Daniel Walked with God in Testimony

Temple Baptist Church - 8-20-2023

Daniel 6:1-23

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Last week, we saw the personal testimonies of Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego as they would not bow to the “image” set up in the plain of Dura.  These men would not bend, bow, or burn! 

 

This took place in the beginning of the Babylonish Captivity under Nebuchadnezzar.

 

B.  Nebuchadnezzar turned to the God of Israel after the fiery furnace experience and there was peace in Babylon and a reprieve for the children of Israel because of the faithfulness of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

 

C.  When Nebuchadnezzar died, his son Belshazzar took the throne and because of his drunkenness and debauchery, God wrote on the plaster of the wall with His finger, “MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.”  (“MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.  (27)  TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.  (28)  PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.”)

 

D.  Daniel gave the interpretation and Belshazzar elevated him over all the kingdom of Babylon.  That night, the Persians destroyed Babylon under King Daris the Median.

 

E.  Darius restructured the kingdom of Babylon in verses 1-3 of chapter 6 and put Daniel over all 120 princes along with the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains.  (Verse 6)

 

F.  These rulers of the 120 provinces became jealous of Daniel as they were indigenous to Babylon and Daniel was supposedly a Hebrew slave.

 

G.  In verses 4-6, these rulers scrutinized Daniel as to find fault but could find none.  His life was an example of integrity and godliness.  My mind goes to Christ on earth.  “No fault at all.”  This does not mean that Daniel was a perfect man but, outwardly, they could find no occasion to fault Daniel through Law.

 

H.  The only avenue that they could find to fault Daniel was because of his walk with God in his prayer life.

 

J.  Verses 7-9.  These men went to Darius the Median and persuaded him to write a new law that would contradict the law of God and Darius fell for it because of pride.

 

K.  Verses 10-11.  They now watched Daniel continually and openly obey God’s law which broke Darius’ law.

1. Integrity is Rooted in your Private Life (vv. 1-3)

2. Integrity is Reflected in your Personal Life (vv. 4-5)

3. Integrity is reinforced in your Professional Life (vv. 4-10)

4. Integrity is revealed in your Public Life (vv. 11-28)

L.  Verses 12-15.  These wicked rulers “ratted” Daniel out and Darius was caught in their trap also as he would now have to honor a Law of the Medes and Persians which could not be altered.

 

M.  We all know the end of the story as God shut the lion’s mouths.  It was not because the lions were not hungry that Daniel survived.  It was because God honored the life of Daniel and shut their mouths.

 

N.  Darius they had these wicked rulers thrown in the lion’s den and the Lions, who Fasted when Daniel was cast into their den,  Feasted with these wicked leaders were cast into their den.

 

O.  Daniel continued to reign over the kingdom and prospered under King Darius and later under Cyrus the Persian.

 

Daniel reigned from the Beginning to the End of the Babylonish Captivity.

 

P.  I said all that to say this.  Our ungodly system of government now issues laws that are contrary to the laws of God found in the Bible.  We all know that this is a “set up” for the government and persecution of God’s people in the end-time.

 

Q.  Now for a short but close look at the attributes of Daniel that caused such laws to be made by wicked men.

 

R.  What made Daniel quietly stand out?

 

1.  Daniel was a Purposed Man.  Daniel 1:8  But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.  (As a young man, Daniel purposed in his heart that he would serve the Lord and not man.)

 

2.  Daniel was an Excellent Man.  Daniel 6:3  Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.  (Daniel had an Excellent Spirit.  (Verse 3)  “Excellent” is a superlative.  It means to excel above the mediocrity around.  Daniel chose to be different despite the peer pressure to do otherwise.  A sweet spirit.  Not easily provoked.)

 

3.  Daniel was a Godly Man.  Daniel 6:4-5  Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.  (5)  Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.  (Daniel’s enemies scrutinized his life and found no fault at all.  Sound familiar?)

 

4.  Daniel was a Praying Man.  Daniel 6:10  Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, (Daniel regularly spent Time in Prayer.)

 

5.  Daniel was a Consistent Man.   Daniel 6:10-11  he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.  Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.  (Daniel was a man who feared God and not man.)

 

6.  Daniel was a Trusting Man.  Daniel 6:16  Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.  (Daniel made no excuses nor changes.)

 

7.  Daniel was a Protected Man.  Daniel 6:22  My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.  (Daniel’s faith was not misplaced.)

 

8.  Daniel continued to be a Prosperous Man.  Daniel 6:28  So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.  (God allowed Daniel to continue in a place of prosperity and notoriety.)

 

Conclusion:  Like Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego, Daniel helped to establish the name of Jehovah God during captivity in Babylon.  God has chosen us for such a time as this!  The books of Daniel and Revelation go hand-in-hand as Daniel is prophetic of Revelation and Revelation is fulfillment of Daniel.  We live in the fulfillment of both books. 

The Three Hebrew Children Walked With God In The Fire

 Temple Baptist Church - 8-13-2023

Daniel 3:1-26

Introduction:

 

A.  I want to continue this morning with the series “Walking With God.” 

 

1.  Last time, we saw that walking with God requires walking in the Old Paths. 

 

2.  This morning, I want to look at an Old Path that not many want to walk in our day.  The Path of the Fire.

 

B.  If given our druthers, I believe that most of God’s people had rather walk in peaceful paths, but that is not always the way that God either wants for us or the way that God leads us.

 

C.  Here we find the three Hebrew children, Shadrach—Meshach—and Abednego, forced to make a choice that was not a pleasant one but, in their eyes along with the eyes of the Lord, was the ONLY one.

 

D.  They were forced by the government of their day to make a choice: bend, bow, or burn!

The King of Babylon ordered an image of gold, a monolith, 180 feet tall and 9 feet wide to be set up in the plain of Dura.

 

1.  In verses 2-5, the reared the image up, dedicated it, and gathered the people together.  They then ordered all the people, at the sound of the music, to bow down and worship the image.  If not, verse 6 says, “And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.”

 

2.  In verses 7-12, we find that Shadrach—Meshach—and Abednego refused to bend or bow and were reported to the King for their disobedience.  The cost was great because these three men were set over the affairs of the province of Babylon!  Men of high position and esteem in the eyes of the King of Babylon as well as the people.

 

3.  Verses 13-15, the King called them and gave them a second chance, peradventure that had not heard right or did not understand. 

 

a)  The government of our world had rather control you than destroy you because of your value to their cause. 

 

b)  No people, no control, and no government!

 

4.  In Verses 16-18, we find their answer.

 

a)  We are not careful.  Be careful for nothing.

 

b)  God can deliver us!  But, if God chooses not to deliver us, He will deliver us out of your hand!

 

c)  We will not serve or worship your “god”!

 

5.  Verses 19-23, the King was furious and ordered the furnace heated seven times as hot as it had been (the flames slew the soldiers), and had them thrown into the fiery furnace to destroy them.

 

6.  Verses 24-25,  the astonishment of the King as he saw 4 men loose, walking the midst of the fire, unharmed and the 4^th was like unto the Son of God!

 

7.  Verses 26-27, the three Hebrew children were called out of the fire and the king “saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.”

 

8.  What a blessed story as God honored their commitment to Himself and saved their lives and their jobs. 

 

1.  But, what if God had chosen to allow them to burn to death in the furnace? 

 

2.They still would not bend or bow but it would cost them their lives!  They chose to walk with God in the fire.

 

9.  We live in such a day.  If you will not bend or bow, you will burn.  They have weaponized the government against all who dare to stand up to their demands. 

 

a)  I am talking about the White House, law enforcement, and justice system.  I am talking about weaponizing the IRS.

 

b)  I am talking about major businesses and personal lives. 

 

c)  I am talking about our families and friends.

 

10.  Just Bend a little. 

 

1)  Just be quiet and don’t express your beliefs or views.  Just compromise a little bit. 

 

2)  Bow a little.  Just give in to their wicked, satanic way of thinking and acting.  Just pretend a little to accept their commands, just acquis, and everything will go away and be just fine.

 

e)  Don’t Bend, don’t Bow, then Burn!

 

Three Questions this morning?

 

1.  Are we willing to Bend. 

 

a.  There is so much unseen pressure (sometimes seen pressure), in the light of government—work—family—and peers, to just give in a little bit; to just barely compromise,  just lighten up. 

 

b.  The World will not bend as their intent is to make everyone give in to them.  The pressure continues to grow in or society to accept the unnatural, the wickedness and sinfulness of a reprobate society.

 

c.  Please, the world asks, would you just give an inch?  I saw the picture of a ruler one day with the inscription, give the devil an inch and he will become your ruler. 

 

c.  Bend ever so slowly, bend ever so softly, but please bend.  But Bend!  How far to bend, where will bending become bowing?  WE CANNOT BEND!  For, if we bend, where will it end because bending was not what the King commanded. 

 

d.  The King said BOW or BURN!

 

e.  You can escape the fire for a little while if you just band a little bit.  If these three had just bent over a tad bit, that may have been enough to suffice the King for a while and they may have escaped the fire FOR A LITTLE WHILE.

 

2.  Are we willing to Bow?

 

a.  Bending ends ALWAYS ends in BOWING!  This question is all that the government and society demands and expects at this time.  If you bend, bending a little at a time leads to bowing.  Bending is slow bowing but bowing, nonetheless. 

 

Exodus 20:4-5  Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:  (5)  Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

 

Matthew 4:9-10  And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.  (10)  Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

 

b.  Are we willing to bow?  Bow and live!  Now, we become like them because we no longer hold to the truths of God’s Word.  Now we aid and abet the lawless, the ungodly, the spirit of antichrist that is in the world.

 

c.  No, bow and die anyway!

 

3.  Are we willing to Burn?

 

a.  Here is where the “rubber meets the road.”  Do we have enough of God in us to “withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand?”

 

1 Kings 19:18  Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.

 

b.  The Lord being our Helper, and He is, may we have a spiritual backbone like a sawlog in these “sands of shifting theology” in which we live.

The White Throne Judgment

Temple Baptist Church - 8-14-2019

Hebrews 9:27-28; Revelation 20:11-15; Daniel 7:9-10

Introduction:

A.  As we finish up Hebrews chapter 9, there is one more judgment that we need to look at: The Great White Throne Judgment.

B.  We have looked at the Judgment Seat of Christ and the Judgment of the Sheep and Goats.  This will be the last of the three.  All three are future events:

1.  The Judgment Seat of Christ takes place after the Rapture of the Church and during the Tribulation Period.  It is the judgment of the works of the saints, not the sin of the saints which was paid for in full on the cross.

2.  The Judgment of the Sheep and Goats takes place at the end of the Tribulation Period.  The sheep—those saved during the Tribulation Period—go into the Millennial Kingdom while the goats—those who have rejected Christ before the Rapture and go through the Tribulation Period along with those who reject Christ and receive the mark of the beast—are sent to hell to await the final judgment.

3.  The Great White Throne Judgment where the unsaved of all time periods will resurrect to stand before the Lord Jesus Christ for final judgment of their sins.

1.  The Reality of the Great White Throne Judgment.  “And I saw a great white throne”  Prophesied in both the Old and New Testaments.

a.  Daniel 7:9-10  I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.  (10)  A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.

b.  Revelation 20:11-15

2.  The Judge of the Great White Throne Judgment.  “and him that sat on it”  Jesus Christ.

a.  John 5:22, 27  For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son …  (27)  And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

b.  Acts 10:42  And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.

c.  2 Timothy 4:1  I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

3.  The Time of the Great White Throne Judgment.  (20:7, 21:1) “And when the thousand years are expired … the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.”

a.  Between the end of the Millennium and at the beginning of eternity - Revelation 20:11  And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

b. While the earth is being purified and made new - 2 Peter 3:10-13  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.  (11)  Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,  (12)  Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?  (13)  Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

c.  Prior to the New Heaven and New Earth - Revelation 21:1  And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

4.  The People of the Great White Throne Judgment.  “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God … And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them”  The unsaved of all the ages.

John 5:28-29  Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,  (29)  And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

Daniel 12:2  And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

5.  The Criteria of the Great White Throne Judgment.  “and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.”

a.  The Book of Life - Daniel 12:1-2  And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.  (2)  And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

Philippians 4:3  And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

Revelation 20:15  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Exodus 32:32-33; Psalm 69:28; Philippians 4:3; Rev elation 3:5, 13:8, 17:8, 21:27, 22:19.)

b.  The Book of Works - Revelation 20:12  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. (Matthew 16:27; 2 Corinthians 11:15)

1)  The Book of Words - Matthew 12:36-37  But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.  (37)  For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

2)  The Book of Secrets - Romans 2:16  In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14  Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.  (14)  For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

3)  The book of Conscience - Romans 2:12-16  For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;  (13)  (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.  (14)  For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:  (15)  Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)  (16)  In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

6.  The Eternal Punishment of the Great White Throne Judgment.

a.  The eternal home of the Unsaved.  Revelation 20:14-15  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.  (15)  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

b.  The eternal home of the beast and false prophet.  Revelation 19:20  And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

c.  The eternal home of the devil.  Revelation 20:10  And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Wisdom in the Last Days

Temple Baptist Church - 8-28-2011

Daniel 12:1-4

Introduction:

A. The Book of Daniel and the Book of Revelation go hand-in-hand. Daniel prophesies concerning the last days while Revelation explains them. Daniel was a sealed book to the Jews because the prophecy was not for them. Daniel is now an open book because we live in the end times.

B. There are several things that Daniel describes in these verses:

1. The Rapture of The Church – vs 1 “thy people shall be delivered…written in the book”

2. The Revelation of Jacob’s Trouble – vs 1 “a time of trouble”

3. The Resurrection of The Saved – vs 2 “some to everlasting life”

4. The Resurrection of The Lost – vs 2 “shame and everlasting contempt”

C. For a few minutes, I want to look at the phrase “And They That Be Wise.” One of the things that I see in our day is a lack of wisdom. You that are a little older have witnessed the death of common sense. People are more educated today than any other generation and, yet, have little or no common or “horse” sense. I use the word educated loosely because what is coming out of the modern school system is “programing” more than “educating.”

D. There is a great difference between spiritual wisdom and the wisdom of this world. God said that His wisdom is foolishness to man and man’s wisdom is foolishness to Him. My definition of spiritual wisdom is found in a verse in James. James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. (This Is Foolishness!) Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it, to him it is wisdom!

E. WISDOM - The right use or exercise of knowledge; the choice of laudable ends, and of the best means to accomplish them. In Scripture theology, wisdom is true religion; godliness; piety; the knowledge and fear of God, and sincere and uniform obedience to his commands. This is the wisdom which is from above. (We need to understand that Wisdom in not Knowledge nor is it Intellect. Wisdom is the right application of knowledge!)

1. There is Wisdom in God’s Word - 2 Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

2. There is Wisdom is A Godly Walk - Ephesians 5: 14-17 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

F. What is a spiritually “wise person?” Let us look at just a few verses in the book of wisdom, Proverbs.

1. A Wise Man Will Come To Christ For Salvation – Daniel 12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

a. It Is Either Everlasting Life Where They Shall Shine (or)

b. It Is Everlasting Shame And Contempt Where They Shall Burn

Ezekiel 33:11 Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

2. A Wise Man Will Hear The Word Of God – Proverbs 1:5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

a. The Wise Will Hear God’s Word

b. The Foolish Will Turn A Deaf Ear To God’s Word

3. A Wise Man Will Be Diligent In His Work – Proverbs 10:5 He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.

a. The Provision Of Hard Work

b. The Poverty Of The Slothful

4. A Wise Man Will Obey God’s Word – Proverbs 10:8-9 The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall. He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.

a. The Obedient Will Walk In Surety And Safety

b. The Disobedient Will Fall And Manifest His Folly

5. A Wise Man Will Be Careful With His Words – Proverbs 10:19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

“Never leave your tongue in gear when your brain is idling!”

Proverbs 21:23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

6. A Wise Man Will Win Souls – Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
Daniel 12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

Ezekiel 3:18-19 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

7. A Wise Man Will Flee From Sin – Proverbs 14:16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.

a. The Wise Know The Penalty Of Sin – “feareth”

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death;

b. The Wise Know The Enticement Of Sin – “departeth”

Proverbs 3:7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. (contrast with)

Proverbs 13:19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.