1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (TPT) Aspire to lead a calm and peaceful life as you mind your own business and earn your living, just as we've taught you. By doing this you will live an honorable life, influencing others and commanding respect of even the unbelievers. Then you'll be in need of nothing and not dependent upon others. ———————— 2 Corinthians 2:14–16 (NLT) 14 But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ's triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. 15 Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God.
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Luke 10:38–42 (NIV) 38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary,who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" 41 "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Martha's posture Laborer + Doer + Busy. Busy is the enemy of fruitful! Busy will get you concerned about many things and critical of those doing the doing the better thing. Jesus calls her distracted Distractions will derail devotion. Doing for Jesus will never substitute being with him.
Jesus longs for fellowship. Following Jesus begins and ends with fellowship. 1 Corinthians 1:9 (NIV) God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Busy in the enemy of fellowship! Mary's Posture "who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said." John 15:4–5 (NLT) 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. 5 "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Living connected is more productive than working harder.
Duty without devotion eliminates delight.
Lovers will always outwork & outlast laborers.
Receiving fellowship 1. Sitting. 2. Listening. Psalm 27:4 (NIV) One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.
John 12:1–8 (NLT) 1 Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead. 2 A dinner was prepared in Jesus' honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with him. 3 Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus' feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance. 4 But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, 5 "That perfume was worth a year's wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor." 6 Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples' money, he often stole some for himself. 7 Jesus replied, "Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me."
A Fellowship Offering 1. Pure. 2. Costly. 3. Broken. 4. Poured out. 5. It filled the room with fragrance
Daniel 6:1–3 (NLT) 1 Darius the Mede decided to divide the kingdom into 120 provinces, and he appointed a high officer to rule over each province. 2 The king also chose Daniel and two others as administrators to supervise the high officers and protect the king's interests. 3 Daniel soon proved himself more capable than all the other administrators and high officers. Because of Daniel's great ability, the king made plans to place him over the entire empire.
Daniel 6:4 (NLT) Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn't find anything to criticize or condemn.He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy.
Faithfulness is doing the right thing for a long time.
You don't get fruitful without being faithful. "Lasting is the only fruit that matters." John 15:16 (NLT) You didn't choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit… Exemplifying Faithfulness 1 Corinthians 4:2 (NIV) Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 1. Be Responsible
1 Peter 4:10 (NIV) Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.
2. Be Trustworthy Are you worthy of trust? Trust is built! Are your proving yourself trustworthy?
You can't demonstrate royalty without demonstrating loyalty.
3. Have Integrity Daniel 6:4 (NIV) They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent.
Hebrews 13:18 (NLT) Pray for us, for our conscience is clear and we want to live honorably in everything we do.
Daniel 6:5 (NLT) 5 So they concluded, "Our only chance of finding grounds for accusing Daniel will be in connection with the rules of his religion."
Daniel's faithfulness to God was predictable.
Daniel 6:6–11 (NLT) 6 So the administrators and high officers went to the king and said, "Long live King Darius! 7 We are all in agreement—we administrators, officials, high officers, advisers, and governors—that the king should make a law that will be strictly enforced. Give orders that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human—except to you, Your Majesty—will be thrown into the den of lions. 8 And now, Your Majesty, issue and sign this law so it cannot be changed, an official law of the Medes and Persians that cannot be revoked." 9 So King Darius signed the law. 10 But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God. 11 Then the officials went together to Daniel's house and found him praying and asking for God's help.
Daniel 6:14-23 (NLT) 14 Hearing this, the king was deeply troubled, and he tried to think of a way to save Daniel. He spent the rest of the day looking for a way to get Daniel out of this predicament. 15 In the evening the men went together to the king and said, "Your Majesty, you know that according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, no law that the king signs can be changed." 16 So at last the king gave orders for Daniel to be arrested and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to him, "May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you." 17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed the stone with his own royal seal and the seals of his nobles, so that no one could rescue Daniel. 18 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night fasting. He refused his usual entertainment and couldn't sleep at all that night. 19 Very early the next morning, the king got up and hurried out to the lions' den. 20 When he got there, he called out in anguish, "Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?" 21 Daniel answered, "Long live the king! 22 My God sent his angel to shut the lions' mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty." 23 The king was overjoyed and ordered that Daniel be lifted from the den. Not a scratch was found on him, for he had trusted in his God.
Faithfulness starts with faith.
Faithfulness grows with faith.
Faithfulness takes courage.
"When we trust God we get to see what he can do."
Faithfulness is doing the right thing for a long time.
Our consecration, not our compromise, will influence the culture.
Daniel 3:8–18(NLT) 8 But some of the astrologers went to the king and informed on the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “Long live the king! 10 You issued a decree requiring all the people to bow down and worship the gold statue when they hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments. 11 That decree also states that those who refuse to obey must be thrown into a blazing furnace. 12 But there are some Jews—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—whom you have put in charge of the province of Babylon. They pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They refuse to serve your gods and do not worship the gold statue you have set up.” 13 Then Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and ordered that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought before him. When they were brought in, 14 Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? 15 I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?” 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18 But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”
Honoring Up. Honoring the Lord In Babylon Babylon: A dark world and the power behind it. 2 Corinthians 4:3–4 (NLT) 3 If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. 4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News… John 3:19 (NLT) God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.
Resistance. The refusal to bow
A. God calls us to faithfulness. 2 Chronicles 16:9 (NLT)The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.
Many are more interested in their comfort in Babylon than their commitment to Christ. 1 John 5:21 (NLT)Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts. 1 John 5:21 (NIV) Dear children, keep yourselves from idols. An idol is anything that would rob our dependance on or devotion to God.
“Satan doesn’t have to have your devotion he will be content with distraction.”
B. Don’t get comfortable in the culture. Complacency always leads to compromise.
C. Embrace your contrast! 1 Peter 2:11-12 (NIV) Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
2. Resolve. Daniel 3: 18(NLT) But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” Compliance is virtuous until it is not.
We’ve talked about wisdom a lot in this seres….. “Obeying God is always the wisest decision.” Proverbs 9:10 (NLT) Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom.
Daniel 3:19-27(NLT) 19 Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. 20 Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully dressed in their pants, turbans, robes, and other garments. 22 And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in. 23 So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames. 24 But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?” “Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied. 25 “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!” 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire. 27 Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched.They didn’t even smell of smoke!
3. Resilience. “Some will never see Jesus in the fires of persecution because they never passed the test of pressure.
We are resilient because he is with us.
Facts: 1. We will come under fire. 2. Jesus will be with us in the fire. 3. We can come out unfazed with the fragrance of Christ instead of the fragrance of the flames.
Daniel 3:28-30 (NLT) 28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore, I make this decree: If any people, whatever their race or nation or language, speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they will be torn limb from limb, and their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble. There is no other god who can rescue like this!” 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to even higher positions in the province of Babylon.
Our consecration, not our compromise, will influence the culture.
Isaiah 43:2(NLT) When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.
2 Corinthians 2:15 (NLT) Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. Daniel 1:18-20(NIV) 18 At the end of the time set by the king to bring them into his service, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service. 20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.
1. Spirit of Excellence Vs 20 He found them ten times better
Daniel 6:3(NKJV) Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 (NIV) Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.
“Excellence is your best in progress.”
Ephesians 1:17–19 (NIV) 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength.
Wisdom & revelation are the Nuts and bolts of the knowledge of God
Daniel 2 Daniel 2:12–13 (NIV) 12 This made the king so angry and furious that he ordered the execution of all the wise men of Babylon. 13 So the decree was issued to put the wise men to death, and men were sent to look for Daniel and his friends to put them to death.
God reveals the dream to Daniel. Daniel 2:19–28 (NIV) 19 During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven 20 and said: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. 21 He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. 22 He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. 23 I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.” 24 Then Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to execute the wise men of Babylon, and said to him, “Do not execute the wise men of Babylon. Take me to the king, and I will interpret his dream for him.” 25 Arioch took Daniel to the king at once and said, “I have found a man among the exiles from Judah who can tell the king what his dream means.” 26 The king asked Daniel (also called Belteshazzar), “Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?” 27 Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, 28 but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries…
Daniel reveals the dream to Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel 2:34-35 (NIV) 34 While you were watching, a rock was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and smashed them. 35Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were all broken to pieces and became like chaff on a threshing floor in the summer. The wind swept them away without leaving a trace. But the rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth.
Daniel 2:44 (NIV) 44 “In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever.
2. Wisdom Daniel 2:14 (NIV) Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and tact. Daniel 2:37 (NIV) 37 Your Majesty, you are the king of kings. The God of heaven has given you dominion and power and might and glory…
Be Winsome: Wisdom is Winsome. Ecclesiastes 10:10 (NLT) Using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That’s the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed.
A. Be Understanding. Job 32:8 (NIV) But it is the spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.
B. Don’t be reactive. Look beyond the urgency of the moment. James 1:19–20 (NLT) 19 You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. 20 Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.
C. Don’t be quick to take a side. Proverbs 18:17 (NLT) The first to speak in court sounds right— until the cross-examination begins. Bing calculated builds credibility.
D. Don’t die on every hill.
E. Get timing right.
2. Revelation Daniel 1:17 (NIV) Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.
Growing in Revelation A. Encounter the Lord B. Spend time with the Lord. C. Meditate on the word. D. Steward, what revelation you have
