Kingdom’s Clash

Intro: Our beliefs as Christians have been under attack

• We are considered radical
• In the University classroom – sciences etc.…philosophy, ethics
• Morals in society -Media -Politics
• Not for the first time in history- but for the first time in our history, to this level
• Beliefs have been under attack, but now we see potential laws being made that threaten our free expression of our beliefs and lifestyle
This series is called wisdom under fire
• As much as this is new to us, this is not new
• There have been many in the past who have needed wisdom in the fire
• We find Daniel (a Jew) in the Kingdom of Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar
• Nebuchadnezzar is diluting them –assimilating them
How had this happened?
• God’s people began to become like the countries around them
• They were warned via the prophets over and over again
• Jeremiah (The Weeping Prophet) is the last prophet before the fall to Babylon
• Now Judah is in captivity
Deuteronomy 30:15–18 (NIV)
Jeremiah 2:5–20 (NIV)

Important truths
1st –Israel and Judah were disciplined unrepentant sin –
• They were warned but wouldn’t listen
• What you sow you reap

2nd The Godly are effected by the decisions of the unrepentant
• A remnant –small number of believers with a purpose
• They were not where they wanted to be

3rd Daniel (and his friends) chose to be Gods men regardless of circumstances
• God used them to deliver the message to Nebuchadnezzar
• God placed them where they would eventually effect the salvation of

Israel
• Encouragement the Messiah would come
• Even the Magi
• Encouragement to us

Daniel 1:8 (NIV) — 8 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.

4th Because they were wise God used them
Ephesians 5:15–16 (NIV)

This series is about what wisdom is
A. Wisdom begins by seeing from Gods perspective rather than giving up
Isaiah 11:1–2 (NIV)
Daniel 2:21–22 (NIV)
Acts 17:23b–32 (NIV)

B. Wisdom is the quality of discerning what is true, what is ethically right, and what should be done in different situations.
C. Wisdom effects your perspective –your attitude: 1 Peter 3:13–15 (NIV)
D. Use wisdom as a grid for your decisions: James 3:13–18 (NIV)
Challenges –suggestions
• Larry Osborne –Thriving in Babylon
• Read Daniel during this series
• Read Hebrews chapters 10-12
• Be in this series with us and turn your small group into a group like Daniel had –

QUESTIONS TO REFLECT AND DISCUSS:
Passages to consider: Daniel 2; James 3:13-18; Acts 17:22-31

Ice Breaker: Have you ever been rafting or been caught in a strong current or a flood? Share about your experience.
• What insights did you glean from the sermon?
Questions:
1. From the sermon what did you discover about Daniel and how the Hebrew people got where they were?
2. Read Acts 17:22-31. What does this passage tell you about God, history and the purpose of people? A) What is encouraging? What is challenging? What questions do you have?
3. What has been your view of the course of history and God’s involvement in it? A) If you could have dinner with Daniel what would you ask him? What do you think he might tell you about being in the midst of a challenging situation?
4. How would you define wisdom? Take a look at James 1:2-8 & James 3:13-18. What are significant elements to wisdom from these passages? A) What makes this biblical wisdom different from other perspectives of wisdom?
5. What aspect of wisdom do you need as you navigate through this time in our world?
6. What is God showing you about wisdom under fire? A) How can that affect how you approach this coming week?