Living Faithfully: A Call to Courage and Unity

 

Summary

The sermon delivered by the speaker is a profound call to Christians to live a life devoted to God, emphasizing the importance of faithfulness, courage, and the avoidance of idolatry. The speaker begins by questioning the congregation's commitment to religious activities and their struggle to live as God intends. They highlight the urgency of the times, referencing a message from 1923 about the Holy Spirit's enduring presence and the need to be ready to share Jesus Christ's message, especially in light of current world events and wars.

The speaker then transitions to the importance of knowing and studying the Word of God, using the story of Belshazzar's feast and the writing on the wall as a cautionary tale. They stress the need for unity among believers, supporting and praying for one another, rather than striving for personal perfection or superiority. The courage of Daniel is presented as an example to follow, as he fearlessly interprets the writing on the wall for Belshazzar, warning of the kingdom's impending fall.

Personal anecdotes are woven throughout the sermon to illustrate the speaker's points. They share their own struggles with prioritizing pleasing others over God, including the temptation to keep the church going at the expense of their relationship with God. The speaker also recounts playing a game with their son, emphasizing the importance of being present and valuing relationships over material pursuits.

The sermon also addresses the challenges Christians face in society, such as persecution for their faith. The speaker encourages steadfastness in prayer and Bible reading, even in the face of opposition, and reminds the congregation that enduring persecution fulfills Christ's will. They also discuss the story of Daniel in the lion's den, highlighting God's deliverance and the importance of standing true to one's beliefs.

In conclusion, the speaker urges the congregation to serve God wholeheartedly, to prioritize Him in their lives, and to move forward in their relationship with Him. They call for an examination of what is truly loved and desired in life, and whether anything is held back from God. The sermon ends with a reminder of the importance of forgiveness and mercy, following Jesus' example on the cross, and the need to let go of the desire for revenge.

Key Takeaways:

- The urgency of living a God-centered life is paramount, especially in the context of the current state of the world. The speaker reminds us that we are living in the last days, and the Holy Spirit's message from nearly a century ago still resonates today. As Christians, we must be vigilant, ready to share the gospel, and resist the complacency that allows Satan to gain a foothold in our lives and churches. [43:24]

- Studying the Bible and understanding its messages are crucial for Christians. The story of Belshazzar and the writing on the wall serves as a powerful reminder that God holds kingdoms and individuals accountable. Christians should support each other in their spiritual journey, recognizing that perfection is not the goal, but rather a collective striving towards God's will. [30:42]

- The example of Daniel's courage in speaking truth to power is a call to Christians today to be fearless in proclaiming God's message. The fear of losing status or facing backlash should not deter believers from standing up for their faith. The speaker emphasizes the importance of learning from history and not repeating the mistakes of the past, both in personal lives and as a society. [37:05]

- The speaker's personal anecdotes highlight the dangers of confusing God with other priorities in life. Whether it's technology, money, or status, these can become idols that distract from our relationship with God and our loved ones. The speaker encourages trust in God's provision and care, reminding us that He is capable of more than we can imagine. [51:59]

- Forgiveness and mercy are central to the Christian life, as exemplified by Jesus on the cross. The speaker urges believers to release feelings of revenge and vindication to God, embodying the teachings of Paul. This act of letting go not only aligns with Christ's example but also frees us from the burden of anger and the desire for retribution. [01:06:33]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Daniel 5:1-31 - The story of Belshazzar's feast and the writing on the wall.
2. Daniel 6:6-23 - The story of Daniel in the lion's den.
3. Matthew 10:22 - "You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved."

#### Observation Questions
1. What actions did Belshazzar take that led to the writing on the wall during his feast? [29:55]
2. How did Daniel respond when offered rewards for interpreting the writing on the wall? [33:43]
3. What was Daniel's routine that led to his being thrown into the lion's den? [56:21]
4. How did King Darius react after realizing Daniel was in the lion's den? [59:59]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the story of Belshazzar's feast teach us about the consequences of idolatry and disrespecting sacred things? [29:55]
2. How does Daniel's courage in interpreting the writing on the wall for Belshazzar serve as an example for Christians today? [33:43]
3. In what ways does Daniel's faithfulness in prayer, despite the threat of the lion's den, challenge modern Christians to stand firm in their beliefs? [56:21]
4. How does the sermon suggest Christians should respond to persecution and societal opposition? [01:03:12]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily routine. Are there any activities or habits that might be considered modern-day idols, distracting you from your relationship with God? How can you address these distractions? [43:24]
2. Daniel showed great courage in speaking truth to power. Is there a situation in your life where you need to speak up for your faith, even if it might lead to backlash? How can you prepare for this? [35:04]
3. The sermon emphasized the importance of unity among believers. How can you support and pray for your fellow Christians in their spiritual journeys? [28:14]
4. The speaker shared personal anecdotes about prioritizing relationships over material pursuits. Are there relationships in your life that need more attention? How can you be more present for your loved ones? [51:59]
5. Forgiveness and mercy are central to the Christian life. Is there someone you need to forgive or a grudge you need to let go of? How can you follow Jesus' example in this area? [01:04:28]
6. The sermon calls for an examination of what is truly loved and desired in life. What are you holding back from God, and how can you surrender it to Him? [51:13]
7. Reflect on the urgency of living a God-centered life in the context of current world events. How can you be more vigilant and ready to share the gospel with those around you? [42:42]

Devotional

Day 1: Urgency in God-Centered Living
In these last days, the call to live a God-centered life is critical. Believers must be vigilant, ready to share the gospel, and resist complacency. The Holy Spirit's message from nearly a century ago still resonates, urging Christians to be alert and to prevent Satan from gaining a foothold in their lives and churches. [43:24]

Ephesians 5:15-16 - "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil."
Reflection: How can you be more vigilant in your daily life to ensure you are living in a way that is centered on God and His purposes?

Day 2: Accountability Through Scripture
Understanding the Bible's messages is vital for accountability before God. The story of Belshazzar warns that both kingdoms and individuals are held accountable. Christians should support each other in their spiritual journey, aiming for collective growth in God's will rather than personal perfection. [30:42]

Daniel 5:27 - "TEKEL: You have been weighed in the balances and found wanting."
Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your understanding of Scripture to better hold yourself accountable to God's standards?

Day 3: Courage to Proclaim Truth
Christians are called to emulate Daniel's courage in speaking truth to power, without fear of losing status or facing backlash. Learning from history and personal experiences, believers must stand firm in their convictions and proclaim God's message fearlessly. [37:05]

Acts 4:29 - "And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness."
Reflection: What is one situation where you need to show more courage in proclaiming your faith, and how can you ask God for the boldness to do so?

Day 4: Prioritizing God Over Idols
The dangers of allowing technology, money, or status to become idols are real. These can distract from relationships with God and loved ones. Trusting in God's provision and care is essential, as He is capable of more than we can imagine. [51:59]

Matthew 6:24 - "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."
Reflection: Identify one thing that may be taking God's place in your life. How can you begin to reprioritize to ensure God is at the center?

Day 5: Embracing Forgiveness and Mercy
Forgiveness and mercy are at the heart of the Christian life, as Jesus demonstrated on the cross. Believers are encouraged to let go of the desire for revenge, aligning with Christ's example and freeing themselves from the burden of anger. [01:06:33]

Colossians 3:13 - "Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."
Reflection: Is there someone you need to forgive, and can you take a step towards forgiveness today, trusting in God's mercy and grace?

Quotes

"We've been called to stand strong for Jesus Christ and we've been called to stand firm as Christians." [01:03:52]

"Is it better to please man or is it better to please God?" [50:01]

"If you've quit praying in public, that's not enduring. If you've quit living for Jesus Christ in public, that's not enduring." [01:03:12]

"We have got to start remembering where we have come from and not forget those things in America it seems like all we want to do is forget our history we want to erase all those bad things that had happened we want to clean the Slate or what they call the great reset." [37:05]

"You can't live out the word of God unless we know the word of God Amen are y'all with me this morning uh you can't live out this daily life and it begins uh in knowing him building a relationship with him but Desiring to get in his word and to study to hear what he is leading us and guiding Us in" [27:29]

"The world needs to see Jesus in us." [01:07:18]

"Then these men came by agreement found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God and then they approached and spoke before the king about the king's injunction did you not sign an injunction that any man who makes a petition to any God or man besides you oh King for 30 days is to be cast into the lion's den" [56:21]

"we have got to learn if we're going to serve God we've got to do it with all our heart all our soul all our strength everything that is in us about loving God we have got to put both hands to it and he has got to become the priority in our lives" [39:33]

"There's a war that is broken out and there's a war that could easily spread like that one day one day and his brother Fen said on Wednesday night that he don't know that this is the war that starts it all ands it but what if it is are you ready have you been doing what God has called us to do are your family members saved are your neighbors saved are your coworkers saved do they know about Jesus Christ this is what last days means to us we have got to be ready and we've got to be sharing the message." [42:42]

"Vengeance should be left in the Lord's hand, he alone is judged and he is faithful to enact judgment in his timing." [01:04:28]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?