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FAMILY NEWSSUNDAY NIGHT SERVICE continues tonight at 6:00 P.M. This is a very different lesson with a discussion of the proofs of the divinity of Jesus. There is not much archaeology in this lesson, but vital information. NEXT SUNDAY you have a real treat in store. Richard Hoyt will be presenting the worship lesson. The Claytons will be in a lectureship/gospel meeting in Thurmont, Maryland, and will be gone for a week. Richard always has a great lesson. Come and support him. For the Sunday night class we will rerun program 8 because many of you were unable to attend and those who were, wanted to see it again. Come and be a part of seeing the evidence for the validity of what the Bible says about Jesus. HOLIDAY FLOAT: We have decided not to participate in the community holiday float this year. In our congregational meeting last Sunday it was pointed out that the Gibsons will be out of town, the church van is incapable of pulling the trailer, and many who rode the float are unable to get out, have family issues, or have moved. We also have some profound medical issues among us that make being able to work on the float to prepare it impossible. Hopefully we can do it next year OUR FOOD PANTRY: This past Monday we had 18 families representing 55 people come to the building for food. We want to extend our thanks to all of you who help in this program. I do not have all the names, so I will not list them here, but we do want those of you involved to be aware we appreciate your efforts and the good you are doing. Every year around Veterans Day Richard Hoyt writes a memorial for those who have served in our military. TODAY'S LESSON
INTRODUCTION — A man of religious purpose
A. The history
I. DANIEL WAS A MAN OF PRINCIPLE.
1. Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem.
2. Hand picked outstanding young people to be proselytes — gave them Babylonian names.
B. Required violations of the law of Moses
1. Daniel 1:1-16 — What would you and I do?
C. Daniel — an example to us all2. Matthew 6:33; Colossians 3:2 A. Daniel's life was not consequence driven (Daniel 1:8).
II. DANIEL WAS A MAN OF PURITY.
B. Daniel 5:16-17 — Belshazzar prophesy C. Daniel 6:7-9 — The Darius decree — Lion's den story Daniel 6:10 — Notice Daniel's response.
D. Daniel gets set up by his enemies.E. 2 Timothy 1:6 — What do we stand for? A. Daniel 6:3-5 — Wow!
III. DANIEL WAS A MAN OF PRAYER.
1. 1 Timothy 4:12 — We can all be an example.
B. The world makes fun of purity — 1 John 1:5-9.2. Titus 2:6-8 — Be like Daniel — a goal in life. The world is watching.
A. What is our prayer life? Look at Daniel's.
IV. BEING A CHRISTIAN IS NOT ALWAYS EASY.
1. Humility — Luke 18:10-14
2. Thankful, not anxious — Philippians 4:6 3. Colossians 4:2 — “Be wide awake when you give thanks.” 4. 1 Timothy 2:1 — Do we know what to pray about? 5. 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 — The attitude of prayer A. We have a lot to pray about.
B. Acts 2:37 — Prayer should precipitate action. C. We are called to be different. 1. Acts 2:38 — We are promised help.
2. Acts 2:40 — Save yourselves from this “perverse” generation. Dare to be a Daniel!
THE BACK PAGEHOW DO WE BECOME A DANIEL?Today's lesson raises challenges for all of us. The stories we read in the Old Testament are the accounts of exceptional people. I am not exceptional, so how can an account of Daniel be of any help to me? We have to remember that the biblical accounts of people like Moses, Solomon, Samuel, Paul, Peter, and John are not there with the idea that all of us are going to be clones of them. Remember that in all of these cases there were a multitude of people who were just like us. They lived and died without any spectacular accomplishments, and what we learn about them is how many times they failed, even when they had a great leader to guide them. In Galatians 2:11-14 Paul recounts having to call Peter out for a sinful act of racism. Paul himself says he is the chief of all sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). The message is clear that leaders are just humans who had a visible role in God's plan. The fact is that in today's world it is not the flashy preacher who turns people's lives around, but the caring, compassionate, empathetic Christian who reaches out to a frustrated and confused world. In Timothy 2:1-4 Paul calls us all to pray and tells us what to pray for. One of those things is to pray that “we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in full observance of religion and high standards of morality.” That is what we can all do and what we need to strive for. We can be like Daniel in standing for what the Bible teaches. We can be different than the people we work with in our morals and what we do for entertainment. Our speech can be what sets us apart. When Peter wanted to demonstrate that he was not a follower of Jesus, what did he do? Read Matthew 26:73-74 and realize that we may be tempted to do the same thing. Our lion's den is the jungle we live and work in with people who do not believe in God and do not respect his Word. God will give us the strength to close the mouths of the lions around us if we will let him. — John Clayton Our sign by the street! Scripture links/references are from BibleGateway.com. Unhighlighted scriptures can be looked up at their website. www.dowagiaccoc.org |
