Daniel

The End!

November 28, 2024 • Pastor Chad Thompson • Daniel 12

Bottom line: Rest in the assurance that your hope for now and later is in the God who is totally in control.

There Goes That Man

November 17, 2024 • Pastor Chad Thompson • Daniel 11:36–45

Bottom line: In the tribulation, some will say (regarding the Antichrist), "There goes that man." But in the end of the tribulation, God will says, "Here goes that man into the lake of fire." The last ten verses of Daniel chapter 11 focus on the man that will be known as the Antichrist. We see his characteristics, his military campaigns, and his final collapse.

Immediate / Delay

November 10, 2024 • Pastor Chad Thompson • Daniel 10

Bottom line: Fervency and perseverance are required to wrestle in prayer; although our prayers may be immediately heard, the answers to our prayers may be delayed. The moment Daniel began praying, God heard his prayer and sent an answer. However, the angel that was bringing the answer was delayed by spiritual warfare with a demonic being (the Prince of Persia). If we could look behind the scenes, we would see angels and demons fighting battles. And in some way our prayers are connected to the battle. As Paul wrote, we don't wrestle against flesh and blood. We wrestle against demonic forces. Warfare praying requires exertion. We have to intentionally be fervent and persevering in our prayers. Let's hold fast. God's answer is on the way.

Promises, Prayer, & Prophecy - Part 2

November 3, 2024 • Pastor Chad Thompson

Bottom line: No matter how much we may question or debate the unfolding of time, God is at all times completely in control of time. Daniel's 70 Weeks vision is a very important prophecy. God has purpose and a plan for Israel and this prophecy lays it out. We see six things that God will accomplish for Israel. While much of prophecy has been fulfilled in terms of time, the purpose is yet to be fully realized. At the end of the 70 Weeks of Years, God will accomplish his plans and purposes for Israel. But, in the mean time, we're living in a gap between the 69th and 70th week. We're living in the "church age." God also has a purpose and a plan for the church. "Gap Time" is go time for the church to fulfill the Great Commission.

Promises, Prayer, & Prophecy

October 27, 2024 • Pastor Chad Thompson • Daniel 9:1–23

Bottom line: Our approach to God in prayer is not based on our righteousnesses, but rather it is based on God's mercies. Daniel gives us a beautiful model for prayer. We see his motivation, preparation, confession, supplication, and reception. We also learn two big lessons from Daniel's prayer: 1) pray bold prayers, and 2) never underestimate God's mercy.

Hope In The Midst Of Crisis

October 20, 2024 • Pastor Chad Thompson • Daniel 8

Bottom line: We can have hope in the midst of crisis whether it is personal, national, or global because God is in control. Daniel 8 focuses on the time between the writing of Malachi and the ministry of Jesus. It more specifically speaks to the time of crises brought upon Israel by Antiochus Epiphanes. Daniel receives this vision from God to share with the Jews to encourage them that before things get good in Israel (i.e. the arrival of the King of Chapter 7), things are going to get bad. However, no matter how bad thing may get or how difficult a crisis may be that we face, we have hope because God is in control.

Kingdom Dream - Part 3

October 13, 2024 • Pastor Chad Thompson • Daniel 7:9–14

Bottom line: Hope in the King's future return engenders trust in, obedience to, and worship of the King now! The overarching theme of Daniel 7 ultimately is Jesus' kingship over an eternal kingdom. His kingdom will be characterized by authority, glory, honor, sovereign rule, and eternal duration. Jesus' return is not only the hope of the Jews, it is also the hope of every saint (believer).

Kingdom Dream - Part 2

October 6, 2024 • Pastor Chad Thompson • Daniel 7:19–28

Bottom line: When our confidence is in an unshakable God, our confidence will be unshakable. When we look around the world and see things that seem to be at times spinning out of control, we must remember that God is always in control. God has told us in His Word that prophecy will be fulfilled. Parts of Daniel 7 have already happened and that gives us assurance that the rest of Daniel's vision will come to pass also. There will be a revival of the Roman empire (fourth beast), rise of antichrist (little horn), and return of Jesus to establish His kingdom. Regardless of how the world shakes, God doesn't. This is why we have faith in God. He is never shaken, or wringing His hands, or worried, or pacing the floors. God is sovereignly in control.

Kingdom Dream - Part 1

September 29, 2024 • Pastor Chad Thompson • Daniel 7

Bottom line: Fulfilled prophecy gives us assurance that prophecies yet fulfilled will be fulfilled. Daniel 7 records Daniel's vision of strange beasts and a coming King. Daniel sees four world empires (Babylon, Medo Persia, Greece, and Rome) rise onto the scene in succession. And he ultimately sees the coming Kingdom of Jesus and His coronation as King. Daniel 7 is perhaps the most important chapter in the book. It is what we call a primary reference. That means it contains original prophecy that will be quoted and referenced by others such as Jesus, Paul, and John the Revelator. In this one chapter, God's incredible, unchangeable redemptive plan for human history is laid out.

Before And After The Fire

September 22, 2024 • Pastor Chad Thompson • Daniel 6:1–10

Bottom line: We will be faithful to God before and after the fire when we have faith that God is in control (even in the fire). The story of Daniel and the lions' den teaches us some important lessons about how God is in control not only on the "world stage" but in our individual lives. When our faith is under fire... 1) We can be faithful 2) We witness to those who are watching 3) We can trust God is able to deliver 4) We can trust that God will deliver in His time and way

Time's Up!

September 15, 2024 • Pastor Chad Thompson • Daniel 5:1–12, Daniel 5:25–31

Bottom line: The handwriting is on the wall. The prideful will be abased, and the humble will be exalted. Belshazzar's story teaches us some very important lessons: 1) God's Word is sure 2) God judges "Belshazzar Syndrome" in nations and individuals 3) God weighs hearts

Living The Dream

September 8, 2024 • Pastor Chad Thompson • Daniel 4:1–18

Bottom line: It is infinitely more important that we humble ourselves and live redeemed, than exalt ourselves and "live the dream." Nebuchadnezzar had to be taught a second time the truth that God is in control. He thought he was "living the dream" as he ruled over Babylon. He mused about how majestic he was for very building the kingdom. In the very moment he thought he was "living the dream" God made him depart the palace and live like a domesticated farm animal for 7 years until he learned that it is actually God who is in control and had given the kingdom to Nebuchadnezzar. Once he "lifted his eyes to heaven" and repented, God restored him to his throne. Nebuchadnezzar not only learned the lesson, he believed the truth that God is sovereignly in control. God rules in the kingdom of men and gives it to whomsoever He will.

Premeditated Obedience

September 1, 2024 • Pastor Chad Thompson • Daniel 1:1–18

Bottom line: Premeditated obedience causes us to stand when our faith is under fire. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were given a command by Nebuchadnezzar (law of the land) that directly conflicted with God's law. What did they do? The refused to bow down in worship or bend in submission. They stood when their faith was under fire because they had a premeditated obedience to God. However, as a result of their stand, they faced the consequences of defying the law of the land. And they were willing to do so. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered three questions that we all need to answer now so that we are prepared to stand in the moments to come when our faith is under fire. 1) Who are we going to worship? 2) What will be our authority? 3) Are we willing to pay the price of obedience to God?

The God Who Makes Dreams Come True

August 25, 2024 • Pastor Chad Thompson • Daniel 2:1–23

Bottom line: God is so in control that He can reveal His story before it becomes history. Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that Daniel interpreted for him. Daniel point out that God is totally in control. 1) God writes the story of history. 2) God reveals the story to be written. 3) God rules in the end of the story.

Resolute Faith

August 18, 2024 • Pastor Chad Thompson • Daniel 1

Bottom line: A resolute faith that refuses to compromise will pass through the fire. Our faith, like that of Daniel, will come under fire. The world system is constantly pushing and seeking to assimilate our faith by challenging our beliefs, changing our values, and giving us new identities. But if we are resolved to trust God and refuse to defile our hearts, then our faith will pass through the fire. Daniel chapter 1 teaches us the value of a godly heritage, godly training, and godly courage.

South Union Baptist Church

Faith Under Fire