GOD THE FATHERGod’s Providence

Christianity 101 – Lesson 4Immanuel Lutheran Church

Clayton Township, Neenah, Wisconsin

Last Week’s Memory Treasure

By faith we understand that the universe…

Hebrews 11:3

Last Week’s Memory Treasure

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

Hebrews 11:3

New Testament Books

Matthew 1 & 2 Corinthians PhilemonMarkGalatians HebrewsLuke Ephesians JamesJohn Colossians 1 & 2 PeterActs 1 & 2 Thessalonians 1, 2, 3 John Romans 1 & 2 Timothy JudeTitus Revelation

Opening Discussion

I am witnessing to a friend who is on the verge of giving up on praying (and sometimes even the belief in God) because of all the hardship he has endured. How can I better try to move this person back closer to God?

God Cares for His World

Then Noah built an altar to the LORD and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it. The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done. “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.”

Genesis 8:20-22

God Cares for His World

Then Noah built an altar to the LORD and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it. The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done. “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.”

Genesis 8:20-22

God Cares for His World

“He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”

Matthew 5:45

God Cares for His World

“He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”

Matthew 5:45

God Cares for His World

The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

Psalm 145:15-16

God Cares for His World

The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

Psalm 145:15-16

God Cares for His World

For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.”

We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat.

2 Thessalonians 3:10-12

God Cares for His World

For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.”

We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat.

2 Thessalonians 3:10-12

God Cares for His World

God provides normally by

naturalmeans, using things He created.

God Cares for His WorldSome time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), and a great crowd of people followed Him because they saw the miraculous signs He had performed on the sick. Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with His disciples. The Jewish Passover Feast was near. When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for He already had in mind what He was going to do. Philip answered Him, “Eight months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” …

God Cares for His World

Another of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish…

God Cares for His World

When they had all had enough to eat, He said to His disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make Him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by Himself.

John 6:1-15

God Cares for His World

God provides by

miracles(supernatural acts)

when He wishes.

God Cares for His Children

Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

Hebrews 1:14

God Cares for His Children

Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

Hebrews 1:14

God Cares for His Children

He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.

Psalm 91:11

God Cares for His Children

He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.

Psalm 91:11

God Cares for His Children

God uses His good

angels(“messengers”)

to serve and protect us.

God Cares for His Children

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

Genesis 50:20

God Cares for His Children

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

Genesis 50:20

God Cares for His Children

We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28

God Cares for His Children

We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28

God Cares for His Children

God causes

ALLthings to serve our eternal

GOOD

How Will We Respond?

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 100

How Will We Respond?

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 100

How Will We Respond?

We will acknowledge that God does this out of

grace(His undeserved love).

How Will We Respond?

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31

How Will We Respond?

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31

How Will We Respond?

We will gladly

praise & thankGod in all things.

How Will We Respond?

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? …

How Will We Respond?

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?...

How Will We Respond?

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’

For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Matthew 6:25-34

How Will We Respond?

My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 121:2

How Will We Respond?

My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 121:2

How Will We Respond?

We will

trustGod as our Provider and Protector.

Agree or Disagree?

1. God knows all believers, but has no concern for unbelievers.

2. God causes ALL things to work for the good of those who love Him.

3. Since God provides for us, a Christian will not want to work.

4. Since God provides for us, a Christian has no need to worry.

Discussion Question #1

When did God create the angels?

Discussion Question #2

If God provides for all people, why do we see so much hunger and starvation in the world?

Discussion Question #3

How can God promise to make evil serve our good when at times the trouble in our lives comes from some sinful decision or action?

Memory Treasure

My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 121:2

First Article of the Apostles’ CreedFirst Half

I believe in God the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth.What does this mean?I believe that God created me and all that exists, and that He gave me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my mind and all my abilities.And I believe that God still preserves my by richly and daily providing clothing and shoes, food and drink, property and home, spouse and children, land, cattle, and all I own, and all I need to keep my body and life...

Closing Prayer

Lord God, open my eyes to see the beauty of Your created world. You made all things to nourish my life and to fill me with wonder and joy. Open my mouth to praise and thank You for Your gifts; in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.