The Chronicles Of Daniel #2: Frustrating Dreams

THE CHRONICLES OF DANIEL #2: FRUSTRATING DREAMS

DANIEL 2:1-23

SUNDAY PM JULY 25, 2004

INTRODUCTION: “FRUSTRATING DREAMS” – BOURNE IDENTITY, BOURNE SUPREMACY, BUTTERFLY EFFECT – MY OWN – PREACHING FOR A FRIEND’S CHURCH – WHAT ABOUT YOU?

TRANSITION THOUGHT: As the chronicles of Daniel continue, we move into year two of the reign of King Nebuchadnezzer. We also move into the second movement of God in the life of His servant Daniel. God is at work and He calls for His servant to be involved. When conviction comes, the finger of God upon a human heart, God places a servant near by to show the reality of God and the Help that God alone can bring. Our text tells the story of frustrating dreams and the power of God to organize a life and bless all those involved.

THESIS SENTENCE: GOD USES DREAMS FOR HIS GLORY!

I. FRUSTRATING DREAMS CALL FOR UNDERSTANDING VV. 1-13

A. FRUSTRATING DREAMS BRING ANXIETY

B.FRUSTRATING DREAMS CALL FOR INTERPRETATION

C. FRUTRATING DREAMS DEMAND ACTION

ILLUSTRATION: One of the keys understanding our relationship to God is in understanding that God wants us to obey Him not for His sake, but for ours. God loves us so much that He wants us to avoid the pitfalls and disappointments of this life. He knows that when we take on the attitude of Christ, we will be happy and satisfied. Our obedience to Him is to our great benefit in our lives today and forever.

I can remember my dad trying to explain to me that he wanted me to avoid the mistakes that he had made. He wanted me to do things the right way because it would make my life easier and I would be happier. This came from a father who, just like all of us, made his share of mistakes. Our Heavenly Father never made mistakes, but he knows us well. He knows our weaknesses and where we might stumble. He knows what tempts us, and He wants us to avoid that temptation. Our God is a God of Peace, and wants us to enjoy peace, but that peace comes out of obedience to His will.

Contributed by: Mark Christian

II. FRUSTRATING DREAMS CALL FOR EXPLANATION VV. 14-23

A. EXPLANATIONS BEGIN WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE

B. EXPLANATATIONS INVOLVE FRIENDS

C. EXPLANATIONS INVOLVE GOD/ PLEADING/PRAYER

D. EXPLANATIONS COME FROM GOD/ GOD GIVEN WISDOM

ILLUSTRATION: False Standard of Measurement

A little boy came running to his mother, shouting, “Mother, I am nine feet tall.”

His mother responded, “Don’t talk such nonsense.”

“But,” he said, “I really am nine feet tall. I measured myself.”

“Well, how did you measure yourself?” asked his mother.

“I took off my shoe and measured myself with that. It is the same size as my foot, and I am really nine feet.”

With a smile the mother replied: “Now I understand, but I have to tell you that your measure was not the right one. We do not measure ourselves by the size of our own feet, but we must use a 12-inch ruler.”

Paul reminds us that, “Those who measure themselves by themselves ... are without understanding.” (2 Cor 10:12)

Contributed by: Gene Barron

III. FRUSTRATING DREAMS REVEAL A SERVANT VV. 24-28

A. A SERVANT KNOWS HIS PLACE/ USES THE LINE OF COMMAND

B. A SERVANT WILL STAND BEFORE THE KING

C. A SERVANT REVEALS HIS MASTER/ DOESN’T TAKE ANY CREDIT

ILLUSTRATION: THE DOG GONE STORY!

Many years ago before airplanes and the great jets of today, people had to travel by ships.

These great ocean going vessels were very slow sailing across long distances.

The King of Greece made the decision to travel to the USA. The King had heard of the vast land and

how God had blessed the Untied States, and he decided I will take my family and friends to see if what

we hear is true?

So the King of Greece and all those he invited boarded the ship and headed toward America.

The servant of the King would walk the King’s family’s beloved pet dog.

One day the servant in charge of the pet was exercising and playing with the King’s pet dog.

The servant was getting a little careless and the dog had gotten braver and braver running and

playing on the deck of the ocean-liner.

Another day the ship was in choppy water, the dog was running on the hard wood deck.

The little pet dog ran and jumped and when the dog landed, he slid into the ocean.

The servant ran as fast as humanly possible and told the Captain of the Ocean Liner about the

dog sliding off the deck into the ocean and how much the King and the King’s family loved that

pet dog.

The Captain of the ship refused to turn it around for a dumb old dog.