What God Does With a Sold-Out Life?
Griffith Baptist Church – 3/2/08
A.M. Service
Text: Daniel 1:16-21
Key verse: Daniel 1:19 - And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.
The Introduction
May not a single moment of my life be spent outside the light, love, and joy of God’s presence and not a moment without the entire surrender of my self as a vessel for Him to fill full of His Spirit and His love." Andrew Murray
What does it mean to be sold-out? It means to be surrendered to Him in every area of our lives
He has it all!!
We have just come to this point in the life of Daniel when He has been tested and passed the test.
o Melzar (prince of the Eunuchs) who is in charge of Daniel and his 3 friends is satisfied with the results of Daniel’s challenge and makes it their regular diet – verse 16
o The description of what God gave them for their faithfulness – verse 17
o Now, after the 3 year college course in being Babylonian, they go for an interview to King Nebuchadnezzar – verses 18-19
o He discovered that they were ten times better than everyone else he had on staff – verse 20
o He would live to see the return of his people to the promised land – verse 21
What is it about Daniel that sets him above the rest?
What shaped his life to have the excellence it had?
It is possible that we could be the same way and have the same excellent spirit?
Do you want that kind of spirit?
Transitional Statement: In order to have the kind of reputation that Daniel had, we need to take a look at the characteristics that are involved in the surrendered life.
Body
1. Characteristics of the Surrendered Life
A. Sanctified (holy) - 8
i. 1 Corinthians 6:11 – 11And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
ii. Sanctified means to be set-apart for God’s use
iii. It means being clean and ready for whatever God has for us to do
iv. A young girl gave her experience in the following story: "After I was saved I found some things in my heart not right. There seemed to be cobwebs in the corners. I used to sweep them out by watchfulness and prayer; but they would come again. For some time I kept on sweeping out the cobwebs, only to find them soon appear. But one day the Lord came and killed the spider; and there have been no cobwebs in my heart since.
v. 1 Peter 1:15-16 - 15But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
vi. God has called us out to be visible examples of Him
vii. This means we have to be distinctive and exceptional in our behavior. This does not mean haughty but humble.
B. Submissive (humble) - 12
i. In Washington, D.C., Bill Clinton tried to remove an unflattering portrait that has been hung around his neck for three years, urging the Christian conservatives not to condemn “the motives and character” of people with whom they disagree because if they “could look into my soul they would see someone whose belief is God is as sincere and deep and genuine as theirs” and who probably is “much more humble in his Christian faith than many of them are.” U. S. News & World Report, March 6, 1995, p. 15
ii. True submission places us under the authority of another
a. Under God’s authority – James 4:7 - Submit yourselves therefore to God.
b. Under government authority ordained by God – Romans 13:1 - Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God
c. Under spiritual authority called of God – Hebrews 13:17 - Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
d. Under each other loved of God – Ephesians 5:21 - Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
iii. It is an inescapable part of life, this act of submission
iv. To do anything but is to be a criminal and in rebellion against God.
v. Submission or humility is the indispensable tool that opens the heart of God
C. Satisfied (content) - 15
i. Contentment is so powerful an attribute to have - 1 Timothy 6:6 – But godliness with contentment is great gain
ii. Nothing will give peace to your soul more than being content.
iii. Be content not complacent.
iv. A gentleman had a board put up on a part of his land on which was written: "I will give this field to one who is really contented. When an applicant came, he asked, "Are you contented?" The general answer was, "I am," and his reply invariably was: "Then what do you want with my field."
v. Philippians 4:11 – Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
Transitional Statement: If we possess these characteristics like Daniel exhibits for us, than what will be the consequences of the surrendered life?
2. Consequences of the Surrendered Life
A. Undeterred Commitment - 8
i. Ability to rise above your circumstances
ii. Philippians 3:13-14 - 13Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
iii. Give me 100 men who hate nothing but sin and love God with all their hearts and I will shake the world for Christ!” - John Wesley
iv. 1 Corinthians 15:58 - Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
v. Always abounding no matter the resistance, I am committed to the fight
B. Undiminished Excellence - 17
i. The name Stradivarius is synonymous with fine violins. This is true because Antonius Stradivarius insisted that no instrument constructed in his shop be sold until it was as near perfection as human care and skill could make it.
Stradivarius observed, “God needs violins to send His music into the world, and if any violins are defective God’s music will be spoiled.” His work philosophy was summed up in one sentence: “Other men will make other violins, but no man shall make a better one.”
Our Daily Bread, January 25, 1993
ii. It is not the pursuit of perfection (being without flaw) because that is impossible - Edwin Bliss once said, “The pursuit of excellence is gratifying and healthy. The pursuit of perfection is frustrating, neurotic, and a terrible waste of time.”
Eating Problems for Breakfast by Tim Hansel, Word Publishing, 1988, Page 39
iii. Whatever we do, we should do our best
iv. We should make ourselves reach further than anybody else
v. We should be the best workers, best husbands, best wives, best teens, best children, best church servants.
vi. Excellence in all you do
C. Uncommon Character - 19
i. "Character is like the foundation of a house. Most of it is below the surface."
ii. Distinguished character
iii. A good biblical reference for character - Psalms 106:3 - Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times. (Happy are those who deal justly with others and always do what is right)
iv. No one should be able to match you for quality, honesty and integrity
D. Unsurpassed Service - 20
i. Recognition of skills to serve
ii. We should serve in a way that is valuable and seemingly irreplaceable
iii. Unfortunately, most Christians are like this. The advertisement goes something life this:
FOR SALE
One Cross, - almost new. Top heavy. Cramps my style keeping up with the world
One Talent, - slightly shelf-worn. Unused for several years.
One Bundle of Seldom Used Opportunities, - Among these, church attendance, personal witnessing.
One Badly Used Influence, - Buyer needs to repair it and use it more carefully.
These items may be seen anytime in the basement of my home. Corner of Careless Avenue and Neglect Street.
Signed, Careless Christian
iv. Serve one another - Galatians 5:13 – For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
v. Serving God above all things - Hebrews 12:28 reference
Conclusion:
Would you dare to be a Daniel?
God calls us to Himself so He can work through us
What will you offer to Him?
