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Certain Truths. …For An Uncertain Time Daniel 2:44-45. “On this Labor Day, unemployment stands at 9.7 percent, the highest it has been in 26 years. Nearly 216,000 jobs were lost last month, and in some states, unemployment figures have reached double digits”.
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Certain Truths …For An Uncertain Time Daniel 2:44-45
“On this Labor Day, unemployment stands at 9.7 percent, the highest it has been in 26 years. Nearly 216,000 jobs were lost last month, and in some states, unemployment figures have reached double digits” “The report also shows one in every 466 U.S. housing units received a foreclosure filing in January” “President Ahmadinejad says Iran will not halt uranium enrichment or negotiate over its nuclear rights” “With the Centers for Disease Control projecting a potential 50-percent of the population contracting the virus, hospitals are trying to figure out what to do if their doctors, nurses and support staff are struck as well” “The Obama administration's bottom line on a government health insurance option blurred Sunday as White House officials stressed support but stopped short of calling it a must-have part of an overhaul”
Certain Truths For An Uncertain Time • God still rules and is control of this world: • God has the wisdom, might, and knowledge men lack. He is in control! (Job 40:8-14) • Job tops anything the stock market has ever seen! • He wasn’t fearing what might would come, but he was groping to deal with what already was! • The most difficult of circumstances, the most mind boggling problems, the most powerful among God’s creation are all under His control! • Nebuchadnezzar had to learn the difficult way that the Most High rules in kingdoms of men (Dan 4:25-26, 28-33, 34-35)
Certain Truths For An Uncertain Time • God still rules and is control of this world: • Paul emphasized the authority of God behind the governments of men (Rom 13:1-6) • To give assurance, the throne of God is pictured in the center of everything! (Revelation 4) • Jesus prophesied of the great turmoil that would exist in the time leading up to these events (Matt 24) • Notice how EVERYTHING surrounds God’s throne… He is in the center of it all… God is in control!
Certain Truths For An Uncertain Time • God still rules & is control of this world: • Paul emphasized the authority of God behind the governments of men (Rom 13:1-6) • To give assurance, the throne of God is pictured in the center of everything! (Revelation 4:8, 11) • Jesus prophesied of the great turmoil that would exist in the time leading up to these events (Matt 24) • Notice how EVERYTHING surrounds God’s throne… He is in the center of it all… God is in control! • “Throne” appears 46 times in this book – Only 15 other occurrences in the whole NT… A big theme! • The kingdom of Heaven will always be triumphant! • Despite how it may appear from our perspective, God is always in complete control & His purposes stand!
Certain Truths For An Uncertain Time • God’s people will live faithfully regardless of their society or their circumstances: • Consider Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, & Azariah as they lived in Babylon (Dan 1:8; 3:16-18) • Others who overcome their surroundings: • Lot – Lived righteously in spite of Sodom & Gomorrah • Joseph – Was faithful in Egypt w/o others to edify him • Moses – Sacrificed much in Egypt to lead God’s people • Prophets – Overcame discouragements, rejection, persecution, and evil influences to serve God • First Century Christians – Pressures, persecution, corrupt government, evils of the Greek culture
Certain Truths For An Uncertain Time • God’s people will live faithfully regardless of their society or their circumstances: • Paul sent greetings even from the saints of Caesar’s household (Philippians 4:21-22) • This Caesar was Nero – Persecuted Christians, indulged in sexual immorality, drinking, murder, & more! • Saint – “Holy” – They rose above their surroundings! “Our duty is to stand at our post however difficult our surroundings and unfriendly our company… we may be sure He is with us there and that we can live the life and witness to His name” (Alexander Mclaren)
Certain Truths For An Uncertain Time • God’s people will live faithfully regardless of their society or their circumstances: • Paul sent greetings even from the saints of Caesar’s household (Philippians 4:21-22) • This Caesar was Nero – Persecuted Christians, indulged in sexual immorality, drinking, murder, & more! • Saint – “Holy” – They rose above their surroundings! • A Christian doesn’t depend on society to determine his walk with God. He lives by a different standard (Romans 12:1-2)
Certain Truths For An Uncertain Time • Christians are part of a kingdom that cannot be shaken: • Many are anxious about the political, economical, and moral future of our country • Daniel prophesied of a heavenly kingdom that would never be destroyed (Daniel 2:36-45) • Nebuchadnezzar’s dream showed the rise and fall of several world empires – Instable & momentary • This last kingdom originates with God, not man! It starts as a stone, grows into a mountain, & fills the earth! • It’s a kingdom that would not pass away, be destroyed, or be subject to the instability & problems of men
Certain Truths For An Uncertain Time • Christians are part of a kingdom that cannot be shaken: • In the NT, we see this kingdom established, growing, & filling the earth (Heb 12:18-24) • Jesus & John said it was near, at hand, & would come in that generation (Mt 3:2, 4:17, 13:31, 16:28) • This mountain is pictured in all of its grandeur! It’s a kingdom that cannot be shaken! • This kingdom with our citizenship is not of this world, but Heaven (Phil. 3:17-21)
Certain Truths For An Uncertain Time • A few more truths…. (Acts 27:25, 35-36)
“So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told…” (Acts 27:25) “And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat. Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves” (Acts 27:35-36)
Certain Truths For An Uncertain Time • A few more truths…. (Acts 27:25, 35-36) • God has promised He would never leave us or forsake us and He would be our helper (Heb 13:5-6) • God has promised that our daily needs will be met so we should not worry or be anxious (Matt 6:28-34) • His word is truth… It’s truth that never changes, it never needs added to, and it applies to all people in all circumstances (Jude vs. 3) • God is certain – He never changes (James 1:17) • If you are a Christian you have a spiritual family you can count on (Mark 10:29-30) • This world is passing away and full of corruption, but Heaven is eternal and perfect! (2 Cor 4:16-18)
Are You Certain Of Your Salvation? You Can Be! “For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Gal 3:26-27)
Are You Certain Of Your Salvation? What Is Holding You Back? “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.” (Acts 22:16)