Sermon Notes
“Daring, Yet Not Defiant”
Daniel 1:8-20
(Second in the series Dare to be a Daniel)
Introduction: As the years progress, conflicting cultural values increasingly surround and challenge the Christian lifestyle.
While Secretary of State during the Regan presidency, George Shultz kept a large globe in his office. When newly appointed ambassadors had an interview with him and when ambassadors returning from their posts for their first visit with him were leaving his office, Shultz would test them. He would say, "You have to go over the globe and prove to me that you can identify your country." They would go over, spin the globe, and put their finger on the country to which sent--unerringly. When Shultz’s old friend and former Senate majority leader Mike Mansfield was appointed ambassador to Japan, even he was put to the test. This time, however, Ambassador Mansfield spun the globe and put his hand on the United States. He said: "That’s my country." On June 27, 1993, Shultz related this to Brian Lamb on C-Span’s "Booknotes." Said the secretary: "I’ve told that story, subsequently, to all the ambassadors going out. ’Never forget you’re over there in that country, but your country is the United States. You’re there to represent us. Take care of our interests and never forget it, and you’re representing the best country in the world.’ "
We must never forget where our home and our allegiance is – Heaven. Daniel worked in a land that was hostile to the faith he held. His bosses were some of the most powerful, most ruthless, and egotistical kings in all ancient history. To contradict these men could mean death. The book of Daniel is a record of the many times Daniel’s faith placed him in inconvenient and uncomfortable circumstances where the odds were the highest. It was this atmosphere that Daniel stood firm with a “Non-negotiable Faith”. He knew what it meant to have his faith put him in some inconvenient places (Introduction taken from Derrick Strickland’s sermon “A Non-Negotiable Faith” on SermonCentral.com).
Proposition: Even when living in a hostile atmosphere, we like Daniel need to stand firm, pursuing excellence with a “non-negotiable” faith.
1. Abide by principles, verse 8
He would not eat the king’s food.
Why take such a risky stand over something as seemingly trivial as food?
He had to study their literature
He lost his given name, which referred to God to receive one that honored a Babylonian idol. Why take issue over food?
Old Testament law spelled out diet restrictions.
Many decisions we make are matters of choice, custom, or personal preference.
But where God speaks clearly and specifically, there is no room for negotiation.
Daniel could have made excuses.
He was a prisoner of war
The king was generous offering his best—it would be dangerous to refuse him
He was so far from his family…who would even notice?
Daniel chose instead to do what he knew God wanted him to do.
He drew the line of obedience on the safe side, and he knew he would have to embrace the consequences of his decision.
2. Approach authority with tact, verses 9-16
This was not a simple rebellion.
He did not sit in protest or grumble about his predicament.
He resolved not to defile himself, & had such confidence in God that he asked the chief official for help.
There are three sources of light:
Light from within. Do you feel guilty or uneasy about the activity you’re involved in? You can usually trust your conscience to signal you when you feel guilty. Although you can’t always trust your mind – as someone has said, “The neurotic builds castles in the sky, the psychotic lives in them and the psychiatrist collects the rent.”
Light from without. You can get excellent counsel for godly Christians. Proverbs 11:14, “Where no counsel is the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.”
Light from above. The best source is light from above, James 1:5 says: “If anyone lack wisdom let the person ask of God.”
In the lives of Daniel and his three friends you can see young people that stayed true to their convictions. They did not believe in being politically correct. They went against the accepted culture of their day. They resolved not to defile themselves. They refused to accept the Babylonian identity. You will note that Daniel always referred to himself as Daniel and not as the Belteshazzar, the Babylonian name given to him.
God honored Daniel’s determination.
He worked on the heart of the man in charge of the students.
If there was evidence of a sudden loss of strength or weight, he would have to give an accounting to the king.
Daniel proposed a 10-day test.
He & his 3 friends passed the trial with flying colors!
God always gives clear and convincing evidence that His ways always work best!
3. Acknowledge God as the source of all wisdom, verse 20
Daniel was able to show that God’s way has practical realistic advantages.
Many today will argue that
scientific truth is separate from religious truth;
that book truth is separate from Bible truth;
that head truth is separate from heart truth.
Nothing is further from the truth! Abiding by God’s will produces real world results.
Sexual purity
Staying clear of drug & alcohol abuse
Honesty, even if it means facing trouble
Selflessness over greed and pride
Abiding in a relationship with Christ
Exhibiting love even to those who hurt or abuse us
Practicing hospitality, helping anyone in need.
This is how to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit Jesus looks for in every believer’s life! (refer to Gal. 5:19-26)
Sometimes wanting the latest thing has its consequences!
A man at the San Jose International Airport was worried about missing his
plane. He had no wristwatch and could not locate a clock, so he hurried up to a
total stranger and said, “Excuse me, could you give me the time, please?”
The stranger smiled back and said, “Sure.” He set down the two large suitcases
he was carrying and looked at the watch on his wrist. “It’s exactly 5:09.
The temperature outside is 73 degrees, and it is supposed to rain tonight.
In London, the sky is clear and the temperature is 38 degrees Celsius.
The barometer reading is 29.14 and falling. And, let’s see, in Singapore the sun is shining brightly. Oh, by the way, the moon should be full tonight here in San Jose and—”
“Your watch tells you all that?” the man interrupted.
“Oh, yes, and much more. You see, I invented this watch, and
I can assure you there’s no other timepiece like it in the world.”
“I want to buy that watch! I’ll pay you two thousand
dollars for it right now.” “No, it’s not for sale,” said
the stranger as he reached down to pick up his suitcases
“Wait! Four thousand. I’ll pay you four thousand
dollars, cash,” offered the man reaching for his wallet.
“No, I can’t sell it. You see, I plan to give it to my son
for his twenty-first birthday. I invented it for him to
enjoy.” “Okay, listen—I’ll give you ten thousand
dollars. I’ve got the money right here.” The stranger
paused. “Ten thousand? Well, okay. It’s yours for ten
thousand even.”
The man was absolutely elated. He paid the stranger,
took the watch, snapped it on his wrist with glee and
said, “Thanks!” and he turned to leave.
“Wait,” said the stranger. With a big smile he handed
the two heavy suitcases to the man and added,
“Don’t forget the batteries” (from SermonCentral.com).
There were measurable results in the lives of these 4 men.
V. 17: God gave them knowledge & understanding .
Their training gave them the facts, but by fitting those facts into God’s will, they competently applied that knowledge and soared to the head of the class.
The king discovered they were 10 times better than the counselors he was using at the time!
Daniel was about to become the spokesman for God in the strongest government in the world.
Conclusion: Christians often express the desire to be used by God. But to be used, we must be usable! No one is born great. You become what you are. Excellence is achieved through dedication and practice. It will not be easy. It may not always be fun. But, it will always pay off!
Invitation: All the Way My Savior Leads Me
