1. Be Like Daniel
BasedThe Bible is full of godly men and women who serve as examples to us. Daniel is one.
How was he able to do this? The book of Daniel reveals his secret and shows us how we can be successful without compromising the values God demands of us.
on an outline by Mark Copeland

2. Daniel Preeminent among the children of Israel, Daniel 1:3-6
Gained prominence among the wise men of Babylon, Daniel 1:17-20
Given power over all of Babylon, Daniel 2:48f, 5:29
Received similar power over the Medo-Persian empire, Daniel 6:1-3, 28

3. Daniel was a man of purpose.
Daniel purposed in his heart to put God first, Daniel 1:8
God granted him favor, Daniel 1:9
cf. Genesis 39:1-4, 21-23

4. We must be people of purpose.
Whom do you respect – the directionless or those with a purpose?
Our purpose:
Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,…
Ecclesiastes 12:13 Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.
Matthew 22:37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment.

5. Daniel was a man of principle.
He refused to compromise his convictions.
As a young man, he refused to eat the king’s food or drink his wine, Daniel 1:8
As an old man, he refused the gifts of Belshazzar, Daniel 5:13-17
Under threat of persecution, he refused to obey Darius’ decree, Daniel 6:10

6. We must stand on God’s principles.
We will not convert the world if we don’t, and we will not please the Lord.
Luke 6:46 “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?
Ephesians 6:10  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Matthew 10:28  And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

7. Daniel was a man of purity.
His opponents couldn’t find any fault in him, Daniel 6:1-4. Cf. Acts 6:11, Matthew 26:59-60
The result of his putting God first and being a man of principle.

8. We must maintain purity of conduct.
Young or old
1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Slave or free, Titus 2:6-8

9. Daniel was a man of prayer.
He knelt (he was humble, James 4:6)
He prayed 3 times that day as was his custom (he prayed continually, (Lk 5:16, 1 Thes. 5:17, Col. 4:2)
He gave thanks (recognized God as the source of blessings (James 1:17)
He recognized God as the source of strength (Acts 4:23-31, Acts 16:25)
Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.

10. We can succeed like Daniel.
Be people of purpose.
Be people of principle.
Be people of purity.
Be people of prayer.
Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,…