Daniel in the Lions’ Den

Daniel 6:1-28

 

Read 1-3:  Daniel’s Qualities recognized

 

A.      Young folks – your qualities will be recognized

 

          1.       At school –

                   a.       Too many kids don’t care

                   b.       Too many families are uninvolved

                   c.       show the teacher you care

 

          2.       On the job –

                   a.       do the best you can;

                   b.       today there seems to be no work ethic

                   c.       your bosses are looking for someone to put trust in

 

B.      Younger are watching you, too!

 

Read 4-9: Daniel Makes Enemies

 

A.      You will make enemies when you outshine others

 

1 Pet. 4:3-5  For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries.  (4)  In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you;  (5)  but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

 

2 Tim 3:12  Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

 

Jam 4:4  You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

 

Read v. 10:  Daniel’s Disciplined Prayer Life

 

A.      Start NOW making time for prayer – OFTEN

 

B.      You are not too young to create diligent prayer habits

 

1 Tim. 2:8  Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.

 

1 Thess 5:17  pray without ceasing;

 

C.      You can talk to God – Don’t need a formula – mistake to think we have to COPY  others ---- Just talk to God

 

Read V. 11-14:  The Darius Dilemma

 

A.      Learn early not to make promises you can’t keep.

 

          Promises are easy to make – sometimes to make a point

 

          “If you work for me this week I’ll work for you on the 4^th of July”

          “If you walk out that door – I’ll never speak to you again”

          “I’ll never go to that church again!”

          “If you let me off this time, I’ll never ask again”

 

B.      Darius didn’t want to carry out the punishment against Daniel

 

Read V. 15-17:  The Faith of a Heathen

 

A.      The king had seen Daniel’s  faith; understood that Daniel’s God was    powerful

 

B.      People ought to see that in us….

          They don’t in times of ease…. it is in times of trouble

 

Jam 1:2-4  Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,  (3)  knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  (4)  And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

 

Read V. 18-23:  A King Influenced by a Servant

 

A.      Notice how the king was impressed with Daniel AND his God!

 

Dan 6:18-23  Then the king went off to his palace and spent the night fasting, and no entertainment was brought before him; and his sleep fled from him.  (19)  Then the king arose at dawn, at the break of day, and went in haste to the lions' den.  (20)  When he had come near the den to Daniel, he cried out with a troubled voice. The king spoke and said to Daniel, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you constantly serve, been able to deliver you from the lions?"  (21)  Then Daniel spoke to the king, "O king, live forever!  (22)  "My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths and they have not harmed me, inasmuch as I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime."  (23)  Then the king was very pleased and gave orders for Daniel to be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den and no injury whatever was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

 

B.      Why??

 

          1.       Daniel was TRUE TO HIS BELIEFS

 

          2.       Daniel was CONSTANT IN PRAYER

 

          3.       Daniel was CONSISTANT IN ACTION

 

C.      Daniel was just like you and me

 

D.      God is the same today – He will deliver His faithful from the enemy

         

Read V. 24:  The Plight of the Wicked

 

A.      God is faithful to the righteous

 

1Pe 3:10-15  For, "THE ONE WHO DESIRES LIFE, TO LOVE AND SEE GOOD DAYS, MUST KEEP HIS TONGUE FROM EVIL AND HIS LIPS FROM SPEAKING DECEIT.  (11)  "HE MUST TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; HE MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT.  (12)  "FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE TOWARD THE RIGHTEOUS, AND HIS EARS ATTEND TO THEIR PRAYER, BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL."  (13)  Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?  (14)  But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED,  (15)  but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;

 

Read V. 25-27:  The King’s Conclusion

 

A.      Faith is produced as the faithful are observed

 

B.      Daniel is a great example

 

C.      This is just what Jesus meant

 

Mat 5:14-16  "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;  (15)  nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  (16)  "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

 

D.      You?