July 14, 2024
SERMON SERIES: STANDING STRONG IN AN UNSTABLE WORLD
Book of Daniel
SERMON # 6: A MAN WHO REMAINED FAITHFUL
PART 2
Daniel 6:1-28
They can weigh up to 550 lbs., but still run at 50 mph for short bursts, covering 100 meters in 5-6 seconds. A swipe of their paw can generate a strike force of up to almost 23,000 lb./ft. In comparison, a professional boxer’s knockout-punch registers only 925 lb./ft. They can open their mouth nearly a foot wide, allowing their long teeth and powerful jaws to puncture skulls. Do you know what animal I’m talking about? Lion.
Stuffed toys and cartoon versions of these animals have made us think that lions are cuddly, but they remain deadly animals. A man in Ghana was mauled to death by a lion a couple years ago in 2022. Between 1932 and 1947 in part of Tanzania, three generations of lions stalked and killed 1,500 people---nearly a hundred people a year. It’s not surprising to hear that ancient kings kept lions on hand to dispatch to their enemies. It also makes you appreciate what a miracle it really was that the prophet Daniel survived the night in a lions’ den. Today we will continue to learn how that was possible. We will learn that when we remain faithful and stand firm with the Lion (of Judah), you stand firm against all lions.
Let’s look at this passage again today and see the lessons we can gleaned from the text as we talk about A MAN WHO REMAINED FAITHFUL.
Part 1
DANIEL’S CHARACTER v. 1-9
Daniel’s Position v. 1-3
Danuel’s Problem v. 4-9
Daniel’s Purity v. 3, 4-5
Part 2
I. DANIEL’S CHOICES v. 10-11
Daniel’s faithfulness tested: A picture of being steadfast in daily prayer.
When the king signed the decree, Daniel was faced with a choice. Should he remain faithful to God, or should he bow to the vanity of the king? Notice how Daniel faced the challenge before him, and the choices he made.
He chose obedience to God over opportunities in the world. As Daniel prayed, he didn’t draw attention to himself. He knew he had a prayer hearing God who keeps His promises.
He chose faithfulness to God over the favor of the king. for Daniel, the decree of Darius changed nothing. He continues to pray three times a day and give thanks to God.
He chose devotion to God over the decree of the king. The decree was only for 30 days. For many, they could have simply not prayed for that period of time. Not Daniel.
He chose bowing before God to bowing before his enemies. The desire of Daniel’s enemies was to bring him down, v 4. He refused to bow to their will. He remained faithful.
He chose commitment over compromise. Consider for a moment the excuses Daniel could have made for not praying.
He chose faithfulness over freedom. Daniel was willing to give up his position, his wealth, and his power, but he was not willing to give of his commitment to God.
He chose love over life. Daniel was willing to sacrifice his life because he loved his Lord more than he loved himself.
He chose character over comfort.
Daniel was determined to remain to the end! The church would be a vastly different place today if church members had the same kind of commitment to the things of God that Daniel had.
II.DANIELS’ CHALLENGE v. 12-1
He faced A Personal Accusation – He was faced with three charges in verse 13.
That he was a Jewish loyalist.
That he committed treason, betraying the king and his law.
That he continued to pray to his God.
The fact is, Daniel broke the law of the king. But Daniel did not break the Law of the Lord. Roman 13 teaches us that we are to obey the government laws, but when their laws contradict God’s law, we must do what God says, regardless of the consequences.
He Faced A Powerful Attack – So, Daniel was taken and thrown into the lion’s den. No one enters the lion’s den and come out alive. The lions didn’t care if their victim was a pastor, preacher, deacon, unbeliever, or a great church member, they ate anyone who was thrown into the lion’s den. They were kept half-starved so they would attack and kill anyone who was thrown in the den. In the eyes of everyone, Daniel was a dead man. In verse 16, it indicates that the king at least had confidence in Daniel and in Daniel’s God. The king believed that Danil’s God would take care of him.
We should live the kind of life that Daniel lived. He lived a Godly life that was applicable to others. WHETHER IT IS A PAGAN KING, OR JUST OUR NEIGHBOR, OUR FAITH SHOULD RING TRUE AND POINT OTHERS TO Christ!
A MAN WHO REMAINED FAITHFUL
Daniel’s Character v. 1-9
Daniel’s Choices v. 10-11
Daniel’s Challenge v. 12-17
Responsive Reading: Daniel 6:10-17
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