Historical Posts
Daniel 1:4 Daniel, A Man Ready for Life’s Challenges – audio
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Text: Daniel 1:4
Introduction
A. Daniel
1. Daniel was taken into captivity (1st group) – 606 BC.
2. Was a young man (Perhaps 18-20 years old).
3. Lived in Babylon for duration of the captivity.
B. Daniel’s Test As A Captive.
1. Daniel and Friends Selected For Special Training – Daniel 1:1-7
2. Daniel Refuses To Defile Himself – Daniel 1:8-16
3. God Rewards His Faithful Servants – Daniel 1:17-21
C. One can survive and thrive! One can live godly in an ungodly environment. Daniel was a Man ready for life’s challenges. He was ready because of his commitment to God!
Body
I. DANIEL’S COMMITMENT WAS EARLY – Daniel 1:4
A. A Young Man Who Remembered His Creator – Ecclesiastes 12:1
1. Like Joseph before him – Genesis 39
2. Like Timothy after him – 2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15
B. A Young Man Who Stood By His Godly Convictions – Daniel 1:8-16
1. Did not leave God when left home
2. Did not try to blend in with Babylonian lifestyle – Romans 12:1-2
C. A Young Man With A Decided Advantage Over Late Starters
1. Fewer wasted years to regret
2. More time to develop spiritual strength
II. DANIEL’S COMMITMENT WAS COMPLETE – Daniel 1:8
A. Reflected in All of His Outward Conduct – Proverbs 4:23-27; 23:7
1. Deeper motive than to merely impress other young men
2. Deeper motive than to merely show defiance to captors
B. Reflected by Being Unmoved by Pomp and Power of Royal Palace
1. Never compromised for temporary advantage or ease
2. Always aware of a Greater Presence – Daniel 2:28
C. Reflected by Accepting Risks of Not Conforming
1. Risked special treatment that select group had
2. Risked life (Life was cheap to Pagan kings)
III. DANIEL’S COMMITMENT WAS LASTING – Daniel 1:21
A. As an Old Man (About 90) Still Faithful & Strong
1. Years of struggle had not worn him down
2. Years of service prepared him for lion’s den – Daniel 1:6
3. Test off the Lion’s Den – Daniel 6
a. Jealousy of the wise men and the decree of Darius – Daniel 6:1-9
b. Daniel gave thanks before his God – Daniel 6:10-15
c. Daniel is delivered from the mouth of the lions – Daniel 6:16-24
d. The decree of Darius praises the living God – Daniel 6:25-28
B. As an Old Man He Could Look Back Over a Life of Spiritual Growth
1. By the time needed to refuse king’s food – had the character needed.
2. By the time needed to interpret Neb. Dream – had the wisdom needed
3. By the time needed to interpret handwriting on wall – had gained the Reputation needed – Daniel 5:10-12
4. By the time needed to face the lion’s den – had the fortitude needed
5. By the time needed to help deliver the Jews (During Cyrus reign) – had the influence needed
Conclusion
A. Daniel: A Man Ready For Life’s Challenges
1. Daniel’s Commitment Was Early
2. Daniel’s Commitment Was Complete
3. Daniel’s Commitment Was Lasting
B. Are you ready for life’s challenges?
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Ten Virgins – Matthew 25:1-13
Text: Matthew 25:1-13
Five wise and five foolish virgins were all invited to a wedding feast. The wise virgins brought extra oil for their lamps, whereas the foolish virgins did not.
All slept while waiting for the bridegroom. When they learned the bridegroom was approaching, the foolish virgins found they had run out of oil for their lamps. The wise told them to go in the city and buy some.
While the foolish virgins were gone, the bridegroom arrived. The wise virgins entered the wedding feast, whereas the foolish virgins did not because they were outside the door when it was shut.
There are three main lessons to gain from this parable.
Be prepared!
As there were both wise and foolish virgins invited to the feast, not all were prepared. All persons need to be prepared to do God’s will. Paul illustrates to Timothy that not only gold and silver vessels, but also those of wood and earth are equally important, especially for the master’s use and prepared for every good work (2 Timothy 2:20-21). Likewise, we have God’s Word to prepare us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). By careful study, we can be prepared to answer those that ask a reason within us with meekness and fear (1 Peter 3:15).
The bridegroom gets the bride!
The bride is described as a holy city, new Jerusalem (Revelation 21:1-2). The church began at Jerusalem and spread throughout the world (Acts 2:5ff; Acts 8:1). The bride is described as the Lamb’s wife (Revelation 21:9). The bride is also referred to as the saints, often a term used for Christians (Revelation 19:7-9).
Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29; Isaiah 53:6-12; 1 Peter 1:19).
Paul told the church at Corinth they were espoused to one husband, presented as chaste virgins to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2).
Be watchful!
The foolish virgins tried to get in saying, “Lord, Lord” (Matthew 25:11), but the door was shut. Jesus said to watch and pray for we do not know when the Son of Man will return (Matthew 25:13; Mark 13:32-37; 1 Thessalonians 5:6). Therefore, only those that do the will of God and are ready will enter (Matthew 7:21).
Content by Richard Dillon
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