Bold Faith pt. 2
Notes
Transcript
A Bold Test
A Bold Test
Introduction
Introduction
If you have your Bibles, you can take them an open them to Daniel 1. Last week, we took time to observe Daniel’s bold faith, by focus on his resolve that he makes to not defile himself with the kings food. We saw how this resolve was mandated by the Word, motivated by obedience, and manifested by God (briefly explain each point). This week, we are going to continue in verses 8-21, looking into Daniel’s bold faith, but seeing how this resolve comes to life through a “bold test”. So if you will stand with me as we read Daniel 1:8-21.
Body
Body
(1) Faith Over Fear
a. Ashpenaz’s Fear
i. Faith in dead idols leads to the fear of dying people.
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
ii. Faith in dying people leads to the fear of dying.
- Temporal vs. Eternal
b. Daniel’s Faith
i. What is healthy fear in God?
- Remembrance
- God used manna and water to turn Israel from slaves to soldiers. Therefore, Daniel could be confident that even in Babylon, God could provide health and strength without the need for the king’s food.
- Reverence
- Daniel recognizes that God is mightier than any king.
- God triumphing over Pharoah and other kings.
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
- Resolve
- Daniel’s worship is also his obedience.
Application: Brothers and sisters, healthy fear comes through knowing God first and foremost. We must submit to his word, because his word reveals to us his holiness, might, eternality, wisdom, and glory. When we take time to know him through his word, then we begin to recognize that the only appropriate response is worship. We will sing, dance, live, and cry out in worship, because he is the only one deserving and worthy of our worship. When we recognize his glory, our lives change, because then we resolve to obey him in all circumstances.
(2) Trust Over Testing
a. Trusting
i. Trust is informed
ii. Trust is obedience
b. Testing
i. Testing is ignorance
ii. Testing is disobedience
(3) Wisdom Over Foolishness
a. Contextual Wisdom
i. Wisdom in the test
- Daniel advises a plan to have the test administered by the one directly under the Chief of Eunuchs, therefore, if it failed, the Chief would handle that situation, and the steward would simply command that they eat the food provided by the King.
ii. Wisdom in the trial
- Learning and skill in all literature and wisdom
- Daniel understanding visions and dreams.
b. Royal Favor
i. Favor with God
- “God’s granting Daniel “kindness” thus implies he was in good standing with God” (Sprinkle, Joe)
ii. Favor with Nebuchadnezzar
c. Fruitful Life
- Daniel, like Moses, lives long enough to know that God is going to return his people, but he does not actually get to return.
Conclusion
Conclusion
The Lord’s Supper:
The Lord’s Supper:
We take the Lord’s Supper…
(1) As a commitment to Christ: 1 Cor. 11:23-26
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night in which he was betrayed, took bread, and after he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” Likewise also the cup, after they had eaten, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
a. in obedience to Christ.
“what I received from the Lord”
“Do this”
b. in remembrance of Christ’s death.
“Do this in remembrance of me”
c. as a testimony of Christ’s death.
“proclaiming the Lord’s death”
d. in expectation of Christ’s return.
“until He comes”
e. with reverence to Christ.
“Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup in an unworthy manner…”
(2) As a commitment to one another: 1 Cor. 10:16-17
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all share from the one bread.
a. We participate together
b. We share accountability
c. We covenant together as a church under the gospel.
LEADING THE LORD’S SUPPER
Call Chris forward Remind the congregation of the sobriety of the setting
Uncover and fold cloth with Chris.
—“Jesus instituted this supper on the night before His death to foretell the institution of the New Covenant and to give His followers a memorial and ordinance of that covenant. This sacred ordinance reminds us of the price our Lord paid so that we could be forgiven, restored to a right relationship with God, and begin to fulfill our kingdom purpose.”
“As we celebrate this ordinance, we remember first the broken body of our Lord. Jesus called Himself the ‘bread of life’, so it is no surprise that He compares His body to bread broken for us. His metaphor illustrates that He, like the broken bread of the Passover, was broken and bruised so that we could be made whole.” CALL ON A DEACON (Chris) TO PRAY OVER THE BREAD AND THE CUP.
After the prayer, without speaking give the trays to the deacons one by one. Call the church to form a line down the middle isle to come and receive the elements and return to their seat on the outside isles. Wait at the front either praying or singing softly with the music.
When the congregation returns (assuming we’re using the cup with both bread and juice), serve Chris and let Chris serve you. (Nod for Chris to return to go be with Deborah.
Return the final tray and take your place. Ask everyone to open only the side with the bread and take the wafer. Say, “Jesus said, ‘This is My body, broken for you. Not as your fathers ate manna in the wilderness and died, but he who eats of this bread shall live forever’.” Then take and eat your bread. Pause a few seconds.
Take the cup, peel it, and say, “Jesus said, ‘This cup is the New Covenant in My blood’. As the Scripture says, ‘Apart from the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness’.” Drink the cup.
Say, “Jesus led His disciples to sing a hymn after they finished the first Lord’s Supper, so stand and we will continue this morning’s service with a song.” Lead in a prepared song, and after one verse, begin to walk out.
