I Know That I Can Stand
Daniel 1
Introduction:
NOTICE: While in this office speak in a low, soothing tone and do not disagree with me
in any manner. Please be informed that excess noise and any non-concurrence causes
great gastric difficulty, hyper-peristalsis, hyper-secretion of the hydrochloric acid and
rubus of the gastric mucosa - in other words - I BECOME VERY UNPLEASANT
* Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be Broken
* Flexible in genuine hardship - first must become flexible in everyday "stuff"
* James Dobson - radio - "Christians have become wimps"
* Strength of character - determination to go forward and not muttle around in the muck!
* 2 Tim 1:12b ...... I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to
guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.
* Know whom I have believed in - Convinced that He is able
1) no matter what the circumstances - God will make a way
2) no matter what the report is - I will believe the report of the Lord
Flip back to Daniel 1 - Look at Daniel’s life - I know that I can stand - simply because I
know whom I have believed and am convinced that He is able!
I. I Know that I can stand in Turmoil
A. Daniel’s life was turned upside down
1. taken captive by a foreign government
2. forced to learn a new language
3. perform or die -
4. {Greyhound Races - mechanical rabbit broke - some laid down - some
ran into walls - others howled at the crowd - many went insane
never to recover - not one dog finished the race!}
a) many Christians are like the Greyhounds - Something upsets the
apple cart they fall apart.
b) Don’t turn away from God in Crisis turn to Him
B. Daniel resolved not to defile himself - Despite the Turmoil in His life {verse
8}
* Uncompromising Determination - Old fashion air plane farmer
- wife - pilot - free if silent loop-de-loop, dive 7 pull up, fly
upside down, landed on the run way - wow you win, I did
my best, farmer said, almost one - wanted say something
when my wife fell out!
1. Climate in Babylon - pagan - best and the brightest of Israel - groomed
a) Daniel had decided in his heart - he would not compromise
1) Away from home - family - church
2) His commitment to God surpassed - Turmoil in His Life
b) Made the decision to STAND before Turmoil came
1) He had already determined what he was about
a) situational ethics - Hogwash - Right is Right * Wrong is Wrong!
C. He could stand firm in the face of turmoil because He turned to God for
strength and help.
1. Daniel - did not forget God when his life was upturned - huge thing!
II. I know that I can stand in Testing - Verses 12
A. Aspects of Testing & Daniel’s temptation
1. Pagan culture - outside of security of close relationships - other
believer
2. Threat of slavery, forced labor, death, comply or else
3. Young - not a license to sin - no excuses - Right/Right Wrong/Wrong
B. Example of Daniel’s ability to Stand in the face of Testing - FOOD
1. Choice food - Kings table - finest food - Wine - Atmosphere
a. Sacrificed to Idols - Forbidden in the Law - Warned against wine
b. Daniel drew a line in the sand - I will not cross it
2. God provides a way of Escape - 1 Cor 10:13 No temptation has seized
you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted
beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so
that you can stand up under it. - Memorize this verse - The way out - promise - He will
do it - we just need to look for the escape route!
a. Daniel it came in putting the actual compromise to the test!
1. test me for 10 days - Veggies & water
2. verse 15 - Better off than the others
b. Just like Daniel we are always better off standing for God in
face of Temptation.
1. If you miss the world - your not living by the Spirit
a. not meant to be harsh - World has garbage to
Kingdom living
b. Taste and see that the Lord is good - Psalm 34:8
* Leads us to the final point - God has a plan for you - Get this in your spirit also......
Jer 29:11-13
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you
and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (12) Then you will call
upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. (13) You will seek me
and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
God is on your side - When we Stand firm in Him - Resist Sin - Blessings pour out!
* opposite - if we sin we pay & pay & pay
III. I know that I can stand In Triumph
A. Verses 17-20 Read
1. Standing firm has it’s rewards - hold my head high - not pride but in
integrity! With God’s help I made it!
B. Daniel’s experience can be ours -
1. I know that I can stand -
a. Because I know whom I have believed in
b. I know that He is able!
2. Satan lies to you - defeated - depressed - & discouraged
a. lies and tells you that you can’t stand
b. lies and tells you that God is finished with you - no hope
I don’t like to talk to the Devil much but, It’s Time we told him a thing or two.
* God has plans to prosper me - I am not defeated
* I have a living hope & I have a future! - I will not be depressed
* I will call on the Lord He will hear me - I will not be discouraged!
I know that I will stand!
1 - I know whom I have believed in - do you believe in the Lord Jesus for salvation?
2 - Do you want to stand?
* Turmoil in your life? - Stand firm
* Testing, Temptation - Stand firm
* Triumph - All on our way there!
