Life Without Compromise - The Book of Daniel - Daniel 1:1-21
Life Without Compromise
Daniel 1:1-21
I. Nebuchadnezzar determined to have Men from the kingdom of God to serve him in his kingdom.
II. Daniel determined that he will not defile himself with the king’s food or with the wine he drank.
III. God determined he will graciously save sinful men and be actively present with his faithful servants.
I. Nebuchadnezzar determined to have Men from the kingdom of God to serve him in his kingdom.
“the king exclaimed, “Is this not Babylon the Great that I have built to be a royal residence by my vast power and for my majestic glory?” Dan. 4:30
• He isolates them
• He gives them new names
• He indoctrinates them
• He changes their diet
“It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine or for rulers to desire beer. 5 Otherwise, he will drink, forget what is decreed, and pervert justice for all the oppressed.” Pr.31:4-5
“Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has conflicts? Who has complaints? Who has wounds for no reason? Who has red eyes? 30 Those who linger over wine; those who go looking for mixed wine. Don’t gaze at wine because it is red, because it gleams in the cup and goes down smoothly. 32 In the end it bites like a snake and stings like a viper. 33 Your eyes will see strange things, and you will say absurd things.” Pr.23:29-33
II. Daniel determined that he will not defile himself with the king’s food or with the wine he drank.
• Decision made in the heart
• Actions follow conviction
• Humble perseverance
• Reliance on God
“24 Do not bow in worship to their gods, and do not serve them. Do not imitate their practices. Instead, demolish them[i] and smash their sacred pillars to pieces. 25 Serve the Lord your God, and he[j] will bless your bread and your water. I will remove illnesses from you. 26 No woman will miscarry or be childless in your land. I will give you the full number of your days.” Ex. 23:24-25
III. God determined he will graciously save sinful men and be actively present with his faithful servants.
• God was in Garden of Eden, in Babylon, at the Calvary and is here today
• King Jesus was the savior then and he still saves today
• God is intimately involved in the lives of his faithful servants
20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also those of wood and clay; some for honorable[e] use and some for dishonorable.[f] 21 So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable,[g] he will be a special[h] instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. 2 Tim. 2:20-21