WEBVTT

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 Welcome back to our service this evening as we continue to look at the book of Daniel and especially we're going to see how the crisis, the personal crisis of King Nebuchadnezzar provides an opportunity for God to receive glorious, his greater power and wisdom this evening.

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 And I hope that will encourage us as we think about the crises that we face in our lives.

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 Let me also encourage us from God's word with our call to worship.

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 Jesus speaking to the crowds in Matthew chapter 11.

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 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

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 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

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 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

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 May each one of us come to know true rest from Jesus as we find that our lives are connected to him, that we receive strength and love and grace from him.

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 Now, let's read together from Daniel chapter 2.

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 Now, we're going to read the first 23 verses, but we'll be thinking about the whole chapter together.

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 So here's Daniel chapter 2 at verse 1.

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 In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams.

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 His mind was troubled and he could not sleep.

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 So the king summoned the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers to tell him what he had dreamed.

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 When they came in and stood before the king, he said to them, I have had a dream that troubles me, and I want to know what it means.

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 Then the astrologers answered the king, May the king live forever.

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 Tell your servants the dream and we will interpret it.

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 The king replied to the astrologers, This is what I have firmly decided.

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 If you do not tell me what my dream was and interpret it, I will have you cut into pieces and your houses turned into piles of rubble.

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 But if you tell me the dream and explain it, you will receive from me gifts and rewards and great honour.

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 So tell me the dream and interpret it for me.

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 Once more, they replied, Let the king tell his servants the dream and we will interpret it.

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 Then the king answered, I am certain that you are trying to gain time, because you realise that this is what I have firmly decided.

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 If you do not tell me the dream, there is only one penalty for you.

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 You have conspired to tell me misleading and wicked things, hoping the situation will change.

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 So then, tell me the dream and I will know that you can interpret it for me.

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 The astrologers answered the king, There is no one on earth who can do what the king asks.

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 No king, however great and mighty, has ever asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or astrologer.

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 What the king asks is too difficult.

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 No one can reveal it to the king except the gods.

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 And they do not live among humans.

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 This made the king so angry and furious that he ordered the execution of all the wise men of Babylon.

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 So the decree was issued to put the wise men to death.

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 And men were sent to look for Daniel and his friends to put them to death.

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 When Ariach, the commander of the king's guard, had gone out to put to death the wise men of Babylon,

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 Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and tact.

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 He asked the king's officer, Why did the king issue such a harsh decree?

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 Ariach then explained the matter to Daniel.

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 At this, Daniel went in to the king and asked for time so that he might interpret the dream for him.

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 Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.

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 He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery,

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 so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

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 During the night, the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision.

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 Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said,

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 I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors.

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 You have given me wisdom and power.

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 You have made known to me what we asked of you.

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 You have made known to us the dream of the king.

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 So Daniel chapter 2, we're going to see one king's crisis reveals the true king's glory.

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 And again, I really hope that this encourages us today.

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 Because we stand as a world in need of hope, don't we?

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 We're together in this global crisis.

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 And we really feel especially a sense of concern for those who are seeking to lead us through it.

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 We're praying for wisdom for our politicians and our leaders.

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 But I think too, we probably recognise, especially perhaps in the church,

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 that we need more than simply a timetable for ending lockdown to give us a hope that lasts.

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 We need something bigger than a plan for economic recovery.

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 We need more than simply a return to normal.

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 What we need is a hope that comes from the word of God and the God of the word.

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 For us as Christians, for the people of God, we have great hope.

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 Even in this chapter, we've been reminded that the Lord who sits on the throne of the universe,

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 loves his people, he loves us.

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 That the almighty Lord has not stayed distant from us, rather he has revealed himself to us.

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 And we see him in creation.

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 And we see him in his word.

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 And especially in Jesus, the word who became flesh and made his dwelling among us

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 so that we would see the glory of God in the face of Jesus.

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 And we understand that the Lord is building his church.

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 He is establishing a kingdom that is extensive, that is enduring, that is eternal, that is hope.

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 And we see it all in Daniel chapter 2.

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 So my prayer for you and for me, for all of us this evening,

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 is that we take hope as we behold our God.

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 But we begin with the king's personal crisis in the first 11 verses.

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 Dreams are funny things, aren't they?

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 Some are very vivid, some are just plain bizarre, some are quite unsettling.

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 Some, the first thing when you wake up, you want to share it with somebody else.

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 Others, you're trying to grab hold of the details because you know there was something exciting or interesting

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 you want to share and you can't quite get there.

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 Well, Nebuchadnezzar, he has a forgotten dream.

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 And effectively, he says to his advisors, tell me my dream and what it means and I'll make you rich and give you glory or I'll burn your house down.

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 It's very extreme for a forgotten dream.

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 Why?

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 Well, in his culture, dreams were often regarded as signs pointing towards the future.

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 But for Nebuchadnezzar, he can't remember this dream.

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 He doesn't know whether his future looks good or whether his future looks bad.

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 So he calls in the gurus of verse 2, the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers.

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 So the interesting thing about these guys is that they used dream manuals.

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 So, OK, tell us your dream.

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 Ah, OK.

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 So like 150 years ago, another king, he had a dream that was similar.

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 And if you look at his history, these events happened.

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 So I think the dream means this.

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 That's how it worked for them.

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 But if they get no knowledge, they get no hope.

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 And they're honest about that.

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 Verse 10.

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 There is no one on earth who can do what the king asks.

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 I love verse 11.

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 God's always looking for opportunities to reveal his glory.

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 And don't we see here, verse 11, what the king asks is too difficult.

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 No one can reveal it to the king except the gods and they do not live among the humans.

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 Their experience of the gods, the false gods of Babylon, our gods are distant.

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 Our gods don't speak.

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 Our gods are not going to be able to offer any help.

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 We can't help.

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 So there's no prospect of help.

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 In this crisis, a contest is going to develop.

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 A contest because it's so one-sided.

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 But we're being invited to ask the question, whose wisdom is greater?

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 The wise men or Daniel and the gods of Babylon or the true God

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 that they represent?

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 Whose God is the true God?

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 And chapter 2 of Daniel, the whole story of Daniel, really,

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 and indeed the whole Bible shows,

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 for the one true God, nothing is impossible.

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 The one true God is a God who reveals himself.

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 He speaks.

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 He speaks.

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 He acts.

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 He demonstrates his saving power and grace towards his people.

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 He is available for them.

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 And of course for us, we know that in Jesus he becomes one of us

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 and we see his glory in their most remarkable way.

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 I also find it encouraging to recognise that in God's providence,

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 the crisis of the king becomes a chance for Daniel to do gospel ministry,

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 to speak the truth to King Nebuchadnezzar,

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 and to show where true glory and honour lies,

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 to point to the power and wisdom of the one true God

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 rather than the false gods.

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 God is working.

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 God is always working for his glory.

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 He is still looking to, as it were, lift the roof off,

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 to remind people to look up,

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 to show the limits of the gods that we make

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 compared to the one true God.

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 And so maybe even here there is an encouragement for us

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 in our gospel ministry.

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 No crisis quarantines the gospel.

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 I find it really encouraging this week to read about the church in Iran.

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 So Iran, which is part of where the Babylonian Empire would be,

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 the people who are still around today,

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 and in Iran, the church is persecuted.

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 The church is under attack.

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 It faces a crisis.

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 But they have learned to do effective gospel ministry.

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 They've used technology.

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 So there are many stories of people going on to Facebook

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 and finding Christian groups

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 that they can sensitively connect with

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 and have their questions asked and answered

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 and people coming to faith in Jesus

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 through the internet and through social media.

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 And I think that's an encouragement for us

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 as we think about our ongoing ministry

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 of looking to show our friends, our neighbours, our colleagues

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 the wonder of Jesus.

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 That's the king's personal crisis.

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 And that, of course, then leads us on to Daniel's response.

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 So if you remember, if you were with us last week,

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 Daniel's crisis of conscience,

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 would he eat the king's diet or not?

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 This is a more significant crisis for Daniel

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 in terms of his life or death

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 because Daniel and his three friends

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 are told in verse 13

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 that they are also on the king's death list,

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 part of his royal advisors.

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 So they're all due to be killed.

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 Now, how do we see Daniel's faith in this crisis?

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 Well, first of all, we see that he keeps calm.

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 He goes to speak to Ariah,

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 who's responsible for bringing the message.

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 And then in verse 16,

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 he goes to face the angry king Nebuchadnezzar

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 to ask for more time.

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 And God gives him favour

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 and he gets the chance for more time.

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 And what does he do with his time?

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 And this is what his faith really shines.

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 He prays.

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 He calls his three friends and say,

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 let's pray, let's pray for God's mercy.

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 So verse 18,

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 he urged them to plead for mercy

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 from the God of heaven

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 concerning this mystery

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 so that he and his friends

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 might not be executed

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 with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

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 He's concerned not just for himself,

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 but for everybody else

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 that's part of the death list.

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 But what does he pray for?

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 He prays that the true God

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 would reveal the mystery to Daniel.

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 Daniel.

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 And that night,

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 the answer comes.

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 And again,

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 how does Daniel respond in the morning?

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 In verse 19,

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 we're told that he praised God.

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 When we pray and God answers,

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 we should be thankful.

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 We should pray to him

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 and we should give him thanks.

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 We should praise him.

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 And then Daniel gives us a reminder of that.

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 And as we look at Daniel's prayer,

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 what does he focus on?

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 He praises God

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 because God is on the throne.

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 Because God sits over all history,

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 deposing some kings,

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 raising others up.

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 Because God has wisdom and power.

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 But not only that,

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 this God who has wisdom and power,

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 verse 23,

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 I thank and praise you,

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 God of my ancestors,

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 you have given me wisdom and power.

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 God who makes himself available

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 for the needs of his people.

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 God who gives that wisdom and power to Daniel

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 when he needs it.

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 So again,

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 the crisis is showing really powerfully

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 the true God versus counterfeit gods.

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 And maybe today,

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 you're sitting at home

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 and you realise,

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 do you know,

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 I've been planning

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 and been pursuing goals

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 without really thinking about God.

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 I'm not sure that he would really be

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 the centre of my identity.

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 Perhaps you're thinking,

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 I need more than this.

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 I need more than those foundations

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 that I had built my life on

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 before this crisis.

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 I see that they are weak

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 and God is strong.

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 Well,

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 here is an invitation

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 to turn

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 or return to God

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 through faith in Jesus.

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 To recognise that he is

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 the one who is powerful for you,

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 who will be your strength and weakness.

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 To recognise that he is all wisdom

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 and he can be your wisdom

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 in times of confusion.

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 So turn to him,

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 return to him

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 with all your heart

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 and keep pursuing Jesus

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 who is the wisdom of God,

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 who is the power of God.

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 Read your Bible,

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 pray to enjoy fellowship with him,

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 make him your treasure

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 and delight.

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 Because we have the one true God

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 revealed to us in the Bible

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 and revealed to us in Jesus,

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 the Son.

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 And we need to trust him

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 to have a hope that lasts.

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 After praising God,

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 Daniel then

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 goes to the king's court.

00:16:08.779 --> 00:16:10.659
 So he gives the king his dream

00:16:10.659 --> 00:16:12.439
 and its meaning in verse 25

00:16:12.439 --> 00:16:13.919
 to 45.

00:16:15.299 --> 00:16:16.500
 And what we see here again

00:16:16.500 --> 00:16:17.360
 is more parallels

00:16:17.360 --> 00:16:18.579
 to the story of Joseph.

00:16:20.399 --> 00:16:21.319
 Another king,

00:16:21.500 --> 00:16:21.879
 the Pharaoh,

00:16:22.059 --> 00:16:22.679
 had a dream.

00:16:23.100 --> 00:16:24.259
 Nobody could interpret it

00:16:24.259 --> 00:16:25.159
 except for Joseph.

00:16:25.299 --> 00:16:26.379
 Joseph is brought in,

00:16:27.000 --> 00:16:27.879
 it reveals the dream

00:16:27.879 --> 00:16:28.519
 and he has raised

00:16:28.519 --> 00:16:29.360
 a place of honour.

00:16:30.819 --> 00:16:33.740
 Same story for Daniel.

00:16:34.120 --> 00:16:35.559
 And again also,

00:16:37.439 --> 00:16:39.559
 when the king speaks to Daniel

00:16:39.559 --> 00:16:40.500
 at first and he says,

00:16:40.580 --> 00:16:41.519
 are you able to tell me

00:16:41.519 --> 00:16:42.460
 what I saw in my dream

00:16:42.460 --> 00:16:43.000
 and interpret?

00:16:43.860 --> 00:16:44.639
 Daniel obviously,

00:16:45.100 --> 00:16:45.539
 like Joseph,

00:16:45.659 --> 00:16:46.899
 had the chance to claim

00:16:46.899 --> 00:16:47.860
 some personal glory

00:16:47.860 --> 00:16:48.720
 and honour for himself,

00:16:48.799 --> 00:16:49.559
 but doesn't take it.

00:16:49.620 --> 00:16:49.879
 Rather,

00:16:50.039 --> 00:16:51.179
 he honours God.

00:16:51.179 --> 00:16:52.899
 No wise man,

00:16:53.019 --> 00:16:53.439
 enchanter,

00:16:53.519 --> 00:16:54.439
 magician or diviner

00:16:54.439 --> 00:16:55.659
 can explain to the king

00:16:55.659 --> 00:16:56.179
 the mystery,

00:16:56.859 --> 00:16:57.899
 but there is a God

00:16:57.899 --> 00:16:58.639
 in heaven

00:16:58.639 --> 00:17:00.479
 who reveals mystery.

00:17:01.279 --> 00:17:02.179
 You want revelation?

00:17:02.339 --> 00:17:02.899
 You want wisdom?

00:17:03.539 --> 00:17:04.379
 Don't look to me,

00:17:04.700 --> 00:17:05.259
 Daniel says.

00:17:05.500 --> 00:17:07.159
 Look to my God.

00:17:08.099 --> 00:17:09.419
 There is no contest

00:17:09.419 --> 00:17:10.779
 in this wisdom contest.

00:17:10.940 --> 00:17:11.519
 The true God

00:17:11.519 --> 00:17:12.179
 is the only one

00:17:12.179 --> 00:17:14.179
 who reveals mysteries.

00:17:15.799 --> 00:17:17.200
 And perhaps Nebuchadnezzar

00:17:17.200 --> 00:17:18.099
 was so anxious

00:17:18.099 --> 00:17:19.799
 because he really wanted

00:17:19.799 --> 00:17:21.099
 to hold on to power.

00:17:22.359 --> 00:17:23.759
 Perhaps he was afraid

00:17:23.759 --> 00:17:24.740
 and wondering

00:17:24.740 --> 00:17:26.059
 whether his latest conquest

00:17:26.059 --> 00:17:27.019
 would succeed.

00:17:28.240 --> 00:17:28.819
 And what he needs

00:17:28.819 --> 00:17:29.439
 to understand

00:17:29.439 --> 00:17:30.259
 is that the answer

00:17:30.259 --> 00:17:31.099
 to his anxiety

00:17:31.099 --> 00:17:31.539
 and the answer

00:17:31.539 --> 00:17:32.579
 to all our anxieties

00:17:32.579 --> 00:17:33.659
 is to recognise

00:17:33.659 --> 00:17:34.879
 there is a greater king.

00:17:35.439 --> 00:17:35.980
 There is one

00:17:35.980 --> 00:17:38.019
 far greater than him.

00:17:39.299 --> 00:17:40.699
 Maybe one of the struggles

00:17:40.699 --> 00:17:42.319
 that you have

00:17:42.319 --> 00:17:43.519
 with lockdown

00:17:43.519 --> 00:17:44.240
 is that sense

00:17:44.240 --> 00:17:45.859
 of loss of control

00:17:45.859 --> 00:17:48.099
 where we want

00:17:48.099 --> 00:17:48.959
 to know the plan

00:17:48.959 --> 00:17:49.459
 and we want

00:17:49.459 --> 00:17:50.579
 to know the timetable

00:17:50.579 --> 00:17:51.459
 and we want

00:17:51.459 --> 00:17:52.119
 to know it will

00:17:52.119 --> 00:17:52.759
 be successful

00:17:52.759 --> 00:17:53.439
 because we want

00:17:53.439 --> 00:17:54.519
 to make our own plans

00:17:54.519 --> 00:17:55.839
 and we want

00:17:55.839 --> 00:17:56.859
 to know what our timetable

00:17:56.859 --> 00:17:57.759
 is going to look like

00:17:57.759 --> 00:17:58.659
 and it can be desperately

00:17:58.659 --> 00:18:00.419
 hard to live

00:18:00.419 --> 00:18:01.279
 day by day

00:18:01.279 --> 00:18:02.019
 when every day

00:18:02.019 --> 00:18:02.899
 feels the same

00:18:02.899 --> 00:18:03.339
 and it seems

00:18:03.339 --> 00:18:04.159
 there's no end

00:18:04.159 --> 00:18:04.839
 in sight.

00:18:05.000 --> 00:18:05.119
 Well,

00:18:06.179 --> 00:18:07.119
 one answer to

00:18:07.119 --> 00:18:08.159
 that anxiety

00:18:08.159 --> 00:18:09.199
 is certainly

00:18:09.199 --> 00:18:11.219
 to behold

00:18:11.219 --> 00:18:11.759
 our God.

00:18:11.759 --> 00:18:14.500
 to recognise

00:18:14.500 --> 00:18:16.140
 here is the God

00:18:16.140 --> 00:18:17.059
 who's in control.

00:18:18.220 --> 00:18:19.119
 Here is the God

00:18:19.119 --> 00:18:19.660
 who is working

00:18:19.660 --> 00:18:21.000
 all things for good

00:18:21.000 --> 00:18:22.579
 for those who love him.

00:18:23.379 --> 00:18:24.099
 Here is the God

00:18:24.099 --> 00:18:24.779
 whose love

00:18:24.779 --> 00:18:26.019
 for his people

00:18:26.019 --> 00:18:27.779
 remains constant

00:18:27.779 --> 00:18:30.000
 and in a crisis

00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:30.799
 he has wisdom

00:18:30.799 --> 00:18:31.420
 and power

00:18:31.420 --> 00:18:33.019
 that is for you.

00:18:36.119 --> 00:18:37.420
 Now we get to the dream.

00:18:38.799 --> 00:18:40.379
 Let me read this.

00:18:40.500 --> 00:18:41.559
 We didn't read it earlier.

00:18:41.559 --> 00:18:42.220
 Let me read

00:18:42.220 --> 00:18:42.919
 the dream.

00:18:43.799 --> 00:18:44.559
 Your majesty

00:18:44.559 --> 00:18:45.240
 looked

00:18:45.240 --> 00:18:46.159
 and there before

00:18:46.159 --> 00:18:46.539
 you stood

00:18:46.539 --> 00:18:47.639
 a large statue

00:18:47.639 --> 00:18:48.819
 an enormous

00:18:48.819 --> 00:18:49.899
 dazzling statue

00:18:49.899 --> 00:18:51.059
 awesome in appearance.

00:18:51.179 --> 00:18:51.980
 The head of the statue

00:18:51.980 --> 00:18:53.119
 was made of pure gold

00:18:53.119 --> 00:18:54.179
 its chest

00:18:54.179 --> 00:18:55.059
 and arms of silver

00:18:55.059 --> 00:18:55.599
 its belly

00:18:55.599 --> 00:18:56.599
 and thighs of bronze

00:18:56.599 --> 00:18:57.500
 its legs of iron

00:18:57.500 --> 00:18:58.919
 its feet partly of iron

00:18:58.919 --> 00:19:00.440
 and partly of baked clay.

00:19:01.179 --> 00:19:02.039
 While you were watching

00:19:02.039 --> 00:19:03.319
 a rock was cut out

00:19:03.319 --> 00:19:05.000
 but not by human hands.

00:19:05.519 --> 00:19:06.879
 It struck the statue

00:19:06.879 --> 00:19:07.480
 on its feet

00:19:07.480 --> 00:19:08.500
 of iron and clay

00:19:08.500 --> 00:19:09.379
 and smashed them

00:19:09.379 --> 00:19:10.019
 and then we're told

00:19:10.019 --> 00:19:10.779
 the rock

00:19:10.779 --> 00:19:11.779
 that struck the statue

00:19:11.779 --> 00:19:13.059
 became a huge mountain

00:19:13.059 --> 00:19:14.559
 and filled

00:19:14.559 --> 00:19:16.059
 the whole earth.

00:19:16.139 --> 00:19:17.019
 So there's this statue

00:19:17.019 --> 00:19:17.859
 with four levels

00:19:17.859 --> 00:19:18.680
 and it's top heavy

00:19:18.680 --> 00:19:19.619
 because the top level

00:19:19.619 --> 00:19:20.420
 is made in gold

00:19:20.420 --> 00:19:22.200
 but it doesn't topple

00:19:22.200 --> 00:19:23.639
 in and of itself

00:19:23.639 --> 00:19:25.119
 rather it is smashed

00:19:25.119 --> 00:19:25.859
 by a rock

00:19:25.859 --> 00:19:26.319
 a rock

00:19:26.319 --> 00:19:28.079
 not cut by human hands

00:19:28.079 --> 00:19:28.720
 and that rock

00:19:28.720 --> 00:19:29.259
 then becomes

00:19:29.259 --> 00:19:30.099
 a universal

00:19:30.099 --> 00:19:31.500
 mountain.

00:19:31.660 --> 00:19:32.460
 So what's

00:19:32.460 --> 00:19:33.420
 going on

00:19:33.420 --> 00:19:34.279
 in that dream?

00:19:34.279 --> 00:19:35.279
 well Nebuchadnezzar

00:19:35.279 --> 00:19:35.700
 is told

00:19:35.700 --> 00:19:36.799
 in verse 37

00:19:36.799 --> 00:19:40.440
 that he was

00:19:40.440 --> 00:19:41.420
 the head

00:19:41.420 --> 00:19:42.119
 of gold

00:19:42.119 --> 00:19:43.359
 you are the king

00:19:43.359 --> 00:19:43.720
 of kings

00:19:43.720 --> 00:19:44.720
 the God of heaven

00:19:44.720 --> 00:19:45.899
 has given you

00:19:45.899 --> 00:19:47.019
 a dominion

00:19:47.019 --> 00:19:47.399
 and power

00:19:47.399 --> 00:19:47.839
 and glory

00:19:47.839 --> 00:19:49.299
 God has given it

00:19:49.299 --> 00:19:50.700
 to Nebuchadnezzar

00:19:50.700 --> 00:19:52.000
 but as the dream

00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:52.559
 makes clear

00:19:52.559 --> 00:19:53.920
 that will not last

00:19:53.920 --> 00:19:54.519
 his empire

00:19:54.519 --> 00:19:55.240
 will not last

00:19:55.240 --> 00:19:55.839
 neither will

00:19:55.839 --> 00:19:56.819
 the other empires

00:19:56.819 --> 00:19:58.039
 there is one

00:19:58.039 --> 00:19:59.059
 that will last

00:19:59.059 --> 00:20:01.659
 and that's God's

00:20:01.659 --> 00:20:02.720
 verse 44

00:20:02.720 --> 00:20:04.059
 in the time

00:20:04.059 --> 00:20:04.740
 of those kings

00:20:04.740 --> 00:20:05.599
 the God of heaven

00:20:05.599 --> 00:20:06.679
 will set up a kingdom

00:20:06.679 --> 00:20:07.440
 that will never

00:20:07.440 --> 00:20:08.220
 be destroyed

00:20:08.220 --> 00:20:09.700
 nor will it be left

00:20:09.700 --> 00:20:10.579
 to another people

00:20:10.579 --> 00:20:11.599
 it will crush

00:20:11.599 --> 00:20:12.500
 all those kingdoms

00:20:12.500 --> 00:20:13.119
 and bring them

00:20:13.119 --> 00:20:13.779
 to an end

00:20:13.779 --> 00:20:14.319
 but it will

00:20:14.319 --> 00:20:15.679
 itself endure

00:20:15.679 --> 00:20:16.220
 forever

00:20:16.220 --> 00:20:18.419
 this is the meaning

00:20:18.419 --> 00:20:18.940
 of the vision

00:20:18.940 --> 00:20:19.480
 of the rock

00:20:19.480 --> 00:20:20.379
 cut out of a mountain

00:20:20.379 --> 00:20:21.519
 but not

00:20:21.519 --> 00:20:23.240
 by human hands

00:20:23.240 --> 00:20:24.700
 God will set up

00:20:24.700 --> 00:20:25.159
 his kingdom

00:20:25.159 --> 00:20:25.799
 and that kingdom

00:20:25.799 --> 00:20:26.579
 will never end

00:20:26.579 --> 00:20:27.119
 that kingdom

00:20:27.119 --> 00:20:28.339
 will never be

00:20:28.339 --> 00:20:28.980
 overtaken

00:20:28.980 --> 00:20:29.539
 that kingdom

00:20:29.539 --> 00:20:30.420
 will not be small

00:20:30.420 --> 00:20:31.480
 but will be universal

00:20:31.480 --> 00:20:32.240
 in scope

00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:33.339
 and that kingdom

00:20:33.339 --> 00:20:34.880
 will be built

00:20:34.880 --> 00:20:35.680
 on God's rock

00:20:35.680 --> 00:20:37.299
 and the New Testament

00:20:37.299 --> 00:20:37.920
 picks that up

00:20:37.920 --> 00:20:38.160
 and says

00:20:38.160 --> 00:20:38.819
 the rock

00:20:38.819 --> 00:20:40.160
 is Christ

00:20:40.160 --> 00:20:42.519
 for the exiles

00:20:42.519 --> 00:20:44.339
 in Daniel's generation

00:20:44.339 --> 00:20:45.960
 and for those

00:20:45.960 --> 00:20:46.900
 in later generations

00:20:46.900 --> 00:20:48.059
 who suffer persecution

00:20:48.059 --> 00:20:48.740
 and opposition

00:20:48.740 --> 00:20:49.380
 there is hope

00:20:49.380 --> 00:20:51.240
 this will not last

00:20:51.240 --> 00:20:51.940
 God's king

00:20:51.940 --> 00:20:53.140
 and God's kingdom

00:20:53.140 --> 00:20:53.819
 will

00:20:53.819 --> 00:20:55.380
 the Messiah

00:20:55.380 --> 00:20:56.480
 of the line of David

00:20:56.480 --> 00:20:57.180
 would come

00:20:57.180 --> 00:20:57.960
 as promised

00:20:57.960 --> 00:20:58.759
 and his kingdom

00:20:58.759 --> 00:20:59.619
 would endure

00:20:59.619 --> 00:21:00.460
 so hold on

00:21:00.460 --> 00:21:01.259
 and take heart

00:21:01.259 --> 00:21:02.920
 for the persecuted

00:21:02.920 --> 00:21:03.980
 church in the world

00:21:03.980 --> 00:21:04.839
 today

00:21:04.839 --> 00:21:05.799
 for the persecuted

00:21:05.799 --> 00:21:06.680
 church in the region

00:21:06.680 --> 00:21:07.180
 of Babylon

00:21:07.180 --> 00:21:08.660
 here is hope

00:21:08.660 --> 00:21:10.579
 that to trust

00:21:10.579 --> 00:21:11.200
 in Jesus

00:21:11.200 --> 00:21:12.119
 as God's king

00:21:12.119 --> 00:21:13.640
 is to place

00:21:13.640 --> 00:21:15.259
 our hope

00:21:15.259 --> 00:21:15.819
 and identity

00:21:15.819 --> 00:21:16.359
 and security

00:21:16.359 --> 00:21:17.039
 in a kingdom

00:21:17.039 --> 00:21:17.879
 that is eternal

00:21:17.879 --> 00:21:19.039
 and enduring

00:21:19.039 --> 00:21:20.379
 for you and me

00:21:20.379 --> 00:21:20.759
 today

00:21:20.759 --> 00:21:21.920
 here is living hope

00:21:21.920 --> 00:21:22.660
 because the rock

00:21:22.660 --> 00:21:24.160
 is Christ

00:21:24.160 --> 00:21:26.580
 Jesus came

00:21:26.580 --> 00:21:27.080
 and he preached

00:21:27.080 --> 00:21:27.440
 the kingdom

00:21:27.440 --> 00:21:27.820
 of God

00:21:27.820 --> 00:21:28.140
 is near

00:21:28.140 --> 00:21:28.560
 because he

00:21:28.560 --> 00:21:29.040
 is the king

00:21:29.040 --> 00:21:29.940
 who is drawn near

00:21:29.940 --> 00:21:31.500
 those miracles

00:21:31.500 --> 00:21:32.060
 that we spent

00:21:32.060 --> 00:21:32.680
 so much time

00:21:32.680 --> 00:21:33.700
 focusing on

00:21:33.700 --> 00:21:35.060
 are signs of

00:21:35.060 --> 00:21:36.040
 signpost to

00:21:36.040 --> 00:21:36.560
 the kingdom

00:21:36.560 --> 00:21:37.140
 of glory

00:21:37.140 --> 00:21:38.279
 a kingdom

00:21:38.279 --> 00:21:38.980
 without illness

00:21:38.980 --> 00:21:39.660
 and suffering

00:21:39.660 --> 00:21:40.860
 and death

00:21:40.860 --> 00:21:41.360
 and disease

00:21:41.360 --> 00:21:41.940
 and virus

00:21:41.940 --> 00:21:42.600
 and despair

00:21:42.600 --> 00:21:43.080
 a kingdom

00:21:43.080 --> 00:21:43.880
 marked by love

00:21:43.880 --> 00:21:44.360
 and joy

00:21:44.360 --> 00:21:44.840
 and peace

00:21:44.840 --> 00:21:45.400
 and fellowship

00:21:45.400 --> 00:21:45.920
 with God

00:21:45.920 --> 00:21:46.460
 forever

00:21:46.460 --> 00:21:47.560
 and then there's

00:21:47.560 --> 00:21:48.100
 the promise

00:21:48.100 --> 00:21:48.620
 of Jesus

00:21:48.620 --> 00:21:49.279
 that he would

00:21:49.279 --> 00:21:50.060
 build his church

00:21:50.060 --> 00:21:50.560
 on the gates

00:21:50.560 --> 00:21:51.040
 of hell

00:21:51.039 --> 00:21:51.960
 no opposition

00:21:51.960 --> 00:21:53.759
 no foreign empire

00:21:53.759 --> 00:21:55.259
 would ever be able

00:21:55.259 --> 00:21:55.980
 to destroy

00:21:55.980 --> 00:21:56.839
 that church

00:21:56.839 --> 00:21:58.599
 and that church

00:21:58.599 --> 00:21:59.159
 would be built

00:21:59.159 --> 00:22:00.379
 on his words

00:22:00.379 --> 00:22:02.039
 the gospel message

00:22:02.039 --> 00:22:02.559
 the message

00:22:02.559 --> 00:22:03.379
 that comes from

00:22:03.379 --> 00:22:03.720
 Jesus

00:22:03.720 --> 00:22:04.440
 and that's about

00:22:04.440 --> 00:22:04.839
 Jesus

00:22:04.839 --> 00:22:05.839
 that centres on

00:22:05.839 --> 00:22:06.779
 his death

00:22:06.779 --> 00:22:07.500
 and resurrection

00:22:07.500 --> 00:22:09.500
 is where

00:22:09.500 --> 00:22:10.700
 the foundation

00:22:10.700 --> 00:22:11.759
 of the church

00:22:11.759 --> 00:22:12.779
 the kingdom

00:22:12.779 --> 00:22:13.240
 of God

00:22:13.240 --> 00:22:14.000
 the eternal

00:22:14.000 --> 00:22:14.859
 extensive

00:22:14.859 --> 00:22:15.779
 enduring kingdom

00:22:15.779 --> 00:22:16.759
 is built

00:22:16.759 --> 00:22:18.359
 for you and I

00:22:18.359 --> 00:22:19.159
 when we don't know

00:22:19.159 --> 00:22:20.440
 what institutions

00:22:20.440 --> 00:22:21.759
 in our country

00:22:21.759 --> 00:22:22.420
 will survive

00:22:22.420 --> 00:22:23.100
 what savings

00:22:23.100 --> 00:22:23.720
 will be left

00:22:23.720 --> 00:22:24.360
 in our bank

00:22:24.360 --> 00:22:24.680
 accounts

00:22:24.680 --> 00:22:25.299
 what shape

00:22:25.299 --> 00:22:25.920
 our nation

00:22:25.920 --> 00:22:27.320
 will be in

00:22:27.320 --> 00:22:28.080
 here is

00:22:28.080 --> 00:22:28.880
 encouragement

00:22:28.880 --> 00:22:29.720
 to invest

00:22:29.720 --> 00:22:31.039
 our energy

00:22:31.039 --> 00:22:32.380
 and find

00:22:32.380 --> 00:22:33.480
 our joy

00:22:33.480 --> 00:22:35.320
 in a kingdom

00:22:35.320 --> 00:22:36.000
 that lasts

00:22:36.000 --> 00:22:37.860
 to live as a

00:22:37.860 --> 00:22:38.920
 citizen of heaven

00:22:38.920 --> 00:22:40.080
 even as we seek

00:22:40.080 --> 00:22:40.720
 the welfare

00:22:40.720 --> 00:22:41.880
 of Babylon

00:22:41.880 --> 00:22:42.420
 as we seek

00:22:42.420 --> 00:22:43.000
 the welfare

00:22:43.000 --> 00:22:43.600
 of Edinburgh

00:22:43.600 --> 00:22:44.220
 and Scotland

00:22:44.220 --> 00:22:44.920
 and beyond

00:22:44.920 --> 00:22:46.519
 our hope

00:22:46.519 --> 00:22:47.420
 lies in

00:22:47.420 --> 00:22:48.279
 an eternal

00:22:48.279 --> 00:22:48.980
 enduring

00:22:48.980 --> 00:22:49.759
 extensive

00:22:49.759 --> 00:22:50.440
 kingdom

00:22:50.440 --> 00:22:51.480
 when our

00:22:51.480 --> 00:22:51.700
 hope

00:22:51.700 --> 00:22:52.059
 is in

00:22:52.059 --> 00:22:52.519
 Jesus

00:22:52.519 --> 00:22:53.980
 the eternal

00:22:53.980 --> 00:22:54.779
 son of God

00:22:54.779 --> 00:22:55.740
 our king

00:22:55.740 --> 00:22:57.200
 and our saviour

00:22:57.200 --> 00:22:59.440
 the chapter

00:22:59.440 --> 00:23:00.099
 ends with

00:23:00.099 --> 00:23:00.819
 the king's

00:23:00.819 --> 00:23:02.079
 gratitude

00:23:02.079 --> 00:23:03.200
 it's no surprise

00:23:03.200 --> 00:23:04.019
 really that he's

00:23:04.019 --> 00:23:04.779
 so pleased

00:23:04.779 --> 00:23:05.359
 he discovers

00:23:05.359 --> 00:23:05.879
 that he's the

00:23:05.879 --> 00:23:06.500
 head of gold

00:23:06.500 --> 00:23:07.759
 and he's going

00:23:07.759 --> 00:23:08.039
 to have a

00:23:08.039 --> 00:23:08.619
 secure and

00:23:08.619 --> 00:23:09.559
 glorious empire

00:23:09.559 --> 00:23:10.379
 for his

00:23:10.379 --> 00:23:11.379
 lifetime

00:23:11.379 --> 00:23:12.599
 and what he

00:23:12.599 --> 00:23:13.019
 does

00:23:13.019 --> 00:23:14.599
 verse 46

00:23:14.599 --> 00:23:15.200
 to 49

00:23:15.200 --> 00:23:15.740
 is he

00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:16.660
 praises

00:23:16.660 --> 00:23:17.119
 Daniel

00:23:17.119 --> 00:23:18.299
 and he

00:23:18.299 --> 00:23:18.959
 raises him

00:23:18.959 --> 00:23:19.379
 to a place

00:23:19.379 --> 00:23:19.719
 of honour

00:23:19.719 --> 00:23:20.059
 again

00:23:20.059 --> 00:23:20.679
 just like

00:23:20.679 --> 00:23:20.979
 Pharaoh

00:23:20.979 --> 00:23:21.599
 did with

00:23:21.599 --> 00:23:22.079
 Joseph

00:23:22.079 --> 00:23:22.599
 and what

00:23:22.599 --> 00:23:22.859
 we need

00:23:22.859 --> 00:23:23.259
 to understand

00:23:23.259 --> 00:23:23.619
 is that

00:23:23.619 --> 00:23:23.979
 God is

00:23:23.979 --> 00:23:24.599
 behind all

00:23:24.599 --> 00:23:25.000
 of this

00:23:25.000 --> 00:23:26.939
 God is

00:23:26.939 --> 00:23:27.539
 working

00:23:27.539 --> 00:23:29.059
 so that

00:23:29.059 --> 00:23:29.599
 his glory

00:23:29.599 --> 00:23:29.979
 will be

00:23:29.979 --> 00:23:30.339
 seen

00:23:30.339 --> 00:23:32.379
 even in

00:23:32.379 --> 00:23:33.019
 the suffering

00:23:33.019 --> 00:23:33.939
 of exile

00:23:33.939 --> 00:23:35.339
 God is

00:23:35.339 --> 00:23:35.919
 working so

00:23:35.919 --> 00:23:36.219
 he will

00:23:36.219 --> 00:23:37.099
 have glory

00:23:37.099 --> 00:23:38.919
 among the

00:23:38.919 --> 00:23:39.439
 nations of

00:23:39.439 --> 00:23:39.939
 the world

00:23:39.939 --> 00:23:41.399
 even in

00:23:41.399 --> 00:23:42.119
 this king's

00:23:42.119 --> 00:23:42.579
 personal

00:23:42.579 --> 00:23:43.139
 crisis

00:23:43.140 --> 00:23:43.640
 God is

00:23:43.640 --> 00:23:44.100
 working

00:23:44.100 --> 00:23:44.780
 so that

00:23:44.780 --> 00:23:45.060
 he will

00:23:45.060 --> 00:23:45.340
 have

00:23:45.340 --> 00:23:45.820
 glory

00:23:45.820 --> 00:23:47.240
 God's

00:23:47.240 --> 00:23:47.880
 desire

00:23:47.880 --> 00:23:48.920
 is that

00:23:48.920 --> 00:23:49.400
 he would

00:23:49.400 --> 00:23:50.400
 be glorified

00:23:50.400 --> 00:23:52.480
 we are

00:23:52.480 --> 00:23:53.080
 made

00:23:53.080 --> 00:23:54.160
 to give

00:23:54.160 --> 00:23:54.940
 God glory

00:23:54.940 --> 00:23:55.460
 to live

00:23:55.460 --> 00:23:55.860
 for his

00:23:55.860 --> 00:23:56.220
 glory

00:23:56.220 --> 00:23:57.280
 so we

00:23:57.280 --> 00:23:57.940
 find our

00:23:57.940 --> 00:23:58.840
 great joy

00:23:58.840 --> 00:24:01.080
 when we

00:24:01.080 --> 00:24:01.660
 see

00:24:01.660 --> 00:24:03.080
 and delight

00:24:03.080 --> 00:24:04.140
 in the

00:24:04.140 --> 00:24:04.680
 glory of

00:24:04.680 --> 00:24:05.040
 God

00:24:05.040 --> 00:24:06.320
 and books

00:24:06.320 --> 00:24:06.940
 like Daniel

00:24:06.940 --> 00:24:07.500
 can really

00:24:07.500 --> 00:24:08.460
 help us

00:24:08.460 --> 00:24:09.660
 to see

00:24:09.660 --> 00:24:10.000
 that

00:24:10.000 --> 00:24:11.000
 so that

00:24:11.000 --> 00:24:11.340
 we might

00:24:11.340 --> 00:24:12.320
 praise God

00:24:12.319 --> 00:24:12.740
 just as

00:24:12.740 --> 00:24:13.059
 Daniel

00:24:13.059 --> 00:24:13.319
 did

00:24:13.319 --> 00:24:14.639
 and it's

00:24:14.639 --> 00:24:15.099
 interesting

00:24:15.099 --> 00:24:15.480
 we said

00:24:15.480 --> 00:24:15.759
 this in

00:24:15.759 --> 00:24:16.279
 our overview

00:24:16.279 --> 00:24:16.599
 and we'll

00:24:16.599 --> 00:24:16.859
 see it

00:24:16.859 --> 00:24:17.200
 time and

00:24:17.200 --> 00:24:17.460
 again

00:24:17.460 --> 00:24:18.220
 here is

00:24:18.220 --> 00:24:18.419
 king

00:24:18.419 --> 00:24:19.099
 nebuchadnezzar

00:24:19.099 --> 00:24:19.720
 a pagan

00:24:19.720 --> 00:24:21.679
 king

00:24:21.679 --> 00:24:22.500
 praising

00:24:22.500 --> 00:24:23.139
 Daniel's

00:24:23.139 --> 00:24:23.359
 God

00:24:23.359 --> 00:24:24.359
 verse 47

00:24:24.359 --> 00:24:25.519
 the king

00:24:25.519 --> 00:24:26.019
 said to

00:24:26.019 --> 00:24:26.439
 Daniel

00:24:26.439 --> 00:24:27.859
 surely

00:24:27.859 --> 00:24:28.720
 your God

00:24:28.720 --> 00:24:30.000
 is the

00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:30.539
 God of

00:24:30.539 --> 00:24:31.019
 gods

00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:31.879
 and the

00:24:31.879 --> 00:24:32.460
 Lord of

00:24:32.460 --> 00:24:32.939
 kings

00:24:32.939 --> 00:24:34.019
 and a

00:24:34.019 --> 00:24:34.759
 revealer

00:24:34.759 --> 00:24:35.359
 of

00:24:35.359 --> 00:24:36.000
 mysteries

00:24:36.000 --> 00:24:37.919
 a pagan

00:24:37.919 --> 00:24:38.559
 king is

00:24:38.559 --> 00:24:39.059
 used to

00:24:39.059 --> 00:24:39.539
 speak the

00:24:39.539 --> 00:24:39.740
 truth

00:24:39.740 --> 00:24:40.059
 probably

00:24:40.059 --> 00:24:40.460
 speaking

00:24:40.460 --> 00:24:41.019
 more truth

00:24:41.019 --> 00:24:41.240
 than he

00:24:41.240 --> 00:24:41.939
 realised

00:24:41.940 --> 00:24:44.500
 but here

00:24:44.500 --> 00:24:44.779
 is that

00:24:44.779 --> 00:24:45.140
 reminder

00:24:45.140 --> 00:24:45.500
 in the

00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:46.000
 context

00:24:46.000 --> 00:24:46.340
 of the

00:24:46.340 --> 00:24:46.820
 gods

00:24:46.820 --> 00:24:48.460
 only one

00:24:48.460 --> 00:24:48.740
 God

00:24:48.740 --> 00:24:49.140
 has true

00:24:49.140 --> 00:24:49.580
 and absolute

00:24:49.580 --> 00:24:49.980
 power

00:24:49.980 --> 00:24:51.380
 only one

00:24:51.380 --> 00:24:51.640
 God

00:24:51.640 --> 00:24:52.360
 has wisdom

00:24:52.360 --> 00:24:53.640
 and graciously

00:24:53.640 --> 00:24:54.120
 reveals

00:24:54.120 --> 00:24:55.320
 who is

00:24:55.320 --> 00:24:55.820
 available

00:24:55.820 --> 00:24:56.600
 to us

00:24:56.600 --> 00:24:57.820
 who is

00:24:57.820 --> 00:24:58.480
 strong

00:24:58.480 --> 00:24:59.019
 and mighty

00:24:59.019 --> 00:24:59.740
 to save

00:24:59.740 --> 00:25:02.320
 so this

00:25:02.320 --> 00:25:02.840
 king's

00:25:02.840 --> 00:25:03.340
 crisis

00:25:03.340 --> 00:25:04.100
 in the

00:25:04.100 --> 00:25:04.539
 end of

00:25:04.539 --> 00:25:05.059
 the day

00:25:05.059 --> 00:25:06.660
 led him

00:25:06.660 --> 00:25:07.559
 to praise

00:25:07.559 --> 00:25:09.140
 give glory

00:25:09.140 --> 00:25:09.759
 to the

00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:10.480
 true king

00:25:10.480 --> 00:25:12.539
 may

00:25:12.539 --> 00:25:12.720
 may that

00:25:12.720 --> 00:25:13.299
 be true

00:25:13.299 --> 00:25:14.720
 for us

00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:16.000
 whoever we

00:25:16.000 --> 00:25:16.299
 are and

00:25:16.299 --> 00:25:17.079
 whatever our

00:25:17.079 --> 00:25:17.860
 circumstances

00:25:17.860 --> 00:25:18.539
 however we're

00:25:18.539 --> 00:25:18.960
 finding

00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:19.819
 lockdown

00:25:19.819 --> 00:25:20.220
 may it

00:25:20.220 --> 00:25:20.660
 be true

00:25:20.660 --> 00:25:21.360
 for us

00:25:21.360 --> 00:25:22.700
 that this

00:25:22.700 --> 00:25:23.360
 crisis would

00:25:23.360 --> 00:25:24.220
 lead us

00:25:24.220 --> 00:25:25.220
 to praise

00:25:25.220 --> 00:25:26.099
 to trust

00:25:26.099 --> 00:25:27.000
 to show

00:25:27.000 --> 00:25:27.980
 loyalty and

00:25:27.980 --> 00:25:29.299
 dependence on

00:25:29.299 --> 00:25:31.559
 our God

00:25:31.559 --> 00:25:32.220
 and king

00:25:32.220 --> 00:25:33.660
 on Jesus

00:25:33.660 --> 00:25:34.319
 our king

00:25:34.319 --> 00:25:35.140
 that we

00:25:35.140 --> 00:25:35.700
 would look

00:25:35.700 --> 00:25:36.259
 to him

00:25:36.259 --> 00:25:38.859
 the wisdom

00:25:38.859 --> 00:25:39.400
 of God

00:25:39.400 --> 00:25:40.660
 the power

00:25:40.660 --> 00:25:41.200
 of God

00:25:41.200 --> 00:25:42.920
 that in

00:25:42.920 --> 00:25:43.680
 our weakness

00:25:43.680 --> 00:25:44.759
 with our

00:25:44.759 --> 00:25:45.240
 burdens

00:25:45.240 --> 00:25:46.319
 we would

00:25:46.319 --> 00:25:46.740
 come to

00:25:46.740 --> 00:25:47.000
 him

00:25:47.000 --> 00:25:48.279
 and find

00:25:48.279 --> 00:25:48.799
 rest

00:25:48.799 --> 00:25:50.160
 so that we

00:25:50.160 --> 00:25:50.440
 might

00:25:50.440 --> 00:25:51.640
 just like

00:25:51.640 --> 00:25:52.099
 Daniel

00:25:52.099 --> 00:25:53.799
 give God

00:25:53.799 --> 00:25:54.359
 praise

00:25:54.359 --> 00:25:55.460
 and glory

00:25:55.460 --> 00:26:12.980
 a

00:26:13.480 --> 00:26:14.100
 day

00:26:14.100 --> 00:26:17.720
 he

00:26:17.720 --> 00:26:19.600
 he

00:26:20.400 --> 00:26:20.920
 he

00:26:20.920 --> 00:26:21.400
 he

00:26:21.400 --> 00:26:21.579
 he

00:26:21.579 --> 00:26:22.460
 he

00:26:22.460 --> 00:26:23.019
 he

00:26:23.019 --> 00:26:23.519
 he