Serving God In Babylon (Part 2, Sheep Among The Wolves)
Sheep Among The Wolves • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction
Introduction
Text: ;
Title: Serving God in Babylon
Series: Sheep Among The Wolves (Part 2)
Background
Background
Babylon
Babylon was the greatest kingdom on earth from 750 BC to aroung 537 BC.
It was also a most religious kingdom
Babylon represents the religious world today in all its splendor and power.
Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah
These young men from Judah belonged to the descendants of kings and nobles who were brought captive to Babylon
They were to be trained in the language and literature of the Chaldeans
They were to be trained for 3 years, go through examination and serve before the king in the palace
They were to be trained together other captives from other nations.
Daniel made a commitment that he will not defile himself with Babylonian stuff.
Captives from other nations must have been struck by the grandeur of Babylon - its wealth, beauty, military power, religion
Most captives must have surrendered completely and yielded their lives to the power and influence of Babylon
But Daniel refused to abserobed by Babylon!
Main Point
Main Point
There are situations in life wherein we are forced by circumstances, by needs, to live with and among Babylonians. If Daniel can make a commitment in his heart to continue to serve God right in the midst Babylon, we can, and we should, as God’s people in the world.
in school (students)
in work (adults, workers)
in the community (families)
Sermon Points
Sermon Points
What can we learn from this account?
The enemy’s Plan
Daniel’s Purpose
God’s Providence
The Enemy’s Plan: Enslave God’s People
The Enemy’s Plan: Enslave God’s People
3 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,
4 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.
5 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.
Daniel 1.3-
they chose men of noble and kingly descent
they chose young men who were without blemish, good-looking, gifted and knowledgeable
they were chosen to become servants to the king of Babylon
the apex of conquering another king is allowing the royal family to live as slaves to the king, and making them forget their own kingdom by way of education and training
Satan - the king of Babylon - wants to make slaves out of God’s people
he wants us to serve him in his kingdom
Jesus was offered the world -
he wants us to be absorbed by the Babyolnian system so we can forget our origin
Satan wants to use the beauty, wisdom and intelligence of God’s children for his evil kingdom!
Story - a father was deciding what to do with his children. He instructed his smart kids to pursue careers in medicine, engineering, education. Then he said to his one child who not smart in school: become a pastor.
Daniel and his 3 friends were selected to become slaves in Nebuchadnezzar’s court. But things did not turn out as the king had planned.
Daniel’s Purpose: Remain Undefiled by Babylon
Daniel’s Purpose: Remain Undefiled by Babylon
8 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.
Daniel 1.8
Despite the unfavorable situation, Daniel had made a commitment to remain in covenant with God.
Daniel refused to be corrupted or defiled with the tempting offers of Babylon.
Our covenant with God should not be affected by the changing circumstances in life.
Job did not change his faith in God -
Our life does not have to be influenced by Babylon, even if we are inside Babylon.
Set your heart to abide with God’s covenant
Refuse to be touched by the things of the world
- in the world, but not of the world
When you make a commitment, prepare yourself for the challenge.
Daniel set a 10-day challenge - who will be healthier among their peers
who will be healthier
Daniel listened and learn from Men of God in his day
See this Timeline
650 - 612 BC - prophetic career of Nahum
621 BC - Daniel was born
605 BC - Daniel was brought captive to Babylon
612 - 589 - prophetic career of Habakkuk
627 BC - 588 BC - Jeremiah’s prophetic career
Prophet Jeremiah was going in and out of the cities of Judah proclaiming the word of God:
before captivity - do not resist the army of Babylon, and you live
during the captivity - the captivity is long (70 years), build houses and dwell in them
promise after 70 years - i will bring back my people from captivity
God’s Providence: God gave them favor before the Chaldeans, and wisdom above their peers
God’s Providence: God gave them favor before the Chaldeans, and wisdom above their peers
9 Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs.
Daniel 1.
Because Daniel set his heart to remain pure and committed to God’s covenant, God rewarded them with favor before the chaldeans
this favor made a way for Daniel to set the challenge
17 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.
Daniel 1.16
these knowledge and understanding in visions and dreams brought Daniel though the 70 years of captivity and beyond!
God’s providence rewards the faithfulness of His children.
18 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.
19 Then the king interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king.
20 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.
Daniel 1.18-20
Daniel set the 10-day challenge, God rewarded him by making them 10 times better than all the wise men in Babylon!
God’s divine providence will continue and abide in your life for as long as you remain faithful to God’s covenant in your life!
Daniel experienced God’s divine providence throughout his life
- Daniel saved the lives of wise men of Babylon when he revealed the king’s dream and interpreted itsa meaning.
- Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah were saved from the fire when they refused to bow down to an image made by the king
- Daniel was saved from the lions because he continued his habit of prayer to God despite the threats of his enemies.
every time Daniel experienced God’s providence, God himself was exalted.
The ultimate result of God’s providence is that God Himself is exalted in our lives!
46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, prostrate before Daniel, and commanded that they should present an offering and incense to him.
47 The king answered Daniel, and said, “Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret.”
Daniel 2.46-47
29 Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, or language which speaks anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made an ash heap; because there is no other God who can deliver like this.”
Daniel 3.29
Daniel 6.26-27
26 I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God, And steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, And His dominion shall endure to the end.
27 He delivers and rescues, And He works signs and wonders In heaven and on earth, Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Don’t let go of God’s covenant in your life!
Refuse to be aboserbed by the system of babylon!
Fight for your right to live your faith and express your beliefs - in school or in your workplace.
If you have compromised your faith for the sake of peace among your co-workers, or classmates, it is not too late to make a change!
Renew your covenant with God.
Ask God for wisdom in dealing with peer pressures at work or in school.
We are sons and daughters of God!
We will not become slaves in Satan’s kingdom!
We will not be absorbed into the system of Babylon!
SONG - I Will Be An Overcomer