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In this sermon, we continue an in-depth review of The Daniel Manual for living and ministering in a diverse, quickly changing society.
Big Idea: We find ourselves in a changing, increasingly secular culture that demands our attention and our absolute allegiance. And we can sense the winds of local and even global change as technology develops at breakneck speed, disease impacts our lives, and old divisions and conflict around the world threaten our sense of peace. So, what should we do? How should we live in such secular and uncertain times? Well, let’s learn from Daniel, an Old Testament prophet and statesmen who prayed for and provided wisdom to at least four kings in two competing and diverse empires and pointed them to the one, true and eternal king. Here’s the Daniel Manuel for living in such a time as this.
Chapter 6 recounts one of the best-known stories in the Bible: Daniel in the lions’ den. But times have changed since many of us studied this in Sunday School (via flannel graph?), and this story is filled with some details we might have previously overlooked and an application we absolutely need right now. For these reasons, it’s time to revisit Daniel’s closing act as a faithful servant to King and empire.
Outline:
- The Darius Dilemma
- A 30-Day Deity
- A Public Prayer
- Deliverance from the Lion
Key Takeaways:
- A centuries-old mystery concerning the identity of Darius the Mede (the king mentioned in this chapter, not Darius the Great) and why we need to be ready with an answer.
- The fascinating rise of the Medo-Persian empire, including blood oaths, bloodless coups, and religious freedom.
- Lessons about jealousy and pride from a 30-day god.
- Whether we can overcome the tyranny of our schedule (forget a tyrant) to practice prayer.
- Where Daniel drew the line on civil disobedience and thoughts on his public protest by kneeling.
- The echoes of the death and resurrection of Christ in Daniel 6.
- Some fascinating lessons and parallels concerning lions in Daniel’s story (from his entry in Babylon to the lions’ den).