“Having Impact During A Collision” Daniel: when those who trust God live in a culture that is opposed to God. How do we have an impact for the Kingdom of God? 3% of people in the average church congregation will go into occupational ministry. “Are we gonna talk about the lions?”

Jeremiah 29:4-7 Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon, “Build houses and live in them; and plant gardens, and eat their produce. Take wives and become the fathers of sons and daughters, and take wives for you sons and give you daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; and multiply there and do not decrease. And seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare”

Daniel 9:1-3 In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of Median descent, who was made king over the kingdom of the Chaldeans—in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, observed in the books the number of the years which was revealed as the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet for the completion of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years. So I gave my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.

Daniel 6:1-3 It seemed good to Darius to appoint 120 satraps over the kingdom, that they should be in charge of the whole kingdom, and over them three commissioners (of whom Daniel was one), that these satraps might be accountable to them, and that the king might not suffer loss. Then this Daniel began distinguishing himself among the commissioners and satraps because he possessed an extraordinary spirit, and the king planned to appoint him over the entire kingdom.

Daniel 6:4-5 Then the commissioners and satraps began trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel in regard to government affairs; but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, inasmuch as he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him. Then these men said, “We shall not find any ground of accusation against this Daniel unless we find it against him with regard to the law of his God.”

Daniel 6:6-8 Then these commissioners and satraps came by agreement to the king and spoke to him as follows: “King Darius, live forever! All the commissioners of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the high officials and the governors have consulted together that the king should establish a statute and enforce an injunction that anyone who makes a petition to any god or man besides you. O King, for thirty days, shall be cast into the loins den. Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document so that it may not be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked”.

What are these guys like? They are cunning, vicious, calculating, political, evil. They are driven by the pursuit of power, treasure, comfort. They are willing to risk and sacrifice for it.

Daniel 6:10-12 Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously. Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God. Then they approached and spoke before the king about the kings injunction…

What is Daniel like? He is obedient, trusting, skillful, has moral authority. He is driven by a calling….a mission. He is willing to sacrifice for it.

What are we like? Take inventory of our prayer requests and what we pray about. What we pray about reveals what we are passionate about. Are we attempting anything that requires God’s intervention? When was the last time you sensed God calling you to do something specific? When was the last time you asked of God, “Use me!”

Daniel 6:16,20 Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and cast into the lions’ den. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you.” And when he had come near the den to Daniel, he cried out with a troubled voice. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God whom you constantly serve, been able to deliver you from the lions?”

Daniel 6:25-27 Then Darius the king wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language who were living in all the land: “May your peace abound! I make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men are to fear and tremble before the God of Daniel; for He is the living God and enduring forever, and His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed. And His dominion will be forever. He delivers and rescues and performs signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, Who has also delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.”

Making choices in making an impact Sacrifice: this solidifies our message and impact. Fear: this dissolves it.

“The truth is, our secular pursuits have more kingdom potential than our religious ones. For it is in the realm of our secular pursuits that secular people are watching. The marketplace, the club, and the salon are the environments that so desperately need a brush with the divine. It is there that God desires to demonstrate His power through those who are willing to be used in such a way. It is in the context of those arenas the “awe factor” is potentially the greatest….These are the unique few who have not substituted gimmicks and tradition for the real thing. I’m afraid too many of us are content to set ourselves apart by bumper stickers and schedules. I’ve yet to hear a story of a Christian motorist being flagged down by another driver who was pierced to the heart by the sight of a fish on the back of a car.” ~Andy Stanley

Imagine the impact that would have as kingdoms collide! So what about the lions? The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, But the righteous are bold as a lion. Proverbs 28:1 What would happen if 97% of the lions got out of the zoo? Imagine the impact that would have as kingdoms collide!