False Security in Babylon

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SERIES DESCRIPTION: In this series on the Book of Daniel called Not From Here, we’ll explore Daniel chapter 5, where a king throws a party while his kingdom falls apart. In this powerful message titled False Security in Babylon, we’ll see how God intervenes to confront sin, call for repentance, and expose the lies we build our false security on. This isn’t just an ancient story—it’s a warning and invitation for us today.

Altar Instructions: Please come up when I begin the 3 point “The Interruption”

Series | Not From Here

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: Kids Summer Blast

One of the Highlights of our summer is…

Kids Summer Blast - its our version of VBS

It’s coming up on the 2nd week of June (10-13)

Volunteers Register on CC app

Register Kids on the CC app

Transition: We’re in week 6 of the series we are calling

Series | Not From Here

This is a series about the man Daniel, the faithful exile.

Daniel was taken as a slave into a foreign land - to live amoung other gods and a culture he did not agree with.

Daniel knew all about living in a land he did not belong.

His lifestyle and values we’re loud and clear to those around him, “I’m not from here”

You might feel like you live in a foreign land surrounded with values you don’t have anything in common with.

As believers in Christ Jesus tells us- we are NOT from this world. So we don’t live by the worlds values or play by their ethics.

I believe the Story of Daniel can help guide us in our struggles and teach us to live as exiles in a “Modern Babylonian society”

Well... if you missed any of the messages in our series you can catch up…

o By listing on most Podcast sites

As well as…

o Watch…. on our Youtube

Today we are going to be looking at Daniel 5. We’ll be reading the entire chapter to capture the full essence of this story.

Re-Cap

As we come to chapter 5… we remember

Ok… here we go… Daniel ch 5

Daniel 5

1 King Belshazzar -(Extra biblical content actually tells us that he is Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson)- made a great feast for a thousand of his lords and drank wine in front of the thousand.

2 Belshazzar, when he tasted the wine, commanded that the vessels of gold and of silver that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the temple in Jerusalem be brought, that the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines might drink from them. 3 Then they brought in the golden vessels that had been taken out of the temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines drank from them. 4 They drank wine and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.

5 Immediately the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace, opposite the lampstand. And the king saw the hand as it wrote. 6 Then the king’s color changed, and his thoughts alarmed him; his limbs gave way, and his knees knocked together. 7 The king called loudly to bring in the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers. The king declared to the wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this writing, and shows me its interpretation, shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around his neck and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.” 8 Then all the king’s wise men came in, but they could not read the writing or make known to the king the interpretation. 9 Then King Belshazzar was greatly alarmed, and his color changed, and his lords were perplexed. 10 The queen, because of the words of the king and his lords, came into the banqueting hall, and the queen declared, “O king, live forever! Let not your thoughts alarm you or your color change. 11 There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the spirit of the holy gods. In the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods were found in him, and King Nebuchadnezzar, your father—your father the king—made him chief of the magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans, and astrologers, 12 because an excellent spirit, knowledge, and understanding to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve problems were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation.” 13 Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king answered and said to Daniel, “You are that Daniel, one of the exiles of Judah, whom the king …my father brought from Judah. 14 I have heard of you… that the spirit of the gods is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you. 15 Now the wise men-the enchanters…. have been brought in before me to read this writing and make-known to me… its interpretation, but they could not show the interpretation of the matter. 16 But I have heard that you can give interpretations and solve problems. Now if you can read the writing… and make known to-me its interpretation, you shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around your neck and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.”

17 Then Daniel answered and said before the king, “Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another. Nevertheless, I will read the writing to the king and make known to him the interpretation. 18 O king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father kingship and greatness and glory and majesty. 19 And because of the greatness that he gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whom he would, he killed, and whom he would, he kept alive; whom he would, he raised up, and whom he would, he humbled. 20 But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was brought down from his kingly throne, and his glory was taken from him. 21 He was driven from among the children of mankind, and his mind was made like that of a beast, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. He was fed grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, until he knew that the Most High God rules the kingdom of mankind and sets over it whom he will. 22 And you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this, 23 but you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven. And the vessels of his house have been brought in before you, and you and your lords, your wives, and your concubines have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or know, but the God in whose-hand is your breath, and whose…. are all your ways, you have not honored.

24 “Then from his presence the hand was sent, and this writing was inscribed. 25 And this is the writing that was inscribed: MENE(Min-ae), MENE(Min-ae), TEKEL (tek-el), and PARSIN (par-son). 26 This is the interpretation of the matter: MENE, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; 27 TEKEL, you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting; 28 PERES(per-ez), your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.” 29 Then Belshazzar gave the command, and Daniel was clothed with purple, a chain of gold was put around his neck, and a proclamation was made about him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.

30 That very night Belshazzar the Chaldean king was killed. 31  And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.

***Feel free to encourage people to listen to the Holy Spirit speak to them personally as the message is preached

LETS PRAY

Transition: the title of our message today is...

Sermon Title | False Security in Babylon

Introduction - Comments on False Security

Belshazzar had all the THINGS - Life seemed good

Power, Control, Money, excessive treasure, access, women and servants…

We’ve all heard story after story of people who seemed to have it all, only to discover—in the end—the very things they hoped would give them security and satisfaction - ultimately left them empty…

Transition: the title of our message today is...

Sermon Title | False Security in Babylon

Have you ever looked around you and let earthly standards tell you things were fine…. when they were not?

I would like to point out 3 things I notice about this story…

The first thing I want you to notice IN YOUR NOTES is…

The INIQUITY. v.1-4, Ps 139:23-24

We se this in verses 1-4 as this King -parades his wealth in front of his friends. Without a care in the world and parties with the Treasures of God.

In one sense - this should not be surprising - he and his friends have no respect for God.

History tells us that this took place during a time that the Median-Persian empire was growing in Power and was drawing near Babylon. But due to the false security of the High walls and years of protection by the hand of God… Belshazzar could be more wrong about his security in Babylon.

Every been there?

-Here are two important things to know about Iniquity… IN YOUR NOTES

Iniquity is more than SIN (Isa 59:2, Gal. 6:7-8)

It conveys a deeper moral perversion

It’s a lawless attitude - where there is no regard for right and wrong

Those stuck in iniquity have NO boundaries to hold them back from the most profane levels of sin.

In fact Isa 59:2 puts it like this

Isaiah 59:2 ESV “but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.”

Some people wonder why they can’t hear God, why they don’t feel God, why they don’t experiance him in some areas of their life…

I believe it comes down to the lawlessness in that particular area of their life that they refuse to yield to.

I’m not here to say EVERY time it comes down to this… but I am saying that it can come down to this…

Here is an important application principal

-Sin created a literal covenantal breach between Israel and God, and they were under judgment because of it.

It’s important to know for genuine believers… We don’t lose relationship/sonship every time we sin. But we can lose intimacy with him.

In fact Gal. 6:7-8 puts it like this…

Galatians 6:7–8 ESV

7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.

Believers - We still will reap the consequences of our sin here on earth…

The next important thing to know about Iniquity… IN YOUR NOTES

Iniquity is fun for a SEASON (Heb 11:25, Pro. 14:12)

Heb. 11:25 describes that sin is actually pleasurable- BUT -it does not last forever.

Sin is fun… until it is not.

Until it drives a wedge between you and your spouse, family or friends.

Until it ruins your career

The realiaty is for those who don’t know Christ it is leading them straight to an eternity spearated from God in a place called Hell.

My father-in-Law says’

Sin will take you further than you intended to go

Sin will keep you longer than you intended to stay

Sin will cost you more than you intended to pay

What does this have to do with us today - I believe this is a caution to us…

You might not overtly be dishonoring God by defiling the church in a physcal sense…

When we knowingly ignore what’s right…. and justify attitudes or actions that go against what God desires, we are in sin—and we shouldn’t expect His blessing in that area of our lives. (Becuase you can not reap what you do NOT sow)

Here is what Prov 14:12 tells us…

English Standard Version Chapter 14

Prov. 14:12

Here is the question I believe scripture is inviting us to ask ourselves today…

Question: What areas of iniquity might you feel stuck in right now?

Are you excusing something you know offends God?

Don’t walk in false security like Babylon’s king…

The good news: God came to save and heal you from the sin thats ruining you.

We’re talking about…

Sermon Title | False Security in Babylon

So far we have noticed

The INIQUITY..

IN YOUR NOTES - the next thing I notice is…

The INTERVENTION. v.5-29

We see this beginning in v. 5

One moment Belshazzar was parting hard with his buddies praising his false Gods… and the next moment… God intervenes in a supernatural way. Now this is stuff out of Scifi movie… as Gods hand appears and begins to write a message for him on the wall.

So like his Grandfather… he calls on … Daniel to help him understand what God is saying to him.

Scripture doesn’t give great details as to what Daniel walks into that day…

But… Can you imagine for a moment what it was like for Daniel to be called in.

I wonder if people were still partying.

I wonder if he has to walk over the treasures of God as they lay across the floor, with the trash and people passed out from a night of drunkenness and sin.

What takes place during this intervention? IN YOUR NOTES … we see…

Sin is CONFRONTED v.22

We see this in v.22… as God tells him… you have NOT humbled your heart - despite watching your Grandfather - Nebuchadnezzar struggle with me. You could have learned a lot from this experiance but you chose to ignore it.

You watched confront and Judge his sin…

You watched him eventually turn from his prideful ways and acknowledge me is the Supreme God

and becuase of his humility… You watched me restored him back to his Kingdom.

But you learned NOTHING from all of this.

What takes place during this intervention? IN YOUR NOTES … we see…

Judgement is CHARGED v.25,

We see this in v.25…

God says… Becuase you have ignored me… here are your charges… and the consequences that go with them.

Notice the contrast between him and his grandfather Neb. - we talked about him last week.

We see God slowly revealed himself to Nebuchadnezzar over 4 chapters of Daniel

But here we are introduced to his grandson… and only in 5 verses into his story…. we see him swiftly charged for ignoring what he already knew about God.

It’s Ironic that the very HAND that wrote these words of judgment have been the very HANDS propping Him up but - but he did NOT notice or seem to care to notice.

Friends, don’t fail… to recognize the hand that has been sustaining you.

Belshazzar reminds us…

That knowing the truth isn’t enough(Did you hear that)—we must humble ourselves and respond to it.

Here is the question I believe scripture is inviting us to ask ourselves today…

Question: How has God intervened in your life to confront sin?

Don’t ignore his intervention

*********Invite those who are being baptized to ******

We’re talking about…

Sermon Title | False Security in Babylon

So far we have noticed

The INIQUITY

The INTERVENTION…

The lastly… IN YOUR NOTES - I notice…

The INTERRUPTION. v.30, Gal. 6:7-8

We see this in v. 30 as it says…

English Standard Version Chapter 5

Dan 5:30

All of the Kings plans we’re suddenly interrupted by the judgments of God. (Let that sink in for a moment)

If you remember Dan ch 2 and the dream of the statue -

-The Babylonian Kingdom ended exsacly… as God said it would.

Have there been sudden interruptions in your life?

You know the ones that you were well aware that they we’re the consequences of your sin.

Emotionally, Physcal… Relational, career…

What should you do when you suddenly find yourself interrupted… reaping the consequences of your sin.

Lets get real practical… First… IN YOUR NOTES

We should LISTEN (Rev. 3:19a)

Don’t be like Belshazzar and ignore the voice of God.

Here what God says in Rev 3:19… lets listen…to the heart of God… its says this.. .

Rev. 3:19a Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline…

In other words - I only correct and show my disapproval to those I love.

Friends, if you are still breathing… Don’t ignore how sin or the discipline of God has stoped you in your tracks.

This is your moment… to LISTEN to God.

Once we listen.. Next…

We should REPENT(Rev. 3:19b, Pro. 28:13)

Yea - we should CHANGE our STUBBORN minds… and turn from our ways..

Place our lives in the hands of God who knows how to transform our stubborn heart.

We should stop living in FALSE SECURITY PRETENDING that everything is ok when it is NOT.

Looking back at Rev 3:19… scripture places URGENCY on repentance… is says.. BE WHAT?

English Standard Version Chapter 3

Rev. 3:19

Yea -

Dont wait… REPENT NOW… while you feel sorrow

Proverbs 28:13

English Standard Version Chapter 28

Prov. 28:13

This leads us to our last question today… and main question of the message…

Question: Will you be zealous about your repentance?

Friends you will NOT prosper where you have iniquity… but those who confess will obtain mercy.

IF YOU REPENTED TODAY and you have NEVER BEEN WATER BAPTIZED - TODAY IS YOUR DAY… GO MEET PASTOR JACOB in the back

This is your day to public with your faith - let the world know that you are done with your old life and you are welcoming in the life of Christ…

Go now while its FRESH…

While their getting ready… lets acknowledge our need for repentance..

So today… if you do NOT know Jesus as your Lord and Savior today is your day…

Salvation Altar Call

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… , would you like to save me? I guarantee his answer is YES - thats why he died on the cross for your sins - to take your place

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.

Baptism Sunday

9AM

Carmen Arellano

Nikki Young? (TBD)

11AM

Ashley Ford

Alannah Thomas

Cryus Thomas

Aryus Meades

Ayden Thomas

Heidi Pike

Announcements

Giving -

Tithes - Offerings

By the way… we had a great Stand Sunday this year - so many people in our church have a huge heart for Orphan care as people are giving and going to serve the vulnerable children in our community.

CELEBRATE Stand Sunday - a little over 8,000

We usually see about 15 k in this offering I would for us to be able to do it again.

I will tell you its a bit low compared to normal -

BUT, It normally takes a few weeks for us to reach our total giving amount.

If you haven’t had a chance to contribute to our Stand Sunday OFFERING I WANT TO INVITE YOU TO DO SO. Just make sure to notate it in the memo or Fund if yoru giving through our app or online.

Lastly before we go today

Connection Cards

Connect Card

If your new with us today make sure to take your connection cards to our next step center - we would love to say - HI and get you a free gift

Next Steps

If you want to take a step in iyour faith journy make sure to fill out a next step card - you can take that to the NS Center as well.

Going Deeper

What sticks out to you in this chapter? Daniel 5

What questions do you have about? Daniel 5

What areas of iniquity might you feel stuck in right now? Daniel 5: 11-5

How has God intervened in your life to confront sin? Daniel 5:5-29

How has God intervened in your life to confront sin? Daniel 5:5-29

Will you be zealous about your repentance? Daniel 5:30

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).