Introduction

Good morning, my brothers and sisters! It's wonderful to see all your smiling faces here today, ready to delve into the Word of God. As we gather here in His holy name, let's prepare our hearts and minds for a message that I believe will resonate with each one of us.

Before we get into it, allow me to share a quote from A.W. Tozer. He once said, "The world is perishing for lack of the knowledge of God and the Church is famishing for want of His presence." Isn't it true? We're living in a world that's starving for God's presence, and it's our responsibility, as believers, to bring His presence into our lives and the lives of those around us. Someone who was amazing at this was Daniel.

Today, we're going to be looking at the book of Daniel, specifically Daniel 6:16. The verse reads,

"Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king declared to Daniel, 'May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!'"

This passage speaks to us about righteousness, service to God, and God's deliverance. We'll be discussing these points in detail, but before we do, let's bow our heads in prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father, we come to you today with open hearts and minds, ready to receive your Word. We ask that you guide us as we delve into the Scripture, that we may gain a deeper understanding of your love and mercy. We pray that you open our eyes to see the truth of your Word, and our ears to hear your voice. We ask all these things in the precious name of Jesus, our Savior. Amen.

Alright, folks, let's get started.

Examining Our Righteousness

In the book of Daniel, we see a man who was steadfast in his faith, a man who was righteous in the eyes of God. Daniel was a man who served God continually, even in the face of adversity. His righteousness was not a result of his own works, but a reflection of his relationship with God. He was a man who knew God, loved Him, and trusted Him with all his heart.

Not something that Daniel stumbled upon: It was a conscious choice he made every day. He chose to serve God, to obey His commandments, and to live a life that was pleasing to Him. He chose to be righteous, not because it was easy, but because he knew it was the right thing to do.

A challenge for us today: It forces us to look at our own lives and ask ourselves if we are truly living for God. Are we serving Him continually, like Daniel did? Are we making the conscious choice to be righteous, even when it's hard? Are we willing to face adversity for the sake of our relationship with God?

Our relationship with God: Just like Daniel, our righteousness is a reflection of our relationship with God. It's not about following a set of rules or doing good deeds. It's about knowing God, loving Him, and trusting Him with all our hearts. It's about making the conscious choice to serve Him, to obey His commandments, and to live a life that is pleasing to Him.

Our commitment to God: Daniel was committed to serving God continually. This was not a sporadic or occasional service. It was a daily commitment, a lifestyle. He was committed to God in every aspect of his life, in every decision he made, and in every action he took. This commitment was not dependent on his circumstances or his feelings. It was a steadfast commitment, rooted in his love for God and his desire to please Him.

Our willingness to face adversity for the sake of our relationship with God: Daniel was thrown into the den of lions because of his commitment to God. He was willing to face death rather than compromise his faith. This is a challenge for us today. Are we willing to face adversity for the sake of our relationship with God? Are we willing to stand up for our faith, even when it's hard? Are we willing to trust God, even when we don't understand His plan?

Our dependence on God: Daniel was not able to face the lions on his own. He needed God's help. He trusted God to deliver him, and God did. This is a reminder for us that we are not able to face the challenges of life on our own. We need God's help. We need to trust Him to deliver us, just like Daniel did.

The Strength of Our Service to God

As we continue to navigate the narrative of Daniel, we find ourselves drawn to the strength of his service to God ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO