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by Denis Beausejour, Senior Pastor Series: The Book Of Daniel — Integrity
Message Outline Series Message 3:
The God Who Delivers
Text: Daniel 3: 1-30 Themes:
This series will be another amazing encounter with God's Word! May we be transformed as we fully enter into the profound and relevant themes and truths presented through the life and book of Daniel: God's sovereignty over world events and kingdoms will thrill us. God's reliability, even when appearances seem otherwise, will amaze us. Powerful stories of real faith under pressure will encourage us. Detailed prophecies already fulfilled will reveal a great God who loves us. Daniel's trust of God and confidence with men is a model of integrity that will inspire us.
Today's Outline Introduction:
In Daniel Chapter 1, we studied the impact of the culture around us on our lifestyle, and concluded that we are not sent by God to complain about the culture, or to be controlled by it. We are sent to be an agent of transformation of the culture by the kind of humble and godly integrity that Daniel lived by. In Chapter 2, we studied how God speaks to us to reveal his will—and we learned that we can have the very same spirit of wisdom and revelation that God gave Daniel. God may not speak to us about centuries of human history as he did to Daniel, but if we seek him, he will speak to us as we pray and listen for his quiet voice. The privilege of being in the presence of God, and the gift of dreams, visions and prophecy is the promise of God from Joel chapter 2:28-32. This promise was fulfilled by the release of the Holy Spirit into the Church and well articulated by Peter starting in Acts 2:14. This is why some call the life of chasing after God the "Joel 2 lifestyle". Today in Chapter 3, we will see the mighty and endless power of God on display, as three young men stand tall in their faith. In the midst of an ungodly culture where image-building, back-biting, and peer pressure rule, these young men of integrity step up and bring God's glory to an entire kingdom. 1. Do you see the pitfalls of image-building? (vv. 1-15) a few years later, perhaps inspired by his dream, the king builds an image of gold 90 feet high he is ultimately seeking fame and power and loyalty for himself - under the guise of "gods and country" image builder: anyone who is really not who they seem to be
integrity requires constant attention to our image-building tendencies one of the hardest times is when we are "denounced" - literally "ate pieces of" (verse 8) the insecurity of the image-builder is revealed by anger at the slightest opposition (verse 13) that is the problem with image-building - it is nothing more than idolatry, self-worship (verse 15)
2. Are you ready to "step up" spiritually? (vv.16-23) Daniel's absence (see 2:49) creates an opportunity for his friends to step up into leadership as disciples and disciple-makers, we need to always be aware of and ready for opportunities with the furnace in view, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego earn a spiritual battlefield promotion were there others who were not worshipping?
notice their confidence, resoluteness and preparedness - this situation was likely anticipated! have you resolved as Daniel did (1:8) on what you will do in situations ahead of time? I am grateful that these young men did not give "pat" answers
we can all learn a lot about managing peer pressure from these young men
3. How does your response to trials affect others? (v. 24-30) - developing a theology of trials and suffering is essential for every follower of Jesus, whether faced with 9/11, Katrina, Virginia Tech, or a crazy king with a furnace!
- how we handle our trials has a profound impact on the world around us
- trials and suffering are a central aspect of the Kingdom of God
- The Scriptures give us three broad scenarios in trials (Credit to Beth Moore for this):
A. God can deliver us from the fire | ...... | and there is a dividend: our faith is built. | B. God can deliver us through the fire | ...... | and there is a dividend: our faith is refined. |
Notes for scenario B: 1) God is in the trial with his people; and 2) the bonds of captivity are removed.
Resources for prayer and study:
(Visit Series Resources) 1. Daniel: A bible study by Beth Moore, LifeWay Press 2006
2. Excerpts from the Prayer of St. Patrick I arise today….Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the threeness, Through confession of the oneness
Of the Creator of creation. I arise today…..Through the strength of Christ’s birth with his baptism,
Through the strength of his crucifixion with his burial,
Through the strength of his resurrection with his ascension,
Through the strength of his descent for the judgment of Doom. I arise today….Through the strength of the love of Cherubim,
In obedience of angels, In the service of archangels,
In hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In prayers of patriarchs, In predictions of prophets,
In preaching of apostles, In faith of confessors,
In innocence of holy virgins, In deeds of righteous men. I arise today…..Through the strength of heaven:
Light of sun, Radiance of moon, Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning, Swiftness of wind,
Depth of sea, Stability of earth, Firmness of rock. I arise today…..Through God’s strength to pilot me:
God’s might to uphold me, God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me, God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me, God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me, God’s shield to protect me……. Against every knowledge that corrupts man’s body and soul
Against poison, against burning, against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me abundance of reward. Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me
Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me. I arise today……Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the threeness, Through confession of the oneness,
Of the Creator of Creation.
3. The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards |
