DARE TO BE A DIFFERENT Sunday, November 03, 2002

Daniel 1:1 & various

The Bible is filled with accounts of many godly men and women who are worthy of our attention.

One such person is Daniel, a man who obtained respect and power in his lifetime:

How was Daniel able to reach the position of power and influence without compromising his position as a godly man?

  1. DANIEL WAS A MAN OF PURPOSE
  2. "DANIEL PURPOSED IN HIS HEART...Dan 1:8
  3. As a young boy in a strange land,

a)Daniel was immediately faced with a challenge to violate God's law by eating the king's food.

  1. Despite his youth and the obvious pressures to conform,

a)Daniel "purposed in his heart" to uphold the law of God, no matter the cost.

b)

  1. EVERY CHILD OF GOD NEEDS TO BE A PERSON OF PURPOSE...
  2. No one respects a "wishy-washy" person,

a)someone with no direction in their lives.

  1. A strong sense of purpose breeds respect and admiration in others
  2. What should be the "purpose" of the Christian?

a)Jesus makes it clear in Mt 6:33

(MAT 6:33) "BUT SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD, AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS; AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU."

b)To seek the will of God and fulfill it in our lives, no matter what the circumstances may be.

  1. IT A REAL CHALLENGE TO DARE TO BE DIFFERENT
  1. DANIEL WAS A MAN OF PRINCIPLE
  2. HE REFUSED TO COMPROMISE HIS CONVICTIONS...
  3. As a young man, by refusing to eat the king's meat or drink his wine. Dan 1: 8
  4. Under the threat of persecution, by refusing to obey the decree of Darius. Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

a)principle===What is most important

b)To serve man or God

  1. PEOPLE ADMIRE A PERSON OF PRINCIPLE.
  2. Outwardly they may ridicule them,
  3. But inwardly they wish they had the same thing you got.
  4. When the rubber meet the road they will come to you
  5. God also admires individuals who will stand by their principles, and by their words.
  6. Our society is in great need of people with principle.

a)Those who "dare to be a Different ", and demonstrate by example

b)Being led by "principle" rather than by "price",

But having purpose and principle is not all...

Another element for true success is needed.

What that element is can be seen when we observe that...

  1. DANIEL WAS A MAN OF PURITY
  2. HIS OPPONENTS COULD NOT FIND ANY FAULT...
  3. He was faultless when it came to management of his business affairs.

Daniel 6:1-4 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage. Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the kingthought to set him over the whole realm. Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.

  1. His overall purpose to please God first
  1. THE CHRISTIAN IS ALSO TO MAINTAIN PURITY OF CONDUCT.
  2. Whether young or old.

Titus 2:6-8 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

  1. Daniel was a man of purpose,// principle,// and purity.
  2. But what hold these all together//// he was a man of prayer
  1. DANIEL WAS A MAN OF PRAYER
  2. A GLIMPSE OF HIS "PRAYER LIFE"

Daniel 6:10-11 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.

  1. He knelt in prayer,

a)A demonstration of his humility.

  1. He prayed three times daily,

a)A demonstration of his dependence upon God

  1. He gave thanks in the midst of persecution,

a)A demonstration of his gratitude and the fact that he had not lost sight of God's blessings.

  1. His prayers were a "custom since early days",

a)Demonstrating his persistence and faithfulness in his service to God

(1 TH 5:17-18) "PRAY WITHOUT CEASING. {18} IN EVERY THING GIVE THANKS: FOR THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS CONCERNING YOU."

  1. If our efforts are to live

a)A live of purpose,

b)A life with principles

c)Live pure lives

d)Have a dedicated prayer life.

  1. We are willing to "dare to be a different "

There is a false assumption that to "get ahead" in this world

  1. One must conform to the sinful practices of the world.

How about us tonight? Will we "dare to be a Different

By becoming a person of:

PURPOSE, PRINCIPLE, PURITY, and PRAYER?

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