FAITH IN THE FIRE!: UNCOMPROMISING! Daniel 1:9-18
Faith in The Fire • Sermon • Submitted
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· 593 viewsDaniel refuses to compromise his beliefs in God.
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Compromise
Compromise
1 a: to come to agreement by mutual concession
b: to find or follow a way between extremes
2: to make a shameful or disreputable concession 〈wouldn’t compromise with their principles〉—com•pro•mis•er noun
People say they believe the Bible but stay in churches where it’s not taught.
People claim convictions about sin and convictions about punishment until that sin is committed by their children.
People say they must speak out about dishonesty and they must speak out about corruption until it refers to their boss and they might lose their job.
People have high moral standards until they’re released from the bondage of a holy conscious.
They enter into an unholy relationship and then begin to rationalize their compromise.
Compromises in the Bible
Compromises in the Bible
John MacArthur Sermon Archive (The Uncompromising Life)
Adam compromised God’s law, followed his wife’s sin and lost paradise.
Abraham compromised the truth, lied about Sarah and nearly lost his wife.
Sarah compromised God’s word, sent Abraham to Hagar who bore Ishmael and lost peace in the Middle East ever since.
Esau compromised for a meal with Jacob and lost his birthright; Saul compromised the divine word, kept the animals and lost the royal seed.
Aaron compromised his convictions about idolatry and he and the people lost the privilege of the Promised Land.
Samson compromised righteous devotion as a Nazarite with Delilah, lost his strength, lost his eyes and lost his life.Israel compromised the commands of the Lord, lived in sin and went fighting with the Philistines, lost God.
David compromised the divine moral standard and adulterated Bathsheba, murdered Uriah and lost his child.
Solomon compromised his convictions, married foreign wives and lost the whole kingdom. Ahab compromised married Jezebel and lost his throne. Israel compromised the law of God, entered the sin and idolatry and lost their homeland.
Peter compromised his convictions about Christ, denied him and lost his joy.
Peter compromised the truth of the one church for acceptance with the Judaizers and lost his liberty.
Annanias […] compromised their word about giving life to the Holy Spirit and lost their lives.
Judas compromised his opportunity and supposed love for Christ for 30 pieces of silver and forever lost his soul.
So Many Compromisers But There Will Always Be Some Men Who Will Not Compromise God’s Word!
So Many Compromisers But There Will Always Be Some Men Who Will Not Compromise God’s Word!
Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed Nego!
Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed Nego!
Recap!
Recap!
The Babylonians were a pagan nation whom God allowed his people to be conquered by because of their compromise.
And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the articles of the house of God, which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the articles into the treasure house of his god.
The Babylonians wanted some of the people of God to be acclimated into the kingdom.
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, 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.
The Babylonians wanted to change God’s people identity
Now from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. To them the chief of the eunuchs gave names: he gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abed-Nego.
Daniel refused to compromise
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 had Favor
Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs.
Favor with God Will Sometimes Bring Favor With Men
Favor with God Will Sometimes Bring Favor With Men
Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs.
When a man’s ways please the Lord,
He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
With Favor and Faith Comes Wisdom
With Favor and Faith Comes Wisdom
And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king.”
So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
“Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.
To explain God’s Word to the eunuch would have been futile!
Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.”
So Daniel to the practical approach that comes from God Word!
Righteousness brings confidence!
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.
He was not going to eat foods sacrificed to idols.
He was not going to eat foods that were forbidden to his people.
So he explained the health benefits that was also understood!
Sometimes you have to be able to explain the practical or applicable part of God’s Word!
So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days.
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
Daniel loves God and keeps his commandments and he knows that God is the rewarder of those who seek him diligently!
When you have faith in God you can function in the fire confidently!
Point 3
Point 3
And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies.
Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.
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.
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.
Then the king interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king.
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.
Thus Daniel continued until the first year of King Cyrus.
The King Has a Dream!
The King Has a Dream!
Now in the second year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; and his spirit was so troubled that his sleep left him.
Then the king gave the command to call the magicians, the astrologers, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans to tell the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king.
And the king said to them, “I have had a dream, and my spirit is anxious to know the dream.”
Then the Chaldeans spoke to the king in Aramaic, “O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will give the interpretation.”
The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, “My decision is firm: if you do not make known the dream to me, and its interpretation, you shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made an ash heap.
However, if you tell the dream and its interpretation, you shall receive from me gifts, rewards, and great honor. Therefore tell me the dream and its interpretation.”
They answered again and said, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will give its interpretation.”
Conclusion
Conclusion