Calvary Grace Assembly of God
Nov 13 – 20, 2016
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THRIVING IN A GODLESS CULTURE (2)
It seems the world is falling apart a warp speed! But are all these things unique to our time? The truth is NO! In fact, things were worse in Daniel’s day, and Daniel lived an exemplerary life.
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Daniel 1:1-8, Daniel 1:17
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god. Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the kingʼs service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility— young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the kingʼs palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the kingʼs table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the kingʼs service. Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego. But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.
To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.
Series: THRIVING IN A GODLESS CULTURE
Message: HOPE: Where Courage is Birthed
Daniel 1:1-8, 17
Pastor Tom Cogle
Sunday, November 13, 2016
How did Daniel live and thrive as a believer in a culture as godless as Babylon? How can we do the same in our culture?
1. OUR FAITH NEEDS TO BE TESTED
A. We don’t always know what we have because counterfeit faith looks awful lot like genuine faith!
B. The consequences of depending on counterfeit faith are horrific.
C. We are sometimes pushed to the limit; we will never be pushed over the limit.
2. WE MUST HAVE HOPE
A. True Godly hope is so much more than “wishful thinking.”
B. Hope in God grows with every step of obedience.
C. GOGO: Garbage In; Garbage Out
D. Hope Killers
1.Predictions of catastrophes
2.Politics
When the church gathers together, Jesus shows up. When Jesus shows up, hope and courage are never far behind.