Daniel 1:1-21; Visible Faith

Sermon in a sentence: Your faith should be visible.

God’s Faithfulness To His Covenant (vs. 1-7)

God promised Israel they would be removed from the promised land if they broke the Mosaic covenant.

God handed over Jehoiakim, the temple, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.

Jehoiakim - wicked rulers and the government

the temple - God’s own presence and religious leaders

Daniel: God judges = Belteshazzar: Bel Protect Him

Hananiah: God Has Been Gracious = Shadrach: The Command of Akku

Mishael: Who Is What God Is? = Meshach: Who Is What Aku Is?

Azariah: The Lord Has Helped = Abednego: Servant of Nebo

Daniel’s Faithfulness To God (vs. 8-14)

Daniel was put in Babylon but Babylon was not in him.

Public education is a perfect example of this. They attempt to indoctrinate and educate children in a certain worldview.

Daniel knew that faith is not merely a personal reality but a visible reality.

God’s Faithfulness To His Remnant (vs. 15-21)

God blessed Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah because of Daniel’s faith.

Notice that Daniel was the one that decided to not defile himself. It is through this action that the other boys follow him.

Our actions will cause the downfall of others, like the sin that led to the destruction of Isreal.

Our actions will encourage and make others bold for God.

God prepared Daniel to use him for the rest of his life.