Ten Times Better

How do we talk to God? (Through prayer) How does God talk to us? (Through his word)

Daniel 1:20 KJV 1900

And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.

Daniel 12:3 KJV 1900

And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

Introduction:

We have been looking at the Life of Daniel this past week and we have seen how he stands out so differently among all the other Israel children. He was smarter, wiser, healthier, and just overall better than all others!! 

Why? How? What was his process? I want that! I want to shine brighter for Christ! all of these are things we all want as Christians. But how do we obtain that? Do we buy it? Do we win it? Is it a gift? if so how do I get it!!!!?

Let's look at somethings Daniel did to be the best and what were the results!

1. Obedience

Explanation:

One major thing that jumps out to me about the life of Daniel is that he stood out among all of the other children of Israel. If we look at Daniel and this first chapter why do you think he wouldn’t eat the Kings meat? 

It was because God had a special diet for Isreal to follow. that meant they were not permitted by God to eat this meat from the King. but what did most of the crowd do? They ate the meat! 

But Daniel along with his three friends said I’d much rather be obedient to God than man even if that means we will be put to death.

Illustration:

In a post entitled, “Do God’s Will, Not His Work”, Bethany Jenkins writes, “In other words, we can work—make sandwiches, balance budgets, preach sermons—but it is the Lord who makes our work effective. He’s the one who provides nourishment, brings profitability, and saves souls. The results are in his hands. We are called to do his will, not his work,”

Application:

The Lord calls us to obey and follow what he has revealed for us in his Word. We can trust him to keep his promises even when we cannot see what he is doing or “hear his voice” in the short term.

How many of you would like to shine brighter for Jesus? no to bring attention to yourself but to bring attention to God! 

Then we must obey his word and the only way we know how to obey hos word is if we are in his word and have a meaningful relationship with him!

Transition:

That brings us to our next point. if we are going to be ten times better we must be obedient but we also must…

2. Obtain a Meaningful Walk With God

Explanation:

God wants to have a relationship with you and he wants you to have a fruitful life! don’t believe me? says “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain:”

Young people, I honestly believe he has something great planned for your life!!! but in order for God to do something great with you, you need to have a deep walk or relationship with him! 

We have been talking all week about ways to have that relationship and deepen your relationship with Jesus. Prayer, reading your bible, soul-winning, going to church, loving and being kind. all of these are ways you can become closer to Christ in your life!

“You don’t really know Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have.” - Timothy Keller

Illustration:

When Stephanie and I were dating she didn’t just hand me a list of rules I had to follow right out of the gate. If she did I probably wouldn’t have been interested in dating her. Rather, we spent time together. I learned what she liked and didn’t like. what foods she likes and what foods what hates. what kind of movies or shows she likes and ones she doesn’t.

The point is in order to know her better and on a deeper level I had to spend time with her!

Application:

Do you want to know Christ on a deeper level? get to know the things he likes and the things he Hates? Well, young people, the only way to do that is to spend more time with him in prayer and in his word! 

You have the greatest tool to get to know God better sitting right there in your hands. with this book, you can get to know God so well that you will spend hours of every day thinking about God and falling in love with him more and more!!!

Transition:

and when you are obedient and have a deeper relationship with him as Daniel did you them will begin to…

3. Make An Impact Among Those Around You For Christ!

Explanation:

Matthew’s gospel says “19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

That means as you are growing closer to Christ bring others along on the journey as well. Share the gospel with others around you so they can experience a personal relationship with Christ as well.

I promise you as you grow closer to Christ people will notice and you will rub off on them one way or another!

Illustration:

When it comes to effective evangelism, it’s not just the mega churches that can make a big impact. Churches big and small just have to keep doing the basics with intentionality. After examining thirteen factors that, when practiced consistently, make churches of all sizes effective in reaching and staying connected with new believers, researchers found that those who convert and retain the highest percentages are intentional about reaching out to invite people to come to church and being very hospitable to the lost when they do come

Application:

We are all called to share Christ, no matter how young or old we are, no matter whether we are new to the Lord ourselves or we are seasoned believers. Do you invite others to come into a relationship with Christ? Why or why not? Do you look for the opportunity while you are out and about to look into people’s eyes and tell them that God is real, that Jesus loves them and died for them to have abundant life? No effort to share God’s Word is too small, because even one, just one, person’s life could be changed forever. And such a one is celebrated in heaven.

Conclusion:

Daniel had a mission and knew what to do! He was determined to be ten times better and stand out for his God!

Young people, let me ask you a question. “Has God got a hold of your heart this week?” He wants you to be ten times better than the world and anything the world has to offer. are you going to surrender to his will or continue living life your way? 

I have news for those of you who are saved. your life is not your own! you have no right to live it the way you want to! says “ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

The decision is yours. You can go back home from camp and live a mediocre life or you can be ten times better and become a mighty warrior for Christ! the choice is yours!!  

Invitation:

I want every head bowed and every eye closed for just a moment.

Let me ask you something “Did God speak to you through this message and the story of Daniel?” Let me ask you another question “Are you 100% sure if you died right now you would go to heaven?”

This is what I would like each one of you to do use your chair there as an alter and take just a few moments and talk with God. Tell him you want Stand out and shine like Daniel was. Go ahead and take just a few moments and if you don’t know if you are saved and want to know for sure heaven will be your home I want you to go talk to one of the adults right now. Don’t let another moment pass by without knowing Christ as your Savior.