DANIEL: FAITHFULNESS
By Rev. Dr. Jerry Schmoyer jerry@schmoyer.net
http://india.christiantrainingonline.org/
INTRODUCTION
SPONGE – under pressure shows what is within!
Same true of believers
How do YOU respond to pressure, trials, pain, difficulties?
Trait of believer is that he is FAITHFUL under pressure
Anyone can follow when things going great, harder when
-at work -in marriage -with friends -with God!!!
YOU & ME also, out under pressure shows what we are inside
Don’t like pressure, avoid it, ask god to remove it
Necessary to SHOW OTHERS something different in us,
Pressure: opportunity to trust, stay faithful
What does God look for in us more than anything? FAITHFULNESS Not just when it is easy, also under pressure
1 Cor 4:2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.
WE focus on God being faithful to us when we need Him
Other times live as we like
Following Jesus means being faithful ALL THE TIME
Not just when its easy Especially so when its hard
That’s when what is in us shows! SPONGE
TRANSITION Daniel great example whole life!
1. DANIEL 14 – INTO CAPTIVITY
DAN 1:1-2= Taken into captivity
Family believers, name “God is my judge” = accountable to Him
FAMILY DEAD
Prayers for protection of self and family not answered
2. DANIEL 15 – STAND FOR BELIEFS
DAN 1:3-21 = Not eat king’s food
Small compromise, save life so could do more good for God
God not answer prayer to save family, Why stay faithful now?
Faithfulness starts: -young -with little things
Luke 16:10-12 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much …
It means willing to follow and obey God no matter conseq
-peer pressure -even death
Mark 8:35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it
CONVICTIONS IN LIFE – stood faithful for what he believed
3. DANIEL 18 – KINGS CRISIS
DAN 2:1-48 = CRISIS EXPERIENCE
King’s dream, no one can tell, all put to death
GREAT time to minister!– want to help king, others, not just self
Prayed with friends, God answered!
Statue, outline of history from then to when Jesus returns
4. DANIEL 20 – COURAGE
DAN 3:1-27 = IMAGE of Nebuchadnezzar to worship
JESUS the ONLY Way! Jn 14:7
HanAsMis into fiery furnace (Daniel gone)
God delivered, Neb gave credit to God
Be ready even to die for Jesus!
Acts 21:13 I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
COURAGE – to stand for faith – show what is inside SPONGE
TRANSITION Daniel faithful whole life long
FIREWORKS: great but short then over, like many bel
5. DANIEL’S VISION # 1 & 2 53 yrs old
Daniel 7 and 8 VISION: same as large image, but animals
again show history of world, then to end
Christian life a MARATHON, not series of 100 yard dashes
6. NEBUCHADNEZZAR HUMBLED 76
NEB: dream , great tree cut down! Daniel gave meaning/interp
Neb a bel but pride & self-centeredness ruled
Neb be humbled, cut down – Pride in way of submitting to God
lost mind, lived/ate like animal – 7 years
did humble self, restored by God (Grace) wrote trac
7. HANDWRITING ON THE WALL 86
BELSHAZZAR replaced father NEB as king of Bab
proud, mocked God – blasphemed God, utensils from Tab orgy
God wrote on wall – judgment coming
Only Daniel could interpret it! – Dan promoted, rewarded
DARIUS & Medo-Persia replaced Bab as world ruler
Daniel given high job by Darius
STAY FAITHFUL whole life – Always be ready to serve
Matt 24:45-46 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.
TRANSITION
Event Daniel best known for:
8. THE LION’S DEN 93 yrs old
DARIUS: proud, self-sufficient
tricked into signing law so only he worshipped
purpose: catch Daniel, execute, remove (couldn’t find sin)
DANIEL: faithful into praying to God, even if die
God protected in lion’s den – Enemies destroyed
PAUL willing to die for his faith
Acts 20:24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me — the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.
Don’t be surprised when believers have to stand for faith
God will bless and reward when we are faithful!
Rev 2:10 Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.
When facing these things just keep eyes on Jesus, let Him lead
Don’t fear, panic, etc – trust him all the more
Riding domkey into Grand Canyon on ledge, trust donkey
9. DANIEL’S VISION # 3 95yrs old
DANIEL praying (GREAT prayer life)
1. confession of sin of nation
2. thanksgiving/praise: God keeps His word, right, sov
3. intercession: for Jews to return to land
4. request for self: answer my prayer
ANSWER TO PRAYER (future of Jews?)
70 7-year periods (God sovereign over history)
Olivet Discourse, Revelation fill in details
CONCLUSION
Trials and pressures are to show our faithfulness
-example to others, like Daniel to Neb, Bel, others in country
Faithfull his whole life
JUST LIKE LPAUL
2 Tim 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
GUITAR, violin, tighten strings (painful) = best music
Careful, not to hurt but to help
1 Cor 4:2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.