2 Corinthians 2:15 (NLT) Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God.
Selected to serve
Daniel 1:1-7 (NIV) 1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god. 3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility—4 young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace.He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. 5 The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service. 6 Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 7 The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego. Daniel and his friends.
They were labeled, but they never lost their true identity.
They were selected to serve Matthew 5:13–16 (NLT) 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. 14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Babylon represents our darkened world and its system. We can influence its kings and not be influenced by its systems.
1. Stand out. Don’t blend in Daniel 1:8 (NIV) Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine.
Proverbs 22:29 -23:1-3 (NIV) 22:29 Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank. When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you, 2 and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony. 3 Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive.
2. Stay Educated Pay attention to language. Pay attention to ideaologies.
2 Corinthians 10:3–5 (NLT) 3 We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.
3. Watch your posture If knowledge looks like arrogance, consider it foolishness. If our purpose is serving, our posture is humility.
Daniel 1:8-9 (NIV) ….and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. 9 Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel….
Honor with humility & grace.
Daniel 1:14 (NIV) So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. 15 At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food.
