2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: Against the Grain

TITLE: Hint: We Win

Scripture: Daniel 7

I.  WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE

Daniel 7 moors us spiritually, and emotionally, in something beyond our optimism or our pessimism. It tells us that things (are far worse that we thought), but far better (than we’ve ever hoped).

“Apocalyptic” writing is used when normal words fail. This is especially true of Daniel and Revelation. What it says? It may not look like it but (God is on the throne) and the future is (securely in His hands).

It is not possible to understand Daniel 7 without recognizing there is a (devil), that he is (active and hostile), and there is a great spiritual battle going on between the (forces of evil) and the (forces of God). Check out Eph.6:12

II. THE KING OF THE JUNGLE

“Ancient of Days” is a description of God. “It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Heb. 10:31) “Our God is a consuming fire.” (Heb.12:29)

What is Daniel being shown?
1. He is (not alone).
2. The kingdom of man (starts to crumble) as the court sits in judgment..

Summary of vision: God (has won), and God (will win) and His people (will reign)-but the war is not over yet

Next Week: Series: “Against the Grain”
Title:  Adding the Exclamation Point – Daniel 9

2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: Against the Grain

TITLE: Who’s Afraid of Big Cats?

Scripture: Daniel 6

Daniel is condemned to death in a most gruesome manner because he chooses (loyalty to God) over (obedience to the state).

     I.        BE FAITHFUL- (STAND YOUR GROUND)                          

120 satraps (overseers) -> 3 governors -> Darius

Daniel teaches us a very vital lesson here: (Be true to God) even when it may cost you.

There was no attempt by Daniel (to hide his faith).

Dynamic at work: (Evil men) will not stop at trying to entrap a (godly man).

   II.        BE FAITHFUL- (TRUST YOUR GOD)         

Why can we trust God?

1.       Because we can (rest in God’s plan). (16-18)

2.       Because we can be (certain of God’s power) (19-24)

Daniel’s words: “found innocent.” What do they mean? When the heat was applied (I chose God).

Next Week: Series:  “Against the Grain”

Title: Hint: We Win-  Daniel 7

2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: Against the Grain

TITLE: Sign Language

Scripture: Daniel 5

I.        SEEN AND CONFRONTED                    

The history of Belshazzar: many say he (didn’t exist). He was actually the son of Nabonidus who was married to Nebuchadnezzar’s daughter.

When Belshazzar called for the sacred items from the Temple, he showed contempt for two:

1.       His (grandfather) who stored them out of respect.

2.       The (God) Nebuchadnezzar grew to worship.

II.        EXPOSED AND JUDGED

A look at the inscription:

1)      MENE MENE- God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it.

2)      TEKEL- You have been weighed and found deficient.

3)      PERES- His kingdom already given to the Medes and Persians

How the handwriting on the wall for all of us:

1.       God sees (our sin) when we (mock His glory).

2.       God (confronts) us about our sin.

3.       God (exposes) our sin.

4.       God deals with our sin and (brings judgment).

Next Week: Series:  “Against the Grain”

Title: Who’s Afraid of Big Cats?-  Daniel 6

2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: Against the Grain

TITLE: Untouched!

Scripture: Daniel 3

The devil temps us to (destroy us); God tests us to (develop our faith).

     I.        THE CHALLENGE OF IDOLATRY           

Nebuchadnezzar’s statue was 90 ft. high and 9 ft. wide.  What do we see? The king (was charmed) by his dream (ch.2) but was not (changed) by it.  (Strong convictions) often come short of (sound conversions).

The orders? (Bow or else).  Idolatry-> worshiping something a human has made instead of worshiping the God who made the humans.  [Turn to Romans 1:21-23, 25]

   II.        THE COURAGE OF CONVICTION       

“We are what we worship.”  Worship is our response to (what we value most).

Q: How do I know where and what I worship?

A: Follow the trail of your (time), (affection), (energy), (money), and (loyalty).

Next Week: Series:  “Sign Language”

Title: Untouched!  Daniel 5

2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: Against the Grain

TITLE: Nailed!

Scripture: Daniel 4

“Pride is the only disease known to man that makes everyone sick except the person who has it.”

Nothing is ever (wasted). No (plan or word of God’s) is ever wasted. God is not a God of (random acts).  He is not a God of random, (disconnected) lessons.

     I.        GOD GETS HIS ATTENTION       

How it goes down:

1.       The Vision: (bliss). (10-12)

2.       The Interpretation: an (upheaval). (13-17)

   II.        GOD HAS A PURPOSE       

1.       God exposes our (sin) and calls us to (holiness).  “Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.” Pr.16:5

2.       God exposes our (pride and arrogance) and calls us to (humility). “And the pride of humanity will be humbled, and the arrogance of people will be brought low; and the Lord alone will be exalted on that day.” Is.2:17

3.       God exposes our (weakness) to show us His (power). See James 4:6,10 and Psalm 121:1-2

Next Week: Series:  “Against the Grain”

Title: Untouched!  Daniel 3

2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: Against the Grain

TITLE: Don’t Panic!

Scripture: Daniel 2

I.        A KING AND HIS DREAMS

Sometimes God creates impossible situations in order to (show His power and glory), His greatness.

“Praise to Him Who Specializes in the Impossible.”

Daniel knew the God he served. He knew He had (all knowledge).  He knew He was totally capable of making (His will known).

II.        A PROPHET AND HIS INTERPRETATION

What does this prophecy mean?

1.       Head of gold: (Babylonian kingdom).

2.       Chest and arms of silver: (Medes-Persians).

3.       Belly and thigh of bronze: (Grecian empire).

4.       Legs of iron and feet of iron and clay: (Roman empire).

Human history is under the (control of God), and He has a purpose which will be achieved.

Three things happened as a result of interpreting the dream:

1)      Daniel was (respected) and God (acknowledged).

2)      Daniel was (promoted)

3)      Daniel did not (forget his prayer partners).

Next Week: Series:  “Against the Grain”

Title: Untouched!  Daniel 3

2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: Against the Grain

TITLE: Hold the Line!

Scripture: Daniel 1

There are two tests in life: the test of (adversity) and the test of (prosperity).

     I.        DRAWING THE LINE                       

The book of Daniel is not about Daniel or his friends. It is about Daniel’s (God).

   II.        HOLDING THE LINE      

Major question: why were these 4 men willing to stand their ground against the attempt to conform them to Babylonian culture?  Because of (what they knew about God).

Principal to remember: (God is in control).

4 factors which contributed to Daniel’s ability to stand firm:

1.       (Inner convictions)

2.       (Wise approach)

3.       (Divine assistance)

4.       (Unique Distinctions)

Two important principles to remember:

1)      Inner conviction can overcome any (outer pressure).

2)      God-honoring convictions yield God-given (rewards).

Next Week: Series:  “Against the Grain”

Title: Don’t Panic! Daniel 2

2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: Against the Grain

TITLE: Here for a Reason

Scripture: Esther 4:1-14

“I am only one. But still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.” Hale

 I.        THE STATE OF THE STATE                      

Story of Esther begins years earlier. Saul->David->Solomon->Rehoboam->kingdom splits (10 northern tribes/2 southern tribes->Syria overtakes northern tribes->Babylon conquers southern tribes->Medes and Persians conquer Babylon (Daniel/S,M,A/Esther)

Never (underestimate) God at work.  See Isaiah 55:8-11

   II.        THE RESPONSE OF WISDOM     

Post-modernism- (No absolute truth)

Post-truth age- Two way it is found:

1)      “Soft mode”- truth exists but don’t care if gets in way of my preferences

2)      “Hard mode”- don’t care if what sharing is false; share anyway.

Post-modernism says (truth is subjective) while post-truth says (truth is objective) BUT it takes a back seat to my preferences.

Some lasting lessons:

1.       Learn to (wait) on the Lord.

2.       God is (sovereign). His time is His time.

3.       What (goes around comes around).

Next Week: Series:  “Against the Grain”

Title: Hold the Line! Daniel 1

2021 THEME: Life on the Edge

Series: Expect The Unexpected

TITLE: The After Christmas Expectation

Scripture: Phil. 2:1-11

I.        A YEAR FILLED WITH UNITY                     

Church fights come as a result of two things:

1.       Downgrading of (God’s Word) as the authority

2.       Two or more get a (burr in their saddle) not tied to #1.

What binds us together?  (striving together to make Christ known).

(Selfishness) is the root of every sin.  It is a (consuming and destructive) sin.

II.        A YEAR FILLED WITH HUMILITY     

It is important to acknowledge this: we have a natural bent to be (self-centered).

The way of the worldly leader: they expect the (best of everything). They are given the highest places of (honor and respect). They expect to (be served) not (to serve).  That was not (God’s way)!

We can’t follow Jesus by His deity, incarnation, and perfection, but we can follow His example of (humility) as expressed in His incarnation.

Next Week: Theme for 2022: “For Such a Time…”

Series:  Against the Grain   Title: Here for a Reason-Esther 4: 1-14

2021 THEME: Life on the Edge

Series: Expect The Unexpected

TITLE: Unexpected Gifts

Scripture: Selected Scripture

I.   MAY YOU FIND LOVE UNDER YOUR TREE       

What does love look like?

1. 1. 1. 1. Love (covers) sin.
         2. Love (listens to) God.
         3. Love (believes) God.
         4. Love (obeys) God.

II.  MAY YOU FIND JOY UNDER YOUR TREE   

Happiness and joy are different:

1. 1. 1. 1. Happiness is determined by (your circumstances).
         2. Joy is not determined by (your lot in life).

“You will make known to me the way of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.” Ps.16:11

III. MAY YOU FIND PEACE UNDER YOUR TREE

How can I know peace?

1. 1. 1. 1. I feel peace when I experience (conversion).  Peace (with) God.
         2. I feel peace when I experience (covenant).      Peace (from) God.
         3. I feel peace when I experience (confidence).  Peace (of) God.

Next Week: Series: Expect the Unexpected

Title: That After Christmas Feeling- Phil.2:1-11