Christian Life Church
September 1, 2024 at 8:30am & 10:00am
“Another kind of religious leader must arise among us. He must be of the old prophet type, a man who has seen visions of God and has heard a voice from the Throne. When he comes (and I pray God there will be not one but many), he will stand in flat contradiction to everything our smirking, smooth civilization holds dear. He will contradict, denounce and protest in the name of God and will earn the hatred and opposition of a large segment of Christendom. Such a man is likely to be lean, rugged, blunt-spoken, and a little bit angry with the world. He will love Christ and the souls of men to the point of willingness to die for the glory of the One and the salvation of the other. (And) he will fear nothing that breathes with mortal breath.” A.W. Tozer
Locations & Times
Christian Life Church Columbia
2700 Bush River Rd, Columbia, SC 29210, USA
Sunday 8:00 AM
UNDERSTANDING THE REMNANT SEPTEMBER 1, 2024
SCRIPTURE
Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, his chief of staff, to bring to the palace some of the young men of Judah’s royal family and other noble families, who had been brought to Babylon as captives. “Select only strong, healthy, and good-looking young men,” he said. “Make sure they are well versed in every branch of learning, are gifted with knowledge and good judgment, and are suited to serve in the royal palace. Train these young men in the language and literature of Babylon.” The king assigned them a daily ration of food and wine from his own kitchens. They were to be trained for three years, and then they would enter the royal service. Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were four of the young men chosen, all from the tribe of Judah. The chief of staff renamed them with these Babylonian names: Daniel was called Belteshazzar. Hananiah was called Shadrach. Mishael was called Meshach. Azariah was called Abednego. But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods. God gave these four young men an unusual aptitude for understanding every aspect of literature and wisdom. And God gave Daniel the special ability to interpret the meanings of visions and dreams. The king talked with them, and no on impressed him as much as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Whenever the king consulted with them in any matter requiring wisdom and balanced judgment, he found them ten times more capable than any of the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom. Portions of Daniel 1
WHAT IS A REMNANT?
1/ A remnant is what’s left after God’s judgment.
“A group of people who survive a catastrophe brought about by God, ordinarily in judgment for sin. This group becomes the nucleus for the continuation of the people of God.”
Tyndale Bible Dictionary
2/ A remnant reveals the character of God.
JUDGMENT GRACE
Fire on Sodom & Gomorrah Lot & Daughters
Flooding the World Noah & Family
Famine in Known World Joseph & Family
Wilderness for Israel Joshua & Caleb
Assyria in Northern Israel Elijah & Prophets
Babylon in Southern Israel Daniel & Hebrew Boys
No Word of God in Israel John the Baptist
Religious Corruption Reformers
Final Judgments on World Two Witnesses & 144,000
3/ A remnant is a piercing light in overwhelming darkness.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A REMNANT CHRISTIAN
1/ Remnant people are chosen by God.
A remnant is not an elitist group of Christians, but a chosen priesthood.
2/ Remnant people understand their time and culture.
In a sense, God has prepared us for this time. In another sense, we’re responsible to prepare ourselves. We must understand and engage our moment in history.
3/ Remnant people have a missional mindset.
Christians should understand that their career is joined to their calling.
“The Christian shoemaker does his duty not by putting little crosses on the shoes, but by making good shoes.” Martin Luther
Favor with the wicked is always temporary, but favor with God transcends all!
4/ Remnant people live with convictions.
We should live with a holy resistance.
“Another kind of religious leader must arise among us. He must be of the old prophet type, a man who has seen visions of God and has heard a voice from the Throne. When he comes (and I pray God there will be not one but many), he will stand in flat contradiction to everything our smirking, smooth civilization holds dear. He will contradict, denounce and protest in the name of God and will earn the hatred and opposition of a large segment of Christendom. Such a man is likely to be lean, rugged, blunt-spoken, and a little bit angry with the world. He will love Christ and the souls of men to the point of willingness to die for the glory of the One and the salvation of the other. (And) he will fear nothing that breathes with mortal breath.” A.W. Tozer
We should live with a holy persistence.
In a quest to stand against evil, do not neglect standing for good.
6/ Remnant people speak truth with boldness and humility.
A remnant desires truth and declares truth, even if it destroys their own idols.
Caution: Don’t become white noise. Daniel spoke through his life more than his lips.
Anger gains the attention of people, but not always the attention of heaven.
7/ Remnant people have godly habits and routines.
Worship, prayer, Scripture, confession, gathering, and repentance will always be key.
8/ Remnant people have seasons of spiritual intensity.
There will be times of consecration.
There will be times of conflict.
9/ Remnant people walk well through persecution.
Persecution is seen on many levels: manipulation, repossession of goods, removal of freedoms, unjust persecution, financial ruin, physical attack, imprisonment, and death.
…everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 2 Timothy 3:12
For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for Him. Philippians 1:29
10/ Remnant people understand that God is the Great Deliverer.
SCRIPTURE
Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, his chief of staff, to bring to the palace some of the young men of Judah’s royal family and other noble families, who had been brought to Babylon as captives. “Select only strong, healthy, and good-looking young men,” he said. “Make sure they are well versed in every branch of learning, are gifted with knowledge and good judgment, and are suited to serve in the royal palace. Train these young men in the language and literature of Babylon.” The king assigned them a daily ration of food and wine from his own kitchens. They were to be trained for three years, and then they would enter the royal service. Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were four of the young men chosen, all from the tribe of Judah. The chief of staff renamed them with these Babylonian names: Daniel was called Belteshazzar. Hananiah was called Shadrach. Mishael was called Meshach. Azariah was called Abednego. But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods. God gave these four young men an unusual aptitude for understanding every aspect of literature and wisdom. And God gave Daniel the special ability to interpret the meanings of visions and dreams. The king talked with them, and no on impressed him as much as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Whenever the king consulted with them in any matter requiring wisdom and balanced judgment, he found them ten times more capable than any of the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom. Portions of Daniel 1
WHAT IS A REMNANT?
1/ A remnant is what’s left after God’s judgment.
“A group of people who survive a catastrophe brought about by God, ordinarily in judgment for sin. This group becomes the nucleus for the continuation of the people of God.”
Tyndale Bible Dictionary
2/ A remnant reveals the character of God.
JUDGMENT GRACE
Fire on Sodom & Gomorrah Lot & Daughters
Flooding the World Noah & Family
Famine in Known World Joseph & Family
Wilderness for Israel Joshua & Caleb
Assyria in Northern Israel Elijah & Prophets
Babylon in Southern Israel Daniel & Hebrew Boys
No Word of God in Israel John the Baptist
Religious Corruption Reformers
Final Judgments on World Two Witnesses & 144,000
3/ A remnant is a piercing light in overwhelming darkness.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A REMNANT CHRISTIAN
1/ Remnant people are chosen by God.
A remnant is not an elitist group of Christians, but a chosen priesthood.
2/ Remnant people understand their time and culture.
In a sense, God has prepared us for this time. In another sense, we’re responsible to prepare ourselves. We must understand and engage our moment in history.
3/ Remnant people have a missional mindset.
Christians should understand that their career is joined to their calling.
“The Christian shoemaker does his duty not by putting little crosses on the shoes, but by making good shoes.” Martin Luther
Favor with the wicked is always temporary, but favor with God transcends all!
4/ Remnant people live with convictions.
We should live with a holy resistance.
“Another kind of religious leader must arise among us. He must be of the old prophet type, a man who has seen visions of God and has heard a voice from the Throne. When he comes (and I pray God there will be not one but many), he will stand in flat contradiction to everything our smirking, smooth civilization holds dear. He will contradict, denounce and protest in the name of God and will earn the hatred and opposition of a large segment of Christendom. Such a man is likely to be lean, rugged, blunt-spoken, and a little bit angry with the world. He will love Christ and the souls of men to the point of willingness to die for the glory of the One and the salvation of the other. (And) he will fear nothing that breathes with mortal breath.” A.W. Tozer
We should live with a holy persistence.
In a quest to stand against evil, do not neglect standing for good.
6/ Remnant people speak truth with boldness and humility.
A remnant desires truth and declares truth, even if it destroys their own idols.
Caution: Don’t become white noise. Daniel spoke through his life more than his lips.
Anger gains the attention of people, but not always the attention of heaven.
7/ Remnant people have godly habits and routines.
Worship, prayer, Scripture, confession, gathering, and repentance will always be key.
8/ Remnant people have seasons of spiritual intensity.
There will be times of consecration.
There will be times of conflict.
9/ Remnant people walk well through persecution.
Persecution is seen on many levels: manipulation, repossession of goods, removal of freedoms, unjust persecution, financial ruin, physical attack, imprisonment, and death.
…everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 2 Timothy 3:12
For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for Him. Philippians 1:29
10/ Remnant people understand that God is the Great Deliverer.