Difference between revisions of "Daniel 12 Dare to Wait"
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Today we wrap up the book of Daniel by looking at a final question. Are we there yet? | Today we wrap up the book of Daniel by looking at a final question. Are we there yet? | ||
| − | ==Text: Daniel 12:4-13== | + | ==Text: Daniel 12:4-13 read all at the beginning== |
==Image: Driving across the country to visit grandma and grandpa.== | ==Image: Driving across the country to visit grandma and grandpa.== | ||
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==''Are'' ''we'' ''there'' ''yet''? is the question we all want answered (4-6).== | ==''Are'' ''we'' ''there'' ''yet''? is the question we all want answered (4-6).== | ||
| + | In Daniel 12:4 Daniel is tolled to take the scroll in which he has recorded the prophecies roll it up and place a seal on it. We often think of a seal as being something that conceals and it certainly can, but here I think the seal has much more to do with a guarantee. The idea here is that Daniel is told that the events that have been foretold are guaranteed. Daniel can count on the outcomes. When we get to the end we will realize the significance of this guarantee. | ||
===We all want answers about the future.=== | ===We all want answers about the future.=== | ||
===One of the hardest calls to faith is the call to trust that God has given a sufficient answer.=== | ===One of the hardest calls to faith is the call to trust that God has given a sufficient answer.=== | ||
Revision as of 20:05, 2 April 2024
Theological Proposition/Focus: God desires for His people to enjoy His blessing in His timing in his way.
Homiletical Proposition/Application: Daniel was told that he could rest because at the end he would receive God’s blessing.
Introduction:
Setting the Stage:
Today we have reached the end of Daniel and we have been through a lot. We have seen a dedicated man of God hold firm in his faith, leverage the power of prayer, and boldly stand before the rulers of the earth. We have heard God's words spoken to this prophet and the future laid before us in incredible detail. I cannot imagine what it must have been like for Daniel to live most of his life in a foreign land trusting God. Sure he saw a lot of prophecies and miracles, but memories fade and being faithful is sometimes just hard!
Today we wrap up the book of Daniel by looking at a final question. Are we there yet?
Text: Daniel 12:4-13 read all at the beginning
Image: Driving across the country to visit grandma and grandpa.
My dad was born and raised in Brazil on the Amazon but by the time I was born my grandparents had moved back to North Carolina. Every other year we would all load into the van and drive from Colorado to North Carolina. The trip was 1591 miles each way. We would wake up early in the morning, my parents would tell us to go to sleep in the can and we would drive. Usually by breakfast we would be pulling into Hays Kansas and we would stop for McDonalds before continuing on the road. We had a box full of snacks and books to read. But, by the time we passed through Kansas City the question on our minds was always. Are we there yet? How much longer? The answer was 16 or so more hours of driving. We were kids and really didn't understand time but we all knew that 16 hours was a whole lot of time.
In life we are on a sort of road trip. From the moment we accept Jesus as our personal Savior we are born again and we set out on a journey. We know the destination is eternal life with our God. But there are times when we can't help but ask, "Are we there yet?"
Body
Are we there yet? is the question we all want answered (4-6).
In Daniel 12:4 Daniel is tolled to take the scroll in which he has recorded the prophecies roll it up and place a seal on it. We often think of a seal as being something that conceals and it certainly can, but here I think the seal has much more to do with a guarantee. The idea here is that Daniel is told that the events that have been foretold are guaranteed. Daniel can count on the outcomes. When we get to the end we will realize the significance of this guarantee.
We all want answers about the future.
One of the hardest calls to faith is the call to trust that God has given a sufficient answer.
Image: Teaching students to problem solve: trust that I have given you a meaningful hint.
MTR: Evaluate yourself, have you struck a balance of eager contentment?
But young children never understand the answer we still have three hours left (7-8a).
God's answers do not always make sense to our limited minds.
There is plenty that we simply do not understand.
Image: Clocks and kids - time is so hard to understand.
MTR: Ask yourself, am I willing to wait even if I don't understand God's timing?
Nevertheless, we are capable of being excited for the destination (9-11).
No matter what happens, we are going to reach the destination.
We are assured that the destination is worth the wait.
Image: When you know the destination is assured you can enjoy the journey.
Road trip games.
