WEBVTT 00:00:00.280 --> 00:00:06.740 Amen, and please do have a seat and grab your Bibles to Daniel chapter 4, and let's finish 00:00:06.740 --> 00:00:11.740 this reading together from verse 34, reading to the end of chapter 4. 00:00:18.359 --> 00:00:20.580 From verse 34 of chapter 4. 00:00:21.260 --> 00:00:28.839 At the end of that time I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity 00:00:28.839 --> 00:00:29.600 was restored. 00:00:30.320 --> 00:00:36.560 Then I praised the Most High, I honored and glorified Him who lives forever. 00:00:37.740 --> 00:00:40.120 His dominion is an eternal dominion. 00:00:40.840 --> 00:00:44.500 His kingdom endures from generation to generation. 00:00:45.380 --> 00:00:48.960 All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. 00:00:49.620 --> 00:00:54.320 He does as He pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. 00:00:55.079 --> 00:00:58.740 No one can hold back His hand or say to Him, 00:00:58.740 --> 00:00:59.899 What have you done? 00:01:01.359 --> 00:01:07.120 At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for 00:01:07.120 --> 00:01:08.219 the glory of my kingdom. 00:01:08.920 --> 00:01:14.579 My advisors and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne, and became even 00:01:14.579 --> 00:01:15.780 greater than before. 00:01:15.780 --> 00:01:24.519 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything 00:01:24.519 --> 00:01:29.680 He does is right, and all His ways are just. 00:01:29.680 --> 00:01:35.000 And those who walk in pride, He is able to humble. 00:01:35.860 --> 00:01:36.980 What an incredible chapter. 00:01:37.120 --> 00:01:38.960 Just before we dive in, let's pray together. 00:01:38.959 --> 00:01:48.780 Our loving and gracious Heavenly Father, we come before you this morning, and we still ourselves 00:01:48.780 --> 00:01:54.599 in the wonderful truth that you hold our lives and you hold this world in the palm of your 00:01:54.599 --> 00:01:55.199 hands. 00:01:56.299 --> 00:02:00.819 And Lord, as we come to your word now, would you remind us what we hold in our hands? 00:02:00.819 --> 00:02:03.359 This is no ordinary book. 00:02:04.000 --> 00:02:07.419 This is your word, and it is life-giving. 00:02:08.859 --> 00:02:14.900 Oh, may it come with power to our eyes and ears this morning to change us, to convict us, 00:02:15.159 --> 00:02:18.459 to inspire us, to inform us, and to mold us. 00:02:19.939 --> 00:02:22.259 And so, Lord, we declare in the words of Samuel, 00:02:22.840 --> 00:02:26.139 Speak, O Lord, for your servants are listening. 00:02:27.280 --> 00:02:27.719 Amen. 00:02:27.719 --> 00:02:34.460 So, put your hand up this morning, if you are a regular reader of a magazine. 00:02:37.460 --> 00:02:39.500 Right in the air, okay, right in the air, so I can see them. 00:02:40.020 --> 00:02:40.340 Excellent. 00:02:40.520 --> 00:02:41.840 Give me some magazines, I'll take two. 00:02:41.960 --> 00:02:42.800 Alistair, you've got my eye there. 00:02:43.939 --> 00:02:44.259 Time. 00:02:45.020 --> 00:02:46.479 Good answers, we'll see you in a second. 00:02:46.639 --> 00:02:47.319 Okay, anyone else? 00:02:47.680 --> 00:02:47.960 Ruth. 00:02:51.659 --> 00:02:52.180 Women's Weekly. 00:02:52.539 --> 00:02:52.860 It's good. 00:02:53.259 --> 00:02:53.560 Excellent. 00:02:53.699 --> 00:02:54.020 Another, Ruth. 00:02:55.879 --> 00:02:56.460 Practice nursing. 00:02:56.460 --> 00:02:57.159 One more. 00:02:58.620 --> 00:02:58.919 Derek. 00:02:59.800 --> 00:03:00.280 Top Gear. 00:03:00.439 --> 00:03:00.740 Excellent. 00:03:01.300 --> 00:03:01.599 Brilliant. 00:03:01.919 --> 00:03:05.580 Well, I'm not so confident in this one, but keep your hands up if the magazine that you 00:03:05.580 --> 00:03:06.719 read is this one. 00:03:07.360 --> 00:03:09.319 O, starring Oprah Winfrey. 00:03:10.120 --> 00:03:10.479 Anybody? 00:03:11.699 --> 00:03:12.099 No? 00:03:12.759 --> 00:03:14.560 Who can tell me who is on the front cover? 00:03:14.659 --> 00:03:16.579 This is May's edition of this magazine. 00:03:16.659 --> 00:03:17.419 Who's on the front cover? 00:03:19.500 --> 00:03:20.340 Come on, somebody. 00:03:21.099 --> 00:03:21.400 Oprah. 00:03:21.639 --> 00:03:21.860 Good. 00:03:21.860 --> 00:03:23.680 Here is April's edition. 00:03:23.880 --> 00:03:24.860 Who is on the front cover? 00:03:26.100 --> 00:03:26.580 Oprah. 00:03:26.900 --> 00:03:32.120 In fact, have a guess this morning at who has been on every single front cover of O magazine 00:03:32.120 --> 00:03:34.840 since its launch in 2009. 00:03:36.220 --> 00:03:36.700 Oprah. 00:03:36.699 --> 00:03:41.679 So just in case we the public were in any doubt as to who the star of the O magazine 00:03:41.679 --> 00:03:46.139 is, her face splashed across every single front cover. 00:03:47.019 --> 00:03:50.539 Now, we've been working our way through this book of Daniel over the past few weeks. 00:03:50.899 --> 00:03:54.799 And we've been introduced to this monster of a city that is Babylon. 00:03:54.800 --> 00:04:01.120 And as we've got to know Babylon as a city, we've got to know the king of Babylon, King 00:04:01.120 --> 00:04:01.920 Nebuchadnezzar. 00:04:02.020 --> 00:04:06.320 Well, let me introduce you to the best-selling magazine in Babylon this morning. 00:04:07.320 --> 00:04:09.900 We're just going to call it the Babylonian Time magazine. 00:04:10.600 --> 00:04:16.720 The magazine that celebrates everything that is great and is wonderful about this city of 00:04:16.720 --> 00:04:17.180 Babylon. 00:04:17.340 --> 00:04:19.519 And here's the thing about the Babylonian Time magazine. 00:04:19.519 --> 00:04:25.459 The man in the world, the man in the world, the man in the world, the man in the world, 00:04:25.459 --> 00:04:27.599 the man in the world, the man in the world, the man in the world, the man in the world, 00:04:27.599 --> 00:04:29.240 and this king, Nebuchadnezzar. 00:04:30.159 --> 00:04:31.199 And why? 00:04:31.959 --> 00:04:36.060 Because he is a man who loves his own glory. 00:04:37.500 --> 00:04:44.180 You'll see in verses 29 and 30 of chapter 4, the words that form the subtitle to every single 00:04:44.180 --> 00:04:45.479 edition of this magazine. 00:04:45.480 --> 00:04:52.259 Hear Nebuchadnezzar proclaim, is this not the great Babylon that I have built as the 00:04:52.259 --> 00:04:58.000 royal residence by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty? 00:04:59.220 --> 00:05:02.259 Do you see the heart of this guy, this king, Nebuchadnezzar? 00:05:03.120 --> 00:05:04.220 What is he all about? 00:05:04.300 --> 00:05:08.660 He's all about his own glory and he's all about his own fame. 00:05:08.780 --> 00:05:10.960 He loves himself big time. 00:05:10.959 --> 00:05:15.719 Here's what we're going to hear this morning and it is absolutely stunning. 00:05:17.699 --> 00:05:25.099 This is the testimony about how this man came to be a worshipper of the living God. 00:05:26.599 --> 00:05:30.959 I think we've got good grounds to understand from this chapter that King Nebuchadnezzar, 00:05:31.060 --> 00:05:38.879 one of the most powerful men the world has ever known, in actual fact becomes a Christian. 00:05:38.879 --> 00:05:43.860 And because of that, well, the Babylonian Time magazine is going to have to go through a massive 00:05:43.860 --> 00:05:45.279 rebranding exercise. 00:05:46.060 --> 00:05:49.000 Whereas before there was a big picture of Nebuchadnezzar on the front cover, 00:05:49.600 --> 00:05:51.300 now there's a picture of the King of Heaven. 00:05:52.219 --> 00:05:55.639 And whereas before it mentioned Nebuchadnezzar's fame and his greatness, 00:05:56.540 --> 00:05:59.540 we'll now see what it reads at verse 37. 00:05:59.540 --> 00:06:06.720 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of Heaven, 00:06:07.220 --> 00:06:12.120 because everything he does is right and all his ways are just, 00:06:12.620 --> 00:06:16.780 and those who walk in pride, he's able to humble. 00:06:16.779 --> 00:06:24.099 This chapter, bookended with praise, is the testimony of how the most powerful human being on the planet 00:06:24.099 --> 00:06:26.779 has an encounter with the living God, 00:06:26.839 --> 00:06:32.019 which totally transforms the ways, the way that he understands life. 00:06:33.519 --> 00:06:34.419 And what has he learned? 00:06:35.039 --> 00:06:37.000 Well, he's learned this about God. 00:06:37.000 --> 00:06:41.279 That God is in the business of making low the high, 00:06:42.139 --> 00:06:43.839 and making high the low. 00:06:43.920 --> 00:06:45.079 This is our God this morning. 00:06:46.899 --> 00:06:50.339 Well, King Nebuchadnezzar, he starts this chapter with his conclusion, 00:06:50.540 --> 00:06:51.600 verses 1 to 3. 00:06:52.360 --> 00:06:55.139 We see him make a quite astonishing admission. 00:06:56.420 --> 00:06:59.019 This is the hear ye, hear ye of this chapter. 00:06:59.959 --> 00:07:03.939 If you've got it there, notice who Nebuchadnezzar in these verses is writing to. 00:07:03.939 --> 00:07:08.540 All nations of all languages. 00:07:08.660 --> 00:07:09.240 Do you see that? 00:07:10.300 --> 00:07:16.720 This is a universal declaration that all human beings the world over need to hear 00:07:16.720 --> 00:07:19.540 and understand for themselves. 00:07:21.319 --> 00:07:25.019 And remember this is written in Aramaic, the most common tongue of the day. 00:07:26.079 --> 00:07:27.079 Now why does that matter? 00:07:27.240 --> 00:07:32.879 Well, that matters because this word is going to get out in Aramaic to as many people as possible, 00:07:32.879 --> 00:07:38.219 so that as many people as possible can understand who the true king of the world is, 00:07:39.019 --> 00:07:42.600 and they too can turn to this God for themselves and have life. 00:07:43.800 --> 00:07:44.740 What does he say? 00:07:44.800 --> 00:07:46.019 He says, praise God. 00:07:46.879 --> 00:07:49.219 Praise God that he is mighty. 00:07:50.339 --> 00:07:51.939 Praise God that he is great. 00:07:51.939 --> 00:07:58.800 And praise God that his kingdom, unlike mine, is a kingdom that lasts forever. 00:08:00.899 --> 00:08:02.920 That is the song of Nebuchadnezzar's heart. 00:08:04.579 --> 00:08:08.360 And really the rest of the chapter in between the sandwich is the story of how he got there. 00:08:09.519 --> 00:08:12.519 So verses 4 to 18, not for the first time in this book, 00:08:13.360 --> 00:08:15.360 Nebuchadnezzar has a distressing dream. 00:08:15.360 --> 00:08:18.139 And what's it a dream about? 00:08:18.240 --> 00:08:19.240 It's a dream about a tree. 00:08:20.180 --> 00:08:21.580 Has anyone ever had a dream about a tree? 00:08:22.660 --> 00:08:23.379 Nope, me neither. 00:08:24.020 --> 00:08:24.780 But it's a tree. 00:08:25.400 --> 00:08:26.660 It's a beautiful tree. 00:08:27.120 --> 00:08:28.180 It's a big tree. 00:08:28.580 --> 00:08:29.740 It's a fruitful tree. 00:08:29.840 --> 00:08:30.879 It's a lively tree. 00:08:31.740 --> 00:08:35.100 But this tree that has everything going for it 00:08:35.100 --> 00:08:38.019 is a tree that is ordered to be cut down 00:08:38.019 --> 00:08:44.799 and someone is going to be humbled in quite a unique and quite a powerful way. 00:08:44.939 --> 00:08:45.480 And why? 00:08:46.319 --> 00:08:47.579 We'll see verse 17. 00:08:48.799 --> 00:08:56.659 So that whoever this is will come to understand that God is king and he is not. 00:08:58.980 --> 00:09:02.379 So you can understand that Nebuchadnezzar, he's terrified about this dream. 00:09:03.240 --> 00:09:03.860 And what does he do? 00:09:03.860 --> 00:09:08.680 He summons his dream interpretation squad to give that interpretation a shot. 00:09:09.680 --> 00:09:13.259 And verse 7, they don't seem to know what it means. 00:09:14.419 --> 00:09:16.960 Which I find really interesting. 00:09:17.720 --> 00:09:19.480 I find that really interesting. 00:09:21.019 --> 00:09:23.320 Remember in Nebuchadnezzar he has a dream at chapter 2. 00:09:24.700 --> 00:09:27.379 And when he calls his dream interpretation squad together, 00:09:28.039 --> 00:09:29.879 they can't tell him what the dream means. 00:09:30.159 --> 00:09:31.620 Why can't they tell him what the dream means? 00:09:31.620 --> 00:09:33.519 Because he wouldn't tell them what the dream was. 00:09:34.759 --> 00:09:39.300 But here do you notice Nebuchadnezzar tells them exactly what the dream is. 00:09:40.600 --> 00:09:43.659 And let's be honest, it's not that difficult to work out, is it? 00:09:44.080 --> 00:09:44.379 Really? 00:09:45.379 --> 00:09:48.720 I mean, picture the conversation between Nebuchadnezzar and his wise men. 00:09:49.940 --> 00:09:51.800 Dear wise men, I've had a dream about a tree. 00:09:52.539 --> 00:09:53.360 It's a big tree. 00:09:53.500 --> 00:09:54.320 It's a beautiful tree. 00:09:54.460 --> 00:09:55.259 It's a lively tree. 00:09:55.360 --> 00:09:57.300 It's a tree that's got an awful lot going for it. 00:09:57.680 --> 00:09:59.360 And it's about to be cut down. 00:10:00.139 --> 00:10:01.399 Any ideas, anyone? 00:10:02.220 --> 00:10:04.139 Any ideas what this dream might mean? 00:10:05.899 --> 00:10:08.879 I mean, if that came up in your higher English, you'd be delighted, would you not? 00:10:09.439 --> 00:10:11.399 Giving that a shot, interpreting that? 00:10:12.620 --> 00:10:13.720 You're not honestly telling me. 00:10:13.740 --> 00:10:18.779 You're not honestly telling me that all the wise men in this city of Babylon 00:10:18.779 --> 00:10:23.179 could not at least have a goal in trying to interpret what that dream means. 00:10:26.179 --> 00:10:31.740 Could it be that these men claim to be in the dark because they can't face telling Nebuchadnezzar 00:10:31.740 --> 00:10:35.139 the truth of the dream because of what it might mean for them? 00:10:36.320 --> 00:10:42.379 Could it be that these wise men are prioritizing saving their own skin ahead of saving their kings? 00:10:44.279 --> 00:10:45.539 Now, why do I think that? 00:10:45.620 --> 00:10:48.240 Well, look who the king goes to next. 00:10:48.240 --> 00:10:51.519 He goes to Daniel. 00:10:52.700 --> 00:10:54.360 Cue stage right, verse 8. 00:10:55.560 --> 00:10:57.360 Nebuchadnezzar says, Daniel, in you come. 00:10:58.139 --> 00:10:59.000 Tell me what it means. 00:10:59.100 --> 00:11:00.700 Verses 19 to 27. 00:11:00.840 --> 00:11:04.299 We see Daniel offering this king a passionate plea. 00:11:06.320 --> 00:11:07.899 Now, how does Daniel feel about this dream? 00:11:07.980 --> 00:11:09.700 We'll see what we're told at verse 19. 00:11:11.139 --> 00:11:13.240 He is greatly perplexed. 00:11:13.240 --> 00:11:19.480 If you've got an ESV translation there, Daniel is said to be alarmed. 00:11:20.060 --> 00:11:20.840 He's alarmed. 00:11:21.139 --> 00:11:22.220 Is that not interesting? 00:11:24.000 --> 00:11:26.539 I mean, picture Daniel in your head. 00:11:26.620 --> 00:11:31.460 Here is one of God's own people who is living in exile away from his homeland 00:11:31.460 --> 00:11:33.019 in this pagan city of Babylon. 00:11:33.120 --> 00:11:33.899 That's bad enough. 00:11:34.860 --> 00:11:39.620 But Jerusalem, the capital city, Daniel's home in Judah, 00:11:39.620 --> 00:11:44.139 and most importantly for him, the place where his God is honored and worshipped 00:11:44.139 --> 00:11:45.120 has been destroyed. 00:11:46.080 --> 00:11:47.120 And by whom? 00:11:47.879 --> 00:11:50.440 This man and these people. 00:11:52.200 --> 00:11:55.320 As the readers here, are we not just a tad surprised 00:11:55.320 --> 00:11:57.700 that Daniel isn't dancing with joy? 00:11:59.320 --> 00:12:01.799 At the news of Nebuchadnezzar's upcoming destruction. 00:12:03.039 --> 00:12:08.000 I mean, might we not be expecting Daniel to be rubbing it in the face of Nebuchadnezzar? 00:12:08.000 --> 00:12:08.820 I told you so. 00:12:08.919 --> 00:12:09.700 This is my God. 00:12:09.759 --> 00:12:10.879 You thought you were bigger than him? 00:12:12.379 --> 00:12:18.100 Would we not expect him to be tweeting to all his fellow Israelites? 00:12:18.559 --> 00:12:21.980 Team, the moment we've been waiting for is here. 00:12:23.059 --> 00:12:24.700 Hashtag Neb for Fel. 00:12:25.980 --> 00:12:26.419 Right? 00:12:27.139 --> 00:12:29.820 Do we not expect him to be dancing with joy? 00:12:29.820 --> 00:12:32.240 He is not delighted with this dream. 00:12:33.259 --> 00:12:37.179 He is devastated for the king and this news. 00:12:38.000 --> 00:12:40.580 Isn't it just a little bit surprising in this chapter? 00:12:42.080 --> 00:12:44.139 Now, why does Daniel feel like that? 00:12:45.879 --> 00:12:49.840 Well, could it be that Daniel's heart for God 00:12:49.840 --> 00:12:55.720 is expressing itself in love for this outsider who doesn't know God? 00:12:57.320 --> 00:13:00.440 Could it be that Daniel wants this man, this king, 00:13:00.960 --> 00:13:04.559 to come and to know and to love the God that he knows and loves? 00:13:04.559 --> 00:13:12.659 Could it be that Daniel's heart is simply reflecting God's heart for this man? 00:13:13.439 --> 00:13:16.579 Do you see how Daniel is deeply concerned 00:13:16.579 --> 00:13:21.339 and how he deeply cares for this man, Nebuchadnezzar? 00:13:21.340 --> 00:13:25.420 Now, here's the challenge this poses for us this morning. 00:13:27.300 --> 00:13:30.420 Do we share Daniel's concern for a lost world? 00:13:32.680 --> 00:13:36.379 Do we share Daniel's heart for people in our lives 00:13:36.379 --> 00:13:38.639 that do not know this God for themselves? 00:13:39.920 --> 00:13:43.720 Do we pray for our lost friends and family 00:13:43.720 --> 00:13:46.019 that they too would come to know this God? 00:13:46.019 --> 00:13:49.259 Are we fully convinced in our minds 00:13:49.259 --> 00:13:51.720 that God wants to reach every human heart 00:13:51.720 --> 00:13:53.579 with the good news of Jesus Christ? 00:13:54.720 --> 00:13:58.019 Do we make every effort to walk alongside people 00:13:58.019 --> 00:14:01.799 and take every opportunity to speak of Jesus Christ to them? 00:14:04.579 --> 00:14:07.460 For how does Daniel's loving concern for Nebuchadnezzar, 00:14:07.519 --> 00:14:09.679 how does it manifest itself in this chapter? 00:14:09.679 --> 00:14:13.519 By telling him the truth. 00:14:14.719 --> 00:14:17.079 What does Daniel say at verse 22? 00:14:18.679 --> 00:14:22.579 Well, Daniel says what the wise men of Babylon wouldn't say, 00:14:23.500 --> 00:14:26.299 you are that tree. 00:14:27.439 --> 00:14:28.399 Do you see what he says? 00:14:29.120 --> 00:14:31.439 You are that tree. 00:14:31.779 --> 00:14:33.799 Dear King, I wish this didn't apply to you. 00:14:34.059 --> 00:14:35.979 I really wish this didn't apply to you. 00:14:36.500 --> 00:14:39.379 But that axe, it's got your name on it. 00:14:39.379 --> 00:14:42.519 This one's for you, King Nebuchadnezzar. 00:14:42.580 --> 00:14:44.480 The question is, how are you going to respond? 00:14:46.879 --> 00:14:48.240 Is there any hope for this king? 00:14:50.279 --> 00:14:52.320 Well, what does Daniel say, verse 27? 00:14:53.799 --> 00:14:55.220 Therefore, your majesty, 00:14:56.059 --> 00:14:59.000 be pleased to accept my advice. 00:15:00.299 --> 00:15:02.779 Renounce your sins by doing what is right 00:15:02.779 --> 00:15:06.860 and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. 00:15:06.860 --> 00:15:08.820 It may be then, 00:15:09.800 --> 00:15:12.039 your prosperity will continue. 00:15:13.139 --> 00:15:15.940 And I think so succinctly summed up by Daniel 00:15:15.940 --> 00:15:18.240 in that phrase that he uses at verse 26, 00:15:19.259 --> 00:15:21.220 will you acknowledge that heaven rules? 00:15:22.560 --> 00:15:25.860 Will you acknowledge that heaven rules 00:15:25.860 --> 00:15:27.240 and you don't? 00:15:28.519 --> 00:15:29.680 Let me ask you this morning, 00:15:29.759 --> 00:15:30.940 where are you at in that question? 00:15:30.940 --> 00:15:35.600 Who is it that is king of your life? 00:15:37.040 --> 00:15:39.200 You see, that's the question that Daniel places 00:15:39.200 --> 00:15:41.100 before Nebuchadnezzar 00:15:41.100 --> 00:15:42.660 because Daniel understands, 00:15:43.180 --> 00:15:45.780 Daniel understands that the loving thing to do here 00:15:45.780 --> 00:15:49.480 is to tell Nebuchadnezzar the truth. 00:15:50.160 --> 00:15:52.560 Because it's only by understanding the truth 00:15:52.560 --> 00:15:54.740 that Nebuchadnezzar can grasp the truth 00:15:54.740 --> 00:15:56.320 and act upon the truth 00:15:56.320 --> 00:15:57.840 and turn to this God 00:15:57.840 --> 00:16:00.820 and be spared and receive grace and mercy. 00:16:02.820 --> 00:16:05.200 Do we understand that connection this morning? 00:16:07.600 --> 00:16:10.100 That warning people is loving people? 00:16:10.660 --> 00:16:12.560 That the good news of the gospel 00:16:12.560 --> 00:16:13.700 is only good news 00:16:13.700 --> 00:16:16.080 when we get our heads around the bad news? 00:16:17.660 --> 00:16:20.860 That people are heading for the eternal acts 00:16:20.860 --> 00:16:23.220 if they continue in their pride 00:16:23.220 --> 00:16:25.200 and their rebellion against this God? 00:16:25.200 --> 00:16:26.920 Like Daniel, friends, 00:16:26.960 --> 00:16:28.160 that should break our hearts. 00:16:31.160 --> 00:16:33.060 And we should be so insistent 00:16:33.060 --> 00:16:33.960 on telling people 00:16:33.960 --> 00:16:35.540 the good news of the gospel 00:16:35.540 --> 00:16:37.020 that God sent his son 00:16:37.020 --> 00:16:39.100 to take the acts for us 00:16:39.100 --> 00:16:42.200 so that we no longer need to face 00:16:42.200 --> 00:16:43.600 the acts ourselves. 00:16:44.100 --> 00:16:46.560 Are we communicating the truth of the gospel, 00:16:46.700 --> 00:16:48.340 the good news and the bad news 00:16:48.340 --> 00:16:50.780 to our friends and family 00:16:50.780 --> 00:16:51.840 who do not know him? 00:16:52.420 --> 00:16:53.600 Nebuchadnezzar, would you see 00:16:53.600 --> 00:16:56.080 that you need to turn from your folly and pride? 00:16:56.980 --> 00:16:59.340 And you need to see that God warning you 00:16:59.340 --> 00:17:00.980 is his grace towards you. 00:17:01.100 --> 00:17:03.680 Turn to him and be spared the humiliation 00:17:03.680 --> 00:17:05.279 which is coming your way. 00:17:06.759 --> 00:17:08.980 Or will you acknowledge that heaven rules? 00:17:10.680 --> 00:17:11.940 So Daniel says, 00:17:12.779 --> 00:17:14.000 so the question is, 00:17:14.539 --> 00:17:16.360 what is Nebuchadnezzar going to do with it? 00:17:16.359 --> 00:17:19.379 Well, 12 months later, 00:17:20.500 --> 00:17:22.019 verses 28 to 33, 00:17:22.019 --> 00:17:23.359 we see a humbled heart. 00:17:24.500 --> 00:17:25.959 Why is Nebuchadnezzar humbled? 00:17:26.679 --> 00:17:27.859 Well, see verse 30. 00:17:28.879 --> 00:17:30.259 Because of his pride. 00:17:31.559 --> 00:17:31.859 Why? 00:17:32.599 --> 00:17:34.319 Because our God is in the business 00:17:34.319 --> 00:17:35.879 of making low the high 00:17:35.879 --> 00:17:37.579 and making high the low. 00:17:37.579 --> 00:17:40.240 And here's the thing for us 00:17:40.240 --> 00:17:41.199 to see this morning. 00:17:42.119 --> 00:17:43.059 And I'll be honest with you, 00:17:43.079 --> 00:17:44.439 here's probably where this chapter 00:17:44.439 --> 00:17:45.899 hit me the hardest this week 00:17:45.899 --> 00:17:46.679 in my preparation. 00:17:47.480 --> 00:17:48.759 The truth of it is, 00:17:49.839 --> 00:17:51.819 you don't have to dress like Nebuchadnezzar 00:17:51.819 --> 00:17:54.199 to have a heart like Nebuchadnezzar. 00:17:55.319 --> 00:17:57.980 Do we see that pride in our lives 00:17:57.980 --> 00:17:59.139 this morning? 00:17:59.139 --> 00:18:01.359 As we think about and look at the things 00:18:01.359 --> 00:18:02.199 that we have done. 00:18:03.159 --> 00:18:05.519 As we think about our achievements. 00:18:05.519 --> 00:18:07.220 As we think about our salaries. 00:18:07.420 --> 00:18:08.900 As we think about our jobs. 00:18:09.379 --> 00:18:10.819 As we think about our abilities. 00:18:10.980 --> 00:18:12.539 As we look at the stuff that we have. 00:18:12.940 --> 00:18:14.900 It's not just a tiny bit inside of us 00:18:14.900 --> 00:18:18.400 that kind of goes with Nebuchadnezzar's heart here. 00:18:20.619 --> 00:18:22.539 It's a constant message, isn't it, 00:18:22.539 --> 00:18:24.379 that the world is telling us. 00:18:25.119 --> 00:18:26.339 What is it that we're always, 00:18:26.339 --> 00:18:28.160 the phrase that we're always using 00:18:28.160 --> 00:18:29.859 in our culture 00:18:29.859 --> 00:18:33.299 to describe people who've made it. 00:18:33.440 --> 00:18:34.519 People like Alan Sugar. 00:18:34.519 --> 00:18:36.400 People like Deborah Meaden. 00:18:36.900 --> 00:18:37.579 Lovely folks. 00:18:37.660 --> 00:18:38.799 But what do our media say? 00:18:39.160 --> 00:18:41.400 They are self-made men 00:18:41.400 --> 00:18:43.079 and self-made women. 00:18:44.039 --> 00:18:44.599 Now I must admit, 00:18:44.660 --> 00:18:45.240 I don't know about you, 00:18:45.720 --> 00:18:46.980 I laugh when I hear that phrase 00:18:46.980 --> 00:18:47.960 every time. 00:18:49.680 --> 00:18:50.920 Exactly what part of themselves 00:18:50.920 --> 00:18:51.680 did they make? 00:18:52.559 --> 00:18:52.920 Do you know? 00:18:53.859 --> 00:18:54.900 Was it the intricacies 00:18:54.900 --> 00:18:56.039 of the human heart? 00:18:57.099 --> 00:18:57.900 Was it the sophistication 00:18:58.639 --> 00:18:59.480 of the human eyes 00:18:59.480 --> 00:19:00.240 that what they made? 00:19:00.839 --> 00:19:02.019 Was it the complexities 00:19:02.019 --> 00:19:03.160 of the human brain? 00:19:03.480 --> 00:19:04.200 Tell me exactly 00:19:04.200 --> 00:19:05.400 what part of themselves 00:19:05.400 --> 00:19:06.480 did they make? 00:19:07.519 --> 00:19:08.279 Now what do we mean 00:19:08.279 --> 00:19:08.920 by that phrase? 00:19:08.960 --> 00:19:09.720 We just mean that they've got 00:19:09.720 --> 00:19:10.420 a lot of stuff. 00:19:10.500 --> 00:19:11.379 That's what we mean, isn't it? 00:19:13.240 --> 00:19:14.619 But is that your heart 00:19:14.619 --> 00:19:15.700 this morning, friends? 00:19:17.160 --> 00:19:18.680 Do we not all love our faces 00:19:18.680 --> 00:19:19.859 to be splashed across 00:19:19.859 --> 00:19:21.059 the front page of a magazine? 00:19:22.819 --> 00:19:23.799 Do you have a heart 00:19:23.799 --> 00:19:25.160 like Nebuchadnezzar this morning? 00:19:25.240 --> 00:19:26.039 Are you really him 00:19:26.039 --> 00:19:26.940 to your own glory? 00:19:26.940 --> 00:19:29.059 For what happens 00:19:29.059 --> 00:19:29.860 to Nebuchadnezzar 00:19:29.860 --> 00:19:31.620 as a result of his pride? 00:19:32.160 --> 00:19:33.400 Well, as the proverb goes, 00:19:33.559 --> 00:19:34.019 a fall. 00:19:35.720 --> 00:19:36.519 He's humbled. 00:19:38.380 --> 00:19:39.200 Now just reading on it 00:19:39.200 --> 00:19:39.620 this week, 00:19:39.720 --> 00:19:40.400 the medical term 00:19:40.400 --> 00:19:41.160 for this behavior, 00:19:41.279 --> 00:19:42.039 boanthropy, 00:19:42.920 --> 00:19:43.559 eating dirt, 00:19:43.720 --> 00:19:44.660 behaving like an animal, 00:19:44.740 --> 00:19:46.019 it's strange reading to us. 00:19:46.799 --> 00:19:47.460 But the point, 00:19:47.620 --> 00:19:48.840 surely for us to understand, 00:19:48.940 --> 00:19:50.180 is that God has deeply 00:19:50.180 --> 00:19:51.580 and uniquely 00:19:51.580 --> 00:19:53.299 humbled this man, 00:19:53.400 --> 00:19:54.120 Nebuchadnezzar. 00:19:54.119 --> 00:19:56.559 So what next 00:19:56.559 --> 00:19:57.359 for Nebuchadnezzar? 00:19:59.099 --> 00:20:01.059 Well, hear him tell us 00:20:01.059 --> 00:20:01.879 what he did 00:20:01.879 --> 00:20:02.719 at verse 34. 00:20:03.579 --> 00:20:04.539 What does he do? 00:20:05.259 --> 00:20:06.579 He raises his eyes 00:20:06.579 --> 00:20:07.019 to heaven 00:20:07.019 --> 00:20:09.199 and he submits 00:20:09.199 --> 00:20:11.239 and he finally acknowledged 00:20:11.239 --> 00:20:12.079 that heaven rules 00:20:12.079 --> 00:20:12.859 and he doesn't. 00:20:13.899 --> 00:20:14.579 And what happens? 00:20:14.679 --> 00:20:15.739 Well, God restores him 00:20:15.739 --> 00:20:17.279 to the glory of his kingdom. 00:20:17.579 --> 00:20:18.379 And in fact, 00:20:18.479 --> 00:20:19.479 at verse 36, 00:20:19.779 --> 00:20:20.919 do you hear him tell us 00:20:20.919 --> 00:20:21.739 that it was even better 00:20:21.739 --> 00:20:22.599 than it was before? 00:20:25.079 --> 00:20:26.399 Now this isn't a prosperity 00:20:26.399 --> 00:20:27.459 gospel application. 00:20:27.599 --> 00:20:28.539 This isn't turn to God 00:20:28.539 --> 00:20:29.419 and he'll make you rich 00:20:29.419 --> 00:20:30.639 and make things go well for you. 00:20:31.139 --> 00:20:31.919 What I think we're meant 00:20:31.919 --> 00:20:32.779 to understand here 00:20:32.779 --> 00:20:33.739 is that Nebuchadnezzar, 00:20:33.839 --> 00:20:35.879 this man who was so against God, 00:20:36.279 --> 00:20:39.000 is now at peace with God. 00:20:40.039 --> 00:20:40.779 Whereas before, 00:20:40.839 --> 00:20:41.879 his pride had put him 00:20:41.879 --> 00:20:43.159 at odds with God. 00:20:43.239 --> 00:20:44.279 His repentance 00:20:44.279 --> 00:20:45.359 and his surrender, 00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:46.879 his white flag to God, 00:20:47.139 --> 00:20:48.719 his admission that God is king 00:20:48.719 --> 00:20:49.779 and he is not, 00:20:50.399 --> 00:20:52.299 has put him at one 00:20:52.299 --> 00:20:53.940 with God. 00:20:55.059 --> 00:20:57.019 So who is king 00:20:57.019 --> 00:20:59.000 in Nebuchadnezzar's life now? 00:20:59.159 --> 00:21:01.299 Well, see him re-exclaim 00:21:01.299 --> 00:21:03.960 his astonishing admission 00:21:03.960 --> 00:21:07.139 in verses 34 to 37. 00:21:07.839 --> 00:21:08.799 Look at it with me 00:21:08.799 --> 00:21:09.419 if you've got it there. 00:21:09.500 --> 00:21:10.339 Verse 37. 00:21:11.919 --> 00:21:13.259 What does he exclaim? 00:21:13.259 --> 00:21:16.259 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, 00:21:16.960 --> 00:21:18.980 praise and exalt 00:21:18.980 --> 00:21:21.220 and glorify the king of heaven 00:21:21.220 --> 00:21:22.720 because everything he does 00:21:22.720 --> 00:21:24.160 is right 00:21:24.160 --> 00:21:26.980 and all his ways are just 00:21:26.980 --> 00:21:29.680 and those who walk in pride 00:21:29.680 --> 00:21:32.059 he is able to humble. 00:21:34.240 --> 00:21:35.660 And this declaration is going 00:21:35.660 --> 00:21:37.579 to every human being possible 00:21:37.579 --> 00:21:38.960 so that they would understand 00:21:38.960 --> 00:21:39.819 that the allegiances 00:21:39.819 --> 00:21:41.519 of the most powerful man 00:21:41.519 --> 00:21:43.019 on earth now lie. 00:21:43.359 --> 00:21:44.679 It really is the stunning 00:21:44.679 --> 00:21:46.200 of the most unlikely 00:21:46.200 --> 00:21:46.839 of converts. 00:21:48.839 --> 00:21:50.659 But as we move towards 00:21:50.659 --> 00:21:51.659 a finish this morning 00:21:51.659 --> 00:21:52.500 let me just try and pull 00:21:52.500 --> 00:21:53.700 a few of those threads together. 00:21:55.079 --> 00:21:56.139 And with me 00:21:56.139 --> 00:21:57.119 would you imagine 00:21:57.119 --> 00:21:57.960 that you are one of 00:21:57.960 --> 00:21:59.579 Daniel's original readers? 00:21:59.759 --> 00:22:00.539 You get your hands 00:22:00.539 --> 00:22:01.539 on this book of Daniel, 00:22:01.779 --> 00:22:03.200 you get to chapter 4 00:22:03.200 --> 00:22:04.639 and you're reading it through. 00:22:05.480 --> 00:22:06.740 The question is 00:22:06.740 --> 00:22:08.940 probably is one 00:22:08.940 --> 00:22:10.319 of God's people in exile. 00:22:11.099 --> 00:22:12.819 How are you encouraged 00:22:12.819 --> 00:22:13.960 or what are you thinking 00:22:13.960 --> 00:22:14.480 as you're reading 00:22:14.480 --> 00:22:15.539 Daniel chapter 4? 00:22:17.539 --> 00:22:18.640 Well here's three things 00:22:18.640 --> 00:22:19.299 I would be thinking 00:22:19.299 --> 00:22:22.120 and I think three big lessons 00:22:22.120 --> 00:22:23.420 for God's people 00:22:23.420 --> 00:22:25.039 and for everyone 00:22:25.039 --> 00:22:26.339 in general. 00:22:26.480 --> 00:22:28.279 Here are the three lessons. 00:22:28.420 --> 00:22:28.759 Firstly, 00:22:30.180 --> 00:22:31.980 how awesome is our God 00:22:31.980 --> 00:22:34.579 that there is no human heart 00:22:34.579 --> 00:22:35.539 on this planet 00:22:35.539 --> 00:22:37.480 that he cannot change. 00:22:38.220 --> 00:22:39.720 Isn't that an amazing truth? 00:22:40.839 --> 00:22:41.879 In this chapter 00:22:41.879 --> 00:22:43.460 do you see how the worshipped 00:22:43.460 --> 00:22:45.159 becomes a worshipper? 00:22:46.000 --> 00:22:47.960 Do you see how the persecutor 00:22:47.960 --> 00:22:49.460 becomes a professor? 00:22:50.599 --> 00:22:51.939 There is no human heart 00:22:51.939 --> 00:22:53.939 that this God cannot change 00:22:53.939 --> 00:22:55.839 and there is no human heart 00:22:55.839 --> 00:22:56.819 that this God 00:22:56.819 --> 00:22:58.879 does not desire to change. 00:22:59.599 --> 00:23:00.579 This is our God. 00:23:00.579 --> 00:23:03.519 And as his people 00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:04.720 the question for us 00:23:04.720 --> 00:23:06.019 is do we reflect 00:23:06.019 --> 00:23:07.159 the heart of God 00:23:07.159 --> 00:23:08.019 that we see here? 00:23:09.199 --> 00:23:10.099 Now just think about it 00:23:10.099 --> 00:23:11.139 in your own life 00:23:11.139 --> 00:23:11.859 practically 00:23:11.859 --> 00:23:12.939 just for a few minutes here. 00:23:14.779 --> 00:23:16.019 Think about that friend 00:23:16.019 --> 00:23:17.500 who you've been witnessing to 00:23:17.500 --> 00:23:18.119 in the office 00:23:18.119 --> 00:23:18.899 for years 00:23:18.899 --> 00:23:19.659 and years 00:23:19.659 --> 00:23:20.279 and years 00:23:20.279 --> 00:23:20.759 and nothing. 00:23:22.519 --> 00:23:23.599 Think about that girl 00:23:23.599 --> 00:23:24.359 in your class 00:23:24.359 --> 00:23:25.299 who is the life 00:23:25.299 --> 00:23:26.039 and the soul 00:23:26.039 --> 00:23:27.500 of every single party. 00:23:28.460 --> 00:23:29.240 Think of that boy 00:23:29.240 --> 00:23:30.120 in your football team 00:23:30.120 --> 00:23:30.940 who womanizes 00:23:30.940 --> 00:23:31.980 like there's no tomorrow. 00:23:33.180 --> 00:23:34.599 Think of that family member 00:23:34.599 --> 00:23:36.500 who will just not budge 00:23:36.500 --> 00:23:37.900 from their viewpoint 00:23:37.900 --> 00:23:40.259 no matter how graciously 00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:41.380 you try 00:23:41.380 --> 00:23:43.000 and persuade them 00:23:43.000 --> 00:23:44.259 and reason with them 00:23:44.259 --> 00:23:44.779 otherwise. 00:23:46.120 --> 00:23:47.259 Does this chapter 00:23:47.259 --> 00:23:47.740 friends 00:23:47.740 --> 00:23:48.880 not give us 00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:50.339 incredible confidence 00:23:50.339 --> 00:23:51.839 in the power 00:23:51.839 --> 00:23:53.319 of our God 00:23:53.319 --> 00:23:54.400 to save 00:23:54.400 --> 00:23:55.380 and transform 00:23:55.380 --> 00:23:56.620 any life? 00:23:56.619 --> 00:23:58.979 does this chapter 00:23:58.979 --> 00:23:59.759 not give us 00:23:59.759 --> 00:24:01.839 incredible confidence 00:24:01.839 --> 00:24:03.399 and does it not give us 00:24:03.399 --> 00:24:04.699 a real beck and call 00:24:04.699 --> 00:24:05.859 to seek our God 00:24:05.859 --> 00:24:06.619 in prayer 00:24:06.619 --> 00:24:08.119 and ask that 00:24:08.119 --> 00:24:09.179 by his grace 00:24:09.179 --> 00:24:10.279 he would transform 00:24:10.279 --> 00:24:11.000 the lives 00:24:11.000 --> 00:24:11.579 of the people 00:24:11.579 --> 00:24:12.739 in our lives 00:24:12.739 --> 00:24:13.959 who we have deemed 00:24:13.959 --> 00:24:15.119 the most unlikely? 00:24:17.859 --> 00:24:19.079 Daniel 4 tells us 00:24:19.079 --> 00:24:20.259 that there is no human heart 00:24:20.259 --> 00:24:20.799 that this God 00:24:20.799 --> 00:24:21.579 cannot change. 00:24:21.699 --> 00:24:22.159 Praise him. 00:24:23.479 --> 00:24:24.099 Second thing 00:24:24.099 --> 00:24:24.659 I would be thinking 00:24:24.660 --> 00:24:26.420 is that pride 00:24:26.420 --> 00:24:27.540 is a serious thing. 00:24:28.920 --> 00:24:30.440 Pride is a serious thing 00:24:30.440 --> 00:24:31.320 and I need to take 00:24:31.320 --> 00:24:31.820 repentance 00:24:31.820 --> 00:24:33.300 very seriously. 00:24:34.720 --> 00:24:35.560 For what is God 00:24:35.560 --> 00:24:36.279 through the prophets 00:24:36.279 --> 00:24:37.440 told this generation 00:24:37.440 --> 00:24:38.200 in exile? 00:24:38.880 --> 00:24:39.620 Is the reason 00:24:39.620 --> 00:24:40.560 that they are in exile 00:24:40.560 --> 00:24:41.519 in the first place 00:24:41.519 --> 00:24:43.279 well it's their pride. 00:24:44.380 --> 00:24:45.600 Because they worshipped 00:24:45.600 --> 00:24:46.279 other things 00:24:46.279 --> 00:24:47.320 apart from God 00:24:47.320 --> 00:24:48.140 because they tried 00:24:48.140 --> 00:24:49.420 to be just like 00:24:49.420 --> 00:24:50.279 all the nations 00:24:50.279 --> 00:24:51.200 round about him 00:24:51.200 --> 00:24:51.900 them 00:24:51.900 --> 00:24:53.300 and because they 00:24:53.300 --> 00:24:54.100 did not listen 00:24:54.100 --> 00:24:54.820 to this God 00:24:54.820 --> 00:24:55.860 when he warned them 00:24:55.860 --> 00:24:56.740 and told them 00:24:56.740 --> 00:24:57.519 what was going to happen 00:24:57.519 --> 00:24:58.259 if they did not 00:24:58.259 --> 00:24:59.400 follow and obey him. 00:25:01.259 --> 00:25:01.560 Do you see 00:25:01.560 --> 00:25:01.980 it's not just 00:25:01.980 --> 00:25:02.580 Nebuchadnezzar 00:25:02.580 --> 00:25:03.380 who's been humbled 00:25:03.380 --> 00:25:04.160 in this chapter. 00:25:05.320 --> 00:25:05.960 See in the background 00:25:05.960 --> 00:25:06.880 here God's people 00:25:06.880 --> 00:25:07.820 have been massively 00:25:07.820 --> 00:25:08.220 humbled. 00:25:09.980 --> 00:25:11.540 So they need to do 00:25:11.540 --> 00:25:12.540 what Nebuchadnezzar did. 00:25:13.640 --> 00:25:14.940 They need to turn 00:25:14.940 --> 00:25:16.380 back to God. 00:25:19.160 --> 00:25:20.140 Now let me ask you 00:25:20.140 --> 00:25:20.860 is that some of us 00:25:20.859 --> 00:25:21.339 this morning? 00:25:23.319 --> 00:25:24.039 Maybe you're here 00:25:24.039 --> 00:25:24.539 this morning 00:25:24.539 --> 00:25:25.000 and you're not 00:25:25.000 --> 00:25:25.500 a believer 00:25:25.500 --> 00:25:26.659 in this God 00:25:26.659 --> 00:25:27.419 that we're looking at. 00:25:28.500 --> 00:25:29.179 What can I just say 00:25:29.179 --> 00:25:30.539 we love that you're here. 00:25:32.139 --> 00:25:33.459 But you need to understand 00:25:33.459 --> 00:25:34.240 from this chapter 00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:35.119 that your pride 00:25:35.119 --> 00:25:36.679 the fact that 00:25:36.679 --> 00:25:37.959 you want to be king 00:25:37.959 --> 00:25:38.939 and not God 00:25:38.939 --> 00:25:41.079 puts you at massive 00:25:41.079 --> 00:25:42.159 odds with him. 00:25:43.799 --> 00:25:44.859 And you need to stop 00:25:44.859 --> 00:25:47.019 and you need to think 00:25:47.019 --> 00:25:47.699 seriously 00:25:47.699 --> 00:25:49.119 about what that means 00:25:49.119 --> 00:25:49.859 for your life. 00:25:50.859 --> 00:25:51.699 But maybe you are 00:25:51.699 --> 00:25:52.379 here this morning 00:25:52.379 --> 00:25:53.639 and you are a Christian 00:25:53.639 --> 00:25:55.519 but you find yourself 00:25:55.519 --> 00:25:56.959 drifting into the pride slide. 00:25:59.599 --> 00:26:01.119 You're rushing around 00:26:01.119 --> 00:26:03.019 your eyes are off of God 00:26:03.019 --> 00:26:03.819 and they're very much 00:26:03.819 --> 00:26:04.519 on yourself. 00:26:04.679 --> 00:26:05.759 You're rushing around 00:26:05.759 --> 00:26:06.459 from one thing 00:26:06.459 --> 00:26:06.979 to the next. 00:26:07.099 --> 00:26:07.740 You're doing life 00:26:07.740 --> 00:26:08.679 in your own strength. 00:26:09.119 --> 00:26:10.000 You very much rate 00:26:10.000 --> 00:26:10.719 your own ability 00:26:10.719 --> 00:26:11.919 to navigate your way 00:26:11.919 --> 00:26:12.479 through life 00:26:12.479 --> 00:26:13.819 and I'll fit God in 00:26:13.819 --> 00:26:14.699 if I can spare a few 00:26:14.699 --> 00:26:15.740 five minutes this week 00:26:15.740 --> 00:26:16.559 but no promises. 00:26:16.559 --> 00:26:19.539 Is God 00:26:19.539 --> 00:26:20.799 by his spirit 00:26:20.799 --> 00:26:21.319 maybe 00:26:21.319 --> 00:26:22.799 convicting 00:26:22.799 --> 00:26:23.399 some of us 00:26:23.399 --> 00:26:23.940 this morning 00:26:23.940 --> 00:26:25.460 that we need 00:26:25.460 --> 00:26:26.079 to slow 00:26:26.079 --> 00:26:26.859 down 00:26:26.859 --> 00:26:28.259 and we need 00:26:28.259 --> 00:26:29.019 to actively 00:26:29.019 --> 00:26:30.299 and purposefully 00:26:30.299 --> 00:26:31.440 take our eyes 00:26:31.440 --> 00:26:32.319 off ourselves 00:26:32.319 --> 00:26:33.119 and fix them 00:26:33.119 --> 00:26:34.039 back on him? 00:26:36.119 --> 00:26:37.440 Pride is a serious 00:26:37.440 --> 00:26:37.799 thing 00:26:37.799 --> 00:26:39.379 and I need 00:26:39.379 --> 00:26:40.039 to take repentance 00:26:40.039 --> 00:26:40.599 seriously. 00:26:40.599 --> 00:26:44.279 Well thirdly 00:26:44.279 --> 00:26:45.439 and finally 00:26:45.439 --> 00:26:46.500 from chapter 4 00:26:46.500 --> 00:26:49.459 God's kingdom 00:26:49.459 --> 00:26:50.919 and God's king 00:26:50.919 --> 00:26:51.919 when he comes 00:26:51.919 --> 00:26:53.699 will not be like 00:26:53.699 --> 00:26:54.319 Nebuchadnezzar 00:26:54.319 --> 00:26:54.699 in Babylon 00:26:54.699 --> 00:26:56.719 and this is a 00:26:56.719 --> 00:26:57.480 thrilling truth. 00:26:58.919 --> 00:26:59.959 Unlike Nebuchadnezzar 00:26:59.959 --> 00:27:00.879 what do we learn 00:27:00.879 --> 00:27:01.579 in this chapter? 00:27:02.359 --> 00:27:03.359 Unlike Nebuchadnezzar 00:27:03.359 --> 00:27:04.039 heaven's king 00:27:04.039 --> 00:27:05.399 he's going to be 00:27:05.399 --> 00:27:06.559 marked by humility 00:27:06.559 --> 00:27:07.399 not by pride. 00:27:08.559 --> 00:27:09.379 Heaven's king 00:27:09.380 --> 00:27:10.900 unlike Nebuchadnezzar 00:27:10.900 --> 00:27:11.440 is going to be 00:27:11.440 --> 00:27:12.560 marked by compassion 00:27:12.560 --> 00:27:14.460 not by indifference 00:27:14.460 --> 00:27:15.080 and oppression. 00:27:16.680 --> 00:27:17.080 And to 00:27:17.080 --> 00:27:18.680 heaven's king's 00:27:18.680 --> 00:27:19.280 lordship 00:27:19.280 --> 00:27:20.440 every knee 00:27:20.440 --> 00:27:21.200 in heaven 00:27:21.200 --> 00:27:21.840 and on earth 00:27:21.840 --> 00:27:22.340 will bow 00:27:22.340 --> 00:27:23.940 and that lordship 00:27:23.940 --> 00:27:24.600 will last 00:27:24.600 --> 00:27:25.280 forever. 00:27:26.760 --> 00:27:27.540 This is 00:27:27.540 --> 00:27:28.220 heaven's king. 00:27:30.560 --> 00:27:31.320 Isn't it 00:27:31.320 --> 00:27:31.880 incredible 00:27:31.880 --> 00:27:33.660 that that generation 00:27:33.660 --> 00:27:34.300 of God's people 00:27:34.300 --> 00:27:34.740 in exile 00:27:34.740 --> 00:27:35.240 they didn't know 00:27:35.240 --> 00:27:35.660 the face 00:27:35.660 --> 00:27:36.300 of heaven's king 00:27:36.299 --> 00:27:38.019 but what a joy 00:27:38.019 --> 00:27:39.000 and what an honor 00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:39.680 it is that we 00:27:39.680 --> 00:27:40.299 are a generation 00:27:40.299 --> 00:27:40.859 that does. 00:27:42.059 --> 00:27:43.019 Jesus Christ 00:27:43.019 --> 00:27:44.779 I mean if ever 00:27:44.779 --> 00:27:45.579 there was a king 00:27:45.579 --> 00:27:46.799 who could look out 00:27:46.799 --> 00:27:47.399 and survey 00:27:47.399 --> 00:27:48.480 everything 00:27:48.480 --> 00:27:49.379 all creation 00:27:49.379 --> 00:27:50.359 and exclaim 00:27:50.359 --> 00:27:51.680 I made that 00:27:51.680 --> 00:27:53.619 that exists 00:27:53.619 --> 00:27:55.240 for my glory 00:27:55.240 --> 00:27:57.319 surely it was 00:27:57.319 --> 00:27:57.740 Jesus. 00:27:58.599 --> 00:27:59.639 If ever there was 00:27:59.639 --> 00:28:00.299 a king who could 00:28:00.299 --> 00:28:01.460 quite justifiably 00:28:01.460 --> 00:28:02.480 revel in his own 00:28:02.480 --> 00:28:02.980 achievements 00:28:02.980 --> 00:28:04.539 his miracles 00:28:04.539 --> 00:28:05.740 his teaching 00:28:05.740 --> 00:28:06.460 his obedience 00:28:06.460 --> 00:28:07.120 to God 00:28:07.120 --> 00:28:08.299 surely it was 00:28:08.299 --> 00:28:08.759 Jesus. 00:28:10.299 --> 00:28:11.319 If ever there was 00:28:11.319 --> 00:28:11.880 an individual 00:28:11.880 --> 00:28:12.579 who deserved 00:28:12.579 --> 00:28:13.559 to have his face 00:28:13.559 --> 00:28:14.779 splashed across 00:28:14.779 --> 00:28:15.860 the front cover 00:28:15.860 --> 00:28:16.480 of a magazine 00:28:16.480 --> 00:28:17.579 surely it was 00:28:17.579 --> 00:28:18.240 this king 00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:21.059 King Jesus 00:28:21.059 --> 00:28:21.519 yet 00:28:21.519 --> 00:28:22.720 what do we find 00:28:22.720 --> 00:28:23.640 as we read about him 00:28:23.640 --> 00:28:24.339 in the gospels 00:28:24.339 --> 00:28:24.839 instead of 00:28:24.839 --> 00:28:26.120 exalting himself 00:28:26.120 --> 00:28:27.920 he humbled himself 00:28:27.920 --> 00:28:29.660 he left 00:28:29.660 --> 00:28:31.200 his heavenly throne 00:28:31.200 --> 00:28:31.900 and he took on 00:28:31.900 --> 00:28:32.900 our flesh 00:28:32.900 --> 00:28:34.519 and he lived 00:28:34.519 --> 00:28:34.900 a life 00:28:34.900 --> 00:28:35.300 not of 00:28:35.300 --> 00:28:35.820 lording it 00:28:35.820 --> 00:28:36.860 over people 00:28:36.860 --> 00:28:37.860 but by 00:28:37.860 --> 00:28:39.100 living a life 00:28:39.100 --> 00:28:39.740 to serve 00:28:39.740 --> 00:28:40.560 and to save 00:28:40.560 --> 00:28:41.380 his people 00:28:41.380 --> 00:28:42.380 and instead 00:28:42.380 --> 00:28:43.320 of being lifted 00:28:43.320 --> 00:28:44.019 up on an 00:28:44.019 --> 00:28:44.880 earthly throne 00:28:44.880 --> 00:28:45.900 he was lifted 00:28:45.900 --> 00:28:46.519 up on a 00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:47.519 wooden cross. 00:28:49.040 --> 00:28:49.660 Friends 00:28:49.660 --> 00:28:50.080 what more 00:28:50.080 --> 00:28:50.980 humbling thing 00:28:50.980 --> 00:28:52.000 can be fathomed 00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:53.920 than for the 00:28:53.920 --> 00:28:54.420 creature 00:28:54.420 --> 00:28:55.640 to crucify 00:28:55.640 --> 00:28:56.300 the creator 00:28:56.300 --> 00:28:59.300 this is our 00:28:59.300 --> 00:28:59.620 king 00:28:59.620 --> 00:29:01.120 John Wesley 00:29:01.120 --> 00:29:01.920 famously wrote 00:29:01.920 --> 00:29:02.779 and can it 00:29:02.779 --> 00:29:02.920 be 00:29:02.920 --> 00:29:03.320 that great 00:29:03.320 --> 00:29:03.460 hymn 00:29:03.460 --> 00:29:03.680 that we 00:29:03.680 --> 00:29:04.100 love to 00:29:04.100 --> 00:29:04.300 sing 00:29:04.300 --> 00:29:04.640 what does 00:29:04.640 --> 00:29:05.000 he write 00:29:05.000 --> 00:29:05.800 his mystery 00:29:05.800 --> 00:29:06.240 all 00:29:06.240 --> 00:29:07.240 the immortal 00:29:07.240 --> 00:29:07.960 dies 00:29:07.960 --> 00:29:11.840 but the grave 00:29:11.840 --> 00:29:12.420 could not hold 00:29:12.420 --> 00:29:12.920 heaven's king 00:29:12.920 --> 00:29:15.320 his humiliation 00:29:15.320 --> 00:29:16.300 is now over 00:29:16.300 --> 00:29:17.080 and his victory 00:29:17.080 --> 00:29:18.160 and his exaltation 00:29:18.160 --> 00:29:19.080 is on display 00:29:19.080 --> 00:29:19.759 for the world 00:29:19.759 --> 00:29:20.380 to see 00:29:20.380 --> 00:29:22.460 for our God 00:29:22.460 --> 00:29:23.259 is in the business 00:29:23.259 --> 00:29:23.880 of making 00:29:23.880 --> 00:29:24.759 low the high 00:29:24.759 --> 00:29:26.600 and making 00:29:26.600 --> 00:29:27.880 high the low 00:29:27.880 --> 00:29:28.760 this is heaven's 00:29:28.760 --> 00:29:29.140 king this 00:29:29.140 --> 00:29:29.440 morning 00:29:29.440 --> 00:29:31.880 you know let 00:29:31.880 --> 00:29:32.380 me close just 00:29:32.380 --> 00:29:32.900 by reading the 00:29:32.900 --> 00:29:34.240 words of Paul 00:29:34.240 --> 00:29:36.120 who would write 00:29:36.120 --> 00:29:36.800 about this 00:29:36.800 --> 00:29:37.900 king of heaven 00:29:37.900 --> 00:29:38.680 Jesus Christ 00:29:38.680 --> 00:29:39.220 he would write 00:29:39.220 --> 00:29:39.880 to this church 00:29:39.880 --> 00:29:40.680 in Philippi 00:29:40.680 --> 00:29:41.720 whose eyes 00:29:41.720 --> 00:29:42.100 were on 00:29:42.100 --> 00:29:42.620 themselves 00:29:42.620 --> 00:29:44.220 and whose 00:29:44.220 --> 00:29:44.960 eyes he wanted 00:29:44.960 --> 00:29:45.620 to be on 00:29:45.620 --> 00:29:46.280 this king 00:29:46.280 --> 00:29:47.260 and this is 00:29:47.260 --> 00:29:47.680 what Paul 00:29:47.680 --> 00:29:48.140 writes 00:29:48.140 --> 00:29:49.740 about Jesus 00:29:49.740 --> 00:29:51.720 he writes 00:29:51.720 --> 00:29:51.980 this 00:29:51.980 --> 00:29:52.640 who being in 00:29:52.640 --> 00:29:53.440 the very nature 00:29:53.440 --> 00:29:53.900 God 00:29:53.900 --> 00:29:55.780 did not consider 00:29:55.780 --> 00:29:56.700 equality with 00:29:56.700 --> 00:29:57.360 God something 00:29:57.360 --> 00:29:58.140 to be used 00:29:58.140 --> 00:29:59.019 to his own 00:29:59.019 --> 00:29:59.519 advantage 00:29:59.519 --> 00:30:00.100 rather 00:30:00.100 --> 00:30:01.580 he made 00:30:01.580 --> 00:30:02.600 himself 00:30:02.600 --> 00:30:03.380 nothing 00:30:03.380 --> 00:30:05.259 by taking 00:30:05.259 --> 00:30:06.200 the very nature 00:30:06.200 --> 00:30:07.000 of a servant 00:30:07.000 --> 00:30:07.680 being made 00:30:07.680 --> 00:30:08.840 in human likeness 00:30:08.840 --> 00:30:10.400 and being found 00:30:10.400 --> 00:30:11.040 in appearance 00:30:11.040 --> 00:30:11.759 as a man 00:30:11.759 --> 00:30:13.180 he humbled 00:30:13.180 --> 00:30:14.360 himself 00:30:14.360 --> 00:30:16.120 by becoming 00:30:16.120 --> 00:30:17.120 obedient to 00:30:17.120 --> 00:30:17.680 death 00:30:17.680 --> 00:30:18.700 even death 00:30:18.700 --> 00:30:19.540 on a cross 00:30:19.540 --> 00:30:21.480 therefore 00:30:21.480 --> 00:30:23.380 God exalted 00:30:23.380 --> 00:30:23.740 him 00:30:23.740 --> 00:30:25.839 to the highest 00:30:25.839 --> 00:30:26.380 place 00:30:26.380 --> 00:30:27.859 and gave 00:30:27.859 --> 00:30:28.680 him the name 00:30:28.680 --> 00:30:29.740 that is above 00:30:29.740 --> 00:30:30.960 every name 00:30:30.960 --> 00:30:32.500 that at the 00:30:32.500 --> 00:30:33.319 name of Jesus 00:30:33.319 --> 00:30:35.200 every knee 00:30:35.200 --> 00:30:36.400 should bow 00:30:36.400 --> 00:30:37.519 in heaven 00:30:37.519 --> 00:30:38.819 and on earth 00:30:38.819 --> 00:30:39.779 and under 00:30:39.779 --> 00:30:40.359 the earth 00:30:40.359 --> 00:30:41.940 and every tongue 00:30:41.940 --> 00:30:44.019 acknowledge 00:30:44.019 --> 00:30:45.620 that Jesus 00:30:45.620 --> 00:30:46.599 Christ is Lord 00:30:46.599 --> 00:30:47.980 to the glory 00:30:47.980 --> 00:30:49.259 of God 00:30:49.259 --> 00:30:50.440 the Father 00:30:50.440 --> 00:30:51.940 could there 00:30:51.940 --> 00:30:53.299 be a king 00:30:53.299 --> 00:30:54.379 who is any 00:30:54.379 --> 00:30:54.799 different 00:30:54.799 --> 00:30:55.720 from the king 00:30:55.720 --> 00:30:56.099 that we read 00:30:56.099 --> 00:30:56.639 about in this 00:30:56.639 --> 00:30:56.940 chapter 00:30:56.940 --> 00:30:58.759 this is heaven's 00:30:58.759 --> 00:30:59.000 king 00:30:59.000 --> 00:31:00.099 Jesus Christ 00:31:00.099 --> 00:31:00.659 the question 00:31:00.659 --> 00:31:01.240 this morning 00:31:01.240 --> 00:31:01.799 and I leave you 00:31:01.799 --> 00:31:02.240 with this 00:31:02.240 --> 00:31:03.240 is he your 00:31:03.240 --> 00:31:03.519 king 00:31:03.519 --> 00:31:05.720 will you 00:31:05.720 --> 00:31:06.099 acknowledge 00:31:06.099 --> 00:31:06.519 that heaven 00:31:06.519 --> 00:31:06.940 rules 00:31:06.940 --> 00:31:09.399 so I'm going to 00:31:09.399 --> 00:31:10.240 close in prayer 00:31:10.240 --> 00:31:10.839 in just a few 00:31:10.839 --> 00:31:11.460 moments time 00:31:11.460 --> 00:31:11.740 but 00:31:11.740 --> 00:31:13.279 just as we 00:31:13.279 --> 00:31:13.859 leave this 00:31:13.859 --> 00:31:14.519 chapter this 00:31:14.519 --> 00:31:14.859 morning 00:31:14.859 --> 00:31:15.259 why don't we 00:31:15.259 --> 00:31:15.779 just still 00:31:15.779 --> 00:31:16.419 ourselves 00:31:16.420 --> 00:31:18.420 and let me 00:31:18.420 --> 00:31:18.740 invite you 00:31:18.740 --> 00:31:19.360 to use this 00:31:19.360 --> 00:31:20.000 time to 00:31:20.000 --> 00:31:20.600 come before 00:31:20.600 --> 00:31:21.140 this king 00:31:21.140 --> 00:31:21.680 in prayer 00:31:21.680 --> 00:31:23.180 and as we 00:31:23.180 --> 00:31:23.800 stop and as 00:31:23.800 --> 00:31:24.380 we think 00:31:24.380 --> 00:31:25.400 about and 00:31:25.400 --> 00:31:26.200 contemplate 00:31:26.200 --> 00:31:27.160 God's words 00:31:27.160 --> 00:31:27.840 this morning 00:31:27.840 --> 00:31:29.380 and maybe 00:31:29.380 --> 00:31:30.000 even for the 00:31:30.000 --> 00:31:30.620 first time 00:31:30.620 --> 00:31:31.200 this morning 00:31:31.200 --> 00:31:32.320 you would 00:31:32.320 --> 00:31:32.980 bow the knee 00:31:32.980 --> 00:31:34.360 like Nebuchadnezzar 00:31:34.360 --> 00:31:35.420 and acknowledge 00:31:35.420 --> 00:31:36.539 that heaven's 00:31:36.539 --> 00:31:37.539 king rules 00:31:37.539 --> 00:31:38.580 why don't we 00:31:38.580 --> 00:31:39.080 do that now 00:31:39.079 --> 00:31:48.559 our father 00:31:48.559 --> 00:31:49.339 we thank you 00:31:49.339 --> 00:31:49.960 for your word 00:31:49.960 --> 00:31:50.500 to us this 00:31:50.500 --> 00:31:50.779 morning 00:31:50.779 --> 00:31:53.439 and we thank 00:31:53.439 --> 00:31:53.839 you that we 00:31:53.839 --> 00:31:54.399 see in this 00:31:54.399 --> 00:31:54.960 chapter that 00:31:54.960 --> 00:31:55.460 you're in the 00:31:55.460 --> 00:31:56.079 business of 00:31:56.079 --> 00:31:57.299 making low 00:31:57.299 --> 00:31:57.879 the high 00:31:57.879 --> 00:31:59.159 and high 00:31:59.159 --> 00:31:59.619 the low 00:31:59.619 --> 00:32:01.399 and we thank 00:32:01.399 --> 00:32:01.819 you that you're 00:32:01.819 --> 00:32:02.339 in the business 00:32:02.339 --> 00:32:03.159 of transforming 00:32:03.159 --> 00:32:03.819 lives even 00:32:03.819 --> 00:32:04.220 today 00:32:04.220 --> 00:32:06.119 and our 00:32:06.119 --> 00:32:06.579 prayer is that 00:32:06.579 --> 00:32:06.819 you would 00:32:06.819 --> 00:32:07.599 continue to 00:32:07.599 --> 00:32:08.619 transform our 00:32:08.619 --> 00:32:09.919 lives and 00:32:09.919 --> 00:32:10.659 our hearts 00:32:10.659 --> 00:32:11.739 so that they 00:32:11.739 --> 00:32:12.259 would beat for 00:32:12.259 --> 00:32:13.039 the glory of 00:32:13.039 --> 00:32:13.679 heaven's king 00:32:13.679 --> 00:32:14.539 Jesus Christ 00:32:14.539 --> 00:32:15.759 in whose name 00:32:15.759 --> 00:32:16.239 we pray 00:32:16.239 --> 00:32:17.379 Amen