This is Connect the Skip Heitzig. Thanks for joining us for today's program. At Connect with Skip, our mission is to help you connect with God's Word in a deeper way and see how it applies to everyday life. That's why we make Bible teaching like today's available to you and people all around the world, on radio, online, and through resources that equip you to grow in your faith. One great way to do that is by taking the 30K 30-day challenge, a free daily email journey through the New Testament.
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Now, let's dive into today's teaching from Pastor Skiff Heitzig. When Christopher Columbus announced his desire to explore New worlds And to discover A quicker route to the West Indies. All the experts of Spain said it was impossible. But because of Columbus's steadfast persistence, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabel sided with Columbus, not the experts, and that's a good thing. for us.
Henry Ford. believed In the automobile. He pursued that dream, but he had a good friend. named Thomas Edison. Who said it wasn't a very good idea?
In fact, offered Henry Ford a job to come work for him to get a real life. But Ford was Steadfast, persistent in his dream, It's a good thing he was. The Wright brothers, Wilbur and Orville, believed that man could actually fly in the sky. But they had friends. They knew journalists and they had a father, their own dad.
said it was a costly and insane waste of money. But they pursued their vision and their dream. Because they were steadfast. Steadfastness is a level above Faithfulness. Daniel was a faithful man.
We saw that last week, even in chapter 6. But steadfastness is when you are faithful in extreme times. The idea of being steadfast. evokes thoughts of strength, intensity. To be steadfast is to grab a hold of, in fact, to even clutch.
The promises of God. One author that I've read a lot, William Barclay, writes these words.
So often we have A kind of vague wistful longing that the promises of Jesus should be true. The only way to enter into them is to believe in them with the clutching. Intensity of a drowning man. Keep those words in mind as we read chapter 6 because we see Daniel facing his possible death. Believing, trusting, grabbing a hold of God's promises.
Like this, the clutching intensity of a drowning man.
Now if you are a steadfast believer You can count on four things that we see in the rest of this chapter. Before we get into those four things, can I just say that life is not fair? That bothers some of us. Bothers some people. Especially kids.
Kids grow up and they say, that's not fair. And you say, life isn't fair. But some people never grow out of this idea that life should be fair. That if you do good things, that good things will happen. That if you do bad things, that you always have consequences.
Sort of this. Cosmic karma that should happen. But that's not real life. Life isn't fair.
Now, God will eventually bring fairness and equity, not immediately, but eventually. I heard about two men, they were in a waiting room. Both of them were expectant fathers and Their wives were in there having babies, and the nurse came out and said to one of them, Congratulations, you have a brand new baby daughter. The other guy stood up and he said, that ain't fair. I was here first.
Yeah, but she delivered first. What happens to Daniel isn't fair. In fact, he doesn't get delivered from the experience of the lion's den. He has to go through the experience of the lion's den, and he's helped while he's in it. Remember what David wrote, Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.
We don't like that. We don't want the valley of the shadow of death. We want to be airlifted from mountain peak to mountain peak and forget the valleys. But the Christian life is you go through it. Even when you're steadfast, and I would say, especially if you're steadfast.
Now, if you are a steadfast believer, I mentioned there are four things that you can count on. Persecution is inevitable. Trust is essential. Deliverance is possible. And influence is unmistakable.
Those are the four divisions of the rest of the chapter that we will look at. In our text this morning.
So, what I'd like you to do, even though we left off in verse 15 and 16, really picks up the rest of the story, I want to draw your attention back a few verses. and get the whole thing framed nicely as we move into it. Number one, persecution is inevitable. Look at Verse five of Daniel six. Then these men, those would be his envious colleagues, if you remember, said.
We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law. Of his God. And so they went with. That thought to the king to get a decree signed that nobody could worship any god. or anything for thirty days except the king.
Verse 10.
So when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and he prayed and he gave thanks before his God, as was his custom. since early days. Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.
Now it would seem that this story took place in one day. That in the morning they brought the decree for the king to sign it. At noon they were already at Daniel's house watching him pray, because that was the time that he did it. And then by afternoon, they had his death sentence signed again. and that he was put in the lion's den by evening.
It was a Persian custom that A death or an execution should be carried out before nightfall.
So, this probably all happened in the course of a single day. They knew that Daniel was devoted to God. And they knew that his love for God would always be paramount, and so they exploited that situation. in order to get Daniel killed. Persecution.
is inevitable. You and I are not going to get through this life without some battle scars. There's going to be some wounds, there's going to be some persecution. And here's why. You're a part of the kingdom of light.
Out there is the kingdom of darkness of which you used to be a part of. When the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness come into contact, there is a kingdom clash. There are fireworks. Paul put it this way: anyone who desires to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. Because if you're steadfast...
then others are going to know that you're a Christian. And if others know that you're a Christian, Not everybody's going to like the fact that you're a Christian. In fact, They'll talk behind your back. They'll marginalize you. You might not make it up the scale in the corporation.
Or worse. Over the many years while I've been a pastor of this church. I have gotten numerous death threats. Got some recently by email and even by phone. We're going to come, we're going to kill you.
Several years ago, and I want to underline that so you just don't get worried, but a man came in here, pulled out a gun. Using the foyer, said, I'm going to kill that pastor. I don't know what I said that bothered him, but he was a little bit drunk and Our usher of the presence of mind, he was a big quarterback guy, just jumped on the guy. lovingly escorted him outside to the police. Made for a great sermon illustration.
Back then, But there is a misconception that following Jesus Christ is going to make life easier. Really? Ever read the New Testament? The early church had it Anything except easy. We love the promises of Jesus.
In fact, some people make whole cottage industries of little promises that Jesus said, and they hold on to that promise for the day, but there are some promises that they just sort of leave out. Let me give you a few of those promises that Jesus made to his disciples. I'm reading, you don't have to turn there, Matthew chapter 10, verse 16. Jesus said to his followers, Behold, I send you out like sheep in the midst of wolves. Whoa!
Whoa, stop right there. That's not an easy gig. Little sheep getting sent to a pack of wolves. Therefore, Jesus said, Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. Every now and then, somebody will say, Wouldn't it be great to live in the time of the apostles?
I say, sort of. Parts of it would be cool. A whole lot of other parts would not be so cool. This being one of them: Behold, I send you out like sheep in the midst of wolves.
So, Jesus in this section announces this to them, and then he tells them they can expect persecution from three sources. Number one, the religious establishment. The religious establishment. Jesus said, Beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their. Synagogues Did you know that organized religion?
Has been one of the chief antagonists against the gospel, always has been, still is today. We send our missionaries out to different parts of the world. They will tell us it's not the common people, it's not the townsfolks, it's not the country folks that give us the opposition, it's religious organizations. that are opposed to our evangelistic work. Who were Jesus' enemies?
Let's see, scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees, religious people. Even Daniel's antagonists in this chapter had a religious bent, forbidding the worship of any god.
So, that you'll be persecuted by the religious establishment. Let me take this a step further. You're even going to be persecuted by carnal Christians in your own Bible study groups and churches. Carnal Christians who see your newfound devotion for Jesus, they're seeing that you have a desire to. Take the dare to step up, to be steadfast, to pray more, to carry your Bible.
And they might say something to you like, ooh, look who got so spiritual all of a sudden. You know why they say that? because they're convicted by your commitment. And they might say, well, I'm a Christian too. I'm just not a fanatic.
Somebody once said a fanatic is just somebody who loves Jesus more than you do. You're listening to Connect with Skip Heitzig. Before we return to today's teaching, let me ask. Are we living in the last days? With uncertainty, conflict, and moral confusion dominating the headlines, it's a question many believers are asking.
Pastor Skip wants to help you understand what God's Word says about the end times so you can face the future with confidence. That's why this month we're offering two timely resources: his 2 CD teaching from Daniel, Bible from 30,000 feet. and his booklet, Are We Living in the Last Days? These will give you a clear biblical perspective on what's happening in the world. and how to be ready for what's ahead.
Request your copies when you give a gift of $25 or more at connectwithgift.com/slash offer. or call 800-922-1888.
Now let's get back to today's teaching. Number two, Jesus continued, you'll be persecuted by the secular world. He continues, you will be brought before governors and kings and the Gentiles. You see, a steadfast believer is sort of like a 500-watt light bulb in a pitch-black room. And though it dispels the darkness, It also irritates people.
And it irritated. The Roman government When the apostles were those bright lights And just like Jesus predicted. You know what happened to them? They were flung to the lions. They were burned at the stake.
They were sewn into the skins of animals so that beasts could tear them apart. Molten lead was poured over the tenderest parts of their bodies. Caesar Nero even wrapped them up in pitch and put them on poles so that they could be torches in his gardens at night. But then Jesus takes it a step further in his catalog of promises to them. He said you'll be persecuted by your own family.
Jesus said these words: For brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his own child, and children will rise against their parents to kill them. Did you know that there are still some cultures today where if a person converts to Christianity, A funeral is held. For that family member? And they say He's dead to us. He's dead.
He's following Jesus now, don't even mention his name. Other cultures are more radical. And they believe in honor killings. This person converted to Jesus. We need to honor our God.
by killing him.
Now you haven't had those kind of things, probably. But you have had the persecution, many of you, by your own family members. Have you discovered that to witness to your own family members is like that's harder than witnessing to anybody else? They look at you go, who are you trying to kid, dude? We grew up with you.
We know you. You're on to some little kick now, but whatever. These are the promises of Jesus. Persecution is inevitable. Back to Daniel chapter 6.
Persecution is inevitable, therefore, Trust is essential.
Now, watch this. Daniel 6, verse 16.
So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel. And cast him into the den of lions. It's a sort of a straightforward statement.
So they brought Daniel and Roll them into the Lions' den. It was actually a pit. I've been to Babylon and the archaeologist showed me a square hole on the pavement where I was standing, and underneath was a large cavern. In those days it would have been divided into two, where the lions were on one side, a lot of them. And then the hors d'oeuvre.
Daniel, in this case, would be on the other side. The Daniel uh the lions would then be let loose.
So The king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, Now listen to the pagan king speak. Your God, whom you serve continually, he will deliver you. What? Why did this king say that?
Well, this king has been on the throne of Babylon now for a year at least, perhaps even two years by now. Daniel is old, as we know, he's not afraid of anybody, and he's in the king's council. He's on the cabinet of the king.
So, this king has heard message after message after message about. What happened to Daniel? By Daniel. He heard what happened with Nebuchadnezzar, what happened with Belshazzar. It was well recorded in their own history books by that time.
And Daniel has been steadfast before this king. Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you. Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den. and the king sealed it with his own signet ring, And with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed.
Now the king went to his palace. And spent the night fasting, and no musicians were brought before him, and also. His sleep went from him. In this whole episode, Do you once read of Daniel saying, This isn't fair. God, I've served you 70 years.
No, in fact, We don't have recorded that Daniel said Anything at all. At all. Daniel opens the windows, he prays, that was his custom. He definitely knew that The thing had been signed. He definitely knew that.
Death could happen. He definitely knew what a den of lions was. But he opened up the windows and he prayed because he always prayed. And then the death sentence is passed. Daniel's taken and placed in the language in.
He says nothing. No, he may have said something, but the text is silent. It's like Jesus. Opened not his mouth, but he was silent before his antagonist, and he is lowered into the den. of lions.
Daniel's story reminds me of another story that some of you may have heard about a guy by the name of Polly Karp. who in one fifty six AD he was a Christian leader in Smyrna, A Christian bishop. Polycarp was brought to be burned at the stake. They brought him to the stake, they tied him up, they lit the fire, and then the executioner said, Listen, polycarp, you can get out of this real easy. Just deny Jesus very quickly.
We'll let you go. You'll have your freedom. Not yelling. Not screaming like, I hate flames. Polycarp Said I have served Jesus Christ for 86 years.
He was 86 years old, like Daniel. I've served Jesus Christ for 86 years. Never once has he denied me. He's never done me any wrong. How can I deny him now?
And Polycarp looked down at this. Those flames, as the will of God. for his life. And I believe Daniel saw the lion's den, and he didn't squawk and didn't say, I hate teeth and lions, and no. Though he wouldn't have loved it.
But he knew his God well enough, and he was steadfast enough to know and believed: okay, this is it. I've lived 86 years.
Now it's the lion's den. I had to go one way or the other. And they lowered him into the pit. It's easy to talk about this, but This is where steadfastness has got to kick in. This is where the clutching intensity of a drowning man.
Has to kick in. This is where your faith needs to move from faithfulness to steadfastness. Here's a good prayer to remember. Psalm 51, David prayed, Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. The Hebrew word means to be fixed or fastened.
immovable, steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 112 speaks of a good man, a godly man, and in describing him, it says, He will not be afraid of evil tidings, his heart is steadfast. Trusting in the Lord. I have a question for you. What will it take to move you?
What will it take to move you? What would it take? What could possibly happen in your life to have you stop? Trusting Jesus Christ. Death of a child?
Lingering disease. Loss of employment. Is there something that you have said, I trust the Lord, but As long as Does this and that happen? If something else happens, I can't. I can't follow a God like that.
I can't trust a God like that. Really? I remember having a conversation with a young lady some years ago. Ashley took me by surprise because she said, well, you know, I believed in Jesus, past tense. I followed Jesus.
I trusted Jesus. Then she said, But then my grandmother died. And that was it. I said, well, with all due respect, I'm very sorry for your loss. It is very painful, but.
Did you really think she was never going to die? Because that's never happened before in history.
So that was it. It was your grandmother's death. It just sort of you lost it at that point. I'm not following Jesus anymore. Really?
Job Lost his estate. all ten of his children and his health. And he said, The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. And then, as the book goes on and the situation gets worse, he says, Though he slay me, I will trust him.
He can kill me. I'm not going to be moved. That's steadfastness. I want you to listen to a slogan. Of an African-American church in Kansas City.
I love it so much. It's their slogan. It's on their Letterhead. And they have to probably print small to fit it all in because it's A long one, but listen to this. Here's their slogan.
Wake up. Sing up. Pray up and pay up. But never give up, or let up, or back up, or shut up until the kingdom of Christ is built up in this world. That's their slogan.
That's a pretty good one, isn't it? Five of you like it, and I want to know you five after church. Wake up, sing up. Pray up, pay up, but never give up, let up, back up, or shut up till the kingdom of Christ is built up. In this world.
So there's Daniel. They just sort of take him and they lower him in the pit. And then something frustrating happens in the story. That's verse 17, but look at verse 18.
Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting, and no musicians were brought before him, and his sleep went from him.
Now I'm reading that going.
So what? I don't care about the king and his palace. What's going on in the lion's den? You know, if this were a movie and the camera shows a guy getting lit down, the lion's, hurry. And all of a sudden the camera pans to the king's palace and goes, they can't sleep.
I'm going. I don't care about you can't sleeping. Take me back to the lion's den, but this is the Holy Spirit showing you and I what the king is going through mentally. in this entire episode. Persecution is inevitable.
Trust is essential. Here's Daniel just seeing this as. The will of God. I'm going to trust in God. You know what, Daniel?
It sort of reminds me of. His three friends a few chapters back who said, Our God is able to deliver us, but if not, We're not going to bow. Daniel knew that. God can deliver him. But if not, here goes.
Oh well. Hi Lion.
Now, let's go on in the story and you see that deliverance is possible. It happens for him. Then the king arose very early in the morning. The text suggests at the dawn of the day, and went in haste to the den of lions. When he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel.
Interesting, voice of anguish. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, Daniel, Servant of the living God. Why did he call him that? Where did he get that from? He got that from Daniel.
Daniel has been steadfast before the king.
So that even this king knows that Daniel believes that. All the gods of Babel and all the gods of Medo-Persia are fake. They're just a bunch of statues without life, but he served the living God.
So the king calls him that. Thanks for listening to Connect with Skip Heitzig. Before you go, don't miss your chance to request this month's featured resources from Pastor Skip. The Bible from 30,000 feet 2 CD teaching from Daniel, and his booklet, Are We Living in the Last Days? Together, they'll help you understand what the Bible says about the future and how to be ready for it.
These resources are our thanks for your gift of $25 or more to help share God's Word with more people. Call 800-922-1888 or visit connectwithgift.com slash offer. And while you're there, sign up for the free 30K 30-day challenge to grow in your knowledge of God's Word. Thanks for spending time with us today, and we'll see you next time on Connect with Skip-Heitzig. Make a connection.
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