2. The Faith of Teenagers Daniel 1

3. Introduction Dan 1:1-2 –The beginning of Babylonian domination In the third year of Jehoiakim (ca. 606 BC) Jerusalem besieged by Nebuchadnezzar Jehoiakim taken into captivity, as well as noble and wealthy hostages and precious items taken from the temple –This was the first of three times that Nebuchadnezzar came against Jerusalem (606, 597, 586 BC)

4. Selected to serve Dan 1:3-5 –Young men taken to serve Nebuchadnezzar The "cream of the crop" among the captives –Good looking with no blemish –Gifted with wisdom, knowledge, and the ability to learn quickly To serve in the king's palace, and be taught the language and literature of the Chaldeans (Babylonians) –Given special provisions of the king's food and drink –With three years of special training –Not a bad life considering they were hostages

5. Selected to serve Dan 1:6-7 Among those selected, four are named, and renamed removing reference to God and perhaps adding reference to Babylonian gods –Daniel (God is my judge) - Belteshazzar (Bel’s prince) –Hananiah (the Lord is gracious) - Shadrach (rejoicing in the way, or illumined by the sun) –Mishael (who is what God is?) - Meshach (a little sheep, or who is like the moon?) –Azariah (the Lord helps) - Abed-Nego (servant of Nego (fire god))

6. Selected to serve How would these young men respond? –Would they submit to the temptations placed before them? –Would they give in, excusing themselves due to youth and inexperience? –Would they feel honored to be given such training and names of honor in Babylonian society? How would you have reacted if you were in their place?

7. Daniel’s decision Dan 1:8a –He "purposed in his heart“ He made a commitment Something too rarely heard of today, in both young and old –His commitment was to "not defile himself" with the king's food Possibly unclean food according to Levitical restrictions Or food used in idol worship which would cause one to be a participant with such worship (1 Cor 10:20-22)

8. Maintaining his commitment Dan 1:8b-14 –He did it with politeness "he requested" He did not "demand", but respected the authority of those over him –He did it with God's help God gave him favor in the eyes of the chief of eunuchs –He did it through persistence He did not give up after the refusal by the chief of the eunuchs He tried something else, going to the steward over them –He did it through willingness to practice his faith He was confident that God's way was the right way He was willing to demonstrate the superiority of God's way So he asked the steward to give him and his three friends just water and vegetables for ten days

9. The effect of his faith Dan 1:15-21 –Affected the lives of others! Blessed the countenance of Daniel and his friends Then blessed the rest of the young men under the care of the steward –God blessed Daniel and his three friends even more! God gave them knowledge, skill, and wisdom To Daniel He gave understanding in visions and dreams They became the best of the young men who had been trained, and served in the presence of Nebuchadnezzar The king found them better than all his magicians and astrologers –The beginning of a lifetime of faithful service to God Daniel continued in the court of Babylon nearly seventy years

10. Lesson How to keep your commitment to God –Be polite Never any reason to be rude or arrogant Impoliteness just aggravates a situation rather than helps it (Pro 15:1) –Seek God's help Without God, any effort is more likely to fail (Psa 127:1-2) God seeks to help those who are loyal to Him (2 Chr 16:9)

11. Lesson How to keep your commitment to God –Be persistent Don't give up trying after meeting the first obstacle Remember what Jesus taught about persistence: –Those who keep on "asking, seeking, knocking" will receive, find, have doors opened to them (Mt 7:7-11) –The parable of the persistent widow (Lk 18:1-8) –Practice your faith If not willing, how committed are you to trusting God? God commanded people to practice their faith in order to receive His promises (Mal 3:10) And so did Jesus (Jn 7:16-17; Mt 6:31-34)

12. Application School-age children –Out from underneath their mother's apron for the first time –They will be faced with making decisions Will they have the faith of Daniel? New drivers and College-bound students –Getting away from home for the first time –Leaving a spiritual environment at home, for one that is likely very worldly Will they live and act with the same sort of commitment found in Daniel?

13. Application Adults in the workplace –Tempted to accept jobs which may require one to compromise convictions –Called upon to lie for the boss, show loyalty to the company though illegal, immoral, or unethical Will they have "the faith of a teenager"? Those with unbelieving spouses –Having to serve God and raise their children in the ways of the Lord on their own –With little or no moral and religious support from their life mate Will they have the "purpose of heart" that Daniel had?

14. Conclusion Many other applications could probably be made, but remember the main points –Even those who are young need to make a personal commitment to serve the Lord –One can be steadfast in their purpose to serve the Lord without arrogance –We should look to the Lord for help, and be willing to trust in His providence –God will bless and provide for those who put their trust in Him and His will Do you have the faith demonstrated by these teenagers?