WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.540 Daniel chapter 6 and we'll read the whole chapter. 00:00:17.059 --> 00:00:23.100 It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, with three administrators 00:00:23.100 --> 00:00:24.800 over them, one of whom was Daniel. 00:00:25.320 --> 00:00:29.660 The satraps were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss. 00:00:30.760 --> 00:00:35.420 Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional 00:00:35.420 --> 00:00:38.539 qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. 00:00:39.679 --> 00:00:43.980 At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against 00:00:43.980 --> 00:00:48.159 Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. 00:00:49.019 --> 00:00:53.140 They could find no corruption in him because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor 00:00:53.140 --> 00:00:53.760 negligent. 00:00:54.640 --> 00:00:59.500 Finally, these men said, we will never find any basis for charges against this man, Daniel, 00:00:59.500 --> 00:01:01.979 unless it has something to do with the law of his God. 00:01:02.700 --> 00:01:07.799 So the administrators and the satraps went as a group to the king and said, O King Darius, 00:01:07.980 --> 00:01:08.519 live forever. 00:01:09.140 --> 00:01:14.200 The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisors and governors have all agreed that 00:01:14.200 --> 00:01:18.680 the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god 00:01:18.680 --> 00:01:23.660 or man during the next thirty days except to you, O King, shall be thrown into the lion's 00:01:23.660 --> 00:01:23.860 den. 00:01:24.680 --> 00:01:30.220 Now, O King, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered in accordance 00:01:30.220 --> 00:01:34.440 with the laws of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be repelled. 00:01:35.160 --> 00:01:37.160 So King Darius put the decree in writing. 00:01:37.159 --> 00:01:42.379 Now, when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs 00:01:42.379 --> 00:01:44.579 room where the windows opened towards Jerusalem. 00:01:45.299 --> 00:01:50.359 Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God just as 00:01:50.359 --> 00:01:51.179 he had done before. 00:01:52.039 --> 00:01:55.659 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. 00:01:56.179 --> 00:01:58.900 So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree. 00:01:58.900 --> 00:02:04.380 Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god 00:02:04.380 --> 00:02:07.860 or man except to you, O King, would be thrown into the lion's den? 00:02:08.379 --> 00:02:13.740 The king answered, The decree stands in accordance with the laws of the Medes and Persians, which 00:02:13.740 --> 00:02:14.780 cannot be repealed. 00:02:15.800 --> 00:02:20.819 Then they said to the king, Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention 00:02:20.819 --> 00:02:23.719 to you, O King, or to the decree you put in writing. 00:02:24.060 --> 00:02:26.040 He still prays three times a day. 00:02:26.039 --> 00:02:29.219 When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed. 00:02:29.759 --> 00:02:34.000 He was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him. 00:02:35.000 --> 00:02:39.519 Then the men went as a group to the king and said to him, Remember, O King, that according 00:02:39.519 --> 00:02:44.560 to the law of the Medes and Persians, no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed. 00:02:45.379 --> 00:02:49.299 So the king gave the order and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lion's den. 00:02:50.099 --> 00:02:54.340 The king said to Daniel, May your God, who you serve continually, rescue you. 00:02:54.340 --> 00:02:59.539 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his 00:02:59.539 --> 00:03:04.400 own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles so that Daniel's situation might not be changed. 00:03:05.140 --> 00:03:09.379 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment 00:03:09.379 --> 00:03:11.699 being brought to him, and he could not sleep. 00:03:12.680 --> 00:03:15.640 At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lion's den. 00:03:16.259 --> 00:03:21.159 When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, Daniel, servant of the 00:03:21.159 --> 00:03:25.840 living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions? 00:03:26.719 --> 00:03:29.280 Daniel answered, O King, live forever. 00:03:29.819 --> 00:03:32.539 My God sent his angel and he shut the mouths of the lions. 00:03:33.099 --> 00:03:37.759 They have not hurt me because I was found innocent in his sight, nor have I ever done any wrong 00:03:37.759 --> 00:03:38.759 before you, O King. 00:03:38.759 --> 00:03:43.139 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. 00:03:43.739 --> 00:03:47.719 And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found in him because he had trusted 00:03:47.719 --> 00:03:48.379 in his God. 00:03:49.419 --> 00:03:53.719 At the king's command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into 00:03:53.719 --> 00:03:56.280 the lion's den along with their wives and children. 00:03:57.399 --> 00:04:01.599 And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their 00:04:01.599 --> 00:04:01.919 bones. 00:04:01.919 --> 00:04:06.839 Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and men of every language throughout 00:04:06.839 --> 00:04:07.280 the land. 00:04:08.000 --> 00:04:09.280 May you prosper greatly. 00:04:10.199 --> 00:04:14.979 Issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom, people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. 00:04:15.500 --> 00:04:17.919 For he is the living God and he endures forever. 00:04:18.439 --> 00:04:19.899 His kingdom will not be destroyed. 00:04:20.139 --> 00:04:21.459 His dominion will never end. 00:04:22.079 --> 00:04:23.399 He rescues and he saves. 00:04:23.539 --> 00:04:26.300 He performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. 00:04:26.800 --> 00:04:29.039 He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions. 00:04:29.040 --> 00:04:33.680 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian. 00:04:41.760 --> 00:04:43.060 Thanks very much, Connor. 00:04:43.220 --> 00:04:47.040 It's a long reading, but great to have it read. 00:04:47.140 --> 00:04:47.939 Thank you for that. 00:04:48.640 --> 00:04:54.900 Well, let's keep our Bibles open at Daniel 6 and we'll see what we can learn from it this 00:04:54.900 --> 00:04:55.240 morning. 00:04:55.240 --> 00:05:00.519 We're going to pray and ask for God's help to us all. 00:05:00.639 --> 00:05:02.980 So let's just pray right now. 00:05:02.980 --> 00:05:03.379 Amen. 00:05:03.379 --> 00:05:27.139 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but 00:05:27.139 --> 00:05:29.540 also to suffer for him. 00:05:29.540 --> 00:05:39.740 Father, as we look at this true story of Daniel, we pray that you will teach us something of 00:05:39.740 --> 00:05:45.580 your amazing salvation, the way in which you rescue. 00:05:45.579 --> 00:05:59.839 But also would you teach us today about how we should live when we face suffering because 00:05:59.839 --> 00:06:01.379 we love you and follow you. 00:06:01.379 --> 00:06:13.000 teach us this morning to live like Daniel lived and that our eyes would be fixed firmly on 00:06:13.000 --> 00:06:20.019 Jesus, the one who did suffer for us so that we could have life. 00:06:20.019 --> 00:06:24.779 So by your Holy Spirit, teach us. 00:06:26.659 --> 00:06:28.039 Speak into our hearts. 00:06:29.799 --> 00:06:32.379 And we ask this in Jesus' name. 00:06:33.579 --> 00:06:34.060 Amen. 00:06:36.899 --> 00:06:40.620 Well, life seems to be on the up for Daniel. 00:06:40.620 --> 00:06:44.560 There's a new power in place. 00:06:45.780 --> 00:06:51.019 Look at chapter 5, verse 30, the last verse of chapter 5. 00:06:51.019 --> 00:06:59.699 That very night, Belshazzar, king of the Babylonians, was slain and Darius the Mede took over the 00:06:59.699 --> 00:07:01.579 kingdom at the age of 62. 00:07:01.579 --> 00:07:03.859 So there's a new power in place. 00:07:04.379 --> 00:07:10.439 And with that has come a new position for Daniel in verse 1 of chapter 6. 00:07:10.579 --> 00:07:18.539 It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the entire kingdom with three administrators 00:07:18.539 --> 00:07:20.979 over them, one of whom was Daniel. 00:07:22.139 --> 00:07:27.099 So a very high position and no doubt with a good salary too. 00:07:27.100 --> 00:07:33.420 But not only has he got a new position, there's also the possibility of promotion, verse 3. 00:07:34.240 --> 00:07:41.340 Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities 00:07:41.340 --> 00:07:46.340 that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. 00:07:47.660 --> 00:07:51.400 So life seems to be on the up for Daniel. 00:07:52.000 --> 00:07:55.240 He's climbing the promotional ladder. 00:07:55.240 --> 00:08:02.600 But in reality, nothing has actually changed because Daniel is still living in Babylon. 00:08:03.560 --> 00:08:10.780 Babylon was the capital city, a place where rulers stood in opposition to God and where 00:08:10.780 --> 00:08:13.819 persecution was a reality for God's people. 00:08:14.460 --> 00:08:20.600 In fact, so fierce was the opposition that the name Babylon throughout the Bible and into 00:08:20.600 --> 00:08:27.100 the New Testament symbolises a place of exile and suffering for God's people. 00:08:27.780 --> 00:08:33.120 So the first letter of Peter in the New Testament, he's writing there to Christians who've been 00:08:33.120 --> 00:08:39.180 persecuted and he signs off that letter by talking about the church, those who are in Babylon. 00:08:39.440 --> 00:08:44.580 It's kind of like a symbol, a sign for those who are facing struggles and suffering. 00:08:44.580 --> 00:08:47.100 And so it is today. 00:08:47.300 --> 00:08:51.520 Christians everywhere live in their own Babylon. 00:08:52.600 --> 00:08:57.940 Some face discrimination, harassment and violence because of their beliefs. 00:08:58.620 --> 00:09:03.620 Others experience various levels of contempt, rejection and hostility. 00:09:03.620 --> 00:09:10.679 And even for us today, where we live and where we work and the colleges that we study in, 00:09:10.679 --> 00:09:16.580 there is pressure to water down or abandon Jesus Christ altogether. 00:09:17.060 --> 00:09:20.139 We all live in our own little Babylon. 00:09:21.600 --> 00:09:23.060 How do we live in it? 00:09:23.740 --> 00:09:24.940 How do we face it? 00:09:25.720 --> 00:09:29.000 Well, there's four things that we're going to learn this morning from Daniel, 00:09:29.000 --> 00:09:33.360 who helps us to live life in our own little Babylon. 00:09:33.860 --> 00:09:35.740 First is this. 00:09:36.200 --> 00:09:40.740 God promises us that we will face opposition. 00:09:40.740 --> 00:09:45.159 If you are a Christian, you will face opposition. 00:09:46.679 --> 00:09:48.679 Daniel was a follower of God. 00:09:49.279 --> 00:09:50.700 He quickly gained recognition. 00:09:50.940 --> 00:09:51.940 He was offered promotion. 00:09:52.440 --> 00:09:55.159 But with it came opposition. 00:09:55.399 --> 00:09:56.279 Look at verse four. 00:09:56.279 --> 00:10:03.600 At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel 00:10:03.600 --> 00:10:09.159 in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. 00:10:09.919 --> 00:10:17.059 Here we have a normal follower of God getting on with living for God where he's been placed. 00:10:17.919 --> 00:10:18.959 He's not corrupt. 00:10:19.740 --> 00:10:21.039 He's not dodging tax. 00:10:21.159 --> 00:10:22.899 He's not making false expenses. 00:10:22.899 --> 00:10:29.740 He's a trustworthy character, never lying and never sneaking off work early. 00:10:30.439 --> 00:10:31.799 He's a man of integrity. 00:10:32.059 --> 00:10:33.199 Look at the rest of verse four. 00:10:33.519 --> 00:10:41.379 They could find no corruption in him because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. 00:10:41.379 --> 00:10:48.039 But faithful living is always going to be met by opposition. 00:10:48.700 --> 00:10:55.860 If people can't find flaws in your character, they are going to find problems with your faith. 00:10:56.360 --> 00:10:57.620 So look at verse five. 00:10:57.620 --> 00:11:04.320 Finally, these men said, after trolling through and trying to find some kind of misconduct with him, 00:11:04.879 --> 00:11:09.360 finally they said, we'll never find any basis of charges against this man, Daniel, 00:11:09.799 --> 00:11:13.940 unless it has something to do with the law of his God, 00:11:14.000 --> 00:11:18.560 unless it's got something to do with his faith, the things that he believes in. 00:11:18.559 --> 00:11:23.039 Everybody knew that Daniel was a follower of God. 00:11:23.119 --> 00:11:23.879 That was obvious. 00:11:24.539 --> 00:11:25.959 He didn't just walk the walk. 00:11:26.119 --> 00:11:27.879 He talked the talk. 00:11:28.819 --> 00:11:32.319 People in the office knew that he didn't gossip about other people. 00:11:33.199 --> 00:11:35.919 He knew that he was a fair and honest kind of guy. 00:11:36.279 --> 00:11:42.639 And in his places of management and authority, well, he treated people fairly and kindly. 00:11:43.539 --> 00:11:46.039 He was the kind of boss you wanted to work under. 00:11:46.039 --> 00:11:50.599 But he was at the same time just an ordinary Christian, 00:11:51.379 --> 00:11:55.679 getting on with life, living for God where he worked, 00:11:56.019 --> 00:11:59.659 similar to where many of you are or where you study, 00:12:00.480 --> 00:12:03.860 being a Christian and getting on with where you work. 00:12:05.419 --> 00:12:10.799 But people can't always tolerate this kind of living out and public faith. 00:12:11.259 --> 00:12:14.939 Your faith is fine if you leave it compartmentalised or leave it at home. 00:12:14.940 --> 00:12:19.560 But once you bring it into the public sphere, then we've got problems. 00:12:21.180 --> 00:12:25.100 And so his work colleagues decided to go to the boss about it all. 00:12:25.180 --> 00:12:25.720 Verse 7. 00:12:25.720 --> 00:12:53.399 They got him right at the heart of where it was going to hurt Daniel. 00:12:53.399 --> 00:12:54.939 He only prayed to God. 00:12:55.019 --> 00:12:56.620 How could he pray to anyone else? 00:12:57.500 --> 00:12:58.279 They got him. 00:12:59.059 --> 00:13:02.059 This was going to get rid of Daniel. 00:13:03.860 --> 00:13:09.120 Of course, what happened to Daniel is what happens to all God's people. 00:13:10.659 --> 00:13:14.199 Christians should never, ever be surprised at opposition. 00:13:14.200 --> 00:13:20.480 Jesus himself warned us of the cost involved if we're to follow him. 00:13:21.360 --> 00:13:24.320 Let me read to you from John's Gospel, chapter 15. 00:13:24.320 --> 00:13:29.220 This is what Jesus said to his disciples. 00:13:29.220 --> 00:13:29.740 He said, 00:13:29.740 --> 00:13:34.520 If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 00:13:35.920 --> 00:13:38.040 Remember the words I spoke to you? 00:13:38.980 --> 00:13:46.000 If they persecuted me, says Jesus, they will persecute you also. 00:13:47.520 --> 00:13:49.240 Opposition is promised. 00:13:49.240 --> 00:13:51.340 We can't avoid it. 00:13:51.960 --> 00:13:54.019 And we can't escape it. 00:13:55.700 --> 00:14:03.919 Do you know every year, over 2,000 Christians across the world are killed for their faith 00:14:03.919 --> 00:14:07.659 because of their public witness for Christ. 00:14:07.659 --> 00:14:15.579 That doesn't include the 50,000 believers who remain in North Korea's labour camps today. 00:14:16.679 --> 00:14:23.019 Or the hundreds of believers in Syria who are trying to escape the violence of ISIS. 00:14:23.019 --> 00:14:35.100 The reality is, 200 million Christians, not just cultural Christians, but those who have dedicated their life to Christ, 00:14:35.500 --> 00:14:44.279 200 million face discrimination, harassment, prison, exclusion from health care, extreme poverty, 00:14:44.279 --> 00:14:53.339 every single day, simply because they have made their loyalty and love for God known to other people. 00:14:54.360 --> 00:14:58.120 That's the reality for the vast majority of those who follow Christ. 00:14:59.500 --> 00:15:01.720 Now we live in a different kind of country. 00:15:02.500 --> 00:15:07.539 We're maybe not going to face the same kind of opposition when you go to college or work tomorrow morning. 00:15:07.539 --> 00:15:18.699 But don't be surprised if you get overlooked in promotion or a new post because you're not going to twist the truth a little bit. 00:15:19.839 --> 00:15:27.539 Don't be surprised if people think you're weird because you've made the decision not to play sport or play a match on a Sunday 00:15:27.539 --> 00:15:29.639 and instead go to church. 00:15:29.639 --> 00:15:38.319 Don't be surprised if you feel left out of the crowd at college because you don't drink copious amounts or sleep with your boyfriend or girlfriend. 00:15:39.939 --> 00:15:48.559 And don't be surprised if you're disliked because of your views on abortion or same-sex marriage. 00:15:50.019 --> 00:15:51.399 Opposition is promised. 00:15:52.620 --> 00:15:55.700 People will not always like you or agree with you. 00:15:55.700 --> 00:15:58.320 We can't escape it. 00:15:59.220 --> 00:16:01.320 And we can't avoid it. 00:16:03.180 --> 00:16:06.879 So God promises us that we will face opposition. 00:16:07.759 --> 00:16:12.080 Second, God calls us to be faithful in opposition. 00:16:12.720 --> 00:16:13.980 He calls us to be faithful. 00:16:14.740 --> 00:16:17.960 Look at how Daniel responds to the opposition, verse 10. 00:16:18.800 --> 00:16:22.280 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, 00:16:22.279 --> 00:16:31.459 He went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened towards Jerusalem. 00:16:32.439 --> 00:16:33.600 Now why would he do that? 00:16:33.639 --> 00:16:35.039 It seems a bit strange. 00:16:35.179 --> 00:16:39.740 What's so special about Jerusalem and kind of praying towards Jerusalem? 00:16:41.299 --> 00:16:45.959 Well, you can have a flick back to 1 Kings chapter 8 if you want. 00:16:45.960 --> 00:16:48.280 If not, just listen. 00:16:48.400 --> 00:16:52.620 1 Kings chapter 8, verse 48. 00:16:52.980 --> 00:16:59.259 Here it's foretelling that God's people were going to end up in exile. 00:16:59.440 --> 00:17:04.740 So this is before the exile has happened, before Daniel has been carted off to a new place. 00:17:05.700 --> 00:17:09.539 And how and what they should do when they find themselves in opposition. 00:17:09.539 --> 00:17:15.059 And we read in verse 48 of 1 Kings chapter 8. 00:17:15.980 --> 00:17:20.240 If they, if that's God's people, turn back to you with all their hearts and soul, 00:17:20.899 --> 00:17:23.659 in the land of their enemies who took them captive, 00:17:24.559 --> 00:17:29.519 and pray to you towards the land you gave their fathers, 00:17:30.399 --> 00:17:32.819 towards the city, that's Jerusalem, 00:17:33.379 --> 00:17:37.159 you have chosen and the temple I have built for your name, 00:17:37.160 --> 00:17:40.440 then from heaven, your dwelling place, 00:17:40.980 --> 00:17:43.759 hear their prayer and their plea, 00:17:44.900 --> 00:17:47.180 and uphold their cause. 00:17:48.779 --> 00:17:53.460 You see, Daniel was doing what every faithful follower of God was commanded to do, 00:17:53.519 --> 00:17:54.420 and that was to pray. 00:17:55.100 --> 00:17:56.140 He knew God's word. 00:17:56.420 --> 00:17:58.240 He knew what 1 Kings had said. 00:17:58.960 --> 00:18:01.880 That when they were in the troubled times and in the difficult times, 00:18:01.960 --> 00:18:03.080 they were to turn to God. 00:18:03.079 --> 00:18:06.099 And this physical act of turning to Jerusalem 00:18:06.099 --> 00:18:11.579 was not some sort of religious act that made his prayers more powerful. 00:18:12.659 --> 00:18:16.500 No, the physical act of looking towards Jerusalem, 00:18:16.899 --> 00:18:19.819 which was a symbol of God's presence and power, 00:18:20.240 --> 00:18:23.119 reflected his complete dependence on God. 00:18:23.460 --> 00:18:27.439 With his eyes, physical eyes, he was looking towards the city. 00:18:27.440 --> 00:18:32.320 But it demonstrated of where his own heart was looking towards. 00:18:32.420 --> 00:18:34.019 It was looking towards God. 00:18:34.320 --> 00:18:35.960 His trust was in God. 00:18:36.880 --> 00:18:40.840 And so his prayer for the people and for himself 00:18:40.840 --> 00:18:46.940 was that God would come and help them to keep trusting God, 00:18:47.039 --> 00:18:48.840 that they wouldn't turn away from God, 00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:53.860 that they would remain faithful and strong in the opposition. 00:18:53.859 --> 00:19:00.399 Now, Daniel's prayer was not some sort of panic prayer. 00:19:00.500 --> 00:19:02.119 We know what panic prayers are like 00:19:02.119 --> 00:19:05.059 when we get ourselves into trouble and in some kind of difficulty. 00:19:05.059 --> 00:19:09.139 We suddenly shoot off an arrow prayer towards God. 00:19:10.139 --> 00:19:11.879 That's not how it was with Daniel. 00:19:12.019 --> 00:19:13.319 Look at the rest of verse 10. 00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:16.039 Chapter 6, it says, 00:19:16.039 --> 00:19:31.960 He had a discipline of prayer. 00:19:32.920 --> 00:19:35.539 His faith was a day-to-day experience. 00:19:35.859 --> 00:19:38.119 He lived it out every single day. 00:19:38.460 --> 00:19:40.799 So when the opposition did come, 00:19:41.039 --> 00:19:42.559 when trouble did come, 00:19:42.559 --> 00:19:46.639 he kept on doing what he had always done before, 00:19:46.779 --> 00:19:48.099 what was always his practice. 00:19:48.379 --> 00:19:49.960 He had a relationship with God. 00:19:50.240 --> 00:19:52.119 And so that relationship continued. 00:19:53.859 --> 00:19:56.159 And I think there's a challenge for us here. 00:19:56.839 --> 00:20:01.200 If we don't have a living faith with God when things are easy, 00:20:02.200 --> 00:20:06.240 then we're not going to have a living faith when things get tough. 00:20:06.240 --> 00:20:08.819 The point is, 00:20:08.920 --> 00:20:11.920 we don't turn to God when opposition comes. 00:20:12.859 --> 00:20:14.240 When opposition comes, 00:20:14.339 --> 00:20:15.660 we run away from God 00:20:15.660 --> 00:20:20.519 if we don't have a strong, vibrant relationship with him. 00:20:21.220 --> 00:20:22.460 That's what happens. 00:20:22.839 --> 00:20:24.460 When the opposition comes, 00:20:24.900 --> 00:20:25.839 people turn away. 00:20:25.940 --> 00:20:26.900 That is, unless 00:20:26.900 --> 00:20:30.279 we have a good relationship 00:20:30.279 --> 00:20:31.880 with our Father in Heaven. 00:20:33.579 --> 00:20:34.779 Not surprisingly, 00:20:34.779 --> 00:20:38.039 Daniel's faithfulness to God 00:20:38.039 --> 00:20:39.440 has been found out. 00:20:39.559 --> 00:20:40.240 Verse 13. 00:20:41.519 --> 00:20:42.539 They've seen him 00:20:42.539 --> 00:20:45.160 and they report it to the king. 00:20:45.299 --> 00:20:45.879 Verse 13. 00:20:45.960 --> 00:20:46.859 They said to the king, 00:20:47.420 --> 00:20:49.819 Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, 00:20:49.940 --> 00:20:51.899 pays no attention to you, O king, 00:20:52.259 --> 00:20:54.440 or to the decree you put in writing. 00:20:55.019 --> 00:20:57.119 He still prays three times a day. 00:20:58.339 --> 00:20:59.960 When the king heard this, 00:21:00.660 --> 00:21:02.299 he was greatly distressed. 00:21:02.299 --> 00:21:07.119 And he was determined to rescue Daniel 00:21:07.119 --> 00:21:12.279 and made every effort until sundown to save him. 00:21:13.279 --> 00:21:16.059 We could imagine the pressure that Daniel was facing. 00:21:17.139 --> 00:21:20.019 The king was, to some extent, on his side. 00:21:21.379 --> 00:21:22.119 Look, Daniel, 00:21:22.359 --> 00:21:24.879 if you just stop praying, 00:21:25.519 --> 00:21:27.879 maybe there's something I can do for you here. 00:21:27.880 --> 00:21:32.580 Daniel, just promise that you won't pray again 00:21:32.580 --> 00:21:34.800 and you'll get that promotion 00:21:34.800 --> 00:21:36.260 that I talked to you about. 00:21:38.240 --> 00:21:41.140 Daniel, if you just leave God out of the picture, 00:21:41.500 --> 00:21:43.160 it's only for 30 days. 00:21:44.020 --> 00:21:46.100 Just park God to one side, 00:21:46.600 --> 00:21:47.460 get on with your life, 00:21:47.580 --> 00:21:48.340 keep your head down, 00:21:48.480 --> 00:21:49.060 keep quiet, 00:21:49.300 --> 00:21:50.640 don't worry about your faith, 00:21:52.020 --> 00:21:53.500 and your life will be saved. 00:21:53.500 --> 00:21:57.660 Isn't that the pressure we face? 00:21:58.680 --> 00:22:01.039 Just do what everybody else does 00:22:01.039 --> 00:22:02.980 and you'll be liked. 00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:07.359 Forget your views on sexuality for the interview, 00:22:07.799 --> 00:22:09.099 you'll get the job. 00:22:10.079 --> 00:22:11.779 Just leave God at home 00:22:11.779 --> 00:22:15.640 and you'll find that life is really okay. 00:22:15.640 --> 00:22:19.440 Just keep silent about your faith. 00:22:20.200 --> 00:22:22.200 Don't bring it into your conversation. 00:22:22.980 --> 00:22:24.360 If you want an easy way, 00:22:24.680 --> 00:22:26.180 if you want to get on with everybody, 00:22:26.440 --> 00:22:27.980 don't say anything. 00:22:28.340 --> 00:22:29.880 It's only going to upset them. 00:22:30.320 --> 00:22:31.120 Keep it quiet. 00:22:34.680 --> 00:22:36.340 Daniel had a living faith. 00:22:37.400 --> 00:22:39.580 It was a day-to-day experience 00:22:39.580 --> 00:22:42.500 that just flowed naturally from his life. 00:22:42.500 --> 00:22:46.460 And so when the pressure of opposition came, 00:22:47.779 --> 00:22:48.579 he was faithful. 00:22:49.819 --> 00:22:51.859 It was his usual practice. 00:22:52.819 --> 00:22:54.720 As it says at the end of verse 10, 00:22:55.259 --> 00:22:59.079 he did it just as he had done before. 00:23:01.440 --> 00:23:03.200 So God calls his people 00:23:03.200 --> 00:23:05.000 to be faithful 00:23:05.000 --> 00:23:07.799 when opposition and struggles come. 00:23:09.200 --> 00:23:10.220 But third, 00:23:10.220 --> 00:23:13.819 God will rescue his people 00:23:13.819 --> 00:23:15.700 in opposition. 00:23:16.660 --> 00:23:18.460 God will rescue his people 00:23:18.460 --> 00:23:19.440 in opposition. 00:23:20.480 --> 00:23:21.620 Daniel's defiance, 00:23:22.039 --> 00:23:22.819 his loyalty, 00:23:23.240 --> 00:23:24.900 and his love towards God 00:23:24.900 --> 00:23:26.640 means only one thing. 00:23:27.720 --> 00:23:28.220 Breakfast 00:23:28.220 --> 00:23:30.240 for the lions. 00:23:31.000 --> 00:23:31.880 Verse 16. 00:23:31.880 --> 00:23:35.200 So the king gave the order 00:23:35.200 --> 00:23:37.860 and they brought Daniel 00:23:37.860 --> 00:23:40.940 and threw him into the lion's den. 00:23:42.340 --> 00:23:43.340 Verse 17. 00:23:43.480 --> 00:23:44.540 A stone was brought 00:23:44.540 --> 00:23:46.300 and placed over the mouth of the den 00:23:46.300 --> 00:23:48.200 and the king sealed it 00:23:48.200 --> 00:23:49.460 with his own signet ring 00:23:49.460 --> 00:23:51.640 and with the rings of his nobles 00:23:51.640 --> 00:23:53.880 so that Daniel's situation 00:23:53.880 --> 00:23:55.880 might not be changed. 00:23:57.540 --> 00:23:59.180 It seems like it's lights out 00:23:59.180 --> 00:24:00.300 for Daniel, doesn't it? 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:03.279 No one ever walked out 00:24:03.279 --> 00:24:04.980 of the lion's den. 00:24:06.579 --> 00:24:07.819 But something 00:24:07.819 --> 00:24:10.039 of Daniel's witness 00:24:10.039 --> 00:24:12.079 has rubbed off 00:24:12.079 --> 00:24:13.720 on this pagan king. 00:24:14.319 --> 00:24:15.700 He's watched Daniel, 00:24:15.960 --> 00:24:17.339 he's listened to Daniel, 00:24:17.899 --> 00:24:18.879 and something 00:24:18.879 --> 00:24:20.799 he's got a hold of. 00:24:21.559 --> 00:24:22.619 Do you see what the king 00:24:22.619 --> 00:24:23.539 said to Daniel 00:24:23.539 --> 00:24:25.200 just before he threw him 00:24:25.200 --> 00:24:26.000 into the lions? 00:24:26.220 --> 00:24:27.379 It comes at the end 00:24:27.380 --> 00:24:28.320 of verse 16. 00:24:29.140 --> 00:24:31.280 The king said to Daniel, 00:24:32.600 --> 00:24:34.060 may your God 00:24:34.060 --> 00:24:35.100 whom you serve 00:24:35.100 --> 00:24:36.040 continually 00:24:36.040 --> 00:24:38.660 rescue you. 00:24:39.920 --> 00:24:40.980 Now I don't think 00:24:40.980 --> 00:24:41.840 this was a 00:24:41.840 --> 00:24:43.020 condescending 00:24:43.020 --> 00:24:43.620 kind of 00:24:43.620 --> 00:24:44.940 good luck wish 00:24:44.940 --> 00:24:45.540 to Daniel. 00:24:45.900 --> 00:24:46.520 Kind of you're off 00:24:46.520 --> 00:24:47.540 to the lions now. 00:24:48.020 --> 00:24:48.820 What's your God 00:24:48.820 --> 00:24:49.940 going to do about it? 00:24:50.660 --> 00:24:51.660 No, this is 00:24:51.660 --> 00:24:52.660 I think 00:24:52.660 --> 00:24:53.880 a statement of faith 00:24:53.880 --> 00:24:54.700 on behalf 00:24:54.700 --> 00:24:55.279 of the king. 00:24:57.460 --> 00:24:58.840 A pagan king 00:24:58.840 --> 00:25:00.080 has come to realize 00:25:00.080 --> 00:25:01.559 that God 00:25:01.559 --> 00:25:02.700 is able 00:25:02.700 --> 00:25:04.000 to save. 00:25:04.799 --> 00:25:05.600 May your God 00:25:05.600 --> 00:25:06.420 whom you serve 00:25:06.420 --> 00:25:07.160 continually 00:25:07.160 --> 00:25:08.700 rescue you. 00:25:09.980 --> 00:25:10.880 And it's actually 00:25:10.880 --> 00:25:11.840 proved to us 00:25:11.840 --> 00:25:12.980 in verse 19. 00:25:14.019 --> 00:25:15.319 Look at verse 19. 00:25:15.680 --> 00:25:16.680 At the first 00:25:16.680 --> 00:25:17.600 light of dawn 00:25:17.600 --> 00:25:18.700 the king 00:25:18.700 --> 00:25:19.279 got up 00:25:19.279 --> 00:25:20.059 and hurried 00:25:20.059 --> 00:25:21.440 to the lion's den. 00:25:21.440 --> 00:25:23.400 Why would he do that? 00:25:23.799 --> 00:25:24.480 When he came 00:25:24.480 --> 00:25:25.120 near the den 00:25:25.120 --> 00:25:26.259 he called to Daniel 00:25:26.259 --> 00:25:27.539 in an anguished voice 00:25:27.539 --> 00:25:28.420 Daniel 00:25:28.420 --> 00:25:30.960 servant of the living God 00:25:30.960 --> 00:25:32.559 has your God 00:25:32.559 --> 00:25:33.420 whom you serve 00:25:33.420 --> 00:25:34.059 continually 00:25:34.059 --> 00:25:34.740 been able 00:25:34.740 --> 00:25:35.580 to rescue you 00:25:35.580 --> 00:25:36.240 from the lions? 00:25:38.340 --> 00:25:39.460 Now nobody 00:25:39.460 --> 00:25:41.160 goes to the lion's den 00:25:41.160 --> 00:25:42.059 expecting 00:25:42.059 --> 00:25:43.700 the lion's breakfast 00:25:43.700 --> 00:25:45.059 to come walking out. 00:25:45.240 --> 00:25:45.980 You just don't 00:25:45.980 --> 00:25:46.759 do that. 00:25:47.940 --> 00:25:48.980 That is 00:25:48.980 --> 00:25:50.600 unless you believe 00:25:50.599 --> 00:25:52.740 in God's power 00:25:52.740 --> 00:25:53.919 to be able 00:25:53.919 --> 00:25:54.579 to rescue 00:25:54.579 --> 00:25:56.000 and that's 00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:56.659 what Darius 00:25:56.659 --> 00:25:57.699 has got a hold of. 00:25:57.939 --> 00:25:58.659 He knows 00:25:58.659 --> 00:25:59.359 that Daniel's 00:25:59.359 --> 00:26:00.240 God can rescue 00:26:00.240 --> 00:26:02.079 and he goes 00:26:02.079 --> 00:26:02.539 with this 00:26:02.539 --> 00:26:03.439 expectation 00:26:03.439 --> 00:26:05.240 that he's 00:26:05.240 --> 00:26:05.740 going to be 00:26:05.740 --> 00:26:06.259 alive. 00:26:09.139 --> 00:26:10.319 Verse 21 00:26:10.319 --> 00:26:11.359 Daniel answered 00:26:11.359 --> 00:26:12.619 O king 00:26:12.619 --> 00:26:13.319 live forever 00:26:13.319 --> 00:26:15.000 my God 00:26:15.000 --> 00:26:15.679 sent his 00:26:15.679 --> 00:26:16.079 angel 00:26:16.079 --> 00:26:17.279 and he 00:26:17.279 --> 00:26:17.939 shut the 00:26:17.939 --> 00:26:18.339 mouths 00:26:18.339 --> 00:26:19.039 of the lions 00:26:19.039 --> 00:26:20.359 they have 00:26:20.359 --> 00:26:20.920 not hurt 00:26:20.920 --> 00:26:21.200 me 00:26:21.200 --> 00:26:22.599 because I 00:26:22.599 --> 00:26:23.039 was found 00:26:23.039 --> 00:26:23.379 innocent 00:26:23.379 --> 00:26:24.220 in his sight 00:26:24.220 --> 00:26:25.680 nor have 00:26:25.680 --> 00:26:26.200 I done 00:26:26.200 --> 00:26:26.940 any wrong 00:26:26.940 --> 00:26:27.819 before you 00:26:27.819 --> 00:26:28.519 O king. 00:26:30.839 --> 00:26:31.819 An amazing 00:26:31.819 --> 00:26:32.460 story 00:26:32.460 --> 00:26:34.200 of God 00:26:34.200 --> 00:26:34.700 delivering 00:26:34.700 --> 00:26:35.519 and rescuing 00:26:35.519 --> 00:26:36.159 one of his 00:26:36.159 --> 00:26:36.599 servants 00:26:36.599 --> 00:26:39.139 just like 00:26:39.139 --> 00:26:39.440 he had 00:26:39.440 --> 00:26:39.859 rescued 00:26:39.859 --> 00:26:41.039 his three 00:26:41.039 --> 00:26:41.460 friends 00:26:41.460 --> 00:26:41.879 from the 00:26:41.879 --> 00:26:42.220 fiery 00:26:42.220 --> 00:26:42.859 furnace. 00:26:43.819 --> 00:26:44.440 Now here's 00:26:44.440 --> 00:26:44.920 a question 00:26:44.920 --> 00:26:45.359 and I'm 00:26:45.359 --> 00:26:45.779 sure it's 00:26:45.779 --> 00:26:46.259 all in our 00:26:46.259 --> 00:26:46.920 minds here. 00:26:46.920 --> 00:26:48.019 If God 00:26:48.019 --> 00:26:48.420 is able 00:26:48.420 --> 00:26:48.980 to rescue 00:26:48.980 --> 00:26:49.580 his people 00:26:49.580 --> 00:26:50.320 like Daniel 00:26:50.320 --> 00:26:52.060 why is it 00:26:52.060 --> 00:26:52.740 that so many 00:26:52.740 --> 00:26:53.220 Christians 00:26:53.220 --> 00:26:54.160 lose their 00:26:54.160 --> 00:26:54.640 life 00:26:54.640 --> 00:26:56.600 or end up 00:26:56.600 --> 00:26:57.060 suffering 00:26:57.060 --> 00:26:58.320 in labour 00:26:58.320 --> 00:26:58.880 camps 00:26:58.880 --> 00:26:59.820 or facing 00:26:59.820 --> 00:27:00.200 prison 00:27:00.200 --> 00:27:00.660 today? 00:27:01.360 --> 00:27:01.860 Why doesn't 00:27:01.860 --> 00:27:02.539 God rescue 00:27:02.539 --> 00:27:02.880 them? 00:27:03.860 --> 00:27:04.500 Has God 00:27:04.500 --> 00:27:04.980 failed? 00:27:05.759 --> 00:27:06.320 Has God 00:27:06.320 --> 00:27:06.940 not got the 00:27:06.940 --> 00:27:07.720 power to do 00:27:07.720 --> 00:27:07.940 it? 00:27:09.160 --> 00:27:09.779 Did Daniel 00:27:09.779 --> 00:27:10.400 have more 00:27:10.400 --> 00:27:11.420 faith than 00:27:11.420 --> 00:27:12.259 everybody else? 00:27:12.380 --> 00:27:13.039 Do we need 00:27:13.039 --> 00:27:13.660 more faith? 00:27:13.800 --> 00:27:14.340 Is that the 00:27:14.339 --> 00:27:14.639 reason? 00:27:16.359 --> 00:27:17.119 No I don't 00:27:17.119 --> 00:27:17.480 think it 00:27:17.480 --> 00:27:17.879 is. 00:27:19.059 --> 00:27:19.720 I think 00:27:19.720 --> 00:27:20.579 God promises 00:27:20.579 --> 00:27:22.000 us that 00:27:22.000 --> 00:27:22.359 he will 00:27:22.359 --> 00:27:23.240 rescue us 00:27:23.240 --> 00:27:24.399 in life 00:27:24.399 --> 00:27:27.059 or he 00:27:27.059 --> 00:27:27.639 will rescue 00:27:27.639 --> 00:27:29.079 us through 00:27:29.079 --> 00:27:29.619 death. 00:27:31.000 --> 00:27:31.779 He will 00:27:31.779 --> 00:27:32.439 rescue us 00:27:32.439 --> 00:27:33.139 in life 00:27:33.139 --> 00:27:33.799 or through 00:27:33.799 --> 00:27:34.259 death. 00:27:35.059 --> 00:27:35.659 Have a look 00:27:35.659 --> 00:27:36.299 please. 00:27:36.480 --> 00:27:36.839 Keep your 00:27:36.839 --> 00:27:37.359 finger in 00:27:37.359 --> 00:27:38.099 Daniel 6 00:27:38.099 --> 00:27:38.619 and go to 00:27:38.619 --> 00:27:39.199 Hebrews. 00:27:40.720 --> 00:27:41.339 Hebrews 00:27:41.339 --> 00:27:42.379 chapter 11. 00:27:44.339 --> 00:27:44.980 Hebrews 00:27:44.980 --> 00:27:45.740 chapter 11 00:27:45.740 --> 00:27:46.339 is a great 00:27:46.339 --> 00:27:48.259 chapter all 00:27:48.259 --> 00:27:48.980 about God's 00:27:48.980 --> 00:27:49.759 people throughout 00:27:49.759 --> 00:27:50.259 history, 00:27:50.439 --> 00:27:51.240 throughout time 00:27:51.240 --> 00:27:52.819 who had 00:27:52.819 --> 00:27:53.279 faith, 00:27:53.879 --> 00:27:54.480 who trusted 00:27:54.480 --> 00:27:55.879 in God. 00:27:57.599 --> 00:27:58.379 And towards 00:27:58.379 --> 00:27:58.879 the end of 00:27:58.879 --> 00:27:59.359 the chapter 00:27:59.359 --> 00:28:00.839 we get to 00:28:00.839 --> 00:28:02.019 meet some 00:28:02.019 --> 00:28:02.419 of those 00:28:02.419 --> 00:28:02.879 people. 00:28:10.259 --> 00:28:10.899 Hebrews 00:28:10.899 --> 00:28:11.759 chapter 11 00:28:11.759 --> 00:28:12.699 starting at 00:28:12.699 --> 00:28:13.559 verse 32 00:28:13.559 --> 00:28:14.960 Hebrews 00:28:14.960 --> 00:28:15.399 11 00:28:15.399 --> 00:28:20.399 verse 32 00:28:20.399 --> 00:28:21.579 and what 00:28:21.579 --> 00:28:22.159 more shall 00:28:22.159 --> 00:28:22.579 I say? 00:28:22.700 --> 00:28:23.099 So he's been 00:28:23.099 --> 00:28:23.819 talking about 00:28:23.819 --> 00:28:24.259 all these 00:28:24.259 --> 00:28:24.899 great people 00:28:24.899 --> 00:28:25.539 in the past 00:28:25.539 --> 00:28:26.200 who trusted 00:28:26.200 --> 00:28:26.659 God. 00:28:27.359 --> 00:28:27.899 He says 00:28:27.899 --> 00:28:28.379 I do not 00:28:28.379 --> 00:28:28.859 have time 00:28:28.859 --> 00:28:29.259 to tell 00:28:29.259 --> 00:28:29.519 about 00:28:29.519 --> 00:28:30.059 Gideon, 00:28:31.159 --> 00:28:31.599 Barak, 00:28:31.799 --> 00:28:32.240 Samson, 00:28:32.419 --> 00:28:32.839 Japheth, 00:28:33.079 --> 00:28:33.399 David, 00:28:33.579 --> 00:28:34.639 Samuel and 00:28:34.639 --> 00:28:35.159 the prophets 00:28:35.159 --> 00:28:36.619 who through 00:28:36.619 --> 00:28:37.619 faith conquered 00:28:37.619 --> 00:28:38.220 kingdoms, 00:28:39.259 --> 00:28:39.740 administered 00:28:39.740 --> 00:28:41.279 justice and 00:28:41.279 --> 00:28:41.859 gained what 00:28:41.859 --> 00:28:42.539 it was promised, 00:28:43.259 --> 00:28:44.879 who shut 00:28:44.879 --> 00:28:45.559 the mouths 00:28:45.559 --> 00:28:46.819 of lions, 00:28:48.219 --> 00:28:48.699 quenched 00:28:48.699 --> 00:28:49.539 the fury 00:28:49.539 --> 00:28:50.139 of the 00:28:50.139 --> 00:28:50.740 flames, 00:28:51.679 --> 00:28:52.619 and escaped 00:28:52.619 --> 00:28:53.459 the edge 00:28:53.459 --> 00:28:53.979 of the 00:28:53.979 --> 00:28:54.419 sword, 00:28:54.419 --> 00:28:55.819 whose weakness 00:28:55.819 --> 00:28:56.559 was turned 00:28:56.559 --> 00:28:57.479 to strength, 00:28:57.919 --> 00:28:58.179 and who 00:28:58.179 --> 00:28:59.259 became powerful 00:28:59.259 --> 00:29:00.259 in battle 00:29:00.259 --> 00:29:01.339 and routed 00:29:01.339 --> 00:29:02.519 foreign armies. 00:29:02.519 --> 00:29:04.240 women even 00:29:04.240 --> 00:29:05.259 received back 00:29:05.259 --> 00:29:06.539 their dead, 00:29:07.539 --> 00:29:08.059 raised to 00:29:08.059 --> 00:29:08.720 life again. 00:29:10.759 --> 00:29:12.000 God is 00:29:12.000 --> 00:29:12.680 able to 00:29:12.680 --> 00:29:13.220 save his 00:29:13.220 --> 00:29:14.559 people in 00:29:14.559 --> 00:29:14.960 the most 00:29:14.960 --> 00:29:15.740 remarkable 00:29:15.740 --> 00:29:16.700 and the 00:29:16.700 --> 00:29:17.579 most amazing 00:29:17.579 --> 00:29:18.200 of ways. 00:29:18.339 --> 00:29:18.799 He has 00:29:18.799 --> 00:29:19.319 done it 00:29:19.319 --> 00:29:20.539 and he 00:29:20.539 --> 00:29:21.500 can do it. 00:29:22.139 --> 00:29:22.940 Whether it's 00:29:22.940 --> 00:29:23.559 the fiery 00:29:23.559 --> 00:29:24.700 furnace or 00:29:24.700 --> 00:29:25.440 whether it's 00:29:25.440 --> 00:29:26.180 the lion's 00:29:26.180 --> 00:29:26.420 den, 00:29:26.900 --> 00:29:28.059 God can 00:29:28.059 --> 00:29:29.059 deliver his 00:29:29.059 --> 00:29:29.480 people. 00:29:29.799 --> 00:29:30.279 He even 00:29:30.279 --> 00:29:30.900 brought people 00:29:30.900 --> 00:29:31.640 back from 00:29:31.640 --> 00:29:32.240 the dead. 00:29:34.759 --> 00:29:35.500 But he 00:29:35.500 --> 00:29:35.759 doesn't 00:29:35.759 --> 00:29:36.060 always 00:29:36.060 --> 00:29:36.560 rescue 00:29:36.560 --> 00:29:37.259 in 00:29:37.259 --> 00:29:38.100 life. 00:29:39.580 --> 00:29:40.220 It's 00:29:40.220 --> 00:29:40.800 not always 00:29:40.800 --> 00:29:41.200 going to 00:29:41.200 --> 00:29:41.400 be 00:29:41.400 --> 00:29:42.040 victorious 00:29:42.040 --> 00:29:43.180 for every 00:29:43.180 --> 00:29:43.540 single 00:29:43.540 --> 00:29:44.120 person. 00:29:44.960 --> 00:29:45.500 Because 00:29:45.500 --> 00:29:45.820 look at 00:29:45.820 --> 00:29:46.140 the rest 00:29:46.140 --> 00:29:46.480 of those 00:29:46.480 --> 00:29:46.860 verses. 00:29:47.120 --> 00:29:47.340 God 00:29:47.340 --> 00:29:47.759 also 00:29:47.759 --> 00:29:48.440 rescues 00:29:48.440 --> 00:29:49.060 through 00:29:49.060 --> 00:29:50.060 death. 00:29:50.600 --> 00:29:50.900 Look at 00:29:50.900 --> 00:29:51.220 the rest 00:29:51.220 --> 00:29:51.560 of verse 00:29:51.560 --> 00:29:52.320 35. 00:29:53.440 --> 00:29:53.660 Well, 00:29:53.700 --> 00:29:53.860 let's 00:29:53.860 --> 00:29:54.280 read from 00:29:54.280 --> 00:29:55.000 verse 35. 00:29:55.120 --> 00:29:55.320 Women 00:29:55.320 --> 00:29:56.019 receive back 00:29:56.019 --> 00:29:56.580 their dead, 00:29:57.220 --> 00:29:57.680 raised to 00:29:57.680 --> 00:29:58.280 life again. 00:29:58.279 --> 00:30:00.319 others 00:30:00.319 --> 00:30:01.619 were 00:30:01.619 --> 00:30:02.139 tortured 00:30:02.139 --> 00:30:04.160 and refused 00:30:04.160 --> 00:30:04.559 to be 00:30:04.559 --> 00:30:05.359 released so 00:30:05.359 --> 00:30:05.720 that they 00:30:05.720 --> 00:30:06.399 might gain 00:30:06.399 --> 00:30:07.059 a better 00:30:07.059 --> 00:30:07.720 resurrection. 00:30:08.779 --> 00:30:09.099 Some 00:30:09.099 --> 00:30:09.480 faced 00:30:09.480 --> 00:30:10.139 jeers and 00:30:10.139 --> 00:30:10.660 flogging, 00:30:11.460 --> 00:30:12.019 while still 00:30:12.019 --> 00:30:12.480 others were 00:30:12.480 --> 00:30:13.119 chained and 00:30:13.119 --> 00:30:13.480 put in 00:30:13.480 --> 00:30:13.819 prison. 00:30:14.980 --> 00:30:15.399 They were 00:30:15.399 --> 00:30:16.019 stoned. 00:30:16.859 --> 00:30:17.379 They were 00:30:17.379 --> 00:30:18.480 sawn in 00:30:18.480 --> 00:30:18.819 two. 00:30:19.759 --> 00:30:20.160 They were 00:30:20.160 --> 00:30:20.639 put to 00:30:20.639 --> 00:30:21.539 death by 00:30:21.539 --> 00:30:22.200 the sword. 00:30:22.539 --> 00:30:22.899 They went 00:30:22.899 --> 00:30:23.539 about in 00:30:23.539 --> 00:30:24.480 sheepskins and 00:30:24.480 --> 00:30:25.160 goatskins, 00:30:25.619 --> 00:30:26.299 destitute, 00:30:26.740 --> 00:30:27.420 persecuted, 00:30:27.420 --> 00:30:28.380 and ill 00:30:28.380 --> 00:30:28.820 treated. 00:30:29.279 --> 00:30:29.820 The world 00:30:29.820 --> 00:30:30.279 was not 00:30:30.279 --> 00:30:30.960 worthy of 00:30:30.960 --> 00:30:31.160 them. 00:30:31.500 --> 00:30:31.660 They 00:30:31.660 --> 00:30:32.340 wandered in 00:30:32.340 --> 00:30:33.259 deserts and 00:30:33.259 --> 00:30:34.259 mountains and 00:30:34.259 --> 00:30:35.480 in caves and 00:30:35.480 --> 00:30:36.640 holes in the 00:30:36.640 --> 00:30:37.200 grounds. 00:30:38.920 --> 00:30:39.320 You see, 00:30:39.440 --> 00:30:40.080 some, if not 00:30:40.080 --> 00:30:41.120 most, faced 00:30:41.120 --> 00:30:43.100 a violent and 00:30:43.100 --> 00:30:43.940 brutal death, 00:30:44.460 --> 00:30:45.080 terrible 00:30:45.080 --> 00:30:45.880 persecution. 00:30:48.160 --> 00:30:48.840 They were 00:30:48.840 --> 00:30:49.660 rescued not 00:30:49.660 --> 00:30:50.440 in life, 00:30:51.420 --> 00:30:52.360 but they were 00:30:52.360 --> 00:30:53.259 rescued through 00:30:53.259 --> 00:30:53.720 death. 00:30:53.800 --> 00:30:54.300 How can we 00:30:54.300 --> 00:30:54.759 say that? 00:30:54.840 --> 00:30:55.220 Well, look at 00:30:55.220 --> 00:30:55.600 the end of 00:30:55.600 --> 00:30:56.740 verse 35 again. 00:30:57.420 --> 00:30:59.700 others were 00:30:59.700 --> 00:31:01.160 tortured and 00:31:01.160 --> 00:31:02.100 were refused to 00:31:02.100 --> 00:31:03.900 be released so 00:31:03.900 --> 00:31:04.840 that they might 00:31:04.840 --> 00:31:06.060 gain a better 00:31:06.060 --> 00:31:07.120 resurrection. 00:31:08.380 --> 00:31:10.700 They knew that 00:31:10.700 --> 00:31:11.700 something better 00:31:11.700 --> 00:31:12.580 and greater 00:31:12.580 --> 00:31:13.840 awaited them 00:31:13.840 --> 00:31:14.440 beyond the 00:31:14.440 --> 00:31:14.700 grave. 00:31:14.820 --> 00:31:15.360 They knew if 00:31:15.360 --> 00:31:15.840 they were to 00:31:15.840 --> 00:31:16.320 lose their 00:31:16.320 --> 00:31:17.700 life, they 00:31:17.700 --> 00:31:18.340 weren't losing 00:31:18.340 --> 00:31:18.700 out. 00:31:19.460 --> 00:31:20.060 They were 00:31:20.060 --> 00:31:20.940 gaining something 00:31:20.940 --> 00:31:21.640 far better. 00:31:22.840 --> 00:31:23.820 We're told what 00:31:23.820 --> 00:31:24.600 that is, actually, 00:31:24.740 --> 00:31:25.480 in chapter 11, 00:31:25.580 --> 00:31:26.340 verse 16. 00:31:26.339 --> 00:31:27.619 Just look back 00:31:27.619 --> 00:31:28.259 a few verses. 00:31:28.720 --> 00:31:29.439 It's what all 00:31:29.439 --> 00:31:30.199 these people were 00:31:30.199 --> 00:31:30.859 looking forward 00:31:30.859 --> 00:31:31.179 to. 00:31:32.119 --> 00:31:32.720 It says in 00:31:32.720 --> 00:31:33.980 11, 16, 00:31:34.119 --> 00:31:34.740 Instead, they 00:31:34.740 --> 00:31:35.599 were longing for 00:31:35.599 --> 00:31:36.679 a better country, 00:31:37.059 --> 00:31:37.659 a heavenly 00:31:37.659 --> 00:31:38.099 one. 00:31:38.980 --> 00:31:39.759 Therefore, God 00:31:39.759 --> 00:31:40.539 is not ashamed 00:31:40.539 --> 00:31:41.159 to be called 00:31:41.159 --> 00:31:41.699 their God, 00:31:41.899 --> 00:31:42.799 for he has 00:31:42.799 --> 00:31:44.119 prepared a 00:31:44.119 --> 00:31:45.079 city for 00:31:45.079 --> 00:31:45.419 them. 00:31:46.159 --> 00:31:46.859 Those who 00:31:46.859 --> 00:31:47.359 had lost 00:31:47.359 --> 00:31:48.139 their life, 00:31:49.019 --> 00:31:49.819 God rescued 00:31:49.819 --> 00:31:50.379 them through 00:31:50.379 --> 00:31:51.220 death, and 00:31:51.220 --> 00:31:51.679 he brought 00:31:51.679 --> 00:31:52.619 them into an 00:31:52.619 --> 00:31:53.599 eternal city, 00:31:53.599 --> 00:31:55.279 to their 00:31:55.279 --> 00:31:56.519 eternal rest. 00:31:57.240 --> 00:31:58.059 The ultimate 00:31:58.059 --> 00:31:58.980 rescue for 00:31:58.980 --> 00:31:59.859 all of God's 00:31:59.859 --> 00:32:01.459 people is to 00:32:01.459 --> 00:32:02.099 go from this 00:32:02.099 --> 00:32:03.980 life into his 00:32:03.980 --> 00:32:05.139 eternal kingdom. 00:32:06.619 --> 00:32:07.639 Now, we as 00:32:07.639 --> 00:32:08.359 Christians have 00:32:08.359 --> 00:32:08.919 that same 00:32:08.919 --> 00:32:09.379 faith. 00:32:10.519 --> 00:32:11.459 It's not that 00:32:11.459 --> 00:32:12.219 our faith is 00:32:12.219 --> 00:32:12.899 better or 00:32:12.899 --> 00:32:13.279 greater. 00:32:14.079 --> 00:32:15.059 It's because our 00:32:15.059 --> 00:32:15.899 faith is in the 00:32:15.899 --> 00:32:16.939 Lord Jesus Christ, 00:32:17.079 --> 00:32:18.740 who has defeated 00:32:18.740 --> 00:32:20.959 death, and who 00:32:20.959 --> 00:32:22.000 has conquered the 00:32:22.000 --> 00:32:23.799 grave, and 00:32:23.799 --> 00:32:24.579 gives eternal 00:32:24.579 --> 00:32:25.759 life to all 00:32:25.759 --> 00:32:27.680 who trust in 00:32:27.680 --> 00:32:27.960 him. 00:32:29.299 --> 00:32:30.039 He will 00:32:30.039 --> 00:32:30.900 rescue us 00:32:30.900 --> 00:32:32.059 either in 00:32:32.059 --> 00:32:34.099 life or 00:32:34.099 --> 00:32:34.859 through death. 00:32:37.160 --> 00:32:38.059 And then 00:32:38.059 --> 00:32:40.079 last, God 00:32:40.079 --> 00:32:41.119 always works 00:32:41.119 --> 00:32:42.839 good from 00:32:42.839 --> 00:32:43.880 the opposition. 00:32:44.559 --> 00:32:45.299 God always 00:32:45.299 --> 00:32:46.319 works good from 00:32:46.319 --> 00:32:47.059 the opposition. 00:32:47.960 --> 00:32:48.720 It shouldn't 00:32:48.720 --> 00:32:49.740 surprise us to 00:32:49.740 --> 00:32:50.480 read the 00:32:50.480 --> 00:32:51.660 ending of 00:32:51.660 --> 00:32:52.480 this story. 00:32:53.299 --> 00:32:53.860 It shouldn't 00:32:53.860 --> 00:32:54.660 be a surprise, 00:32:54.839 --> 00:32:55.380 but it should 00:32:55.380 --> 00:32:56.079 amaze us. 00:32:56.200 --> 00:32:56.440 Look at 00:32:56.440 --> 00:32:57.259 verse 25. 00:32:57.900 --> 00:32:58.480 Then King 00:32:58.480 --> 00:32:59.259 Darius wrote 00:32:59.259 --> 00:32:59.819 to all the 00:32:59.819 --> 00:33:00.200 peoples, 00:33:00.400 --> 00:33:01.019 nations and 00:33:01.019 --> 00:33:01.339 men of 00:33:01.339 --> 00:33:02.039 every language 00:33:02.039 --> 00:33:02.680 throughout the 00:33:02.680 --> 00:33:03.079 land. 00:33:03.960 --> 00:33:04.680 May you 00:33:04.680 --> 00:33:05.099 prosper 00:33:05.099 --> 00:33:05.680 greatly. 00:33:06.539 --> 00:33:07.140 I issue 00:33:07.140 --> 00:33:07.720 a decree 00:33:07.720 --> 00:33:08.740 that in 00:33:08.740 --> 00:33:09.380 every part 00:33:09.380 --> 00:33:09.839 of my 00:33:09.839 --> 00:33:10.240 kingdom, 00:33:10.759 --> 00:33:11.360 people must 00:33:11.360 --> 00:33:12.360 fear and 00:33:12.360 --> 00:33:13.559 reverence the 00:33:13.559 --> 00:33:14.319 God of 00:33:14.319 --> 00:33:14.740 Daniel. 00:33:16.059 --> 00:33:17.519 For he 00:33:17.519 --> 00:33:17.880 is the 00:33:17.880 --> 00:33:18.539 living God. 00:33:18.539 --> 00:33:20.339 he endures 00:33:20.339 --> 00:33:20.819 forever. 00:33:21.559 --> 00:33:22.240 His kingdom 00:33:22.240 --> 00:33:22.980 will not be 00:33:22.980 --> 00:33:23.460 destroyed. 00:33:23.859 --> 00:33:24.639 His dominion 00:33:24.639 --> 00:33:25.099 will never 00:33:25.099 --> 00:33:25.440 end. 00:33:25.740 --> 00:33:26.659 He rescues 00:33:26.659 --> 00:33:27.420 and he 00:33:27.420 --> 00:33:27.960 saves. 00:33:28.279 --> 00:33:28.899 He performs 00:33:28.899 --> 00:33:29.799 signs and 00:33:29.799 --> 00:33:30.779 wonders in 00:33:30.779 --> 00:33:31.180 the heavens 00:33:31.180 --> 00:33:31.779 and on the 00:33:31.779 --> 00:33:32.059 earth. 00:33:32.359 --> 00:33:32.740 He has 00:33:32.740 --> 00:33:33.279 rescued 00:33:33.279 --> 00:33:34.359 Daniel from 00:33:34.359 --> 00:33:34.960 the power 00:33:34.960 --> 00:33:35.740 of the 00:33:35.740 --> 00:33:36.139 lions. 00:33:36.859 --> 00:33:37.379 It's an 00:33:37.379 --> 00:33:38.159 extraordinary 00:33:38.159 --> 00:33:38.960 turn of 00:33:38.960 --> 00:33:39.420 events. 00:33:40.039 --> 00:33:40.420 At the 00:33:40.420 --> 00:33:40.980 beginning of 00:33:40.980 --> 00:33:41.599 the story, 00:33:41.740 --> 00:33:42.159 the kingdom 00:33:42.159 --> 00:33:42.859 must pray 00:33:42.859 --> 00:33:43.519 to Daniel. 00:33:43.859 --> 00:33:44.460 By the time 00:33:44.460 --> 00:33:44.940 we get to 00:33:44.940 --> 00:33:45.420 the end of 00:33:45.420 --> 00:33:46.000 the story, 00:33:46.000 --> 00:33:46.740 all the 00:33:46.740 --> 00:33:47.460 kingdom has 00:33:47.460 --> 00:33:48.259 been charged 00:33:48.259 --> 00:33:48.900 to honour 00:33:48.900 --> 00:33:49.640 the eternal 00:33:49.640 --> 00:33:50.619 God who 00:33:50.619 --> 00:33:51.880 rescues and 00:33:51.880 --> 00:33:52.400 saves. 00:33:53.480 --> 00:33:54.180 If you've 00:33:54.180 --> 00:33:54.720 been following 00:33:54.720 --> 00:33:55.539 through Daniel, 00:33:55.900 --> 00:33:56.380 it's not 00:33:56.380 --> 00:33:56.819 going to 00:33:56.819 --> 00:33:57.720 surprise you 00:33:57.720 --> 00:33:58.940 because it's 00:33:58.940 --> 00:33:59.799 happened already. 00:34:00.599 --> 00:34:01.180 But it 00:34:01.180 --> 00:34:01.640 should not 00:34:01.640 --> 00:34:02.799 stop amazing 00:34:02.799 --> 00:34:03.299 us. 00:34:03.980 --> 00:34:04.299 What an 00:34:04.299 --> 00:34:05.180 amazing God. 00:34:06.559 --> 00:34:07.640 God always 00:34:07.640 --> 00:34:08.639 works good 00:34:08.639 --> 00:34:09.880 from opposition. 00:34:10.780 --> 00:34:11.380 He did it 00:34:11.380 --> 00:34:11.699 under 00:34:11.699 --> 00:34:12.659 Nebuchadnezzar. 00:34:12.860 --> 00:34:13.679 He did it 00:34:13.679 --> 00:34:14.019 under 00:34:14.019 --> 00:34:14.840 Belshazzar. 00:34:14.840 --> 00:34:15.840 He did it 00:34:15.840 --> 00:34:16.539 here under 00:34:16.539 --> 00:34:17.100 Darius. 00:34:17.460 --> 00:34:17.920 And most 00:34:17.920 --> 00:34:18.340 of all, 00:34:18.400 --> 00:34:19.039 he did it 00:34:19.039 --> 00:34:19.620 under a 00:34:19.620 --> 00:34:20.360 king called 00:34:20.360 --> 00:34:21.079 Pilate. 00:34:22.280 --> 00:34:22.820 Under 00:34:22.820 --> 00:34:23.420 Pilate, 00:34:23.579 --> 00:34:24.380 Jesus faced 00:34:24.380 --> 00:34:25.440 opposition and 00:34:25.440 --> 00:34:25.940 persecution. 00:34:26.680 --> 00:34:27.100 He was 00:34:27.100 --> 00:34:27.960 tortured and 00:34:27.960 --> 00:34:28.260 beaten. 00:34:28.660 --> 00:34:29.400 He faced 00:34:29.400 --> 00:34:30.059 the flogging 00:34:30.059 --> 00:34:30.380 and the 00:34:30.380 --> 00:34:30.720 jeers. 00:34:31.100 --> 00:34:31.559 He was 00:34:31.559 --> 00:34:32.039 put to 00:34:32.039 --> 00:34:32.340 death, 00:34:32.720 --> 00:34:33.140 crucified 00:34:33.140 --> 00:34:33.760 on the 00:34:33.760 --> 00:34:34.180 cross. 00:34:36.160 --> 00:34:36.760 But 00:34:36.760 --> 00:34:37.240 through it 00:34:37.240 --> 00:34:37.620 all, 00:34:38.539 --> 00:34:38.840 God, 00:34:38.960 --> 00:34:39.320 by his 00:34:39.320 --> 00:34:39.780 power, 00:34:39.980 --> 00:34:40.260 worked 00:34:40.260 --> 00:34:41.000 salvation 00:34:41.000 --> 00:34:41.900 for the 00:34:41.900 --> 00:34:42.240 world. 00:34:43.579 --> 00:34:43.820 He 00:34:43.820 --> 00:34:44.420 rescued 00:34:44.420 --> 00:34:45.000 people, 00:34:45.280 --> 00:34:45.880 not from 00:34:45.880 --> 00:34:46.080 the 00:34:46.080 --> 00:34:46.660 lion's 00:34:46.660 --> 00:34:46.980 den, 00:34:47.280 --> 00:34:47.740 but from 00:34:47.740 --> 00:34:47.960 the 00:34:47.960 --> 00:34:48.539 claws 00:34:48.539 --> 00:34:48.760 of 00:34:48.760 --> 00:34:49.260 Satan 00:34:49.260 --> 00:34:49.980 so 00:34:49.980 --> 00:34:50.200 that 00:34:50.200 --> 00:34:50.440 we 00:34:50.440 --> 00:34:50.780 might 00:34:50.780 --> 00:34:51.039 have 00:34:51.039 --> 00:34:51.519 life 00:34:51.519 --> 00:34:52.360 in 00:34:52.360 --> 00:34:52.559 all 00:34:52.559 --> 00:34:52.780 its 00:34:52.780 --> 00:34:53.180 fullness. 00:34:54.460 --> 00:34:54.980 God 00:34:54.980 --> 00:34:55.340 always 00:34:55.340 --> 00:34:55.720 works 00:34:55.720 --> 00:34:56.059 good 00:34:56.059 --> 00:34:56.320 from 00:34:56.320 --> 00:34:56.860 opposition. 00:34:58.039 --> 00:34:58.500 And it 00:34:58.500 --> 00:34:58.920 shouldn't 00:34:58.920 --> 00:34:59.700 surprise us 00:34:59.700 --> 00:35:00.220 that God 00:35:00.220 --> 00:35:01.059 continues to 00:35:01.059 --> 00:35:01.640 work like 00:35:01.640 --> 00:35:02.720 this through 00:35:02.720 --> 00:35:03.660 us and 00:35:03.660 --> 00:35:04.260 through his 00:35:04.260 --> 00:35:05.039 church in 00:35:05.039 --> 00:35:05.539 the world. 00:35:06.620 --> 00:35:07.320 Some of 00:35:07.320 --> 00:35:07.620 you may 00:35:07.620 --> 00:35:08.039 have listened 00:35:08.039 --> 00:35:08.440 to this 00:35:08.440 --> 00:35:09.080 interview I 00:35:09.080 --> 00:35:10.200 sent out a 00:35:10.200 --> 00:35:10.820 few weeks 00:35:10.820 --> 00:35:12.000 ago about 00:35:12.000 --> 00:35:12.900 a man named 00:35:12.900 --> 00:35:13.559 Victor, 00:35:14.360 --> 00:35:14.800 who is 00:35:14.800 --> 00:35:15.340 living and 00:35:15.340 --> 00:35:16.099 working in 00:35:16.099 --> 00:35:17.079 Syria and 00:35:17.079 --> 00:35:18.200 Iraq right 00:35:18.200 --> 00:35:18.619 now. 00:35:19.860 --> 00:35:20.480 He told 00:35:20.480 --> 00:35:21.500 how believers 00:35:21.500 --> 00:35:22.340 in Christ, 00:35:23.260 --> 00:35:24.619 pastors and 00:35:24.619 --> 00:35:24.820 their 00:35:24.820 --> 00:35:26.480 congregations in 00:35:26.480 --> 00:35:27.579 Mosul are 00:35:27.579 --> 00:35:28.559 facing terrible 00:35:28.559 --> 00:35:29.539 opposition and 00:35:29.539 --> 00:35:30.240 persecution. 00:35:30.720 --> 00:35:31.360 He met with 00:35:31.360 --> 00:35:32.139 them as ISIS 00:35:32.139 --> 00:35:32.840 were sweeping 00:35:32.840 --> 00:35:33.519 through that 00:35:33.519 --> 00:35:33.920 city. 00:35:34.480 --> 00:35:34.760 Those 00:35:34.760 --> 00:35:35.740 Christians and 00:35:35.740 --> 00:35:36.340 the pastors 00:35:36.340 --> 00:35:37.180 were removed 00:35:37.180 --> 00:35:37.660 from their 00:35:37.660 --> 00:35:38.039 homes. 00:35:38.420 --> 00:35:38.900 Their money 00:35:38.900 --> 00:35:39.440 was taken, 00:35:39.559 --> 00:35:40.200 their belongings 00:35:40.200 --> 00:35:40.780 were taken, 00:35:40.900 --> 00:35:41.619 their medication 00:35:41.619 --> 00:35:42.360 was taken. 00:35:42.900 --> 00:35:43.980 A sign was 00:35:43.980 --> 00:35:44.480 put up on 00:35:44.480 --> 00:35:45.019 their houses 00:35:45.019 --> 00:35:45.579 saying, 00:35:46.099 --> 00:35:47.059 property of 00:35:47.059 --> 00:35:47.820 ISIS, a 00:35:47.820 --> 00:35:48.700 big end for 00:35:48.700 --> 00:35:50.079 Nazarene, people 00:35:50.079 --> 00:35:50.980 of followers of 00:35:50.980 --> 00:35:51.780 Christ, were 00:35:51.780 --> 00:35:52.280 put on their 00:35:52.280 --> 00:35:53.420 house, don't 00:35:53.420 --> 00:35:54.440 return here 00:35:54.440 --> 00:35:56.400 again, left 00:35:56.400 --> 00:35:57.500 with all that 00:35:57.500 --> 00:35:58.519 they had on 00:35:58.519 --> 00:35:59.139 their backs. 00:36:01.000 --> 00:36:01.680 Others we 00:36:01.680 --> 00:36:02.200 know have 00:36:02.200 --> 00:36:02.960 lost their 00:36:02.960 --> 00:36:05.039 life, some 00:36:05.039 --> 00:36:05.539 brutally 00:36:05.539 --> 00:36:07.200 beheaded because 00:36:07.200 --> 00:36:07.820 they wouldn't 00:36:07.820 --> 00:36:09.559 convert, because 00:36:09.559 --> 00:36:10.240 they wouldn't 00:36:10.239 --> 00:36:12.779 stop praying to 00:36:12.779 --> 00:36:13.419 the God that 00:36:13.419 --> 00:36:14.059 we've just been 00:36:14.059 --> 00:36:14.819 reading about. 00:36:16.579 --> 00:36:17.519 Where's God? 00:36:19.879 --> 00:36:20.639 Well, through 00:36:20.639 --> 00:36:21.439 it all, God is 00:36:21.439 --> 00:36:22.179 working through 00:36:22.179 --> 00:36:22.919 the opposition. 00:36:24.659 --> 00:36:25.139 This man, 00:36:25.219 --> 00:36:26.019 Victor, shared 00:36:26.019 --> 00:36:27.679 how he was 00:36:27.679 --> 00:36:28.439 able to share 00:36:28.439 --> 00:36:29.139 the good news 00:36:29.139 --> 00:36:30.379 of Christ with 00:36:30.379 --> 00:36:31.059 those who had 00:36:31.059 --> 00:36:31.799 to leave their 00:36:31.799 --> 00:36:32.179 town. 00:36:33.039 --> 00:36:33.619 And 50 00:36:33.619 --> 00:36:34.279 people, he 00:36:34.279 --> 00:36:34.919 said, became 00:36:34.919 --> 00:36:35.619 followers of 00:36:35.619 --> 00:36:35.919 Christ. 00:36:36.159 --> 00:36:36.699 What was he 00:36:36.699 --> 00:36:37.439 promising them? 00:36:37.440 --> 00:36:38.659 He was 00:36:38.659 --> 00:36:39.400 promising them 00:36:39.400 --> 00:36:40.539 salvation in 00:36:40.539 --> 00:36:41.360 Jesus Christ. 00:36:41.800 --> 00:36:42.159 And on the 00:36:42.159 --> 00:36:42.659 other hand, he 00:36:42.659 --> 00:36:43.119 said, if you 00:36:43.119 --> 00:36:43.720 follow him, you 00:36:43.720 --> 00:36:44.280 will suffer. 00:36:45.559 --> 00:36:46.440 But they knew 00:36:46.440 --> 00:36:46.980 that in their 00:36:46.980 --> 00:36:48.639 suffering, they 00:36:48.639 --> 00:36:49.639 would gain eternal 00:36:49.639 --> 00:36:50.639 life with him. 00:36:52.200 --> 00:36:53.119 Near the border 00:36:53.119 --> 00:36:55.079 of Syria, where 00:36:55.079 --> 00:36:55.619 there were other 00:36:55.619 --> 00:36:56.760 Muslims fleeing to 00:36:56.760 --> 00:36:57.579 try and get away 00:36:57.579 --> 00:36:58.780 from the violence, he 00:36:58.780 --> 00:36:59.920 was able to talk 00:36:59.920 --> 00:37:00.960 to a bunch of 00:37:00.960 --> 00:37:02.200 them, and 20 00:37:02.200 --> 00:37:03.559 became followers 00:37:03.559 --> 00:37:04.519 of Christ. 00:37:05.220 --> 00:37:05.700 What did he 00:37:05.700 --> 00:37:06.139 tell them? 00:37:06.139 --> 00:37:07.920 salvation in 00:37:07.920 --> 00:37:08.379 Christ. 00:37:09.299 --> 00:37:10.079 But if you 00:37:10.079 --> 00:37:11.019 follow Christ, you 00:37:11.019 --> 00:37:11.599 will suffer. 00:37:12.859 --> 00:37:13.440 But they 00:37:13.440 --> 00:37:14.139 followed because 00:37:14.139 --> 00:37:14.839 they knew that 00:37:14.839 --> 00:37:15.619 whether in life 00:37:15.619 --> 00:37:16.980 or in death, God 00:37:16.980 --> 00:37:17.920 would rescue them 00:37:17.920 --> 00:37:19.319 for something far 00:37:19.319 --> 00:37:19.719 greater. 00:37:21.480 --> 00:37:22.579 We shouldn't be 00:37:22.579 --> 00:37:23.980 surprised at this, 00:37:25.199 --> 00:37:26.279 but we should be 00:37:26.279 --> 00:37:27.980 eternally amazed 00:37:27.980 --> 00:37:29.099 at how God 00:37:29.099 --> 00:37:29.679 works. 00:37:31.000 --> 00:37:32.139 And it's how God 00:37:32.139 --> 00:37:32.879 works in your 00:37:32.879 --> 00:37:34.279 life, how he 00:37:34.279 --> 00:37:34.920 will work through 00:37:34.920 --> 00:37:35.559 this church. 00:37:35.559 --> 00:37:36.579 He will work 00:37:36.579 --> 00:37:37.279 through you in 00:37:37.279 --> 00:37:38.440 college, in your 00:37:38.440 --> 00:37:39.619 work situation, and 00:37:39.619 --> 00:37:40.940 in your family, through 00:37:40.940 --> 00:37:41.719 the opposition. 00:37:43.159 --> 00:37:44.239 God will bring his 00:37:44.239 --> 00:37:45.759 people to faith. 00:37:46.799 --> 00:37:47.159 Why? 00:37:48.179 --> 00:37:48.880 Well, look at verse 00:37:48.880 --> 00:37:49.639 26. 00:37:50.719 --> 00:37:51.460 He is the living 00:37:51.460 --> 00:37:51.920 God. 00:37:52.940 --> 00:37:53.880 He endures 00:37:53.880 --> 00:37:54.519 forever. 00:37:55.579 --> 00:37:56.380 His kingdom will 00:37:56.380 --> 00:37:57.360 not be destroyed. 00:37:57.659 --> 00:37:58.539 His dominion will 00:37:58.539 --> 00:37:59.219 never end. 00:37:59.679 --> 00:38:01.360 He rescues and 00:38:01.360 --> 00:38:02.059 he saves. 00:38:02.340 --> 00:38:03.639 He performs signs 00:38:03.639 --> 00:38:04.859 wonders in heavens 00:38:04.859 --> 00:38:05.759 and on the earth. 00:38:05.960 --> 00:38:06.940 He has rescued 00:38:06.940 --> 00:38:07.859 Daniel from the 00:38:07.859 --> 00:38:08.839 power of the lions 00:38:08.839 --> 00:38:10.420 and he has rescued 00:38:10.420 --> 00:38:11.319 us from the 00:38:11.319 --> 00:38:12.259 claws of Satan 00:38:12.259 --> 00:38:14.000 and he will go 00:38:14.000 --> 00:38:15.019 on rescuing his 00:38:15.019 --> 00:38:16.500 people because 00:38:16.500 --> 00:38:17.859 God always works 00:38:17.859 --> 00:38:19.379 good from 00:38:19.379 --> 00:38:19.879 opposition. 00:38:21.259 --> 00:38:22.059 Let's pray. 00:38:22.059 --> 00:38:26.480 for the 00:38:26.480 --> 00:38:27.099 government. 00:38:27.579 --> 00:38:31.480 Well, it's 00:38:31.840 --> 00:38:32.460 good for 00:38:32.519 --> 00:38:33.420 tę claim