NOTES:

Big Idea:
If you succeed you will win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway.

1.Excel in God’s favor

Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit [was] in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm. [Daniel 6:3 NKJV]

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, [Colossians 3:23 NKJV]


2.Disregard crabs

So the governors and satraps sought to find [some] charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he [was] faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. [Daniel 6:4 NKJV]

Then these men said, "We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find [it] against him concerning the law of his God." [Daniel 6:5 NKJV]


3. Stay faithful when tested


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, "Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you." [Daniel 6:16 NKJV]


Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no musicians were brought before him. Also his sleep went from him. [Daniel 6:18 NKJV]


Closing Note:
Jesus endured the Cross for us. fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. [Hebrews 12:2 NASB]

Why? So that our sins could be forgiven. In 100 years you will not be thinking about your job, you will either be in heaven and eternally grateful that Jesus Christ endured the cross, or you will be in hell regretting that you did not give him your life.

Notes:

Big Idea:
The book of Daniel is a prophetic book in the Bible written 500 years before Jesus talks about the end times. It takes place in the empire of Babylon - present day Iraq. Daniel's brought there at the early age of 16-17 years old and outlived 4 kings & died at the age of 90.

Babylon is full secular and ungodly people. Like today they in America. People are turning away from the God of the Bible and are living as though there is no God.

Everyone will be devoted to something - be devoted to God and He will bless you.

Notes:
Realize everyone worships something
and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' [Mark 12:30 NASB]

For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him. [Colossians 1:16 NASB]

"Now if you are ready, at the moment you hear the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery and bagpipe and all kinds of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, very well. But if you do not worship, you will immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire; and what god is there who can deliver you out of my hands?" [Daniel 3:15 NASB]

2. Be humble and fearless
Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up." [Daniel 3:16-18 NASB]

3. Worship brings help
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. [James 4:10 NKJV]

"Was it not three men we cast bound into the midst of the fire?" They replied to the king, "Certainly, O king.” He said, "Look! I see four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!" [Daniel 3:24-25 NASB]

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. [James 4:8 NASB]

Closing Note:
Serve God in this life. Imagine with me what it could be like if we all lived like this. The light of the world - hated by some and admired by most for courage. Who will have first place in your life?

Notes:

Big Idea:
You can live godly in a un-godly world and God will bless you if you do. The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches, honor and life. (Proverbs 22:4 NASB) Don’t believe the lie that good guys finish last.

Notes:
1. Know who you are in God
The king changed their names to pagan names. Then the commander of the officials assigned new names to them; and to Daniel he assigned the name Belteshazzar, to Hananiah Shadrach, to Mishael Meshach and to Azariah Abednego. (Daniel 1:7 NASB)

2. Be convinced God’s way is Better
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. (Daniel 1:8 NASB)

3. Pass the Test and Change the World
The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches, honor and life. (Proverbs 22:4 NASB)

Closing Note:
Imagine the church living a life like Daniel did at work and in our extended families. God could use us to change the world around us.