DANIEL: HE LIVED FOR GOD IN A PAGAN PLACE

(Daniel 1)

…Today our newspaper is filled with modern day accounts of the land of ancient Babylon, the land is called __Iraq__.  Did you know our Bibles have much to say about this place?  While our troops liberated the people of Iraq, the ancient people of that place murdered and enslaved the people of Judah. 

…As I see our culture declining, rejecting the truth of the gospel and embracing a culture of death…I wonder how God’s people will live in this situation.  Can we really be salt and light in such a day.  In this, often my mind turns to Daniel.  He is such an encouragement to me.  He lived for the Lord while living __far__ from home in a very pagan country…the land of Babylon.

THREE QUALITIES FOUND IN DANIEL WHICH OUGHT TO MOTIVATE

EACH OF US TO LIVE GODLY LIVES.

I.                     DANIEL WAS __GIFTED__ BY HIS BIRTH…AND SO ARE WE!!!  (Daniel 1:1-3)

A.     Remember the setting, God was in the midst of __spanking__ His people of Judah.  (Deut 28)

1. Daniel was taken captive in the first wave of invasion and taken to Babylon in 605 BC.  God was putting His __men__ in place before the nation arrived, which was in 586 BC.  God’s sovereignty is clearly seen.

2. Daniel received a special education and training so that he might be used by the king in __state__ affairs.

B.     Daniel was highly gifted by birth:

1. He was born in the right __city__…Jerusalem.

2. He was born in the king’s own __family__.

3. He was handsome, __smart__, and young…Some would say that he had everything going for him.  But, this never guarantees that one would turn out to be godly.  Did not Samson, __King Saul__, and  Solomon have such a beginning?  Yet each of these _______…

II.                  DANIEL WAS GLUED TO A GREAT PURPOSE: HE WAS COMMITTED TO __OBEDIENCE__, NO MATTER WHAT, AND SO SHOULD WE.  (1:4b-16)

A.     Daniel reminds us that you can have a great purpose, though young.  He was only __16 to 18__ years old.  Most revivals started with the youth, the college age.

B.     Daniel shows us that it is possible to study at the center of godless universities and __resist__ the demonic brain-washing, and the diet.

1. The meals violated the God’s laws for the Israelites.  He was glued to doing God’s will.  He resisted: “when in Rome do as the Romans do.”  No situational ethics for Daniel.  No way.

2. Daniel offers a word of protest and suggests an alternative…

III.                DANIEL WAS GIVEN THE __BLESSING__ OF THE LORD…AND SO CAN WE. 17-20

A.     God poured out His favor upon Daniel.  “10 hands better” in the __final__ exam.

B.     This is how we live for the Lord in our day and enjoy His blessing in life.

LESSONS FOR OUR LIVES:

1.        It is possible for you to live godly in a godless world.

2.        God's judgment waits long, but it surely comes.

3.        When you ignore and violate God's word, you too can expect discipline.

4.        God often uses the godless to spank His own people.

5.        Our homes must be the training grounds for the Lord.

6.        If you are obeying God at His word, you too will ensure God's favor and blessing.