References

Today's sermon was on Acts 23 and the providence of God. There's one thing in particular I want to point out from the sermon and that is that God is always working. Not only is He always working, He is always working things together for the good of our salvation:

Romans 8:28-29 (NET 2nd ed.)

28 And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose, 29 because those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.

This is a sure thing. This is not random chance or luck of the draw. God is sovereign. God is in control. God is working things toward our salvation and redemption. God is able to use evil to bring about good, as we see with Joseph being sold into slavery, or Christ crucified on the cross.

God's authorship is the ultimate expression of 'Chekhov's Gun.' There are no wasted details, only missed applications of them.

I can't count how many times God has been faithful to these promises in my life, despite my own failures and shortcomings. God is faithful to see us through. When we talk of the 'Perseverance of the Saints' or 'Eternal Security', both of those are dependent on God. That is the greatest mercy and grace we could ever ask for, that it not be dependent on us to save ourselves.

Philippians 1:6 (NET 2nd ed.)

6 For I am sure of this very thing, that the one who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.