Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• Last time looked at Chapter 5 - Belshazzar
• He did not respond to God's warnings
• Tonight's story shows someone who did respond to God
• There are three - four themes:
1. Nebuchadnezzar's natural state
2. God at work
3. Daniel and friend's witness
4. Nebuchadnezzar's spiritual state
• This story speaks to us on many levels

Sermon

• Nebuchadnezzar was the most powerful man in the world at this time (1:1)
• A very large kingdom
• Total, absolute power
• Assimilated captives into their society (1:8)
• Daniel probably aged 14, taken from Jerusalem to Babylon
• He purposed in his heart
• Daniel says no graciously (1:10)
• The reaction (1:17)
• God honoured his stand
• The king examines them and finds them 10 times better than any of his own people (1:19-20)
• Troubled by a dream (2:5)
• This shows his character
• This would have affected Daniel and his companions as well as the local advisers
• Daniel asks the king for time (2:16)
• Daniel and his companions pray to God (2:18)
• God answers pray (2:19)
• Daniel thanks God (2:20-23)
• Daniel interprets the dream but gives the glory to God (2:28)
• Be obedient to God and He will show His mightiness
• He sees the power of God (2:45)
• A right fear of God
• Nebuchadnezzar falls prostate before Daniel (2:46)
• He sees something authentic in Daniel's faith (2:47)
• He sees there is something authentic about Daniel's God (2:47)
• Daniel is able to keep keeping on - we must daily go to God
• Chapter 3 - ?God at Work
• Nebuchadnezzar builds a gold statue (3:1ff)
• People have to come and bow down
• Daniel's companions do not bow down (because of grace)
• Nebuchadnezzar is offended and full of fury (3:3,19)
• He is not God
• The natural man thinks he is a god - we worship the god of self
• Secretly we are the most important in our life
• Daniel's companions are respectful
• Daniel's companions testify and give a word in season (3:17-18)
• Nebuchadnezzar heats the furnace seven times hotter
• God delivers Daniel's companions in the furnace (not from the furnace) (3:25)
• God gives us grace in the trial
• Nebuchadnezzar recognises the reality (3:28)
• He acknowledges their authentic faith and that God does deliver
• He acknowledges that they will not serve or worship any god but their God
• Can people say this about us?
• Surely this is where Nebuchadnezzar should get down on his knees and worship God?
• Nebuchadnezzar goes from the sublime to the ridiculous (3:29)
• He still does not understand
• He does not have a personal relationship with God
• Chap 4 -
• Daniel and his companions might have wondered what God was doing
• God was at work
• Chap 4 -
• Nebuchadnezzar has another dream
• He calls on Daniel
• He knows that the Spirit of God is in Daniel (4:18)
• How do we treat unbelievers?
• Do we love them?
• Daniel was astonished and troubled (4:19)
• Daniel loved Nebuchadnezzar (despite his failings) and didn't want to see him harmed
• Jesus loved people - He wept over Jerusalem
• The apostle Paul - would almost forgo his salvation if it would save his friends
• Do we not see our friends converted because we do not love them?
• Daniel speaks bravely to Nebuchadnezzar (4:27)
• God is not willing that any should perish
• God is merciful to Nebuchadnezzar
• A year later not much had changed (4:30)
• Self is on the throne
• God spoke direct to Nebuchadnezzar
• We must never mistake God's kindness for weakness
• What He has warned comes to happen
• He has warned there is a day coming when we must all give an account
• Nebuchadnezzar became mad (4:33)
• Whom God loves He chastises
• God is good - have you experienced this?
• Nebuchadnezzar lifted his eyes to God (4:34)
• Who are we looking at?
• God is dealing directly with him
• God is working on a person as selfish and proud even as Nebuchadnezzar
• Nebuchadnezzar honours God - his Majesty
• There is a right view of God
• God's word came to pass
• "Call on the name of the Lord and you shall be saved"
• Nebuchadnezzar praises God (4:37)
• Isn't this an amazing God we worship

Closing Remarks

• God is able to save anyone
• Can you see God at work?
• Nebuchadnezzar will be in heaven
• There will be people in heaven that we do not expected
• Don't be a Belshazzar but a Nebuchadnezzar
• Come to Jesus Christ yourself