Where Art Thou?
Genesis 3:9-10

 

Introduction: The great debate: Calvinism vs. Arminianism

 

‘Special Providence’: The story’s told of the great 19th century Presbyterian theologian Robert Dabney and his service as a Major in the Confederate army. Dr. Dabney wasn’t a regular chaplain, but he did often hold religious services for his troops. He spent a lot of time preaching the doctrine of what he called “Special Providence.” He would tell his troops, “Men, you need not be trying to dodge shot or shell or minnie. Everyone of these strikes just where the Lord permits, and nowhere else, and you are perfectly safe where the missiles of death fly thickest until Jehovah permits you to be stricken.

Major Nelson, also a devout Christian, but a skeptic of Dabney’s theology happened upon Major Dabney in the heat of battle. Nelson found Dr. Dabney on the ground taking cover behind a thick oak gate post as they were taking heavy artillery fire. Major Nelson greeted him by saying “Major Dabney, every shot and shell and Minnie strikes just where the Lord permits. And you must excuse me, sir, for expressing my surprise that you are seeking to put an oak gate-post between you and ‘special providence.’

Dabney shot back that he certainly did believe the doctrine with all his heart, and that he looked upon that thick gate-post as a very ‘special providence’ at that moment.

 

God’s not going to do for you what you can do for yourself!

 

Romans 3:10-11

10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

 

John 6:44

44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

 

  • Adam and Eve… Where art thou.

 

  • Divine Appointment. This morning?... Where art thou? You’ve been called.

 

For some of you its been years and years and years since you first heard the spirit of God speak that great question into your heart.

 

Read Hebrews 12:3-8              Are you being corrected?

 

If you’re not careful you’ll be culled!

1 Corinthians 9:27

27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

 

 

 

Proverbs 29:1

1 He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

 

Don’t get killed! (1 Cor 5:5)

 

Sinning away your day of Grace.

“Preacher, my times coming.”

No its not, if you keep that attitude it never will. (2 Cor 6:2)

 

Adam’s honest response to God’s question

  1. Heard.
  2. Afraid… because I was naked.
  3. Hid.

 

John 10:27

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

 

Shepherd illustration.

 

Luke 15:3-7

3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying,

4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

 

How do I know he’s called me? You’ll know!

 

How do I know he’s drawing me?

 

John 12:32

32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.