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 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”

“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”

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)