The purpose of Providence Presbyterian Church is to glorify God by providing a Reformed Christian assembly in which is proclaimed and taught the whole counsel of God, as revealed in His Holy Word, in order to equip the saints for worship and service within the body, that believers will be lifted up, edified, and encouraged through the Holy Spirit to be obedient to the Word, constant in doctrine and fellowship, and effective in witness that, through Jesus Christ, the kingdom of God will be more fully revealed in this community and throughout the world.

Providence Presbyterian Church

The Apostles, who had enjoyed relative peace and popularity in Jerusalem, experience persecution from Herod. James is executed and Peter is imprisoned. Despite the very best in prison technology that was used to keep Peter contained before his execution, God helps Peter to escape. The fervent prayers of the Jerusalem Christians are miraculously answered - a reminder to us that no technology can frustrate the providence of God. 
 
[Act 12:1-17 NASB] 1 Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church in order to mistreat them. 2 And he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword. 3 When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. Now it was during the days of Unleavened Bread. 4 When he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out before the people. 5 So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God. 6 On the very night when Herod was about to bring him forward, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards in front of the door were watching over the prison. 7 And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter's side and woke him up, saying, "Get up quickly." And his chains fell off his hands. 8 And the angel said to him, "Gird yourself and put on your sandals." And he did so. And he said to him, "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me." 9 And he went out and continued to follow, and he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they had passed the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened for them by itself; and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. 11 When Peter came to himself, he said, "Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent forth His angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting." 12 And when he realized [this,] he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was also called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. 13 When he knocked at the door of the gate, a servant-girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 When she recognized Peter's voice, because of her joy she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter was standing in front of the gate. 15 They said to her, "You are out of your mind!" But she kept insisting that it was so. They kept saying, "It is his angel." 16 But Peter continued knocking; and when they had opened [the door,] they saw him and were amazed. 17 But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had led him out of the prison. And he said, "Report these things to James and the brethren." Then he left and went to another place.

The Apostles, who had enjoyed relative peace and popularity in Jerusalem, experience persecution from Herod.  James is executed and Peter is imprisoned.  Despite the very best in prison technology that was used to keep Peter contained before his execution, God helps Peter to escape.  The fervent prayers of the Jerusalem Christians are miraculously answered - a reminder to us that no technology can frustrate the providence of God.

[Act 12:1-17 NASB] 1 Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church in order to mistreat them. 2 And he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword. 3 When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. Now it was during the days of Unleavened Bread. 4 When he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out before the people. 5 So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently

This Week at Providence: 7/29/18 (Acts 12:1-17)

Two accounts of the same event, one from Luke in Acts and the other from Paul in Galatians, detail an important event in the early Church.  Luke's accounts stresses the growth and generosity of the Gentile believers in Antioch as they send Barnabas and Saul to Jerusalem with a gift to help during a prophesied famine.  Paul's account demonstrates that the Apostles had accepted the new paradigm of believers no longer needing to be circumcised.  Also, it provides an insight into the chronology of this period.   
 
[Act 11:27-30 NASB] 27 Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them named Agabus stood up and [began] to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the [reign] of Claudius. 29 And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send [a contribution] for the relief of the brethren living in Judea. 30 And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders. 
 
[Gal 2:1-10 NASB] 1 Then after an interval of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. 2 It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but [I did so] in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain. 3 But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 4 But [it was] because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage. 5 But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you. 6 But from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)--well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me. 7 But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter [had been] to the circumcised 8 (for He who effectually worked for Peter in [his] apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles), 9 and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we [might] [go] to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 [They] only [asked] us to remember the poor--the very thing I also was eager to do.

Two accounts of the same event, one from Luke in Acts and the other from Paul in Galatians, detail an important event in the early Church.  Luke's accounts stresses the growth and generosity of the Gentile believers in Antioch as they send Barnabas and Saul to Jerusalem with a gift to help during a prophesied famine.  Paul's account demonstrates that the Apostles had accepted the new paradigm of believers no longer needing to be circumcised.  Also, it provides an insight into the chronology of this period.  

[Act 11:27-30 NASB] 27 Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them named Agabus stood up and [began] to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the [reign] of Claudius. 29 And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send [a contribution] for the relief of the brethren living in Judea. 30 And this they did, sending it in charge of B

This Week at Providence: 7/22/18 (Acts 11:27-30; Galatians 2:1-10)

This Week at Providence: 6/17/18 (II Kings 5:1-9)

An Epochal moment occurs when an angel appears to Cornelius in Caesarea and Peter in Joppa.  God in His providence connects a Gentile committed to the God of Israel with the Chief Apostle of the growing Church.  First, Peter is given a vision that God has made all things clean, paving the way for a major shift in Peter's lifelong devotion to the cultural standards of Judaism.   
 
[Act 10:1-23 NASB] 1 Now [there was] a man at Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian cohort, 2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, and gave many alms to the [Jewish] people and prayed to God continually. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God who had [just] come in and said to him, "Cornelius!" 4 And fixing his gaze on him and being much alarmed, he said, "What is it, Lord?" And he said to him, "Your prayers and alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 5 "Now dispatch [some] men to Joppa and send for a man [named] Simon, who is also called Peter; 6 he is staying with a tanner [named] Simon, whose house is by the sea." 7 When the angel who was speaking to him had left, he summoned two of his servants and a devout soldier of those who were his personal attendants, 8 and after he had explained everything to them, he sent them to Joppa. 9 On the next day, as they were on their way and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. 10 But he became hungry and was desiring to eat; but while they were making preparations, he fell into a trance; 11 and he saw the sky opened up, and an object like a great sheet coming down, lowered by four corners to the ground, 12 and there were in it all [kinds of] four-footed animals and crawling creatures of the earth and birds of the air. 13 A voice came to him, "Get up, Peter, kill and eat!" 14 But Peter said, "By no means, Lord, for I have never eaten anything unholy and unclean." 15 Again a voice [came] to him a second time, "What God has cleansed, no [longer] consider unholy." 16 This happened three times, and immediately the object was taken up into the sky. 17 Now while Peter was greatly perplexed in mind as to what the vision which he had seen might be, behold, the men who had been sent by Cornelius, having asked directions for Simon's house, appeared at the gate; 18 and calling out, they were asking whether Simon, who was also called Peter, was staying there. 19 While Peter was reflecting on the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are looking for you. 20 "But get up, go downstairs and accompany them without misgivings, for I have sent them Myself." 21 Peter went down to the men and said, "Behold, I am the one you are looking for; what is the reason for which you have come?" 22 They said, "Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man well spoken of by the entire nation of the Jews, was [divinely] directed by a holy angel to send for you [to come] to his house and hear a message from you." 23 So he invited them in and gave them lodging. And on the next day he got up and went away with them, and some of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

An Epochal moment occurs when an angel appears to Cornelius in Caesarea and Peter in Joppa.  God in His providence connects a Gentile committed to the God of Israel with the Chief Apostle of the growing Church.  First, Peter is given a vision that God has made all things clean, paving the way for a major shift in Peter's lifelong devotion to the cultural standards of Judaism.  

[Act 10:1-23 NASB] 1 Now [there was] a man at Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian cohort, 2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, and gave many alms to the [Jewish] people and prayed to God continually. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God who had [just] come in and said to him, "Cornelius!" 4 And fixing his gaze on him and being much alarmed, he said, "What is it, Lord?" And he said to him, "Your prayers and alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 5 "Now dispatch [some] men to Joppa and send for a man [named] Si

This Week at Providence: 6/24/18 (Acts 10:1-23a)

Stephen continues with his sermon to the Sanhedrin with an explanation from the life of Moses.  Demonstrating that God spoke directly to Moses outside of the Temple and Jerusalem, he also shows that the Jews had a history rejecting true prophets sent by God and replacing them with false idols.

This Week at Providence: 4/22/18 (Acts 7:17-43)

Stephen's speech to the Sanhedrin, the longest in the book of Acts, is singular in its exposition on the Temple.  While other Apostles never bring up the role of the Temple in the New Covenant, Stephen argues from the Old Testament that God spoke to His people outside of the Temple.  This incident demonstrates how each leader of the early Church brought a different perspective to their ministry while remaining faithful to the one Gospel they had been charged with preaching. 
 
[Act 7:1-16 NASB] 1 The high priest said, "Are these things so?" 2 And he said, "Hear me, brethren and fathers! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, 3 and said to him, 'LEAVE YOUR COUNTRY AND YOUR RELATIVES, AND COME INTO THE LAND THAT I WILL SHOW YOU.' 4 "Then he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. From there, after his father died, God had him move to this country in which you are now living. 5 "But He gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot of ground, and yet, even when he had no child, He promised that HE WOULD GIVE IT TO HIM AS A POSSESSION, AND TO HIS DESCENDANTS AFTER HIM. 6 "But God spoke to this effect, that his DESCENDANTS WOULD BE ALIENS IN A FOREIGN LAND, AND THAT THEY WOULD BE ENSLAVED AND MISTREATED FOR FOUR HUNDRED YEARS. 7 " 'AND WHATEVER NATION TO WHICH THEY WILL BE IN BONDAGE I MYSELF WILL JUDGE,' said God, 'AND AFTER THAT THEY WILL COME OUT AND SERVE ME IN THIS PLACE.' 8 "And He gave him the covenant of circumcision; and so Abraham became the father of Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs. 9 "The patriarchs became jealous of Joseph and sold him into Egypt. Yet God was with him, 10 and rescued him from all his afflictions, and granted him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he made him governor over Egypt and all his household. 11 "Now a famine came over all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction with it, and our fathers could find no food. 12 "But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers there the first time. 13 "On the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph's family was disclosed to Pharaoh. 14 "Then Joseph sent word and invited Jacob his father and all his relatives to come to him, seventy-five persons in all. 15 "And Jacob went down to Egypt and there he and our fathers died. 16 "From there they were removed to Shechem and laid in the tomb which Abraham had purchased for a sum of money from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.

Stephen's speech to the Sanhedrin, the longest in the book of Acts, is singular in its exposition on the Temple.  While other Apostles never bring up the role of the Temple in the New Covenant, Stephen argues from the Old Testament that God spoke to His people outside of the Temple.  This incident demonstrates how each leader of the early Church brought a different perspective to their ministry while remaining faithful to the one Gospel they had been charged with preaching.

[Act 7:1-16 NASB] 1 The high priest said, "Are these things so?" 2 And he said, "Hear me, brethren and fathers! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, 3 and said to him, 'LEAVE YOUR COUNTRY AND YOUR RELATIVES, AND COME INTO THE LAND THAT I WILL SHOW YOU.' 4 "Then he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. From there, after his father died, God had him move to this country in which you are now living. 5 "But He gave him no inheritance in it,

This Week at Providence: 4/15/18 (Acts 7:1-16)

Luke recounts the first recorded dispute of the early Church and, interestingly, it is a practical matter and not a theological one.  In order to resolve it, the Apostles set up a division of labor that should be a model to us today.  Using wise men, full of the Holy Spirit and of a good reputation, the dispute is cleared up and the Church continues to grow as the Word is spread.  Amazingly, even Priests begin to be counted in the numbers of those obedient to the faith. 
 
[Act 6:1-7 NASB] 1 Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. 2 So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. 3 "Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. 4 "But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." 5 The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. 6 And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them. 7 The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

Luke recounts the first recorded dispute of the early Church and, interestingly, it is a practical matter and not a theological one.  In order to resolve it, the Apostles set up a division of labor that should be a model to us today.  Using wise men, full of the Holy Spirit and of a good reputation, the dispute is cleared up and the Church continues to grow as the Word is spread.  Amazingly, even Priests begin to be counted in the numbers of those obedient to the faith.

[Act 6:1-7 NASB] 1 Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. 2 So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. 3 "Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge 

This Week at Providence: 3/25/18 (Acts 6:1-7)

Following Peter and John's miraculous healing of the lame man at the Temple gate, Peter delivers a theologically rich sermon to the gathering crowd. In it, he explains that the Jesus that they killed was the Suffering Servant about whom Isaiah spoke and the Prophet that would replace Moses. This sermon also demonstrates that the message of the early Church was the same as it is today: Repent and you shall be saved. 
 
For more information about Isaiah's suffering servant, see an extended examination here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgy9J3oOI6vM4OPx594CmOZ3vOXMP3-w_

Following Peter and John's miraculous healing of the lame man at the Temple gate, Peter delivers a theologically rich sermon to the gathering crowd.  In it, he explains that the Jesus that they killed was the Suffering Servant about whom Isaiah spoke and the Prophet that would replace Moses.  This sermon also demonstrates that the message of the early Church was the same as it is today: Repent and you shall be saved.

For more information about Isaiah's suffering servant, see an extended examination here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgy9J3oOI6vM4OPx594CmOZ3vOXMP3-w_

This Week at Providence: 1/14/18 (Acts 3:11-26)

Advent Series Part 4 of 5, The Suffering Servant: Wretched Humiliation and Glorious Exultation 
 
This 5-part series is an examination of the final Song of the Suffering Servant in the Book of Isaiah. Each week includes a detailed look at one of the stanzas from this prophetic song. Biblical scholars searched the scriptures to discover who Isaiah was describing, but it wasn't until Jesus came that a definitive answer was given. 
 
In Stanza 4, the Servant will submit to suffering in silence and be struck down in death. He will be buried in shame and in honor.

Advent Series Part 4 of 5, The Suffering Servant: Wretched Humiliation and Glorious Exultation

This 5-part series is an examination of the final Song of the Suffering Servant in the Book of Isaiah. Each week includes a detailed look at one of the stanzas from this prophetic song.  Biblical scholars searched the scriptures to discover who Isaiah was describing, but it wasn't until Jesus came that a definitive answer was given.  

In Stanza 4, the Servant will submit to suffering in silence and be struck down in death.  He will be buried in shame and in honor.

This Week at Providence: 12/24/17 (Isaiah 53:7-9)

Advent Series Part 1 of 5, The Suffering Servant: Wretched Humiliation and Glorious Exultation 
 
This 5-part series is an examination of the final Song of the Suffering Servant in the Book of Isaiah. Each week includes a detailed look at one of the stanzas from this prophetic song. Biblical scholars searched the scriptures to discover who Isaiah was describing, but it wasn't until Jesus came that a definitive answer was given. 
 
In Stanza 1, the striking comparison between the exalted servant and the humiliated servant is introduced: He will be lifted high and yet be so disfigured that He won't be recognized. His life and ministry will cause Kings to be speechless.

Advent Series Part 1 of 5, The Suffering Servant: Wretched Humiliation and Glorious Exultation

This 5-part series is an examination of the final Song of the Suffering Servant in the Book of Isaiah. Each week includes a detailed look at one of the stanzas from this prophetic song.  Biblical scholars searched the scriptures to discover who Isaiah was describing, but it wasn't until Jesus came that a definitive answer was given.  

In Stanza 1, the striking comparison between the exalted servant and the humiliated servant is introduced: He will be lifted high and yet be so disfigured that He won't be recognized.  His life and ministry will cause Kings to be speechless.

This Week at Providence: 12/3/17 (Isaiah 52:13-15)

The author of Hebrews explains that God thought it appropriate to have Christ live a live of suffering in order that he would be an experienced and compassionate pathfinder for our salvation.

This Week at Providence: 12/25/16 (Hebrews 2:10; 5:8-9)

Dr. Sid Dyer makes the case for the importance of the Church praying for revival.

This Week at Providence: 11/20/16 (Ezekiel 36:16-38)

Providence Sermon from 10/23/16 on Luke 18:31-34

This Week at Providence: 10/23/16 (Luke 18:31-34)

Providence Sermon from 1/11/15 on Luke 3:1-6

This Week at Providence: 1/18/15 (Luke 3:7-14)

This Week at Providence: 1/11/15 (Luke 3:1-6)

In this week's passage, which contains seemingly unrelated statements, Jesus explains that covetousness can exist even in the most religious of people, that we must press with all our hearts to enter into the Kingdom of God, and that God's law is eternal. 
 
Please subscribe to our channel for the latest updates. For more information about Providence, please visit our website: http://www.providencepresbyterianchurch.com

In this week's passage, which contains seemingly unrelated statements, Jesus explains that covetousness can exist even in the most religious of people, that we must press with all our hearts to enter into the Kingdom of God, and that God's law is eternal.

Please subscribe to our channel for the latest updates.  For more information about Providence, please visit our website: http://www.providencepresbyterianchurch.com

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