Embracing Humility: Lessons from Belshazzar's Pride
Summary
In a reflective discourse, the focus is placed on the importance of humility and the dangers of pride, as illustrated through the narrative of the Book of Daniel, particularly in Daniel Chapter 5. The discussion begins with an acknowledgment that the messages delivered are not only for the audience but also for the collective growth of the church community. It is emphasized that the church's purpose is not to provide pleasure but to edify its members, to build them up so that they may become the men and women that God intends for them to be. This process of edification requires the collective growth of all members, as the church exists to worship God, follow Him, and equip its members to play their part in God's Kingdom.
The central theme of the message is the stubbornness of pride, which is a continuation of a series based on the Book of Daniel. The narrative of Daniel features four main kings, and the focus here is on Belshazzar, the grandson of Nebuchadnezzar. The previous week's message dealt with Nebuchadnezzar and the seduction of pride, and now the attention turns to Belshazzar, who demonstrates how pride can manifest through stubbornness.
Belshazzar's story is a cautionary tale of ignoring the lessons of the past and the consequences of prideful defiance against God. Despite being aware of his grandfather Nebuchadnezzar's humbling experience under God's hand, Belshazzar continues to act with arrogance and disrespect towards God. This is exemplified in the narrative by his decision to use sacred items from the temple in Jerusalem for a profane feast, an act that ultimately leads to a divine intervention where a mysterious hand writes a message on the wall, foretelling the end of his reign.
The message also touches on personal experiences of stubbornness and the need for correction, likening the process to the breaking of a colt. The imagery of a colt is used to describe the nature of stubbornness and the necessity of being guided by the Holy Spirit towards humility, with Jesus being the perfect example of humility.
The discourse concludes with a call to introspection and growth, urging individuals to study scripture, listen to the Holy Spirit, and surrender to God's will. The aim is to become more like Jesus, displaying the fruits of the Holy Spirit such as love, joy, peace, kindness, and patience. The message ends with a prayer for personal and communal transformation, seeking God's guidance in uprooting pride and stubbornness, and a desire for revival within the community, particularly within the schools.
Key Takeaways:
- The collective growth of a church community is essential for its members to become the individuals God intends for them to be. This growth is not just about personal satisfaction but about being built up and equipped to serve in God's Kingdom. The story of Belshazzar serves as a reminder that ignoring the lessons of the past and acting with pride can have dire consequences. [39:23]
- Personal experiences of stubbornness can be transformative when one is open to correction and guidance by the Holy Spirit. The breaking of a colt is a powerful metaphor for the process of becoming humble and teachable, which is necessary for spiritual growth and effectiveness in God's work. [01:15:25]
- The fruits of the Holy Spirit—love, joy, peace, kindness, longsuffering, and patience—are not just virtues to aspire to; they are evidence of God's work within us. When these fruits are evident in our lives, they should taste like the Holy Spirit to those around us, drawing others closer to God. [01:19:26]
- Engaging with scripture, listening to the Holy Spirit, and surrendering to God are crucial practices for becoming more like Jesus. These practices are not just individual responsibilities but are part of a larger calling to discipleship and making disciples, which involves being on mission to help others know Jesus. [36:05]
- The concept of tithing and giving is not merely a transactional duty but a reflection of obedience and trust in God. The principle of giving the first 10% back to God as a tithe is an act of acknowledging His provision and sovereignty over our lives. Offerings, on the other hand, are expressions of generosity that go beyond the tithe and can be directed as one feels led. [01:08:07]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Daniel 5:1-31 - The story of King Belshazzar's feast and the writing on the wall.
2. Galatians 5:22-23 - The fruits of the Holy Spirit.
3. Proverbs 16:18 - "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."
#### Observation Questions
1. What actions did King Belshazzar take that demonstrated his pride and defiance against God? ([46:03])
2. How did Belshazzar react when he saw the mysterious hand writing on the wall? ([51:08])
3. What was Daniel's response to Belshazzar's offer of gifts and honors for interpreting the writing? ([03:45])
4. What was the significance of the items Belshazzar used during his feast, and why was this act considered so disrespectful? ([47:50])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that Belshazzar ignored the lessons from his grandfather Nebuchadnezzar's experience with pride? ([41:19])
2. How does the metaphor of breaking a colt relate to the process of becoming humble and teachable in our spiritual lives? ([01:15:25])
3. In what ways do the fruits of the Holy Spirit serve as evidence of God's work within us, and how should they impact those around us? ([01:19:26])
4. How does the concept of tithing reflect our obedience and trust in God, and what distinguishes tithes from offerings? ([01:08:07])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you acted with pride or stubbornness. How did it affect your relationship with God and others? What steps can you take to cultivate humility in similar situations in the future? ([41:19])
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of collective growth within the church community. How can you contribute to the edification and spiritual growth of your church family? ([39:23])
3. Identify a personal experience where you were resistant to correction. How did you eventually come to accept guidance, and what role did the Holy Spirit play in that process? ([01:15:25])
4. Choose one fruit of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, kindness, longsuffering, patience) to focus on this month. What specific action can you take to cultivate this fruit in your interactions with others? ([01:19:26])
5. How can you make engaging with scripture, listening to the Holy Spirit, and surrendering to God a regular part of your daily routine? Share practical steps you plan to take. ([36:05])
6. Reflect on the concept of tithing and giving. How does your current practice of giving reflect your trust in God's provision? What changes, if any, do you feel led to make? ([01:08:07])
7. The sermon concluded with a call for personal and communal transformation. What specific area of your life do you feel needs transformation, and how can your small group support you in this journey? ([01:18:06])
Devotional
Day 1: Growth Through Collective Edification
The church is a community where growth is fostered not for individual pleasure but for collective edification, equipping members to serve in God's Kingdom. This growth is a journey that requires humility, learning from the past, and building each other up in faith and service. [39:23]
Hebrews 10:24-25 - "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Reflection: How can you contribute to the spiritual growth of someone else in your church community this week?
Day 2: The Metamorphosis of Stubbornness
Stubbornness, when surrendered to God, can be transformed into a teachable spirit guided by the Holy Spirit. Like the breaking of a colt, this process is necessary for our spiritual growth and effectiveness in God's work. [01:15:25]
James 4:6 - "But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'"
Reflection: Can you identify an area of stubbornness in your life that you need to surrender to God, and what steps will you take to do so?
Day 3: Manifesting the Holy Spirit's Fruits
The fruits of the Holy Spirit are the tangible evidence of God's transformative work within us. When we exhibit love, joy, peace, kindness, and patience, we not only grow closer to God but also draw others to Him. [01:19:26]
Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
Reflection: Which fruit of the Spirit do you feel is most lacking in your life, and how can you cultivate it starting today?
Day 4: Discipleship Through Scripture and Surrender
Engaging with scripture, listening to the Holy Spirit, and surrendering to God's will are essential practices for becoming more like Jesus and fulfilling the calling of discipleship. [36:05]
Colossians 3:16 - "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts."
Reflection: What is one practical way you can deepen your engagement with scripture this week to grow in discipleship?
Day 5: Obedience and Trust in Giving
Tithing and giving reflect our obedience and trust in God, acknowledging His provision and sovereignty. These acts of generosity are not transactional duties but expressions of our faith and commitment to God's work. [01:08:07]
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 - "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Reflection: How does your current practice of tithing and giving reflect your trust in God's provision, and is there a step you can take to grow in this area?
Quotes
1) "We should come with an expectant heart and attitude that says Lord what do you have for us. God has a plan and a purpose for each and every one of you." [38:48]
2) "Church on Sunday mornings is not for your pleasure... we're here for something called edification, to grow you up so that you would become the men and women that God wants you to become." [39:23]
3) "The title of today's message is the stubbornness of Pride... the Book of Daniel is really what the sermon is based upon and there are four main kings in the Book of Daniel." [40:03]
4) "The single biggest hurdle in becoming like Jesus... is probably stubbornness. We all have things we want to hold on to." [01:03:06]
5) "Daniel answered the king... 'you have proudly defied the Lord of Heaven... but you have not honored the God who gives you the breath of life and controls your destiny.'" [01:04:51]
6) "The messages that God gives me to give to you is for us. It's for us as a church... Lord what do you want to do in us, what do you want to do through us?" [38:48]
7) "I want to say the fruit the Holy Spirit produces in your life... should taste like holy spirit to people around you." [37:29]
8) "I pray that our marriages would actually begin to resemble the picture of Christ in his church... that we would actually display the kind of fruit the holy spirit says that he has." [01:19:26]
9) "I pray that you would reveal every area of Our Lives that display Pride or obstinance or stubbornness... that we would be the holy set apart clay vessel that you desire." [01:20:09]
10) "Tithing means giving 10% back the first 10% of everything that I earn... it's already his in fact that's why I don't intentionally pray over the offerings every Sunday." [01:08:07]
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