The Courage to Stand!

Introduction:

Sometimes we don’t care about consequences if they occur further down life’s road. We tend to focus on “right now” and as far as “right now” is concerned – we want what we want. Short sighted thinking says I’ll do this now and deal with the consequences later! Consider Hezekiah. Very godly but shortsighted. See 2 Kings 20. Hezekiah’s words should challenge us & move us to sober reflection.

I. How much do we have in common with Hezekiah?

A. We are surrounded by great wickedness!

1. It takes a lot of ____________/faith to be a godly person today!

B. But what about the future?

II. What do you think of those who are willing to stand up for what is right?

A. Always been a small minority of God’s people who have been willing to stand up – no matter what.

1. Example of someone w/conviction – ____________ – Dan. 1.

B. Are we resolved to stand on our convictions no matter what?

1. How do we do when facing real decisions? Real life?

2. Hard, difficult situations – when dealing with refuse to say “no.”

III. Daniel’s convictions were based on __________ ____________.

A. Dan 1 – Objections to eating the kings food.

1. Why? Ex. 20:3 – God specifically forbid ________________.

a) See also Deut. 17:2-5 – idolatry – a sin = punishable by death!

b) Also told – Deut 14:3 – not to eat any ________________ thing.

B. Our convictions today must be based upon God’s __________.

1. Few people willing to stand up for truth…for what is right.

2. Need to be willing to call sin ________!

IV. How did Daniel stand up?

A. __________, calm, but ___________. Asked that commander of officials not force he & friends to violate conscience.

1. 1:8 – Daniel made up his mind. Note the _____ ____________.

2. Resolve can wane when _______________ strikes….

B. _________ ________ for your principles as a Christian!

C. Daniel’s resolve was the kind that strengthened his _____________:

1. 3:14-18 – Shadrach; Meshac; Abendego – (Babylonian names) faced the fiery furnace.

2. 3:18 – refused to worship the image; the king; etc.

V. Daniel ______________ from his stance with God.

A. 1:9 – gained favor/compassion in the sight of the _____________.

B. 1:17 – They gained “superior knowledge.”

C. We too can benefit from serving God. __________, __________, _________ ___________.

Conclusion:

A. No greater need in the church today than for every member to have courage of convictions based on plain biblical instruction.



The Courage to Stand! Introduction: Sometimes we don’t care about consequences if they occur further down life’s road. We tend to focus on “right now” and as far as “right now” is concerned – we want what we want. Short sighted thinking says I’ll do this now and deal with the consequences later! Consider Hezekiah. Very godly but shortsighted. See 2 Kings 20. Hezekiah’s words should challenge us & move us to sober reflection. I. How much do we have in common with Hezekiah? A. We are surrounded by great wickedness! 1. It takes a lot of ____________/faith to be a godly person today! B. But what about the future? II. What do you think of those who are willing to stand up for what is right? A. Always been a small minority of God’s people who have been willing to stand up – no matter what. 1. Example of someone w/conviction – ____________ – Dan. 1. B. Are we resolved to stand on our convictions no matter what? 1. How do we do when facing real decisions? Real life? 2. Hard, difficult situations – when dealing with refuse to say “no.” III. Daniel’s convictions were based on __________ ____________. A. Dan 1 – Objections to eating the kings food. 1. Why? Ex. 20:3 – God specifically forbid ________________. a) See also Deut. 17:2-5 – idolatry – a sin = punishable by death! b) Also told – Deut 14:3 – not to eat any ________________ thing. B. Our convictions today must be based upon God’s __________. 1. Few people willing to stand up for truth…for what is right. 2. Need to be willing to call sin ________! IV. How did Daniel stand up? A. __________, calm, but ___________. Asked that commander of officials not force he & friends to violate conscience. 1. 1:8 – Daniel made up his mind. Note the _____ ____________. 2. Resolve can wane when _______________ strikes…. B. _________ ________ for your principles as a Christian! C. Daniel’s resolve was the kind that strengthened his _____________: 1. 3:14-18 – Shadrach; Meshac; Abendego – (Babylonian names) faced the fiery furnace. 2. 3:18 – refused to worship the image; the king; etc. V. Daniel ______________ from his stance with God. A. 1:9 – gained favor/compassion in the sight of the _____________. B. 1:17 – They gained “superior knowledge.” C. We too can benefit from serving God. __________, __________, _________ ___________. Conclusion: A. No greater need in the church today than for every member to have courage of convictions based on plain biblical instruction.