Plans and Providence | Proverbs Part 16

Title: Plans and Providence
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03:39 How Do We Pursue Wisdom?
05:14 Humans Are Planners
09:00 The Heart of our Plans
12:03 The Goals of Our Plans
12:30 The Work Towards Our Goals
13:23 The Results of Our Work
14:19 God May Change Your Plans
15:58 God Knows Your Heart
19:02 How Should We Make Plans?
19:11 Make Plans With Wisdom, Not Outcomes Obsession
25:45 Make Plans With Humility
28:19 Make Plans With Others
31:09 How Do We Know God is For Us in Our Plans?
32:54 What Are The Detours to Our Plans?
37:44 Will You Trust God With Your Plans?
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Proverbs 16:1–9
The plans of the heart belong to man,
but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
but the LORD weighs the spirit.
Commit your work to the LORD,
and your plans will be established.
The LORD has made everything for its purpose,
even the wicked for the day of trouble.
Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD;
be assured, he will not go unpunished.
By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil.
When a man’s ways please the LORD,
he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Better is a little with righteousness
than great revenues with injustice.
The heart of man plans his way,
but the LORD establishes his steps. (ESV)
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In this sermon titled Plans and Providence, Jed Gillis explores Proverbs 16:1–9 and emphasizes the tension and comfort found in the relationship between human planning and God’s providence. We are natural planners, made in God’s image to think, dream, and set goals. But while we initiate plans from our hearts, it is the Lord who ultimately shapes our desires, directs our steps, and determines the outcomes.
The sermon highlights four key components of planning: the heart (our core motivations), the plans (our goals), the work (our actions to achieve them), and the outcomes (which God controls). Gillis urges listeners to make plans not out of obsession with results but rooted in wisdom, humility, and community. Wise planning does not demand certainty about outcomes. It trusts in God’s character.
Even when plans fail or detours arise, believers can rest in God’s steadfast love and faithfulness. This is not a vague comfort, but a deeply rooted truth displayed most powerfully in Jesus, who endured what looked like a detour in the cross, only to rise again in victory. Because of Christ’s atonement, we can trust that God is for us, even when we are flawed. The call is to walk in wisdom, trust God with the results, and know that it is never too late to turn back toward him.
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Berean Bible Church is a non-denominational church in East Knoxville, TN. We are grounded in the Word, celebrating the transformative power of the Gospel. Our community thrives on worship and mutual encouragement, fostering deep connections among members. Committed to our mission, we reach out with compassion and hope, reflecting God's glory throughout our city and beyond.
Learn more at berean.church.