WHEN THE HEATHEN RAGE

Psalm 2:1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

Acts 4:25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

What should we do when the heathen rage? Hide? Hibernate? Capitulate? Stick our heads in the sand? No- we do our job. We do our duty. We do right.

 

I. WE FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF DANIEL

1. We Purpose in Our Hearts [1:8]

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

2. We Premeditatedly Live for God [6:3-5]

 Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.

3. We Pray to Our God [6:10]

Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

 

II. WE FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF PAUL [2 Tm. 4:7]

1. We Fight the Good Fight [v. 7, 1 Tm. 6:12]

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

2. We Finish Our Course [v. 7, Acts 13:25, 20:24]

-And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.

-But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

3. We Keep the Faith [v. 7, Rm. 3:3, 14:12]

-For what if some did not believe ? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?

-So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

 

III. WE FOLLOW THE EXHORTATION OF CHRIST

1. Be Salt [Mt. 5:13]

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

2. Be Light [Mt. 5:14-16]

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

3. Be Witnesses [Acts 1:6-9]

When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord , wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.