Living in Exile - Part 2

God is Sovereign, even in persecution.

The Reasons for Persecution

Daniel 3:1-15

We are persecuted because:

We do not belong.

Resentment, jealousy, and fear.

Daniel 3:1-7 One more time we must remind ourselves that this country, this world, is not our home. This is not the place that we belong to.

Daniel 3:8-12 Ultimately, we will face resentment, hatred, jealousy, from the people of the world. Why? Because they love darkness rather than light, and our faith threatens to cut through their notions of good and evil and reveal to them how lost they truly are.

Daniel 3:13-15 The threat is very real. Our brothers and sisters all over the world face similar threats on a daily basis

Facing Persecution

We are not the heroes of the story.

Daniel 3:16-18 Our only hope for response.

When persecution comes:

We need Christ.

We need each other.

Daniel 3:19-27 The sovereignty of God over our trials.

We do not need:

Firearms/Militias

Political Rallies.

We need to:

Deepen our relationships with Christ.

Submit ourselves to his will.

Seek God’s glory as our life’s purpose.

Daniel 3:28-30 The outcome of persecution.

In every age of the earth, from the death of Abel to this present day, God’s people have been persecuted. At this present time within the United States, we are enjoying a brief time of freedom and safety. However, we know that this will not always be the case. At some point, we will again face persecution as Christians. It is at that point and time that we will be faced with a whole new set of faith challenges.

Living in exile; we are seen as the enemy.

Ultimately, our faith threatens their feelings of safety and security. Our faith is a threat because it cuts through lies and sinful feelings to establish truth and light.