Category: Sermons

Daniel: Courage and Conviction – Tom Fisk – Daniel 7:9-18

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“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence.” (Daniel 7:13)

Daniel’s first vision frightened him and has the capacity to frighten us. Despite this, however, it is full of good news and an important message for us.

1. We see a vision of a Heavenly court room. This is a court room that is still in session and has the same God, who still requires and hands down justice. God is merciful but this is a reminder that God is also just.

2. Because of this, we need to inject some urgency into our proclamation of the Good News. We want people to be saved and knowing that God is also judge should encourage us to ensure more of the world avoids that judgement.

3. We have good news and He is coming on the clouds. Jesus has all authority and has taken the ultimate judgement for us. We simply have to follow Him. This is the good news we need to share.

God is a merciful judge but He requires justice. Jesus has provided that, let’s go tell others that that the price is paid, if only they follow Him.

Daniel: Courage and Conviction – Rev Dave Stedman – Daniel 5: Falling Asleep with Lions

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“Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before Him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.” Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.”

(Daniel 6:21-23)

Despite being a foreigner in exile, surrounded by lions of jealousy, intolerance and racism, Daniel is succeeding in every area of life until he is set up by his opponents and finds himself condemned to death in a physical lions’ den for the night. Because Daniel was innocent and trusted in God, angels closed the mouths of the lions and, unlike King Darius who condemned him to the pit, Daniel had a peaceful night. If we want to rise above challenges and opposition, finding strength, having capacity to fall asleep with lions, we should cultivate a better understanding where and to whom we belong, ensure our conscience is clear, maintain a disciplined spiritual life, trust in God and not bear false witness.