Standing Firm: Trusting God's Best Plan
Summary
### Summary
Welcome, everyone. Today, we delve into the book of Daniel, chapter 1. If you don't own a Bible, please take one of our black pew Bibles as a gift from Oak Grove. We have two outreach opportunities: one today at Rockfield Manor and another on June 12th, where we'll share the gospel in our community.
A couple of Fridays ago, Micah Price, a young man from Kentucky, gave a commencement speech that honored Jesus Christ, despite knowing it would cost him his diploma. His conviction to stand for his faith, even at a personal cost, is a powerful example for us all. We need to teach our children to say no when the world says yes and to say yes when the world says no.
Today, we continue our VBS sermon series, "Break a Rock Beach," focusing on the eternal truth that God's plan is best. We learn this through the story of Daniel, a young man who stood firm in his faith despite immense pressure. Daniel's story begins in 605 B.C. when Israel was conquered by Babylon. The Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, took the best and brightest young men from Israel, including Daniel, to indoctrinate them into Babylonian culture.
Daniel and his friends were given the finest education, clothes, and even new names. However, Daniel drew a line when it came to eating the king's food and drinking his wine, as it would defile him according to his faith. He resolved not to defile himself and asked the chief of the eunuchs for permission to eat only vegetables and drink water. God granted Daniel favor, and after ten days, he and his friends appeared healthier than those who ate the king's food.
This story teaches us that with God, we are never out of options. Even when it seems like there are no choices left, God is always working. Daniel's unwavering faith and integrity led him to rise to a high position in both the Babylonian and Persian empires. His story is a testament to the fact that God's plan is always best, even when it requires us to stand alone.
We must resolve to guard our boundaries and rely on guidance from heaven. Daniel's example shows us that we need to have convictions, not just beliefs. Convictions are what we hold in our hearts and are willing to die for, while beliefs are held in our heads. Daniel's conviction to follow God's path led him to make decisions that honored God, even in a foreign land.
Parents, it's crucial to teach your children what their boundaries are early on. If you wait until they're tempted, it's too late. Establishing boundaries and convictions early will help them stand firm in their faith when faced with challenges.
Finally, remember that God is always working. Even when it seems like there are no options left, God is at work behind the scenes. Just as He provided a ram for Abraham and a way for Daniel, He will provide for us. Trust in God's plan, for it is always the best.
### Key Takeaways
1. Stand Firm in Your Faith: Micah Price's story reminds us of the importance of standing firm in our faith, even when it comes at a personal cost. His conviction to honor Jesus Christ, despite the consequences, is a powerful example for us all. We must teach our children to say no when the world says yes and to say yes when the world says no. [37:14]
2. God's Plan is Always Best: Daniel's story teaches us that God's plan is always the best, even when it requires us to stand alone. Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the king's food and drink, and God honored his conviction. We must resolve to guard our boundaries and rely on guidance from heaven, trusting that God's plan is always the best for us. [38:51]
3. Convictions Over Beliefs: Daniel's unwavering faith and integrity show us the difference between beliefs and convictions. Beliefs are held in our heads, while convictions are held in our hearts and are what we are willing to die for. Daniel's conviction to follow God's path led him to make decisions that honored God, even in a foreign land. [55:52]
4. Teach Boundaries Early: Parents, it's crucial to teach your children what their boundaries are early on. If you wait until they're tempted, it's too late. Establishing boundaries and convictions early will help them stand firm in their faith when faced with challenges. [53:16]
5. God is Always Working: Even when it seems like there are no options left, God is always working behind the scenes. Just as He provided a ram for Abraham and a way for Daniel, He will provide for us. Trust in God's plan, for it is always the best. [01:01:36]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[36:00] - Outreach Opportunities
[37:14] - Micah Price's Conviction
[38:05] - VBS Sermon Series: God's Plan is Best
[38:51] - Daniel's Stand Against Defilement
[39:47] - Israel's Disobedience and Consequences
[41:17] - Nebuchadnezzar's Conquest and Daniel's Captivity
[42:25] - Daniel's Line in the Sand
[42:58] - The Significance of Eating the King's Food
[43:34] - Reading of Daniel Chapter 1
[50:10] - Peer Pressure and Convictions
[53:16] - Teaching Boundaries Early
[55:52] - Convictions Over Beliefs
[59:52] - Daniel's Diet and God's Favor
[01:01:36] - God is Always Working
[01:04:04] - God's Plan for Salvation
[01:06:13] - The Art of Compromise
[01:09:53] - Invitation to Salvation
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Daniel 1:1-21
### Observation Questions
1. What was the main reason Daniel refused to eat the king's food and drink his wine? ([42:25])
2. How did God show favor to Daniel and his friends after they chose not to defile themselves with the king's food? ([45:38])
3. What were the consequences for Israel's disobedience as described in the sermon? ([39:47])
4. How did Daniel's decision to follow God's path influence his friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? ([56:34])
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does Daniel's refusal to eat the king's food teach us about the importance of maintaining personal convictions in a challenging environment? ([42:25])
2. How can Daniel's story help us understand the difference between beliefs and convictions? ([57:21])
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God is always working behind the scenes, even when it seems like there are no options left? ([01:01:36])
4. How does the story of Micah Price relate to the theme of standing firm in one's faith despite personal costs? ([37:14])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had to stand firm in your faith despite external pressures. How did you handle the situation, and what was the outcome? ([42:25])
2. Daniel had clear boundaries that he would not cross. What are some boundaries you need to establish in your own life to maintain your faith and integrity? ([49:20])
3. How can you teach your children or younger family members about the importance of setting and maintaining boundaries in their faith? ([53:16])
4. Think of a situation where you felt out of options. How can Daniel's story encourage you to trust that God is always working, even when you can't see it? ([01:01:36])
5. Daniel's friends were influenced by his strong convictions. How can you be a positive influence on your friends and family in matters of faith? ([56:34])
6. What specific steps can you take this week to rely more on God's guidance rather than your own understanding? ([58:53])
7. Identify a personal conviction that you hold dear. How can you ensure that this conviction remains strong in the face of societal pressures? ([57:21])
Devotional
Day 1: Stand Firm in Your Faith
Micah Price's story is a powerful reminder of the importance of standing firm in our faith, even when it comes at a personal cost. Micah, a young man from Kentucky, gave a commencement speech that honored Jesus Christ, knowing it would cost him his diploma. His conviction to stand for his faith, despite the consequences, is a powerful example for us all. We must teach our children to say no when the world says yes and to say yes when the world says no. This kind of unwavering faith is what God calls us to have, even when it means standing alone or facing personal loss.
In our daily lives, we may not face the same dramatic choices as Micah, but we are constantly presented with opportunities to stand firm in our faith. Whether it's in our workplaces, schools, or social circles, we must be prepared to honor God, even when it is unpopular or comes with a cost. Let Micah's story inspire you to hold fast to your convictions and trust that God will honor your faithfulness. [37:14]
Daniel 3:16-18 (ESV): "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, 'O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.'"
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you felt pressured to compromise your faith. How can you stand firm in your convictions the next time you face a similar challenge?
Day 2: God's Plan is Always Best
Daniel's story teaches us that God's plan is always the best, even when it requires us to stand alone. When Daniel and his friends were taken captive by the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, they were given the finest education, clothes, and even new names. However, Daniel drew a line when it came to eating the king's food and drinking his wine, as it would defile him according to his faith. He resolved not to defile himself and asked the chief of the eunuchs for permission to eat only vegetables and drink water. God granted Daniel favor, and after ten days, he and his friends appeared healthier than those who ate the king's food.
This story illustrates that with God, we are never out of options. Even when it seems like there are no choices left, God is always working. Daniel's unwavering faith and integrity led him to rise to a high position in both the Babylonian and Persian empires. His story is a testament to the fact that God's plan is always best, even when it requires us to stand alone. Trust in God's plan, for it is always the best for us. [38:51]
Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV): "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you followed God's plan, even when it was difficult. How did you see His faithfulness and provision in that situation?
Day 3: Convictions Over Beliefs
Daniel's unwavering faith and integrity show us the difference between beliefs and convictions. Beliefs are held in our heads, while convictions are held in our hearts and are what we are willing to die for. Daniel's conviction to follow God's path led him to make decisions that honored God, even in a foreign land. He resolved not to defile himself with the king's food and drink, and God honored his conviction.
In our own lives, we must resolve to guard our boundaries and rely on guidance from heaven. Having convictions means that we are willing to stand firm in our faith, even when it is difficult or unpopular. It is crucial to have convictions, not just beliefs, as they will guide our decisions and actions in a way that honors God. [55:52]
Romans 14:5 (ESV): "One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind."
Reflection: Identify a belief you hold that needs to become a conviction. What steps can you take to solidify this belief into a conviction that guides your actions?
Day 4: Teach Boundaries Early
Parents, it's crucial to teach your children what their boundaries are early on. If you wait until they're tempted, it's too late. Establishing boundaries and convictions early will help them stand firm in their faith when faced with challenges. Daniel's story is a powerful example of the importance of having clear boundaries and convictions. He resolved not to defile himself with the king's food and drink, and God honored his conviction.
Teaching children to have boundaries and convictions early on will help them navigate the challenges they will face in life. It is important to have open conversations with your children about their faith and the importance of standing firm in their convictions. By doing so, you are equipping them to make decisions that honor God, even in difficult situations. [53:16]
Proverbs 22:6 (ESV): "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."
Reflection: Think about the boundaries you have set for yourself and your family. Are there any areas where you need to establish clearer boundaries to honor God?
Day 5: God is Always Working
Even when it seems like there are no options left, God is always working behind the scenes. Just as He provided a ram for Abraham and a way for Daniel, He will provide for us. Daniel's story is a powerful reminder that God is always at work, even when we cannot see it. When Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the king's food and drink, God granted him favor and provided a way for him to honor his convictions.
Trusting in God's plan means believing that He is always working for our good, even when it seems like there are no options left. Just as He provided for Daniel, He will provide for us. Trust in God's plan, for it is always the best. [01:01:36]
Isaiah 64:4 (ESV): "From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him."
Reflection: Reflect on a situation where you felt like there were no options left. How did you see God working behind the scenes in that situation? How can you trust Him more in your current circumstances?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "You must always keep in mind the choices you make makes you. And that's very true. You see, Daniel was under a lot of pressure. It wasn't just political pressure to please the king. There was also peer pressure. And we all deal with peer pressure. And peer pressure can be crushing. You middle schoolers, you high schoolers, you deal with it all the time. But so do adults. I had convictions. And I wouldn't join in with them in that. Wasn't that I didn't like them. Wasn't that I didn't pray for them. I just didn't want to be a part of that world. You see, Daniel was the first one there who said no. There were probably hundreds of Jewish teenagers that had been taken into Babylon. And Daniel stood up. He stood his ground. He stood on God's side and said no." [50:10]
2. "Friends, we desperately need to teach our children to say no when the world says yes. And to say yes when the world says no. We're in week two of our VBS sermon series called Break a Rock Beach. Each sermon is going to mirror the five days scripture of VBS. We're going to be in day two today. Last week, we learned that God's word is truth. All truth comes from God. Today, we're going to learn. Another absolute eternal truth that God's plan is best. I love that song. Good plans. That was actually the first time I'd ever heard that. And I'm sitting there saying, yes, Jesus. Amen. Because God's plan is the best for us." [38:05]
3. "There is always hope in Jesus Christ. In our scripture today, we're in the year 605 B.C. It's about 2,600 years ago. And one of the promises made to the nation of Israel is very simple. God said, if you will obey me and follow me, I will bless you. But if you disobey and rebel, I will turn your back. I will turn your palaces into prisons. They had fair warning. The prophets had come. God had sent prophets over and over again. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Zechariah, Habakkuk. They pleaded and they begged with Israel to repent and get right with God. But all their preaching fell on deaf ears. That is a theme throughout the Bible. Preaching falls on deaf ears. People do not repent. People do not come to the Lord. And when that happens, there are consequences to disobedience." [39:47]
4. "No matter how desperate or desolate your situation feels, you are never out of options, because with God there are always options." [01:08:32]
5. "God's plan is for you to get saved. God's plan is for you to be a child of God. And I'm preaching to some Christians and I'm preaching to some non-Christians. And I want you to hear, if you do not know Jesus as your Savior, today is the day of your salvation. Stop listening to the world. Satan hates you. Satan wants to kill and destroy. He wants to rob you of your joy. He wants to take away your life. He wants to take away your eternity. Jesus offers us eternal life. The world wants us to compromise." [01:04:04]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Teach and train your children in the ways that they should live. And the paths that they should go. When they're old, they won't depart from them. And you say, well, you don't know my teenager. They departed from them. Well, if the word of God is hidden in their heart. And I know. Because I was a prodigal. Like probably 99% of the folks here today. I always joke that when I was a kid, I had a drug problem. I was drugged to church every time the doors were open. And when I turned 18, I said, I smell freedom. I have car keys. And I have a job. And I have 27 bucks in my wallet. So on Sunday, I'm going to get some beauty sleep. By the way, it didn't work." [52:01]
2. "I have in my life what I call guardrails. If you drive down the street and you veer off, you hit a guardrail, it's going to do some damage to your fender, but it's going to keep you from going off a cliff. So you can recover from the damage, but you may not recover if you go off the cliff. And trust me, I've seen a lot of people who were living in the shambles of going off of a cliff. See, you cannot decide what your ethical standards are when you're doing your first income tax return. It's too late at that point. Yeah. You can't decide what your boundaries are the first time you go to that party or the first time you take that first drink or that first puff or the first time you climb into a back seat. It's too late when you get to the hotel room to decide what movies you're going to watch if you don't have any boundaries in your life. We need to know what our boundaries are and we need to resolve to guard them." [55:01]
3. "Daniel had apparently grown up in a home where he was taught to love God with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength. And so you could change Daniel's home, but you couldn't change his heart. You could change his name, but you couldn't change his nature. You could put Daniel into Babylon, but you could not put Babylon into Daniel. There was a God-given boundary in his life. And there's a word that goes along with God-given boundary, and that is conviction. It was a conviction that he had." [55:52]
4. "Friends, I don't know where you're at in your life right now, but many of you are absolutely convinced that you're out of options. You feel like your back is against the wall. You're convinced there's no way out of your dilemma except to do what everybody else is doing, taking that path everybody else would take and making the decision that everyone else would make. But there is good news. God is always working. Do you think that when Daniel's home was destroyed, he thought that God was working? Do you think when Daniel was snatched away from his parents and his family and his friends and his home to go to a foreign land that didn't even believe in God Almighty, that he was taught to serve and love, that he thought that God was working? When he was being asked to compromise his conviction to do that in his heart that he knew was wrong, apparently with no other option, Daniel knew that God was working." [01:01:36]
5. "And see, Daniel, just like the eunuchs, had to wait on God for the results. Daniel had never been a vegetarian before as far as we know. But God led him to only eat vegetables and only drink water. And of course, God's plan is always best. So what happened? At the end of the day, these kids looked great. Their hair was sparkling, their skin was shining. They probably had better cholesterol, they probably had better blood pressure at the end of just ten days of eating God's diet for them. But see, the thing that mattered to Daniel was not how he looked in the eyes of the king. What mattered to him was how he looked in the eyes of God. And we all have to make a decision in our lives if we are going to listen to the voice of God, follow the direction of God, and go the way of God. We can always know that God's path is straight. And God's way is correct. We can always rely on guidance from heaven." [59:52]
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