Dare to Be a Daniel

Daniel 1:1-4

INTRODUCTION: Daniel was a unique man with impeccable character, but all of this was in spite of horrible circumstances. The principles found in Daniel’s life would serve us well in a world constantly trying to conform us to its image.

I. REJECTING THE WORLD’S INFLUENCE (Daniel 1:1-21)

A. The Prime Targets (Daniel 1:3-4)

1. People of influence (Daniel 1:3)
2. People of potential (Daniel 1:4)

B. The Babylonian Plan (Daniel 1:5)

1. A daily provision of the king’s meat and wine
2. For three years

C. The Purpose in Daniel (Daniel 1:8)

1. The place of his purpose—“in his heart”
2. The practice of his purpose—“therefore he requested”

D. The Favour from God (Daniel 1:9-21)

II. DEFEATING THE WORLD’S WISDOM (Daniel 2:1-49)

A. The World’s Need (Daniel 2:1)

B. The World’s Wisdom (Daniel 2:2-13)

1. The appeal to worldly wisdom (Daniel 2:2-9)
2. The inadequacy of worldly wisdom (Daniel 2:10-13)

C. The Wisdom in Daniel (Daniel 2:14-45)

1. Daniel’s plea for mercies (Daniel 2:14-23)
2. Daniel’s testimony before the king (Daniel 2:24-45)

D. The Favour from God (Daniel 2:46-49)

III. REFUSING THE WORLD’S FAVOUR (Daniel 5:1-31)

A. The World’s Pride (Daniel 5:1-4)

B. The World’s Need (Daniel 5:5-9)

1. The writing on the wall (Daniel 5:5)
2. The fear caused (Daniel 5:6)
3. The appeal to worldly wisdom (Daniel 5:7)
4. The inadequacy of worldly wisdom (Daniel 5:8-9)

C. The Wisdom in Daniel (Daniel 5:10-16)

1. The testimony of Daniel with the queen (Daniel 5:10-12)
2. The appeal to Daniel (Daniel 5:13-16)

D. The Stand of Daniel (Daniel 5:17-28)

1. The refusal of man’s favour (Daniel 5:17)
2. The faithful declaration of past truth (Daniel 5:18-21)
3. The faithful declaration of present truth (Daniel 5:22-28)

E. The Favour from God (Daniel 5:29-31)

IV. SHUNNING THE WORLD’S RELIGION (Daniel 6:1-28)

A. The Promotion of Daniel (Daniel 6:1-3)

1. 120 princes were over the kingdom (Daniel 6:1).
2. Three presidents were over the princes (Daniel 6:2).
3. Daniel was preferred above them all (Daniel 6:3).

B. The Hatred of Daniel (Daniel 6:4-5)

1. No occasion could be found against him (Daniel 6:4)
2. Only in the matter of his loyalty to God (Daniel 6:5)

C. The Temptation of Daniel (Daniel 6:6-10)

1. The law against prayer (Daniel 6:6-9)
2. The rebellion of Daniel (Daniel 6:10)

D. The Stand of Daniel (Daniel 6:11-24)

1. They found Daniel praying (Daniel 6:11).
2. They brought Daniel before the king (Daniel 6:12-16).
3. Daniel was cast into the lion’s den (Daniel 6:16-17).
4. Daniel survived the den (Daniel 6:18-24).

E. The Favour from God (Daniel 6:25-28)

CONCLUSION: If you want favour from God, you are going to have to be willing to take some uncomfortable stands in life.