Sunday Service
Notes
Transcript
Intro; Today all across the country, people are celebrating the graduation of seniors from high school and college. Most churches today are doing like we are in worship, recognizing our high school seniors and encouraging them in the next step of life.
[Present seniors and give bibles] Carleigh Knowles, Cevin Lee, Jacob Pennone
Graduation- Latin {gradus} “step”; to build upon what has been learned, moving forward
2600 years ago there was a young man that was in a similar situation as our graduates are in today.
He was young man around 17 years old
From a small community like ours with good families
A very religious young man
He had finished his training in school and had his whole life ahead of him. No doubt he made plans about his future even as you have about yours
But before he could begin his journey into a new life after graduation, he was kidnapped, taken from his family never to return home. All his dreams vanished in a moments notice.
This true story could have turned out to be a tragedy if it were not for the young mans decision to trust God and overcome. That young man is Daniel!
Text; Dan. 1:1-8
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 gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the articles of the house of God, which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the articles into the treasure house of his god.
3 Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the nobles,
4 young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans.
5 And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king.
6 Now from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
7 To them the chief of the eunuchs gave names: he gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abed-Nego.
8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
My prayer is that you would never have to go through the tragic circumstances that Daniel and his friends did. But if that did happen I would want to know that you could handle them like Daniel did.
1. Challenges from the World; 4-7
1. Challenges from the World; 4-7
There are many ways that a young person can be defiled when they leave the home or the protection of their parents.
[4] Indoctrination; one of Nebuchadnezzar’s goal was to indoctrinate these young men in the culture, literature and language of the Babylonians. In doing so he could change their worldview and use them to change the culture and ways of Jerusalem in time.
They could get a first class secular education in Babylonian language, philosophy, literature, science, history and the arts. Religion would be a part of the curriculum, but not about the true God of Israel, but of Babylonian gods, mythologies and pagan deities. [Sounds a lot like our college campuses today]
[5] Assimilation; the process of taking in and fully understanding information or ideas. Conversion by immersion.
For 3 years Daniel and his buddies would attend the University of Babylon. Their beliefs would be under constant attack and challenged by the ways of Babylon.
Provisions- Hebrew dabar [daw-baw] which means “word, speech, or a command.”
They sought to change their lifestyles. Each day a menu was given from the kings court for them to learn to eat like a Babylonian and drink like a Babylonian. The goal was to entice them with the delicacies and privileges of their new life. Such an immersion would assimilate them into a worldly lifestyle win them over.
Everyday in college or in the workforce, your beliefs and lifestyle will be challenged and attack by the liberalism of the world! Not only your mind, but what you eat, drink and the clothes you wear.
[6-7] Identity; the fact of being who or what you are
You have an identity of gender [male/female- what you are] and you have an identity of grace [christian/who you are in Christ].
You need to know that the world is going to do everything within it’s power to change your identity!
Daniels and his friends names were changed. This might not seem important to us in this day and time but it was very crucial in the life of a Jew. Most Jewish parents named their children with some connection to Yahweh.
Daniel means “God is My Judge”
Belteshazzar means “Bel Protect Him”
Now to a 17 year old, they would rather be protected than judged! And that’s one of the lies that the world will feed you to change your identity.
No one has a right to judge me, no one has a right to tell me who I can be.
Matthew 7:1 (NKJV)
1 “Judge not, that you be not judged.”
Judge- to watch over, care for, to guide [just like a judge in a court helps to keep one from trouble, that’s what God does!]
Just like Nebuchadnezzar tried to remove any reference of the God of Israel from their life and any allegiance to God, so will the world and it’s institutions try to brainwash you to remove any thoughts of a loving God from your life as well!
The challenges and attacks you are going to face from the world are real, consistent and can be overwhelming. You need to be prepared.
2. Conviction of Your Heart; 8
2. Conviction of Your Heart; 8
Daniel determined to do what was right and not be defiled by the world.
Purposed- determine, resolve, be decisive.
Being purposed/decisive is making a present commitment to avoid future failures. Daniel purposed in his heart to follow God regardless of what life circumstances might be!
Daniel did not roll over just because of what had happened to him. Neither did he join in what everybody else was doing because it was the easy way out. Daniel spoke up and spoke out concerning his beliefs!
Daniels Jewish heritage had strict dietary laws to honor Jehovah. He would not compromise them.
Young people you do not have to compromise your beliefs to fit in! You need to speak up and speak out so you can lead others!
11 These things command and teach.
12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.
15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.
16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
God blessed Daniels obedience
[9] Daniel gained favor with his captors because he honored God
[1:15-16] Daniel retained good health
[1:17-20] God gave Daniel a top notch education
[1:21] Daniel lived to the ripe old age of 87
7 When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
3. Commitment of God;
3. Commitment of God;
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.
Because Daniel humbled himself before God from an early age, God committed himself to lift Daniel up above the challenges and attacks of the world!
At the age of 20 Daniel revealed a dream of Nebuchadnezzar and was promoted to ruler over the province of Babylon [2:47-49]
God used Daniel’s integrity to interpret a bad vision from God about Nebuchadnezzar’s pride, but it led to the probable salvation of the king [4:37]
At the age of 70-80 years old Daniel was summoned by another ruler in Babylon named Belshazzar, Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson. Daniel also told him of his certain demise but I want you to hear what was thought of Daniel. [5:10-12] “courage and faithfulness”
Daniel is again promoted by another king of Babylon, Darius, and remained “bold” in his walk with God even in the face of death in the lion’s den. Prayer made the difference in Daniel’s life or death.
Luke 18:1 …men always ought to pray and not lose heart.
Daniel also served under Cyrus the Persian until the captivity was over [6:28]
God even revealed to Daniel the future restoration of Israel, the coming of Christ, the Tribulation time and even what John the apostle would write in the Book of Revelation [12:4]
Final words said about Daniel
13 “But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days.
Close;
Why was Daniel used so much and in so many situations by God to alter the course of history? Because Daniel made a decisive decision at an early age to put God first no matter what!
Do you know what is the difference between Daniel and us today? The measure of our faith
Graduates, make a commitment today to avoid future failures. Purpose in your heart to follow God!