Rock Family Church of Morgantown WV
Truth Be Told 8 - The Daniel Example 1
  • Theme: Godly convictions lead to godly promotions
    Daniel’s convictions during times of persecution allowed him to prophecy the birth of the Messiah
    Even though he was a refugee in a hostile foreign land, the prophet Daniel’s godly convictions enabled him help people through prophecy, both in his day and far into the future.
    Daniel 1:1–6 (NLT)
    Daniel 1:1–6 NLT
    1 During the third year of King Jehoiakim’s reign in Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 The Lord gave him victory over King Jehoiakim of Judah and permitted him to take some of the sacred objects from the Temple of God. So Nebuchadnezzar took them back to the land of Babylonia and placed them in the treasure-house of his god. 3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, his chief of staff, to bring to the palace some of the young men of Judah’s royal family and other noble families, who had been brought to Babylon as captives. 4 “Select only strong, healthy, and good-looking young men,” he said. “Make sure they are well versed in every branch of learning, are gifted with knowledge and good judgment, and are suited to serve in the royal palace. Train these young men in the language and literature of Babylon.” 5 The king assigned them a daily ration of food and wine from his own kitchens. They were to be trained for three years, and then they would enter the royal service. 6 Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were four of the young men chosen, all from the tribe of Judah.
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    1 – Daniel’s Conviction led to Messiah’s PROTECTION

    How?
    Where: Babylon – famous for the tower of confused languages
    Why: captivity = sin
    · Israel continued in rebellion to God despite years of warnings by the prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel.
    · Daniel was part of the first load of exiles to be force marched from his homeland Israel to the pagan nation of Babylon, even though he was innocent.

    Life Lesson: Conviction does what is right – even if everyone else does wrong

    Daniel was taken captive even though he stood FOR God. He was innocent and did right, yet suffered as if he did wrong.

    Conviction remains true to God – regardless

    · Conviction continues to do right when it sees no benefit.
    · During his captivity, Daniel had no natural motivation to live by godly convictions.
    · In fact, it looked as if his convictions were in vain, since he suffered the same fate as the rebellious.

    Conviction remains true to Self

    Refuses king’s name – 1:7
    Refuses kings food – 1:8 – resolved not to defile his body – veggies and water –
    Result of conviction = success even in hard times! – 1:9 –
    · favor with officials
    · looked better
    · knowledge, wisdom
    Daniel 1:17–21 (NLT)
    Daniel 2:17–18 NLT
    17 Then Daniel went home and told his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah what had happened. 18 He urged them to ask the God of heaven to show them his mercy by telling them the secret, so they would not be executed along with the other wise men of Babylon.
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    17 God gave these four young men an unusual aptitude for understanding every aspect of literature and wisdom. And God gave Daniel the special ability to interpret the meanings of visions and dreams.
    18 When the training period ordered by the king was completed, the chief of staff brought all the young men to King Nebuchadnezzar.

    Godly conviction leads to godly promotion

    Daniel 1:19 NLT
    19 The king talked with them, and no one impressed him as much as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they entered the royal service.
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    19 The king talked with them, and no one impressed him as much as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they entered the royal service.

    Godly conviction leads to godly education

    Daniel 1:20 NLT
    20 Whenever the king consulted them in any matter requiring wisdom and balanced judgment, he found them ten times more capable than any of the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom.
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    20 Whenever the king consulted them in any matter requiring wisdom and balanced judgment, he found them ten times more capable than any of the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom.
    Godly wisdom produces “WISE Men”
    · Daniel and his crew became “Wise Men”
    · Blessing bonus: Like the prophet Moses before them, God made the world PAY for His children’s education. A three-year degree came tuition free!
    Theory: Daniel and the other three “wise men” may have learned Chaldean astrology during their three years of Babylonian indoctrination. (Stars were messengers)
    21 Daniel remained in the royal service until the first year of the reign of King Cyrus.
    Test #2 - Nebs dream – Daniel chap 2
    What – Neb wanted the interpretation of a terrorizing dream
    When – 2nd year of Neb’s reign –
    · Daniel was still in training – only 1/3 finished with his “degree” before he faced his first test. A failing grade meant death.
    · No one could interpret – so the WISE MEN were all going to die – including Daniel
    Daniel 2:12 (NLT)
    dan 2 12
    Daniel 2:12 NLT
    12 The king was furious when he heard this, and he ordered that all the wise men of Babylon be executed.
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    12 The king was furious when he heard this, and he ordered that all the wise men of Babylon be executed.
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    Godly Convictions bring Godly BOLDNESS

    · Daniel approached the king to ask for time for HIM to interpret the dream (2:16)
    · Daniel risked his life to save others – including the heathen magicians
    · Such concern and compassion surely touched the heart of God
    · God would rememberand reward it

    Godly Convictions bring Godly FAVOR

    Daniel’s request for time was granted!

    Godly Convictions bring Godly Overflow

    As a result of Daniel’s boldness and favor, all the wise men were given a stay of execution
    Daniel pleads in prayer – for others!
    God ANSWERS Daniel and the “three”
    Daniel 2:19 NLT
    19 That night the secret was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven.
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    Daniel 2:19 (NLT)
    19 That night the secretwas revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven.
    Daniel’s WISDOM both DESCRIBES and INTERPRETS the king’s dream of a statue of the world’s empires, including his, that would be brought to an end by God himself and reign forever.

    Godly Conviction brings worship – by all

    Daniel 2:46–47 NLT
    46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar threw himself down before Daniel and worshiped him, and he commanded his people to offer sacrifices and burn sweet incense before him. 47 The king said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is the greatest of gods, the Lord over kings, a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this secret.”
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    Conviction is not MOTIVATED by reward

    · Even though conviction is ultimately rewarded.
    Daniel 2:48–49 NLT
    48 Then the king appointed Daniel to a high position and gave him many valuable gifts. He made Daniel ruler over the whole province of Babylon, as well as chief over all his wise men. 49 At Daniel’s request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be in charge of all the affairs of the province of Babylon, while Daniel remained in the king’s court.
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    Daniel 2:48–49 (NLT)
    48 Then the king appointedDaniel to a high position and gave him many valuable gifts. He made Daniel ruler over the whole province of Babylon, as well as chief over all his wise men.
    · This is where the wise men of Jesus day got their gifts – Babylon!
    · sages handed down through the ages!
    · The wealth of the wicked is laid up for the just.
    49 At Daniel’s request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be in charge of all the affairs of the province of Babylon, while Daniel remained in the king’s court.
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    Fiery furnace – chap 3
    Command to bow
    Daniel 3:5–6 NLT
    5 When you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments, bow to the ground to worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s gold statue. 6 Anyone who refuses to obey will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”
    Wise men refused
    Daniel 3:17–18 NLT
    17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18 But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”
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    True wise men are wise enough to trust their godly conviction, not their worldly position.
    Daniel 3:21 (NLT)
    21 So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully dressed in their pants, turbans, robes, and other garments.
    · Did not bow – did not burn
    · Conviction refused to comply with ungodliness – no matter the cost
    · Jesus was the fourth man in the fire!
    Result?
    · Deliverance – God’s people were delivered – unharmed – ropes burned off – didn’t smell like smoke – walked around with the Son of God!
    · Destruction - Enemies destroyed – those that came against God’s people died in the process – killed by the same fire that freed the Jews!
    · Declaration – Neb once again praised the Lord
    Daniel 3:28–30 NLT
    28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore, I make this decree: If any people, whatever their race or nation or language, speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they will be torn limb from limb, and their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble. There is no other god who can rescue like this!” 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to even higher positions in the province of Babylon.
    Dream of the tree cut down – chapter 4 – Neb worships God again
    Handwriting on wall – chap 5
    · Like his predecessor, he was scared by a vision
    · Daniel read the handwriting on the wall to Neb’s successor
    Daniel 5:29 (NLT)
    Daniel 5:29 NLT
    29 Then at Belshazzar’s command, Daniel was dressed in purple robes, a gold chain was hung around his neck, and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in the kingdom.
    29 Then at Belshazzar’s command, Daniel was dressed in purple robes, a gold chain was hung around his neck, and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in the kingdom.
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    Lion’s den – chap 6
    Daniel 6:1–3 (NLT)
    Daniel 6:1–3 NLT
    1 Darius the Mede decided to divide the kingdom into 120 provinces, and he appointed a high officer to rule over each province. 2 The king also chose Daniel and two others as administrators to supervise the high officers and protect the king’s interests. 3 Daniel soon proved himself more capable than all the other administrators and high officers. Because of Daniel’s great ability, the king made plans to place him over the entire empire.
    1 Darius the Mede decided to divide the kingdom into 120 provinces, and he appointed a high officer to rule over each province.
    2 The king also chose Daniel and two others as administrators to supervise the high officers and protect the king’s interests.
    3 Daniel soon proved himself more capable than all the other administrators and high officers. Because of Daniel’s great ability, the king made plans to place him over the entire empire.
    · The prophet Daniel was a man of strong godly convictions.
    · He continued to pray to God even after a law forbidding prayer was issued by the government, by King Nebuchadnezzar himself.
    · In essence, his conviction said “I will pray no matter what you say, and I will not bow and I will not burn.”
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    Daniel 6:10 (NLT)
    Daniel 6:10 NLT
    10 But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.
    10 But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.
    · Did Not Bow, Did Not “Burn”
    · As a result, God protected Daniel IN the lion’s den.

    Life Lesson: God protects those who protect Him

    Once again:
    · Godly delivered FROM danger
    · Ungodly delivered TO danger – destroyed
    · King praises God
    · Promoted
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    The result was the king of Darius’ confession that the Lord was God and fed Daniel’s enemies to the lions!
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    Conviction’s Reward = Heathen converted - see God’s hand of deliverance on you

    Neb converted when Daniel was delivered
    · Daniel did not bow
    · Daniel did not burn - but the ungodly king turned

    Life Lesson: God respects those who respect Him

    Daniel 6:25–28 (NLT)
    Daniel 6:25–28 NLT
    25 Then King Darius sent this message to the people of every race and nation and language throughout the world: “Peace and prosperity to you! 26 “I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel. For he is the living God, and he will endure forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed, and his rule will never end. 27 He rescues and saves his people; he performs miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” 28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
    25 Then King Darius sent this message to the people of every race and nation and language throughout the world: “Peace and prosperity to you!
    26 “I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel. For he is the living God, and he will endure forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed, and his rule will never end.
    27 He rescues and saves his people; he performs miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”
    28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
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    Life Lesson: Enemies come and go, but the godly stay and reign!

    Daniel never returned home.
    But he successfully reigned in power and authority over the course of four empires.
    · Nebuchadnezzar the Babylonian
    · Belshazzar
    · Darius the Mede
    · Cyrus the Persian
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    Reward of Conviction = Increased Revelation

    · saw today (baker)
    · saw Tomorrow – Messiah’s birth – who preaches the Kingdom
    · saw end times – Messiah’s return (Rock breaks Statue, who establishes (or presents) the everlasting Kingdom
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    Tradition holds that Daniel’s influence was so strong that he became the forerunner of the three Wise Men who blessed the Messiah. Even King Herod feared them greatly for they were widely known as “the King Makers” even many generations after Daniel’s death.
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    Jesus factor
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    Personal application – Call to action
    Follow the leader – like Daniel, May our convictions last for generations.
    Defend the Gospel –
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      • Daniel 1:1–6NLT

      • Daniel 2:17–18NLT

      • Daniel 1:19NLT

      • Daniel 1:20NLT

      • Daniel 2:12NLT

      • Daniel 2:19NLT

      • Daniel 2:46–47NLT

      • Daniel 2:48–49NLT

      • Daniel 3:5–6NLT

      • Daniel 3:17–18NLT

      • Daniel 3:28–30NLT

      • Daniel 5:29NLT

      • Daniel 6:1–3NLT

      • Daniel 6:10NLT

      • Daniel 6:25–28NLT

Rock Family Church of Morgantown WV
web@rockfamily.org
304-292-1128
https://rfcwva.faithlifesites.com
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