Captives of Our Faith
Daniel 1:1-20 Isaiah 51:7-8 Matthew 14:23 Romans 12:11-13 1 Corinthians 1:9 Psalm 119
2 Corinthians 5:7 Mark 10:43-44 Prov. 3:6
I never tire of reading and preaching from the “Book of Daniel.” Not only is it one of the best of the Bible’s literary works, but it also appeals to both the historian and the theologian within me. It’s accurate and loaded with countless insights into the way the characters were thinking; their aspirations, trials, disappointments, and successes. It’s the story of an empire builder full of pride and a slave that lived a life without compromise; a willing captive to his God and to his faith.
As we just heard, Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, had captured Jerusalem and taken Jehoiakim captive along with many of Israel’s prominent nobles. The captives included the finest and brightest young men of Judah. These were taken back to Babylon as slaves. Among them were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Each was from a royal family and merely teenagers at the time.
Nebuchadnezzar was a shrewd political leader. By carrying off the children of nobles, he reduced the chances of future rebellions among the nations he conquered. At the same time, he also increased his own resources of knowledgeable servants.
Among the first things Nebuchadnezzar did was to change his servants’ names. The Hebrew name “Daniel” means “God Is My Judge.” His Babylonian name became Belteshazzar which means, “Lady Protect the King.” This refers to the goddess Sarpanitu, the goddess wife of Marduk. The name Hananiah means “The Lord Is Gracious.” Hananiah’s Babylonian name Shadrach means, “I Am Fearful of the god.” The name Azariah means “The Lord Has Helped Me,” and he was called,
“Abed-Nego” which means, “Servant of (the god) Nebo.” Lastly, the name Mishael means “Who is what god is.” His Babylonian name was “Meshach.” It means “I Am of Little Account.” Wouldn’t you just love to know what Meshach did to deserve that title?
In Daniel 1:3-7, we’re told that Nebuchadnezzar issued explicit orders how these captives were to be treated . . . even to their diets. They were to eat from the King’s own table which meant they were served the very best food. But it also meant that the food had been dedicated to the Babylonian gods. We’re told that Daniel refused to “. . . defile himself with the food and wine” because it was dedicated to false gods. It’s strongly implied, however, that he did this in a most respectful manner. He may have been stubborn, but he wasn’t stupid. He asked permission to eat only kosher foods, and it was begrudgingly granted.
Which brings me to the point of this sermon. Is it your desire to live a life wholly committed to Christ? To live a life of conviction requires commitment:
I. You must examine your convictions by the light of God’s Word.
David Hume was an 18th century British philosopher who rejected historic Christianity. It’s been said that he once met a friend hurrying along a London street and asked where he was going. The friend said he was off to hear George Whitfield preach. "But surely you don’t believe what Whitfield preaches do you?" asked Hume. "No, I don’t,” the friend replied. “But he does."
A person who is fully committed to his or her convictions will invariably draw attention. Why? Because it’s rare. Most people, unfortunately, don’t know what they believe, and therefore, they are easily swayed by those with commitment to their convictions. A very real problem, however, is that not all convictions are healthy.
Sidney Harris, in “Bits and Pieces”, writes, “I’m tired of hearing about men with the "courage of their convictions." Nero and Caligula and Attila the Hun and Hitler all had the courage of their convictions . . . but not one had the courage to examine his convictions, or to change them. That’s the true test of character.”
Isaiah 51:7-8 tells us, “Listen to me, you who know righteousness, you people who have my teaching in your hearts; do not fear the reproach of others, and do not be dismayed when they revile you. For the moth will eat them up like a garment, and the worm will eat them like wool; but my deliverance will be forever, and my salvation to all generations.”
Daniel and his friends based their convictions on God’s Word. Leviticus 11 – 17 outlines God’s commands concerning eating clean or unclean food. Today we generally regard these as hygienic guidelines and not spiritual laws, but to Daniel they were God’s laws and not to be trifled with. Daniel may not have understood the reason for God’s laws, but he was determined to obey them.
How many of us today can say the same? When told that abortion is against God’s law, or told to “honor your father and mother” how often do we see people open their minds to arguments which fly in the face of God’s law? How often do we “open our minds” and let faith in God and the conviction to trust His wisdom simply drain out of our hearts? Why do we fear offending people at the cost of offending God?
II. You must withstand the tests of opposition and temptation.
Daniel and his friends resisted the royal food of the King. If you had a plate of prime rib with all the trimmings and a plate of broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower, which plate would you choose? The meat offered Daniel was good meat, but it had been dedicated to pagan gods. Daniel refused to compromise. He chose broccoli over beef. God rewarded the self-discipline and obedience of Daniel and his three friends with physical health and spiritual acuity.
Temptations and testing will come to you on a regular basis. I heard about a professor who gave her biology class a totally unreasonable test just to exert her authority. She told her class to identify birds by looking just at their feet. There had been no preparation for such a test, but nonetheless, she displayed the feet of ten birds and told the class to match the birds with their feet. One student refused to take the test. The professor threatened that, if he didn’t take the test, she would fail him. He still refused so she said, “You failed the test.” Then she asked him what his name was. He rolled up his pants, stuck out his feet and said, “You tell me what my name is.”
Daniel was tested, and he withstood the temptation to indulge and enjoy the better things in life. Defying the king’s authority may not have seemed like a reasonable expectation from God, but Daniel did not yield. He held to his convictions and trusted God’s wisdom above mans.
• To live without compromise, you will be tested. Here are three things that will help you withstand the tests:
First, participate regularly in church worship. As we worship together, our character is formed into a reflection of the Body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:9 declares, “God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Second, plan a daily quiet time alone with the Lord. Our quiet time with Christ is our time of building a relationship. Who can know a person’s voice who never listens to it? We cannot discern the voice of the Holy Spirit unless we recognize it. We cannot recognize it unless we converse with Him which means speaking and listening.
In Psalm 119, David says, “I rise before dawn and cry for help; I put my hope in your words.” Matthew 14:23 tells us that, after Jesus dismissed the crowds,
“. . . he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.” As Jesus found quiet time to be a necessary part of his spiritual walk, so we also require it to maintain our spiritual health.
Third, get involved in Christian service.
By our service, we reflect the heart of Christ. In Mark 10:43-44, Jesus said, “. . . whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
And Romans 12:11-13 instructs us, “Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.”
Finally, to be wholly committed to Christ,
III. You must seek the Truth of God with all your heart, all your mind, and all your soul.
This is not a one time search, a brief walk in the woods on a sunny day to commune with nature. This is a lifetime commitment to seeking understanding; a way of life that means an enduring awareness that you are not alone anymore. You have responded to His knock at your door, and He has entered your heart.
It takes courage to trust Jesus and become a Christian.
Have you ever played the game where you would run through a wooded area blindfolded, relying on a friend for verbal directions to help guide you? “Turn to the left, there’s a tree coming!” “There’s a log in front of you---jump!” Some kids that play the game lack trust in your directions and shuffle their feet or walk very slow. Others might trot, and a few will even run like gangbusters.
If you are the one blindfolded the urge is to tear off the blindfold and look to see the tree that you’re about to run into. It takes courage to play that game.
It takes courage to walk by faith. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:7 “We walk by faith, not by sight.” We do have the promise, in Proverbs 3:6 that God, “Shall direct your paths.”
Cowards don’t last long on their spiritual pilgrimages. They shrivel up and disappear. It takes great courage to repent and become a Christian. It takes courage to remain true to your convictions when everyone at your work or school or neighborhood says to you: “You’re hopelessly idealistic, old fashioned, a little bit strange, in fact, you’re a religious fanatic.”
Every day you make choices that show whether you are courageous or cowardly. You choose between the right thing and the convenient thing, sticking to your convictions or caving in for the sake of comfort, greed or approval.
• Grace does not excuse sin, and repeated sin shows a lack of grace.
Yet, each time you choose God over the world, you grow in wisdom, in courage, and most of all, in Christ Jesus.
PLEASE JOIN WITH ME IN PRAYER:
