Only One Sovereign King Daniel Autonomy Greatest deceit Illusion of autonomy We insist were in control of our own lives Many aspects of life are outside our control What happens to us is not just luck ID: 935686
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Slide1
Daniel 1: 1-21
God is in Control
Only One Sovereign King
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Daniel
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Slide2Autonomy
Greatest deceit: Illusion of autonomyWe insist we’re in control of our own livesMany aspects of life are outside our controlWhat happens to us is not just “luck” “Who is in control?” – central to Book of Daniel
Slide31. God is in Control
Years between 605 – 587 BC were tumultuousSiege in v. 1 probably 601 BCDeportation of some royalty & nobilityAt three key points: “The Lord / God gave …”
Slide41. God is in Control . . .
Also a completely reasonable human explanationJehoiakim defeated by NebuchadnezzarDaniel and his relationship with the chief eunuchDaniel & his 3 companionsSuccessful as students and in their careersChosen for their natural attributesThese attributes were given to them by GodIn every aspect of the story – God is in control
Slide52. There is Human Agency
Real work & effort were required by whole nationsThis calamity came upon Judah because of unfaithfulnessNot every citizen was like thisDaniel & his friends were earnest about their faithfulnessDid not want to ‘defile’ themselves with ‘unclean’ foodsDaniel is sticking his neck outPutting personal indulgence & pleasure on one side
Slide62. There is Human Agency . . .
Daniel & his companions chose faithfulnessThere is human agency in how God works in the worldThese men held to their faith and obedience
Slide73. The Situation was Difficult
They had lived through horrendous war & deprivationThere’s a hint of how godless the Babylonians werev. 2 “The land of Shinar”Place of the building of the Tower of Babel (Gen 11:2)They wanted ”to make a name for themselves” (Gen 11:4)Desire for self-aggrandizement is a sub-plot in Daniel
Slide83. The Situation was Difficult . . .
They were faced with stark choices: faithfulness - or - compromiseTheir faith glorified God and brought others to him
Slide9– LIVING IT –
They are each given a new name:Daniel (God is judge) ~ Belteshazzar “Bel protects life”Hananiah (Yah is gracious) ~ Shadrach “Aku commands/ I fear Aku”
Mishael (Who is God?) ~ Meshach “Who is Aku?”Azariah (Yah has helped) ~ Abednego – Servant of Nego/Nebo/NabuPeople call them by names that honour false gods
Slide10– LIVING IT –
They are from a conquered people – they must choose:Compromise – with affirmation, luxury, good foodFaithfulness – make them stand out, sacrificial choicesWhere do we fall on “compromise – faithfulness” scaleFirm on broad essentials of Christian life?Go make disciples, teaching them to obey everything … (Matt 28:19-20)?Firm in how I live my daily life?Deny self, take up cross, follow Jesus …
(Matt 16:24)