OT accounts aid us in serving God, Rom. 15:4•Disobedient: don’t follow•Obedient: follow

One of the greatest accounts of faith•Unlikely to face the same thing•Draw inspiration for faithful service

Darius conquered Babylon, Dan. 5:30, 31•Nebuchadnezzar•Belshazzar

Why do evil men rule?•Chastise God’s sinful people, 2 Chron. 36:15-17•Destroy evil nations, Jer. 50:18•Man’s stubbornness, 1 Sam. 8:5; Rom. 1:21-24•Cause a desire for God, Ex. 2:23

Christians need to be distinguished at work•Do it heartily, Col. 3:22-24•Accused of “kissing up”•Examples: Joseph, David

Christians need to be distinguished from the world, 1 Pt. 4:3, 4•In morals: speech & deeds•In religion: convictions & practice•Hated for it, Mk. 13:13•Example: Jesus

Some show weakness when tested, Mt. 13:20, 21•John Mark, Acts 13:13•Peter & Barnabas, Gal. 2:11-13

Must trust & obey God, Heb. 13:5, 6•When threatened, Acts 4:19, 20•When beaten, Acts 5:29, 40, 41•Not to stray, Psa. 119:109-112•Pray often, Mt. 6:13; 26:44

Christians subject to various trials•Financial, 2 Cor. 8:1, 2•Personal, Philemon•Physical, 2 Cor. 12:7

God watches over His children•Sometimes delivered­David from Saul­Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego

God watches over His children•Sometimes not delivered­John the immerser­James­Lazarus

The wicked will pay for their sins•No escape, Num. 14:18•Brutal, Mt. 18:34; 22:7; 24:51

We can repent & avoid eternal punishment, Lk. 13:1-5•Leave the sin•Obey God, Acts 8:12, 22