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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
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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
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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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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.
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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.
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aniel did not just get an answer. He received
insight into the character and ways of God.
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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?
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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
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aniel was looking to glorify God!
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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
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ou can benefit from what God has done but cannot
take credit for what God has done.
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aniel leaves an example for us to make sure we
help others understand mans limitations and Gods
limitlessness.
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hen Daniel mentions himself it’s to ensure he is not
the focus of attention.
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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