Smells Like Teen Spirit

What Are You Talking About Pastor?

Last week as we opened our series on Daniel, I teased that the title of today’s sermon would be “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” When I originally thought of the name, I didn’t really know how it would fit, other than we were going to be talking about Daniel as a teenager. but God assured me that it was an aptly named song and there was a good story that would come out of it.

The title of our message shares its name with a song by the rock group Nirvana. The song itself is somewhat random and nonsensical but was a hit nonetheless, but why the title? It’s funny, because the words in the title don’t even occur in the song itself. Instead, we see a bunch of random stuff. So, where then did the song title come from? Well it is reported that someone once wrote of lead singer Kurt Cobain, “he smells like teen spirit.” What is Teen Spirit you may be asking? Well it’s a girl’s deodorant. It turns out Kurt’s girlfriend Hannah wore that brand of deodorant, and as a result, Kurt smelled like teen spirit. Keep that story in your mind, and you’ll see exactly why God chose that particular title for my message today.

INTRODUCTION

The Old Testament is filled with examples worthy of our study and emulation...

Such as Joseph, with his stand for God in the house of Potiphar. Such as Joshua, a great man of faith and conviction in his service to God. Another example that ought to inspire us all is that of Daniel...

As a young man, his faith gave him the courage to remain true to his convictions. As an old man, his faith sustained him the threat of persecution

We first read of Daniel and his great faith, in the first chapter of the book of Daniel...

Daniel’s faith as a 15 year old

Daniel 1:1–2 (NKJV)

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the articles of the house of God, which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the articles into the treasure house of his god.

So we open up with an introduction of when this was happening - the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim. Israel was under the control of Egypt at the time, and the Pharaoh set up Jehoiakim as a puppet, and this is where our story starts out. Weak puppet king, strong king Nebuchadnezzar lays seige to Jerusalem, then...

Daniel 1:3–7 NKJV

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, 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. 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. Now from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. To them the chief of the eunuchs gave names: he gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abed-Nego.

So we see, these young people - one of whom was Daniel - are given special provisions of the king's food and drink. And were given three years of special training. Among those selected, four are named, and apparently renamed to honor Babylonian gods.

Back then, names were important, let’s look at their names, before and after:

Daniel (God is my judge) - Belteshazzar (a servant of Bel)

Hananiah (the Lord is gracious) - Shadrach (inspired by the sun god)

Mishael (who is what God is?) - Meshach (who is what the moon god is?)

Azariah (the Lord helps) - Abed-Nego (servant of Nebo)

How would these young men respond?

Would they submit to the temptations placed before them?

Would they give in, excusing themselves due to youth and inexperience?

How would you have reacted if you were in their place?

Daniel Makes a Decision

Daniel 1:8 NKJV

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.

It says he "purposed in his heart!" in other words, he made a commitment! Something too rarely heard of today, in both young and old. His commitment was to "not defile himself" with the king's food. What was the king’s food? Well, we don’t know for sure, possibly unclean food according to Levitical restrictions, or food used in idol worship which would cause one to be a participant with such worship.

So how did he do it?

Respectfully

He did it respectfully. Note the last half of that verse "he requested”

He did not "demand", but respected the authority of those over him, and he did it with God's help

Daniel 1:9 NKJV

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

Remember our heroes of the faith series? This is very similar to how Joseph found favor in prison.

With Persistence

Daniel 1:10–12 NKJV

And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king.” So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.

He did not give up after the refusal by the chief of the eunuchs, he tried something else, going to the steward directly over them

He was willing to put his faith to the test!

Daniel 1:12–15 NKJV

“Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.” So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days. And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies.

Daniel was confident that God's way was the right way. He was willing to demonstrate the superiority of God's way, so he asked the steward to give him and his three friends just water and vegetables for ten days.

What happened? What gave Daniel so much faith? What was it about him that gave him the wits and wherewith-all to take such a bold stand that would so directly affec the lives of others?

I mean look at what it says!

Daniel 1:15–16 (NKJV)

And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies. Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.

It had blessed the countenance of Daniel and his friends!

It then blessed the rest of the young men under the care of the steward. God blessed Daniel and his three friends even more!

I would posit to you that it was one thing, and one thing a lone. Daniel smelled like teen spirit! What do I mean by that? Well why did Kurt Cobain always smell like teen spirit?

Daniel 6:10 NKJV

Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.

He had a custom, since early days of spending so much time with God, that he started to smell like Him. He started to think like Him, he started to ACT LIKE HIM!

And as a result, God gave them knowledge, skill, and wisdom, and to Daniel He gave understanding in visions and dreams!

Daniel 1:17–20 NKJV

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. 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. Then the king interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king. 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.

They became the best of the young men who had been trained, and served in the presence of Nebuchadnezzar. The king found them better than all his magicians and astrologers. Daniel would go on to continue in the court of Babylon nearly seventy years! - Even to the first year of Cyrus of Persia (539 B.C.)Eventually becoming provincial ruler and chief administrator over all others -

Daniel 2:48 NKJV

Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts; and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon.

What a wonderful example of faith and commitment, and of God's providence to care for His people! Now let's consider some...

Lessons and Applications from Daniel’s faith

or, How to Succeed In Pleasing the Lord

Be Respectful

There is never any reason to be rude or arrogant.Impoliteness just aggravates a situation rather than helps it. I’ve spoken on several occasions to you about the “Mall Preachers” at the U of A and how I thought they do such a disservice to the Gospel. Don’t be that person!

Proverbs 15:1 NKJV

A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

Seek God’s Help

Without God, any effort is more likely to fail.

Psalm 127:1–2 NKJV

Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep.

2 Chronicles 16:9 NKJV

For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.”

Be Persistent

Don't give up trying after meeting the first obstacle. Remember what Jesus taught about persistence:

Matthew 7:7–11 NKJV

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

Luke 18:1–8 NKJV

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ” Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

Be Willing to Put Your Faith to the Test

If you aren’t willing, then how committed are you, really, to trusting God? Yet God often invites people to test His promises:

Malachi 3:10 NKJV

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.

And Jesus Himself even did it.

Matthew 6:31–34 NKJV

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

How many different applications are there for this? Remember, David was just a kid when he started making these principled decisions, and by the time he was an old guy, he was willing to spend the night with the lions rather than compromise his principles, and he did it a manner so consistent with his nature that he had the king worried and sleepless all night because of his lion slumber party!

Putting it All Together.

Many other applications could be made, but what have we learned from all of this? Well we’ve learned that if you want to truly serve God and to take a principled stand for Him, you’re going to have to spend so much time with Him, that you begin to look like Him, act like Him and smell like Him!

Whether you’re a teen or a senior, we must be so committed to being with him always, that in the end we come out smelling like HIm!

What does that smell like? Well, it smells like a child of God who has purposed in their heart not to defile ourselves with the World’s delicacies.