Bible Readings:
Acts 4:1 – 31
1 Peter 2:!3 – 3:7
Sermon Outline:
Romans 8:28 (NKJV)
28And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
I The Promise
II The basis for the fulfilment of this promise
Westminster Larger Catechism
Q. 18. What are God’s works of providence?
A. God’s works of providence are his most holy,w wise,x and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures; ordering them, and all their actions, to his own glory.
QUESTION 27.
What dost thou understand by the Providence of God?
Heidelberg Catechism
ANSWER.
The almighty and everywhere present power of God, whereby, as it were by His hand, He still upholds heaven and earth, with all creatures; and so governs them, that herbs and grass, rain and drought, fruitful and barren years, meat and drink, health and sickness, riches and poverty, yea, all things, come not by chance, but by His fatherly hand.
Westminster Confession of Faith
Chapter IV
II. Although, in relation to the foreknowledge and decree of God, the first cause, all things come to pass immutably and infallibly; yet, by the same providence, he ordereth them to fall out according to the nature of second causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently.
III The beneficiaries of this promise
Heidelberg Catechism
QUESTION 28.
What does it profit us to know that God has created, and by His providence still upholds all things?
ANSWER.
That we may be patient in adversity; thankful in prosperity; and for what is future, have good confidence in our faithful God and Father, that no creature shall separate us from His love; since all creatures are so in His hand, that without His will they cannot so much as move.