Title: How to Live for God in a Pagan Culture / “Street Cred”
Text: Daniel 1, 2 and 6
Thesis: Christians who consistently demonstrate spiritual integrity earn Christian cred.
Series: The Bible in 90 Days Whole Church Challenge
Introduction
Did you know there is an Urban Dictionary of terms (or a dictionary of urban terms)? It is like a whole new language of over four million terms that have been coined since 1999. For example, one of the newly coined terms is “mantrum.” Do you know what a “mantrum” is? A “mantrum” is when a grown man throws a tantrum when he doesn’t get his way. Did you know there a term for the voice you use when you are not talking to your friends? It’s called your “people voice” and it is usually a happier and nicer voice than you would use normally. It is your voice when you answer the telephone or serve a customer or converse at church.
While I am fascinated by all this new terminology, there is one term from the Urban Dictionary that is particularly appropriate for our discussion today. It is the term, “street cred.”
In some urban neighborhoods a person earns street cred or street credibility by accumulating points. For example, you get 10 points for being born poor; 50 points if you’ve sold drugs; 65 points if you’ve been shot and survived; 20 points if you have at least 10 tatoos; 65 points if you’ve been in prison, etc. Conversely, you lose points if you live with your parents; are a good student; have no criminal record or smile for your mug shot.
Street cred is necessary if you want to command respect in certain urban environments. Individuals get street cred through experiencing and knowing about life and survival on the streets. A person with street cred is respected on the streets.
I wonder if we there is something akin to street cred that we might refer to as “Christian cred” with the implication being, a person who earns points through life experience as a follower of Jesus Christ has “Christian cred” and is respected as a person of Christian integrity.
Daniel is the man at the center of our bible reading today. His life is marked by what we might call “God cred.” His life was a demonstration of consistent devotion to God and spiritual practices and so much so, that at one point the Darius, King of Persia, decreed that everyone in his kingdom must “fear and reverence the God of Daniel.” Daniel 6:26
That kind of cred is as credible as cred gets. How did Daniel earn his “street cred?” Daniel was true to his convictions.
I. Be true to your convictions. Daniel 1:6-21
But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself in this way. Daniel 1:8
Last Sunday we talked about how the Babylonian army was poised to take the city of Jerusalem. Jeremiah lamented to God in 32:24 about the siege ramps King Nebuchadnezzar had built against the walls of Jerusalem, the famine and disease and the imminent fall of the city. In our story today, the city has fallen and the Babylonians have taken many of the Israelite people into exile. Among those taken back to Babylon were the choicest young men from noble Israelite families who were perfect specimens of physical strength, handsome in features and superior in intellect. Daniel and his three friends, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah were among them.
King Nebuchadnezzar was actually quite clever. His plan was to immerse the cream of the crop, so to speak, into the Babylonian culture. They would become Babylonians in every sense of the word and serve in high positions within the Babylonian Empire.
Part of this immersion into the culture was a three year crash course in language, literature and learning the customs of the Babylonian people. So much so was their indoctrination that they were given new Babylonian names: Daniel was called Belteshazzar and his friends were newly named Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego.
Part of their training was dietary. They were assigned a daily diet of food and wine from the King’s table. The assumption is that this was a very delicious and rich diet… fit for a king and the king’s men.
We don’t know why this was a problem. No explanation is given… but Daniel felt that eating the king’s diet would be a violation of his personal convictions. The bible says that Daniel “resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine” and asked to be exempted and given a vegan diet instead.
The story has a happy ending in that Daniel and his friends thrived on the vegan diet and looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the delicious food. And as the years passed God gave Daniel and his friends, special understanding and Daniel in particular could discern the meanings of dreams and visions.
In 1925 the Nobel Prize Winner in Literature was George Bernard Shaw, who is known for his many clever and edgy quotes. He said things like:
• “I enjoy convalescence. It is the part that makes illness worthwhile.”
• “I learned long ago, never wrestle with a pig. You get dirty and beside, the pig likes it.” (I wonder if this applies to squabble between the White House and FOX News?)
• “Old men are dangerous: It doesn’t matter to them what is going to happen to the world.” (Certainly some truth to this… if old men went to war there would be fewer wars.)
• “We learn from experience that men never learn from experience.”
And now the punchline:
• “We have established what you are madam. We are now merely haggling over the price.”
I listened in, so to speak, on an online chat in which the conversants were responding to the question, “Can you be bought?” Several were quick to point out how politicians seem to be particularly vulnerable to the influence of power brokers. Others said their convictions were not for sale but they would go along with some things or even say some things if the money was right and they didn’t really have to change their convictions. One said, “Of course I can be bought… it’s just a matter of price.”
Daniel could not and would not be bought. He was true to his convictions. The palace official honored Daniel for his resolve and God blessed him for it.
What is the take away from the example of Daniel and his friends?
First of all, let me say, being a Christian is not easy. The easiest thing in the world is to go through life without beliefs or convictions. People who have no convictions can never be accused of living inconsistently. It is only the people who attempt to live out their convictions who may be accused of inconsistency or hypocrisy when the mess up.
That said, as Christians and as people who have convictions, it is important that we, by the grace of God, attempt to live as consistently as possible because people are watching to see if we have “street cred” or not.
I recently saw a little comedy vinette titled Road Rage in which you young man is stopped in traffic behind an elderly person at a red light. The camera pans across the back of the young man’s car which is plastered with a big Christ fish and numerous bumper stickers that declare things like: My Boss is a Jewish Carpenter; Jesus Is Lord; Jesus Christ Will Love the Hell Out of You; and R U Sure? A cross dangles from his rear view mirror.
The light turned green and the elderly lady is preoccupied and doesn’t immediately pull away when the light changed… the young man leaned on his horn and yelled out the window, “Hey, the light turned green!”
It does not matter what he believes about Jesus, heaven or hell, right to life, homosexuality, pornography, caring for the poor, war and/or peace, the environment, the economy, politics, separation of church and state, health care or whatever. All that matters is that he has forfeited his street cred because of his un-Christ-like behavior. His behavior was inconsistent with his bumper sticker convictions.
There was nothing obnoxious or holier than thou about Daniels resolve to not defile himself with the king’s food… he was quite willing to let his convictions be tested over time.
Therefore, I urge you, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2
The second thing Daniel did was keep the spotlight on God rather than on himself.
II. Keep the spotlight on God. Daniel 2:24-49
There is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the days to come. Daniel 2:28
I mentioned earlier that one of the ways God blessed Daniel was by giving him the special ability to discern the meanings of dreams and visions.
I had a dream this past week in which I and my family were attending a party which was also attended by Vice President Joe Biden and his family. It was a really nice party in a really nice home and Joe Biden was the most gracious conversationalist I have even encountered. He was witty and full of anecdotal observations. He was self-effacing and humorous. But every time he went past me, he bumped into me. He was always polite and excused himself but it was as if he deliberately bumped into me. That dream still puzzles me.
Apparently King Nebuchadnezzar was a dreamer as well and placed a lot of stock in dreams as having meaning. When he had particularly disturbing dreams it was upsetting to him and he could not sleep. On one such occasion he called his magicians, enchanter, sorcerers and astrologers together and told them he wanted to know what his dream meant.
They wisely asked, “Well, what was your dream about?” And King Nebuchadnezzar said, “I want you to tell me what my dream was and what it means or I will have you chopped up into little pieces and your houses reduced to rubble.”
They could not so the king ordered all the wise men in Babylon be put to death… though Daniel and his friends were not part of the entourage, they were lumped in with them and as such, also condemned to death.
So Daniel, wisely or unwisely, offered to go to the king and interpret his dream. But before he did, he asked his friends to pray that they would be spared from the mass execution of wise men and that God would reveal the dream and its meaning to Daniel.
When Daniel was taken to the king he told the king his dream and what the dream meant and then he added, “There is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. As for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because I have greater wisdom than other living men, but so that you, O king, may know the interpretation and that you may understand what went through your mind…” Daniel 2:27-30
Daniel could have let it seem that he was a man of prayer who had the ear of God. Daniel could have let it seem that he was indeed a gifted discerner of the meaning of dreams and visions. Daniel could have let it seem that he was deserving of special merit and not advocated for the well-being of the other wise men who had been condemned to death. But instead he humbly acknowledged that he put his pants on just like all the other wise men in the Babylonian Empire. He let it be known that God was the one who knows and discerns all mysteries.
What is the take away from this incident in Daniel’s life?
Just as the moon has no light of its own but simply reflects the light of the sun… none of us has a light of his or her own. We are simply blessed to be reflectors of the goodness of God.
When we are privileged to be used of God in some way to bless or encourage others be sure God gets the credit. Give thanks to God on all occasions and for all things. We can receive expressions of appreciation without taking credit or glory for our actions. Our street cred as well as Daniel’s street cred is enhanced when we remain humble and give glory to God for his goodness in our lives.
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16
The third thing Daniel did was be consistent in his spiritual practices.
III. Be consistent in your spiritual practices. Daniel 6
When Daniel learned that the decree had been published he went home to his upstairs bedroom where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Daniel 6:10
In time Nebuchadnezzar was replaced by King Belshazzar and then King Belshazzar was replaced by King Darius. Daniel continued to occupy a place of honor with each changing administration… all the while continuing also to practice his Jewish faith.
Under Darius’ rule a group of the king’s advisors encouraged the king to enact a law forbidding anyone from praying to any god or man other than the king. Anyone who violated that decree was to be thrown into the lion’s den. Hence the story of Daniel and the Lion’s Den…
In Daniel 6 we read that when Daniel learned of King Darius’ decree, “he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to God, just as he had done before.” Daniel 6:10
Daniel did not miss a beat when it came to the being consistent in his spiritual disciplines or practices. I am sure Daniel did not relish the thought of being thrown into a den of lions… but the threat of it did not keep him from observing his habit of praying three times a day.
His consistency in observing his spiritual practices resulted in God honoring him for his courage and King Darius enacting a second decree ordering that “everyone in his kingdom must fear and reverence the God of Daniel.” Daniel 6:26
The consistency with which Daniel practiced his faith gave him street cred with the king.
The take away for us is wide open in terms of application.
Truett Cathy is the founder of Chick-fil-A restaurants. In addition to being a successful businessman he is better known and respected for letting his faith guide his business operation. His restaurants have been closed on Sunday since 1948 despite the fact that closing 1,000 outlets on Sunday costs him millions of dollars in lost revenue. In 1948 he hired a 12 year olf African American… a very unpopular thing to do in that part of the country in 1948. Rather than put promotional toys in his kids meals he gives away Veggie Tale books or other character building materials. He has founded eleven foster homes and provides scholarships for kids and college students.
We will receive street cred when we are consistent in our spiritual practices. Our neighbors know if we are faithful in church attendance or not so much, depending on when the Broncos are playing. Our spouses and our children know if we read our bibles and pray. Our co-workers and classmates know if we are always honest and forthright or if we fudge the truth or slack off or call in sick when we aren’t or juggle figures or are hiding who and what we really are. Our neighbors know if we are kind and considerate neighbors. Our neighbors know if we a grumpy and mean spirited.
One day I was having breakfast in an area restaurant where there was a large group of folks who were also having breakfast. I observed the leader of the group getting everyone’s attention and then leading the group with a table grace before they ate.
When they left I asked the waitress who they were and she identified them as a church group who ate in the restaurant every week… and went on to tell me how much she and the other servers dreaded Monday mornings. They were the most persnickety and demanding people they serve. They were terrible tippers. They were rude… and so on.
Christians still must practice their faith even when the service is not as good as we might like or the food not up to par. When we fail to be consistent in living out the Christian life… we lose our street cred and our witness for God is worthless.
Conclusion:
A few weeks ago Bonnie and I were invited to a birthday party. We had not seen these folks for some time so when we went in the man was surprised to see that I had a new hair cut. He asked me, “Did you pay money for that haircut?”
Yesterday I went to Sports Clips to get a haircut. I arrived early and waited outside until 9 a.m. which was opening time. While I waited another gentlemen drove in beside me and waited as well. At 9 a.m. a young lady came out to my car and said that the stylist was late and would I mind coming back later.
I returned a half hour later and was greeted by the receptionist and a stylist, whom I recognized as the shop manager and she recognized me from previous haircuts. She cut my hair. As she worked we chatted and she asked about my work and so on. So I told her what I did and about our Pumpkin Patch event coming up that evening and invited her to come and bring her little girl.
When she was finished, I went to the front to pay and she thanked me for coming back and for being so nice and comped my hair cut. I was surprised and grateful and insisted she accept a generous tip… She went on to say that the other man had thrown a fit, told the receptionist that he would never come back to that shop and planned to call the 1-800 # on the window to complain about their lousy service. I was so glad I hadn’t thrown a “mantrum.” Even the slightest inconsistency would have been an embarrassment to me and reflected badly on the God I love and serve.
God certainly observes all things and people are watching to see if we have street cred or not so much. The consistency with which Daniel practiced his faith compelled others to reverence God as the living God. The circumstances of our lives unfold as opportunities for us to be consistent examples of spiritual integrity as well.
