Consistent Faith in Challenging Circumstances
Uncertain - The Church During Difficult Times Series • Sermon • Submitted
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· 89 viewsIn exile Daniel never lost hope in God’s plan for his people and his provision in both prosperity and persecution.
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
I want to talk to you from the topic of “Consistent Faith in Challenging Circumstances.”
“Consistent Faith in Challenging Circumstances.”
Story is told about a large jetliner was taking passengers to their destination when they went through some terrible turbulence. The plane went up and down, shaking and losing altitude. Everyone on the plane was hollering and screaming, except a little girl who sat directly behind the cockpit.
When everything returned to normal a lady sitting next to the little girl leaned over and said, “I’m impressed by your calmness. Everybody else on the plane was really upset, but you sat there as if everything was alright.
Why were you so calm?” The little girl replied, “I wasn’t afraid because my daddy is flying the plane and he promised me we would make it home safely.
You see when your Daddy’s the pilot and he promised to get you home, you just trust him at his word.
Can I tell you today that my Daddy is in control. My Father who art in Heaven can do anything but fail is in control of this current situation.
He said I am the Lord and I change not...
Daniel was a man who possessed a consistent faith.
Daniel was a man who possessed a consistent faith. Daniel is a man who lived this kind of consistent live all the days he lived. As a young man he was separated, . As a middle aged man, he was sold out, . Even as an older man, he was surrendered, . As we watch Daniel face and weather this great trial of faith, there are just a few lessons I would like to point out concerning the power of a consistent faith.
Daniel is a man who lived this kind of consistent faith all the days he lived.
Daniel was a Hebrew in exile during the time of Babylonian captivity.
As a young man he was separated, He, along with other young Hebrew men, was taken from Israel to Babylon to be trained as scholars and servants for the Babylonian empire ().
with other young Hebrew men, was taken from Israel to Babylon to be trained as
As a middle aged man, he was sold out, .
scholars and servants for the Babylonian empire (). As a middle aged man, he was sold out, . Even as an older man, he was surrendered, . As we watch Daniel face and weather this great trial of faith, there are just a few lessons I would like to point out concerning the power of a consistent faith.
Even as an older man, he was surrendered, .
Daniel rose in the ranks in the king’s court and eventually had great influence with the Babylonian king.
Daniel rose in
Daniel is noted for interpreting dreams (2:24) and being a man of God even in the worst of persecutions (6:1–28).
the ranks in the king’s court and eventually had great influence with the
Babylonian king. Daniel is noted for interpreting dreams (2:24) and being a man
As we watch Daniel face and weather this great trial of faith, there are just a few lessons I would like to point out concerning the power of a consistent faith.
Through all of this we will see Daniel face and weather this great trial of faith.
of God even in the worst of persecutions (6:1–28).As we watch Daniel face and weather this great trial of faith, there are just a few lessons I would like to point out concerning the power of a consistent faith.
What we can learn from Daniel teaches us that it is consistency that pays off.
Friend,
it isn’t all about how you start the race, though that is very important,
or about how you finish, though that is also important.
God is interested in our running faithfully all the way, .
I. Consistent Faith will be Tested
I. Consistent Faith will be Tested
12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
V. 3 Daniel is being Developed - Daniel was already a great man, God wanted to develop him even further.
Your trials are never meant to destroy you, only to grow you! (; )
Daniel
3 Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.
b. He was being Developed for more RESPONSIBILITY (Ability to Respond)
2. V. 25-28 The Savior Is Celebrated - Because of Daniel’s trial, God received glory and honor! As the trials of life come against us and we stand faithful in spite of the trial, God is honored by the faith of His people. (Ill. 3 Hebrews, David and Goliath; Stephen; Paul)
V. 25-28 The Savior Is Celebrated - Because of Daniel’s trial, God received glory and honor!
As the trials of life come against us and we stand faithful in spite of the trial, God is honored by the faith of His people.
V. 4-5 The Sinner Is Convicted - These men were disturbed by Daniel’s faith. They knew that he possessed something that they did not have. As the world watches a believer walk through the lion’s den, they can see faith at work. Truly, it touches their hearts. (; Ill. Believers are living epistles - ) Don’t think for a minute that the world does not see your peace, your actions and the help you are receiving from the Lord!
V. 4-5 The Hater Hate - These men were disturbed by Daniel’s faith. They knew that he possessed something that they did not have.
As the world watches a believer walk through the lion’s den, they can see faith at work.
Truly, it touches their hearts. (; Ill. Believers are living epistles.
Don’t think for a minute that the world does not see your peace, your actions and the help you are receiving from the Lord!
) Don’t think for a minute that the world does not see your peace, your actions and the help you are receiving from the Lord!
2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
II. Consistent Faith will Testify
II. Consistent Faith will Testify
) Don’t think for a minute that the world does not see your peace, your actions and the help you are receiving from the Lord!
Sometimes the testimony of faith under trial is louder than a testimony of words.
V. 10-11 It Testifies To Its Foes - Daniel did not alter his ways, even to appease the king. He remained consistent in spite of the danger, the pressure to conform and even the command of the king.
When you stand for Him, He will stand with you,
22 Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee:
He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
.)
V. 14-20 It Testifies To Its Friends - Daniel’s faith had made an impact on the king.
Even he believed that the Lord could get Daniel through the trial.
When faith is exercised consistently, it has the power to move those who know us to consider the Lord for themselves!
V. 10 It Testifies To Its Focus - Daniel stayed the course for God knowing that he had no one to please but God.
When a person walks faithfully with the Lord in spite of the problems and temptations that surround him, he makes a bold statement about where the focus of his life really is.
The believer who possesses a consistent faith does not try to live to please everyone; he just lives to please God. His primary concern in the glory of God.
III. Consistent Faith will Triumph
III. Consistent Faith will Triumph
Daniel’s faith gave him the victory, and your faith will do the same for you.
Over Every Adversity - Daniel’s faith in God allowed him to enjoy victory over the Den of Lions, the Danger, the Dark, King Darius, his Detractors, and even over himself. His faith carried him through the trial.
Daniel learned what every saint can learn: God will either get you out of your trial, or He will give you grace in your trial! (Ill. What He doesn’t take away, He makes a way to take!)
Faith can still part your sea, fill your barrel, walk on your storm, and multiply your loaves and fishes. Faith still guarantees the victory for the child of God - “all things are possible to him that believeth”, .
(Ill. Faith can still part your sea, fill your barrel, walk on your storm, and multiply your loaves and fishes. Faith still guarantees the victory for the child of God - “all things are possible to him that believeth”, .)
Over Every Adversary - Daniel’s faith enabled him to see the lions lose their lunch and his enemies lose their lives. He saw every adversary defeated!