(Show video clip about Fanny Crosby. Number SV 01003 from ScreenVue) You are wondering why I showed a video clip of Fanny Crosby’s life on the weekend we celebrate Independence Day. One word explains my reasoning and the word is impact. Fanny Crosby had a huge impact on her country. Fanny Crosby was blind but she had an impact on many other people. Fanny Cosby was not a politician but she had an impact. Instead of preaching a patriotic sermon I want to challenge your thinking as to how you and I can influence our country for God. I think the real issue this week is not whether you are a good American. The Bible never instructs us to be good Americans. If we are using our lives to make an impact for God then we will be a good American. The Bible instructs us to use our influence to make an impact for God.
• We find an example in Joseph. He was out of his comfort zone and out of his home land yet he made a significant impact on his adopted homeland.
• We find an example in Esther. She was a captive under the ancient kingdom of Persia yet she had an impact for God.
• In the book of Ephesians we find an example from Paul’s life. Paul wrote the slaves who were in captivity under the Roman Empire. He instructed them to be respectful and have a Godly impact, even on their masters.
The Bible instructs us to impact our society. Certainly, our country needs a Godly impact. Consider the following indicators.
In New Jersey – according to the Index of Leading Cultural Indicators, 2001-2002
Violent Crime increased 129% -- from 1967-2000
State Prisoners increased 508% -- from 1965-2001
Illegitimate births increased 578% from 1960-1999
Divorce rates increased 328% from 1960-1999
Children living in single parent homes increased 139% from 1960-2000
Cohabitating couples increased 195% from 1980-2000
(Contributed to Sermon Central GUY GLASS)
I want to use Daniel as the basis for today’s sermon. Daniel lived under the influence of several different countries: Judah (his home country), Babylon and Persia. He had an impact on each of them. He lived much of his life in countries that were not of his choosing. The important thing is that Daniel had an impact wherever he lived.
How did Daniel impact the three countries under which he lived? We can follow Daniel’s example.
1. First, a person of impact lives by Godly convictions. Notice verse 8 of chapter 1. The Bible says Daniel “purposed” in his heart. Twice we see Daniel’s convictions going against the current of popular opinion.
In chapter 1 verse 5 King Nebuchadnezzar offers Daniel and three friends his best wine and delicacies in preparing them for service in his kingdom. Daniel did not reject the Babylonian kingdom. He was loyal to his new government to the best of his ability. He remained loyal until it required him to go against his convictions. Due to personal convictions related to his faith he declined the king’s wine and delicacies. Daniel was convinced this would harm his Christian testimony.
Let me throw in an extra point. Many people cannot understand why many believers practice total abstinence when it comes to alcoholic drinks. There is nothing morally wrong with taking a social drink. There is nothing morally wrong with drinking a little wine. At one point Paul instructed Timothy to take wine for his stomach. Believers who practice total abstinence do it because of their testimony, not because of some legalistic rule or Biblical teaching.
In chapter 6 we see Daniel’s convictions coming to the surface again. He is commanded to worship the king rather than the Lord God of Heaven. Again, due to personal convictions related to his faith he defies the King’s orders. It was the custom of God’s people to bow and pray three times a day, as they faced toward Jerusalem. Daniel continued to exercise his faith and pray to his God. His convictions came to the forefront.
A. Convictions give you courage. Daniel was concerned with doing that which was right before God, not people. Many times we do things based on what people think.
Illustration: There was a story in yesterday’s paper about a young many named Jeremy who was the valedictorian of his graduating class in a small town in New Jersey. Jeremy was to give a valedictory speech. He planned to include a prayer in his speech. The principle got wind of his plans and told him he would have to cancel the prayer or not make his speech. Jeremy took the road of silence rather than compromise his convictions. He displayed courage in his convictions.
B. Convictions will motivate you to take a stand. When you stand by your convictions it will not be popular.
Illustration: I remember reading a story about Jack Eckerd some years ago. Jack Eckerd was the founder of Eckerd drugstores. At one point in his life Eckerd committed his life to Christ. Shortly after making that commitment he visited one of the Eckerd drugstores. He noticed Playboy and Penthouse magazines in the store. This concerned him. He called the president of Eckerd drugs and instructed him to remove the magazines from the stores. At the time Eckerd had about 1700 stores. The president protested about removing the magazines from the stores. Jack Eckerd persisted with his request in spite of the president’s protest.
2. Second, a person of impact earns the right to be heard. Notice verse 9. The Bible says “God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs.”
A. The key emphasis in verse 9 should be God. Daniel had an impact because of what God was doing in him. We need to understand this truth. We cannot change anyone. We cannot make a difference. However, when we allow God to work through our lives he can make a difference.
Illustration: James Dobson shares a story from his experience in the public school system from 1960-1963. In his final year, he had to say goodbye to 25 to 30 teary-eyed kids. One young lady, Julie, to whom he said goodbye in 1963 called him in 1975. She had grown up. James remembered her as a seventh grader with a crisis of confidence. Her Latin heritage embarrassed her and she was overweight. She had only one friend who had moved away the following year. She and Dr. Dobson talked on the phone about the good ole days.
Julie asked Dr. Dobson “Where he attended church?”
He told her, and she asked if she could visit. He told her she could, and the next week she came. In the coming months, she became a vibrant Christian.
A few months after her initial visit, Dobson asked her, “Julie, I want to ask you a question. Will you tell me why you went to so much trouble to obtain my unlisted number and call me last fall…?”
“Because when I was a seventh-grade student in junior high school, you were the only person in my life who acted like you respected and believed in me…and I wanted to know your God.”
(Contributed to Sermon Central by Martin Wiles)
B. It is God who does the changing in the lives of other people. God changes our character and our character earns the respect of other people. Our character earns us a right to be heard.
Illustration: When I was a teenager my father worked for a large company that has holdings all over the world. He was the manager of a local store that distributed propane to people’s homes, sold gasoline and sold food items. This was a thriving store and employed 20-30 people. At one point the company came to my father and insisted on selling alcoholic beverages in the store. My father had been a successful manager and was making money for the company. When the company notified him of their intention of selling alcoholic beverages he drew a line in the sand. He notified the company that he would not remain as manager if they chose to sell alcoholic beverages. My father was a small speck on the landscape of that companies horizon. However, because of their respect for him they did not sell alcohol. His character won him the right to be heard.
3. Last, a person of impact displays an inner confidence. Notice verse 12. Daniel stated his convictions concerning the king’s provisions. He would not accept the king’s wine and food. For a brief time there was a tense uncertainty in the air. Finally, Daniel said “Please test your servants for ten days.” He challenged the government officials to put him and his three friends to the test.
Joke: Don’t you like to see people who are confident and positive. The story is told of two shoe salesmen who were sent by their representative companies to a South Sea island. Upon arriving, one salesman wired his company with this report. “There is no need in wasting time here. These people don’t wear shoes.”
The other salesman wired his employer: “Rush all the shoes you can lay your hands on. Every person on this island needs a pair of shoes.” What a confident attitude!
Illustration: When Bishop Philip Brooks, author of “O, Little Town of Bethlehem,” was seriously ill, he requested no friends come to see him. But when an acquaintance of his named Robert Ingersoll, a famous anti-Christian propagandist, came to visit he allowed him to come in right away. Ingersoll said, “I appreciate this very much. Especially when you aren’t letting any of your close friends in to see you.”
Bishop Brooks responded, “Oh, I’m confident of seeing them in the next world, but this may be my last chance to see you.”
(Contributed to Sermon Central by Rick Labate)
Where does such confidence, as displayed by Daniel, come from?
A. It comes from knowing the outcome before the event ever occurs.
Illustration: Occasionally, during football season, I will record games I want to see. I am an LSU fan so this especially applies to their games. When I record such games I will look at the conclusion first. When you know the outcome it relieves stress as you watch the rest of the game. Life is that way. When you know the outcome it relieves the stress of life. This should always be true for the believer. We know the outcome!
B. It comes from having security.
Illustration: Sometime when you’re in an airport, observe the difference between passengers who hold confirmed tickets and those who are on standby. The ones with confirmed tickets read newspapers, chat with their friends or sleep. The ones on standby hang around the ticket counter, pace and smoke, smoke and pace.
(Contributed to Sermon Central by Michael King)
God wants to use you to be a person of impact. Live by Godly convictions, earn the right to be heard and make sure you have inner confidence in your relationship with God. These qualities will be used of God to impact those around you.
