Calvin Synod Herald, 2007 (108. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

2007-03-01 / 3-4. szám

VII.

God’s providential ordering of all things to good reaches all creatures and in a very special manner takes care of the church.[26]

Questions

1. What is another word for providence?

2. How does God order all things?

3. What difference is there between a decree and fore ordination?

4. What doe sit mean that the decree is immutable?

5. What is taken into consideration in foreordination that is not considered in the eternal decree?

6. How does God soften the hearts of the elect?

7. How does God harden the hearts of the ungodly?

8. What is not part of God’s providential control?

Dr. Chuck Baynard Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Clover Clover, South Carolina

CALV IN SYNOD HERALD_____________________________

[1] Neh. 9:6; Psa. 145:14-16; Heb. 1:3

[2] Dan. 4:34-35; Psa. 135:6; Acts 17:25-28; Job 34:1-41:34

[3] Matt. 6:26-32; 10:29-31

[4] Prov. 15:3; I Chr. 16:9; Psa. 104:24; 145;17

[5] Acts 15:18; Isa. 42:9; Ezek. 11:5

[6] Eph. 1:11; Psa. 33:10-11

[7] Isa. 63:14; Eph. 3:10; Rom. 917; Gen. 45:7; Psa. 145:7

[8] Acts 2:23; see Isa. 14:24, 27

[9] Gen 8:22; Jer. 31:35; Isa. 10:6,7; see Exod. 21:13 and Deut. 19:5; I Kings 22:28-34

[ 10] Acts 27:24, 31,44; Isa. 55:10-11

[11] Hosea 1:7; Matt. 4:4; Job 34:20 12. Rom. 4:19-21

[12] II Kings 6:6; Dan. 3:27

[13] . Isa. 45:7; Rom. 11:32-34; II Sam. 16:10; Acts 2:23; 4:27- 28; see II Sam. 24:1 and I Chr. 21:1; I Kings 22:22-23; I Chr. 10:4, 13-14

[14] John 12:40; II Thess. 2:11

[15] Psa. 76:10; II Kings 19:28

[16] Gen. 50:20; Isa. 10:6-7,12-15 (particularly v.12)

[17] James 1:13-14, 17; I John 2:16; Psa. 50:21

[18] II Chr. 32:25-26, 31; Deut. 8:2-3, 5; Luke 22:31-32; see II Sam. 24:1,25

[19] II Cor. 12:7-9; see Psa. 73:1-28; 77:1-12; Mark 14: 66-72; John 21:15-19

[20] Rom. 1:24, 26, 28; 11:7-8

[21] Deut. 29:4; Mark 4:11-12

[22] Matt. 13:12; 25:29; see Acts 13:10-11

[23] Gen. 4:4; II Kings 8:12-13; see Matt. 26:14-16

[24] Psa. 109:6; Luke 22:3; II Thess. 2:10-12

[25] Exod. 7:3, 8:15, 32; II Cor. 2:15-16; Isa. 6:9-10, 8:14; I Pet 2:7-8; Acts 28:26-27

[26] I Tim. 4:10; Amos 9:8-9; Matt. 16:18; Rom. 4:28; Isa. 43:3- 5, 14

PALM SUNDAY FOLLOW THE LEADER!

Scripture reading: John 12:12-19. Text: “So the Pharisees said to one another, ‘See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him! (that is Jesus)”’ John 12:19.

When the message is prepared for a special holiday the pastor has two options, either to preach about the whole event in a nutshell or elaborate on just one part of the story. This time I wish to do the latter; as our Lord entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday His popularity was so enormous that according to the Pharisees the whole world has gone after Him. Now let Christ’s charisma to be in the center of our attention.

From The Head of the Family to the Ruler of the Nation.

It is impossible to imagine a harmonious and productive life without good leadership. People become a nation when they have a common goal and a leader to follow. See Genesis 12:1-2. The first great leader of the Jewish people was Moses, read Exodus 3:10-11 and 4:16. In the letter to the Hebrews we read; “Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt?” (New International Version) “Was it not all those who left Egypt under the leadership of Moses?” (Revised Standard Version) Hebrews 3:16

Apostle Paul found it important that in the church there should be a good relationship between the members and those in charge: “Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:12

In the letters to the Hebrews we read: “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you.” And: “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority.” And: “Greet all your leaders and all God’s people.” Hebrews 13:7, 17, 24

Many aspire to become a good leader but it is not easy to be one because of the dangers of leadership: to become conceited and arrogant, to abuse power. And the cross of leadership: to be fair, successful, and popular at the same time. The challenge from the opposition: “I would be a better leader than he/she is.” The reward of leadership: to become great and “immortal” one should die first.

“God Exalted Him (Jesus) To His Own Right Hand As Prince And Savior...” Acts 5:31

Why is Christ’s exceptional leadership so obvious on Palm Sunday? As we carefully analyze the circumstances, we will find such deep thoughts and motivating principles that will inspire us also to follow the “Leader.”

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