Standing Firm in Faith Amidst Religious Liberty Challenges
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the topic of religious liberty, a subject that may seem distant but is increasingly relevant in our current climate. We began by discussing the changing landscape of religious freedom in the United States, highlighting the challenges churches and Christian-owned businesses face. The story of Daniel in Babylon served as our primary scriptural reference, illustrating how faith can be weaponized against believers. Daniel, despite being 85 years old, stood firm in his faith even when it was made illegal, showing us that God has a purpose for each of us, regardless of age.
We explored the historical context of religious liberty in America, emphasizing the importance of the Constitution and its clauses that protect our freedom to practice our faith. However, these protections are under threat, and we must be vigilant. The story of Daniel teaches us that standing for our faith can make us targets, but it also shows that God provides special protection for those who remain steadfast.
We also touched on the absurdity of modern identity politics, where subjective truths are often elevated above objective reality. This confusion extends to issues like gender identity, where societal norms are rapidly changing. Yet, the Bible remains clear: God created us male and female, and this truth is immutable.
The sermon concluded with a call to action, urging us to be like Daniel and stand firm in our faith, even when it is unpopular or dangerous. We were reminded that our influence can extend far beyond our immediate circles if we use it for God's glory. The story of Daniel in the lion's den serves as a powerful reminder that God is with us, even in the most perilous situations, and that He can use our faithfulness to bring about His purposes.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Changing Landscape of Religious Liberty: Religious liberty in the United States is under significant threat. Churches and Christian-owned businesses face increasing legal challenges that aim to curtail their freedoms. This is a call to be vigilant and proactive in defending our rights to practice our faith freely. [31:31]
2. The Example of Daniel: Daniel's unwavering faith, even at the age of 85, serves as a powerful example that God has a purpose for each of us, regardless of our age or circumstances. His story teaches us that standing firm in our faith can make us targets, but it also assures us that God provides special protection for those who remain steadfast. [36:00]
3. The Importance of Constitutional Protections: The Constitution's Free Exercise and Establishment Clauses are crucial for protecting religious liberty. However, these protections are increasingly being weaponized against believers. Understanding and defending these constitutional rights is essential for maintaining our freedom to practice our faith. [33:29]
4. The Absurdity of Modern Identity Politics: Modern society often elevates subjective truths above objective reality, leading to confusion and absurdity, especially regarding issues like gender identity. The Bible provides a clear and immutable truth: God created us male and female. Standing firm in this truth is essential, even when it is unpopular. [42:09]
5. A Call to Stand Firm: God is looking for modern-day Daniels—people who will stand firm in their faith, even when it is unpopular or dangerous. Our influence can extend far beyond our immediate circles if we use it for God's glory. The story of Daniel in the lion's den reminds us that God is with us in the most perilous situations and can use our faithfulness to bring about His purposes. [55:43]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[30:01] - Introduction to Religious Liberty
[30:53] - Personal Anecdotes and Challenges
[31:31] - The Changing Landscape of Religious Liberty
[32:34] - Personal Experience with Prayer Restrictions
[33:29] - Constitutional Protections
[34:29] - The Story of Daniel
[36:00] - The Example of Daniel
[39:38] - Daniel's Integrity and Faith
[41:24] - Modern Identity Politics
[42:09] - Biblical Truth vs. Subjective Truth
[46:06] - The Weaponization of Faith
[47:50] - The Nature of Truth
[48:29] - The Call to Stand Firm
[55:43] - God’s Protection and Purpose
[01:07:50] - Invitation and Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Daniel 6:4-5 (ESV): "Then the presidents and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him. Then these men said, 'We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God.'"
2. Daniel 6:10 (ESV): "When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously."
3. Genesis 1:27 (ESV): "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them."
### Observation Questions
1. What was the primary reason the officials in Babylon targeted Daniel? ([40:28])
2. How did Daniel respond when he learned about the new law against prayer? ([52:52])
3. According to the sermon, what does Genesis 1:27 say about gender? ([42:09])
4. What protections does the U.S. Constitution provide for religious liberty, as mentioned in the sermon? ([33:29])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Daniel continued to pray openly despite knowing the consequences? What does this say about his faith? ([52:52])
2. How does the story of Daniel illustrate the concept of faith being weaponized against believers? ([40:28])
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that modern identity politics conflict with biblical truths? ([42:09])
4. How can understanding and defending constitutional protections for religious liberty help maintain the freedom to practice faith? ([33:29])
### Application Questions
1. Have you ever faced a situation where standing firm in your faith made you a target? How did you handle it, and what was the outcome? ([40:28])
2. Daniel continued his practice of praying three times a day even when it was illegal. What daily practices can you incorporate into your life to strengthen your faith, regardless of external pressures? ([52:52])
3. The sermon discusses the absurdity of modern identity politics and the importance of standing firm in biblical truths. How can you respectfully engage in conversations about gender identity while upholding your faith? ([42:09])
4. The Constitution's Free Exercise and Establishment Clauses are crucial for protecting religious liberty. How can you become more informed and proactive in defending these rights in your community? ([33:29])
5. The sermon calls for modern-day Daniels who will stand firm in their faith. What steps can you take this week to be a positive influence for God's glory in your immediate circles? ([55:43])
6. Reflect on a time when you felt God's protection in a difficult situation. How can this experience encourage you to stand firm in your faith in future challenges? ([55:43])
7. The sermon emphasizes the importance of using our influence for God's purposes. Identify one area in your life where you can use your influence to make a positive impact for God's kingdom. ([56:20])
Devotional
### Day 1: The Erosion of Religious Liberty
Description:
Religious liberty in the United States is facing significant challenges. Churches and Christian-owned businesses are increasingly encountering legal obstacles that threaten their ability to practice their faith freely. This changing landscape calls for vigilance and proactive measures to defend these rights. The importance of religious liberty is underscored by the protections enshrined in the Constitution, yet these protections are being weaponized against believers. Understanding and defending these constitutional rights is essential for maintaining our freedom to practice our faith. [31:31]
Bible Passage:
"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1, ESV)
Reflection:
What specific steps can you take this week to educate yourself and others about the current challenges to religious liberty in your community?
### Day 2: The Unwavering Faith of Daniel
Description:
Daniel's story in Babylon serves as a powerful example of unwavering faith. Despite being 85 years old and facing the threat of death, Daniel stood firm in his faith even when it was made illegal. His story teaches us that God has a purpose for each of us, regardless of our age or circumstances. Standing firm in our faith can make us targets, but it also assures us that God provides special protection for those who remain steadfast. Daniel's integrity and faithfulness are a testament to the power of unwavering belief in God. [36:00]
Bible Passage:
"Then the presidents and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him." (Daniel 6:4, ESV)
Reflection:
In what areas of your life do you feel pressured to compromise your faith? How can you stand firm like Daniel in these situations?
### Day 3: The Importance of Constitutional Protections
Description:
The Constitution's Free Exercise and Establishment Clauses are crucial for protecting religious liberty. These clauses ensure that individuals have the right to practice their faith without government interference. However, these protections are increasingly being weaponized against believers, making it essential to understand and defend these constitutional rights. By doing so, we can maintain our freedom to practice our faith and ensure that these protections remain intact for future generations. [33:29]
Bible Passage:
"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God." (Romans 13:1, ESV)
Reflection:
How can you become more informed about your constitutional rights regarding religious freedom? What actions can you take to defend these rights in your community?
### Day 4: The Absurdity of Modern Identity Politics
Description:
Modern society often elevates subjective truths above objective reality, leading to confusion and absurdity, especially regarding issues like gender identity. The Bible provides a clear and immutable truth: God created us male and female. Standing firm in this truth is essential, even when it is unpopular. This clarity from the Bible helps us navigate the complexities of modern identity politics and remain grounded in God's unchanging truth. [42:09]
Bible Passage:
"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." (Genesis 1:27, ESV)
Reflection:
How can you lovingly and respectfully uphold biblical truths in conversations about gender identity and other contentious issues in today's society?
### Day 5: A Call to Stand Firm
Description:
God is looking for modern-day Daniels—people who will stand firm in their faith, even when it is unpopular or dangerous. Our influence can extend far beyond our immediate circles if we use it for God's glory. The story of Daniel in the lion's den reminds us that God is with us in the most perilous situations and can use our faithfulness to bring about His purposes. This call to stand firm is a reminder that our faithfulness can have a profound impact on those around us and can be used by God to accomplish His will. [55:43]
Bible Passage:
"Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love." (1 Corinthians 16:13-14, ESV)
Reflection:
Identify one area in your life where you need to stand firm in your faith. What practical steps can you take this week to strengthen your resolve and trust in God's protection?
Quotes
1. "Now, this sounds like a boring subject. And you may think it doesn't have anything to do with us here in the United States. But I'm here to tell you that we are losing our religious liberty right here in the United States of America. Things are changing as we speak. And, you know, we once lived in a country that was much different than many of these young people that left here. And I was just watching them leave and just thinking, I just love children's church and I just love children. But, you know, even my kids today, they were raised in a different America than we are today." [31:31] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Don't ever let anybody tell you you're too old. Okay? Because as long as you still have breath, as long as you have vision, as long as you are still here, God has a purpose and a reason for you. And God has left all of us here to be a presence and to make a difference just like we're about to see that Daniel is about to do. In fact, I'm going to tell you this right now. God is looking for some Daniels. God is looking for some people who will stand." [35:11] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "See, the question is, who has the truth? And who gets to decide what a marriage is? Is it the Supreme Court? Or is it God? Is it nine justice in robes? Or is it the God Almighty who made all human beings? Who gets to decide how many genders there are? You know, as of right now, sitting right in here, we are told there are 102 genders. Now, I'll tell you what's incredible is, just two years ago, there were only 50 genders. Think of the scientific progress that we have made in just two years. We found 52 new ones. Who knew?" [41:24] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Listen to me. Some of you might be worried about standing for the Lord in this world. Learn this today. God has special angels for people who do the right thing. God has special angels for people who will stand for him. And listen, you need to be of the attitude, I don't care if I'm the only person in Palestine that stands. Even if there's just two of us, even if it's just me and Pastor Tony Watson, I'm going to be a Daniel for God. Listen, if you do that, God will send angels to protect you. God has prison-breaking angels. He got all kinds of angels. He got these lion-taming angels." [01:00:47] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Listen. Some of you are the only Jesus that some people are ever going to see. And you know, quit underestimating yourself. And quit saying. Well, you know what? I don't have a seminary degree like Pastor. And I don't have all this. Listen. You have the Lord in your life. You've got everything that you need. You are able. And if you have a testimony. If you have the Lord Jesus in your Christ. Listen. You can rock the world." [56:20] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "The world is a scary place without God. You take God out of this world. You know, I've debated atheists all around the country. And I've dedicated my life to defending the faith. And I've written many books on how to know Christianity is true. How to know God exists. And all kinds of stuff. But I was debating an atheist one time. And he said, you know, he said, Frank, he said, more evil has been perpetrated by religion and especially Christianity than all other organizations combined. And I was like, man, what kind of crack do you smoke? I was like, you're nuts, man. You never even read history. Because, you know, you look at the history of our educational schools in this country. They were all started by Christians, by churches. Same with hospitals and orphanages and benevolence organizations." [01:04:34] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "And by the way, if you get Jesus in your heart, he will set you free. And if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed. I gave my life to Christ. I gave my life to Christ when I was 21 years of age. And let me tell you something. I've never, ever been the same. And I'm never going to compromise. I'm never going to back down. I'm going to stand. And I believe God is looking for some Daniels in this world. Because our numbers are shrinking. We're getting less and less. And there was a time that you didn't have to vote. You didn't have to go to the school board meeting. You didn't have to. But that is changing as our numbers are getting less and less. And we are going to have to stand or we are going to get mowed down." [48:29] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "You know, the greatest philosopher of our age says there is no such thing as absolute truth. You know who that is, right? Oprah Winfrey. You ever heard of her? Yeah. And so she says there's only subjective truth. You get on her show, she's going to sit you on her couch and she's going to say, tell us your truth. Listen, I'm going to tell you something. Truth doesn't come from human beings. Truth is not created. It's merely discovered because God is the truth. Jesus is the truth." [47:50] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "And I decided a long time ago, I don't care if anybody else stands for the Lord. I'm going to stand for the Lord. To whom much is given, much is required. And you know what? God is looking for some people who will stand for Him. Turn in your Bible to Daniel chapter 6. And we're just going to kind of walk through the Scriptures today. But in this story, there's a king named Darius and all this corruption is going. And he appoints a man named Daniel to clean up everything. And this story is kind of surprising because Daniel is very successful in his job. And he fixes everything. He cleans everything up. And instead of getting a ward, instead of having a parade for him, he gets attacked. Because the very people who had been skimming all the money, they were now upset. They were now jealous." [38:49] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "And so, because we have the truth. See, the world is trying to act like we don't have the truth. You know, the world says that truth is subjective. The Bible says that truth is objective. The Bible says that truth is absolute. And God is the absolute truth." [47:50] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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