WEBVTT 00:00:02.479 --> 00:00:05.200 Thank you for joining us on the CCW podcast. 00:00:05.360 --> 00:00:11.039 Make sure you connect with us on social media to stay up to date on ministries and events happening at CCW. 00:00:11.279 --> 00:00:14.960 We hope you're encouraged, inspired, and motivated by today's message. 00:00:15.119 --> 00:00:19.120 To find out how to connect with us, keep listening after the message ends. 00:00:26.640 --> 00:00:29.039 Happy first day that feels like fall. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:30.480 Amen. 00:00:30.879 --> 00:00:32.560 I'm so excited for all of that. 00:00:32.640 --> 00:00:37.520 I want you to take your Bible this morning and turn it to Daniel chapter 1. 00:00:37.679 --> 00:00:42.560 I've been waiting for weeks to say that phrase, and so excited to do so. 00:00:42.799 --> 00:00:50.000 Turn your Bibles to Daniel chapter 1 as we kick off today a series called Steadfast. 00:00:50.799 --> 00:00:54.960 And as we do, I would like to turn your attention for a moment. 00:00:55.200 --> 00:01:01.200 I know that uh many of you have been watching events, watching some of the news this week. 00:01:02.240 --> 00:01:06.799 And as a church and a body, we are pro-Israel. 00:01:06.959 --> 00:01:09.599 We will pray and stand with Israel. 00:01:09.840 --> 00:01:13.920 Psalms 122, verse 6 says, pray for the peace of Jerusalem. 00:01:14.159 --> 00:01:18.480 That they that will be prospered that side with Israel. 00:01:18.560 --> 00:01:23.439 So we are going to be a church continuously pro-Israel, but pray for the people. 00:01:23.680 --> 00:01:26.480 And I was talking to the serve team this morning. 00:01:26.640 --> 00:01:29.760 Um God has always been sovereign, in control. 00:01:29.920 --> 00:01:34.799 God has a plan, and that plan one day is that his return will be imminent. 00:01:34.959 --> 00:01:39.519 And how he sets that up and the stages he put to pass, we have some clues. 00:01:39.760 --> 00:01:41.599 Matthew 24, Matthew 15. 00:01:41.680 --> 00:01:46.560 I'd encourage you if you're interested in it, look at Ezekiel 37 through 39. 00:01:46.799 --> 00:01:51.439 There's some really interesting players in this game that's happening in the world right now. 00:01:51.760 --> 00:01:56.159 And so as you follow that, for the Christian, we are told this. 00:02:00.159 --> 00:02:05.519 He tells us to look up, for there's a time during this setup where Jesus is drawing nigh. 00:02:05.599 --> 00:02:09.120 And so if you've got heaven to gain, it's a really exciting thing. 00:02:09.680 --> 00:02:15.520 But for those of us that may have family or friends, it is an interesting time to be a Christian. 00:02:15.680 --> 00:02:22.479 And so we take our stand and we have the opportunity to share as people will begin to look for answers. 00:02:22.560 --> 00:02:26.479 But pray and pray against the evil. 00:02:27.280 --> 00:02:29.680 This is a whole different kind of level of evil. 00:02:29.919 --> 00:02:33.199 People, the Hamas group, it means violence in Hebrew. 00:02:33.360 --> 00:02:35.439 You can see it in Genesis 6. 00:02:35.840 --> 00:02:38.560 God was upset at the violence and wickedness of the world. 00:02:38.639 --> 00:02:40.400 That word in Genesis 6 is Hamas. 00:02:41.199 --> 00:02:43.439 And he destroyed the earth because of Hamas. 00:02:44.159 --> 00:02:50.639 And so it's a wicked group that's seeking to get its way over the West Bank. 00:02:50.960 --> 00:02:53.680 And it's been a fight that's been ongoing for years. 00:02:53.840 --> 00:02:59.439 But what we seen the other day was a massive evil done to people. 00:02:59.520 --> 00:03:00.639 So pray for the people. 00:03:00.800 --> 00:03:03.280 There's people being held hostage right now. 00:03:03.520 --> 00:03:08.159 There's civilians that are involved in a conflict that they didn't ask for. 00:03:08.400 --> 00:03:14.479 So we ask for God's peace and we stand with the nation of Israel. 00:03:14.719 --> 00:03:17.120 Again, church, we need not fear. 00:03:17.280 --> 00:03:21.199 We look up and we know that God's hand is over that. 00:03:21.360 --> 00:03:23.360 So be in prayer for that. 00:03:23.520 --> 00:03:30.560 I wanted to share something exciting that you I hoped to have shared last week, but we were just waiting on a few things. 00:03:30.639 --> 00:03:38.719 But as you drove in and you seen the beautiful sight of this campus, you probably saw something really ugly on the way in. 00:03:39.280 --> 00:03:41.360 And that was Bud's Bait Barn. 00:03:42.000 --> 00:03:45.280 The contracts are all signed, the papers are all done. 00:03:45.520 --> 00:03:47.439 We own Bud's Bait Barn. 00:03:49.919 --> 00:03:54.719 And those of you that want to go fishing and looking for bait, I'm sorry, that's not the plans. 00:03:55.039 --> 00:03:58.560 We're looking for a Houdini magic trick on that building soon. 00:03:59.199 --> 00:04:00.879 Vamish, it's gone. 00:04:01.120 --> 00:04:04.240 So we will be able to be seen from Highway 280. 00:04:04.479 --> 00:04:05.280 That's exciting. 00:04:05.360 --> 00:04:06.800 So thank you, those who are involved. 00:04:06.879 --> 00:04:16.079 And I didn't get to tell you this, but no sooner we got it approved through the church and the covet membership, we had a we had some donations come in that covered the entire cost. 00:04:16.319 --> 00:04:17.600 So praise God. 00:04:18.959 --> 00:04:19.600 Amen. 00:04:20.000 --> 00:04:21.439 What a church. 00:04:22.000 --> 00:04:23.759 Daniel chapter 1. 00:04:24.000 --> 00:04:28.480 As we jump in, this first uh chapter of Daniel. 00:04:28.639 --> 00:04:32.959 The title of the message this morning is Conviction over Compromise. 00:04:33.120 --> 00:04:47.120 In chapters 1 through 6 of Daniel, we see the events that follow as Daniel, as Pastor Dave shared, Daniel and his friends were seized, selected, stolen for service to a sinful king in a sinful land. 00:04:48.160 --> 00:04:50.959 Imagine the thoughts that might go through your mind. 00:04:51.199 --> 00:04:58.160 Now, how do Daniel and his friends defy the odds of that situation and make an impact? 00:04:58.319 --> 00:05:07.439 And I hope in these next few weeks that you'll be motivated and encouraged to see the sovereignty of God in a sinful situation. 00:05:07.600 --> 00:05:11.279 And I wanted to find that word for you because it'd be important as we move forward. 00:05:11.439 --> 00:05:15.600 So if you got pen, and I know it's not in your notes that way, but write the word sovereign. 00:05:17.439 --> 00:05:23.360 And the definition is this possessing supreme or ultimate power. 00:05:23.680 --> 00:05:27.040 There is only one sovereign. 00:05:27.839 --> 00:05:40.560 And in an increasingly evil time, hear me, for application today, in an increasingly evil time, you church, we church, can make an impact if we'll be steadfast. 00:05:41.120 --> 00:05:42.319 Pray with me. 00:05:42.639 --> 00:05:48.480 Father, we love you and we thank you for the opportunity to study your word this morning. 00:05:48.639 --> 00:05:52.399 And I pray, God, that you would unpack truths for our hearts. 00:05:53.439 --> 00:06:06.399 Lord, maybe now more than ever before, it is important for Christians to stand on the wall, Lord, to stand at the gate to be, Lord, doorkeepers, to be people who wear their Christianity. 00:06:06.560 --> 00:06:08.720 Lord, help it not to be hidden. 00:06:09.040 --> 00:06:16.720 Lord, I pray that we would have opportunity in the days ahead to share your truth, to be bold, to encourage. 00:06:16.959 --> 00:06:24.240 And God, I pray that you bring many lost people to Christ, many people who have wandered to Christ and use us, God. 00:06:24.879 --> 00:06:28.240 Lord, make our life something that makes an impact for your kingdom. 00:06:28.399 --> 00:06:30.240 We love you in Jesus' name. 00:06:30.560 --> 00:06:31.199 Amen. 00:06:31.600 --> 00:06:34.959 Point number one this morning is the steel and the supremacy. 00:06:35.120 --> 00:06:37.120 Look at verses one through four. 00:06:37.839 --> 00:06:46.240 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 00:06:46.399 --> 00:06:59.199 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim, king of Judah, into his hand with some of the articles of the house of God, which he carried into the land of Shinar, to the house of his God, and he brought the articles into the treasure, house of his God. 00:06:59.519 --> 00:07:24.879 Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king's descendants and some of the nobles, young men in whom there was no blemish, but good looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge, and quick to understand, who had the ability to serve in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans. 00:07:25.040 --> 00:07:25.920 Let's unpack that. 00:07:26.079 --> 00:07:29.920 Letter A, we see this morning is the requirements for the steel. 00:07:30.560 --> 00:07:35.279 They besieged the land, and the king says, This is what I want you to go in and take. 00:07:35.439 --> 00:07:39.360 You need to take some young men that are related to royalty. 00:07:39.680 --> 00:07:42.959 Okay, one of the requirements, related to the bloodline of royalty. 00:07:43.120 --> 00:07:44.720 No blemish should be in them. 00:07:44.800 --> 00:07:50.000 Otherwise, teenagers, they were good looking, combing their hair, brushing their teeth. 00:07:51.279 --> 00:07:51.920 Y'all hear me? 00:07:52.000 --> 00:07:53.040 Deodorant. 00:07:54.160 --> 00:08:05.120 Doesn't say they were skillful workers, it says, willing to work, smart, not lazy, highly presentable. 00:08:05.360 --> 00:08:07.680 And they were to be early teens or younger. 00:08:07.920 --> 00:08:10.079 These young men were spied out. 00:08:10.160 --> 00:08:15.279 They were specifically sent with orders specifically from King Nebuchadnezzar. 00:08:15.360 --> 00:08:16.720 And they were seized. 00:08:16.959 --> 00:08:23.040 Well, God had specific orders also, and I think you're going to see that in his plan of sovereignty throughout this story. 00:08:23.199 --> 00:08:27.120 Nebuchadnezzar had some specifics, but God did as well. 00:08:27.360 --> 00:08:35.279 Maybe it's become background noise, Pastor Dave mentioned, but of monumental importance is this word in verse 1: besiege. 00:08:36.240 --> 00:08:38.080 Four teens were stolen. 00:08:38.320 --> 00:08:41.840 Imagine the headlines if that happened in Chelsea this weekend. 00:08:42.879 --> 00:08:44.159 Four teens were stolen. 00:08:44.240 --> 00:08:45.039 They were captured. 00:08:45.120 --> 00:08:46.639 They were kidnapped. 00:08:46.960 --> 00:08:48.720 They were taken from family. 00:08:48.879 --> 00:08:56.240 And to boot, this is about at least 750, some describe, maybe 900 miles from home. 00:08:56.799 --> 00:09:00.000 They were taken a long journey from home. 00:09:00.320 --> 00:09:08.240 So for us to understand as we begin what the four young men actually overcame brings a deeper perspective for this story. 00:09:08.480 --> 00:09:14.879 So even at the start of Daniel's journey, it's a Herculean effort to make a godly impact. 00:09:15.360 --> 00:09:18.000 Well, what does it say about he and his friends? 00:09:18.159 --> 00:09:23.759 Some of the things that were mentioned there about the requirements were ability and teachability. 00:09:24.000 --> 00:09:31.600 Interesting, that word ability is the Greek word koak, and koak means firm or steadfast. 00:09:32.399 --> 00:09:35.200 I got a text the other day from a gentleman. 00:09:35.440 --> 00:09:44.879 I was asking him about something that would take a commitment, and his response to me was, as of right now, I probably could maybe make it. 00:09:46.879 --> 00:09:49.200 I said, is that three no's? 00:09:49.919 --> 00:09:55.360 As of right now, because tomorrow might change, I probably, which is 50-50, maybe could make it. 00:09:55.519 --> 00:09:57.759 And I thought, well, I don't know what to do with that. 00:09:58.080 --> 00:10:02.799 Have you ever had a sign-up sheet for teenagers going to a youth event, Pastor Joe? 00:10:02.960 --> 00:10:15.759 They write question marks at the end of their name, which means if anything possibly could come up between now and then, I don't want to commit the money, and it's possible that something better could come up, so I'm not going to say yes or no, but question mark, get me a spot. 00:10:17.519 --> 00:10:19.519 This is not steadfast. 00:10:20.240 --> 00:10:20.559 Okay? 00:10:20.879 --> 00:10:24.960 We live in a world that steadfastness is scarce. 00:10:26.080 --> 00:10:30.080 Four teenagers uniquely suited for this calling. 00:10:30.399 --> 00:10:33.840 But make no mistake, they started in hardship. 00:10:34.080 --> 00:10:35.120 They were stolen. 00:10:35.919 --> 00:10:41.759 Church, I want you to know today, Satan uses sinful culture today to seek and to steal. 00:10:42.799 --> 00:10:48.080 The enemy comes to seek and to steal and to kill and to destroy. 00:10:48.639 --> 00:10:54.799 And if he can use culture to steal your child, if he can use popularity to steal your family. 00:10:55.200 --> 00:11:00.720 Whatever it takes to steal, that's the requirements he wants to set out to do so. 00:11:00.879 --> 00:11:10.720 Requirements show out of the gate what man in this study meant for evil in Nebuchadnezzar and his plans, God and his sovereignty meant for good. 00:11:11.039 --> 00:11:13.200 Look at verses five through seven. 00:11:14.399 --> 00:11:28.879 It says this and the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king's delicacies, and of the wine which you drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king. 00:11:29.120 --> 00:11:35.279 Now from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Meshach, and Azariah. 00:11:35.440 --> 00:11:37.679 To them the chief of the eunuchs gave names. 00:11:37.840 --> 00:11:46.240 He gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar, Hananiah, Shadrach, Meshach, Meshach, and Azariah Abendigal. 00:11:46.480 --> 00:11:52.240 The letter B this morning I want you to see the rearrangements, the rearrangements from the shift. 00:11:52.480 --> 00:11:57.759 They were stolen, and now there's a shift of everything that they used to know and do. 00:11:57.919 --> 00:12:02.720 First, they were taken to the land of Chaldee, which is South Babylon. 00:12:02.879 --> 00:12:06.480 Today would be also known as modern-day Iraq. 00:12:06.720 --> 00:12:08.879 Southern Iraq is where they were taken. 00:12:09.039 --> 00:12:11.200 And so they were taken from Jerusalem to this place. 00:12:11.360 --> 00:12:12.879 Then they were taught a new language. 00:12:13.039 --> 00:12:18.720 The language of the Chaldeans was Aramaic, and they would have to convert from their Hebrew language. 00:12:19.039 --> 00:12:30.480 Chaldeans were regarded as highly intelligent people, known for reading, writing, astronomy, astrology, and that included magic and sorcery. 00:12:31.120 --> 00:12:36.960 So we see the goal, the arrangements of King Nebuchadnezzar was to shift them. 00:12:37.120 --> 00:12:41.039 His goal was to brainwash the captives. 00:12:41.279 --> 00:12:44.879 And I want you to know today, it's still the plan of the enemy. 00:12:45.200 --> 00:12:47.759 His plan is to brainwash the captives. 00:12:48.000 --> 00:12:53.200 He uses the high school, he uses modern universities. 00:12:54.240 --> 00:13:00.960 We have these people who seek to indoctrinate young people with the world's wisdom. 00:13:01.120 --> 00:13:10.879 And they want to infiltrate young minds with evolution and postmodernism and atheism and all forms of idolatry and send them out ready for the world. 00:13:11.200 --> 00:13:15.600 Well, Nebuchadnezzar's plan was to make these his minions. 00:13:15.759 --> 00:13:17.679 He wanted them to think how he thought. 00:13:17.840 --> 00:13:19.360 And so they began a process. 00:13:19.440 --> 00:13:26.399 This is three years of trying to teach them the things of Babylon, the things of the Chaldeans. 00:13:26.720 --> 00:13:28.960 Well, so we see some of the things that happened. 00:13:29.120 --> 00:13:32.240 And then the last thing that was mentioned was Daniel. 00:13:32.480 --> 00:13:38.879 They had a new land, they were taught new language, they were taught new teachings, and then they were given name changes. 00:13:39.039 --> 00:13:44.240 I want you to see the name chart so you can understand the differences in names. 00:13:45.679 --> 00:13:49.679 Daniel's name in the Hebrew meant my judge is God. 00:13:50.080 --> 00:13:55.120 His new name, Belteshazah, means Nebo, protect his life, a false God. 00:13:55.360 --> 00:13:57.759 Hananiah, Yahweh, God has shown grace. 00:13:57.919 --> 00:14:00.879 Shadrach, the command of Aku, moon god. 00:14:01.120 --> 00:14:03.519 Meshach, who is like unto God. 00:14:04.240 --> 00:14:06.399 Meshach, who is like unto Aku. 00:14:06.879 --> 00:14:08.879 Azariah, Yahweh, the Lord has helped. 00:14:09.039 --> 00:14:11.919 Abendago, servant of Nego, Nebo. 00:14:12.320 --> 00:14:24.720 And so we see Nebuchadnezzar's plan was to pull everything out of their upbringing, everything out of their biblical background, and replace it with the gods of this world. 00:14:24.960 --> 00:14:26.799 Does this sound familiar? 00:14:28.000 --> 00:14:31.519 Culture today seeks to do this continuously. 00:14:31.679 --> 00:14:35.600 It's an old plan of Satan that has continued throughout the ages. 00:14:36.480 --> 00:14:39.840 And so they were stolen and they took their names. 00:14:40.080 --> 00:14:41.919 Their lives have been rearranged. 00:14:42.080 --> 00:14:44.879 Well, I want you to look down at verse 8. 00:14:45.360 --> 00:14:46.320 It continues. 00:14:47.440 --> 00:14:55.919 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank. 00:14:56.080 --> 00:15:01.120 Therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 00:15:01.279 --> 00:15:02.480 This is interesting. 00:15:03.360 --> 00:15:11.600 So these guys tolerated a new language, tolerated all kinds of astronomy, astrology, weird teachings. 00:15:11.759 --> 00:15:15.440 They tolerated a name change, all kinds of shifts. 00:15:15.840 --> 00:15:17.600 But the king's meet. 00:15:18.480 --> 00:15:19.440 That is it. 00:15:19.919 --> 00:15:22.720 That is where Daniel draws a line in the sand. 00:15:22.799 --> 00:15:24.399 He puts his foot down. 00:15:25.440 --> 00:15:28.080 And for a man like me, this is perplexing. 00:15:29.360 --> 00:15:48.399 Now, I might have been able to deal with some things, but when the king came out with his porter house seasoned and seared, with kingly bacon wrapped around it, and a lump of crab cake on it, and a baked potato with cheese and sour cream and butter on the plate. 00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:51.120 I don't know if I would have threw my foot down at that point. 00:15:51.279 --> 00:15:52.320 Y'all with me? 00:15:53.360 --> 00:15:55.039 That's hard for a man like me to understand. 00:15:55.120 --> 00:15:57.840 I might have had said, Lord, you had to restore me later. 00:16:00.879 --> 00:16:06.159 I went to my brother-in-law's bachelor party at Texas Day Brazil, my first experience. 00:16:06.320 --> 00:16:11.279 If you've never been to a Brazilian steakhouse, it is a godly amazing thing. 00:16:11.919 --> 00:16:14.960 They give you a green light card and a red light. 00:16:15.039 --> 00:16:18.240 And as long as you got the green light card up, I didn't know what I was in. 00:16:18.399 --> 00:16:19.919 Listen, I'm telling you, I was a rookie. 00:16:20.080 --> 00:16:24.960 I went in, and there would be somebody walking around with a hunk of meat on a stick. 00:16:25.039 --> 00:16:30.000 And as long as that green light was on, he'll put you a piece of meat on your plate. 00:16:30.159 --> 00:16:31.279 And so he kept walking. 00:16:31.360 --> 00:16:32.879 He came porter helping. 00:16:33.039 --> 00:16:33.279 Yes. 00:16:33.519 --> 00:16:34.240 Servalon? 00:16:34.399 --> 00:16:34.799 Yeah. 00:16:35.039 --> 00:16:36.159 Palay mignon? 00:16:36.399 --> 00:16:36.960 Yes. 00:16:37.519 --> 00:16:38.399 Prime rib? 00:16:38.480 --> 00:16:38.720 Yes. 00:16:38.799 --> 00:16:40.399 He kept coming lamb chop. 00:16:40.559 --> 00:16:41.039 Yes. 00:16:41.360 --> 00:16:42.960 I even tried the chicken. 00:16:43.120 --> 00:16:43.679 Yes. 00:16:43.840 --> 00:16:44.399 Yes. 00:16:44.559 --> 00:16:45.120 Yes. 00:16:45.360 --> 00:16:47.440 14 pieces of meat later. 00:16:47.600 --> 00:16:50.320 I know that I left that place with a meat high. 00:16:50.480 --> 00:16:52.960 And I'm confessing, I'm sorry, Lord. 00:16:54.080 --> 00:16:54.399 Okay? 00:16:55.360 --> 00:16:56.320 Oh man. 00:16:56.639 --> 00:16:58.879 Isn't eating fun, church? 00:16:59.679 --> 00:17:03.600 Y'all, Darren made some meat the other week for the football team, and I sat down. 00:17:03.759 --> 00:17:06.160 There was a group of ladies sitting there, and I started eating it. 00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:09.359 And I out loud said, praise the Lord. 00:17:10.160 --> 00:17:12.880 I just took a bite, and that's all that I could do. 00:17:13.279 --> 00:17:14.559 It was so good. 00:17:15.519 --> 00:17:16.319 I mean it. 00:17:16.480 --> 00:17:16.960 I love it. 00:17:17.039 --> 00:17:17.599 I love it. 00:17:17.759 --> 00:17:25.119 But listen, you have to be careful about the lore of the king's delicacies. 00:17:26.079 --> 00:17:34.480 The warm glow of life's luxuries assuredly provokes a man to walk a path to which he might not return. 00:17:35.680 --> 00:17:37.839 This may have been the most difficult part. 00:17:38.079 --> 00:17:41.920 Yes, they were stolen, but if you look at, we're gonna look at verse 9 and 10 a second. 00:17:42.079 --> 00:17:45.759 They were stolen, but by all appearances, they were treated well. 00:17:46.400 --> 00:17:48.319 Look at verse 9 and 10. 00:17:49.279 --> 00:18:03.759 Now God had brought Daniel into favor and goodwill the chief of the eunuchs, and the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, I fear my Lord, the king who has appointed your food and drink, for why should he see your faces looking worse than the young man who are your age, then you would endanger my head before the king. 00:18:03.920 --> 00:18:10.880 So Daniel said to the steward, whom the chief of the eunuchs had said over them, please test your servant these ten days. 00:18:11.119 --> 00:18:20.319 But when you read through that, you notice they are besieged, but they're being fed, they're being taught, they're in a new place. 00:18:20.400 --> 00:18:23.119 It's it's not, it doesn't seem like it's prison. 00:18:23.200 --> 00:18:30.720 And so the most difficult part might have been, hear me, to stay take a stand in a sinful place where they're treating you nice. 00:18:32.640 --> 00:18:38.640 Anybody work in a place and you get bonuses and they're real nice to you, but it's evil. 00:18:40.079 --> 00:18:40.799 It's hard. 00:18:40.960 --> 00:18:46.720 The king's delicacies is hard to be faced with when it's given you some life luxuries. 00:18:46.960 --> 00:18:53.039 Because everything in our mind says, but they're but they're loyal to me and they're treating me right. 00:18:53.279 --> 00:19:02.559 I remember some godless friends that I was growing up with at one point in my life, and they were nicer to me than my Christian friends at the time. 00:19:02.640 --> 00:19:05.119 I'm a teenager, so everybody's kind of mean, right? 00:19:05.279 --> 00:19:08.160 And so, but I'm like, these people are loyal to me. 00:19:08.400 --> 00:19:11.759 And they would ask me to do things, and I just barely didn't. 00:19:11.920 --> 00:19:18.640 I remember being asked if I wanted to go out after DJ in a session at the skating rink, and if I wanted to smoke marijuana. 00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:21.359 And this was a good loyal friend. 00:19:21.839 --> 00:19:27.599 I'm like, my loyal friend, and I should I I don't want my loyal friend to stop being my friend. 00:19:27.839 --> 00:19:30.799 But something in me said, No, you can't do that. 00:19:30.960 --> 00:19:32.960 But let me tell you, it was difficult. 00:19:33.839 --> 00:19:38.240 The king's delicacies were a poison that was difficult to deny. 00:19:38.480 --> 00:19:42.720 But Daniel had conviction over compromise. 00:19:42.960 --> 00:19:44.640 It says he purposed. 00:19:44.880 --> 00:19:48.720 The word there is soon, and that means to establish. 00:19:51.680 --> 00:19:55.599 Daniel stood against, but Daniel purposed in his heart. 00:19:55.920 --> 00:19:59.200 That might be the defining phrase in the book of Daniel. 00:19:59.440 --> 00:20:00.720 He purposed in his heart. 00:20:00.799 --> 00:20:02.720 That means to commit. 00:20:03.119 --> 00:20:06.160 Now hear me, commitment doesn't happen in a moment. 00:20:08.319 --> 00:20:17.359 I know that Daniel was approximately 16, 17 years old at the time of this, but I believe he had been committed to his God for quite a time. 00:20:17.440 --> 00:20:20.000 Because commitment doesn't happen in a moment. 00:20:20.400 --> 00:20:24.480 I'm 42 now, and I've been committed to the Lord since I was 17. 00:20:24.720 --> 00:20:30.480 And my purpose in my heart is more committed than it's ever been previously. 00:20:30.960 --> 00:20:36.960 When God took my heart out of camp at 17, I purposed in my heart to live for Him. 00:20:37.039 --> 00:20:38.000 And I haven't went back. 00:20:38.079 --> 00:20:40.400 I've sinned, I've fallen, I've messed up. 00:20:40.720 --> 00:20:45.440 But my path, my commitment stayed certain. 00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:47.759 In my heart, I purposed. 00:20:47.839 --> 00:20:50.880 So I quit certain things and began to see God's face. 00:20:52.880 --> 00:20:55.359 My son recently. 00:20:55.759 --> 00:21:00.880 So from age four till 12, uh, Wyatt played soccer. 00:21:01.279 --> 00:21:02.160 Phenomenal. 00:21:02.400 --> 00:21:05.680 They get mad at me if I talk too much about it because he has sworn off of it. 00:21:05.759 --> 00:21:06.720 It's crazy. 00:21:06.960 --> 00:21:10.160 We spent all these years and very, very good at soccer. 00:21:10.400 --> 00:21:15.279 And uh he just woke up one day unbeknownst to us, and I'm done. 00:21:16.640 --> 00:21:22.480 That year, right before the last season, Heather paid him$100 not to play football. 00:21:22.799 --> 00:21:24.400 Mama didn't want him getting hurt. 00:21:24.480 --> 00:21:26.880 And I told him if he would gain enough weight, he could play. 00:21:27.039 --> 00:21:32.319 You gotta be, you gotta be average weight in eighth grade, and he was climbing that ladder. 00:21:32.559 --> 00:21:36.960 Well, so he didn't play eighth grade, got his hundred dollars, and he continued on. 00:21:37.200 --> 00:21:39.599 And here comes ninth grade football. 00:21:39.839 --> 00:21:41.839 So, all right, we get on the team. 00:21:42.000 --> 00:21:45.279 But really, what he was falling in love with was basketball. 00:21:45.519 --> 00:21:47.839 And I'm like, I don't even understand. 00:21:48.319 --> 00:21:52.079 Nine years of living, we have had zero basketball. 00:21:52.319 --> 00:21:59.519 And so he the first tryout is coming up, and the only basketball experience he's had is the driveway league at W. 00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:01.119 More. 00:22:02.079 --> 00:22:02.559 That's it. 00:22:02.720 --> 00:22:03.839 Him and the goal. 00:22:04.000 --> 00:22:08.480 And so he goes and tries out, and there's a bunch of kids, and he he didn't make that cut. 00:22:08.799 --> 00:22:09.920 Sad and all this. 00:22:10.079 --> 00:22:15.519 And he gets back motivated, he's playing, and they're gonna have another tryout for ninth grade. 00:22:15.599 --> 00:22:18.160 And he's pushing and going and doing everything. 00:22:18.240 --> 00:22:25.039 And he's over here working out with Joe and just all this, and they have the first cut in the spring and make the team. 00:22:25.200 --> 00:22:26.480 I'm like, okay, awesome. 00:22:26.559 --> 00:22:28.079 Basketball's done. 00:22:28.319 --> 00:22:30.480 Maybe we'll go back to soccer. 00:22:30.880 --> 00:22:31.519 Right? 00:22:31.759 --> 00:22:42.000 So football's ongoing, and football, look, I'm gonna tell you this: football does something for the muscles because I mean, you know, he he he tries to push me around and he's getting close. 00:22:42.240 --> 00:22:44.720 He's not there yet, but he's getting close. 00:22:45.039 --> 00:22:47.519 Well, so I thought that was it. 00:22:47.599 --> 00:22:52.640 Well, he got up with Joe, and he's persistent, and they're in here shooting and playing and everything. 00:22:52.720 --> 00:23:01.759 There's one more tryout for the team, and it was this past Thursday, big week at the Wright Household, because why tried out again, and he made the team. 00:23:06.079 --> 00:23:08.880 I learned something because I thought he's gonna give up. 00:23:09.200 --> 00:23:10.640 This is too much. 00:23:10.960 --> 00:23:15.519 But there was a passionate purpose in his heart to do something. 00:23:15.839 --> 00:23:18.240 Passionate and persistent and purpose. 00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:19.680 Listen to me, church. 00:23:19.839 --> 00:23:22.960 The Christian life is to be met with that kind of purpose. 00:23:23.440 --> 00:23:28.240 Nothing in your life should have more passionate pursuit than Jesus Christ. 00:23:28.559 --> 00:23:28.880 Why? 00:23:29.119 --> 00:23:29.519 Listen to me. 00:23:29.680 --> 00:23:32.400 Basketball is great, but Jesus Christ is better. 00:23:32.720 --> 00:23:33.599 Hear me, folks. 00:23:33.759 --> 00:23:36.960 Your job is great, but Jesus is better. 00:23:37.200 --> 00:23:39.920 Your spouse is great, but Jesus is better. 00:23:40.079 --> 00:23:42.799 Your ministry is great, but Jesus is better. 00:23:42.960 --> 00:23:45.440 Your church is great, but Jesus is better. 00:23:45.599 --> 00:23:51.920 And Daniel made up his mind that he would never give up his faith to placate culture. 00:23:52.160 --> 00:23:53.759 He was in a new place. 00:23:54.559 --> 00:23:59.440 Not to get rich, not to be comfortable or popular. 00:23:59.920 --> 00:24:05.599 He said, I learned a language, I'll take the name, but I will not be defiled before my king. 00:24:06.640 --> 00:24:07.920 But why meet? 00:24:08.319 --> 00:24:08.960 It's interesting. 00:24:09.200 --> 00:24:11.519 Turn your Bible to Leviticus for a moment. 00:24:13.440 --> 00:24:20.160 What was it about this that made Daniel throw down his foot, draw a line in the sand? 00:24:20.480 --> 00:24:25.359 Well, point number two this morning is this studied up and stirred up. 00:24:26.960 --> 00:24:31.920 Daniel and his friends would have understood the five books of the Torah. 00:24:32.319 --> 00:24:35.839 Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. 00:24:36.079 --> 00:24:39.039 And Leviticus chapter 11. 00:24:40.480 --> 00:24:50.720 We're going to look at verse 46 and 47, but the heading in my Bible, chapter 11, says, Foods permitted and foods forbidden. 00:24:51.359 --> 00:24:52.400 Verse 46. 00:24:52.559 --> 00:25:07.440 This is the law of the animals and the birds and every living creature that moves in the waters and of every creature that creeps on the earth, to distinguish between the unclean and the clean, and between the animal that may be eaten and the animal that may not be eaten. 00:25:07.759 --> 00:25:11.519 Letter A is this is a scripturally forbidden corruption. 00:25:12.640 --> 00:25:14.240 Now hear me, church. 00:25:14.880 --> 00:25:21.920 We live in a life, and the Bible does not spell every single thing out that happens in life, not every decision. 00:25:22.400 --> 00:25:24.079 1 Corinthians 10 helps us. 00:25:24.160 --> 00:25:28.480 It says, all things are lawful for us, but not all things are expedient. 00:25:29.359 --> 00:25:35.119 God knew that when He created human beings, He created the capacity for sensibility. 00:25:35.680 --> 00:25:36.720 Let me give you an example. 00:25:36.799 --> 00:25:42.640 Nowhere in Scripture does it say, I forbid you to snort cocaine. 00:25:44.160 --> 00:25:45.839 It's natural, Pastor Rick. 00:25:46.000 --> 00:25:47.519 God created this substance. 00:25:48.319 --> 00:25:49.839 Gasoline is natural. 00:25:50.319 --> 00:25:54.720 But I don't suggest you take the hose up, turn it sideways, and get a swig. 00:25:58.559 --> 00:26:00.240 God made us with sense. 00:26:01.279 --> 00:26:03.440 Yet some will choose to be ignorant. 00:26:04.000 --> 00:26:05.519 Why did Daniel stop here? 00:26:05.680 --> 00:26:08.799 Well, there's three explanations that have been given. 00:26:09.440 --> 00:26:10.720 And you make your judgments. 00:26:10.799 --> 00:26:11.599 You can study through this. 00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:16.160 Leviticus rules about eating meat with blood or meat found dead. 00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:16.799 Okay. 00:26:16.960 --> 00:26:18.079 They weren't to do. 00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:26.480 The Babylonians were known in this time for eating pig or horse, which was not in any way accepted by Jewish customs. 00:26:26.720 --> 00:26:27.039 Okay. 00:26:27.279 --> 00:26:31.759 I want you to see back there in Leviticus chapter 22. 00:26:31.839 --> 00:26:32.880 I want you to see something. 00:26:33.680 --> 00:26:36.400 Because it uses these same words that Daniel used. 00:26:36.559 --> 00:26:38.559 Leviticus 22, verse 8. 00:26:44.640 --> 00:26:52.720 It says, whatever dies naturally or is torn by beast, he shall not eat to defile himself. 00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:54.480 The same words that Daniel says. 00:26:56.480 --> 00:27:02.960 So could it be that the Chaldeans were eating what this describes as road kill or animal kill? 00:27:04.960 --> 00:27:06.559 The same words later used. 00:27:06.640 --> 00:27:07.599 I will not defy him. 00:27:07.759 --> 00:27:09.440 So that gives maybe some clarity. 00:27:09.680 --> 00:27:14.960 The second possibility is eating any meat offered or sacrificed to idols. 00:27:15.200 --> 00:27:16.799 It's been big controversy. 00:27:16.880 --> 00:27:23.279 It was even recognized in Paul's day, and there are evidences that point to it being an Old Testament issue. 00:27:24.000 --> 00:27:26.480 The third thing is this, and I thought this was interesting. 00:27:27.279 --> 00:27:35.119 It represents eating the king's meats and delicacies represents accepting the king's friendship and his patronage. 00:27:35.599 --> 00:27:40.000 To share in the king's food is a picture of commitment to a relationship. 00:27:41.119 --> 00:27:44.480 Whichever lean you find, we know this. 00:27:44.640 --> 00:27:46.880 Daniel said, I can't do it. 00:27:47.599 --> 00:27:49.119 I cannot do that. 00:27:49.359 --> 00:27:50.880 The line is here. 00:27:51.039 --> 00:27:53.440 And the word he used is defile. 00:27:53.680 --> 00:27:56.799 That's gawal, meaning to be polluted. 00:27:57.599 --> 00:27:59.119 Gawal, to be polluted. 00:27:59.279 --> 00:28:01.519 Have you ever felt you just did something? 00:28:02.079 --> 00:28:04.559 Did something sinful and you felt it? 00:28:05.039 --> 00:28:06.960 Just sort of felt dirty. 00:28:07.440 --> 00:28:09.119 You ever felt polluted? 00:28:10.960 --> 00:28:32.720 When I worked for the moving company, we had a contract with the government, and there was a set of Section 8 houses who came under some flooding, and we had to move houses from one or apartments from one part of the area to another for staging so that a place like Serpro could come in, clean them up, and then we would move them back. 00:28:32.880 --> 00:28:35.279 Well, the first one I got on, listen to me. 00:28:35.440 --> 00:28:37.440 I didn't know what I was getting myself into. 00:28:37.519 --> 00:28:37.839 Okay. 00:28:38.079 --> 00:28:46.640 But I went down to pick up a couch with a gentleman, and we picked this couch, we moved it over to this place and set it down. 00:28:46.720 --> 00:28:51.279 And I knew that things were itching, but I wasn't quite sure what was happening to me. 00:28:51.440 --> 00:28:57.039 When I dropped the couch down, he's looking at me and laughing, and he said, Man, you look like Santa Claus. 00:28:57.279 --> 00:28:58.000 And I'm like, what? 00:28:58.079 --> 00:29:03.119 I had a white cat hair, beard, and mustache suddenly. 00:29:03.279 --> 00:29:04.960 I had been invaded. 00:29:05.279 --> 00:29:06.960