Standing Firm

Standing Firm

February 8, 2009 Morning Service

Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK

Rick Boyne

Message Point: We must determine in our hearts that we will remain faithful to God.

Focus Passage: Daniel 1:1-21

Supplemental Passage: And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2)

Introduction: Woman in the hotel lounge propositioned by man.

I. The Problem:

a. Daniel found himself in a foreign land picked out for service to the foreign king.

b. To be trained, he was offered the food of the king.

c. The food had been offered to idols/gods before it was served to eat.

II. The Plan:

a. Daniel MADE UP HIS MIND/PURPOSED IN HIS HEART to NOT sin against God by eating the food.

b. He politely requested exemption.

c. He offered an alternate course of action.

III. The Pay-off:

a. His plan worked and he and his friends were granted the exemption.

b. They were placed in the king’s service.

c. They were given places of honor in the king’s service.

Invitation: This worked for Daniel when the proposal went as planned. Later, Daniel did not compromise and it cost him a night with the lions. How are you living? Compromising or standing firm?