Sermon # 82 Luke Sermons

Title: "The Very Hairs of Your Head"

Text: Luke 12:7

Subject: God’s Special Care for His Elect

Date: Sunday Evening—June 16, 2002

Tape # X-6b

Readings: Ron Wood and James Jordan

Introduction:
(Luke 12:7) "But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows."

With these words our Lord Jesus Christ assures us that none of God's elect shall ever be in any real danger or suffer any real harm, for we are under the special care and protection of God himself. I see seven things in this verse which are a constant source of peace and encouragement to me.

  1. THE BLESSED FACT OF DIVINE PREDESTINATION


The text might be better translated "the very hairs of your head have all been numbered." Before the world began, our heavenly Father counted up and ordained the number of hairs that were to be upon your head at this very moment! This is meticulous predestination. What does it tell us? God's sovereign purpose of grace in predestination includes all that we do and experience.

  • Psalm 139:14-18

  • Ephesians 1:5, 11

  • Romans 8:28-30

  • Predestination is God’s eternal purpose to save his people.

  • To accomplish his purpose, he has sovereignly and unalterably determined everything that comes to pass in time.


  1. A COMFORTING ASSURANCE OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE


The primary intent of the text is to show us our Father's constant rule of all things. The sparrow cannot fall to the ground, and a hair cannot fall from your head, without your Father's eternal decree in predestination and his direction in providence.

  • Ephesians 1:5, 11

  • Romans 8:28-30


A. Divine providence is the outworking of predestination.

D. It is universal.

D. It comprehends all things—The great and the minute (Rom. 11:33-36).

E. In providence, our all-wise, ever-gracious and good God constantly overrules evil for good in the lives of all creatures, good and evil (Ps. 76:10).

  • Adam’s Fall

  • Lot’s Incest

  • Judah and Tamar

  • David and Bathsheba

  • Hezekiah’s Prayer—Josiah’s Birth


F. God’s providence is good is good (Isa. 3:10; Ps. 57:2).

  1. OUR HEAVENLY FATHER'S DIVINE KNOWLEDGE OF ALL THINGS CONCERNING US


    2. Our God, who predestinated all things and rules all things, knows all things. We are so well known by God that he has even numbered the hairs of our heads. "Your Father knoweth." We need no other comfort. The Lord's knowledge of us is constant and entire. His knowledge of us is the knowledge of a tender, sympathetic Father.

  2. OUR FATHER'S CONSTANT, DIVINE CARE

    3. He who takes the trouble to number the hairs of our heads must surely care for us. We are the apple of his eye. Cast all your care upon him. "He careth for you" (1 Pet. 5:7).

  3. THE HONOR AND DIVINE ESTEEM WHICH GOD HAS FOR US

    4. God has numbered our hairs because he values them. He holds us in honor and esteem above all the people of the world because of his gracious purpose toward us in Christ (Isa. 43:3-5; 1 John 4:9-11).

    (Isaiah 43:1-5) "But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. 2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. 3 For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. 4 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. 5 Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west."

    (1 John 4:9-10) "In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."

  4. THE PROMISE OF DIVINE PROTECTION


The hairs of our head are all numbered because our God intends that, "There shall not an hair of your head perish." Trials are certain. Temptations are sure. Tribulations are constant in this world. But there is no cause for fear - "The very hairs of your head are all numbered!"


  • Daniel 3:27


  1. A Very Great Calm – "Fear not!"


(Luke 12:6-7) "Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? 7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows."

  • Romans 8:28-39
Don Fortner