable environment.
Psalms 147:7-9 Job 12:7-10 Nehemiah 9:5-6 Psalms 104:1-35
The precision and intricacy of the earth is undeniable. The networking of all of the elements to sustain life is mind-boggling.
The distance from the sun - the tilt of the earth - the water cycle - the atmosphere
Everything intricately works together to provide the environment to continually sustain life.
It is the provision of a loving heavenly father. Even though the environment suffers greatly from misuse and deterioration ever since the fall, God has made provision in the future for its complete restoration. Paul told the Romans that the creation, which had been subjected to futility, groans awaiting the revelation of the sons of God. Revelation describes God’s restorative process resulting in a new heavens and a new awareness in which righteousness dwells and peace reigns. Revelation 22:1-7
B. God provides for mankind in general
You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.' "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5:43-45
Paul referred to God’s universal provision when he witness to the Gentiles.
C. God provides for nations who trust him
God promised to bless all nations through Abraham. The Psalms declare, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” God prospers those who trust him. Our founding fathers understood the providence of God. They understood that whatever blessing would come would come because of the kindness of Almighty God. Even wicked nations were spared and blessed when they repented and turned to God. Listen to Nebuchadnezzar the Babylonian ruler who finally recognized the one true God. (Daniel 4:34-37 )
D. God provides for Israel
Examples of God’s provision for Israel appear in nearly every chapter of the Old Testament.
The liberation from Egypt and the migration to the Promised Land stands as a most graphic illustration of God’s supernatural provision for his special people. Bitter water turned sweet, water from rocks, nourishment from heaven, indestructible shoes, unimaginable health, decisive military victories against impossible odds and day and night supernatural guidance from a cloud and a pillar of fire. Along with physical protection God provided for them a spiritual healing and privilege to be considered children of God. Psalmist urged the people to bless God for the abundant blessings from his hand. Psalms 103:1-14
And God is not finished with Israel. In the midst of discipline throughout their history for their disobedience and rebellion, God continually promised restoration not only for the people but for their land as well. Our heavenly father is a loving provider.