What's the Big Idea?
As Christians, we live in this world as strangers. Exiles. And now, in the middle of a pandemic, we have left behind everything familiar and don’t know what the future holds. So, how do we navigate this “new normal”?
We can find a lot of hope and direction in the book of Daniel. He was also an exile in Babylon. He had to leave behind everything he was used to. He had to live a “new normal” in a culture that made life very difficult and dangerous for him and his friends. But whether they were thrown into lions’ dens or into the fire, there was another in the fire with them. God, who is more powerful than all, was always with them. He is also“in the fire” with us, too.
In a world that is just turned upside down, the book of Daniel offers the knowledge that God is still at work, the confidence that it is possible to remain faithful to Christ, and the strength to live for Him in our day.
Series Plan
April 19: When We’re Far Away From Normal
Have you ever wondered why you are where you are? And wherever THAT is, does it sometimes seem that God is far away? Daniel and his friends could have felt like that. They were far away from their home. Exiles in a foreign country. But God always puts His people where He wants them. He is accomplishing His purpose through us. Daniel knew that. He had the courage and the joy to be who God wanted Him to be — despite the circumstance and battle in front of him. Can we do the same?
April 26: When We Need Understanding
Wisdom doesn’t mean we have all the answers. Having wisdom means we know where to go to find the answers. This section of Daniel proves that. If we rely on ourselves for wisdom, we are going to see how ignorant we are. Because true wisdom comes from God. What Jesus does for us is draw us away from trusting in ourselves to trusting in Him. His Word always offers us the wisdom we truly need rather than what we think is best for us.
May 3: When The Heat Of Hardship Is Too Much
The world is filled with things that scream: Put me ahead of your God. But NOTHING can take the place of our God! So, that other thing will have to go. Daniel had to make that choice. So will we. What are we willing to sacrifice to serve Him above all? It might be a pretty difficult choice. But remember, the God we serve is able to help us in every situation. And he doesn’t ask us to make those choices alone. He is in the fire with us.
May 10: When We Think We Don’t Need Help
God wants all people to be saved. Which means He is going to do whatever it takes to make that happen. Sometimes that’s very easy. But sometimes that happens through a personal crisis. When we are robbed of comfort, health, wealth, and pride, God and His plans for us often seem a lot clearer. Because of this, we can be thankful for the challenges, difficulties, and hardships that come our way! They show us we have a God who saves. And because of that, we find we have a God that deserves all glory.
May 17: When We Lose Sight Of What’s Important
The king in our lesson today thought he had it made. He thought he could hold God in his hand, belittle God, and determine what God would do. But the writing on the wall said otherwise. The lesson we learn is: if we think we can hold God in our little hands, we venture into territory we don’t belong. We will be weighed and found wanting before God. Like the king, we don’t always heed this warning. Thankfully, Jesus paid the price for us. Now, God gives a different writing. Not on a wall, but in a book. His book. The Bible. With the writing found in God’s Word, we are assured our fate is different than the foolish king.
May 24: When We’re On Trial For What We Believe
There are certain situations only God can get us out of. Like being rescued from a den of hungry lions. Daniel served his king, but would not worship Him. That got him in trouble. He faced certain death because of it. While we might not face death, we do have professional, relational, cultural, and political issues that challenge our faith. How do we deal with them? We trust our God who delivers from death. Jesus proves that. We can trust God is with us because He’s shown nothing stands between us.
May 31: When We Wonder Who Is In Control
Ever been so scared your face went pale? Daniel was. But, God showed His dominion will never end. He has won the victory over the enemy. We experience that in part now. But God promises we will experience it fully one day. No matter how out of control life seems, God is in control! He can even control the very things that rise in opposition to Him. Christians can rest assured, that while nations rage against God, which we see in the news every day, His dominion is everlasting, and His kingdom will not be destroyed.
June 7: When We Need Hope In Our Hopelessness
Life can be hard in this world. A lot of days, everything just seems dark. But there is a light that shines in the darkness. God is that light. His Word gives light. The Bible says, “His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom.” Can we see the importance of opening that light and letting it shine into our lives? God rules above all things in the world around us. But He also rules in our hearts. His ruling activity grows as that Word shines into our lives and flows into the lives of others. Until He comes, we let it shine like the brightness of the stars in the sky!
Sermons in this Series
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