Living for God in Ungodly Times
Nine principles to live godly lives in an ungodly world.
1. Stand Up
Bow up with confidence (not pride)
verse 1 – “At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people.
God will protect His people.
We can Stand Up and be confident of His protection of us.
2. Buckle Up
Verse 1 – there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. 7 the shattering of the power of the holy people
Trouble & difficulty & persecution is part of the regular rhythm of life.
Be ready for trials.
James 1 - Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials,
3. Rest Up
You can rest confidently looking up to the Lord
Because full and final rescue is coming.
If I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.
Relax - you can trust God to rescue His people.
4. Look Up
Maybe “Hope Up” is a better phrase
Christ’s resurrection gives us absolute confidence that we will be resurrected.
1 John 3:2 – We know that when He is manifested, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.
And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
5. Point Up
Our Christian walk has never been and never will be just about us.
We cannot focus all our attention on ourselves.
We absolutely have to turn our attention to others.
God has given us the message of the gospel of salvation, not so that we can keep it to ourselves and exult in it, but so that we can point others to Jesus Christ.
Be praying daily that the Lord would bring evangelism opportunities your way
6. Grow Up
You have to dig deep into God’s Word to grow up spiritually. We live in an age that does not like the truth of Scripture and despises biblical doctrine. Many Christians quickly set it aside for the sake of “experience.”
The wise will always look to God’s Word to find true wisdom.
7. Time’s Up!
Verses 5-9 Daniel’s conclusion.
The time of difficulty will be “cut short.”
verse 12 (the numbers 1290 & 1335) show us that God’s timing is precise - down to the very day that things happen.
Whatever trial you’re currently going through - as you persevere, know that it will end precisely when it is supposed to.
Difficulties are never pointless - they always have a purpose
God is sanctifying you, even when it doesn't feel right in your own heart/mind.
8. Clean Up
1 Peter 1:13-16 – Therefore, having girded your minds for action, being sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
As obedient children, (radically obedient children) not being conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your conduct; because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
You need to passionately pursue holiness
9. [Don’t] Give Up
In verse 8, Daniel’s honesty is pretty cool:
I heard, but I did not understand.
You will endure – Don’t give up
This is a promise given to us
Not only the guarantee of making it to heaven
But also endurance.
Matthew 24:13 – And because lawlessness is multiplied, most people’s love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.
(Salvation brings endurance)
Conclusion
Look again at to 1 Peter 1:15
Radical obedience is:
• Not being conformed to the world
(the characteristics of AntiChrist we saw in 11)
• and the pursuit of holiness
We’re commanded to be holy
That’s what these nine principles are:
The passionate pursuit of
knowing God
and making Him known.
If you call yourself a Christian - this is not optional.
I pray that you make every effort toward sanctification as together we strive to be a fired up church, radically obedient to a passionate pursuit of knowing God and making Him known.
Soli Deo Gloria!
Pastor Rob
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