Daniel 6:1-28 THE POWER OF A CONSISTENT FAITH Daniel was a man who possessed a consistent faith. As a young man he was separated, Dan. 1. As a middle aged man, he was sold out,Dan. 5. As an older man, he was surrendered, Dan. 6. God is interested in our running faithfully all the way, Heb. 12:1-3. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. I. THE TEST OF DANIEL'S FAITH 4 Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. 2 Tim. 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. Through Persecution :- A.The Saint Is Cultivated - V. 3 Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. Daniel was already a great man, God wanted to develop him even further. Rom. 8:28; And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Jer. 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Psalms 105:17 He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: 18 Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: 19 Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him. B. The Saviour Is Celebrated - V. 25-28 1 Cor. 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Acts 7:59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. C. The Sinner Is Convicted - V. 4- 5 Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God. These men were disturbed by Daniel’s faith. They knew that he possessed something that they did not have. Believers are living epistles - Matt. 5:16; Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 2 Cor. 3:2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: John Wesley & Peter Bohler, Chinese Christian Prison Witness, Philippian Jailor Acts 16:29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? II. THE TESTIMONY OF DANIEL'S FAITH A. His Testimony To His Foes - V. 10-11 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. 11 Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. The Peril of Prayer ... Consistency 10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed The Position of Prayer … Humility 10 he kneeled upon his knees
The Practice of Prayer … Persistency 10 three times a day
The Posture of Prayer … Praise 10 and gave thanks before his God,
B. His Testimony To His Friends - V. 20 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? Acts 28:15 - And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage. C. His Testimony To His Father -V. 10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. 1 Cor. 10:31. Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Tom Shaw "Where's Your God Now" III. THE TRIUMPH OF DANIEL'S FAITH 21 Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. 22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. TRIUMPH A. Over Every Adversity - the Den, the Danger, the Dark, the Detractors, 1 John 5:4; For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 1 Cor. 15:57; But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Cor. 2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. B. Over Every Adversary - He saw every adversary defeated! The World, 2 Pet. 3:7-10, But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us–ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. The Flesh, 1 Cor. 15:49-54, And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. 50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. and The Devil, Rev. 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. 4. THE TRUTH OF DANIEL'S FAITH 21 Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. 22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. DANIEL WAS DIFFERENT IN THAT: I. DANIEL HAD PURPOSE Daniel 1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. A. He had a heart purpose B. He had a heavenly purpose C. He had a holy purpose II. DANIEL HAD PURITY Daniel 1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. A. He had purity in private B. He had purity in public C. He had purity in persecution III. DANIEL HAD PROTECTION Daniel 6:22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. A. He was protected from the harm of the leaders B. He was protected from the hunger of the lions C. He was protected from the hatred of the lost IV. DANIEL HAD POWER Daniel 2:48 Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon. A. He had the power to endure his obstacles B. He had power to excel his opponents C. He had power to exalt his Owner
