GOD OF THE MYSTERIES OF LIFE II

A Contest & A Contrast –Daniel

2:19-45

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ho you follow and how you choose

to live will determine how you

respond to and proceed through

the mysteries of life.

A CONTEST & CONTRAST

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ides are drawn (Intentionally by God)• God vs worldly wisdom & the gods

C

haracters are in place• Nebuchanezzar, Babylonian wise men &

Arioch, Daniel and his 3 friends.

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hings are not always as they seem or appear.

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or Daniel & Friends it looked like:• Their God was powerless• Their people were helpless• Their cause was hopeless

F

or us today it may seem to the world that:• God is powerless to deal with the changing

culture• Christians are helpless against the tide of

worldliness being captive to a hostile environment

• Our mission & cause is diminished

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eality is:•gods of this world are powerless• Isaiah 46:6-7

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ome pour out gold from their bags and weigh out silver

on the scales they hire a goldsmith to make it into a god,

and they bow down and worship it. They lift it to their

shoulders and carry it; they set it up in its place, and

there it stands. From that spot it cannot move.Though

one cries out to it, it does not answer;    it cannot save

him from his troubles.

I

saiah 46:9-10

Remember the former things, those of long ago;    I am God, and

there is no other;    I am God, and there is none like me.

I make known the end from the beginning,    from ancient

times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand,    and I

will do all that I please.

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e may face the same dangers as the world,

but with a different response.

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avigating a hostile world demands a heart

of dependency on God.

D

aniel’s vision came in the

night.

G

od does give “night vision”

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aniel did not just get an answer. He received

insight into the character and ways of God.

D

aniel was not just interested in what God

could give him. He wanted God!

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hen God answered your prayers, what did it

reveal to you about his character and his ways?

O

nce he answered you what was the condition of

your heart? Daniels was praise for God is!

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aniels heart of humility and compassion was still intact.• “Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon”

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ontrast Daniel with Arioch –Looking for credit

D

aniel was looking to glorify God!

D

aniel’s desire for & love of God kept him from

falling into the “trap”.• Trap of taking credit for what God did.• Trap of drawing attention to himself

Y

ou can benefit from what God has done but cannot

take credit for what God has done.

D

aniel leaves an example for us to make sure we

help others understand mans limitations and Gods

limitlessness.

W

hen Daniel mentions himself it’s to ensure he is not

the focus of attention.

D

aniels explanation of the dream:• God is greater than you & the world• God is wiser than you & world• God is in control over you & the world• That same God is informing you & his

people

G

od wants us to see that the gods of the world, the

idols they erect leave them disillusioned and

wondering about the meaning of life’s mysteries.

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hose that trust him have an answer for the world

but are not the answers themselves.