Building Unshakeable Resilience pt. 3
Notes
Transcript
Building Unshakeable Resilience: The Resilience to distinguish yourself.
Building Unshakeable Resilience: The Resilience to distinguish yourself.
Key Text: Daniel 6:3-14
Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm. So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. Then these men said, “We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.”
So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: “King Darius, live forever! All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.” Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.
Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.
Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king’s decree: “Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?”
The king answered and said, “The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.”
So they answered and said before the king, “That Daniel, who is one of the captives from Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.”
And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him.
Introduction:
A. Review;
The last couple of weeks, we have been discussing the subject entitled: Building Unshakeable Resilience in the face of adversity.
Here we learned that resilience us defined as the ability to adapt and function competently despite chronic adversity, trauma etc.
Moreover, last time, we learned about the importance of being resilient and keeping our dreams alive.
Here we specifically took a look at Joseph’s story, and learned how he had the resilience to dream another dream even when he was put in the pit, sold into slavery, and forgotten in the prison cell.
Here we learned three keys to having the resilience to dream again:
We must have the faith to endure the pit.
We must have the integrity to upkeep excellence
We must have the patience in the Jail cells of life.
B. Overview:
Today we are going to go further and look at the story of Daniel, and focus how we can develop the resiliency to distinguish ourselves in the face of adversity.
Q. What does it mean to distinguish ourselves?
The verb "distinguish" has several related meanings across different contexts. Primarily, it refers to recognizing or showing differences between things, often followed by "between" or "among"[1][2]. It can also mean to perceive or discern something that is barely noticeable[2]. The word can be used to describe making oneself noteworthy or worthy of respect, as in "to distinguish oneself"[1][2]. In some contexts, it relates to categorizing or classifying things[1]. The term can also indicate being a distinctive feature or characteristic of something[1][2]. Additionally, "distinguished" as an adjective describes someone or something as eminent, famous, or having a noble or dignified appearance[1][2]. The word's origin is traced to the 16th century, derived from Latin "distinguere," meaning to separate or discriminate[1][2].
[1] Collins English Dictionary. (Glasgow: HarperCollins, 2006).
[2] Catherine Soanes and Angus Stevenson, eds., Concise Oxford English Dictionary (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004).
Today we are living during a time where many say the country is divided. We have been divided not only because of political issues, we have been divided regarding race, identity, beliefs etc. However, as the Church this is an excellent time to be the ones who distinguish ourselves.
When you think of it, the Hebrew and the Greek word for church comes from the word “ekklesia” which means to be called out. So, when the scripture refers to God’s church, his people, he is calling them the called out ones. As the Church, we are a people who are to be a distinguished people. We stand out. There should be a noticeable difference between God’s church and the world.
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Here, Jesus uses a metaphor of salt and light to describe the role of Christians in the world. As salt, we are to be a preserving force against corruption, bringing flavor to the world through love and joy. As light, we are to shine in the darkness, showing the way to eternal life and truth through Jesus Christ.
Objective:
Today we are going to look at how we as believers can develop the resilience to distinguish ourselves by valuing wisdom, maintaining our integrity and commitment to our faith, committing to excellence.
Context.
To better understand how we can develop the resilience to distinguish ourselves, we are looking at the story of Daniel in Daniel chapter 6. As we look at Daniel’s story, we understand that Daniel was initially one who was taken into Slavery under King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. During his time in Babylon, Daniel served under Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, and Darius . Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar were Babylonian Kings, and Darius was a Mede. Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar were often looked as negative Kings due to their actions and attitudes. However, Dairius was depicted as evil since he was the one who threw Daniel in the Lions Den, but later on regretted doing so.
Moreover, throughout his time, Daniel was seen as one who constantly distinguished himself, and as a result, even under negative kings, the Favor of God followed him, causing him to gain favor with the eunuchs, and having favor with the three kings in spite of them being evil.
Daniel’s resilience and favor with the kings came from a combination of his wisdom and his commitment to excellence, integrity, and unwavering faith. He was known for his ability to interpret dreams and visions, which he attributed to God. His commitment to his faith, even in the face of danger, like praying openly when it was outlawed, earned him respect and admiration. Daniel’s exceptional qualities and his ability to interpret divine messages distinguished him and brought him into favor with the kings he served.
As believers, it is important that we learn how to distinguish ourselves in three ways which include valuing wisdom, our commitment to our integrity, and our commitment to the spirit of excellence.
Message:
I. Valuing wisdom.
Q. What is wisdom.
Wisdom is the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgement.
To put it plainly, wisdom is the ability to not only take information, but to discern and apply it appropriately. Wisdom encompasses the ability to observe an discerning various realms of life, enabling us to make rational choices that lead to us flourishing in life. It not only apples to knowledge, but involves practical application.
Proverbs 4:7 “Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.”
Proverbs 2:6 “For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;”
A. Daniel and his wisdom.
Daniel 1:17 “As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.”
For Daniel and his friends, we see God gave them knowledge, and skill in all literature and wisdom. Moreover, for Daniel, he also had wisdom in regard to interpreting dreams.
For Daniel, we see him utilize his wisdom in a few ways:
We see him utilize wisdom in how he would eat the kings delicates. Instead of eating the meat, he would choose the vegetables, causing him to look better than the other young men. It was daniels discernment and unwilling ness to defile himself that caused him to be in favor with the chief eunuch.
Daniel also utilized wisdom in interpreting the Kings dreams correctly.
This skill involved listening to the kings dreams, understanding what it meant, and correctly communicating these dreams.
B. How that applies to us.
Like Daniel, wisdom is something that can cause us to distinguish ourselves. The ability to utilize knowledge and apply it is something that can cause us to gain favor with people. Whether it is gaining information and utilizing it appropreatly, to learning how to utilize our skillset, to even having the wisdom of God.
So how do we get wisdom? Through prayer, the scripture tells us to ask of God. James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”
II. Valuing integrity.
Q. What is integrity?
Integrity is the quality of being honest, ethical, and having strong moral principles. It is doing the right thing even when nobody is watching.
As we look to Daniel’s story, Daniel was a person of integrity. Early on, we see how Daniel lived according to his principles and core values. It is by his principles and values that served as guide posts that helped distinguish him and cauase him to be in favor with God and man.
Early on in his life, he distinguished himself in what he chose to eat. Not only was this a healthy choice, but the principles he grew up on highlighted meats that he was to eat and what he wasn’t to eat. He knew that the meants he was supposed to eat would defile himself.
Daniel 1:8 “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.”
In Daniel 3 Daniel and his friends distinguished themselves regarding what they would bow to and what they would not bow to. Why? Because according to their principles, they understood the old law that they were not to serve any other God, but the Lord only.
Moreover, in Daniel 6, We see how Daniel still prayed regardless of the change of the rules.
IN all of these instances, Daniel kept his integrity and his faith to God. By keeping his principles, he would not bow down or defile himself, as well as upkeep his practices in spite of others trying to persecute him. Because he did this, God caused favor to be upon his life. IN each of these places, God was with him and his friends. He was with them in the fire furnace as-well as the Lions Den.
Conclusion.
III. Daniel valued Excellence.
Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm. So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him.
What does it mean to have excellence?
Excellence is the state or quality of excelling or being exptionally good. Think of excellence as to “excell” past something. When you are excellent at what you do, you surpass the others. It is the excellence that separates you past the others and makes you noticeably different.
Jesus said it like this in Matthew 5:40–42 “If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.”
For Daniel, he valued excellence. Because he was excellent at his job, that is what caused him to have favor with King Darius. As we read Daniel 6, how Daniel was one of the satraps Dairus appointed. Daniel was one out of one hundred and twenty Satraps. He was one of the top three that were considered to give account over the whole kingdom.
Practicing excellence involves consistently striving to perform at the highest level, going beyond what is required or expected. This mindset not only leads to personal growth but also sets us apart in meaningful ways. Here are three key ways in which practicing excellence distinguishes us:
1. Establishes a Reputation for Quality
When we consistently aim for excellence in our work, relationships, or any endeavor, it sets a standard that others come to recognize. People begin to associate us with high-quality outcomes, dependability, and attention to detail. This reputation can lead to more opportunities, whether in our careers, social circles, or communities, because others know they can trust our efforts to yield outstanding results.
As you see, I have an apple phone, I remember when apple got into the phone industry, and the thing that distinguished apple from the rest when they got involved in this industry, was not only their innovation, infact Apple often is not the first to do something, the thing that distinguishes them is the excellence they do it with. Smart phones existed before apple got involved with it, the thing is apple did it better and more excellent. They made the smart phone more personal, focusing on the individual’s needs and users experience.
2. Cultivates a Unique Personal Brand
Excellence differentiates us because not everyone is willing to put in the extra effort required to excel. It reflects a strong work ethic, discipline, and commitment, which are rare traits that stand out in today’s world. By consistently pushing beyond the average, we develop a distinctive personal brand that sets us apart, making us memorable in both personal and professional settings.
When you do something with excellence, your brand can become so good that you just say the name. For example, for years McDonald's led the industry in fast food, now you just see the golden arches and everyone knows who that is.
This is why scripture talks about your namesake. Proverbs 22:1 “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold.”
This is talking about your reputation, your longterm success through integrity. See, your namesake really is your personal brand.
3. Inspires and Elevates Others
Striving for excellence often inspires those around us to elevate their own standards. Whether it's in a team setting, a workplace, or among friends and family, our commitment to doing our best can motivate others to pursue their own potential. This leadership by example can build a positive culture, where the pursuit of excellence becomes a shared value, further distinguishing us as an influential and inspiring individual.
Ultimately, practicing excellence isn't just about achieving superior results—it's about consistently demonstrating a mindset of dedication, resilience, and continuous improvement that sets us apart in a meaningful and lasting way.
Finally, today we are living in a time where it seems like things are getting darker and darker, however, like Daniel, it is an excellent time to distinguish ourselves as believers. As believers, it is important that we learn how to distinguish ourselves in three ways which include valuing wisdom, our commitment to our integrity, and our commitment to the spirit of excellence.
