Text: Daniel 5:10-31, Title: Results of Spiritual Blindness 2, Date/Place: NRBC, 6/7/09, AM
A. Opening illustration: tell about Mark Driscoll’s message on idolatry
B. Background to passage: Reminder of what has happened up to this point in Daniel. Babylon was on a big downslide, and Belshazzar was partying away the night. And remind them that Belshazzar (whom we now have ample archeological evidence for) had to have seen it all. This was a case where he knew better. Belshazzar was blinded spiritually, and the results where as follows.
C. Main thought: in this text we will see the last of three results of spiritual blindness (first three online)
A. Willful Rebellion (v. 22-23a)
1. Spiritual blindness leads to this sort of sin because the offender can’t see the glory of God, can’t see the seriousness of sin, and doesn’t realize the precariousness of their situation. The bible differentiates between accidental, inadvertent, falling into type sin, and willful rebellion. And the main difference is how they are viewed by God, and the punishments for them. And the text here shows the biggest difference. Belshazzar knew better. He had seen the power and judgment of God, and still persisted in rebellion. Daniel says that in spite of his knowledge, he lifted himself up against God.
2. Num 15:30-31, Deut 1:43, Ps 19:13, Ezek 3:7, Luke 10:13-16, Heb 10:26
3. Illustration: The sailor responded, “I didn’t dare to! I wanted to go north, but as hard as I tried to make the needle aim in that direction, it just kept on pointing southeast.” Describe a person who is warned about an action, and yet is openly determined to do what they want regardless of what the bible says,
4. We should be deathly afraid of willful rebellion. They express our desire to be independent from God and His rule and reign. It is indicative of major spiritual problems at the least, and false faith at the worst. What it says is that “I don’t care what people say, what God says, what the bible says, what the church says, I want it my way.” It demonstrates that you clearly and intentionally want to throw off any restraint or authority. And the “Lordship of Christ” is essential to salvation. We must confess Him as “Lord” and believe. We must be willing to deny ourselves, hate our friends and family, lay down our very lives, agendas, and wills to follow Jesus. This is why MacArthur wrote a book called “Hard to Believe.” The gospel is simple, but difficult, and the way is straight and narrow. This is why that when we practice church discipline, and someone refuses to repent, Jesus said to treat them like a publican and a sinner. And we must stop living in the Christian fairy tale land that everyone who believes in God or has ever made a profession of faith is saved.
B. Robbing the Glory of God (v. 23b)
1. What a powerful statement at the end of 23. Daniel said, with this full knowledge, you have failed to do the most important thing—glorify Him. Belshazzar, much like his grandfather before him, longed to have all the power and glory and majesty. And every chance he got, he did things that would make him look good in the eyes of men. This kind of sin is absolute high treason.
2. Isa 42:8, 48:11, Ps 115:1, Acts 10:25, 12:23, 14:15, Philip 2:13, Ezek 14:20
3. Illustration: An atheist group unveiled an anti-religion placard/sign in the state Capitol, joining a Christian Nativity scene and "holiday tree" on display during December. The atheists’ sign was installed by Washington members of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, a national group based in Madison, Wis. The placard reads: "At this season of the WINTER SOLSTICE may reason prevail. There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds." The foundation’s co-president, Dan Barker, said it was important for atheists to offer their viewpoint.
4. This could be said of many in our culture. We bow to gods of education, sports, entertainment, money, sex, work, etc, and we pay no heed to the God who holds our very breaths in His hand and owns all of our ways. We glorify all of them, but rarely do we glorify the One that really deserves it. And remember this hits at the very heart of why we were created in the first place—to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. If we fail to make much of Jesus, we have missed the point of life. And if Jesus is not enjoyable enough to you to make much of, you need to get to know Jesus. It is easy to make much of something or someone that is already much in your own mind. And in reality, He is much! Does your family glorify God? Does your work ethic, your speech, your marriage, your money, your lifestyle tell the whole world that Jesus is the greatest, highest, and the best of all beings? Don’t think for one moment that God will not remove anything that steals His glory in your life.
C. Judgment Without Mercy (v. 26-31)
1. Daniel now interprets the writing for Belshazzar. The words probably could have been translated, but they are now interpreted. The message from God to Belshazzar is this: the God of Israel has numbered the days of your kingdom. You have been weighed, or examined (probably against God’s holy standards), and found lacking. And your kingdom will be destroyed and given to Darius. Daniel didn’t offer any advice. There was no encouragement for repentance. And immediately, everything happened just like He said.
2. Heb 10:27-29, Rom 9:17, 22-23, Ps 90:11, Pro 16:4,
3. Illustration: “The awful calamity of civil war which now desolates the land may be but a punishment inflicted upon us for our presumptuous sins, to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole people.” –Lincoln, An umpire named Babe Pinelli once called Babe Ruth out on strikes. When the crowd booed with sharp disapproval at the call, the legendary Ruth turned to the umpire with disdain and said, "There’s 40,000 people here who know that the last pitch was ball, tomato head." Suspecting that the umpire would erupt with anger, the coaches and players braced themselves for Ruth’s ejection. However, the cool headed Pinelli replied, "Maybe so, Babe, but mine is the only opinion that counts." "All roads lead to the judgment seat of Christ." Green, Keith
4. There will come points in all lives where God’s mercy runs its course. Times when God is no longer taking applications for salvation and mercy. God will not leave accounts unsettled. God is not mocked, you will reap what you sow. And know that whatever judgment comes in our lives, that it is well-deserved. And displays of God’s wrath are necessary to put on display the full range of His glory for our full enjoyment. Not that we enjoy judgment, but we enjoy God by knowing the fullness of His person which includes His wrath. And of course, our rejoicing in heightened when we see judgment, to know that we have been spared the wrath of God. Good to differentiate between wrath and chastisement. And it is also a good thing to have a healthy fear of God. And knowing that he is a God of justice and wrath is helpful for us in sanctification.
A. Closing illustration: Many years ago a man conned his way into the orchestra of the emperor of China although he could not play a note. Whenever the group practiced or performed, he would hold his flute against his lips, pretending to play but not making a sound. He received a modest salary an enjoyed a comfortable living. Then one day the emperor requested a solo from each musician. The flutist got nervous. There wasn’t enough time to learn the instrument. He pretended to be sick, but the royal physician wasn’t fooled. On the day of his solo performance, the impostor took poison and killed himself. The explanation of his suicide led to a phrase that found its way into the English language: “He refused to face the music.” (Just Like Jesus; Max Lucado) Today you can pretend to be a part of God’s orchestra by just blending in with the crowd and going through the motions. No one notices here, because you say the right things, go to the right places, and hang out with the right people. And you can enjoy the comfort of being accepted by the crowd of your choice. But there will come a day when you must face the music, one day you will be separated from everything. On that day you will stand alone before God and give an account for your life, your decisions, and whether or not you were taped into the living water.
B. Confident in better things concerning you, things that accompany salvation…Heb 6:9
C. Invitation to commitment
Additional Notes
• Is Christ Exalted, Magnified, Honored, and Glorified?
