Untitled Sermon (2)

the text

2 In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams that troubled him, and sleep deserted him. 2 So the king gave orders to summon the diviner-priests, mediums, sorcerers, and Chaldeans h to tell the king his dreams. When they came and stood before the king, 3 he said to them, “I have had a dream and am anxious to understand it.”

4 The Chaldeans spoke to the king (Aramaic j begins here): “May the king live forever. Tell your servants the dream, and we will give the interpretation.”

5 The king replied to the Chaldeans, “My word is final: If you don’t tell me the dream and its interpretation, you will be torn limb from limb, and your houses will be made a garbage dump. 6 But if you make the dream and its interpretation known to me, you’ll receive gifts, a reward, and great honor from me. So make the dream and its interpretation known to me.”

7 They answered a second time, “May the king tell the dream to his servants, and we will give the interpretation.”

8 The king replied, “I know for certain you are trying to gain some time, because you see that my word is final. 9 If you don’t tell me the dream, there is one decree for you. You have conspired to tell me something false or fraudulent until the situation changes. So tell me the dream and I will know you can give me its interpretation.”

10 The Chaldeans answered the king, “No one on earth can make known what the king requests. Consequently, no king, however great and powerful, has ever asked anything like this of any diviner-priest, medium, or Chaldean. 11 What the king is asking is so difficult that no one can make it known to him except the gods, whose dwelling is not with mortals.” 12 Because of this, the king became violently angry and gave orders to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. 13 The decree was issued that the wise men were to be executed, and they searched for Daniel and his friends, to execute them.

The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Da 2:1–13). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.

Godlessness will always manifest itself by lack of wisdom.

A lack of wisdom will produce an unhealthy expectation of life.

The ungodly of the world will expose themselves.

Our Response to the world:

17 Then Daniel went to his house and told his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah about the matter, 18 urging them to ask the God of heaven for mercy concerning this mystery, so Daniel and his friends would not be killed with the rest of Babylon’s wise men. 19 The mystery was then revealed to Daniel in a vision at night, and Daniel praised the God of heaven 20 and declared:

May the name of God

be praised forever and ever,

for wisdom and power belong to Him.

21 He changes the times and seasons;

He removes kings and establishes kings.

He gives wisdom to the wise

and knowledge to those

who have understanding.

22 He reveals the deep and hidden things;

He knows what is in the darkness,

and light dwells with Him.

23 I offer thanks and praise to You,

God of my fathers,

because You have given me

wisdom and power.

And now You have let me know

what we asked of You,

for You have let us know

the king’s mystery.

The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Da 2:17–23). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.

Wisdom will come when we ask for it.

27 Daniel answered the king: “No wise man, medium, diviner-priest, or astrologer is able to make known to the king the mystery he asked about. 28 But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has let King Nebuchadnezzar know what will happen in the last days. Your dream and the visions that came into your mind as you lay in bed were these: 29 Your Majesty, while you were in your bed, thoughts came to your mind about what will happen in the future. s The revealer of mysteries has let you know what will happen. 30 As for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because I have more wisdom than anyone living, but in order that the interpretation might be made known to the king, and that you may understand the thoughts of your mind.

The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Da 2:27–30). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.

Wisdom is meant to reveal to the world who God is.

The World's Response:

46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell down, paid homage to Daniel, and gave orders to present an offering and incense to him. 47 The king said to Daniel, “Your God is indeed God of gods, Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, since you were able to reveal this mystery.” 48 Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many generous gifts. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and chief governor over all the wise men of Babylon. 49 At Daniel’s request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to manage the province of Babylon. But Daniel remained at the king’s court.

The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Da 2:46–49). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.

Our wisdom causes the world to bow at the feet of Jesus