SERMON NOTES

Subject:          “The Lion’s Den”

Speaker:         Dr. A. Burge Troxel

Date:               February 11, 2007

Scripture:       Daniel 6:1-28

Introduction:

Satan is out to get you! – 2 Pet 5:8-9

1 Peter 5:8

8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

2 Timothy 3:12-13

12In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

Luke 21:17

“All men will hate you because of me (Jesus).”

Revelation 20:10a

“And the devil, who deceived them,”

I.    Living Godly will Bring Satanic Opposition and Plots – 2 Tim 2:12-13, Dan 6:1-15

Daniel 6:1-2a

“1It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, 2with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. . . .”

Daniel 6:3

“Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.”

Daniel 6:4a

“At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so.”

Daniel 6.4b

“They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent.”

2 Timothy 3:12-13

12In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

Revelation 20:10a

“And the devil, who deceived them,”

Daniel 6:6-7

6So the administrators and the satraps went as a group to the king and said: “O King Darius, live forever! 7The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or man during the next thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be thrown into the lions’ den.

Daniel 6:10

“Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.”

Daniel 6:14

“When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him.”

Daniel 6:15

Then the men went as a group to the king and said to him, “Remember, O king, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed.”

Satanic Opposition

Motivated by Jealousy

Fueled with a LIE

Sustained by Legalistic Thinking

My Stories

Part I

II.  Calm and Quiet Dependence upon God will bring Complete Vindication and Ultimate Justice. – Dan 6:16-24

Daniel 6:21-22

21Daniel answered, “O king, live forever! 22My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king.”

Daniel 6:24

“At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.”

My Stories

Part II

III. The End Result is Glory to God – Dan 6:25-28

Daniel 6:25-27

25Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language throughout the land: “May you prosper greatly! 26“I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. “For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. 27He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”

Conclusion:

2 Timothy 2:25-26

25Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

1 Peter 2:20

“But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.”

Application

1. Develop a reputation for integrity in your work

2. Expect False Accusations to Come

3. Respond with Calm and Quiet Dependence upon God

4. Let God bring vindication and justice in His time.