MAIN SCRIPTURE:

Daniel 2:1-49

SUMMARY

The book of Daniel is about a God who is sovereignly in control of all of history, even when it seems lost and forgotten. This second chapter reminds the readers that, just as God revealed to Daniel what would happen with the coming kingdoms, He also reveals to us that his everlasting kingdom has entered history and will one day be completely here. This message was meant to give hope to Israel that their bondage in exile would not last forever because God would replace all human kingdoms with His kingdom.

This message should also bring us hope in knowing that despite the persecution and pain we see and experience, God will bring his everlasting kingdom to this earth. In fact, Jesus reminds us that the kingdom of God is already here (Mark 1:14-15), though we understand that it is not completely here. It is here “already” with his first coming and “not yet” with his second coming. Ultimately, we can trust God’s word because in Jesus, he turned defeat into victory by raising Him from the dead. We can join in worship with the Apostle John who saw in a vision, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Messiah, and he will reign forever and ever.” (Rev. 11:15)

QUOTES AND THOUGHTS FROM THE SERMON

“These men didn’t isolate themselves from the kingdom of this world as they waited for God to establish His kingdom. Rather, they poured themselves into seeking the welfare of their temporary home in Babylon.”–J.A. Motyer

“We know God’s kingdom is coming to this world. A kingdom that is imperishable, which no one can take away. It’s why we continue to pursue justice and equity and environmental causes and racial reconciliation. It’s why we seek to eradicate poverty and homelessness and educational discrepancies. And because we know that, but we don’t know when it will come, we work for the good of others; of our neighbors. We seek the welfare of our city, our community, our neighborhood. Regardless of who they are, the life they live, or what they believe.” –Andrés

GROUP QUESTIONS

  1. The sermon theme is, “The God of heaven, who deposes and sets up kings, reveals that in the end he will replace all human kingdoms with his everlasting kingdom.” What in the story confirmed this theme? Where do you struggle believing this?
  2. Do any of your friends or relatives follow the belief that places time, energy, or chance as their ultimate realities? How can you pray for them and respond next time?
  3. Re-read any of the quotes above. What do they tell you about our role as Christians in the world? In our city? In our neighborhood?
  4. Where do you feel God might be calling you to bring “Kingdom seeds” to bear fruit?

CLOSE IN PRAYER

Consider using Psalm 8:3-4 to guide you as you pray.