"What Is God Saying?" Part 4 Series

*SEVEN THINGS GOD IS SAYING IN DANIEL CHAPTER 4*

-------------------------------------------------------

I. “I HATE PRIDE!” - THE DREAM - (v4-17)

Proverbs 6:16-17 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look...KJV

(a) IS THERE ANYTHING SPIRITUAL ABOUT LOW SELF ESTEEM?

1. Some people believe that God desires us to have low self esteem. To think of ourselves as nobodies. Don’t take care of ourselves and let people run over us and our families. God never expects us to think of ourselves as nobodies. We are His children and we should view ourselves as special to God.

2. The media teaches our daughters to view themselves as unacceptable in the public eye because they aren’t skinny.

The church might give the impression that our daughters should accept this view because we aren’t to be prideful.

Young lady, God loves you! He created you. Stop thinking of yourself as second class because of who you are.

3. Never mistake low self esteem with pride.

(b) TO LIVE LIKE THERE IS NO GOD IS PRIDE!

1. If we say we love God, yet we live like He doesn’t exist, that is pride.

2. If we say we believe that God is returning soon, yet we live like he will never return, that is pride.

3. To say you believe in God, yet you refuse to surrender to Him, that is pride.

4. Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged God over the last 3 chapters we’ve looked at, but he refused to surrender to Him. God was about to deal with that.

5. To say you don’t need God IS SATANIC

ISAIAH 14:12-15 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

(c) TO LIVE LIKE WE ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS IS PRIDE!

1. Jewish leaders were called to lead by being accessible to the people as shepherds. Eastern kings were right the opposite. They lived in splendid isolation never realizing the oppression their actions may be placing on the people. King Nebuchadnezzar had placed great burdens on his people and really didn’t care as long as he was satisfied.

2. When we live looking down on others it displeased God very much. We are all created equally in the eyes of God. God isn’t impressed near as much as we are with cliques and money. The way people dress, what they drive where they live. God expects us to treat the poor stranger just as kind as we do our own friends.

3. The saved should not look down our noses at the lost. That is pride. It is hard for us to understand that God loves them just as much as he does us. We should not ever feel that God loves us more just because we’re saved.

4. Acts 10:34 ...God is no respecter of persons.

-------------------------------------------------------

II. “NEVER COMPROMISE THE TRUTH!”

- THE INTERPRETATION OF THE DREAM- (v 19-26)

(a) DANIEL DIDN’T COMPROMISE

1. Daniel had surely heard of what the king had done to his friends in the furnace. He knew the king had a horrible temper. Rather than be afraid of the consequences of the truth, he chose to tell the truth & leave the results to God.

2. Many of God’s people are turning from truth out of fear of the consequences. Prophets/preachers today preaching to please their congregations out of fear of losing the few they have, or fear of being ran off. The church would be much better off if men of God would cling to the truth.

(b) THE TRUTH IS ALWAYS RIGHT

1. Is it ok to turn from the truth to keep someone from getting hurt?

2. Is it ok to turn from the truth if no one gets hurt?

3. Many are not only turning from speaking truth, but turning from hearing and believing the truth.

4. Cling to God’s Word! Even when it hurts, cling to it!

------------------------------------------------------

III. “THERE’S ONLY ONE WAY TO ESCAPE MY WRATH - REPENTANCE!” (v 27)

(a) IT’S TIME TO TURN FROM IT

1. The king had acknowledged God for the past three chapters, God was saying, “now it’s time to change.”

2. God was about to pour his judgement out on the king, but was telling him, “turn and I’ll spare you!”

3. God is telling us today, REPENT! Stop playing around. Stop professing sin and going on living in it. TURN FROM IT!