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Drew Mathews Associate Pastor
Drew MathewsAssociate Pastor
“Sovereign Over All”The Book of Daniel
What is the Lesson of Daniel?
What is the Lesson of Daniel?
• God is sovereign
• God is sovereign– God is the main character in the story
What is the Lesson of Daniel?
What is the Lesson of Daniel?“Everyone loves a story and children are first on the list. Children see the world as very small with them in the very center. One of the roles of the Christian parent is to train our children to shift from self-centeredness to others-centeredness and especially God-centeredness. God’s story, as told in his word, is a bigger story. He is the main character and we are his supporting cast. We are privileged to be a part.”
From LCF “Transit” Newsletter, “Parents’ Corner”
• God is sovereign– God is the main character in the story– God is the hero of the story
What is the Lesson of Daniel?
• God is sovereign– God is the main character in the story– God is the hero of the story
Summary Statement: God is sovereign over the past, the present, and the future of people and of nations
What is the Lesson of Daniel?
Daniel Background
Daniel Background• Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar
first took exiles from Judah in 605 B.C.
Daniel Background• Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar
first took exiles from Judah in 605 B.C.
• Daniel and his friends were among the first group of exiles
Daniel Background• Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar
first took exiles from Judah in 605 B.C.
• Daniel and his friends were among the first group of exiles
• Daniel remained in Babylon until 536 B.C.
An Overview of Daniel• Chapters 1-6: stories about Daniel
and his friends living faith-filled lives in a hostile culture; God uses them to reveal himself to foreigners and exalt himself above their gods
An Overview of Daniel• Chapters 1-6: stories about Daniel
and his friends living faith-filled lives in a hostile culture; God uses them to reveal himself to foreigners and exalt himself above their gods
• Chapters 7-12: a series of dreams and visions detailing present and future political situations and the ultimate triumph of the kingdom of the Messiah
God’s Sovereignty
God’s Sovereignty“The sovereignty of God! What do we mean by this expression? To say that God is sovereign is to declare that He is the Most High, doing according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth, so that no one can stay His hand or say unto Him, What doest Thou? (Dan. 4:35). To say that God is sovereign is to declare that He is the Almighty, the Possessor of all power in heaven and earth, so that none can defeat His counsels, thwart His purposes, or resist His will (Ps. 115:3).”
God’s Sovereignty“To say that God is sovereign is to declare that He is ‘The Governor among the nations’ (Ps. 22:28), setting up kingdoms, over throwing empires, and determining the course of dynasties as pleaseth Him best. To say that God is sovereign is to declare that He is the ‘Only Potentate, the Kings of kings, and Lord of lords’ (1 Tim. 6:15). Such is the God of the Bible.”
A. W. Pink, The Sovereignty of God
God’s Sovereignty1. He has the authority to do whatever
he wills with his creation
God’s Sovereignty1. He has the authority to do whatever
he wills with his creation2. He is powerful enough to accomplish
his will
God’s Sovereignty1. He has the authority to do whatever
he wills with his creation2. He is powerful enough to accomplish
his will3. He governs all the details of the
Universe
God’s Sovereignty“When we say that God is sovereign, we affirm His right to govern the universe, which He has made for His own glory, just as He pleases. We affirm that His right is the right of the Potter over the clay, that He may mould that clay into whatsoever form He chooses. . . . We affirm that He is under no rule or law outside His own will and nature, that God is a law unto Himself, and that He is under no obligation to give account of His matters to any.”
A. W. Pink, The Sovereignty of God
God is sovereign over the past, the present, and the future of people and of nations
The Lesson of Daniel
Pray
PrayThe way to tune in to the Sovereign God and support him in what he is doing is, first of all, to pray.
Pray1. Acknowledge God and his attributes in
prayer
Pray1. Acknowledge God and his attributes in
prayer2. Repeat the Gospel repetitively
Pray1. Acknowledge God and his attributes in
prayer2. Repeat the Gospel repetitively3. Focus on God’s fame
Pray1. Acknowledge God and his attributes in
prayer2. Repeat the Gospel repetitively3. Focus on God’s fame“When we ask that God’s name be hallowed, we must then have no consideration for our own benefit but must set before ourselves his glory, to gaze with eyes intent upon this one thing . . . and in the remaining petitions . . to be affected in precisely the same way.”
John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion
• Video here
Pray1. Acknowledge God and his attributes in
prayer2. Repeat the Gospel repetitively3. Focus on God’s fame
