Sunday Worship 11.00 am and 6.30 pm Minister: Dr William (Bill) J M Parker
2. Historical Facts and Theological Truth – Daniel 1:1-2 – 24/09/17 (pm)
Daniel
Sermon Date: 24 September 2017 (pm)
Historical Facts and Theological Truth - Daniel 1:1-2
Main Teaching Point:
God is sovereign
People’s temperament
may lean towards optimism or pessimism. However, all Christians should be optimists as they gaze upon the outworking of history. Why? God is sovereign and is working out His purposes. Daniel highlights this truth in recording an historical event …
1. The Sovereignty of God (1:2a)
… the besieging of Jerusalem in 605BC. The Lord
gave Jehoiakim King of Judah over to Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon. He said He would (2 Kings 20:16-18; Habakkuk 1:5-6). Daniel understood that this happened in the sovereign will of Adonai
– the Almighty Lord and Ruler to whom everything is subject.
From big
events on the stage of world history to small
circumstances in our lives, God’s sovereignty is a basic truth that all Christians should continually hold at the forefront of their minds.
- It helps us to accept puzzling circumstances/events.
We confess to God our struggle to understand the whys and wherefores while acknowledging His sovereignty. This leads to…
- Confidence. Our Father in Heaven is sovereign! This gives …
- A sense of
Security
(Romans 8:28). This leads to …
- Joy and
contentment
even in trying situations, (Philippians 4:11b). Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God’s wise and fatherly disposal in every condition
[Jeremiah Burroughs]
2. The Activity of Man (1:1)
On a human level Nebuchadnezzar
besieged Jerusalem. He planned/executed it as part of his expansionist policy. But behind
this behaviour lay God’s sovereignty. This fuller understanding is:
- alien to the unsaved. They cannot appreciate spiritually discerned truth (1 Corinthians 2:14).
- forgotten by some Christians. They lose their spiritual perspective.
In either case, if we only see the activity of people in any event there can be catastrophic results:
- Belief in fate
or atheism
- Confusion
- Frustration
- Hopelessness
- Outright anger/rebellion against God (Malachi 2:17; 3:13-15)
Daniel could have gone down any of these routes. But he did not. He knew God was in control ... this trial did not oppress his mind and could not turn him aside from the right course of piety
[John Calvin].
Christian, are you struggling with world events? Is your personal life in turmoil? Are you wondering why God placed you in that office? Class? God is sovereign. Your situation does not cancel out God’s promises to you. Keep trusting Him! Tell Him you are confused but that you will cling to His promises to care for you and work all things together for your good (Isaiah 43:2).
If you are reading this and you are not a Christian, you will never begin to make any sense of life until you become a Christian.
Conclusion – Daniel Understood, Do You?
Faithful Daniel understood that God is sovereign even though he was caught up in God’s judgement on His people. He understood that even though Nebuchadnezzar had flexed his muscles and rallied his troops, God was the real Commander in Chief. Daniel submitted himself to God’s will and served faithfully. Submit yourself to God’s will. Holding firmly to the truth of God’s sovereignty. Determine to faithfully serve Him.
© Dr Bill Parker 2018