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
• Daniel, if you remember, was Nebuchadnezzar’s right-hand man, ruler over the entire province of Babylon
• Under Belshazzar, Daniel lives somewhere in Babylon as a forgotten citizen
• He has heard of Daniel, but wants nothing to do with him.
This would prove to be a disaster – a real Lapse of Leadership on the Kings part. Daniel is a prophet of the Lord and, as such, he represents the Word of God. His absence from the courts of Babylon, means the absence of God’s Word in those courts. And, we all know what happens when the Word of God is Forgotten – Ignored - Shoved into a corner somewhere. THE WATER THEN BREAKS THORUGH THE DAM, AND THE RIVERS OF SIN OVERFLOW THEIR BANKS. That’s just how it goes in your life and in my life when we seek to escape the sound of God’s Word.
• When we as a People or a Nation turn our back on God – We are treading in Dangerous Waters
• When we accept Anything and Stand Up for Nothing – We are treading in Dangerous Waters
• When Programs are more important than Worship – We are treading in Dangerous Waters
• When Building Bigger Cathedrals is more important than Saving Souls – We are treading in Dangerous Waters
• When we want more Choir Selections on Sunday Morning and Less Preaching – We are treading in Dangerous Waters
In this Chapter, we find our first introduction to Belshazzar. He does not make a very good first impression. Young people, I wish I had time to spend on this Segment of the text. Chapter five is a drama that unfolds before the readers eyes. There are several concurrent events taking place. While Belshazzar is busy feasting with his nobles, wives and concubines, the Armies of Persia are outside the walls of Babylon planning their assault on the impregnable city, the pride and glory of the Babylonian kingdom. So confident was the king that his fortress City was impenetrable that he laughed at the invading armies which were right outside of the wall. What a picture of our world today: judgment is about to fall, yet people are making merry and worshiping their false gods!
• Their god of Wealth and Riches
• Their god of Savings & Retirement Funds
• Their god of 401(K) Plans
• Their god of the Stock Market
• Their god of the Real Estate Market
• Their god of Profitability
• There god of Classism
Let me also bring to your attention, this was not just any kind of party that Belshazzar was hosting. It was viewed as a religious event. In our country most celebrations and events are conducted without any mention or thought of God. Belshazzar and the Babylonians knew better. They knew that religion involves all of life, including celebrations and parties. Therefore; no wine was consumed and no glass raised unless a Song of Praise was first sung to one of the gods. As they drank the wine, they praised the GODS OF GOLD – GODS OF SILVER – GODS OF BRONZE – GODS OF IRON - GODS OF WOOD – GODS OF STONE.
• The Babylonians certainly put us to shame
• Many times we forget that all of life is religious
• Oftentimes we act like religion does not involve us in totality
• We barley, if at all, Bow our Head in Public prior to consuming a meal
• We easily forgo Prayer in our committee or auxiliary meetings
• As I travel around the country I have heard some complain that we pray too long in the church
• Act too Embarrassed to Pray in Public Places
• Used to be a time we were peculiar people – now we want to look and behave like everybody else
• More we look like the World – Seems like the More Popular the Church Becomes
On a positive note, the Babylonians were holding fast to their beliefs, as strange as they may have been. When we scan the World’s Religions we determine, many are willing to Fight and Die for what they believe in. That is why this conflict in Iraq and in Afghanistan has been so difficult to fight. They view it as a Holly War and willing to die for what they believe. When it comes to Christianity, however; we act as though we don’t know what to believe.
• One Sunday we sing the song –If I Perish Let Me Perish
• The Next Sunday we sing the song – I’m Running for My Life
• Few years ago Artist Donnie McClurkin broke into music industry – When You’ve Done All – Just Stand
• Followed next CD with the hit – We Fall Down
• And we wonder why we are so confused when it comes to Christianity
• We continue to Argue Fuss about Basics – Baptism, Holy Spirit
At some point during this Party hosted by King Belshazzar, he suddenly came up with the bright idea of using the gold goblets that Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem. He could drink wine to his gods from the gold vessels stolen from the house of God! Belshazzar took what was Holy and Consecrated to the Lord and used it to get drunk and for idol worship. I don’t know what he possibly could have been thinking. Perhaps it was the Martha Stewart of his era that stood in the kitchen and reminded him that, With Food, Presentation is Everything. So Belshazzar ordered that his food and drink be served in vessels taken from the Temple of Jerusalem.
But the issue here in an effort to help us with Practical Application was not really about Cups and Plates. It was about what is Holy. It was about how we value what can be used for the service of God. It was about how we Obsess with things that do not matter and ignore the things that really do count..My Brothers and sisters, there are consequences when we obsess on the trivial and do not give ourselves to things that truly matter. The consequences - at the end of the day, lead to disappointment and worse.
• There have been more Churches Destroyed because of Placing Focus on Trivial Things
• There have been more Church Fights and Church splits because of Placing Focus on Trivial Things
• Good Pastors removed from Pulpits because of Placing Focus on Trivial Things
• Empty Pews in the Average Church because of Placing Focus on Trivial Things
• Must Learn to Focus on What Really Matters
• Not What Matters to Us – Rather What Matters to God!
• Oftentimes What Matters to Us and What Matters to God are on Opposite Ends of the Spectrum
The sin of Belshazzar was that he used holy things for his own benefit, and not for the use God had intended. Belshazzar seized the Temple vessels and then treated them as if they were playthings for his own pleasure. Less we are too hard on Belshazzar, we need to take a good inward look at ourselves. We too have taken the things of God and all too often, do nothing more than Play Church. I am amazed at some of the things that I see go on in the Church, in the name of God. The Church is not here for us. Let me say that again. The church is not here for us, for you and me, and for our good pleasure.
• The church is here for the world
• The church is here to be the servant of the world for Christ
• We are here to give ourselves away
• We do not come together as a mutual admiration society
• We come together to pray for and give to a world that is broken and bleeding
• We are not here for ourselves
• We are here for others
Belshazzar orders some of the cups that were part of temple treasures from Jerusalem that were captured by Nebuchadnezzar to be brought to the party, where they are used to drink from and toast their many gods. As this was going on there appeared a mysterious hand who wrote four (4) words on the wall. Belshazzar and all his officials grew Fearful. So Belshazzar gathers all his magicians and astrologers and tries to push them to read the writing on the wall. We don’t know whether it was written in a foreign alphabet so that they could not read it or whether they just didn’t know what it meant. But in any event the magicians and astrologers were unable to provide what Belshazzar wanted. I can hear God saying – I’m God and I Approved This message. Can you imagine -- Suddenly God crashes the party in a most dramatic fashion. Without warning a disembodied hand began to write on the plaster wall near the lampstand in the royal palace. No body – No face – No torso -- just some fingers writing on the plaster wall. When the king saw the words being formed on the wall, the color drained out of his face and he turned white as a sheet.
At first the king thought he was seeing things, but then he realized the party had stopped. There was dead silence in the room. This was no illusion. Everyone saw the same thing. The king grew faint, his knees buckled, and he almost collapsed. Just as suddenly as it had appeared, the finger vanished. But the words remained. Four words perhaps in Aramaic, the trade language of that day. What did they mean? The King called for all of his men, the astrologers, soothsayers and the like. No one could interpret this Hand Writing on the Wall. I pause here to make a point made a century ago by Joseph Parker - the famous London preacher. When the world throws a Party, the Children of God are not Invited. We don’t fit in and our values would just be a nuisance when the world wants to party.
• But let a marriage break up
• Or let cancer knock on the front door
• Or let the children find themselves standing in front of the judge
• Or the career hit the rocks, and who do they call?
• They call the faithful men and women who know the Lord
• Daniel wasn’t invited to the party, but when God intervened and no one had the answer
• Suddenly Daniel was the one man the king wanted to hear from
We never know our influence until a crisis comes. What an encouragement this is. You may be stuck in an office or a classroom. A factory – or a neighborhood or club – or a Family gathering - where you are the only Christian. And you may feel overlooked and taken for granted, or possibly ridiculed and misunderstood. Bide your time, my Christian friend, and do not despair. Soon enough life will come tumbling in and the people who have no time for you will turn to you for answers. You may not be invited to every party, but you will get the call when trouble comes. When it happens, be bold to speak the truth in love. Never underestimate the power of a Godly life. Even when we think no one is paying attention, the people of the world are watching us, and if we are faithful to the Lord, when trouble comes, they will know who to call. After 9/11 – Never seen so many Preachers and Christians gathering at events. Never heard so many Prayers offered on Courthouse Steps. Never seen so many Federally funded Prayer Breakfasts.
Yes, my brothers and my sisters, God acted swiftly and he sent a disturbing message to the King. I encourage you to finish reading this chapter. God’s message was simple, what he was saying in terms we understand today –I’M God and I Approved This Message. The end of story comes quickly. Verse 30 says Belshazzar was slain “that same night,” Let me draw the moral of the story quickly: Daniel 5:22 emphasizes that King Belshazzar knew the past. He knew that God had judged his grandfather Nebuchadnezzar for pride. Daniel’s point is, You should have known better. When you took the silver and gold goblets and used them in the Party, you were practically daring God to punish you, and God called your bluff.
I stopped by with a simple message for us today as we begin to prepare ourselves to go to the Polls in a few short days. As we prepare to participate in the shaping of our Nation. Let us not forget that Daniel Chapter 5 is in the Bible for a very particular reason—so that we will know that what happened to Babylon may also happen to us. Search through the rubble of History. See the Great Nations Come and Go:
• Babylon
• Medo-Persia
• Greece
• Rome
• And in the last hundred years the Communist empire and the Third Reich of Hitler have both come and gone.
The tendency of every great nation is the same:
• To begin to believe that we will always be a superpower
• To slowly push God out of the picture
• To take him out of public life
• To forbid the mention of his name
• To ridicule those who still believe in him
• To promote those who exalt man and down play God
• To chafe at the absolutes
• To rewrite the rule book
• To live by our own set of rules
• Over time we take God for granted
• Turn to our own idols of technology
• Begin to worship the things we make with our own hands.
In the end God judges that nation and it is no longer great. And note this biblical fact. Judgment often comes at the hands of another nation God raises up for that very purpose. And we – in the midst of a recession – Political Unrest – Bank Failures – stock Market Crashes – we can hear God saying to us today I’M God and I Approved This Message. Lest I leave you on a down note:
- I thank God this Morning for the Daniel’s that God has placed around the Nation
- I thank God for every Remnant of Believers
- I thank God there are still Believers and Praying Saints
- I thank God for those that have been Washed in the Blood of the Lamb
- No Matter what our Eyes are able to See – We Still Walk By Faith and Not by Sight
- I am so Glad that We as Believers are Yet the Covering for Our Nation
- I am so Glad that We Believe The Bible is Still Right
-
- Continue to Hold on and Run this Race With Patience
- Run until God Says Well Done Though Good and Faithful Servants
• We all know that God has written a great deal more than those few words on the palace wall
• The words in the Bible were written by the same hand that wrote the words on Belshazzar’s wall
• What God has written in the Bible has blazed a path through history
• Innumerable sinners have been so frightened by what God has written that they have fallen to their knees and turned to Christ
• Through that Word, hearts have been changed
• Through that Word, lives have been renewed
• Through that Word, nations and kings have turned unto the Lord
• Through the Scriptures, God has changed the world.
- Through The Scriptures God is Saying:
--I am God beside me there is No Other
--I am God that Created the heavens and the Earth
-- As our Nation goes through her transition God is saying to us – His Word Is Still True
-- Hold Your Ground
-- Continue to Pray Without Ceasing
-- Walk by Faith and Not By Sight
-- Be Like a Tree Planted by the Rivers of Water
--I’M God and I Approved This Message
