I'm God And I Approved This Message

Dr. Wayne A. Lawson

Preached at Antioch Baptist Church Rochester, NY

Sunday, October 26, 2008

11:00 a.m. Worship Service

RevWLawason@aol.com

TITLE: I’M GOD AND I APPROVED THIS MESSAGE

SCRIPTURE: DANIEL 5:1-6

In nine (9) days our country will head to the polls to vote for our next Political and nations Leaders. No matter the outcome, History will be made. Our country will embrace leadership and most likely a new direction. I’m not sure how you feel about the journey, but I have been exhausted by this whole political process. I understand the significance and importance of this election and it has been a long drawn out process that began with an abundance of those seeking the highest office in the land and finally narrowed down between two candidates. Not only have we had to deal with the debates and commercials sponsored by the two Presidential candidates, we have also been bombarded with local candidates as well. I am not sure if you are aware that all 435 seats are up for election for the U.S. House of Representatives to serve in the 111th United States Congress. That is quite a few commercials, debates and local elections we have been subjected to over the course of the past year and a half. Elections for the U.S. Senate will be held as well, with 35 of the 100 seats in the Senate being contested.

I am at the point now where I simply want to change the television station every time one of the political announcements begins to play. The problem with that is the fact that the announcements are now playing on almost every station as we enter the Home Stretch leading to election day. And, if I hear that one particular phase one more time, I don’t know what I will do. You know the Phrase in American politics, -- "I’M BARAK OBAMA AND I APPROVED THIS MESSAGE" or “I’M JOHN MCCAIN AND I APPROVED THIS MESSAGE” it is a phrase repeated by candidates in political advertisements. Under the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act candidates are required to appear in ads paid for by their campaigns and to utilize the phrase. The phrase is most often said at the end of the ad, though in some ads it is said at the beginning. They are required to use this phrase and they oftentimes use it in an effort to show their Leadership and the Leadership that they claim they will bring to the White House, or the Nation in their respective roles. In our text read in our hearing this morning, we also find a powerful Political Event taking shape. One of the most Powerful Political Events of its Time. We find a King attempting to exert His Leadership in the midst of troubled times and political unrest. There are some stark similarities between this event and what our Country is facing today. It is important that we remember the history of this particular time found in the OT, in an effort to help our application for today.

It was the year 587 BC that JERUSALEM and JUDAH had fallen to BABYLON. Almost 70 years have passed since the day Daniel and the other Jewish teenagers arrived from Jerusalem. Daniel is now over 80 years of age. King Nebuchadnezzar had died some 24 years prior. His grandson BELSHAZZAR sits on the throne of the shrinking empire centered in the great city of Babylon. Recall with me how the Jews were marched off into exile - how the Temple was destroyed - how all of the furnishings from the Temple were taken as plunder - Gold, Silver, Brass, Bronze were stripped from its Holy Place in Jerusalem and carried away.

Things that had belonged to the house of God were now trivialized by the Babylonians and made into sport. My Brothers and Sisters, God would quickly have something to say about this event. God would quickly move to remind this Political Figure that God is still in control – God is still on the throne. Matter of fact I can hear a disclaimer coming from heaven that simply says - I’m God and I approved this message. I also want to lift these words as a Topic for this morning’s message as I can hear a voice from Heaven reminding the Babylonians, during the midst of their Political Unrest - that yes, I’m God and I Approved This Message.

Between the end of Daniel Chapter 4 and the start of Daniel Chapter 5, a time period of about 30 years elapses or is nestled between these two chapters. A number of things have changed in this period of time. King Nebuchadnezzar has died, and the crown of his world empire has passed on to his grandson, BELSHAZZAR.

• Another change that had taken place and definitely a change for the worse, is that the prophet Daniel is no longer influential in the affairs of the empire