The Courage to Stand!
2004043
Topic # 1121
Introduction:
A. People tend to be selfish & self centered. We’ve always had that tendency.
1. Sometimes we don’t care about the consequences if they occur further down life’s road.
2. We tend to focus on “right now” and as far as “right now” is concerned – we want what we want.
B. Do young people consider heart attack/lung cancer in their 50/60’s when they begin smoking at a young age?
1. Only thing considered is “right now” and need to fit in.
2. Down the road come extreme consequences paid for decisions made at a young age.
C. Does the fornicator ever consider disease? Pregnancy?
D. Short sighted thinking says I’ll do this now and deal with the consequences later!
E. Consider Hezekiah. Very godly man in a difficult time. But:
1. Shortsighted. See 2 Kings 20. Hezekiah became critically ill.
a) Hezekiah tearfully prays that God let him live. God is moved.
b) Isaiah tells him God says he will be allowed to live 15 more years.
c) Hezekiah got what he wanted “right now.”
2. After this, men from Babylon visit Hezekiah Feels important.
3. Isaiah plays visit – 2 Kings 20:11-18
F. Hezekiah’s answer should challenge us & move us to sober reflection.
1. 20:19 – what happened to his sons after he died was not his concern as long as he had peace in his lifetime.
2. Hezekiah – godly – but shortsighted.
I. How much do we have in common with Hezekiah?
A. We are surrounded by great wickedness!
1. It takes a lot of courage/faith to be a godly person today!
2. Like Hezekiah, we want everything to be right now; peace & prosperity for ourselves in our lives right now.
B. But what about the future?
1. Are we demonstrating the resolve now that will allow us to stand strong in the future?
2. Parents: are we leading by example in standing on our convictions?
a) Or are shortsighted decisions compromising our resolve?
3. Young people: are you moving with firm resolve or allowing:
a) Shortsighted decisions compromise your influence?
4. What are we as a congregation going to do? Do we have the resolve NOW to stand firm?
II. What do you think of those who are willing to stand up for what is right?
A. Think highly of Christians who have stood up w/conviction – even when in minority.
B. Always been a small minority of God’s people who have been willing to stand up – no matter what.
1. Cost of losing favor w/God too much despite:
a) Being subjected to mental & emotional persecution. Having people make fun; discount your beliefs as trivial.
b) Even persecuted physically.
2. Example of someone w/conviction – Daniel – Dan. 1.
a) Daniel & friends refused to handle the king’s food and wine.
C. A small thing to those around them – but was a matter they felt important so they would not lose favor w/God.
D. Are we resolved to stand on our convictions no matter what?
1. Conviction defined: a strong belief; the state of being convinced; a strong persuasion.
2. How do we do when facing real decisions? Real life?
3. Hard, difficult situations – where those we’re dealing with refuse to say “no.”
E. Let’s look at the example of Daniel.
III. Daniel’s convictions were based on God’s word.
A. Dan 1 – Objections to eating the kings food.
1. Why? Ex. 20:3 – God specifically forbid idolatry.
a) See also Deut. 17:2-5 – idolatry – a sin = punishable by death!
b) Also told – Deut 14:3 – not to eat any detestable thing.
2. Certainly king’s food not up to God’s standards – pertaining to what was clean/unclean for the Israelites to eat.
B. Main reason for their refusal to eat kings meat: the reason of their rejection of it was, that the heathen at their feasts offered up in sacrifice to their gods a part of the food and the drink, and thus consecrated their meals by a religious rite; whereby not only he who participated in such a meal participated in the worship of idols, but the meat and the wine as a whole were the meat and the wine of an idol sacrifice, (Keil & Delitzsch)
C. The conviction of Daniel; Hanniah; Mishael; Azariah caused them to firmly & politely refuse to partake of that which would involve them recognizing any other God than Jehovah.
D. Likewise, our convictions today must be based upon God’s word.
1. Few people willing to stand up for truth…for what is right.
2. Need to be willing to call sin sin and do what necessary to get rid of it in our lives!
IV. How did Daniel stand up?
A. Politely, calm, but firmly. Asked that commander of officials not force he & friends to violate conscience.
1. Know some who stand up rudely – makes lasting NEGATIVE impression!
2. Can adversely affect non-Christians! Fine line that drawn….
3. Daniel suggested a test: 1:12-15 – whether or not veggies would do the trick or not.
B. 1:8 – Daniel made up his mind.
1. Note the firm resolution. Had already decided the matter fully.
2. We must resolve to
a) Know what is right/wrong in God’s word
b) Do that which is right – at all times!
3. Resolve can wane when temptation strikes….
a) Don’t hide b/h my parents won’t let me.
b) Stand up for your principles as a Christian!
C. Note Daniel obligated himself to obey it.
D. Note also: His resolve was the kind that strengthened his friends:
1. 3:14-18 – Shadrach; Meshac; Abendego – (Babylonian names) faced the fiery furnace.
2. 3:18 – refused to worship the image; the king; etc.
3. No doubt Daniel’s good example strengthened them in the months/years leading up to this incident.
V. Daniel benefited from his stance with God.
A. 1:9 – gained favor/compassion in the sight of the commander.
B. Great/wonderful sight to see Christian young/old refuse to defile themselves by sin.
C. 1:17 – They gained “superior knowledge.”
1. Gain not always in $$$
2. Gave them a superior knowledge/intelligence – superior by 10x to the others
D. We too can benefit from serving God.
1. Reputation
2. Wisdom/common sense.
Conclusion:
A. No greater need in the church today than for every member to have courage of convictions based on plain biblical instruction.
B. Every bible teacher/spiritual leader – must be a person w/the courage of conviction to refuse any sort of defilement.
C. Job 17:9
D. I N V I T A T I O N
