CENTRAL THOUGHT
Christ is the believer’s sure anchor.
TEXT: ESTHER 3:1-6; 4:1-14.
INTRODUCTION:
As believers, we face a number of challenges that put a demand on our faith. These challenges may come to us in all areas of life- socially, politically, economically and spiritually, for which we must take a stand for Christ and be resolved to run the race to the end.
Thus, in this study, “The believer’s stand in times like this” we shall be looking at the happenings around us and how a believer should respond to them.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this study are to:
- Understand what “The believer’s stand in time like this means;
- Know the characteristics of the time we are living in;
- Discuss how some characters in the Bible stood in the time they lived in;
- Discuss how a believer should respond to the happenings in the time he/she lives in.
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1) WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY THE PHRASE “THE BELIEVER’S STAND IN TIME LIKE THIS”.
The believer in the context of this study refers to someone who believes in Christ Jesus. Such an individual must have accepted the Lord as his personal Lord and Savior; he/she is someone ready and willing to live his/her life in obedience to the word of the Lord.
It is common knowledge that we live in hard times; the Bible calls it, ‘Perilous time’. It is the end time. It is therefore how the believer can go through these perilous times, keeping the faith without compromise that is under discussion.
QUESTION 1B) DISCUSS THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TIME WE ARE LIVING IN.
(i). Economically, Matt.24:7
One of the characteristics of the end times, which is the time we live in, is financial hardship. The Bible clearly states that, there shall be famines, pestilences and earthquakes. This is scarcity of resources, food and basic necessities which is a cumulative effect from the kingdoms and the nations rising against themselves.
As never before, the cost of living daily has become very expensive; availability and affordability of most basic needs now seem a luxury.
The economic crunch/meltdown is not limited to our nation, it is global, and nations that were world economic powers have not been exempted.
-(ii) Politically, Matt.24:6, 2 Tim 3:12
The times we live in, have witnessed increase in wars and rumors of wars. Nations that had hither to be peaceful, are now involved in various forms of unrest. Also, there is increase in internal crisis and wars with a heightened local unrest. Insecurity of lives and properties is a challenge. All these should remind the believer that we are in the end times. A characteristic that also mark the end time is, the different forms of persecution the church is undergoing. It is indeed a perilous time.
(iii) Socially, 2 Tim.3:1-4; Matt 24:7
There is an increase in all the vices stated in the above passages; same sex marriage, self-centeredness, greed and covetousness, quest to make money at all costs, pride, worldliness and worldly standards, disobedience to parents, un-thankfulness and unholiness, ungodliness, inordinate affection, breaking of vows, false accusation, betrayal by loved ones, self-gratification.
In Matt 24:7, the nations of the world shall equally rise against themselves and kingdoms against kingdoms, so there is also a global aspect of the social characteristics of the end times. It is a time witnessed by nations departing from blocks/unions for self-interest. Indeed, there is no doubt we live in the perilous times.
(iv). Spiritually, Matt 24:9-14, 24;2 Tim 3:5-7
From the above passages, increase of the following are evident of these times; tangible persecution of the church; weakened or compromised faith of some believers (Matt.11:6); increase in false prophets and prophecies; increase in spread of the gospel.
Despite the persecution faced by the church, God is still opening up lands, people, tribes, nations for the gospel. In all these, Christ has not left the church comfortless, He assured that “whosoever shall endure to the end shall be saved”. Matt.24:13.
QUESTION 2) DISCUSS HOW THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERS STOOD IN THE TIME THEY LIVED IN.
I. Mordecai, Esther 3:1-6, 4:1-14.
Mordecai was a Jew who was taken alongside with other Jews as captives from Jerusalem; Esther 2:6. Mordecai served at the king’s gate with other servants. Mordecai, even at the expense of his life and that of his tribe resisted compromise. He took to fasting and prayers along with his people and the impending destruction was averted. Mordecai dared to please God instead of man.
II. Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego. Daniel 3:14-18.
King Nebudnezzar had made a golden image and issued a decree for everyone to worship and bow down to his god. But these three Hebrew men, irrespective of the threat of being thrown into the fiery furnace would not bow. They were ready to sacrifice their lives in obedience to God; it did not matter if God would save them or not.
Believers must make a resolve like these men and keep their faith in all situations.
III. Joseph. Gen.39:7-12
Joseph was brought into Egypt as a slave. God was with him, so he gained favor before his master, who committed unto Joseph all that he had. Potiphar’s wife, taunted Joseph day by day to sleep with her without success. In a strange land, Joseph saw the act as of sin and great wickedness not against his master but against God. There must be a decision to live chaste moral clean lives as singles, and for the married, they must be faithful to their spouse; being watchful against unguided moments, Potiphar’s wives are still around. Like Joseph, decide not to sin against God.
IV. Daniel. Daniel 6:4-16.
Daniel was adjudged faithful, devoid of fault. It was known that he could only be faulted on issues that concern the law of his God. The King was made to issue a decree for no one to pray to any other god but to the king for 30 days. Daniel knew of it. He did not compromise his stand. He chose to obey God rather than man.
It is God’s will for believers to resolute like Daniel. In the times we live in, can God trust you to stand in faith like Daniel?
V. Noah. Gen 6:5-12.
Noah lived in a corrupt and perverse world that grieved God, yet Noah had the testimony of being just and perfect before God in that generation. He walked in obedience with God; his uprightness saved him and his family from being destroyed along with the world. Like Noah, the believer should decide to be just and perfect before his God.
QUESTION 3A) HOW SHOULD A BELIEVER RESPOND TO THE HAPPENINGS IN THE TIMES WE LIVE?
Matt 24:13-14, 2 Chronicles 15:5-7, 2 Tim 4:1-5
The believer is admonished to endure to the end. It is only those who maintain their stand and refuse all sorts of compromise that will be saved. In 2 Chron. 15:5-7, King Asa was admonished to be strong and not to be weak. Being strong in the Lord include putting on the whole armor of God as stated in Ephesians. In times like this, it is only those who know their God that can be strong. Daniel 11:32b.
Apostle Paul admonished the believer to preach the gospel; this requires a consistent godly lifestyle. Believers should also watch over one another. The believer should be vigilant so that he/she is not overtaken by the times; must learn endurance by waiting patiently on the Lord, Ps.27:14. When afflicted, the believer must wait on the Lord, for it is a process we must go through without being consumed Isa.43:2. The believer must also take heed to the ministry committed into his/her hands.
QUESTION 3B) READ THE FOLLOWING PASSAGES AND IDENTIFY THOSE THINGS THAT WILL HELP US SURVIVE THE TIME WE LIVE IN. John 3:3; 2 Cor.5:17; 2 Tim.2:15; Acts 16:25 and Eph.6:10-18.
To survive the time we are living in, the believer must resolve to live this new life Christ offers. He/she must be intentional about it, putting away the old and putting on Christ. The place of the study of the word of God and living in obedience to the word of God can never be over emphasized (2 Tim.2:15). Prayer must be a lifestyle of any believer who must survive in these times. The whole armor of God is another need of the believer to survive the times we live in Ephesians 6:10-18.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
The times we are living in are times that demand the believer to be intentional about his/her faith. We must be bold to make our stand known. The believer’s faith is tried daily. The conspiracy that was against Mordecai, Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego is still on till date. It comes from different people and in various forms. It is important to note that no one stands for God and gets disappointed. Like the Hebrew friends, believers must resolve that even if God does not show up, they will not compromise their faith. Keep the faith, refuse all compromise and see God intervene.
Our faith in Christ and His word will help us remain focused despite these challenges. The believer must however be prepared like Daniel who purposed in his heart not to compromise. Such decisions must be made prior to the challenge. May our strength not fail us in the days of adversity, Amen.
MEMORY VERSE:
1 COR.15:58
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Mon: CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TIME WE ARE LIVING IN.
Matt 24:7, Matt 6, 2Tim 3:12 and 2 Tim 3:1-4.
Tue: CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TIME WE ARE LIVING IN.
Matt 24:9-14, 24, 2 Tim 3:5-7.
Wed: HOW MORDECAI, SHADRACH, MESHACK AND ABEDNEGO STOOD IN THE TIME THEY LIVED IN. Esther 3:1-6, Daniel 3:14-18.
Thu: HOW JOSEPH AND DANIEL STOOD IN THE TIME THEY LIVED IN.
Gen 39:7-12, Daniel 6:4-16.
Fri: HOW A BELIEVER SHOULD RESPOND TO THE HAPPENINGS IN THE TIMES WE ARE LIVING IN? Matt 24:13-14, 2 Chronicles 15:5-7, 2 Tim 4:1-5.
Sat: THINGS THAT WILL HELP US SURVIVE THE TIME WE ARE LIVING IN.
John 3:3, 2 Cor 5:17, 2 Tim 2:15, Acts 16:25 and Eph 6:10-18.