May 8, 2016

Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel

Preacher:
Passage: Daniel 4:1-37
Service Type:

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:

Nebuchadnezzar’s natural state
God at work
Daniel and friend’s witness
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

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