Daniel In The Den Of Lions Series

Title: Daniel in the Den of Lions

Theme: Trusting God for His Deliverance.

Text: Daniel 6

Daniel 6:1-28

(1) It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps, to be over the whole kingdom;

(2) and over these, three governors, of whom Daniel was one, that the satraps might give account to them, so that the king would suffer no loss.

(3) Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm.

"an excellent spirit"

excellent - above the ordinary, extreme and above others.

Matthew 22:37-39

(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. (39) And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'

The Haters - Jealously

(4) So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him.

Proverbs 10:9 He who walks with integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will become known.

Proverbs 20:7 The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him.

Titus 2:7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,

Jealously

Fall of Cain

Division of Jacob and Esau

Sin of Jacob's sons

FOUR INVADERS OF THE HEART - Andy Stanley

Andy says there are four “invaders” or enemies of the heart. He says that left on their own these enemies will grow in power and influence. Each of these enemies numbs your soul, steals your life and threatens your relationships.

Guilt says “I owe you.” Andy says it is the result of having done something we perceive as wrong. The only way to make things right is to pay up.

“Nothing less than paying the debt will relieve a guilty heart,” says Andy. “And it must be paid or canceled for a guilty heart to experience relief.”

Anger says “You owe me.” Anger is the result of not getting something we want.

The root of anger is the perception that something has been taken,” explains Andy. “Something is owed you. And now a debt-to-debtor relationship has been established.” It is the most obvious and perhaps most dangerous. Anger leaves a trail of destruction in its wake.

Greed says “I owe me.” Greedy people believe they deserve every good thing that comes their way. Unlike anger or guilt, greed hides behind several virtues. Andy says while greed is easy to hide, it isn’t difficult to see in people around us. Greedy people talk and worry about money. They are not cheerful givers and are reluctant to share. They are poor losers and quibble over insignificant sums of money.

“Greed is not a financial issue,” says Andy. “It’s a heart issue.”

Jealousy says “God owes me.” Of all four invaders, Andy says jealousy betrays the true condition of our heart more than any other. Envy is a powerful force that can wreak damage on any relationship or organization. The remedy cannot be found by balancing the scales or tipping them in the other person’s favor. “The fact is, somebody’s upset with God and in most cases, they don’t even know it,” says Andy.

Like physical exercise, there are four spiritual exercises we can do that will effectively neutralize the enemies of the heart. Confession, forgiveness, giving and celebration. Confession allows us to come out of hiding. Forgiveness allows others to come out from under cover. Generosity allows us to partner with God. Celebration makes us a vehicle through which God communicates His pleasure.

James 3:14-16 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

faithful - honest, faithful, trustworthy

(5) Then these men said, "We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God."

Why do the nations rage,

And the people plot a vain thing? …

The rulers take counsel together,

Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying,

"Let us break Their bonds in pieces

And cast away Their chords from us."

—Psa_2:1-3

1 Peter 3:15-17 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; (16) having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. (17) For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.