Serving God In Babylon (Part 2, Sheep Among The Wolves)

Introduction

Text: ;

Title: Serving God in Babylon

Series: Sheep Among The Wolves (Part 2)

Background

Babylon

Babylon was the greatest kingdom on earth from 750 BC to aroung 537 BC.

It was also a most religious kingdom

Babylon represents the religious world today in all its splendor and power.

Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah

These young men from Judah belonged to the descendants of kings and nobles who were brought captive to Babylon

They were to be trained in the language and literature of the Chaldeans

They were to be trained for 3 years, go through examination and serve before the king in the palace

They were to be trained together other captives from other nations.

Daniel made a commitment that he will not defile himself with Babylonian stuff.

Captives from other nations must have been struck by the grandeur of Babylon - its wealth, beauty, military power, religion

Most captives must have surrendered completely and yielded their lives to the power and influence of Babylon

But Daniel refused to abserobed by Babylon!

Main Point

There are situations in life wherein we are forced by circumstances, by needs, to live with and among Babylonians. If Daniel can make a commitment in his heart to continue to serve God right in the midst Babylon, we can, and we should, as God’s people in the world.

in school (students)

in work (adults, workers)

in the community (families)

Sermon Points

What can we learn from this account?

The enemy’s Plan

Daniel’s Purpose

God’s Providence

The Enemy’s Plan: Enslave God’s People

Daniel 1:3–5 NKJV

3 Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the nobles, 4 young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans. 5 And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king.

Daniel 1.3-

they chose men of noble and kingly descent

they chose young men who were without blemish, good-looking, gifted and knowledgeable

they were chosen to become servants to the king of Babylon

the apex of conquering another king is allowing the royal family to live as slaves to the king, and making them forget their own kingdom by way of education and training

Satan - the king of Babylon - wants to make slaves out of God’s people

he wants us to serve him in his kingdom

Jesus was offered the world -

he wants us to be absorbed by the Babyolnian system so we can forget our origin

Satan wants to use the beauty, wisdom and intelligence of God’s children for his evil kingdom!

Story - a father was deciding what to do with his children. He instructed his smart kids to pursue careers in medicine, engineering, education. Then he said to his one child who not smart in school: become a pastor.

Daniel and his 3 friends were selected to become slaves in Nebuchadnezzar’s court. But things did not turn out as the king had planned.

Daniel’s Purpose: Remain Undefiled by Babylon

Daniel 1:8 NKJV

8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

Daniel 1.8

Despite the unfavorable situation, Daniel had made a commitment to remain in covenant with God.

Daniel refused to be corrupted or defiled with the tempting offers of Babylon.

Our covenant with God should not be affected by the changing circumstances in life.

Job did not change his faith in God -

Our life does not have to be influenced by Babylon, even if we are inside Babylon.

Set your heart to abide with God’s covenant

Refuse to be touched by the things of the world

- in the world, but not of the world

When you make a commitment, prepare yourself for the challenge.

Daniel set a 10-day challenge - who will be healthier among their peers

who will be healthier

Daniel listened and learn from Men of God in his day

See this Timeline

650 - 612 BC - prophetic career of Nahum

621 BC - Daniel was born

605 BC - Daniel was brought captive to Babylon

612 - 589 - prophetic career of Habakkuk

627 BC - 588 BC - Jeremiah’s prophetic career

Prophet Jeremiah was going in and out of the cities of Judah proclaiming the word of God:

before captivity - do not resist the army of Babylon, and you live

during the captivity - the captivity is long (70 years), build houses and dwell in them

promise after 70 years - i will bring back my people from captivity

God’s Providence: God gave them favor before the Chaldeans, and wisdom above their peers

Daniel 1:9 NKJV

9 Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs.

Daniel 1.

Because Daniel set his heart to remain pure and committed to God’s covenant, God rewarded them with favor before the chaldeans

this favor made a way for Daniel to set the challenge

Daniel 1:17 NKJV

17 As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

Daniel 1.16

these knowledge and understanding in visions and dreams brought Daniel though the 70 years of captivity and beyond!

God’s providence rewards the faithfulness of His children.

Daniel 1:18–20 NKJV

18 Now at the end of the days, when the king had said that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 Then the king interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king. 20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm.

Daniel 1.18-20

Daniel set the 10-day challenge, God rewarded him by making them 10 times better than all the wise men in Babylon!

God’s divine providence will continue and abide in your life for as long as you remain faithful to God’s covenant in your life!

Daniel experienced God’s divine providence throughout his life

- Daniel saved the lives of wise men of Babylon when he revealed the king’s dream and interpreted itsa meaning.

- Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah were saved from the fire when they refused to bow down to an image made by the king

- Daniel was saved from the lions because he continued his habit of prayer to God despite the threats of his enemies.

every time Daniel experienced God’s providence, God himself was exalted.

The ultimate result of God’s providence is that God Himself is exalted in our lives!

Daniel 2:46–47 NKJV

46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, prostrate before Daniel, and commanded that they should present an offering and incense to him. 47 The king answered Daniel, and said, “Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret.”

Daniel 2.46-47

Daniel 3:29 NKJV

29 Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, or language which speaks anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made an ash heap; because there is no other God who can deliver like this.”

Daniel 3.29

Daniel 6.26-27

Daniel 6:26–27 NKJV

26 I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God, And steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, And His dominion shall endure to the end. 27 He delivers and rescues, And He works signs and wonders In heaven and on earth, Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.

Conclusion

Don’t let go of God’s covenant in your life!

Refuse to be aboserbed by the system of babylon!

Fight for your right to live your faith and express your beliefs - in school or in your workplace.

If you have compromised your faith for the sake of peace among your co-workers, or classmates, it is not too late to make a change!

Renew your covenant with God.

Ask God for wisdom in dealing with peer pressures at work or in school.

We are sons and daughters of God!

We will not become slaves in Satan’s kingdom!

We will not be absorbed into the system of Babylon!

SONG - I Will Be An Overcomer