Daniel: Living As Exiles
Among the Enemies of God
Daniel 4: Genuine Humility & Divine Sovereignty
December 4, 2016 • Isaiah Lewis
There is much to learn from Nebuchadnezzar's pride-induced descent from king, to beast-mode, back to king. In Daniel 4, we see the Most High God eternally, sovereignly, and independently ruling in the kingdom of men. But what does that mean for us?
Daniel 2: A Mountain of Hope
October 30, 2016 • Isaiah Lewis
In a passage that is highly theological, unarguably political, and quintessentially Christological, Daniel makes it clear that it is the wisdom and power of God at work as human kings rise and fall. For the believer in exile, Jesus Christ remains our Mountain of Hope.
Daniel 1: Thriving as Exiles
July 31, 2016 • Isaiah Lewis
- Winner Takes All: One Victorious King and Power Solidified(1:3–5) - When in Babylon: Four Hebrew Teens and Their New Names(1:6–7) - Decision Time: One Determined Youth and His Firm Stance (1:8) - What’s so bad about t the food? - Devotion - Assimilation - Why does Daniel care? - Tactful Disobedience: A Gift-giving God and For Creative Youths (1:8–14) - How is our world unlike Daniels world? - How is our world similar? - If you are a believer, you're an exile awaiting deliverance(1 Peter 1:1, 1 Peter 1:17, 1 Peter 2:1, Philippians 3:20) - We serve the same sovereign God (Malachi 3:6, James 1:17 - Our culture has no expectations of morality (1 Peter 4:3–4) - Engaging in certain activities that our culture expects would demonstrate sinful - How can we thrive as exiles? - If you want to thrive in exile you must hate sin. - If you want to thrive in exile you must help sinful people. "Because God is sovereign you can thrive in exile by by hating sin and by helping sinful people." Lakewood Lessons - Recognize the sovereignty of God in our political climate - Develop a gag reflex toward your own sin - Use the gifts and platforms God has given you for the good of those around you and the glory of God.