IN.FIN.8 part 7

This post is my message from Sunday, August 18th, 2013. Enjoy!

IN.FIN.8 part 7

“The Birth of Jesus”

Sunday, August 18^th, 2013-MRWC

 

            We are in week 7 of our IN.FIN.8 sermon series, looking at 8 of the greatest stories forever told.

            All of the stories that we have shared with you this summer lead up to the Main Event of the Bible; The Greatest story forever told: the birth, death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

            This is the central thought that runs through the pages of the Bible. The apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 4:

“When the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law.

5 God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.” (4:4-5, NLT2)

Paul told us why Jesus came to this earth; to pay the price that sin demanded, so we could have the opportunity to live with God for ever!

In his letter to the Romans, Paul wrote: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (NLT2)

Jesus entered this world to break the power of sin and death and guilt and shame and fear, and He makes it possible for us to live with God forever!

As we continue on in this series, we’re going to go back to that day in Bethlehem and look at the Birth of Jesus and see how it still applies to us today.

     The birth of Jesus is recorded for us in two places in the New Testament, the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Luke.

            We’re going to be looking at Luke’s account this morning, and as we begin, I would like for you to consider one question that will hold this message together: Do you have room for Jesus?

            We’ll be coming back to this question in a few moments, so if you have a Bible, I invite you to turn with me to Luke chapter 2.

        If you don’t have a Bible, there should be one in front of you, or it will be behind me.

            We’ll be looking at verses 1-7 of Luke chapter 2:

            “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.

         2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)

            3 And everyone went to his own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.

5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.

She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:1-7, NIV)

In this familiar story, we are introduced to Caesar Augustus, who was considered by many historians to be the greatest Roman emperor of all time. He ruled from 27 BC to 14 AD.

At this time, the known world was under Roman rule, and they enjoyed many benefits from Roman rule-- transportation, and a common language- Greek, just to name two.

They also enjoyed "the Pax Romana"—the peace of Rome.

The surrounding world might not have enjoyed being under Roman authority, but Caesar was a powerful man and had a huge army, so there wasn’t much the common man could do about it.

Because Caesar had such a large army, it demanded upkeep, so he decided that he would: “issue a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.” (Luke 2:1, NIV)

Those in the know believe that this census was also a tax to pay for the military.

No matter what it was; a census, or a tax, or both, Joseph packed up his pregnant wife and what little belongings they may have had and began the three day journey from Nazareth to Joseph’s hometown of Bethlehem.

While Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem, the time came from their Son to be born.

This is an important detail that we need not miss.

Before Caesar issued his decree, Joseph and Mary were living in Nazareth, but that wasn’t where the Promised Messiah was to be born, so at the right time, a decree went out requiring everyone to return to their own hometown. 

It almost sounds as if God had intended it to be this way. If this is how it sounds, it is because it was intended to be this way.

In Micah chapter 5:2, we read: “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past." (5:2, NLT2)

It was prophesied, hundreds of years before, that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem; Caesar was simply playing the part that he was supposed to play in the birth of Jesus Christ.

As was already mentioned, while Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem, their Son was born.

We don't know if Jesus was born the day they arrived in Bethlehem, or two weeks later, the text does not say...

But Matthew tells us that the Baby born to them was to be named Jesus: “because he will save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21, NIV)

The Name Jesus means “The Lord Saves” and Jesus certainly lived up to His Name.

In what could be referred to as His mission statement, Jesus said: “The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." (Luke 19:10, NIV)

This was Jesus’ whole purpose for coming to this earth: to find what was lost.

What was lost? You. Me. Everyone on planet earth.

Because of sin, we are separated from God. Because Jesus came to this earth to pay the price that sin demanded, we have the opportunity to be with God once again.

Jesus has come to this earth to seek and save us!

This is where we come back to the question I asked you at the beginning of the message: Do you have room for Jesus?

We are told that after Jesus was born, his mother: “wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7, NIV)

Because everyone had returned to their hometown for the census, there weren’t any available rooms at the Bethlehem Bed and Breakfast, so Joseph and Mary spent their first few nights as new parents in the barn with the animals.

ILLUSTRATION- Growing up, I had the opportunity work at the Silverwood Motel as a Sanitary engineer; which is a word I made up for dishwasher.

            This was a job I had while attending High-school; and my last day working at the Silverwood motel was the day before I headed off to Kingswood University.

            During my fourth year at Kingswood, I had the opportunity to return to the Silverwood motel to work, only this time I was working the front desk.

            One of the responsibilities that summer was processing guests who wanted to spend a night at our motel.

            When all the rooms were rented, I had to walk out to the road sign and change the “Vacancy” sign to a “No vacancy” sign.

This would tell other travellers that there was no room at the Silverwood Motel that night for them.

Many people have a no-vacancy sign hung upon the door of their hearts, because they have no room for Jesus.

Some people have no room for Jesus because they fear that He will ask them to give something up.

Some people have no room for Jesus because of something a “Christian” did to them a long time ago.

Still other people have no room for Jesus because they don’t want “someone telling them what to do.”

People all over the world—maybe even in our world—have relegated Jesus to a barn, a garage, a manger, because they have no room from Him in their Inn.

If we have no room for Jesus; if we hang a “no vacancy” sign on the door of our hearts, Jesus will stay out in the cold.

If we choose to leave Jesus out of our lives, He will not force His way in. He will remain exactly where we asked Him to remain.

But let us not blame God when something happens; when our whole world comes crashing down, let’s not play the “God card” and wonder why God would/could let this happen.

God was exactly where we wanted Him to be: on the outside looking in.

If we leave Jesus outside of our lives, one day He will leave us on the outside looking in:

In Matthew chapter 10 Jesus said:

“Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.

33 But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32-33, NIV)

By not having room for Jesus in our lives, we will miss out on living the life that He wants us to live.

While Jesus will stay exactly where we ask Him to stay, He doesn’t want to remain there.   

He is, at this moment, standing at the door of your heart, and He is knocking.

“If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” (Rev. 3:20, NIV)

Jesus has come into this world to bring you back to God. So the only question is: Do you have room for Jesus?

Do you have the One who will uphold you when all hell breaks loose in your life?

Do you have the One who can change you from the person you are, into the person you can be?

Do you have the One who can make sense of things when things don’t make sense?

Do you have room for Jesus; or have you left Jesus out in the barn because you have no room for Him in your inn?

The choice, dear friend is up to you. Your mamma can’t chose for you, you niece can’t chose for you, only you can choose to make room for Jesus in your life.

Do you have room for Jesus? Ultimately that can be answered in one of two ways:

Yes, I choose to give Jesus the room that He wants in my life.

(And while we’re on the topic, Jesus wants all of your life, not some, much or most; He wants it all)

Or No I choose to leave Jesus outside my life because I have no room for Him in my inn.

Joshua asked the people a similar question. The children of Israel had received the Promised Land, and in Joshua’s final words to the people, He said to them:

"Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.

15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living.

But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:14-15, NIV)

Jesus was born into this world at just the right time to make it possible for you to live with God forever, but the choice is up to you.

Will you choose to open the door of your heart to God; or will you serve some foreign god, that isn’t really a god at all?

I know whom I chose.

How about you; do you have room for Jesus?

In just a moment, the band is going to come back and we’re going to have an opportunity to answer this question on our own.

If you choose to give Jesus the room that He deserves in your life; either for the first time or the hundredth time, then I’m going to ask you to proclaim that to Him.

You can do that by standing where you are, by raising your hand, or even by coming to the front of the church and giving God your all.

Please know that if you chose not to stand, raise your hand or even come to the front of the church, no one will point you out, laugh at your or even make you feel guilty for not responding.

This is an opportunity for all of us to talk with God, not point the finger at one another.

So if you want to let God know that you have room for Jesus—and no room for anything or anyone else—I’m going to invite you to respond as God may lead you.

Isaiah reminded us that the Christ Child was given to and for us (Is.9:6), the only question that demands to be answered is: Do you have room for Jesus?

IN.FIN.8, part 6

Here is the message from Sunday past. Enjoy!

IN.FIN.8 part 6

“Peter and Jesus walking on water”

Sunday, August 11^th, 2013-MRWC

 

Show Video

 

            We are well over half way through our look at 8 of the greatest Bible stories forever told.

            I’ve heard from several of you remarking at how you’ve enjoyed hearing some of the most famous stories taken from the Bible; stories from the lives of Joseph, Moses, David, Esther and Daniel.

            Each of these stories is leading up to the greatest story forever told… have you noticed that in the sermon video?

            All of the stories that Pastor Mike and I have been, and will share with you this summer, lead up to the Main Event of the Bible: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

            This by all accounts, is the Greatest Story forever told, and we will begin our journey down that path starting next Sunday.

            This morning, we will be looking at another one of the all-time favorite Bible stories as chosen by many of you, and actually this has to be one of my favorite Bible stories as well.

ILLUSTRATION- I remember reading this story in the winter of 2010.

            I had read this particular passage several times before, but it was during the winter of 2010 that it became a part of my faith experience with the Lord.

            As I read the passage that day, I wept openly. I sensed in my spirit that I was to take a step of faith and get out of the boat…

            Now that I have some of you hooked, I would like to unpack the 6^th greatest story forever told, and it can be found in Matthew chapter 14.

            Just to give you a little context, Jesus had just preformed a miracle at Bethsaida by feeding 5000 men—plus woman and children—with only 5 loaves of bread and two fish.

            After everyone had enough to eat, Jesus instructed His disciples to gather up all of the leftovers, and there was “…twelve basketfuls of broken pieces…left over.” (Matthew 14:20, NLT2)

            After Jesus had fed the crowd, He told His disciples to get into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, so He could send the people away.

            We’ll pick up our story in Matthew 14:23: “After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.

24 Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves.

25 About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water.

26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”

27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”

28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”

            29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said.

So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”

32 When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped.

33 Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.” (Matthew 14:23-33, NLT2)

After Jesus had dismissed the crowd, He went off by Himself to pray.

He wanted to spend time alone with the Father after a busy day of ministry, and possibly spend some time mourning the beheading of John the Baptist.

The disciples were alone in the middle of the Sea of Galilee fighting the wind and the waves.

As a result of where it is located, cool winds frequently rush down the steep cliffs and mountainous peaks surrounding the sea of Galilee and unexpectedly stir up violent storms on the warm surface of the lake, making it very susceptible for the perfect storm, such as the one described for us in this passage. (with help from NNIBD)

So you have some seasoned fisherman, along with a tax collector, and the rest of Jesus’ disciples in a boat, that’s being blown and tossed by the wind and the waves, and all of a sudden they look off in the distance and saw something that terrified them:

“About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”” (Matthew 14:25-26, NLT2)

ILLUSTRATION- More than once, I have woken up at 3 AM and thought I’ve seen- or at the very least heard—something in the house.

            Because I’m the man of the house, I have the responsibility to do the mainly thing, so I wake up my wife and ask her to go and check it out, telling her that I’ve seen something.

            Most of the time, she will tell me that I need to stop watching action movies before going to bed and she’ll reassure me that nothing is there, and I can—and should—go back to sleep.

            I understand how the disciples felt. They’ve been up all night fighting against the wind and the waves and now they think they’ve seen a ghost, and they do what any self-respecting man would do: “I want my mommy!”

            Hearing their cry of fear, “Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid...Take courage. I am here.” (Matthew 14:27, NLT2)

            Some scholars have said that the verse could also be translated: “Take courage. The I AM is here…”

            You may know that the Name I AM was only reserved for God Himself, so what Jesus was saying to His disciples that night on the Sea of Galilee was “Don’t be afraid; God is here!”

            After hearing Jesus confirm His identity, Peter springs into action: “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”

29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.

30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” (Matthew 14:28-31, NLT2)

My initial response after reading these words is “really Peter?”

Jesus had just shown up at the exact location where you and the other disciples were in the middle of the night, not in a boat, but walking on the water, and you have the audacity to say “Lord, if it’s really you…” (Matthew 14:28, NLT2)

But then I have to look within and ask myself how many times I’ve said the very same thing to Jesus: “Lord, if it’s really you…” (Matthew 14:28, NLT2)

ILLUSTRATION- A few moments ago, I told you about this passage being pivotal in my life in 2010 and how I felt God asking me to take a step of faith.

            What I didn’t tell you was at that time; I was the pastor of the Havelock Wesleyan Church and had been for 7 years.

            I had enjoyed a fruitful ministry, I had seen lives changed for Jesus, and had taken the church to a better place, but after reading this particular passage, I felt the Lord asking me to get out of the boat and resign as pastor of HWC.

            I wrestled with this decision for a few weeks, and I literally remember myself asking: Lord: are you sure?

            After talking with my wife and the DS at the time, David LeRoy, I had made the decision to step out of the boat and resigned as the pastor.

            For several weeks after that decision, I wrestled with doubt.

        I wondered if I had made the right decision, after all, my kids were born in Havelock, I developed some of the deepest friendships in Havelock, I had seen God at work in Havelock.

            I was, like Peter, scared of taking that next step, the step that comes with getting out of the boat.

            Is there something the Lord has been asking you to do, but up until this point you’ve neglected to do it either because you were scared or you didn't really know if it was the Lord speaking to you?

            Look with me for a moment at John chapter 10. This is Jesus speaking: “I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber!

2 But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.

 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

4 After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice.

5 They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.”

            7…“I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.” (John 10:1-5, 7, NLT2)

            Jesus is reminding us that He is the One who leads His sheep, and the sheep know the Master’s voice because they spend time with the Shepherd.

            In reality, most of us are good hearers; we generally don’t have any trouble hearing the Voice of the Shepherd.

The problem arises in being a doer. Remember what James, the bother of Jesus teaches us? “Application makes all the difference”

            What we should be doing instead of asking: “Lord, is it really you?” is saying “Lord, help me do…”

ILLUSTRATION- I learned in 2010 that God can be trusted and because I stepped out of the boat, I am able to serve God here, as the pastor of MRWC.

            What is it that God is asking you to do?

            Tithe?

            Serve?

            Pray?

            Whatever He is asking you to do, I want you to know that God can be trusted to help you do whatever it is He is asking to you do.

            The question is will you do what God wants? Remember, and this is the key thought of this sermon: “If you want to walk on water, you’ve got to get out of the boat.”

            David wrote in Psalm 37: “Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.” (NLT2)

            The message of the 6^th greatest story forever told is not that Peter walked on the water—as awesome and as cool as that would have been; or even when Jesus calmed the storm.

The message of this passage is what the disciples did when Jesus and Peter got back into the boat.  

            Look again at verses 32&33: “When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” (Matthew 14:32-33, NLT2)

            After all the evidence had been given to them: the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000, the miracle of the leftovers, the miracle of Jesus walking on the water, the miracle of Peter walking on the water and the miracle of Jesus calming the storm, the disciples came to the conclusion that Jesus was God’s Son and they worshipped Him as such.

            Have you arrived at this conclusion? Can you, like the disciples say to and of Jesus: “You really are the Son of God!” (Matthew 14:33, NLT2)

            Several of you have! You have made this declaration and you are living into this truth, while other people still have yet to make this declarationà you have heard about Jesus, but you’ve yet to make Him your own.

            So here’s what I am praying will happen today, first of all, if you have not made a decision for Jesus as of today, I’m not going to pressure you, or guilt you into making a decision. 

            What I am going to ask is for you to ask Jesus to show up in your life.

        I want to give you a prayer you can pray this week—or when you’re ready: “Lord: if it’s really you, show up in my life….”

And then I want you to watch what Jesus does in your life, and then I want you to tell someone what happened when Jesus showed up in your life.

That’s the first thing I’m praying will happen, is for someone who doesn’t know Jesus personally, to pray Lord: if it’s really you, show up in my life...”

The second thing I’m asking is for those of us who follow Jesus, those of us who claim Jesus as our Lord and Saviour to say: “Lord: help me do…”

When you’re praying this, you’re asking Jesus to help you take that step of faith that He has been asking you to take.

You’re asking Jesus to help you get out of the boat and do what He wants you to do.

So there it is, my friends, the message and the challenge. Some of us are going to say: “Lord; if it’s really you” and others of us are going to say: “Lord: help me do”

The band is going to come back and lead us in our closing song, and we’re going to take just a few moments and follow the example of the disciples and worship Jesus.

As we do, I want you to be free to begin praying one or both of these prayers: “Lord; if it’s really you” and “Lord: help me do”

If you would like to come to the front and pray, please feel free, you won’t be alone, someone will pray with you.

 

 

IN.FIN.8 part 5

This is the 5th greatest story forever told as chosen by our church folk. Enjoy!

IN.FIN.8 part 5

“The life of Daniel”

Sunday, August 4^th, 2013-MRWC

 

SHOW VIDEO CLIP

 

            We are in week five of our summer series called IN.FIN.8.

It’s in this series that we have been at looking at 8 of the greatest Bible stories forever told as chosen by many of you.

So far in our walk through the pages of Scripture, we have looked at the lives of Joseph and Moses; we saw how David defeated a nine foot tall monster of a man named Goliath, and learned how God wants to use all of us, where we are, “at such a time as this”. 

(That quote is taken from the book of Esther)

All of these stories are extremely powerful and they remind us that God was at work in the lives of His people.

This still holds true today. God is willing and able to use anyone who is willing to acknowledge Him as Lord of--and over--all.

The writer of 2 Chronicles tells us that: “The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” (NLT2)

God is looking for and will strengthen all who search for and find Him.

This truth is expressed clearly in the 5^th greatest story forever told as chosen by some of you.

Today, we’re going to examine an event in the life of Daniel, but before we do that, I want to give you a very brief synopsis of who Daniel was.

Daniel was a prophet who lived in Jerusalem until he was taken captive by the Babylonians in 605 BC.

Daniel was a teenager at that time, and he was held captive for at least 70 years.

Upon arriving in Babylon, Daniel and three of his friends were conscripted into the Kings court.

This court only accepted certain individuals; those who were from “…Judah’s royal family and other noble families…” (Dan. 1:3, NLT2)

These young men were: “…strong, healthy, and good-looking…well versed in every branch of learning…gifted with knowledge and good judgment…” (Daniel 1:4, NLT2)

They looked similar to this strapping young man (SHOW PM’s PHOTO) and, this strapping young man. (PHOTO OF ME)

The purpose of taking Daniel and his three friends in the kings court was to try and take away their Jewish identity and transform them into Babylonians, but Daniel stood firm and proved that his heritage was worth protecting.

Among the things the Book of Daniel is known for is dreams, visions and prophecy. These things make up a significant portion of the book of Daniel.

Either Daniel was interpreting visions and dreams, or he was prophesying about coming events.

Daniel is an important book that is contained in the Bible.  It’s an excellent read, and I encourage you to take some time to read it through.

With that very brief history, I would like to dive into our lesson for today, and I want you to consider  a question: Have you ever felt like someone was out to get you?

ILLUSTRATION- I have been in one of those situations, at least once in my life.

            I remember this one particular event that took place when I was in middle school.

I had developed a certain attraction to a young lady in our school.

For a while I kept this news to myself, but I eventually told my friend- a guy named Tim, about my crush on Danielle.

            Not too long after I had told Tim, did I notice him taking a liking to Danielle as well, and in fact, he ruined what fraction of a chance I probably didn’t have with Danielle. 

            This bugged me to no end. I didn’t know what I did to Tim to have him treat me that way. After all he was my friend, and friends don’t do that to each other, do they?

            Well, I eventually had the last laugh with Tim, because one morning on the way to school, Trevor, my brother picked him up and slammed him into a school bus and demanded him to leave me alone.

            It seemed to me that Tim was out to get me.

            Something similar happened in the life of Daniel. Someone was out to get him. The story unfolds for us in Daniel chapter 6.

            Because Daniel had found favor in the Kings court, he was promoted to a very high position in the kingdom and when Daniel proved his worth in that position, the king decided to promote Daniel one more time.

            This news aggravated the other officials whom the king also appointed. 

         Daniel probably made them look bad; when they were on coffee break at Robins, Daniel was snacking on a broccoli tree and looking for ways to improve the kingdom.  

            We’re told in Daniel 6:4 that the: “administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticize or condemn.

He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy.” (NLT2)

            Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the same could be said about you and me in our daily lives? I think it would, and with God’s help it is possible.

The officials couldn’t find anything wrong with the way Daniel conducted business, so they decide that the only way they can stick it to Daniel is if they find something wrong with the way he practiced his religion.

            Of course, they would never go toe to toe with Daniel in a sword drill, so they go to the King and stroke his ego instead.

            They approach the king and tell him they want him to live forever, and that they are all in agreement that the king should enforce a law that said: “…for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human—except to you, Your Majesty—will be thrown into the den of lions.” (Dan. 6:7, NLT2)

            King Darius liked this idea, and he signed it into law.

            This is where the story gets really interesting.

When Daniel found out about this news via twitter:

“…he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.” (Dan. 6:10, NLT2)

When something happened that Daniel didn’t like, what did he do? (He picked up the phone and called Aunt Gina to complain!) 

He went home and prayed about it… I think there’s a life lesson for us in there somewhere…

Once the law had been signed into order, Daniel went home, and the officials went to Daniel’s house to see what he was up to, and they found him: “praying and asking for God’s help.” (Dan. 6:12, NLT2)

Immediately, the officials rush back into the kings presence and they remind him of the law that he issued that said anyone who prayed to anyone-divine or human- except to the king, for the next 30 days was to be thrown into the lion’s den.

The king agreed with their interpretation of the law, and told them that the law couldn’t be repealed and the officials say to the king:

“That man Daniel, one of the captives from Judah, is ignoring you and your law. He still prays to his God three times a day.” (Dan.6:13, NLT2)

Upon hearing this, the king was deeply troubled and he spent the rest of the day thinking of a way to get Daniel out of this predicament.

When nothing could be done, “the king gave orders for Daniel to be arrested and thrown into the den of lions.

The king said to him, “May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you.” (Dan. 6:16, NLT2)

A stone was placed in front of the den and it was sealed with the king’s ring, preventing anyone from rescuing Daniel.

The king returned to his palace and spent the night fasting. “He refused his usual entertainment and couldn’t sleep at all that night.” (Dan. 6:18, NLT2)

It’s obvious to me that Daniel had an impact upon this king. Daniel was faithful to his God and the king took notice.

Friend: you never know whose life you are impacting as you live for God. It might be a king, but it’s more likely going to be a family member, a co-worker, or even a neighbour.  

I want to encourage you to remain faithful to God and He will use your witness in ways that you could never begin to imagine.

Let’s go back and read the rest of the story:

19 Very early the next morning, the king got up and hurried out to the lions’ den.

20 When he got there, he called out in anguish, “Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?”

21 Daniel answered, “Long live the king!

22 My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.”

23 The king was overjoyed and ordered that Daniel be lifted from the den. Not a scratch was found on him, for he had trusted in his God. (Dan. 6:19-23, NLT2)

God showed up and rescued Daniel that day. Many scholars believe that the angel who shut the lion’s mouths was the pre-incarnate Lord Jesus Christ Himself!!

Jesus showed up that day to rescue Daniel, and Jesus can show up this day to rescue you!

Are you in your own version of a lion’s den? Is someone out to get you? I want you to know that God can be trusted to rescue you; God can be trusted to deliver you; God can be trusted to be with you just as He was with Daniel.

If you are in a lion’s den—either of your own making or of someone else’s doing, I want to give you a specific step that you can take to help you get through that time in your life.

This is what Daniel did throughout this story, and really, it’s what Daniel did throughout his entire life, and this will serve us well when we are in the lion’s den.

If you are in a lion’s den, the one thing you can do and should do is Trust God.

Daniel placed His trust in God, and God didn’t abandon him during his time of need. If you and I place our trust in God He won’t abandon us in our time of need either.

The temperature might go up just a bit on our situations, but “God has said: ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’" (Heb. 13.5, NIV)

ILLUSTRATION- A while ago, I found myself in a lions den, and I was concerned as to how it was going to play out.

Because my spiritual gift is worry, I had to make a deliberate choice to pray and Trust in God.

Let me give you a couple of verses that you can memorize and use when you are in the lion’s den.

The first one comes from Proverbs 3: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart (when you’re in the lion’s den, or when you’re out of the lions den) and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Prov. 3:5-6, NIV)

Trusting in God will lead you down the right path. Not necessarily the safe path, but the right path.

The second verse comes from Isaiah 50:10 and it says: “If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the Lord and rely on your God.” (NLT2)

So friend, here’s what I want you to take away from today’s message: Trust in God, even in the hard times, because He will help you.

This is what the 5^th greatest Bible story forever told teaches us.

Trust in God, even in the hard times, because He will help you