Sermon Tone Analysis

Daniel’s perusing of the Word

New time frame and a new order of things

Babylon is no more, the next movement of leadership has begun

what does this mean for the nation of Israel?

The significance of this event and why Daniel is looking to the scrolls of Jeremiah - Daniel looks to God’s Word for answers to a National/Worldwide Situation

God’s instruction to the nation who was about to be taken into captivity:

The new chapter has begun, Israel is supposed to be released, why are they still in captivity?

Something has to happen that has not yet happened

This sets the stage for the remainder of the chapter and Daniel’s prayer

Lesson for us: the simple complexity of humility

Comfort in sin

Arrogance of self

Blindness to grace

Daniel’s Prayer

Posture of humility: lead with the final statement: Daniel 9:15

Israel’s guilt

What the nation has done

We sinned, we didn’t listen, we’ve disobeyed, we’ve committed treachery, we’ve rebelled

Importance in the acknowledgement of responsibility before God

What does this posture do:

Rightly places the consequences of actions and results upon the perpetrator of the sin.

In this case it is Daniel approaching God on behalf of the nation.

As the representative Daniel is acknowledging the sins of the nation of Israel, those who had been richly blessed by God, set apart by God, and had rebelled against God

What the nation has received for it’s sin

we deserve shame, we’ve received great calamity, we’ve been dispersed, the curse of the oath of Moses has been poured out on them Leviticus 26:14-18 , “14 “But if you will not listen to me and will not do all these commandments, 15 if you spurn my statutes, and if your soul abhors my rules, so that you will not do all my commandments, but break my covenant, 16 then I will do this to you: I will visit you with panic, with wasting disease and fever that consume the eyes and make the heart ache.

And you shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it.

17 I will set my face against you, and you shall be struck down before your enemies.

Those who hate you shall rule over you, and you shall flee when none pursues you.

18 And if in spite of this you will not listen to me, then I will discipline you again sevenfold for your sins,”

How are the actions and consequences we see here, reflective of our experience?

we are shocked at school shootings…but why? what has our nation embraced over the course of time?

a nation that has denied the existence of God (if not in word certainly in deed); we have devalued life and those created in the image of God (whether it be through the murder of children in the womb as well as infanticide when an abortion fails and child is born), the calling for the death of those who oppose our points of view, euthanizing and giving credence for those who are tired of life; elevated lifestyles that are contrary to God’s design, and demonized those messengers that would point this out;

Elevated the self above the savior; denied our need for mercy; denied our need for forgiveness; all at the altar of self.

Yet we have the audacity to display outrage and sorrow while politicizing the death of children.

The words we as a nation speak are hollow and have no meaning.

They are empty pleas lacking humility and contriteness and submission to a Holy God.

We continue to exalt ourselves instead of humbling ourselves.

Crying out remove the guns, put more security in place, lock down the schools, all while at the same time denying our hearts are rotten and our lives betray the Glory of God and what He has given.

We are a nation in rebellion against God seeking relief from elected officials who are but men and women that have no authority other than that which God has given them.

If our hearts are rotten then it makes sense that God would bring us elected officials that are rotten.

The Nation receives the Leaders it deserves.

You see Daniel’s plea is one we would do well to recognize ourselves in.

We are a nation that has rebelled against God, we are a nation that in it’s own haughtiness and arrogance has seen fit to deny God and exalt self, we are a nation that in it’s refusal to turn to God in contriteness of heart will endure the consequences of our own depravity, and yet we have the audacity to blame others when we are confronted with the results of our rebellion.

Until we acknowledge our responsibility, we are on a train that is headed for destruction.

we must acknowledge our rebellion whilst acknowledging the authority and glory of God.

We do this both at a corporate level (meaning together) and at an individual level.

Humble yourself saint; Look to our savior for mercy and grace.

Exaltation of God

Great and awesome, keeps his covenants; sends His messengers to warn; owns righteousness, mercy, and forgiveness

Leads to the recognition of the need of God and His grace and mercy in our lives

what does it look like when we begin to live out this contrite heart and exaltation of God

A call to mission: Godly children in school (parents make your decision where you send your children in prayer):

Malachi and the Lesbian

Nolan and the suicidal teen

Why do we give out snow cones?

What happens when we engage and the outcome is changed hearts?

As a nation the expectation of honorable actions from leaders

In spite of us, exalt yourself through our deliverance vs 16-19

Continues with a contrite heart; seeks Glory for God not for self

What should we do in response to this?

“When you start to humanize your enemy, you will often get dehumanized by your community” Cassie Jaye