Moral Courage
Daniel
6:16-23
Introduction: (tell the story)
Practical
Lessons:
1.
The politicians were not as interested in praising Darius as
they were in getting rid of Daniel.
a.
what appears to be and what really is are often different
b.
Eccl. 7:29 "Behold, I have found only this, that God
made men upright, but they have sought out many devices."
2. Prov. 26:28 A lying tongue hates those it crushes, And a flattering mouth works ruin.
3. Prov. 29:5 A man who flatters his neighbor Is spreading a net for his steps.
1.
"Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the
document so that it may not be changed, according to the law of the Medes and
Persians, which may not be revoked."
2.
Things you cannot change:
a.
history
b.
words
c.
promises
3.
“This is the beginning of a new day.
God has given me this day to use, as I
will. I can waste it or use it for good. What I do today is important because I
am exchanging a day of my life for it.
When tomorrow comes, this day will be
gone forever, leaving in its place some that I have traded for it.
I want it to be gain, not loss; good,
not evil; success, not failure.
In order that I shall not regret the
price I paid for it, May I have sufficient wisdom and courage that this shall
be my record for today.”
4.
Regret is bitter.
Daniel 6:18 Then the king went off to his palace and spent the night
fasting, and no entertainment was brought before him; and his sleep fled from
him.
1.
The trap people lay for others often proves their own snare.
2.
Dan. 6:24 The king then gave orders, and they brought those
men who had maliciously accused Daniel, and they cast them, their children, and
their wives into the lions' den; and they had not reached the bottom of the den
before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.
3.
Prov. 1:10-19 if sinners entice you, do not consent
4.
Prov. 5:22 His own iniquities will capture the wicked, And
he will be held with the cords of his sin.
5.
The sins you commit also deeply hurt those you love.
1.
Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the document was
signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open
toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day,
praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously.
2.
Daniel had spent a lifetime serving God and seeing God bless
him for doing right. He would rather be
close to God and die for it than live and desert the God he loved.
3.
There was never a question in Daniel’s mind about what he
would do. God was first!
4.
What if someone told you that you could not pray?
5.
The person who does not pray is hardly better than the one
who cannot pray.
6.
Matt. 10:28 "And do not fear those who kill the body,
but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy
both soul and body in hell.”
Conclusion:
1.
If someone took your God away from you, would you miss Him?
2.
Would you die before you gave up the right to pray?
3.
How close are you to God?