Daniel 5 - The Lord of Honor.
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Big Idea:
Big Idea:
The Lord will be honored by all people.
Child Dedication:
Child Dedication:
Good morning everyone…
We have a very special morning. May I have the following families come up to the front?
The LaCombe family.
The Gibbons.
The Casalis.
The Novotnys
The Turks.
The Rinaldis.
The Adajians.
And, the Karla and Liam!
Parents will you stand with your child in front of you? May I also have Jackie Owens, our RiverKids director, join me?
The Bible says…
Train up a child in the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Jesus said…
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
He also said…
but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”
Today, we are having “child dedications.” Maybe some of you are familiar with this, maybe not. So, I want to briefly talk about what this is.
First, it is not the same as a child baptism. Time doesn’t allow me to go into depth with this (if you have questions, I can try and answer them after service), but while children can be baptized, a child dedication is not what we call an “ordinance” or a sacred religious practice in obedience to Christ (like communion or baptism); rather, it is more about the parents than the children.
Why these families are standing before you today, is they desire to dedicate their children to the Lord. They are publicly saying - in front of our church family - I am committing to raising my child in the Christian faith. The faith that follows Jesus as Lord and Savior, is filled with the Spirit, and follows the Word of God.
And we - as witnesses - say, “We will hold you accountable to this and also support you in this!” And so in a moment, we’re going to pray together for these families. But first I want to take a moment to address the families…
First off, I’m so thankful for all of you. It is a great privilege to stand here and witness this moment - to be part of your spiritual family and faith journey. So, I really have one question for you:
As the parents of the children who stand before you - precious lives that God has gifted to you - do you commit to responsibility of raising your children to follow Jesus as Lord and Savior, to be lead by the Spirit of God in making decisions for their futures, and being accountable to both your church family and the Word of God?
Let’s pray… [stretch your hands towards them]
Father, I thank you for the families standing before us. Together, as your church, we pray the following blessing (found in Your Word) over their lives…
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
God, gives these parent Spirit-filled wisdom, strength, and love. And we pray that as these young people are committed to You, that You will would be done in their lives. That they would become mighty men and women of God. And we pray these things in the mighty name of Jesus, amen.
Thank you everyone. Please feel free to take a moment to take pictures. Also, before that, can we just give a special thank you to Jackie and the River Kids team. They are a weekly, strategic part of how we (as The River Church) can support these parents in discipling their kids.
Additionally, the River Kids team as a pop-up library by the Connect Table. For the families participating in the dedication today, please feel free to take a book as a resource to help you raise your child in the faith.
Intro:
Intro:
[Hey Church Online]…
On Tuesday, we celebrated my youngest son’s birthday. And he loves is Great Wolf Lodge. And because Tuesday was a snow day, we made an impromptu trip to the Poconos on Monday night.
Nole isn’t the only one who loves Great Wolf. My whole family does. Now, we’re starting to age-out a little bit, but it still holds a special place in our hearts…
Our first time to Great Wolf, was our last stop before we reached Connecticut, when we drove across the country from San Diego. My favorite thing to do is relax in the lazy river. Some of you know this…
And on Tuesday, as soon as we hit the waterpark, that’s the first thing I did. I’m not sure what it is, but it puts me at peace. It’s like the noise of life gets drowned out. And I can float around and reflect. That might sound boring, but it’s super relaxing to me. To just sit and think. And as I did that, my thoughts drifted to this week’s passage out of Daniel 5. And the more I thought about it, the more I heard God personally speak to me.
Chapter 5 is the first four chapters on repeat…
Like chapter 1, there is this showdown in the presence of the king. Who’s God is better? Daniel vs the wisemen.
Like chapter 2 (and 4), the king has a dream and only Daniel can help.
Like chapter 3, a lot of people are invited into the king’s party.
Like chapter 4, the king’s sin has consequences.
In many ways, chapter 5 repeats chapter 4’s lesson. And as I floated around on that river of joy, I heard the Lord speak to my heart:
This message is on repeat for you.
Don’t get me wrong. I believe every message I preach is for me. It’s God’s word. Everyone is required to respond to the preaching of it; in fact, I don’t feel right preaching God’s word until it has first impacted my heart. But I got the sense this time was different. God wanted me to know something was in my heart and I have not responded well. Therefore, I needed to repeat the lesson…
Before Joshua led the people into the Promised Land, Moses (their previous leader) told them, “Remember the Lord your God…” (Deut. 8:18).
You know why Moses said that? Because the Israelites forgot about God… often. You know why this matters to us? Because we do that too. We hear God’s word. We see God’s miracles. And we forget. And God has to repeat Himself.
Today, we start a new chapter, but a repeated lesson. And I think God sovereignly knows we need it. So, let’s listen carefully, because God’s word has something important to say…
King Belshazzar made a great feast for a thousand of his lords and drank wine in front of the thousand.
I like the way the NLT puts it…
Many years later King Belshazzar gave a great feast for 1,000 of his nobles, and he drank wine with them.
Exegesis:
Exegesis:
We now have a new Babylonian king. Over 20 years have past. Nebuchadnezzar is dead. The throne has changed hands a couple of times. And we are introduced to Belshazzar. Who the heck is he?
According to the Babylonian Chronicles (tablets that recorded Babylon’s history), Belshazzar is the son of king Nabo-NI-dus, who is often referred to as the last king of the Neo-Babylonian empire… more on that later. But in chapter 5, Belshazzar is ruling as king. And he’s throwing a party.
What’s crazy is that at this very moment, Babylon is literally surrounded by Persians trying to besiege the city. And yet this guy is throwing a party. Needless to say… he felt very secure.
Belshazzar, when he tasted the wine, commanded that the vessels of gold and of silver that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the temple in Jerusalem be brought, that the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines might drink from them. Then they brought in the golden vessels that had been taken out of the temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines drank from them. They drank wine and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.
This party is not without purpose. Sure there is some stupidity and arrogance at the root. At the same time, there is strategy. Like in Daniel 3, when Nebuchadnezzar gathered “everyone who was anyone” to come worship the golden statue, Belshazzar is likely gathering people for loyalty reasons. He needs to see who is on his team.
Additionally, Belshazzar’s dad (Nabo-NI-dus) was known for desiring to bring back Babylonian spiritual revival. Apparently , the worship of the ancient Babylonian gods had dramatically decreased over the years. Isn’t that strange?
Now, what I’m about to share is speculation… but what caused the pagan gods of Babylon to fade away? Maybe… it was because (as I personally believe) Nebuchadnezzar was truly transformed by Daniel’s God, as we read about in chapter 4! And as the most powerful person in the world, his spiritual influence changed the world. And maybe… just maybe… when He worshiped the One True God, he influenced others in the empire to do the same. Just a thought…
And if that’s possible, here’s an encouragement for us. When God changes OUR lives, we can INFLUENCE people too! Just as Nebuchadnezzar shared his story of how God changed his life, what if your story could change your family, school, or work place. And what if Glastonbury became a town once known for something else, but now known for the glory of God?
And as the king gathers his people, maybe his party was to boost their courage. It was common practice for empires to take the sacred religious objects of conquered people and place them in their own god’s temple - just as Nebuchadnezzar had done. It was a way of saying, “Our god is better than your god.” And it’s possible that Belshazzar is reminding his loyal followers that just as our Babylonian gods helped us defeat Jerusalem, they will help us once again!
…where he crossed the line was using these sacred vessels like red party cups at a kegger.
Immediately the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace, opposite the lampstand. And the king saw the hand as it wrote.
[Say, “Oh snap.”] God ain’t playin. Hey - sometimes we need to stop playin with God. I love how it says, “Immediately.” Like God finally had enough.
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
Stop playing with God. Sin is no joke. And what Belshazzar was doing was essentially spitting in God’s face. The Most High God is to be honored, not spit on.
On the other hand, think about the nicest person you know. Like they almost not real. They never react or raise their voice. [Got the picture?] Now, if you ever saw them get visibly or verbally upset, you would know “someone done messed up. because this doesn’t happe!”
Guys, that’s God. Seriously… Yes, God is holy. He is to be feared. He is the judge. But He is also…
The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,
And the reality is, if we receive God’s swift judgment, we probably deserved it. More than that, it probably wasn’t as “immediately” as we think. God likely gave us chance after chance, like He did with Nebuchadnezzar.
Then the king’s color changed, and his thoughts alarmed him; his limbs gave way, and his knees knocked together. The king called loudly to bring in the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers. The king declared to the wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this writing, and shows me its interpretation, shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around his neck and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.”
Why the 3rd ruler in the kingdom? Remember when I mentioned that Nabo-NI-dus (Belshazzar’s dad) was known as the last king of Babylon? Well that’s because Belshazzar was actually co-regent with his dad. While Nabo-NI-dus was off in another part of the empire - likely promoting Babylonian spiritual revival - Belshazzar was ruling with him in Babylon.
So, dad was #1, he was #2, and whoever interpreted the dream would be #3.
Then all the king’s wise men came in, but they could not read the writing or make known to the king the interpretation. Then King Belshazzar was greatly alarmed, and his color changed, and his lords were perplexed.
If you’ve been with us for the past few weeks, does this surprise you? I mean, why does the king keep these bums around? They aren’t helpful, especially when it matters!
But before we judge them, let’s look in the mirror. How much often do we keep junk in our lives, that neither helps us or makes us like Jesus?
While I’m not a big “religious traditions” person, I have found great value in practicing Lent. It’s an opportunity to take a look at our lives and ask, “What worthless and distracting thing do I need to get rid of so I can make more room for Jesus?”
Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
and give me life in your ways.
This might be a good daily prayer for all of us as we prepare our hearts for Easter…
The queen, because of the words of the king and his lords, came into the banqueting hall, and the queen declared, “O king, live forever! Let not your thoughts alarm you or your color change. There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the spirit of the holy gods. In the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods were found in him, and King Nebuchadnezzar, your father—your father the king—made him chief of the magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans, and astrologers, because an excellent spirit, knowledge, and understanding to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve problems were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation.”
Who is this queen? It’s not Belshazzar’s wife. Bible scholars have differing opinions, but I think she is either Nebuchadnezzar’s wife, or his daughter who Nabo-NI-dus married to make his rulership legit. Whoever she is, she knows of Daniel, and how God has powerfully used him in the past.
Which brings me to another encouragement: Did you know we too are like Daniel - men and women filled with the Spirit of God. The Bible says we have access to resurrection power!
I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.
Basically, God’s people have the ability to do impossible things because of His power! We’ve already seen this multiple times in the book of Daniel - from dreams to walking in fire.
The question is… will we walk this way too? Are we present in our community, operating in the power of God, so that we - like Daniel - have the reputation of being different in all the best ways. Or, do we hide and hoard our faith?
Church - may we be people present (in close proximity) to our community… to people who need answers - who need hope. So much so that in times of need, they come to us too because they’ve seen God do the impossible in and thru our lives!
Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king answered and said to Daniel, “You are that Daniel, one of the exiles of Judah, whom the king my father brought from Judah.
If you can’t pick up on it, the king is insulting Daniel. “Are you one of those trashy slaves Nebuchadnezzar brought here?” Here’s another truth: Even when we’re present in our community, it doesn’t mean we will be received. Jesus said…
Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you.
Therefore, if you are a follower of Jesus, God has given you authority to represent Him wherever He has placed you. So, walk in boldness. And in our current story, God has put Daniel in front of the king…
I have heard of you that the spirit of the gods is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you. Now the wise men, the enchanters, have been brought in before me to read this writing and make known to me its interpretation, but they could not show the interpretation of the matter. But I have heard that you can give interpretations and solve problems. Now if you can read the writing and make known to me its interpretation, you shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around your neck and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.”
Then Daniel answered and said before the king, “Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another. Nevertheless, I will read the writing to the king and make known to him the interpretation.
Daniel’s words reveal his heart. He doesn’t need gifts or compensation for motivation. He doesn’t need to be liked to do what God called him to do. The Lord has placed him here for such a time as this.
May we boldly live with the same motivation!
O king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father kingship and greatness and glory and majesty.
Belshazzar - remember those Jewish vessels you spit on because you think your gods are the best? To clarify, the Most High God ALLOWED Nebuchadnezzar to possess those. He was never defeated. God is always victorious and in control. In fact, He’s the one who gave Nebuchadnezzar (the greatest king in your history) everything!
And because of the greatness that he gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whom he would, he killed, and whom he would, he kept alive; whom he would, he raised up, and whom he would, he humbled. But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was brought down from his kingly throne, and his glory was taken from him. He was driven from among the children of mankind, and his mind was made like that of a beast, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. He was fed grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, until he knew that the Most High God rules the kingdom of mankind and sets over it whom he will.
Initially Nebuchadnezzar (in his pride) did not honor the Most High God - the Lord - just like you Belshazzar. So, God humbled him. Only then did he honor God.
…but look what Daniel says next…
And you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this,
Belshazzar has heard this story before. This is a repeat lesson. But, like Nebuchadnezzar, his pride caused him to ignore it.
but you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven. And the vessels of his house have been brought in before you, and you and your lords, your wives, and your concubines have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or know, but the God in whose hand is your breath, and whose are all your ways, you have not honored.
“Then from his presence the hand was sent, and this writing was inscribed. And this is the writing that was inscribed: Mene, Mene, Tekel, and Parsin. This is the interpretation of the matter: Mene, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; Tekel, you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting; Peres, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”
The “writing is on the wall” for king Belshazzar. Bet you didn’t know that’s where that “saying” came from. It’s over. Belshazzar is done. God - the sovereign Lord - has determined his time is up. He has been judged and fallen short. So, he will lose everything.
Then Belshazzar gave the command, and Daniel was clothed with purple, a chain of gold was put around his neck, and a proclamation was made about him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.
That very night Belshazzar the Chaldean king was killed. And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.
Again, this story should sound familiar. Thematically, it repeats many things from the previous 4 chapters. But it also sounds familiar, because it’s our story too.
There is a God in heaven who is in control of everything.
You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.
God knows everything. He knows our past, present, and future. And His word also says…
For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.”
What this means is Jesus - the Son of God and Perfect Man - is the standard. And our lives will be judged against His. He will be on one side of the balance and we will be on the other side. And - I promise you this - we (like Belshazzar) will be found wanting. How do I know that?
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
And, in our sinful pride, we too have refused to respond to God’s patience and grace - like Belshazzar. And there is only one verdict that awaits us.
But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’
In our pride (our refusal to surrender to the Lord), the King’s sentence on our sin is that we will perish and lose everything - just like Belshazzar. This is our story too.
Response:
Response:
As we close [and the worship team comes up], there is a heaviness upon us. If and when God repeats Himself, He’s serious. We should pay attention. And today, there is a tough message in front of us. But there is also hope!
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
That’s the most beautiful verse in the Bible. But have you heard the verses after it?
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
These verses fit our passage. Because of our sin, we deserve Belshazzar’s fate. But because God loves us, we can choose a different ending - one similar to Nebuchadnezzar, who was radically changed and saved.
Today, maybe this is a repeated message. But maybe… today you won’t pridefully ignore it. Instead, you will honor the Lord. And the greatest way to honor the Lord is to humble yourself, repent, and surrender to the Lord Jesus. And when you do, God promises you will be saved.
The reason this is possible is because on the cross, Jesus switched places with us. He exchanged His righteousness for our sin. And He took the punishment we deserved for being found “wanting,” and He gave us His perfect righteousness.
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Do you need to be saved/healed today? Then call out to Jesus! Honor the Lord.
Then again, maybe you’re like me. You already follow Jesus. But this repeat lesson is still for you…
Yesterday, we got a light clip of snow. We already had snow on the ground from Tuesday’s storm. And I dont know about you, but I think snow makes the winter landscape beautiful. But after a while, snow gets dirty and ugly. And what a snow like yesterday does is refresh the beauty.
When I was floating in the lazy river, God reminded me that I needed a refresher. He pointed out the insecurities and pride sitting in my heart. And as His child, I needed to remember those things have no place in His family. So, I repented and honored the Lord.
Maybe that’s your response too. The prophet Isaiah said…
“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord:
though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red like crimson,
they shall become like wool.
Jesus has washed you white as snow. But as time passed, the snow has gotten a little dirty. But today, God’s giving you a refresher. An opportunity to repent and remember the Lord.
Maybe you’ve been too distracted…
Maybe you’ve let sin creep back into your life…
Maybe pride has blinded you from how you’ve been dishonoring God lately… and even justifying it.
Whatever it is, here’s my encouragement: Remember the Lord. Receive the repeated message. And be refreshed by His love. Then, go, sin no more, and honor the Lord
Let’s pray…