Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Cooked to Perfection
Daniel 3
Pastor Tom
5-29-11

Introduction – Our God uses trials to purify our hearts and lives to better represent Him. – James 1:2-4

I. The king’s rebellion – v. 1-7

• Golden image of false worship
• State religion
• Sure judgment – fiery furnace Exodus 20:4-5

II. The jealous tattle tells – vv.8-15

• Envy and rebuke
• Incredulous inquiry
• Second chance
• Taunting God – omnipotence

III. The obedient teenagers – vv. 16-25

• Already decided – Acts 5:29
• God will deliver us – defined
• Weakness of mighty men
• The presence of God

IV. The miracle completed – vv. 26-30

• Servants of Most High God – Mark 10:44-45
• The name of God advanced – no other
• Promotion secured

Conclusion – God is able to change the world through the lives of those that trust Him.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Dream Weaver
Daniel 2:31-49
Pastor Tom
5-25-11

Introduction- God planted a simple dream in the king’s mind in order to share the course of the world empire and it’s destruction by Jesus Christ.

I. The image – vv. 31-35

• Four metals, four empires
• Head- Gold – Babylon
• Breast/arms – silver – Medo-Persia
• Belly/thighs – Bronze – Greece
• Legs/feet – iron/clay – Roman
• Descending value and weight/top heavy
• Supernatural stone crushes image – Revelation 16:14-16; 19:17-21

II. The interpretation – vv.36-45

• The four empires
• The divide of Rome – v.7:7
  • Strength of a king mixed with Democracy
  • Ten toes-Ten kings
  • Two feet – divided west and east
• Reassembled Rome – tribulation
• Christ’s forever kingdom – Revelation 20:4-6
• This is certain – authority

II. The promotion – vv.46-49

• Humbled by truth
• Ruler over Babylon and wise men
• Remembered His friends

Conclusion: We will sit with Christ – Ephesians 2:6

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

God of the Future
Daniel 2:1-30
Pastor Tom
5-22-11

Introduction – We clearly see that even the king’s hearts are but putty in God’s hands.

I. Great perplexity – vv. 1-11

• Receiving what you wish for
• Magicians futile trial
• v. 3 changes to Syriac language/ the world’s tongue and plan
• A tyrants true colors

II. Great penalty – vv. 12-15

• Orders to destroy
• Blessings of law and justice versus capricious tyranny
• Daniel’s wisdom/prudence – soft answer

III. Great prayer – vv. 16-23

• Petition and thanksgiving
• Desires mercy from God with his friends
• Grateful receiver from God
• Wisdom and strength are His/wise unto salvation

IV. Great praise – vv. 24-30

• Magicians saved
• Service offered
• Are you able? – The weak and foolish confound the wise
• There is A God
• This God has a plan

Conclusion – This is what the king should know so he can respond accordingly.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Finding God Faithful
Daniel 1:8-21
Pastor Tom
5-18-11

Introduction – Many never experience God’s faithfulness because they fail to ever put Him to the test. – Malachi 3:10, 15

I. The test – vv. 8-16

• God’s plan is better than man’s best
• Obedience brings favor
• Evidence unbelievers can see

II. The results – vv. 17-20

• Diligence in study brought knowledge and skill – Proverbs 1:2-7; Ecclesiastes 2:26
• Spiritual giftedness given to the studious – Numbers 12:6; 1 Peter 4:10
• Favor found with the king – Proverbs 22:29
• Found wiser than the ancients – Psalms 119:99-100

Conclusion – v. 21 Daniel stood the test of time and saw God’s deliverance from Babylon.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

How Did We Get Here?
Daniel 1:1-8
Pastor Tom
5-15-11

Introduction – Living without clear life purpose moves us into foreign territory.

I. Forgetting God – vv. 1-2

• The foundation – Leviticus 26:1-3 ; 32-33
  • Discipline
  • Distress
  • Drought
  • Plagues
  • Disease
  • Famine
  • Dispersion
• The detail – 2 Kings 23:21-37
  • Josiah
  • Jehoahaz
  • Jehoiakim

II. Purposeful living – vv. 3-8

• Unclean animals
• Not pressed by circumstances – Romans 12:1-2
• Principled choices – Leviticus 11:44-47; Numbers 6:3
• Spiritual Israel within Israel

Conclusion – Decide to be a remnant within the church. Romans 11:5