Real Life/Real Faith - Sermon 8
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Prayer Over Fear
Prayer Over Fear
Text: Daniel 6
Text: Daniel 6
Introduction
Introduction
A lot has happened since we visited the account of the three Hebrew men who were cast into the fiery furnace. Nebuchadnezzar finally came to truly accept Jehovah as the one true and preeminent God. This came following losing his mind for a short time and becoming like an animal in the field.
Daniel 4:25 “25 That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.”
Daniel 4:34-37 “34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: 35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? 36 At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellers and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me. 37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.”
The kingdom had been taken from Nebuchadnezzar and was given to his son Belshazzar. His son was negligent to retain what his father had taught him. He reigned as a pagan king. He viewed Jehovah as just another god.
God then allowed Belshazzar’s life to be taken and the kingdom to be handed over to Darius the Median. This king highly favored Daniel so much so that he not only was he one of the first presidents (high official) he was considering setting him over the whole real.
1) The Plot Of The Enemy
1) The Plot Of The Enemy
The enemy always has a plot for his target; to destroy your life and testimony.
The world (society at large) is never thrilled for a Christ follower to succeed, treated fairly or granted tolerance.
They will go at great lengths to dig something up about your past or create a false narrative to cast doubt on your integrity.
This is exactly what was happening here with these men.
Ask yourself, “Why did these guys have to go to so much trouble to bring Daniel down.”
Their motivation was covetousness.
They had such strong covetousness due to the fact they did not want to answer to someone who lived by a faith contrary to theirs.
Question: Has Daniel ever tried to force or penalize anyone who did not worship the God he worshiped? NO NO NO.
He live out his faith OPENLY but did not live out his faith as a bully.
The tolerance they would not afford Daniel, was the tolerance they would demand. Even if it took killing Daniel!!!
Listen, the enemy will always find a way to bring persecution to you because of your faith.
Your faith threatens his agenda; blinding hearts and deafening ears.
1 Peter 5:8 “8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”
2) The Prayer Of The Saint
2) The Prayer Of The Saint
NOTICE VERSE 10
NOTICE VERSE 10
Notice Daniel’s response; he went home.
Why was home so significant?…..It was his favorite place to meet with God.
What we learn here is the fact that Daniel was not taking this moment to create a new routine.
The king will say himself in verse 16 “...Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.”
A time of solitary prayer to Jehovah was as much part of the fabric of his life as breathing was.
This gives us some insight of how Daniel viewed prayer: (give details)
He was not moved to pray by fear of man. He was moved to pray due to his love and fear of Jehovah.
His pattern of prayer speaks to Whom he relied on for everything; God is sovereign.
This time of prayer was not received by God as a last resort for Daniel.
Not one person could rightly accuse Daniel of being motivated by rebellion due to prayer being a life long practice.
Quote: “Our prayers cannot stretch to the limits of what God is able to do.” (Sinclair Ferguson)
3) The Power Of God
3) The Power Of God
NOTICE VERSE 17
NOTICE VERSE 17
There is a two fold appreciation for the king:
He openly spoke of the power of Jehovah.
He openly acted as if he wasn’t completely sure in Jehovah’s power.
The king will shout to Daniel after removing the stone, (v20) “...O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?”
Don’t forget this important detail.
When they threw Daniel in and when they came to remove the stone, the “purpose” for which he was throne in the lions den would not be questionable.
What was the purpose? This is what happens to those who put God before the king’s decrees.
In other words, this is what happens to you when you choose to put God first, worship Him, go against authority when it collides with your faith.
Here is the awesome thing that happens. It may have struck fear and worship of man in the hearts of people at the beginning, but at the end, God was the one who was feared and worshiped!!!
We should never grow faint in our faith when things may appear bleak. Trust God in the lions den!
To be cast down today by man because of your faith, is for them to be cast down tomorrow by God.
NOTICE VERSES 22-23
NOTICE VERSES 22-23
FIRST — Daniel gives all the credit and glory to God.
SECOND — Daniel speaks to why there was favor on his life.
Daniel is saying that God knew the depth of his heart outside the lions den.
Daniel also said that the Darius knew his conduct toward him.
With Daniel’s life before the king of Heaven and the king of Persia, he stood innocent.
LISTEN — The enemy may accuse you, but don’t fret, God KNOWS YOU!!!
4) The Punishment Of God
4) The Punishment Of God
Not one time did Daniel have to get his hands dirty in order for justice to be served.
Daniel never compromised his holiness just to get even!
Christian, nothing is worth sacrificing your holiness!
You are holy because God is holy.
Living with holiness is the very that reveals to man that they are NOT!
All unholy people must be made holy! One day they will stand before perfect holiness and judgment will be declared.
Gal. 5:1 “1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”
Conclusion
Conclusion
Read verses 25-28