Sunday Worship 11.00 am and 6.30 pm Minister: Dr William (Bill) J M Parker
5. Those who honour me ... – Daniel 1:18-21 (1 Samuel 2:30) - 15/10/17 (pm)
Daniel
Sermon Date: 15/10/17 (pm)
Those who Honour Me… – Daniel 1:8-21 (1 Samuel 2:30)
Main Teaching Point:
The Lord honours those who honour Him.
God is sovereign is a central truth in Daniel. In chapters one to six, however, a prominent accompanying truth is God honours those who honour Him (see also 1 Samuel 2:30 and Matthew 6:33). Consider Daniel’s stand over the matter of royal food.
1. Honouring God begins with a personal decision (1:8a)
Daniel did not want to defile himself and dishonour God by eating food from Nebuchadnezzar’s table. He resolved not to.
In life, pressures come on Christians to dishonour God. Christians must resolve to honour God, and out of love for Jesus pursue holiness. Honouring the Lord begins with a personal decision to honour the Lord.
2. Honouring God continues with perseverance (1:8b-18)
Daniel spoke to Ashpenaz, the chief official (1:8-9). However, if Daniel looked malnourished after abstaining from royal food the official might be executed (1:10). Daniel approached the guard appointed by Ashpenaz and suggested a test: assess the Hebrew youths after a ten-day, vegetables and water diet (1:11-13). He agreed.
Daniel persevered in his decision to honour God. He did not give up after hitting a hurdle. How often do we give up under pressure, or after minimal effort, and compromise a decision to honour God? We must persevere (1 Corinthians 10:13; James 1:2-4).
Daniel’s manner is also important. How did he register his complaint and suggestion? He was not obnoxious. He politely sought an alternative (1:8, 12). He did not permit devotion to principle to serve as a cloak for rudeness [Edward J Young].
The right stand many Christians take is often counterproductive because of the wrong way it is taken. Stand on convictions but make it hard for people to fall out with you! (Philippians 4:5; 1 Peter 2:23). Therefore, if you would be at peace, take unto yourselves gentle speeches, soft answers. Let your arguments be as hard as you can to convince them of their failings, but let your words be soft; clothe them in as good terms as you can. [Robert Harris, The Way to True Happiness, 1675].
3. Honouring God is never in vain (1:17, 18-20)
- After ten days the Hebrew youths were fatter in flesh (ESV) than the youths who ate royal food (1:15). A miracle on a low-calorie diet!
- God gave them intellectual vigour and, to Daniel, ability to interpret dreams and visions.
- At end of three years the Hebrew youths were ten times better in wisdom and understanding than Babylon’s wise men (1:20).
Today God honours those who honour Him. How?
- Sometimes He vindicates Christians over a stand taken when the stand is taken.
- At all times He gives grace to Christians, even if their stand does not lead to comfort or vindication in this life.
- In Heaven He will give a reward beyond salvation (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). The rewards of holiness are guaranteed, but they are not always immediate, discernible, or even present in this life [Bryan Chapell].
Honour the Lord! Persevere in honouring Him! He will keep His promise to honour you (1 Samuel 2:30).
© Dr Bill Parker 2018