Sermons – St Bart's Anglican Church (Toowoomba)

Sermon & Small Group Resources

This is the second of our Advent sermon series for 2021. This sermon is ‘Peace with God’. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: Romans 5:1-11

DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF).

Next Steps this Week

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Download in PDF format.

CONNECT: What one thing will help you to better celebrate Christmas this year?

WARM-UP

1. Why do you think the secular world puts so much time and energy into Christmas?

2. What’s the difference between the peace that the world gives and peace that God gives?

Read Romans 5:1-5

1. What does it mean to be justified by faith? Why do we need justification?

2. What is sin? How does sin impact our relationship with God and others? Are we ever at risk of not taking sin seriously?

3. How is it that we can have peace with God right now?

4. How does God’s peace change the way we face troubles and afflictions? Why won’t the hope that we have put us to shame?

5. How should God’s peace change the way that we live on our frontlines?

Read Romans 5:6-11

1. What is so radical about the death of Jesus? Why did he have to die and for what sort of people did he die? What does his death mean for us?

2. In what ways is God’s love different to any love that we find in the world? How can we see God’s love at its greatest?

3. What does it mean for two people to be personally reconciled? What is the difference between being pronounced innocent by God and being reconciled to God?

4. How is the salvation that God offers complete and total? What should this salvation lead to in us?

5. In your week, what are some rhythms that can help you remember the seriousness of sin and also the peace that we have with God?

6. In the lead up to Christmas, how will you share about the peace that God offers?

Apply How can you keep the peace that Jesus gives us at the centre of Christmas this year?

Heavenly Father, thank you that you are a gracious and compassionate God who is abounding in love. Please help us to take sin seriously in order to see your mercy more clearly. Thank you for the justification and reconciliation that we have in Jesus. Help us this Christmas to rest in the peace that you give us. Amen.


On Your Frontline This Week: It is not too late for a last minute invite to Carols. Who would want to miss a night of glowsticks & joy?!

Listen, Watch, and Read:

• AUDIO: “Romans 5 - Amazing Love” by Christopher Ash

• AUDIO: “Grace and Glory” by Simon Manchester

• AUDIO: “Romans 5” by Gary Millar

• AUDIO: “Romans 5” a lecture by Dick Lucas

Series Resources:

Some helpful resources for our Series:

• Series overview both in PDF and Audiobook

• Advent Devotional by Tim and Kathy Keller

• Invite a friend to carols!

Grow as Families

Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.

Families: Read, Chat, Do, and Pray

High School: CHARGE Discussion Questions

Kids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ Talk

eBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group Resources

This is the first of our Advent sermon series for 2021. This sermon is ‘Hope that’s Real’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: 1 Peter 1:1-12

DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF).

Next Steps this Week

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood:

Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

Download in PDF format.

CONNECT: On one of your frontlines this week, how can you be fortified in: remembering who’s boss, standing firm, and trusting that salvation belongs to the Lord?

WARM-UP

1. What are the most common ways in our culture that we prepare for Christmas?

2. What does ‘advent’ mean? What do you find most helpful in preparing for Christmas?

Read 1 Peter 1:1-5

1. Who were the communities that Peter was writing to? What do we know of their circumstances?

2. In what ways is our hope living? How does this living hope make a difference in the ‘everyday’?

3. How is it good news that our hope is anchored away from ourselves and to Jesus?

4. How is our hope anchored to Jesus? What does Peter mean by “through” the resurrection?

5. What are the types of things that you most o#en hope for? What is our greatest hope?

6. What helps you anchor your hope to Jesus in the face of trouble or challenge? How about in times when things are going more smoothly?

7. How does Christian hope (and the biblical view of hope) differ to everyday use of the word?

Read 1 Peter 1:6-9

1. How is our inheritance described? Why does this matter? If our inheritance is guaranteed (and cannot spoil!), what sort of confidence should this give us?

2. Can you think of an example of someone you know who has faced extraordinary sufferings yet maintained their hope in Jesus?

3. How does Peter explain the purpose of the trials that the people were facing? Have you ever experienced a time of trial? How did you find that experience?

4. Why do you think it is o#en through suffering that we grow as disciples of Jesus?

5. Who is someone this Christmas with whom you would love to share the good news that through Jesus we have a hope that is real? Perhaps be especially praying for them this week.

Apply What one thing will help you to better celebrate Christmas this year?

Heavenly Father, we thank you so much that it is through Jesus that we can have a sure and certain hope. Please help us to be anchored to Jesus, certain of our future, and transformed today for your glory. Amen.


On Your Frontline This Week: How is your reliance on God, above everything else, visible on your frontline?

Listen, Watch, and Read:

• VIDEO: “Let’s Start with God” a sermon on 1 Peter

• AUDIO: “The Imperishable Inheritance” by William Taylor

• VIDEO: “Born again into a living hope” an exposition of 1 Peter 1:1-12 from TGC’s Women’s Conference

• AUDIO: “The Christian’s Gospel” a sermon by Dick Lucas on 1 Peter 1:1-25

Series Resources:

Some helpful resources for our Series:

• Series overview both in PDF and Audiobook

• Advent Devotional by Tim and Kathy Keller

• Invite a friend to carols!

Grow as Families

Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.

Families: Read, Chat, Do, and Pray

High School: CHARGE Discussion Questions

Kids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ Talk

eBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group Resources

This is the seventh of seven sermons in our series on Daniel. This sermon is ‘In the Lion's Den’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: Daniel 6

DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF).

Next Steps this Week

It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. The satraps were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss. Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. Finally these men said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.”

So these administrators and satraps went as a group to the king and said: “May King Darius live forever! The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. Now, Your Majesty, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” So King Darius put the decree in writing.

Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?”

The king answered, “The decree stands—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”

Then they said to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.” When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him.

Then the men went as a group to King Darius and said to him, “Remember, Your Majesty, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed.”

So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!”

A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed. Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep.

At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?”

Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”

The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

Then King Darius wrote to all the nations and peoples of every language in all the earth:

“May you prosper greatly!

“I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel.

“For he is the living God
    and he endures forever;
his kingdom will not be destroyed,
    his dominion will never end.
He rescues and he saves;
    he performs signs and wonders
    in the heavens and on the earth.
He has rescued Daniel
    from the power of the lions.”

So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Download in PDF format.

CONNECT: Is there a particular area in your life that your pride is trying to get in the way of God’s rule?

WARM-UP

1. What have been the key events in the book Daniel so far? What has stood out for you?

2. When did you first hear about Daniel in the Lion’s Den? Why is this is such a popular story?

Read Daniel 6:1-15

1. What did Darius plan to do with Daniel? What (does it seem) were the ‘exceptional qualities’ of Daniel that had seemed to set him apart and impress the king?

2. If Daniel was there for over 60 years, how is his consistency of character and competence impressive?

3. One one of your frontlines, how can you demonstrate a distinctiveness in your integrity?

4. What’t the longest workplace (or other frontline) in which you have served? How challenging do you

   think it is to be a faithful witness over time? What helps you with this?

5. How is it evident that Daniel would keep going to God? How did he keep seeking to glorify God?

6. What helps you to remember that God is your ultimate boss?

7. How does Daniel stand firm in the face of this test of loyalty?

8. How is it evident that standing firm includes both the critical moments and continual day-to-day?

9. In what ways can following God be costly? Should this surprise us?

10. What were the rhythms that helped Daniel stand firm? What does this look like for you?

11. Is there any situation at work (or somewhere else) in which you’re challenged to stand firm?

Read Daniel 6:16-24

1. Whilst worshipped as a god, how powerful is Darius in reality? How does he know this to be true?

2. How is it evident that salvation belong to the Lord? How has this been evident in Daniel?

3. Do you notice a parallel between Daniel (in the Lion’s den) and Jesus? How is it evident that God’s purposes culminate in the Lord Jesus?

Sermon & Small Group Resources

This is the sixth of seven sermons in our series on Daniel. This sermon is ‘Writing on the Wall’. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: Daniel 5

DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF).

Next Steps this Week

King Belshazzar gave a great banquet for a thousand of his nobles and drank wine with them. While Belshazzar was drinking his wine, he gave orders to bring in the gold and silver goblets that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines might drink from them. So they brought in the gold goblets that had been taken from the temple of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines drank from them. As they drank the wine, they praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone.

Suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace. The king watched the hand as it wrote. His face turned pale and he was so frightened that his legs became weak and his knees were knocking.

The king summoned the enchanters, astrologers and diviners. Then he said to these wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this writing and tells me what it means will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around his neck, and he will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”

Then all the king’s wise men came in, but they could not read the writing or tell the king what it meant. So King Belshazzar became even more terrified and his face grew more pale. His nobles were baffled.

The queen, hearing the voices of the king and his nobles, came into the banquet hall. “May the king live forever!” she said. “Don’t be alarmed! Don’t look so pale! There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him. In the time of your father he was found to have insight and intelligence and wisdom like that of the gods. Your father, King Nebuchadnezzar, appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners. He did this because Daniel, whom the king called Belteshazzar, was found to have a keen mind and knowledge and understanding, and also the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles and solve difficult problems. Call for Daniel, and he will tell you what the writing means.”

So Daniel was brought before the king, and the king said to him, “Are you Daniel, one of the exiles my father the king brought from Judah? I have heard that the spirit of the gods is in you and that you have insight, intelligence and outstanding wisdom. The wise men and enchanters were brought before me to read this writing and tell me what it means, but they could not explain it. Now I have heard that you are able to give interpretations and to solve difficult problems. If you can read this writing and tell me what it means, you will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around your neck, and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”

Then Daniel answered the king, “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means.

“Your Majesty, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness and glory and splendor. Because of the high position he gave him, all the nations and peoples of every language dreaded and feared him. Those the king wanted to put to death, he put to death; those he wanted to spare, he spared; those he wanted to promote, he promoted; and those he wanted to humble, he humbled. But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory. He was driven away from people and given the mind of an animal; he lived with the wild donkeys and ate grass like the ox; and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he acknowledged that the Most High God is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and sets over them anyone he wishes.

“But you, Belshazzar, his son, have not humbled yourself, though you knew all this. Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven. You had the goblets from his temple brought to you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines drank wine from them. You praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways. Therefore he sent the hand that wrote the inscription.

“This is the inscription that was written:

MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN

“Here is what these words mean:

Mene: God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end.

Tekel: You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting.

Peres: Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”

Then at Belshazzar’s command, Daniel was clothed in purple, a gold chain was placed around his neck, and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in the kingdom.

That very night Belshazzar, king of the Babylonians, was slain, and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom, at the age of sixty-two.

Download in PDF format.

CONNECT: Identify one achievement or gift in your life. What does it look like to recognise that this is from God and to use it for his glory on one of your frontlines?

WARM-UP

1. Can you recall a time when you’ve acted out of pride and arrogance?

2. What does our culture think about people who have pride or are full of themselves?

Read Daniel 5:1-12

1. What does the party show us about the character and personality of Belshazzar?

2. Even though God doesn’t live in human made objects, why were the cups from the temple so significant? Was there anything ‘magical’ about them?

3. Where in the world can we see other people mocking God? Do you ever see this on your frontlines? How have you reacted?

4. Who is the only person who can help Belshazzar interpret the dream? Why can he help?

Read Daniel 5:13-31

1. What did the King offer Daniel in response to an interpretation? What is Daniel’s response? Why do you think he acted in this way?

2. What was the heart of the problem for Nebuchadnezzar? What was the heart of the problem for King Belshazzar? What is the difference in their responses when being confronted by the Lord?

3. Why can’t the gods of Babylon see, hear, or understand? How is our Lord different?

4. What was the meaning of the writing on the wall? How does this demonstrate who is really in control? How did Belshazzar react?

5. How is it that we can approach and act towards God? Do we need to be strong and have life all together? What has he done to make this possible?

6. How could this shape the way we tell people about our relationship with Jesus?

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Sermon & Small Group Resources

This is the fifth of seven sermons in our series on Daniel. This sermon is ‘Beauty and the Beast’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: Daniel 4

DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF).

Next Steps this Week

King Nebuchadnezzar,

To the nations and peoples of every language, who live in all the earth:

May you prosper greatly!

   It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me.

   How great are his signs,

how mighty his wonders!

His kingdom is an eternal kingdom;

his dominion endures from generation to generation.

I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented and prosperous.

I had a dream that made me afraid. As I was lying in bed, the images and visions that passed through my mind terrified me.

So I commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me to interpret the dream for me.

When the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners came, I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me.

Finally, Daniel came into my presence and I told him the dream. (He is called Belteshazzar, after the name of my god, and the spirit of the holy gods is in him.)

I said, “Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you. Here is my dream; interpret it for me.

These are the visions I saw while lying in bed: I looked, and there before me stood a tree in the middle of the land. Its height was enormous.

The tree grew large and strong and its top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth.

Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Under it the wild animals found shelter, and the birds lived in its branches; from it every creature was fed.

“In the visions I saw while lying in bed, I looked, and there before me was a holy one, a messenger, coming down from heaven.

He called in a loud voice: ‘Cut down the tree and trim off its branches; strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the animals flee from under it and the birds from its branches.

But let the stump and its roots, bound with iron and bronze, remain in the ground, in the grass of the field.

“ ‘Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth.

Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let him be given the mind of an animal, till seven times pass by for him.

“ ‘The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people.’

“This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means, for none of the wise men in my kingdom can interpret it for me. But you can, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”

Then Daniel (also called Belteshazzar) was greatly perplexed for a time, and his thoughts terrified him. So the king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its meaning alarm you.”

Belteshazzar answered, “My lord, if only the dream applied to your enemies and its meaning to your adversaries!

The tree you saw, which grew large and strong, with its top touching the sky, visible to the whole earth,

with beautiful leaves and abundant fruit, providing food for all, giving shelter to the wild animals, and having nesting places in its branches for the birds—

Your Majesty, you are that tree! You have become great and strong; your greatness has grown until it reaches the sky, and your dominion extends to distant parts of the earth.

“Your Majesty saw a holy one, a messenger, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump, bound with iron and bronze, in the grass of the field, while its roots remain in the ground. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven; let him live with the wild animals, until seven times pass by for him.’

“This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the decree the Most High has issued against my lord the king:

You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.

The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules.

Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.”

Download in PDF format.

CONNECT: How can we trust God this week and acknowledge his work in our lives to those on our frontlines?

WARM-UP

1. At surface level, looking at Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel, how did the kingdom of Babylon and Kingdom of God seem to compare?

Read Daniel 4:1-27

1. Who is this letter written by? Who is it written to?

2. What are the main features of the dream? What (according to Daniel) do these mean?

3. Why do you think that this dream terrified Nebuchadnezzar? Why did it scare Daniel?

4. How is it evident that Daniel had great compassion for Nebuchadnezzar? Is this surprising? Have you ever known someone to whom you found it difficult to demonstrate God’s compassion to?

5. Is there any significance about the stump of the tree being left? How is this an image of hope?

6. According to this section, what is the point of this wake-up-call and warning? (See verses 17 and 25.) How is this an incredible act of mercy? What does Daniel implore Nebuchadnezzar to do?

7. How can we look for greatness in all the wrong places? What helps you recognise God’s greatness?

Read Daniel 4:28-37

1. Looking back through Daniel, when has Nebuchadnezzar almost grasped the truth about God?

2. What blinded Nebuchadnezzar to acknowledge the Lord despite all of the evidence that he had witnessed? Can we ever be blinded like this?

3. As Nebuchadnezzar looks upon the city, what is his conclusion? What truth has he ultimately failed to recognise and acknowledge?

4. On one of your frontlines, how does recognising that you’re accountable to God (he rules) and that everything you have is from God (including salvation) help you to orientate everything to him?

5. What truth about God becomes apparent...

Sermon & Small Group Resources

This is the fourth of seven sermons in our series on Daniel. This sermon is ‘Fireproof’. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: Daniel 3

DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF).

Next Steps this Week

King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. He then summoned the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up. So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it.

Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do: As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”

Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the nations and peoples of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews. They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever! Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.”

Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.

Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?”

They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.”

He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”

Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!”

So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.

Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.”

Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.

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CONNECT: How can we trust God this week and acknowledge his work in our lives to those on our frontlines?

WARM-UP

1. When did you first hear this story from Daniel?

2. Can you recall a time when you’ve had to choose following the Lord over something significant in your life? How did you make that choice?

Read Daniel 3:1-18

1. In modern terms, how tall and wide was the statue that Nebuchadnezzar put up?

2. What is the significance of the repetition of the phrase ‘he had set up’ in this passage? What is it supposed to communicate about Nebuchadnezzar and the image itself?

3. Why were God’s people commanded not to make any image and bow down to it?

4. What does the world think of the claim that God is the one and only God and that other ‘gods’ are false? What other ‘gods’ does the world worship?

5. Put yourselves in the story. How do you think you may have reacted in this situation?

6. On your frontlines, where can you see the world pressuring you to compromise on your faith? How have you/will you react in this situation?

7. What was at the heart of Nebuchadnezzar’s fury? Why do you think he gave them a second chance?

8. Why didn’t the three men need to defend themselves? What or who is their confidence?

Read Daniel 3:19-30

1. How did Nebuchadnezzar make sure the three perish? What was the result of his recklessness?

2. Does this story mean that we will always be saved from earthly trials if we have our confidence in God? Why/Why not? What does it communicate about God and us?

3. How is God with us in our trials? How then can we have confidence in the face of adversity?

4. What does the miracle tell us about Nebuchadnezzar’s earthly power and authority?

5. In what way has God used his power towards us? Is...

Sermon & Small Group Resources

This is the third of seven sermons in our series on Daniel. This sermon is ‘A Tall Order’. Preacher: The Rev’d Dr Daniel Rouhead. Bible Reading: Daniel 2

DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF).

Next Steps this Week

In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his mind was troubled and he could not sleep. So the king summoned the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers to tell him what he had dreamed. When they came in and stood before the king, he said to them, “I have had a dream that troubles me and I want to know what it means.”

Then the astrologers answered the king, “May the king live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will interpret it.”

The king replied to the astrologers, “This is what I have firmly decided: If you do not tell me what my dream was and interpret it, I will have you cut into pieces and your houses turned into piles of rubble. But if you tell me the dream and explain it, you will receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. So tell me the dream and interpret it for me.”

Once more they replied, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will interpret it.”

Then the king answered, “I am certain that you are trying to gain time, because you realize that this is what I have firmly decided: If you do not tell me the dream, there is only one penalty for you. You have conspired to tell me misleading and wicked things, hoping the situation will change. So then, tell me the dream, and I will know that you can interpret it for me.”

The astrologers answered the king, “There is no one on earth who can do what the king asks! No king, however great and mighty, has ever asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or astrologer. What the king asks is too difficult. No one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among humans.”

This made the king so angry and furious that he ordered the execution of all the wise men of Babylon. So the decree was issued to put the wise men to death, and men were sent to look for Daniel and his friends to put them to death.

When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, had gone out to put to death the wise men of Babylon, Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and tact. He asked the king’s officer, “Why did the king issue such a harsh decree?” Arioch then explained the matter to Daniel. At this, Daniel went in to the king and asked for time, so that he might interpret the dream for him.

Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said:

“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;

wisdom and power are his.

He changes times and seasons;

he deposes kings and raises up others.

He gives wisdom to the wise

and knowledge to the discerning.

He reveals deep and hidden things;

he knows what lies in darkness,

and light dwells with him.

I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors:

You have given me wisdom and power,

you have made known to me what we asked of you,

you have made known to us the dream of the king.”

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CONNECT: On any of your frontlines, is there anything you need to say ‘no’ to in order to be faithful to God?

WARM-UP

1. Share an experience when your knowledge or strength failed you. How did you respond?

Read Daniel 2:1-23

1. Why was Nebuchadnezzar so disturbed by his dreams? What does this say about their origin and significance?

2. Where do he seek guidance? Why doesn’t he tell his “wise men” the details of his dreams? What does this say about him?

3. In whom or what did the Babylonians place their trust? Who was their god? In whom or what do we place our trust, and how reliable is it?

Read Daniel 2:16-23; 27-28

1. How did Daniel respond to hearing the news that he and his friends had been sentenced to death?

2. How does Daniel seek the answer to Nebuchadnezzar’s question? Who gives him the answer?

3. How do you approach a difficult situation or problem? How does Daniel respond to receiving the answer from God?

4. When Daniel approaches Nebuchadnezzar, who does Daniel say is the source of the answer? How is this so counter-cultural (then and now)?

5. How do we acknowledge God in our achievements? How can we be consistent in this?

6. How does our church’s mission acknowledge this? How can we, as a community, remain consistent in this?

Read Daniel 2:36-49

1. Who does Daniel say is the source of Nebuchadnezzar’s power and authority? Why is this significant?

2. What is the main message of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream? How does Nebuchadnezzar react?

3. How, and by whom, is God’s kingdom established? How is it different from human kingdoms?

4. How can we tell others about God’s Kingdom and Jesus’ invitation for all to enter?

Apply How can we trust God this week and acknowledge his work in our lives to those on our frontlines?

Gracious Father, help us to place our trust in Jesus so that we seek your guidance in all things, follow you faithfully and give you honour and praise in all things, through Jesus Christ, Amen.

On Your Frontline This Week: How could God’s wisdom shape how you engage on your frontline? Bring to God in prayer what you do and don’t need help with this week.

Listen, Watch, and Read:

• AUDIO: “Daniel: Hope for the Minority” by Stuart Holman:

• AUDIO: “Clash of the Kingdoms” by Hugh Palmer:

• AUDIO: “Courageous Christianity” by Christopher Ash:

• ARTICLE: “Welcome to Exile. It’s Going to Be Okay” by Gospel Coalition:
  

Series Resources:

Some helpful resources for our Series:

• Series overview both in PDF and Audiobook:

Sermon & Small Group Resources

This is the second of seven sermons in our series on Daniel. This sermon is ‘Living Faithfully in a Foreign Land’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: Daniel 1:8-21

DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF).

Next Steps this Week

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. Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel, but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.”

Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.

At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.

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.

At the end of the time set by the king to bring them into his service, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service. In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.

And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.

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CONNECT: How should the cross shape the way in which you act on your frontlines?

WARM-UP

1. What do you think are the common ways that Christians may feel pressure to conform to culture?

2. What are the main ways on your frontlines in which you feel pressure to conform to culture?

Read Daniel 18

1. Looking back at verses 1-7, what were the ways in which Daniel (and his friends) seem to go along with the expectations set on them up to this point? Where did Daniel ‘draw the line’?

2. Does this passage tell us why Daniel decided to draw the line here? What were the unlikely reasons?

3. What do we learn from Daniel about how to determine which things matter and which things do not?

4. How may have Daniel reached that resolution? How can that help shape our decision-making?

5. What were the ingredients of Daniel’s response that can help shape our responses?

6. On one of your frontlines, have you ever had to take a stand in order to be faithful to God? How did you discern that you needed to ‘draw a line’ about something in particular?

7. What are the ways in which you’re most tempted to go along with culture? Is there anything right now on one of your frontlines in which you’re trying to discern if you should be ‘drawing a line’?

8. What are the ways as community in which we can help each other discern how to live faithfully?

Read Daniel 1:9-21

1. How is God’s kindness and faithfulness evident in what happens next?

2. Have you ever had to take a stand at work/uni/school and witnessed God’s grace at work?

3. Is there anything now in which you need to ask God for help to try and find a way through?

4. How does verse 21 remind us of who really is in charge and who will ultimately be victorious?

5. How does keeping our eyes on Jesus (and his return) help us to be faithful day-by-day?

Apply On any of your frontlines, is there anything you need to say ‘no’ to in order to be faithful to God?

BONUS: If work is a frontline, try the next meeting of our Centre for Work+Faith: stbarts.com.au/workfaith 

Gracious Father, how we praise you for your faithfulness! Please help us in our resolve to live faithfully on our frontlines, being wise in when to take stand and when it is not necessary. Please help us to ultimately trust that you are working out your purposes and that your Kingdom will prevail. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

On Your Frontline This Week: What is challenging about your frontline? How do you respond to these challenges?

Listen, Watch, and Read:

• AUDIO: “The Daniel Diet” by Guy Mason

• AUDIO: “Clash of the Kingdoms” by Chris Wright

• AUDIO: “Discipleship with Distinction” by William Taylor

• INTERACTIVE: “Tour of Mesopotamia 1500-539BC” at the British Museum
  

Series Resources:

Some helpful resources for our Series:

• Series overview both in PDF and Audiobook: https://bit.ly/3DsC3bB

• Daniel and the Twelve Prophets by John Goldingay. https://bit.ly/3jLRKnw

• Kingdoms in Conflict by Andrew Reid. https://bit.ly/3kZp61u

• Daniel Overview by The Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/daniel/

• “Exile” Overview by The Bible Project. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSua9_WhQFE

Grow as Families

Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.

Families: Read, Chat, Do, and Pray

High...

Sermon & Small Group Resources

This is the first of seven sermons in our series on Daniel. This sermon is ‘Welcome to Babylon’. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: Daniel 1:1-7

DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF).

Next Steps this Week

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 king’s 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 king’s 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 king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s 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.

Download in PDF format.

CONNECT: In what circumstances can you show that the gift of eternal life has sprung up in you through Jesus?

WARM-UP

1. Have you ever experienced or witnessed a crushing defeat? What was it like?

2. In regards to living for God, in what ways are the times in which we now live different to the times of Daniel? What are some of the similarities between us and those led out to exile?

Read Daniel 1:1-2

1. To the outsider who didn’t know about the covenant and the Lord’s hand in all of this, what do these verses in Daniel look like?

2. Why were the Israelites defeated and led out to exile? Who was the one who orchestrated the whole thing? For what reason?

3. Read Deuteronomy 30:15-18. What is the role of the covenant in the exile of God’s people?

4. What was the main and underlying cause of Israel’s sinfulness? How could they still have hope even in the midst of their situation in exile?

5. In our context of uncertainty, instability, messiness, and our sinfulness, what is our source of assurance and peace?

Read Daniel 1:3-7

1. How do these verses show God’s faithfulness to his people and covenant?

2. What may have been king Nebuchadnezzar’s intention in bringing these educated people into his courts? What sort of things may they have learned?

3. What may have been the intention in changing the names of these men?

4. In our modern culture, have you ever experienced pressure to conform to the world? In what way? How did you react in this situation? How did Daniel react in V8?

5. Read 1 Peter 2:9-12. In what way are we foreigners and exiles in our world? To whom do we belong and where is our ultimate home? How are we called to live this side of the cross?

6. How can we ensure that we are living in line with God’s will for our lives and not the world’s?

APPLY: How should the cross shape the way in which you act on your frontlines?

Heavenly Father, thank you that you are a God who is faithful to his promises from generation to generation. Thank you that even while our backs were turned against you, Christ died for us. Help us to live lives devoted to you and not to the patterns of this world for your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

On Your Frontline This Week: How do your interactions with people & problems demonstrate your satisfaction in Jesus?

Listen, Watch, and Read:

• AUDIO: ‘God of the Exiles’ by Alistair Begg

• AUDIO: ‘Discipleship with Distinction’ by William Taylor

• AUDIO: ‘Discretion & Valour’ by Christopher Ash
  

Series Resources:

Some helpful resources for our Series:

• Series overview both in PDF and Audiobook: https://bit.ly/3DsC3bB

• Daniel and the Twelve Prophets by John Goldingay. https://bit.ly/3jLRKnw

• Kingdoms in Conflict by Andrew Reid. https://bit.ly/3kZp61u

• Daniel Overview by The Bible Project. https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/daniel/

• “Exile” Overview by The Bible Project. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSua9_WhQFE

Grow as Families

Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.

Families: Read, Chat, Do, and Pray

High School: CHARGE Discussion Questions

Kids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ Talk

eBook: Watch the eBook

Sermon & Small Group Resources

This is the second of two sermons in our mini-series on What Would Jesus Say. This sermon is ‘To The Unsatisfied?’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: John 4:1-4

DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF).

Next Steps this Week

Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John— although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.

Now he had to go through Samaria. So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.

When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)

Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

“Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Download in PDF format.

CONNECT: Is there anyone on your frontline that needs to hear of the eternal satisfaction of Jesus?

WARM-UP

1. Do you think most Australians are satisfied? Why or why not?

2. What do you think most people try to make the source of their satisfaction? Does it work?

Read John 4:1-9

1. What kind of relationship did the Jews and Samaritans have?

2. What was unusual about the time of day that the woman was visiting the well?

3. What made Jesus speaking to the woman particularly scandalous? Why was the woman surprised that Jesus would ask her for a drink?

4. What did Jesus know about the woman? Is this good news that Jesus knew all of this?

5. Do you find it reassuring that Jesus knows everything about you and still loves you?

6. Have you ever felt like you were too far from God? How does Jesus’ interaction show that there is no one for whom the Gospel is “off limits”?

Read John 4:10-26

How does this man’s question reveal the condition of his heart? How does Jesus respond?

1. In what ways was the woman confused about the water that Jesus offered? What is this ‘living water’?

2. What was significant about the well? What was the basis for Jesus’ water being greater?

3. How does Jesus really satisfy us so that we will never be thirsty again?

4. How can we receive the gift that Jesus offers? In what way can we be refreshed daily by Jesus?

5. As you read on further (verses 39-42) what was the fruit of the woman’s trust in Jesus and witness?

6. What are the ways in which you can be tempted to be temporarily satisfied? If we make the world the source of our satisfaction why can we not expect God to be the source of our peace?

7. Have you ever had a time in which you were really unsatisfied? How does Jesus change this?

8. If you have a friend who is unsatisfied in life, how would you explain to them that Jesus is the one who can bring them ultimate satisfaction?

APPLY:  In what circumstances can you show that the gift of eternal life has sprung up in you through Jesus?

Heavenly Father, we thank you that it is through Jesus that you have offered us living water! Please help us to accept this gift and trust in you - that we would only seek for you alone to be the source of our ultimate satisfaction. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 


On Your Frontline This Week: Who are the other Christians on your frontline? Do you pray together for the people and activities on your frontline?

Listen, Watch, and Read:

• AUDIO: A Satisfied Thirst by Rico Time

• AUDIO: The Gift of Life by William Taylor

• AUDIO: What is satisfaction and how do we get it? by Charlie Skrine
  

Series Resources:

Some helpful resources for our Series:

• Series Overview Published by St Bart’s

• “Freedom to Self-Forgetfulness: The Path to True Christian Joy” by Tim Keller

• “Surprised by Joy” by CS Lewis

• “Can I Have Joy in my Life” by RC Sproul

Grow as Families

Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.

Families: Read, Chat, Do, and Pray

High School: CHARGE Discussion Questions

Kids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ Talk

eBook: Watch the eBook