Not of the world...

Our pastor Travis has started a new sermon series on the book of Daniel. It has been really amazing so far. The beginning of the book is telling us about how Daniel and his friends are now in Babylon and expected to be part of Babylonian culture. Travis has been teaching about how they were able to be part part of the culture (in the kings court, get a Babylonian education etc.) yet because of their knowledge of God's Word and their desire to serve Him were still able be set apart.

I share my notes from yesterday hoping they will challenge you as they have challenged me.

Daniel 1:17-21

Daniel and his friends were able to remain in but separate from the Babylonian culture. This is very difficult for the current church (especially as Americans).

Our culture tells us that there is no absolute right and wrong.

Our culture tells us that success is more important than godliness.

We are tied to consuming over giving. Our culture creates dissatisfaction in us (advertising, showing us celebrities, telling us to compare ourselves to others) so that we constantly want more than what we have.

So:

How are we to live (action - not just words) trusting the Spirit (like Daniel & friends)?

1. Be people of prayer

When we pray we remind ourselves that we are not adequate and we have to trust someone outside of ourselves. We pray because we need. Lack of prayer in your life is usually a sign of self-reliance.

2. Spend time in the Word

Studying the Word shows us a world that we usually cannot see.

Earthly wisdom will fade away.

Knowledge of God's Word enabled Daniel to discern truth & lies in Babylonian teaching - therefore he was not influenced or swayed by the lies.

3. Practice obedience against earthly wisdom.

This means actually doing the things the Bible commands you to do that the world thinks are crazy (keeping the sabbath, tithing, befriending the weak & powerless, showing kindness, praying for our enemies).

Obedience to the Spirit sometimes goes against common sense (for instance God may be leading you in specific ways not just general ones - to go to the mission field, to give sacrificially, to befriend someone who is weak/powerless, etc.). What is the Spirit leading you to do?

Side note: Usually we do not want to reduce our standard of living enough to have the time and resources to do the work of the kingdom that the Spirit is leading us to do.

Trusting in the Spirits power means trusting the Spirit to give you the power to live the life God wants you to live NOT for living the life you want to live.

Gal. 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.