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GOD
SPEAKS TO A KING
(Daniel
2:1-35)
…We are fond of
saying, “God’s __ways__ are not our ways,” and that is certainly
true. To create everything in the universe…God simply spoke the word and it
came to be. To solve man’s greatest problem…He sent a __baby__.
To put a young godly man in a very high government office…God gave a dream to a
powerful king. His ways are full of __mystery__. He is great!
…Remember that
God’s sovereignty is the great __theme__ of the book of Daniel.
God exercises His control over all things. He has determined the end and all
the details between. He alone has the power to bring it about. His __will__
is being done.
…In this
wonderful book, God unfolds His plan of __human__ history. As
nations rise and fall, God moves His purpose forward. This should encourage
each of us. He has a __purpose__ for us.
THREE OBSERVATIONS OF THIS DREAM WHICH UNFOLDS FOR US THE WONDER OF GOD’S
SOVEREIGNTY.
I. God
Gave A Revelation In A Dream To A __Specific__ King. (VV1-16)
This caused a stir!!!
…remember, the unsaved __can not__ understand the revelation of
God. (1 Cor 2:14)
A.
Note the
historical setting. (vv1-3)
1.
In Babylon,
King Nebuchadnezzar had this dream in the 2nd year of his reign.
2.
This dream
left him deeply troubled…insisted the wise men tell the dream.
B. The
wise men were in desperation. (vv4-11) “No one can know except the gods” (10)
…this
should forever end the discussion of the value of astrology. It is __worthless__!
C. A
__death__ warrant is issue for all the wise men…even Daniel.
(vv12-13)
D. Daniel
responds to the situation with great __faith__ and courage.
(vv14-16) Often our reactions, not actions, reveal our character. Daniel asks
to talk to the king. He asks for more __time__ so that he might
tell the king his dream and its meaning. What faith!
II.
God Gave The Dream And Its Meaning To Daniel Following A __Prayer__
Meeting. (vv17-23)
…for
only our God can do the impossible. Remember, God was in the midst of
promoting His servant Daniel.
A. God
works in this __impossible__ situation with the stress on urgency.
B. Daniel
petitions God in a prayer meeting with his three friends. (vv17-18)
1.
No panic here,
just __fervent__ prayer. They asked for God’s mercy…
2.
There is added
power in __group__ prayer. “where 2 or 3 are gathered…”
C. God
answers their specific request by revealing the dream to Daniel. (19a)
D. Daniel’s
immediate response was to __praise__ the Lord for His wisdom and
power.(19-23)
…not
only this, but more, God imparts these qualities to men!!!
III.
God Gave The Dream And Its Meaning Through __Daniel__ Servant To
The King. (vv24-35)
A. Arioch,
the captain, had __failed__ to mention the Lord, so Daniel set the
record right.
…what a
genuine humility here, Daniel could have promoted himself, but refused.
Like Joseph before him, he _______ to claim supernatural powers. It was God!!!
Not me.
B. The
__key__ verse is verse 28…”there is a God in heaven who __reveals__
mysteries.”
C. The
dream itself is described…you saw a large statue with a head of gold. (vv31-35)
God has
given you a panorama of gentile history. God has shown you the __future__.
LESSONS FOR OUR LIVES:
1. When the Lord
does something in your life, give Him all the glory.
2. Our God is
sovereign. He controls all.
3. Don't ever
minimize the power and effect of believing prayer.
4. Don't ever read
horoscopes of astrology.
5. God takes care
of His own.
6. Have you come to
know Christ as Lord and Savior?
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