Daniel

Daniel Lessons from “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

Four Men of Faith Nebuchadnezzar - captives from Jerusalem Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah

Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah Babylon Jerusalem

Four Men of Faith Nebuchadnezzar - captives from Jerusalem Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego Changed names Changed diet Food made a difference Probably offered to one of their idol gods Eating would be giving approval 10 Day trial of own food

Four Men of Faith Lessons 1. Daniel was a man of strong resolution Ch.1 Lessons 1. 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”

Four Men of Faith Lessons 2. He Refused to Compromise Ch.1 Lessons 2. 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

Three Men in the Fiery Furnace 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

Three Men in the Fiery Furnace Lessons we can Learn 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

Three Men in the Fiery Furnace Lessons we can Learn 2. 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 God He knows what is best !

Three Men in the Fiery Furnace Lessons we can Learn 3. Faith is confronted with a choice Go with God or worship the king’s image Nebuchadnezzar would let them do both Asked to compromise on moral issues If we leave God we will become unfaithful

Three Men in the Fiery Furnace Lessons we can Learn 4. They had a committed Predisposition Did not decide on that day Spiritual indecision is deadly Make decisions about actions prior to fact Doing good as well as doing bad Gus Nichols

Daniel in the Lions Den Darius – King of Medes and Persians Ch.6 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

Daniel in the Lions Den Lessons we can Learn 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.”

Daniel in the Lions Den Lessons we can Learn 2. Daniel was a Man of Prayer Prayer was a part of his life He believed in God as the hearer of prayer. Dan. 6:10 He prayed as usual He could have said he would wait for 30 days This way I can live longer and do more good He was bold - not afraid to do what was right

Daniel Courage Consistency Integrity Lack of Compromise Prayer Faith Lessons from Daniel - Shadrach - Meschach - Abednego Courage Consistency Integrity Lack of Compromise Prayer Faith

Daniel Lessons from “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

Daniel

Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga. 30809 706-855-1249 evanscoc@bellsouth.net www.evansgachurchofchrist.org Sunday Evening Mar. 13, 2011