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Prayer That Works
Daniel 9:1-19
Pastor Tom
6-29-11

Introduction – Daniel reveals the pattern and conditions of his prayer life.

I. Reading the signs – vv. 1-3

• In captivity 70 years
• God’s vision caused him to study – Jeremiah 25:11; 29:10
• Personal persistence in prayer

II. Looking for answers – vv. 4-14

• Acknowledgement of God’s worthiness for respect
• I, we and our sin – confession
• Detail of deserving discipline
• Scattered lives and confused faces
• God is right – we are wrong

III. Basis of appeal – vv. 15-19

• God’s righteousness, sake, mercies, city and people – Romans 3:26

Conclusion – Praying for God’s glory and name best describes prayer that works!

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Voiceprint Identification
Daniel 8
Pastor Tom
6-26-11

Introduction – Like a fingerprint, each individual’s voice is unique and has characteristics such as pitch and rhythm, which can be mapped and used to verify identity.

I. Second vision received – vv. 1-14

• At Shushan/Susa, one capital of Persia
• Two animals
  • A ram – Media and Persia
  • A goat – Greece/Alexander the Great
• Four generals – Ptolemy, Antigonus, Lysimachus and Cassander
• Under Antigonus came Antiochus IV called Epiphanes from – 171-165 BC
• Took away sacrifices and desecrated their sanctuary
• How long? 2300 days
• Maccabee family overthrows/Feast of Dedication or Hanukkah

II. Vision interpretation – vv. 15-25

• End times – Antiochus Epiphanes symbolizes Antichrist
• Clear history of Persia and Greece
• Antiochus would seek to destroy God’s people – Hellenize the Jews
• He was broken without hand – died strangely

III. Preserve the vision – vv. 26-27

• Recognize the enemy
• Recognize God’s plan

Conclusion – Jesus said His sheep would hear His voice. – John 18:37

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Limited Warranty
Daniel 7:19-28
Pastor Tom
6-22-11

Introduction – Promises are only as good as the entity backing them up.

I. Unique from others – vv. 19-20

• Rome hated by her captive nations
• Ten horns grow out of the beast – later development
• Rome lives in fragmentation
• At the end the little horn dominates – 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4; Revelation 13:3-6

II. New world order – vv. 21-25

• At war with the saints – Revelation 13:7
• Revised Roman Empire – Revelation 13:6
• Only one conqueror – “Ancient of Days”
• King and kingdom – final form- world dictator
• Three and a half years of blasphemy – Against/imitate Christ – Revelation 13:5-6

III. False promises – vv. 26-28

• Judgment sits – already determined – cannot change
• First 1,000 years of eternity
• Kept in his heart

Conclusion – Knowing at the end Christ will deliver on His promises and Satan cannot, should transform our lives.

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Future Vision
Daniel 7
Pastor Tom
6-19-11

Introduction – Daniel receives God’s point of view in a night vision concerning the coming kingdom.

I. Four beasts –vv. 1-8

• Lion – wings, man’s heart
• Bear – Persian element dominant
• Leopard – four wings and heads
• Dreadful/terrible – ten horns plus another

II. Scene of judgment – vv. 9-14

• White garment and hair – righteous/wisdom
• Surrounded by countless angels
• Purifying flame of Judgment – books opened
• Strange horn spoke reproachfully at God
• Cast into fire – beasts put away
• The Son receives His kingdom from the Father

III. Why it matters – vv. 15-18

• Daniel puzzled – an angel explains
• Four beasts are four kingdoms
• The saints shall take the kingdom
• Investment option – Romans 8:14-17; 2 Timothy 2:11-12

Conclusion – Revelation 20:4 – The wait will be worth it.

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Furry Friends
Daniel 6
Pastor Tom
6-8-11

Introduction – God protects those that choose to trust Him rather than man. Psalm 35:7-9, 17

I. Trustworthiness vs. scheming – vv. 1-10

• Daniel’s faithfulness rewarded by Medes
• Remarkable testimony – Ezekiel 14:14
• Entrap with the law
• Predetermined to follow God – Acts 5:29

II. Guilty by law – vv.11-15

• No controversy about Daniel’s guilt
• A king is tricked and broken-hearted
• The king labored for an out
• Trapped by the law

III. Strange bedfellows – vv. 16-23

• Punishment served – Darius hopeful
• Lost sleep vs. sound sleep
• God delivered/innocence found
• Are we prepared? – 2 Timothy 2:12; 3:12

IV. Justice delivered – vv. 24-28

• The cost of wrong beliefs
• God’s power turned men’s hearts to Him

Conclusion – We, like Daniel, prosper when trusting God. (Favor with God and men – wisdom, longevity, faithfulness, convictions and steadfast prayer)

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Party Crasher
Daniel 5
Pastor Tom
6-5-11

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Pride and Prejudice
Daniel 4
Pastor Tom
6-1-11

Introduction – We are reminded of the devastating effects of pride in life. Proverbs 16:18

I. Nebuchadnezzar’s proclamation – vv. 1-3

• A testimony to all people, nation, and languages
• Peace from the king

II. What happened – vv. 4-18

• Another dream – a tree
• Symbol of strength, shade, food, fuel, beauty and building materials
• Cut it down but leave the trunk
• Give it a beasts’ heart for seven years
• God is in command – v. 17

III. Daniel’s interpretation and warning – vv. 19-27

• Daniel was saddened by it
• It represents you, King Nebuchadnezzar
• During this your kingdom will remain
• Please repent

IV. The dream fulfilled – vv. 28-33

• God’s long suffering patience
• Pomp and circumstance brought low
• The grazing king

V. The awakening – vv. 34-37

• Sanity restored
• Righteous praise
• God is able to teach this lesson

Conclusion – This still happens to Christians today. Romans 12:3