God Controls the Future
Notes
Transcript
Handout
We have been examining how God is in control over all. That God is still on the throne. He is the one who allowed Judah to be defeated by Babylon. How while in exile we are to behave as those who follow after God. Today we will be examining how God is the one who is in control of the future.
Our God is sovereign to raise up kingdoms, and to bring down kingdoms.
v.1
The king has had a very disturbing dream. He has only been ruling solo for two years now he’s had a dream that later we realize that it is of this statue. The statue is crushed.
His question is, “is this me? Will I be assassinated? Am I about to be crushed and my kingdom come to and end?”
v.4-6
They desire to know the dream and they will make it known.
They say that no one can know what the king dreams, no one is able to do such a thing.
v.9
King Neb smells a rat. Anyone can give you an interpretation and say that it is correct. The king desires proof of authenticity. Show me that you can interpret by showing that you know the dream.
v.17-18
Daniel and His Friends Seek God
Daniel and His Friends Seek God
v.17-18
God is the sovereign one. He knows the end from the beginning, He is the one who controls all things.
When they are pressed, they seek God.
It’s one thing to be kind, loving good, util you are put under pressure. When we are put under pressure is when the evil comes to the surface.
This year with between COVID, killer hornets, riots. This next year with the turmoil of elections and the turning over to the next president. People’s faith has been put to the test and will continue to be put to the test.
When you are put under that pressure. Where do you turn? Are you counting on the government to be your savior? Are you counting on your money to be your savior? Just believing that everything will work out?
Or is the pressure causing you to turn to the the sovereign one. Turn to the one who holds all things together by his very word.
Eli was diagnosed with Leukemia. Me: “I guess all we can do is pray.” Tammi: “What can we ever do besides pray.
1 Peter 5:6-7
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,
7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
We must humble ourselves, realizing that all of our strength isn’t enough to change the course of events. But God, the sovereign one, He is in control.
Humbly go to Him, giving Him all of your anxieties. Knowing that He is still on the throne and in control of all the things that we view as Chaos.
Daniel Praises God for Answered Prayer
Daniel Praises God for Answered Prayer
v.20-23
Do you thank God when He answers prayer?
v.21
God is the one who removes kings, and sets up kings.
Romans 13:1-2
1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
God calls us to be subject to governing authorities because He is the one who gives them power, He allows them to be in that position of authority.
God Gives Wisdom
God Gives Wisdom
v.21
Wisdom, understanding. God is the one who gives these things to us. He gives knowledge and understanding.
The Dream
The Dream
v.26-28
King Neb is asking. Can you do this Daniel?..... “No” it would be bad if it ended their. “But God can.”
Daniel takes no credit for himself, he points to God. It is He who gives understanding.
v.31(36)-44
37- As Daniel gives the interpretation he points out that God is the one who gives even King Neb who Daniel just addressed as the king of kings. God has given him the power that he possesses.
The Statue
The Statue
God has revealed to King Neb the kingdoms of the world until Jesus.
The Head of Gold
v.37-38
The Babylonian empire. Daniel makes this very clear.
Chest and Arms of Silver
v.39
The kingdom of the Medes and Persians
Middle and Thighs of Bronze
v.39
Macedonian empire. That of Alexander the Great.
Legs of Iron
v.40
It is debated but most scholars agree that this is the Roman empire.
Feet of Iron and Clay
41-43
Rome was divided in a way that the others were not.
Rome intermingled with the other nations to a point and allowed them to influence Rome in a way that the other nations hadn’t.
The Stone
v.44
The stone that doesn’t come from the influence or by the hands of man.
This is Jesus.
Isaiah 28:16
16 therefore thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’
It is this kingdom, the one that is established by God. This is the kingdom that will have no end.
Luke 1:33
33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
The Kingdom
The Kingdom
The kingdom of God. We have the already and not yet fulfillment.
The already is seen when Jesus says:
Luke 11:20
20 But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
Luke 17:20-21, Luke 19:11, John 18:36
Luke 17:20-21, Luke 19:11, John 18:36
The kingdom of God is seen wherever His Lordship is being acknowledged in repentance, faith and obedience.
The Not Yet:
This is what we see when Jesus takes full control of the world.
Revelation 11:15
15 Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”
The Kingdom
The Kingdom
Jesus’ kingdom that was prophesied would take place; is taking place.
What I want us all to see is the sovereignty of God in this world. I want you to be assured that God is in control of everything that is going on.