Dare to be Holy

Holiness begins with a decision, Daniel 1:8

Daniel 1:8 ESV

8 But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself.

What areas are you being challenged in?

Christianity is challenged all the time:

Is the Bible without error

Bible vs. Science

Where is God in the face of random senseless suffering

Christian behavior

The exclusive claim of Christianity

What challenges do our youth face:

The media 1/3 free time watching TV

School programming — ie. Abstinence only teaching is outlawed in California schools. Marriage is under attack. Abortion without parental knowledge, etc.

University professors — 25% are atheists; 51% bible is fable; 50% negative toward Christianity.

What is your greatest challenge?

What are you being asked to place above God. For years I placed God first; my wife second, my children third, my work and education 4th. How would be life have been different if I had not?

Application:

Resolve (food and drink)

Communicate resolution

This brings God on board, Daniel 1:9

Daniel 1:9 ESV

9 And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs,

God partners with us:

He placed Adam in the garden to work it. “Now no shrub had yet appeared on the earth and no plant had yet sprung up, for the Lord God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no one to work the ground.” Adam created “to work it (the garden) and take care of it (the garden).”

Colossians 3:23-24, says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

Application:

What is your garden?

What has God entrusted you with?

And results in tremendous rewards, Daniel 1:17

Daniel 1:17 ESV

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.

How does God test our faithfulness?

Do I possess the right values — Proverbs 28:20 says, “A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.”

Do I care for the interests of others?

Do I live with integrity before unbelievers?

Do I keep my promises? Proverbs 20:25 says, “It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later consider your vow.”

Am I developing my gifts? 1 Peter 4:10 says, “Each should use whatever spiritual gift he has received to serve others faithfully, administering God’s grace in its various forms.”

Do I obey God? 1 Samuel 2:35, God says, “I will raise up a faithful priest who will serve me and do whatever I tell him to do.” 

Do I pass on my knowledge? Galatians 5:22-23 says, “The fruit of the Spirit is … faithfulness.”

Ways God rewards His faithful children:

1. You will be surrounded by mercy. Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; But he who trusts in the LORD, mercy shall surround him. Psalm 32:10

2. You will be kept in perfect peace. You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3 3. You will be happy. He who heeds the word wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he. Proverbs 16:20 4. You will rejoice. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name. Psalm 33:21 5. You will be taken care of. Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. Psalm 37:5

6. You will be delivered from your enemies. And the LORD shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him. Psalm 37:40

7. You will be kept safe. The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe. Proverbs 29:25

8. You will be radiant. They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed. (Psalm 34:5)

9. You will not be put to shame. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” Romans 10:11

10. You will be victorious. Thus the children of Israel were subdued at that time; and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied on the LORD God of their fathers. 2 Chronicles 13:18

11. You will not be moved. Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. Psalm 125:1 12. You will be prospered. He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will be prospered. Proverbs 28:25 13. You will be delivered. For I will surely deliver you, and you shall not fall by the sword; but your life shall be as a prize to you, because you have put your trust in Me,” says the LORD.’” Jeremiah 39:18 14. You will be protected by God. As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. Psalm 18:30

15. You will have your prayers answered. And they were helped against them, and the Hagrites were delivered into their hand, and all who were with them, for they cried out to God in the battle. He heeded their prayer, because they put their trust in Him. 1 Chronicles 5:20 16. You will be established. So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the LORD your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.” 2 Chronicles 20:20

17. You will never thirst. And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. John 6:35

18. You will not be afraid. He will not be afraid of evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. Psalm 112:7