None For Me

ME

A few years ago, when our kids were younger, we took the kids back to shopping at Kohl's. We filled a cart with clothes and headed to the checkout. Most of what we had put in the cart was on clearance or marked down. As the cashier ran each item over the scanner it seemed as if the scanner only "beeped" on certain items. We didn't think much of it and when it came time to pay our bill was significantly less than expected. We gathered our bags and headed out to the car. 

Inside the car, my wife and I curiously looked at each other when she spoke up and said, "Didn't that seem cheaper than it should have been?" I agreed and we drove home. When we arrived at home we started unpacking the bags when the receipt fell out of one of the bags. As we looked at the receipt, we noticed we were only charged for about half of the items we purchased.

This presented a huge moral dilemma. Our budget was already over-stretched. We needed money for repairs to the house. We had some unexpected bills. Was this God giving us a break? Should we count this as a blessing and move on? After all, it was there mistake. They are a big company and they can handle the loss. They probably have insurance for this type of thing.

Sad to say, we did not immediately go back to Kohl's. The very next day, after a guilt filled day at church, I happened to look at my oldest son and I thought what message do I want to send to him. Do I want him to see his dad as someone that falls in line with what culture says to do, or do I want him to see me as a person with the character that models Christ?

So, armed with the receipt and check book, my son and I headed back to Kohl's. 

WE

Have you ever been there before? Have you been in a position where your convictions are in danger of being compromised? 

We are certainly living in an age where conviction and culture collide. We are living in a time of moral relativism. 

Moral Relativism - is the idea that there is no universal or absolute set of moral principles. It's a version of morality that advocates “to each her own,” and those who follow it say, “Who am I to judge?”

As a result of this, convictions collapse. Morals are compromised. 

So the question becomes, How are we to live with conviction in an age of compromise?

Luckily for us, this is not a new problem. Today we are starting a new series on Daniel. And I believe that when we look at the life of Daniel, we will be able to observe different character traits that he possessed that we can apply to our own lives so that we can live with conviction in an age of compromise.

Why is this so important?

Our character speaks more loudly than our words.

GOD

So, over the next few weeks, we will be looking at the character of Daniel and today we will start in chapter one.

Daniel 1:1–7 NIV

1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god. 3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility— 4 young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. 5 The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service. 6 Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 7 The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.

CHARACTER TRAIT - DISCIPLINE

The men chosen were physically and mentally fit. Only the best in these areas were chosen for the king's service. The rest were put to death or made slaves. Can you imagine if that were to happen today? How many of us would be in deep trouble?

It is important to note that nowhere does it say that God made Daniel and his friends any better than the other Israelites gathered in Jerusalem. The thing that differentiated them from all the others was that they were disciplined. They worked hard and were strong physically. They studied and were well educated. Who knows how many countless hours they put into being physically and mentally fit. That takes discipline.

YOU

Don't we all wish that we were more disciplined in some area of our lives? Maybe it's your diet, your prayer life, your anger, your financial habits, or your exercise? 

Why should we desire to be people of discipline?

1. Discipline is the root of discipleship.

Luke 9:23 NIV

23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.

"The disciple is that one who has been taught or trained by the Master, who has come with his ignorance, superstition, and sin, to find learning, truth, and forgiveness from the Savior. Without discipline we are not disciples, even though we profess His Name and pass for a follower of the lowly Nazarene. In an undisciplined age when liberty and license have replaced law and loyalty, there is greater need than ever before that we be disciplined to be His disciples." (V. Raymond Edmond)

EXPLANATION

The word for disciple in the original text is "mathetes" meaning one who learns. And we all know that learning takes discipline. 

There was a time in my life, where I didn't have to study much. I could do just good enough without studying. But then in high school, it got more difficult. And when college rolled around, I had to be very disciplined in my studies.

You can't be an undisciplined disciple of Jesus Christ. We need to know his heart, his teachings, and his mission because we are entrusted to carry out his ministry here on earth. This takes discipline. It means being a student of his word. It means being connected in prayer. It means caring for your neighbor. 

2. Discipline is a gift of the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:22–23 NIV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

EXPLANATION

Self-control is another word for discipline. We can't control other's actions, we can only control our own. I don't know if you have noticed, but it is way easier to discipline someone else than to practice self discipline. I can force my kids to read and study way easier than I can force myself to do it. 

So how much self-control do you have? A good test of this is the next time you want something, whether it is a delicious dessert or the latest I-Phone, try waiting an hour. Or a day. Or a week. This is a practice of self-control.

3. Discipline is a defense against cultural compromise.

Daniel 1:8 NIV

8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.

EXPLANATION

Daniel knew his physical appearance and mental prowess were not an accident. He was careful of what he put in his body and mind. This takes discipline and when you have discipline, you can stand against cultural compromise. This is the type of discipline Jesus modeled when he was tempted in the desert. It's the type of discipline Jesus had when he would retreat to be alone with his Father.

WE

HOW CAN WE ALL LIVE THIS OUT TOGETHER?

What would it look like if you were more disciplined in your prayer life? Do you think you would be as anxious and worried?

What would it look like if you were more disciplined in your finances? Would your stress level go down? Wouldn't you love to be in a place to give more to those in need?

What would it look like if you were more disciplined in your studies? (Either at school, general learning or studying the Bible) Would you be able to understand others more? Would you understand the heart of  God more?

What would it look like if you were more disciplined in your physical life? Would you sleep better? Would you feel better? Would your desire for activity increase?

As a church, what would it look like if we were more disciplined about loving our neighbors? Would they gain hope? Would they want to know more about Jesus.

If we want to be people of conviction, then it all starts with discipline.