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DOUBLE DARE, Part 1

"Be Different"

April 11, 2021

We are constantly faced with pressure to conform to worldly standards. But as Christians we have a purpose inside of us that helps us to face those outside pressures and to live differently. Join us as we begin this new series in the book of Daniel, DOUBLE DARE: Living Differently in These Troubling Times Part 1: "Be Different" - Daniel 1 Do we dare to be different? Here are four principles that were true for Daniel that are also true for us when it comes to being different. 1. Life happens unexpectedly (Vv. 1-2) - On one hand man is active in history; on the other hand God is also active in history. - Life may happen unexpectedly, but God is not surprised, and He is working supernaturally 2. Culture demands conformity (Vv. 3-7) In these verses we see a four pronged approach as Nebuchadnezzar conforms the people of Israel to his will. - Isolation: Isolate the people. Take them from their homeland to my land. They're away from their family. They're away from their peers. They're away from their priests. They're away from the reading of their law, their Scriptures, the worship of their God. - Indoctrination: Make them forget everything they learned growing up and supplant with new ideas - Concession: Make this experience so amazing that they wouldn't want to go back. - Confusion: Give them new names. Take away the most personal, precious thing they have- their names, their identity. Change their identity. 3. Commitment begins with Conviction (Vv. 8-16) - Commitment begins inwardly. Daniel made a choice deep within himself. There was a fork in the road and he made a choice to be different, to not go along with the crowd, to "not defile himself." - What is defining you? - What are your convictions? - Where are you compromising? 4. God glorifies loyalty (Vv. 17-21) - 2 Chronicles 16:9, “For the eyes of the Lord roam throughout the earth to show himself strong for those who are wholeheartedly devoted to him.” - 3 Ways God honored loyalty: 1.) Reverence (v.9) - Daniel was moved into a position where he found favor, even among his captor. Proverbs 16, "When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him." 2.) Prominence (v.20) - Top of the class. Valuable to the kingdom. 3.) Influence (v. 21) - Over a 70 year period Daniel had influence over four kings. Challenge: Will you be a thermometer, or are you going to be a thermostat? A thermometer just changes with the conditions around it. A thermostat influences change in the conditions around it. Daniel was a thermostat. Double Dare: In what areas do you experience the most pressure to conform to worldly standards? What will you do about it? "I double dare you to be different!" ~ Whit Lewis