Prophetic in Babylon

Daniel  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented
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SERIES DESCRIPTION: In this series on the Book of Mark, Pastor Shawn and Krista highlight Jesus as the main attraction. This week, they explore Mark 5:21-34, where Jesus demonstrates His Kingdom authority over sickness by healing a woman's physical illness and her emotional pain of being unclean for 12 years.
Altar Instructions: Please come up when I begin the 1st of the last 3 sub points during point 3.
Series | The Main Attraction

Pre-Message Welcome

Grace Place family! It’s awesome to have you here with us today, whether in person or online.
I’m Shawn, and along with my wife, we serve as the Co-Pastors of this incredible church.
At The Grace Place, our mission is clear: we are Caring People, Caring for People.
We pray that you experience God’s care in our time together and in your life.
Spanish Welcome - 2nd Service ONLY!
A nuestra familia de habla hispana .... Bienvenidos… es-pera-mos que usted… y su familia.. se-sien-tan bien a-tend-idos también.
To our Spanish speaking family... welcome, we hope you and your family feels cared for as well.
Before we get into the message today….

Pastor Plug: Go Day

· This year
One of the greatest freedoms we have in this country is - the freedom of religion.
· This is why we can freely gather and worship together today.
Transition: This week we are starting a brand new series called…
Series | Not From Here
This is a series about Daniel, the faithful exile.
We’re going to see in this series how Daniel was taken into captivity from all he knows… we will also see God’s faithfulness in how He strengthen and empowered Daniel to live out his life of faith in a place he didn’t belong.
In fact… Today you might look at the world around you and feel much like Daniel… you might think to your self… “I’m NOT FROM HERE.” The truth is as a believer in Jesus… the Kingdoms of the world do not fit.
So… so.. this creates a tension… a tension between the Kingdom you born into -
No matter the generation you are born into… the country of origin you are born into… the realty is, if you are a believer in Jesus… you are NOT a citizen of this earthly Kingdom… You are… NOT FROM HERE.
In Jn. 18:36… Jesus said… My Kingdom is NOT of this world
Jesus he came to earth… a place he did not belong… he too was - Not from here.
and As a follower of Jesus… You are a part of the Kingdom of God…
The big question of this series is this… lets look at it together on the screen
How can we live in a land that we’re not from?
Both Daniel and Jesus knew how to do this… and I think we might find some comfort as we dig into this series.
***Feel free to encourage people to listen to the Holy Spirit speak to them personally as the message is preached
LETS PRAY
Today we are going to be looking at Daniel 2 - which is the longest chapter of this book… -I hope your ready for a little meat today - becuase much of what happens in this chapter lays a bit of foundation and is later explained through the book.
Healing is exactly what we see in this story …
Introduction ???
Short STORY / QUOTE / CHALLENGE / leading to a quesiton
One commentator J. Paul Tanner summarizes the entire chapter by saying this
Daniel Biblical Theology Comments

The dream of Nebuchadnezzar in chap. 2 is relatively straightforward. There is a series of kingdoms, each following the other, until at the culmination of history the Lord God of heaven replaces all human kingdoms with a kingdom of his own making.

Daniel 2:1-30

Opens up in the early chapters 1-3 with..,
Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream (vv. 1–3)
Check out what v. 1 says…

v.1 …Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his spirit was troubled, and his sleep left him

He was having multiple dreams.. In fact - these dreams were so disturbing He demands an interpretation from the wise men of the land. —
Not only does he demand an interpretation… but this…
Demand comes with a Threat (vv. 4–16)
In v.5 Nebuchadnezzar demands that his wise men both tell him the dream and interpret it.. then he says…

….if you do not make known to me the dream and its interpretation, you shall be torn limb from limb, and your houses shall be laid in ruins.

But if you do.. I’ll bless you…
I think these Dreams are tormenting Nebby… and he is not thinking very rationally
So his wise men challenge him in v. 10 and say - hey Nebby…

v. 10…. “There is not a man on earth who can meet the king’s demand, for no great and powerful king has asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or Chaldean. v.11 … no one can show it to the king except the gods…”

in v.12 we see this ticked the king off and here was his response… he

…commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be destroyed

this included Danel and his friends.
I don’t know about you… but I would have tucked tail and tried to hide…not Daniel.
In v. 16 we see that He was embolden by God.. what did he do… ?

16 And Daniel went in and requested the king to appoint him a time,

Some probably thought Daniel was marching to his death..
Notice what Daniel does before his meeting with the King?
He gathers his friend for a prayer meeting (vv. 14–23)
We see this in v. 17 and 18 scripture says…. let’s

… seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery

Daniel asked with humility (Seek mercy from God)
He was HUMBLE
Daniel responds with wisdom and tact, asks God for a response to this dream
Immediately… God reveals the dream and its interpretation to Daniel in a vision.
Daniel knows the King will be interested in hearing his Interpretation becuase the King is tired of torment and sleepless nights… So…
In preparation to go Before the King (vv. 24–30)
Daniel knows the King will be interested in hearing his Interpretation becuase the King is tired of torment and sleepless nights.
So.. Daniel leverages his wisdom by asking the King to change his mind…
in v.24 he does something pretty outrageous in my mind.. check out what else he ask for… he says… Hey King Nebby… please

Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon;

v. 26 The King test him before they get to far and says… so… Are you able to tell me my dream?

27 Daniel answered the king and said,

Daniel straight up says… NO…
If Daniel could hear me… I would be like… DANIEL! What are you doing… NO… your going to lead with NO I CAN’T interpret your dream? He’s gonna KILL YOU.
Daniel would just tell me… slow your roll shawn… listen to what I say next… I CAN NOT Interpret your dream…

28 but there is a GOD in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days

Daniel’s humility and clarity about the source of wisdom is a central theme here.

30 But as for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because of any wisdom that I have more than all the living, but in order that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your mind.

Transition: the title of our message today is...
Sermon Title | Prophetic in Babylon
There is no doubt… Daniel was Prophetic in Babylon.
The CHALLENGE of DWELLING in Babylon
See we can Chose how we want to live in Babylon. There are several schools of thought.

We can DETACH from Babylon

Yea… we can go out in the desert away from the influences of Babylon.
We can take our light away from Babylon.
As the writer in Matt says… hid it under a bush…
Even the youngest child in the room knows the answer to this if they have spent any time in children’s church.. “This little light of mine… I’m gonna let it shine”
FUN-CONSIDER HOE-DOWN on PIANO
How might this look today?
We see this in Amish communities completely separated form secular cities and societies.
We see this in some cases as some Christian communities isolate themselves from all things secular
The top priority of this extreme here is to protect-self or the family unity from being stained by the world.
Holiness is an end in itself… rather than the missional nature of the holiness of the church which is to baring the image of God in this world.
What is commendable about this view?
The desire for holiness and purity and living different from the world around us.
Here is whats important to remember… we are called to live in the world but NOT of the world.
Jesus modeled this well.. Daniel modeled this well.
Jesus was amoung tax collectors, sinners, in the most intiment settings… in the home… and over meals. There was nothing more hospitable to a Jew in jesus time than being welcomed into a home and receiving the invite.
We are to stand out amoung them… to be separate or sanctified (Separated) in HOW we live - be different in how we live not detached.
Most of us think- if I go over there, what will people think?
I believe the detachment from Babylon perspective would leave the church falling short of her mission which is to bear witness of Gods Kingdom to the world.
The dangers or traps the enemy has set for those who live with a detachment perspective of Babylon.
How does Babylon flirt with the detachment folks?
If Babylon gives them a little bit of what they want… the are ok with Babylon.
Meaning… for Daniel and his friends who we’re torn from their culture, their values, thier traditions, their foods…
Listen, Babylon wants to control…but Babylon also does not want choose… so they will give you a little to apease you.
And for those who have a distorted theology of Babylon.- they will easily fall to the trap.
A distorted theology of Babylon says… as long as Babylon does morally good things its a good institution… this is where the distortion comes.
We forget that Babylon is still an evil human Kingdom but we turn around and call it good becuase it gives us a few bread crumbs… and before we know it… we are raising our flag for Babylon
Because in some ways… the don’t

We can TRANSFORM Babylon

we can PROPHACY in Babylon.

Daniel SAW something from God…
Daniel SHARED something from God.
He lived his life prophetic in nature.
I believe as Christians…. the greatest thing we can do while living in our day - awaiting the toppling of the final kingdom and the return of Christ is to Be Prophetic in Babylon.
How might we apply this today?
How might we life out our days as prophetic in Babylon.
As I look at how Daniel navigated the waters of tension between working in Babylon and Shining in Babylon….
CONTINUE TO LOOK AT
The first I want to I notice something he DOES NOT DO.. IN YOUR NOTES is…

By not SIDING Babylon v.25-26

Remember Daniel spent time being educated in Babylon… It was risky for him to speak of anything outside of the Babylonian way… and he approaches this temperamental - tormented King does not give credit to His Babylonian Education or influence… he simply says…
What I have to say to you COMES FROM GOD…. I am on his side… he is My King of Kings and Lord of Lords… which could have come off bad and wrong… but Nebby was so desperate for an answer… he listened to what Daniel had to say.
Scripture does NOT tell us if Daniel was scared or anxious about bringing this news. But I have seen throughout history and my life that there have been plenty of people who we’re nervous to stand up to the ways of Culture. I don’t know if it will ever be an easy task.
Friends I want you to know… we are NOT called to side with Babylon. We are called to side with the Kingdom of God.
It will NOT always be easy to explain your convictions, your moral stance, or the your choices you make in Babylon… but at the end of the day when you stand before God he will NOT ask you about the decisions of your fellow Babylonian citizens or fellow he will as you about YOUR decisions in Babylon.
Will you be proud in that moment? Or will you be shamed?
When he judges weather or not you sided more often with Babylon or his Kingdom
Will you be proud or will you be shamed?
I don’t weigh in on politics all that often… but in context of our message today…. there we’re lots of Politicking in Babylonian. Daniel found himself near top of this pyramid and its interesting to note that…
Daniel was NON-PARTISAN in Babylon.
He was relationally involved with the king.. but his relationship was private.. as we see he went PRIVATLY to the King to bring an interpretation to him.
He could have made a big deal publically about it for his own gain… he was not interested in his gain but simply to shine for God in Babylon. This ment giving Glory to the God even in the presence of King Nebby.
I think too man people today are interested in our PUBLIC response to Babylons Decisions.
Last time I looked VOTING is a PRIVATE DECISION. Someone demanded me to tell them who I voted for… and frankly I told them that it is NONE of your business.
Today every conversation about is viewed through through a political lens.
Here is the challenge - there is not room for nuance. I personally have a problem with that.
Because whatever decision you make… you are then branded to be in agreement with everything else that political side is for.
For Example:
If your against-Abortion in general… you are BRANDED a self righteous CONCERVATIVE and it must mean you AGREE with everything else Conservative politics.
If your for Abortion in general… your branded as a liberal non-moral human.
Daniel continued to live out his prophetic witness without selling out to Babylon’s ways of enforcing it power, politic, etc...
Here is the question I believe scripture is inviting us to ask ourselves today…

Question: Do I have any cares that you need to cast on Jesus?

Text
Trans
Daniel Application and Devotional Implications

We need to ask ourselves: in what ways are we living for this kingdom now?

NOTICE WHAT HE DOES…
The first thing I notice IN YOUR NOTES is…

By not SIDING Babylon v.25-26

Trans

Sub point ONE. v. 25

Here is the question I believe scripture is inviting us to ask ourselves today…Question: Do I have any cares that you need to cast on Jesus?
Text
Trans
Here is the question I believe scripture is inviting us to ask ourselves today…
Question: Do I have any cares that you need to cast on Jesus?
Text
Trans
PAUSE -CLIP BEGINING
PAUSE -CLIP ENDING

Study Content

Daniel Biblical Theology Comments

The dream of Nebuchadnezzar in chap. 2 is relatively straightforward. There is a series of kingdoms, each following the other, until at the culmination of history the Lord God of heaven replaces all human kingdoms with a kingdom of his own making.

Transition: As I close today….
So today… if you do NOT know Jesus as your Lord and Savior today is your day…
Salvation Altar Call
I believe Jesus is here today, and He wants to save you. Salvation simply means to deliver or to free. It’s not just about delivering you…
It’s about believing
Believing in Jesus means trusting what He say’s—about sin, and eternal punishment, thats the bad news.
The good news is this… that His death on the cross paid the penalty for our sins, making us right with God.
Ephesians 2:8 reminds us: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Salvation requires two things:
1. God’s Grace—His undeserved gift of forgiveness and life because of His love for you.
2. Faith—placing your trust in Him for salvation.
If you’ve never asked Jesus to save you, today is your day. If you’d like ask him… , raise your hand.
I want to invite you to Repeat a prayer after me
· There is nothing magical in this prayer.. it simply is a way of declaring to Jesus what has taken place in your heart.
Here is how I would like to end the service for everyone else….
Call to Action Altar Call
We’re going to end the service with A question as we do nearly every week.
ALL ACROSS THE ROOM – HAS THE HOLY SPIRIT spoken to you in anyway today?

Going Deeper

What stuck out to you the in this passage? v. 1-13
Will I be ready when he returns? v. 1-3
What things are distracting me from Jesus? v. 4-8
How am I following his directions, How might I be missing it? v. 9-13
What might the Holy Spirit be saying to you in light of this teaching?
How might the Holy Spirit want to transform you in light of this teaching?
What actions might the Holy Spirit want to take in light of this teaching?
Tongues & Interpretation
1. To STRENGTHEN the Church (1 Cor14:5)
For prophecy is greater than SPEAKING in TONGUES, unless someone interprets what you are saying so that the whole church will be STRENGTHENED.
Believers, God has operated through this gift today to strengthen you today. Let your faith be strengthened and know that God is in control and using supernatural measures to speak to us.
2. Is a SIGN for unbelievers. (1Cor. 14: 21a, 22)
1 Corinthians 14:21–22 (ESV)
In the Law it is written, “By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.” Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers.
22 -  So you see that speaking in tongues is a SIGN, not for believers, but for UNBELIEVERS.
The Bible explains to us God has chosen to use this gift to be a sign for you. A sign for what? It is a sign of his realness for those of you who have been doubting or questioning the existence of God. He wants you to know he is REAL and he wants to bring you spiritual life and health. If you're in here today and you don't know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior... he wants you to know he has gone to great lengths to show you his love today. (Great opportunity for a salvation altar call if it fits).
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