What does the Bible say about persecution of Christians?

The Bible warns that all who live godly in Christ Jesus will face persecution (2 Timothy 3:12). The Bible clearly teaches that persecution is a reality for those who live a godly life in Christ Jesus. In 2 Timothy 3:12, we read that 'ye and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.' This assertion is repeated throughout Scripture, indicating that suffering for the sake of Christ is not an anomaly but a regular aspect of the Christian experience. Historically, Christians have faced various forms of persecution, and it serves to strengthen their faith and witness in a fallen world. It’s essential to remember this truth, especially when facing difficult situations in our lives where our faith may be tested.

How do we know that God's sovereignty is true?

God's sovereignty is evidenced by His consistent control over history and individual lives, as affirmed in Scripture. The sovereignty of God is a foundational doctrine in Reformed theology, affirming that God is actively involved in all aspects of life and history. The sermon emphasizes that not only is every event predestined by God, but His control is absolute, even amid chaos. Scriptures such as Proverbs 3:5 remind believers to trust in the Lord with all their heart, indicating that acknowledging God leads to understanding the framework of His sovereign rule. God's sovereignty assures us that He is our refuge and strength in troubled times, highlighting His omnipotence and faithfulness, which have been evident throughout biblical history.

Why is trusting God important for Christians?

Trusting God provides strength, guidance, and peace amid life's challenges (Proverbs 3:5). Trusting in God is a fundamental aspect of the Christian faith, highlighted beautifully in Proverbs 3:5-6, which instructs believers to 'trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.' This trust is not blind; it is deeply rooted in the character of God as loving, sovereign, and just. When we face challenges, whether personal or societal, turning to God for strength and guidance is crucial. Trust allows us to surrender our fears and anxieties, recognizing that God is ultimately in control of all circumstances. This principle assures believers that even when situations seem hopeless, God is working all things for our good.

How does the Bible address issues like debt?

The Bible warns that the borrower is a servant to the lender, emphasizing the burden of debt (Proverbs 22:7). Scripture has much to say about the topic of debt, particularly in Proverbs 22:7, which states, 'the rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is a servant to the lender.' This analogy illustrates that incurring debt places individuals in a position of servitude, often leading to significant stress and anxiety. In today's context, many people struggle with debt, and the Bible's wisdom serves as a reminder to be cautious in financial dealings. It advocates for responsible stewardship of resources, highlighting the importance of financial health and independence. Ultimately, trusting God amidst financial struggles can provide relief and encourage wise choices moving forward.

Nothing New - Zak Smith | Full Transcript & Audio

Not my natural element All right, we're gonna start today in ecclesiastes 1 9 I know it's in here somewhere Check out little sticky notes marked with it All right, please yes, he's one nine reads The things that have been it is that which shall be and that which is done Is that which shall be done and there's no new thing under the Sun?

Today I'm going to talk about things that are not new under the Sun I So if you would turn to 2nd Timothy 3.12. 2nd Timothy 3.12 reads, Ye and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

It is well known that Christians throughout the times have been persecuted. Brother Larry was talking about that this morning. I've got a couple history facts that I wrote down to kind of date with some Bible verses to show that stuff that is happening in modern history has also happened, has been repeated. Uh, so North Korea has imprisoned over 70,000 Christian believers, uh, in its entire reign.

I don't know exactly how long that is. Uh, but 70,000 over 70,000 is quite a bit. Uh, so when you think, think of stuff that you might be dealing with in your day to day life, uh, or the, be at your work, friends, family, other churches. Just know that there are there are believers out there that have it worse than us way worse than us You would turn to Proverbs 3 5 and Proverbs 3, 5 reads, trust in the Lord with all mine heart, lean not on mine own understandings.

And always acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes, fear the Lord and depart from evil. I shall be health to thy navel and morrow to thy bones. Honor the Lord with thy substance and with the first fruits of all thine increase. So, If you ever feel like you're being prosecuted as a Christian or a believer, Jesus Christ. Revert back to Proverbs 3. Very, very beautiful verse. You know. Lost my spot here already. Great. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart. It's a well known verse. One of my favorite verses. While we're in Proverbs, turn to Proverbs 22-7.

It reads, the rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is a servant to the lender. How many of us here are in debt or have been in debt a lot? I'm sure everyone, the U S the state, the country, United States is $39 trillion in debt. 95% of households in America are in over $5,000 worth of debt. Bible talks about this, says that the borrower is a slave to the lender. Do y'all feel like you work to pay off your debt? Do you feel like it's stressful? Do you get anxiety, stress over having to pay off these debts?

It's a lot to take in. It's a lot to do. Psalms 93. 93 verse 4 The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters yea than the mighty waves of the sea The testimonies are very sure holiness become at thy house. Oh Lord forever 95% of households are in debt caused with stress and struggle Bible says the Lord is high Mightier than the noise of the many waters Jade and the mighty waves of the sea. He brings comfort and assurance to us in times of that.

This is hard. I don't know how you do this every week. So even if you're in debt, just know that he's with you by your side. You're not going through it alone. Everyone out there is in debt. First Kings 19. So Elijah has just got done slaying people. And it reads 19 through 20. Is that where I want to be? Oh, verse four, I'm sorry. Chapter 19, verse four.

But he himself went a day's journey unto the wilderness and came and sat down under a juniper tree. And he requested for himself that he might die. and said, it is enough now, Lord, take away my life, for I am not better than my father's. Elijah wanted to kill himself. Elijah wanted to die. He didn't want to be alive anymore.

I'm sure the stress of killing several men, I don't know how many, does it state how many he killed? A lot, a lot of men, you know. PTSD is a common occurrence in soldiers that have taken lives. It's not easy. Bible talks about not killing people, but you know.

The government thinks otherwise whenever whenever they start their wars and all that crap. So Elijah wanted to die. Does anyone in here know how many people killed themselves in America last year? In the year of 2025. 740,000 people committed suicide last year in the United States. Suicide is not new. It's been around. Whether you think it or act upon it, it's been around forever. You know, there's definitely a lot more help today than there was back in the day for people who think or talk about killing themselves.

You turn to Psalms 61. Psalm 61 verse 1 reads, Hear my cry, O God, attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto Thee when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me and a strong tower from thy enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle forever. I will trust in the convert of thy wings.

How many people pray to God every day to give them strength to get through the day? I start my day each and every day on my drive to work with a prayer. Before I go into work, I pray. If you pray every day to God, he will take those thoughts out of your head every day. Every day. It might not be every day that he takes them out of your head. But if you pray, it will help. It will help. Second Kings 12.

This is talking about King Joash. Is that how you pronounce it? Joash? This is speaking of King Joash. We're going to be reading 2 Kings 19. And the rest of the acts of Joash and all that he did, are they not written in the book of Chronicles of the kings of Judea? And his servants arose and made a conspiracy and slew Joash in the house of Milo, which goeth down to Scylla. King Joash was killed. He was a king.

He was assassinated. The USA has had several presidents. Four have been assassinated. Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield, William McKinley, And JFK, there has been 30 attempts at presidential assassinations since 1776. I knew when JFK got assassinated, it was a big thing. There's a lot of media around. It was when television was big. Larry, I'm sure you remember the day it happened. Everyone thought the world was going to go to war. I mean, it was a big thing. JFK got assassinated. Kings were assassinated, leaders were assassinated in the Bible. It's been happening forever. It's nothing new.

If you want to turn to Psalm 46, there's a lot of turning, sorry. 46 one God is our refuge and strength a very pleasant help in trouble Therefore therefore will not we fear that the earth be removed and that the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea Whenever we fear for the end of the world or the the destruction or demise of the world the Bible tells us that God is our refuge. He is to give us strength. He is to be with us. He will guide us, give us peace. We don't have to turn there, but Judges chapter six through eight talks about the wars that Gideon fought in. Gideon fought, how many wars did Gideon fight? A few, two or three?

There's been several wars in the American history worldwide. I wrote down a couple of wars that are notable in U.S. history. We had the Civil War in 1861, World War I in 1917, World War II, 1941, the Vietnam War, 1959, Iraq in 2003, And the longest standing war Afghanistan from 2001 to 2021. So there is dating back to 1861 and to 2021.

We have been in wars constantly. There was wars in the Bible. It's nothing new. Wars are common. People think every time we go to war, we're at war right now. that bad things are going to happen, regime changes, suppression. It's nothing new. We've been through it. Guess what? God led his believers through all of it the entire time, even back in 1861. I'm sure there were some sovereign grace believers in that war. No, no proof of it, but I'm sure there was.

There we go. There we go. There we go. So let's turn to Psalms 46. Let's run across the page. 46. We already read that.

I'm sorry. Disregard that. This is pretty much all the verses I had. You know, I didn't have a whole lot of time to prepare for this. I woke up this or got off work this morning and I knew it was going to be my last Sunday attending church with you guys for a while. I felt that I wanted to say something before that absence. Uh, so with all that being said, you know, I wrote down some stuff that I want to say here.

Uh, your small trials are not random or new. They're old, known, and most importantly, predestined by God. Life is chaotic, but God is constant. The world is unstable, but God is unshakable. Your heart may break, but God draws near, because God is present, mighty, faithful, near to the broken, protector, helper, rock, refuge, strength, but most important, God is sovereign over history and all things on this green earth, even when it seems gray and gloomy. That's all I got.

Nothing New

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about persecution of Christians?

How do we know that God's sovereignty is true?

Why is trusting God important for Christians?

How does the Bible address issues like debt?

Sermon Transcript

Comments

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Nothing New

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about persecution of Christians?

How do we know that God's sovereignty is true?

Why is trusting God important for Christians?

How does the Bible address issues like debt?

Sermon Transcript

Comments

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