团契与门徒训练

Meant to Live (Daniel 1)

2016.06.26Stephen Cha

Daniel's stand at the king's table in Daniel 1 shows that God's people can refuse what defiles them while saying yes to God, because God sees, prepares, and empowers those who obey him in a pagan setting. Christians are part of the salt and light in their own place.

God is in control even over pagan kings (1-2)

Daniel 1 begins with Nebuchadnezzar's siege of Jerusalem, and the text says that the Lord gave Jehoiakim into his hand. The preacher notes that Nebuchadnezzar did not know that God was using him and giving him power. Jehoiakim knew about God but did not fear him, while Daniel knew who God is, feared him, and sought to serve him. Daniel's name, meaning 'God is my judge,' reminds us that life is not about what we get or where we live, but how we live before a God who is watching.

Saying no to defilement is saying yes to God (8)

Verse 8 says that Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the king's food and wine. The preacher explains that defilement does not mean getting sick but being kept from coming to God and worshiping him. Daniel refused the best food and the best opportunities because they could interfere with his life of worship, love, obedience, and service to God. Many of us say yes to God while refusing to say no to anything, and so we struggle when we must give something up. Like an FBI agent who learns the genuine by long familiarity, Daniel had come to know God's will and the cost of following it.

Wisdom and courage in obedience (9-10)

Daniel did not simply refuse; he spoke to the official who was responsible for him, and the official listened and respected him. Daniel then proposed a creative alternative: a ten-day test of eating vegetables and water. The preacher says this kind of wisdom comes when we are stuck and turn to God in prayer, asking for his way, and trust that he will open doors. Daniel acted in faith, and afterward God gave him favor and compassion, and God gave the four young men learning, skill, and wisdom.

Living as salt and light in a secular world

The preacher admits that Christians today face suspicion as pastors and churches, and that people blame others for the failure of Christians to be salt and light. Yet the preacher says that we are part of the 25 percent Christians in Korea and are called to live as salt and light ourselves rather than blaming others. Some people assimilate into the world, while others isolate themselves, but Daniel showed obedient engagement, living at peace with others while holding to the line he would not cross. The preacher ties this to the picture of a small fish that stays alive under deep-sea pressure because the pressure within cancels the pressure without.

Daniel's faithfulness across the long years (21)

Daniel began his service at about age 15 and remained until the first year of King Cyrus, when he was about 80. For 65 years, through the rise and fall of kings and kingdoms, God used Daniel to serve his purpose and prepare for his eternal kingdom. The preacher concludes that God has placed each of us where we are, and invites us to be Daniel in the place where God has put us.

Apply to Life

  • Let us examine what in our daily lives we need to say no to in order to say yes to God.
  • Let us turn to God in prayer and seek his wisdom when we face pressure in our work and relationships.
  • Let us act in obedience to God even when it costs us, trusting that he will show his favor.
  • Let us live as salt and light in our own setting rather than blaming other Christians or churches.
  • Let us be Daniel where God has placed us, living faithfully in the setting he has given us.

This summary was made automatically from the sermon's captions and may differ from the sermon.

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