STANDING YOUR GROUND
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Daniel 1:1–8 (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.
He Made Up His Mind v8
He Made Up His Mind v8
Daniel Decides He’s Not Going To Defile Himself
Daniel Decides He’s Not Going To Defile Himself
Daniel 1:8 (NIV)
8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine,
1. We must understand that we are not of this world meaning that we as believers should not be following the unbelieving world’s values, beliefs, and conduct.
1. We must understand that we are not of this world meaning that we as believers should not be following the unbelieving world’s values, beliefs, and conduct.
John 17:14–16 (NIV)
14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.
15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.
2. We should live for God and not let this world dictate to us how we should live.
2. We should live for God and not let this world dictate to us how we should live.
Daniel Chooses To Speak Up v8b
Daniel Chooses To Speak Up v8b
3. We should never be quiet when it comes to God’s Word and what is right.
3. We should never be quiet when it comes to God’s Word and what is right.
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
4. God gives us boldness through the Holy Spirit.
4. God gives us boldness through the Holy Spirit.
Acts 4:29–31 (NIV)
29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.
30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
He Was Persistent v.9-13
He Was Persistent v.9-13
God Already Began to Work It Out v9
God Already Began to Work It Out v9
9 Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel,
5. God knows our situation/dilemmas before they come up and already is working in our favor.
5. God knows our situation/dilemmas before they come up and already is working in our favor.
John 5:17 (NCV)
17 But Jesus said to them, “My Father never stops working, and so I keep working, too.”
Daniel Was Questioned and Pressured v10
Daniel Was Questioned and Pressured v10
10 but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.”
6. We must not give in when the world tries to question us about our beliefs or pressure us into doing what is not of God.
6. We must not give in when the world tries to question us about our beliefs or pressure us into doing what is not of God.
John 17:17 (NCV)
17 Make them ready for your service through your truth; your teaching is truth.
He Stood His Ground v11-13
He Stood His Ground v11-13
7. We must stand on God’s Word and His Truth.
7. We must stand on God’s Word and His Truth.
2 Timothy 2:19 (NIV)
19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”
He Was Rewarded v14-17
He Was Rewarded v14-17
Daniel Was Victorious By Standing His Ground v.14-16
Daniel Was Victorious By Standing His Ground v.14-16
14 So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.
15 At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food.
16 So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.
8. When we stand boldly for God, He will stand boldly in us and we will be victorious.
8. When we stand boldly for God, He will stand boldly in us and we will be victorious.
Daniel Was Rewarded By God v17
Daniel Was Rewarded By God v17
9. Through our faith and boldness God will bless and equip us for the next level in our lives.
9. Through our faith and boldness God will bless and equip us for the next level in our lives.