God's People under the Wrong Rule

Scripture: Daniel 1:1-5

C.I.: Fitting In or Standing Out?

Today we are beginning a new series on the Book of Daniel.
No matter what government is in power – Christians always find themselves under the wrong rule, ( Phil. 3:20 ).

But how exactly are God's people to live under man's rule – “Fitting In or Standing Out”

•  Daniel 1

•  “Political Correctness” Demands that You “Fit- In,” (vs. 4-7)

•  The Babylonians try to force these four into a “Babylonian mold”
a. This included all the externals…

•  How you look – ( v. 4a ), “…youths in whom there was no defect, who were good looking”

•  How you act – ( v. 4b ), “…showing intelligence in every branch of wisdom, endowed with understanding and discerning, and who had ability for serving in the king's court.”

3) How you speak – ( v. 4c ), “…and to teach them the literature & language of the Chaldeans.”

4) How you eat – ( v. 5a ), “And the king appointed for them a daily ration from the king's choice food and from the wine
which he drank.”

5) How you learn – ( v. 5b ), “…and that they should be educated 3 years, at the end of which they were to enter into the
king's personal service.”

b. Nothing has changed. - Society today is still seeking to indoctrinate people to “fit in”!

•  Our society has become the Borg – and the message is, “Resistance is futile!” - If you can be indoctrinated “you will be assimilated!” – if you can't be indoctrinated – you'll be crushed

•  We need to decide whose side we are on, ( Rom. 12:2; I Jn. 3:10 ), “Do not conformed…,” “The children of God…”

•  “Sound Bite Theology” (religion vs. politics) - We can't tolerate sin nor remain silent, ( Eph. 5:11 ), “Do not participate in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead even expose them.”

c. When all else fails – society will seek to redefine us – by giving us a “new name”

1) ( vs. 6 ), “Now among them from the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.”

a) Meaning: Daniel = God is my Judge, Hananiah = Whom Jehovah has favored, Mishael = Who is like
God, Azariah =Whom Jehovah helps. – They came from parents who were very spiritually-minded.
2) ( v. 7) , “Then the commander of the officials assigned new names to them; to Daniel he assigned the name Belteshazzar….”

a) New Names: Belteshazzar = Bel's Prince, Shadrach = Inspired by Sun-god, Mesach = Who is like
Shak, Abed-nego = Servant of the shining fire

3) God has given us a name ( Isa. 62:2; Acts 11:27 ), “You will be called by a new name, which the mouth of the
Lord will designate.” – “And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”

4) But society calls us different names: “Whackos – Fundamentalist Nuts… – ( I Pt. 4:16 ), “If anyone suffers….”
5) So… do we choose to “fit in” or to “stand out”?!

•  The 3-Step Process of Standing Out for God, (vs. 8-16)

•  Step #1: Make a Decision (Daniel didn't “take on the system” – He only opposed what God opposed.)

•  ( v. 8 ), “But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king's choice food or with the wine which he drank; - so he sought permission from the commander of the officials, - that he might not defile himself”.
1) Being a Christians doesn't mean being obnoxious! Note, “…asked permission.” ( Col. 4:6 ), “Let your speech….”

2) Every act of faith begins with a decision: ( Josh. 24:15; I Kgs. 18:21 ), “Choose…” – “How long…”
3) Do you want to stop something (smoking, drinking, drugs, sexual immorality?!) – Make a decision!

4) Do you want to begin something (Bible reading, prayer, evangelism, etc.!?) – Make a decision!!!

b. Problem was not with what the food would do to them physically - but rather, what it would do to them spiritually!
1) It was common in the pagan cultures – for the food to first have been offered to an idol – and then eaten.
2) ( Ex. 34:15 ), “Lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, - …and they sacrifice to their gods, - and some-
one invite you to eat of his sacrifice.
3) Today's gods are far more subtle. – They go by the names of “comfort,” “ease,” “spread the wealth,” etc.
a) Xns don't mind helping others – ( Gal. 6:10 ), “While we have opportunity, let us do good unto all….”
b) But we must be careful that we don't defile ourselves – enabling someone else to sin, - ( II
Thess. 3:8, 10 ), Nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with labor & hardship we kept
working day and night – so that we might not be a burden … For even when we were with you, - we used to give
you this order: if anyone will not work, neither let him eat.”
4) We live in a system run amok! – Quotation from Alexander Fraser Tytler, (1747-1813).

2. Step #2: Expect Opposition

a. ( vs. 9-10 ), “Now the commander of the officials said to Daniel, ‘I am afraid of my lord the king, who has appointed your food &
drink, for why should he see your faces looking more haggard than the youths who are your own age? – Then you would make
me forfeit my head to the king.'”

1) The second step of faith – is the step of difficulty!

2) Note the chief was afraid of my lord the king – Daniel is concerned about the king's Lord!

3) The P.C. crowd – is concerned about what others think – the Xn is concerned about GOD THINKS!

4) ( Gal. 1:10; II Tim. 3:12 ), “Am I now seeking the favor of men or of God?....” - “Indeed, all who desire to live godly…”

5) Thus, we are either going to trust in God – to give us victory in our decisions – or we will trust others!

3. Step #3: Remain Faithful to Your Decision ( no matter how long it takes! )

a. ( vs. 12-14 ), “‘Please test your servants for 10 days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink. – Then let our
appearance be observed in your presence, and the appearance of the youths who are eating the king's food; and deal with your
servants according to what you see.' – So he listened to them in this matter and tested them for 10 days.”

•  The third step is - the test of time. - The test of time deals with withdrawal symptoms…
a) Physical (nicotine/alcohol/immorality)
b) Spiritual (getting away from bad situations/people), II Cor. 6:14 , “Do not be bound together with
unbelievers; - for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness.”

•  The Outcome of the Test of Faith (vs. 17-20) - So what happened to these teens who made their decisions for God?

1. ( vs. 15 ), “At the end of 10 days their appearance seemed better and they were fatter than all the youths who had been eating the
king's food.”

1) Those who keep their faith-decisions over time – are always victorious, ( Matt. 24:12-13; Rev. 2:10 ), “Because
lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. – But the one who endures to…” – “Do not fear what you….”

2) What were the names of the other Jewish boys??? – Whatever happened to them??? – Give in & be forgotten!!!
3) Which is more in keeping with what God blesses; “”Equality of opportunity or equality of outcome”?

b. ( v. 17-20 ), “At the end of the days which the king had specified for presenting them, the commander of the officials presented
them before Nebuchadnezzar. - And the king talked with them, and out of them all not one was found like D., H., M., A.; so they
entered the king's personal service. – And as for every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king consulted
them, he found them 10 times better than all the magicians and conjurers – who were in all his realm.”

•  Clearly, God's faithful people have an advantage – ( II Pt. 1:3; I Cor. 1:25 ), “Seeing that His divine power has granted to us….” – “The foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”

•  These did not submit to the “Political Correctness” of their day. – They faithfully followed God!!

Conclusion:

1. Some here have made a decision for Jesus – but over the course of time – you have found yourself “giving in to fit in.”

2. God is really not concerned about us “standing out.” – He would prefer for us to be OUTSTANDING!!!

3. Others here today – your test of faith needs to begin… you need to make a decision, ( Gal. 3:26-27 )