I Know That I Can Stand

I Know That I Can Stand

Daniel 1

Introduction:

NOTICE: While in this office speak in a low, soothing tone and do not disagree with me

in any manner. Please be informed that excess noise and any non-concurrence causes

great gastric difficulty, hyper-peristalsis, hyper-secretion of the hydrochloric acid and

rubus of the gastric mucosa - in other words - I BECOME VERY UNPLEASANT

* Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be Broken

* Flexible in genuine hardship - first must become flexible in everyday "stuff"

* James Dobson - radio - "Christians have become wimps"

* Strength of character - determination to go forward and not muttle around in the muck!

* 2 Tim 1:12b ...... I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to

guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.

* Know whom I have believed in - Convinced that He is able

1) no matter what the circumstances - God will make a way

2) no matter what the report is - I will believe the report of the Lord

Flip back to Daniel 1 - Look at Daniel’s life - I know that I can stand - simply because I

know whom I have believed and am convinced that He is able!

I. I Know that I can stand in Turmoil

A. Daniel’s life was turned upside down

1. taken captive by a foreign government

2. forced to learn a new language

3. perform or die -

4. {Greyhound Races - mechanical rabbit broke - some laid down - some

ran into walls - others howled at the crowd - many went insane

never to recover - not one dog finished the race!}

a) many Christians are like the Greyhounds - Something upsets the

apple cart they fall apart.

b) Don’t turn away from God in Crisis turn to Him

B. Daniel resolved not to defile himself - Despite the Turmoil in His life {verse

8}

* Uncompromising Determination - Old fashion air plane farmer

- wife - pilot - free if silent loop-de-loop, dive 7 pull up, fly

upside down, landed on the run way - wow you win, I did

my best, farmer said, almost one - wanted say something

when my wife fell out!

1. Climate in Babylon - pagan - best and the brightest of Israel - groomed

a) Daniel had decided in his heart - he would not compromise

1) Away from home - family - church

2) His commitment to God surpassed - Turmoil in His Life

b) Made the decision to STAND before Turmoil came

1) He had already determined what he was about

a) situational ethics - Hogwash - Right is Right * Wrong is Wrong!

C. He could stand firm in the face of turmoil because He turned to God for

strength and help.

1. Daniel - did not forget God when his life was upturned - huge thing!

II. I know that I can stand in Testing - Verses 12

A. Aspects of Testing & Daniel’s temptation

1. Pagan culture - outside of security of close relationships - other

believer

2. Threat of slavery, forced labor, death, comply or else

3. Young - not a license to sin - no excuses - Right/Right Wrong/Wrong

B. Example of Daniel’s ability to Stand in the face of Testing - FOOD

1. Choice food - Kings table - finest food - Wine - Atmosphere

a. Sacrificed to Idols - Forbidden in the Law - Warned against wine

b. Daniel drew a line in the sand - I will not cross it

2. God provides a way of Escape - 1 Cor 10:13 No temptation has seized

you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted

beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so

that you can stand up under it. - Memorize this verse - The way out - promise - He will

do it - we just need to look for the escape route!

a. Daniel it came in putting the actual compromise to the test!

1. test me for 10 days - Veggies & water

2. verse 15 - Better off than the others

b. Just like Daniel we are always better off standing for God in

face of Temptation.

1. If you miss the world - your not living by the Spirit

a. not meant to be harsh - World has garbage to

Kingdom living

b. Taste and see that the Lord is good - Psalm 34:8

* Leads us to the final point - God has a plan for you - Get this in your spirit also......

Jer 29:11-13

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you