Dare To Be A Daniel

INTRO:

What do we know about Daniel?? He lived in a time much like our own. How you say. He was of course taken from His home in Israel at a young age or in his youth we find out in Daniel 1.4-6. You say how on earth then is his time like our own.

I am so glad you asked. Along with Daniel were Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. They were all taken from their homeland and exciled in a foreign land. In that land they were taken from their familiar temple in which they had worsphipped God. They were even given orders to worship false Gods or be cast into a furnice.

Once again how on earth does this apply to our time. We today in america are faced with people that want to remove God from our country. They want to excile us in a country that we don’t recognize. If God is removed from our Country so then will be our God given rights. So we like Daniel are faced with a dilema. Will we stand as Daniel did in the face of persecution, (Compare his persectuion to) Dr. Ronnie Floyd, Attornery General in AL. (removal of 10 Commandments), The AUFSCS, ACLU, trying to remove in God we trust from our pledge and our money. PBA, Abortion, Stem cell research, Same SM

We must do some things to insure for our children and Grandchildren this is truly the land of the free and the Home of the brave, or like Daniel because his ancestos turned from God our land will be judged.

I. Dare to Be Different.

1) Daniel 6.3 “Then Daniel began distinguishing himself “ define distinguish

From Jesus, “Be in the World but not of the World”

i) Here we can understand that as Jesus we are to sit and eat with sinners but not be one ourself.

ii) We should be so different that we impact the world for Christ simply by our character (who we are and what we do)

iii) If we were truly different then we would have a chance through our lives to get a chance to open our mouths and proclaim the joy and gloriously rich life w/ Christ.

(illustration of Brandon Bohanon at work (not supposed to be happy)

(Im not talking about being holier than thou, Instead I am talking about walking with the Holy one) Not telling everyone there are wrong and headed for hell but giving them;

Hope in hopelessness

Courage in the face of fear

Peace in the face of strife

Calm in the face of Danger, Love when all others have hated them!

(It is time we started distinguishing ourself from the world as Daniel and Jesus did!!!!)

2) Because he possesed and extrodinary Spririt.

Jesus’ words quoting the prophet Isaiah.

“The spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because he anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor, He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.”

3) Daniel – 6.3

“He possesed an extraordinary spirit.”

How do we get this spirit. – answer we don’t get it is given to us.

4) Acts 2.38 Peter said to them, “Repent and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy spirit.”

You want to dare to be different then dare to confess your sins to God and ask for forgiveness based on Jesus’ attoning sacrifice on Calvary.

People that are different make a difference for the kingdom of God.

One of the most important ways we can be differnet today is to be honest.

II. Dare to be a person of Honesty (Integrity)

1) 6.4 “but they could find not ground of accusation or evidence of corruption.”

ii) they got their spades and shoves out and dug into ever closet and cellar Daniel had, but found no skeltons.

2) Begginning of 6.4 They exhasted all resources to find fault in Daniel.

3) Jesus Let your yes be yes and no be no.

i) There should be no doubt about your honesty.

ii) This means accepting responsibility.

iii) Proverbs 20.11 “It is by his deeds that a lad distinguishes himself, If his conduct is pure and right.

According to the english political author Junius

The integrity of men is to be measured by their conduct, not by their professions.

Let me simplify the best I can.

Actions Speak louder than words. The threat of death has its ways of showing the Faithful from the faking.

Where does honesty come from.

From Jesus--- He said I am the way, truth, and life.

Integrity and honesty spring from a living and growing relationship w/ God.