Daniel 4:1-27 Dare to Speak the Truth - Revision history

Wakefien: /* The punishment for sin has been paid but a loving Father still disciplines (19-27). */

2024-01-15T20:59:20Z

‎The punishment for sin has been paid but a loving Father still disciplines (19-27).

Wakefien: /* God must be given first place (10-18). */

2024-01-15T20:59:04Z

‎God must be given first place (10-18).

Wakefien: /* God desires for us to grow instead of sitting in a cycle of sin (4-9). */

2024-01-15T20:57:51Z

‎God desires for us to grow instead of sitting in a cycle of sin (4-9).

Wakefien: /* The truth is that sometimes God disciplines in order to change the path someone is on (24-26). */

2024-01-15T14:30:17Z

‎The truth is that sometimes God disciplines in order to change the path someone is on (24-26).

Wakefien: /* Image: */

2024-01-15T14:20:46Z

‎Image:

Wakefien: /* There are times when God takes steps to get our attention (5-7). */

2024-01-15T14:20:10Z

‎There are times when God takes steps to get our attention (5-7).

Wakefien: /* God desires for us to grow instead of sitting in a cycle of sin (4-9). */

2024-01-15T14:18:18Z

‎God desires for us to grow instead of sitting in a cycle of sin (4-9).

Wakefien: /* Setting the Stage: */

2024-01-15T14:14:34Z

‎Setting the Stage:

Wakefien at 18:05, 1 January 2024

2024-01-01T18:05:54Z

Wakefien: /* Introduction: */

2024-01-01T17:39:57Z

‎Introduction:

@@ Line 145: / Line 145: @@
 </blockquote>
-==The punishment for sin has been paid but a loving Father still disciplines (19-27).==
+==The punishment for sin has been paid but a loving Father ''still'' ''disciplines'' (19-27).==
 Verse 18 is interesting, according to Nebuchadnezzar, none of his wise men could interpret the dream. Now this baffles me because the interpretation is actually pretty obvious. I suspect in reality, none of them wanted to interpret the dream out of fear. What this reminds me of is that

@@ Line 87: / Line 87: @@
 </blockquote>
-==God must be given first place (10-18).==
+==God must be given ''first'' ''place'' (10-18).==
 What do you do with stories like this? This was a specific dream, given to a specific person, at a specific time. However, this dream does teach us about the nature of the world in which we live and so we can glean some important truths from something that is incredibly specific. First, we have an important principle.

@@ Line 47: / Line 47: @@
 </blockquote>
-==God desires for us to grow instead of sitting in a cycle of sin (4-9).==
+==God desires for us to grow instead of sitting in a ''cycle'' ''of'' ''sin'' (4-9).==
 If you are anything like me then the cycle of sin can be very hard to break. The same old sins will rear their heads as we move through life. As I read through Daniel 4 I was reminded of this through Nebuchadnezzar. In Daniel 1 we are introduced to Nebuchadnezzar as a powerful ruler who seeks to erase God but soon discovers that the God of Israel will not be erased and the servants of God are elevated to a high place. In Daniel 2, Nebuchadnezzar's dream reminds this head of gold that while he is indeed powerful, the God of the ages will destroy all kingdoms of the world. In Daniel 3 Nebuchadnezzar builds a magnificent gold image and has the guts to say "What god is able to deliver someone from my hand?" He quickly learns that the God of Israel can do just that. What is the pattern you see? Pride. Time and time again Nebuchadnezzar overestimates himself, faces off with the God of the universe, and loses. Daniel chapter 4 is more of this same problem. Before we dig into specifics I want to tell you, God wants you to grow. God does not want you to comfortably sit in the cycle of sin. Yes, there will be times you fail, but God wants you to grow. Sin is vicious and traps people. Before I go any further let me start by stating that if you have found yourself in a cycle of sin then you need to seek out godly counsel. Do it today. At the end of the service, we will have several deacons available to pray with you. Take advantage of this. Jesus died to pay the price for your sin and to free you from the bonds of sin. You can have victory through Jesus. As we look at the text if you feel convicted then take steps today to ensure your victory.

@@ Line 157: / Line 157: @@
 In fact, one of the hardest truths we may carry is
-===The truth is that sometimes God disciplines in order to change the path someone is on (24-26).===
+===The truth is that sometimes God disciplines in order to change the path someone is on (24-26, add in Proverbs 3:11-12 and Hebrews 12:4-11 to slides following point).===
 i.e. everything bad that happens to you is not caused by Satan! This is not popular, we like to blame Satan for a lot of problems but sometimes God simply wants to redirect us. In verses 24-26 we see that Daniel not only has the interpretation of the dream but a reason.
 Nebuchadnezzar, things are going to get weird, you are literally going to lose your mind in order that you might humble yourself before God. Nebuchadnezzar had a pride problem and God was going to discipline him. However, notice the reason for God's discipline. In verse 25 we learn that the discipline is in order that Nebuchadnezzar would acknowledge God.  We need to recognize that God does discipline but it is in order that we might change.
-Look at proverbs 3:11-12
+Look at Proverbs 3:11-12
 <blockquote>
 Proverbs 3:11-12

@@ Line 73: / Line 73: @@
 ===A wise person will seek godly council (8-9).===
 For all Nebuchadnezzar's problems, he gets something right. He seeks council.  Now, it takes a while for Nebuchadnezzar to get to godly council but eventually he does. We too should seek out godly council.
 ===MTR: Ask yourself, how has God sought to get my attention about things in my life I need to work on?===

@@ Line 59: / Line 59: @@
 So, what is your pet sin? What is your cycle? What circumstances do you need to be careful about?
-===There are times when God takes steps to get our attention (5-7).===
+===There are times when God takes steps to get our attention (5-7,  add in John 16:7-14 after this point).===
-There is a sharp contrast between verses four and five. This content, prosperous king is terrified. Why? In this case, it is because of a dream. God is working on getting ahold of Nebuchadnezzar and uses a dream. I want to take a second here to remind you that just because God used a dream with Nebuchadnezzar that does not mean that God is going to use a dream to get ahold of you. In fact, I would venture to say that we should not expect God to get our attention with dreams today. Today we have the indwelling Holy Spirit.
+There is a sharp contrast between verses four and five. This content, prosperous king is terrified. Why? In this case, it is because of a dream. God is working on getting ahold of Nebuchadnezzar and uses a dream. I want to take a second here to remind you that just because God used a dream with Nebuchadnezzar that does not mean that God is going to use a dream to get ahold of you. In fact, I would venture to say that we should not expect God to get our attention with dreams today. Today we have the indwelling Holy Spirit. Look at John 16:7-14
 <blockquote>

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 ==Setting the Stage:==
-We have been in the book of Daniel for a few weeks now and I hope you are seeing a few themes. King Nebuchadnezzar was an arrogant king, God's people were faithful to God, and God was patient. What we are going to see here is the importance of speaking the truth, even when the truth is hard, even when the news is bad, even when the truth might elicit a negative reaction. We serve the God of truth and so we must speak the truth. The news that Daniel will be asked to give to Nebuchadnezzar is bad news but I want you to notice right away how things turn out in the end. Long-term Daniel's faithfulness results in Nebuchadnezzar praising God. Look at verses 1-3 of Daniel 4.
+We have been in the book of Daniel for a few weeks now and I hope you are seeing a few themes. King Nebuchadnezzar was an arrogant king, a small contingent of God's people were faithful to God, and God was patient. What we are going to see here is the importance of speaking the truth, even when the truth is hard, even when the news is bad, even when the truth might elicit a negative reaction. We serve the God of truth and so we must speak the truth. The news that Daniel will be asked to give to Nebuchadnezzar is bad news but I want you to notice right away how things turn out in the end. Long-term Daniel's faithfulness results in Nebuchadnezzar praising God. Look at verses 1-3 of Daniel 4.
 ===Daniel 4:1-3 - ===

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 =Introduction:=
-==Image: ==
+==Image: Pride==
 ==Need: We need to reflect carefully on life and make sure we are viewing everything through the lens of someone loved by God.==
 ==Preview: Today as we look at the first half of Daniel 4 I want you to see that God desires for you to grow, he must be given first place, and as a loving Father it is his prerogative to discipline his children.==