Starting Strong in the Faith

Daniel 1:8-21

Big Idea - Daniels faith in God gave Him strength to follow God in a ungodly place.

problem - We have growing army of followers of Christ who allow the ungodliness of the world to determine how their walk with Christ is. In the USA today our faith today is tested by .. the world, comfort, & a big side of comfort which is distraction. What do you and I need?! we need a STRONG FAITH. On Sunday monrning were looking at what its means to have a a foundation of faith. Well in the month of January at students were gonna be looking at what it means to have a foundation of strength in God. & for that were gonna look at a young man named Daniel. Hes gonna show us some of what it means to start strong in the faith. Open up you Bibles to the book of Daniel chapter 1.

Background

The Jewish people (Daniels people) their nation’s home & capital has been destroyed. The Babylonians came over a period of time from 607 - 586 BC. It happens in a couple different waves but the exile are you ready happened in 605 B.C. That when the nation no longer was its own nation and becam apart of Babylon as a type of vassal. 2 Kings 24:1 talks a little bit about this. In 605 BC there was a huge Exil that took place. Essentially the king of Babylon says hey you people. I am gonna take your wealthy and influential and young people and im gonna make you look like my people. You learn the ways of Babylon. Daniel is one of those young, (from an influential family) We GUESS & he is taken from His home and is being fed with the riches, and knowledge of BAbylon and

English Standard Version Chapter 1

8 But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank

English Standard Version Chapter 1

12 “Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink.

English Standard Version Chapter 1

17 As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams

English Standard Version Chapter 1

20 And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom. 21 And Daniel was there until the first year of King Cyrus.

Introduction

ChatGPT says that new years resolution fails because of; unrealistic or vague goals, Lacks a real plan, motivation fades, too much too soon, all-or-nothing mindset, no accountability, forgetting your “why”, & ignoring obstacles

Whats the difference between Daniels commitment or his “resolve” to not defile himself & most Americans approach to getting in shape, eating healthy, or being emotionally stable or happier and less stressed?

how much more does this matter when it comes to becoming the people we want to be or if you are a person of who follows Jesus becoming the the man or woman He has called you to be! My Dad told me that the man He wants to become doesn't happen by accident or by mistake. The man He wants to become is formed over time and molded by hands that know better than Him.

We want you to start the new year strong. Not for the sake of the new year but for the sake of the kingdom of God. We need more students taking up the mantle of Jesus and being STRONG IN THE LORD.

To be intentional about becoming strong in the Lord we are looking at the person of Daniel this month and seeing how we can become more like the person Jesus is calling us to be as we see how Daniels faith in the Lord is is Strength.

So for out first message of 2026 in Students we will turn top the first chapter of Daniel and we will discover how Daniels faith in God gave Him strength to follow God in a ungodly place.

Daniels Faith

Daniel knew what was worth more (Psalm 16:5-11). His God mattered more to Him than whatever the approval of Babylon could give Him.

Jeremiah prophesied that Babylon would come, He told the people who would be exiled to pray for the blessing of the lands they would be dispersed to, He told them that babylon would be overthrown by the Medes and all the while God would not forsake His people even throughout this trial, He told them to be faithful to Their God and gave them a hope in the midst of being taken captive be a godless people.

God was with Daniel (v. 9) He gave Daniel favor and compassion. Is God with you? Matthew 6:33 says, Seek first the Kingdom of God! & His righteousness (Dgroups, selflessness, serving,)

Daniel was willing to be tested (v. 12). When a heart of faith in God is stirred up its meets challenges that overcome pressure to fit in. A heart of faith in God says whatever the world throws at me its teachings, what it think is so wise, its new model thats says this is whats best for you i am actually gonna measure that and evaluate by what Gods says because He actually knows whats best. A heart of faith says i dont mind being tested in this by the world becasue my confidence is in Gods way. . Im gonna do what God has commanded and you evaluate how my life looks different and you see for yourself what way is better! I think of the Forest song, you way is better. ITS TRUE!

You are forced to be tested in your Math, ELA, science classes. Are you allowing others to test and examine your faith in Christ? Are there people who like this Eunuch who are seeing your life with God and seeing how it is different and better than the worlds ways.. Or is the world seeing what it is use to and you are just claiming the benefits of Christ while living like the rest of the world?

If this is you, i have lived this life as well, you are called to more. God has greater wonderful things in store for you. Come to Jesus and leave that wasted life behind you.

Daniels faith in God gave Him strength to follow God in a ungodly place.

Commit yourself today to God. To not defiling yourself in the midst of a wolrd defiled by lies, hatred, and things. Know what is worth more. Trust in Gods Word (know it). God was with Daniel (Seek first the Kindgom of God!) Be willing to be tested for your faith. Strength is found in the God who almighty.