“legend in his own time” nothing bad is written about daniel greatly beloved 9:23 10:11,19...

“Legend in his own time”

Nothing bad is written about Daniel Greatly beloved 9:23 10:11,19 Admired of men Example of righteousness - Ezek14:14

Noah and Job

Nebuchadnezzar - captives from JerusalemDaniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah

Ch.1

Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah

Nebuchadnezzar - captives from JerusalemDaniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah

Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, AbednegoChanged namesChanged diet

Food made a differenceProbably offered to one of their idol godsEating would be giving approval

10 Day trial of own food

Ch.1

Lessons1. Daniel was a man of strong resolution

Could have eaten and said nothing Never right to do wrong

If Tempted to drink or take drugs Strong Resolution “I will not do it”

One syllable “NO”

Ch.1

Lessons2. He Refused to Compromise

He Would not bend

People admire people of principle Wish they had the same fortitude “Fair-weather” faith - they bend

Courage, conviction

Ch.1

Chapter 3 - Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego Bow to Golden Image Penalty - cast into fiery furnace Refused Nebuchadnezzar gave them 1 more chance Furnace 7 times hotter than normal Cast into furnace Delivered by God

Lessons we can Learn1.Faith in the ability and willingness of God

“If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.” Dan. 3:17

God is able to deliver us from sin

Lessons we can Learn2. Faith in the Authority of God

“But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.”

Dan. 3:18

We will trust in GodHe knows what is best !

Lessons we can Learn3. Faith is confronted with a choice

Go with God or worship the king’s imageNebuchadnezzar would let them do both

Asked to compromise on moral issuesIf we leave God we will become unfaithful

Lessons we can Learn4. They had a committed Predisposition

Did not decide on that daySpiritual indecision is deadlyMake decisions about actions prior to factDoing good as well as doing bad

Gus Nichols

Darius – King of Medes and Persians

Daniel & two others in charge

Jealousy leads to plot

Decree – Offer prayer to Darius only - 30 days

Penalty – Den of lions

Ch.6

Lessons we can Learn1.Courage to do what was right

“The lions were not able to eat him because he had a backbone of iron”

He was committed to follow the course of serving God

“I may die, but I cannot be guilty of idolatry.”

Lessons we can Learn2. Daniel was a Man of Prayer

Prayer was a part of his lifeHe believed in God as the hearer of prayer.Dan. 6:10 He prayed as usual

He could have said he would wait for 30 daysThis way I can live longer and do more good

He was bold - not afraid to do what was right

Daniel - Shadrach - Meschach - Abednego

“For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” Rom. 15:4

Sermon by Arthur Pigman

Evans Church of Christ

515 Gibbs Road

Evans, Ga. 30809

706-855-1249

evanscoc@bellsouth.netevanscoc@bellsouth.net

www.evansgachurchofchrist.orgwww.evansgachurchofchrist.org

Sunday Evening Mar. 13, 2011