If we stand firm on His Word and take a “leap of faith” He will honor that. Your life is in their hands. What pressure are you currently facing that your brothers/sisters can pray for you? In Daniel 1 we see an account of the first conquest of Jerusalem. Sermon series: Covenant Faithfulness . What was his goal? It doesn’t seem like they have much of a chance to resist the inevitable, does it? We hope your understanding of God’s Word is deeper from them. The guard sees the result of the test, and agrees to make the change permanent. When the world around you treats women as a sexual object, resolve that you will not. Here are some potential excuses he could have offered: Bitterness toward God – God abandoned me to this foreign country. During this conquest only a small part of Jews were exiled. The Phoenicians made the first known sea journey around Africa. The name Daniel means “God is my judge”. Think about what kind of justifications/excuses a person may come up with for eating this food. Find Daniel 1 Sermon Illustrations, browse preaching ideas and sermon stories on Daniel 1 These were not to be prisoners. Some include pigs eels, ravens, camels, and bats. God can and wants to use us for His glory and the good of those around us in our suffering. And we’re all in it for the same reason—to fuel the church’s mission of making disciples. Your life is in their hands. The world desperately needs believers like Daniel, believers who will refuse to give in to peer pressure. Even in the face of overwhelming pressure, he stood on the truth and wouldn’t budge. God was going to use a 70 year exile as punishment for the Jews. I am sure he knew that the potential consequence of disobedience is death. It’s only food. Supernatural or natural explanation? The Babylonian kingdom was vast and they needed people like this to serve as sub-rulers over their people and areas, administrative puppets if you will. Maybe He isn’t real or maybe I don’t need to serve Him anymore. On the other side we see a teenage boy. Conclusion: We live in a dark and pagan world much like Daniel did. He is far from home. Daniel 1:6-7: Names Changed for Reasons of Religion: F. W. Farrar. While they would speak Judean and understand its culture, the hope was that they would be loyal to Babylon and faithfully serve its king. Wipe out all vestiges of their past belief and practice by giving them new names. They were not thrown in jail. Both of these things were external and neither was technically forbidden in the Mosaic law. Is anyone pressuring you to do something you know you shouldn’t? All Sermons Illustrations. Daniel and his companions are great reminders of how we can remain holy, even in times of distress, pain, and suffering. Though the geographical location of God's people changed, by being exiled to Babylon, their calling to remain pure and holy did not. Longman says, "Their robust appearance, usually attained by a rich fare of meats and wine, is miraculously achieved through a diet of vegetables. Does anything to come to mind? God raised them up for the purpose of disciplining Judah and once their purpose had been complete, tore them down again. Related Media. But we must not think that God was uninvolved or passive in all these events. But today you have a choice. Jesus told his disciples that they must be willing to bear their cross. Being bold and truthful and full of integrity often times brings more results long term. Shadrach – From The Lord is gracious to Command of Aku, Meshach – From who is like the Lord to who is what Aku is, Abed-nego – From the Lord is my helper to servant of nebo. Find Daniel 1:1 Sermon Illustrations, browse preaching ideas and sermon stories on Daniel 1:1 3-Week Series for the New Year Sermon Central Only by trusting and treasuring him can we be holy in our times of suffering and exile. Sign up for our newsletter to receive your free Bible study E-book of Hebrews. I'm so glad you're here for the beginning of our new message series, Thrive. Form is being submitted, please wait a bit. Sometimes persecution or trouble will still come. Think about what kind of justifications/excuses a person may come up with for eating this food. Being holy during suffering and pain often means seeking the good of others. Instead she immediately quit. He lived in a dark and pagan culture that had no respect for God. But when they ask the Colonel what he will do, he simply says, "Start preparing for the next war.". We should try to stand firmly on the word of God without offending others. Free shipping on books, Bibles, gifts, VBS, and church supplies of $50 or more. It may cost you a relationship. To violate a conviction would be a sin. In order to interpret Nebuchadnezzar’s behavior correctly, we need to understand the link between the physical image that Nebuchadnezzar built and the image he saw in his dream in Daniel 2:1-49. 8:28). Over 50,000 words of in depth discovery questions, teaching points, and applications cover each chapter in 23 lessons. Can you propose a test to compare your solution with another solution? Resolve before God right now that you will not give in. It affected the lives of others! When one war ends, another rises to take its place. You're going to be here tonight on the very first sermon in the book of Daniel; we're in Daniel chapter one tonight, and we've entitled this simple series of studies just Daniel, the Man, the Myth, and the Message. What a powerful statement this is. Want to get in touch? She did not try hard to talk with the bosses and pursue a solution that would be acceptable to both sides. Perhaps in the past you gave in. The book of Daniel is clear, as is the rest of the Bible, that God is sovereign over all things. Hebrews reminds us to glance at the example of men like Daniel (11:33). The Proclamation (2:24-30) (1) Daniel’s Testimony Verse 24 Yet again we can see the type of person Daniel was. This tells us two things. He did not even object to his name change. (Daniel 1:15-16) looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. Even Daniel wasn’t alone. Please use these sermons as the Lord leads, but nothing on this site may be used for profit without my expressed, written permission! You didn’t answer my request. A conviction is not something that you discover, it is something that you purpose in your heart (cf. For the next several weeks, we're going to be working our way through one of the most interesting books in the Bible, the book of Daniel. It’s not really that big of a deal. But somehow, they suddenly popped almost out of nowhere to take over much of the known world. The negative is that the Christian employee will not blindly obey everything, even sinful things he his asked to do. And when he is faced with a temptation, he draws a line in his mind, and resolves himself that he will not cross it. They had proven their obedience to God in this “little thing” in front of some low ranking officials. We too live in a society like this. God is not honored. So we see in verse 18-20 that they have an audience with the king. A group of Judean youths were taken. To End All Wars is the true story of a group of Allied prisoners in a Japanese labor camp during World War II. Application: Suffering reveals our functional hope and trust. H.T. One compromise would have led to another and would have led to another and Daniel would have been just one more of the flattering, manipulation wise men we will see around the king’s court later in this book. 105:17). Davies : Daniel 1:3-21: Moral Heroism: H.T. On the one side, you have the might and strength of the most powerful empire in the world. So generally it was a very successful strategy. Once I get to power, I can use my influence for Him. Was this an easy decision for Daniel? Later in this book we will see that Daniel was a very good official for the king and helped the kingdom. We see clearly how we often run to the wrong things to find security, refuge, and comfort. However, Judah did not listen. Daniel. The employee who loves Jesus most may not be a slave of his work and work as much overtime as others. He gives them great skill and knowledge and wisdom. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. The key to this passage is found in the very first verse: “But Daniel resolved …” The King James Version says, “But Daniel purposed in his heart.” Another translation says he “made up his mind.” Everything else flows from this. While wine was not expressly forbidden it was warned against in Proverbs 23:31-35. Both of these things were external and neither was technically forbidden in the Mosaic law. The way out may not be easy. In Leviticus 11:4-20 there is a list of foods which were unlawful for Jews to eat. Conclusion: We live in a dark and pagan world much like Daniel did. Although he made up his mind, he didn’t just flaunt it in the official’s face and arrogantly declare that he wasn’t going to do it. There is great pressure to conform and be like everyone else. We must turn our eyes on the greater Daniel and gaze upon Him (Heb. Download a free PDF manuscript of this sermon. God is not honored. Temptations and sin are on every side. Only God was his refuge and rock. We Christians in our war against sin, the world, and the devil, experience something similar. We always have a choice. Give them good food and tempt them with the riches and power that could be theirs. Preaching Today provides pastors and preachers sermon prep help with sermon illustrations, sermons, sermon ideas, and preaching articles. Give them a free education, teach them, train them; make them feel indebted. 39:28). A follower of Jesus makes a good employee. Believers who will make up their minds and resolve in their hearts that they will not do the same sinful thing as those around them. The below sermon on Daniel 1 teaches us to resolve not to compromise. Daniel and his friends were to be trained in the ways of Babylon for three years and then enter the king's service. Even the sufferings that His people experience are simply tools in His loving hand to bring about good. But Daniel is about the exile period. Share several ways in which the world tries to conform us into its mold. This plan was well thought and well executed and normally must have worked to perfection. The spiritual justification – God must have brought me here for a reason. Their downfall was equally fast. It is not based on his own opinion. We can trust that He has not utterly abandoned us. But this transformation could not be achieved overnight. Sermon Illustrations; Common Lectionary; Contributors; Articles. And because of that they would have many more opportunities to use their gifts and talents to serve God in kingdom altering events in front of the king of this empire. These notes can be helpful for individual study of the Word or for small group Bible studies. Why do you think they looked healthier after only ten days? You are alone in a foreign country. Are you listening? These notes can be helpful for individual study of the Word or for small group Bible studies. The story of Joseph in Egypt is a glorious picture of seeing God's hand in suffering. You've got your Bibles tonight. It then blessed the rest of the young men under the care of the steward 2. And they are very good socially. “I quit” should be the last choice, not the first. Browse Sermons on Daniel 1. What a powerful statement this is. He is lonely. I am sure he knew that the potential consequence of disobedience is death. Perhaps in the past you gave in. Later in chapter 3 all of the other officials in the kingdom do bow down and worship the idol Nebuchadnezzar sets up. Even while in exile, God expected the people of Israel to be His set-apart nation (Jer. We see the might and strategies of the Babylonian ruler on one side. Supernatural or natural explanation? For decades prophets had been warning Judah that God was going to punish her for her gross sins and rebellion against the Lord. If they won’t listen to reason, we still do what is right even if that is offensive. Each time she said that the boss wanted her to do something that went against her conscience. This policy would not have only been applied to these young Jews, but to all captives they hoped to press in to service. They have all the power and you have none. You will receive our practical and in-depth Bible study of Hebrews in .epub and .pdf versions delivered to your inbox. You can be bold and firm in your convictions without being prideful. Remove them from their own authorities and positive influences. Daniel, though in a foreign and strange land, never lost sight of the one true God. Wisdom – He proposed a test. But amazingly, doing what seemed like political suicide from man’s perspective actually brought about power and political position. We learn that they were physically and mentally the cream of the crop. - Dan 1: 17-20 a. Have any of you ever seen the movie “Flywheel?” It is made by the same people who produced “Fireproof” “Courageous” and “Prayer room.” Briefly share the story of the employee who was promoted because of his trustworthiness. He was commanded to eat this food. We studied the book of Ezra before and that is the story of the return to Jerusalem. When the world wants us to wrong too often we simply just give up and do it or flaunt it in their face. The Bible says that He who is faithful in a little thing is also faithful in much. You are the church, and Lifeway is here to serve you with biblical resources for everything life brings your way. Customer Service Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CT Monday - Friday Phone: 1-800-458-2772. Materialism as an aspect of sin. But if you resolve yourself and persevere to find it, God will lead you to it. God’s Word clearly forbid him from eating this food and therefore he resolved not to. Is there a creative way to solve the problem? Many people would say, “I have to do it.” “I have no choice.” There is no choice, right? The below sermon on Daniel 1 teaches us to resolve not to compromise. We always have a choice. While wine was not expressly forbidden it was warned against in Proverbs 23:31-35. Sure, this will not “work” every time. The education system was brainwashing people to believe in lies instead of the truth from God. You are alone in a foreign country. And power that could be theirs my name, email, and preaching Articles Wars is the only way get... Use cookies to process information about your visit so he didn ’ t fit in, teach... First foot going down the literary design of the truth of God has been exchanged a! Test to compare your solution with another solution, many problems will solved. Imagine for a moment that you will not cheat the company either no pressure cause. Neither was technically forbidden in the past you have none his asked to something!: F. W. 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