Title: Built to Last
Text: Daniel 2.31 - 45
MP: The only things that last are the things that are of Christ.
Intro:
This is a sermon about a rock.
Let me be clear on that – it’s not a sermon about a war in Iraq (E-raq). It’s not even about the country of Iraq– although it may be easy to confuse because these events took place in the land that is now that country. But if we lose sight of the fact that we need to be focused on the Rock in this text, I fear we will miss out on something beautiful our faithful God has promised us.
For the last three Sundays, we’ve seen how Daniel related to God in the need to understand a king’s dream. Well, we’ve finished with that series, but we never saw the dream itself. Today, I want to get there, but I want to warn you – I’m not a prophet. This text is one of the favorite passages of people who like to say they can read the tea leaves of scripture and tell you what is going to happen worldwide. If you go to your local Christian bookstore, you will find hundreds of books by scores of authors who understand this prophecy better than me. None of them really agree with each other, although some are better at selling books than others – but I will take it on faith that they know how to deal with prophecy better than I.
You’ll remember that Nebuchadnezzar had this dream, and he wanted his wise men to tell it to him. Not what it meant but what it was. Some discernment there – you can trust somebody better if you check their facts first. And, just to sweeten the deal, he offered the teller all the land and money he’d ever want. Oh, and if they didn’t, well, he’d kill ‘em. Well, you can imagine everybody’s relief when Daniel finally stood up and said, ‘Hey King – you don’t need to kill everybody.’ So, Daniel is brought to the king. The room gets silent, and the King bellows, ‘So, you can tell me my dream?’
And Daniel says, “No.”
But, God can and he’s revealed it to me. You can trust Him. Let me tell you the dream. And so this is what he says.
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It’s a pretty cool dream. You can imagine this multi-metal statue towering over the plain. In some ways, I wonder if the statue that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are supposed to bow down to in the next chapter looked like this. In your mind, you can see this idol with a shimmering golden head, and slowly it turns into the baser, more common metals at its feet. It’s not a symbol of progress – but it is a road map to history.
Now, I’m going to remind you that this idol is a distraction. Its not really the point, but I do need to spend a few minutes with it, because like I said – it’s an historical road map. You heard Daniel explain that it represents the different empires that are going to set up shop in Nebuchadnezzar’s home.
It’s going to start off all grand and glorious with these Babylonians. And then, there’s the runner-ups – the Medeo-Persians under King Darius of Daniel and the Lion’s Den fame. They’re the silver metalists. After that, a distant third: Alexander and his Greeks. And finally, a fourth empire: and I think they’re talking about Rome.
Now, as Christians, we know that another Kingdom appeared while, as Luke says, Augustus was emperor of Rome and Quinirius was governor of Syria. Pontius Pilate and Herod tried to stop it, but to no avail. The Kingdom of God established – the church – was like no other. It was an instrument used by God to make all things new.
Now, in the interest of full disclosure, even with the interpretation, there is big debate amongst Bible scholars about what this dream means. I’ve never told you when Daniel was written, because people argue that. But when it was written directly impacts whether this is prophecy or allegory. You see, some people think that Daniel was basically written by, well, Daniel – or at least a guy living roughly about this time. They have a lot of really good arguments to back that up which I will not get into here. There are also people who think that Daniel was written essentially right before the Romans came on the scene, and they have their arguments to back them up. But, I have to tell you their strongest argument is this: They think Daniel is too accurate to have been written back in Babylon. I got to tell you, I don’t buy it. I think its circular reasoning.
But, on the other side of the fence, Christians want to use this to “prove” how accurate God is forecasting our history – like it matters to God how well we think he did on this old history test. Either way, both sides are missing the real point. This history – this line of succession – it’s not really the focus. You see, there’s a rock coming, and it’s more powerful than any empire man has ever or will ever produce. I’m talking about the Kingdom of God. And against that rock even the gates of hell itself will never prevail.
You see, too often, in prophecy, we get so focused on details and timelines that we miss out on the point. Something is coming that even bigger and better than all our history combined.
There is a rock that is a great leveler. It flattens out all that we can ever think of. It transcends our poor power to add or detract. No weapon formed against it will stand. And here’s the awesome part: We’re invited to join in.
Specifically, I want to show you three things about this rock, and more importantly about the Kingdom of God it represents.
1. It’s powerful
2. It’s coming – It’s on the Move
3. When it comes, it changes everything
And oh, what a day of rejoicing that will be!
We’ve already talked a bit about the first point. The whole point of this dream is to tell Nebuchadnezzar that his kingdom is going to be great – but not as great as God.
As an aside, I also find it interesting that God would use a rock to symbolize his kingdom – it isn’t particularly shiny. It isn’t something that you go out and say “Ooh look at this.” It’s made up of all sorts of common, ordinary things. But as one unit, it’s strong. Any one bit would be a poor foundation, but the aggregate – the unity is great foundation.
If you’ve been following the news this week, you will no doubt have heard about a prominent church leader who got squeezed out for good cause. It’s not glamorous – in fact, it’s downright shameful. But we didn’t build on that one pastor – we built on the Christ to whom he pointed. And even out of such inglorious hypocrisy, God can make beautiful things. We are all human. We are all frail, feeble, dust. Our Lord made us out of such things. And he can do good things with us. Frankly, when pastors fall, it is an encouragement that he can even use a broken vessel like me. If the kingdom were to be left to the experts it wouldn’t really be a kingdom – it would just be a social club with consultants. But we are part of the kingdom. We all play a part. And any kingdom has its successes and failures.
If this kingdom were a political party, our hopes would rise and wane with elections. They would be at the mercy of a fickle electorate. A few scandals, a few bad choices, and our fortunes would change dramatically. And, in 12 years, they will probably change again. That roller coaster isn’t what I ride on. I have confidence in the God, ‘of whom there is no shadow of turning with thee.’ Will my human fortunes rise and fall? Sure. But my God is the same today, tomorrow, and forever.
The Chinese have a saying foo goo san gai: Wealth doesn’t make it past the third generation. They may be right, but I know my God blesses those who love him to the thousandth generation. Surely that is a kingdom without end.
--2. It’s on the Move—
But, I have to tell you, we live in an interesting age. In the dream, the Rock is coming and yet it has arrived. It doesn’t make sense in our understanding of time, but that rock is both coming and its here. It is among us, and yet not yet here. We live in between worlds – the rock is coming, even though it has already come. It is here, and yet not yet.
The Kingdom of God lives in that same tension. We eagerly desire to receive it, and yet it has already been given to us.
The best that my simple little mind can do is to focus on the inevitability that it will come. But even that misses out on the joy that is already here.
What you cannot deny is that the Kingdom is at hand. But if you look to the world, you’re never going to see it. That statue didn’t change one iota until the rock smashed it to smithereens. If your eye isn’t on the rock, you’ll miss it.
3. It changes everything ---
Now, I have to tell you, at the end of this story, the King has a reaction that I frankly don’t understand. He rejoices. Here’s this beautiful Kingdom of which he is the head getting blow to smithereens – and he rejoices.
Now, grant you, he’s praising the God who has revealed this to him, but ask yourself for a minute – if you knew that this church was going to be destroyed, would you be rejoicing? I know I wouldn’t. But then again, maybe it is because I look back to the Golden Age, rather than realize that maybe we’re living it.
Two hundred twenty years ago, when this church was first started, we weren’t looking to build a building – we were looking to praise our God. When this church authorized William Broaddus to go start what became the NorthStar Association so that we could have things like Sunday School and missions, we did it because we wanted to bring honor and glory to God. And when we stand out there in front of the Safeway on Saturday to collect food for Seven Loaves – we’re doing it because it gives us joy to serve God.
That’s a kingdom that can never be destroyed. That’s a kingdom worth being a part of.
Now you guys know I stress over the future of this church. I can think of no worse legacy than to be the last pastor of this church – excepting that if God himself comes back and takes us home (Amen?) But the truth is, as long we are part of the Kingdom, there is no Golden Age. If I am the last, who cares? The Kingdom will go on, and that’s our real legacy!
You’ll notice the rock is all one thing. It’s God. It’s only the human things that have Golden ages and Silver Ages, and bronze, iron, and clay. When we on God’s mission: when we are founded upon His rock, our legacy is eternal because it isn’t our legacy at all.
Frankly, I’m amazed that a pagan king was so unconcerned with his legacy. Who knows, maybe he thought – by the time that comes, I’ll be dead anyway. We who are eternal rightfully pause at such a thought. But I am proud to count you as fellow kings who are grounded in the kingdom that will have no end.
When Jesus said ‘on this rock, I will build my kingdom,’ he wasn’t talking about buildings. He was talking about the declaration that Jesus was God’s anointed. It is his name, and the kingdom of love he desires for each of us, that changes everything.
In our world where might makes right, the kingdom says ‘Love one another.’ In our world where a fallen pastor can bring disgrace to a body, Jesus says, “I love you. I forgive you.” And in a world that teaches us, “You must look out for yourself – Be your own God,” Jesus reminds us how weak that god really is. He says, ‘Love the real one, and see how much he loves you.’
That kingdom is open to you, if only you seek to join. It’s a whole new world, yours for the taking. Would you like to see it with me? Let’s pray.
Because we live in a fallen world, its hard to grasp
Chinese Proverb: Wealth doesn’t make it past the third generation
Illustration: The Nestorians in China? Karauke Khirishitan? Christians in former communist countries?
Long Branch Baptist Church
Halfway, Virginia; est. 1786
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Enter to Worship
Prelude David Witt
Meditation Psalm 146: 1 – 10
Invocation
*Opening Hymn #149
“God of Our Fathers”
Welcome & Announcements
Morning Prayer
*Hymn #492
“I know not what the Future”
*Responsive Lesson [See Right]
*Hymn [See Insert] (#393)
“Onward Christian Soldiers”
Offertory Mr. Witt
*Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow / Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise him above, ye heavenly host / Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*Scripture Daniel 2:31-45
Sermon
“Built to Last”
Invitation Hymn #491
“When we all get to heaven”
*Benediction
*Congregational Response
May the grace of Christ of Savior / And the Father’s boundless love
With the Holy Spirit’s favor / Rest upon us from above. Amen.
* Congregation, please stand.
Depart To Serve
RESPONSIVE LESSON
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said,
“Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered,
“You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven.
On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
He looked forward to the city that has strong foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign forever and ever.”
Then the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God, singing,
“We give you thanks, Lord God Almighty, who are and who were, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign.
Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, in whom there is no help.
Come to him, the living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight,
And like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture:
“See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”
To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner,” and “A stone that makes them stumble, and a rock that makes them fall.”
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Mt 16:13-20;Heb 11:10;Re 11:15-18;Ps 146:3;1 Pe 2:4-10
MORNING PRAYER
This morning, we will have an open time of prayer.
First, I’ll be leading us in a time of silent confession.
Then we’ll be praying for:
- Wisdom in the upcoming election
- Richard Puryear’s mother
- Martha Puryear
- The Waddells (Betty’s Sister & Brother-in-law)
- Cindy & Lee (Lee has Lupus, in remission)
- Susan Schulz – that her liver would stay good
- Warren Lee – that his heart would stay strong
- Mark & Lori Hollinger
- that our church would grow
We will also have a open time of intercession
After that, however, we’ll have a time of open praise for what God has done in our lives. God has blessed us in many ways. Be thinking of ways to thank him:
- For Family and Friends
- For Health
- For purpose in life, work.
- For Music
- For Freedom
- For Salvation
- For the simple joys of life
We will close with the Lord’s Prayer: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11TH 12PM+ @ SAFEWAY. BE THERE!
WE NEED TO DECIDE ABOUT THANKSGIVING SERVICE:
SHOULD WE JOIN WITH MIDDLEBURG OR MARSHALL?
SCRIPTURE READING
31 “You were looking, O king, and lo! there was a great statue. This statue was huge, its brilliance extraordinary; it was standing before you, and its appearance was frightening. 32 The head of that statue was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its middle and thighs of bronze, 33 its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. 34 As you looked on, a stone was cut out, not by human hands, and it struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and broke them in pieces. 35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold, were all broken in pieces and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, so that not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.
Daniel 2:27-36
ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS
At the sign of triumph Satan’s host doth flee;
on then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.
(Refrain:) Onward Christian Soldiers, marching as to War. With the Cross of Jesus, going on before.
Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
but the church of Jesus constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never ‘gainst that church prevail;
we have Christ’s own promise, and that cannot fail.
(Refrain)
Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng,
blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
Glory, laud, and honor unto Christ the King,
this through countless ages men and angels sing.
(Refrain)
