WEBVTT 00:00:00.920 --> 00:00:02.520 Daniel chapter 4. 00:00:03.439 --> 00:00:07.500 And if you join with me in this journey back to the 6th century BC, 00:00:07.799 --> 00:00:10.679 the superpower of the age was Babylon. 00:00:11.019 --> 00:00:15.019 That was the power, and Nebuchadnezzar was the emperor. 00:00:15.240 --> 00:00:18.519 He was the man with all power, with all authority. 00:00:18.940 --> 00:00:22.100 We would describe him as one who was a plenipotentiary. 00:00:22.460 --> 00:00:24.820 That meant that all power rested in him. 00:00:24.900 --> 00:00:27.699 There is no parliament. There is no representative democracy. 00:00:27.699 --> 00:00:30.179 So what he said went. 00:00:31.140 --> 00:00:35.780 But Nebuchadnezzar has a message for us that actually he is not the plenipotentiary. 00:00:36.000 --> 00:00:38.920 That he is not the one with all power and all authority. 00:00:39.079 --> 00:00:42.859 Because he has had a powerful and personal life-changing encounter 00:00:42.859 --> 00:00:46.359 with the one who has all power and all authority. 00:00:47.280 --> 00:00:48.579 Chapter 4 of Daniel. 00:00:48.879 --> 00:00:50.299 King Nebuchadnezzar. 00:00:50.820 --> 00:00:53.480 To the peoples, nations, and men of every language, 00:00:53.899 --> 00:00:55.399 who live in all the world, 00:00:55.399 --> 00:00:57.320 may you prosper greatly. 00:00:58.100 --> 00:01:02.219 It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders 00:01:02.219 --> 00:01:06.560 that the Most High God has performed for me. 00:01:07.239 --> 00:01:10.079 How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders. 00:01:10.599 --> 00:01:12.400 His kingdom is an eternal kingdom. 00:01:12.819 --> 00:01:15.780 His dominion endures from generation to generation. 00:01:16.659 --> 00:01:19.480 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, 00:01:20.060 --> 00:01:21.239 contented and prosperous. 00:01:21.239 --> 00:01:24.579 I had a dream that made me afraid. 00:01:24.899 --> 00:01:26.539 As I was lying in my bed, 00:01:26.619 --> 00:01:30.039 the images and visions that passed through my mind terrified me. 00:01:30.439 --> 00:01:33.060 So I commanded that all the wise men of Babylon 00:01:33.060 --> 00:01:36.419 be brought before me to interpret the dream for me. 00:01:36.759 --> 00:01:40.299 When the magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and diviners came, 00:01:40.679 --> 00:01:44.179 I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me. 00:01:44.799 --> 00:01:47.439 Finally, Daniel came into my presence, 00:01:47.439 --> 00:01:48.739 and I told him the dream. 00:01:49.140 --> 00:01:51.060 He is called Belteshazzar, 00:01:51.480 --> 00:01:55.299 after the name of my God and the spirit of the holy gods is in him. 00:01:55.980 --> 00:01:59.700 I said, Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, 00:01:59.780 --> 00:02:02.780 I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, 00:02:02.939 --> 00:02:05.400 and that no mystery is too difficult for you. 00:02:05.859 --> 00:02:07.879 Here is my dream, interpret it for me. 00:02:08.419 --> 00:02:11.319 These are the visions I saw while lying in my bed. 00:02:11.319 --> 00:02:14.840 I looked, and there before me stood a tree in the middle of the land. 00:02:15.259 --> 00:02:16.180 Its height was enormous. 00:02:16.840 --> 00:02:20.000 The tree grew large and strong, and its top touched the sky. 00:02:20.459 --> 00:02:22.739 It was visible to the ends of the earth. 00:02:23.299 --> 00:02:25.680 Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, 00:02:25.819 --> 00:02:27.479 and on it was food for all. 00:02:28.199 --> 00:02:30.340 Under it, the beasts of the field found shelter, 00:02:30.620 --> 00:02:32.819 and the birds of the air lived in its branches. 00:02:33.539 --> 00:02:35.879 From it, every creature was fed. 00:02:36.919 --> 00:02:39.400 In the visions I saw while lying in my bed, 00:02:39.400 --> 00:02:41.800 I looked, and there before me was a messenger, 00:02:42.240 --> 00:02:43.980 a holy one coming down from heaven. 00:02:44.560 --> 00:02:46.300 He called in a loud voice, 00:02:46.439 --> 00:02:49.340 Cut down the tree and trim off its branches, 00:02:49.520 --> 00:02:51.540 strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. 00:02:51.960 --> 00:02:56.040 Let the animals flee from under it and the birds from its branches. 00:02:56.719 --> 00:03:01.219 But let the stump and its roots be bound with iron and bronze 00:03:01.219 --> 00:03:03.860 remain in the ground in the grass of the field. 00:03:04.680 --> 00:03:07.319 Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, 00:03:07.319 --> 00:03:11.340 and let him live with the animals among the plants of the earth. 00:03:11.680 --> 00:03:14.799 Let his mind be changed from that of a man, 00:03:15.019 --> 00:03:18.039 and let him be given the mind of an animal 00:03:18.039 --> 00:03:20.939 till seven times pass by for him. 00:03:21.539 --> 00:03:24.019 The decision is announced by messengers. 00:03:24.219 --> 00:03:25.900 The holy ones declare the verdict, 00:03:26.099 --> 00:03:29.120 so that the living may know that the Most High 00:03:29.120 --> 00:03:32.099 is sovereign over the kingdoms of men, 00:03:32.099 --> 00:03:34.960 and gives them to anyone he wishes, 00:03:34.960 --> 00:03:37.599 and sets over them the lowliest of men. 00:03:38.319 --> 00:03:40.959 This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. 00:03:41.500 --> 00:03:44.359 Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means, 00:03:44.819 --> 00:03:46.840 for none of the wise men in my kingdom 00:03:46.840 --> 00:03:48.219 can interpret it for me, 00:03:48.500 --> 00:03:49.240 but you can, 00:03:49.699 --> 00:03:51.819 because the spirit of the holy gods is in you. 00:03:52.579 --> 00:03:54.680 Then Daniel, called Belteshazzar, 00:03:54.740 --> 00:03:56.579 was greatly perplexed for a time, 00:03:56.799 --> 00:03:58.740 and his thoughts terrified him. 00:03:58.740 --> 00:04:00.140 So the king says, 00:04:00.260 --> 00:04:02.080 Belteshazzar, do not let the dream 00:04:02.080 --> 00:04:03.560 or its meaning alarm you. 00:04:04.600 --> 00:04:05.500 Belteshazzar answered, 00:04:05.580 --> 00:04:06.100 My lord, 00:04:06.719 --> 00:04:09.560 if only the dream applied to your enemies, 00:04:10.100 --> 00:04:12.580 and its meaning to your adversaries. 00:04:13.200 --> 00:04:14.219 The tree you saw, 00:04:14.400 --> 00:04:15.660 which grew large and strong, 00:04:15.760 --> 00:04:17.340 with its top touching the sky, 00:04:17.759 --> 00:04:19.120 visible to the whole earth, 00:04:19.180 --> 00:04:21.259 with beautiful leaves and abundant fruit, 00:04:21.360 --> 00:04:22.840 providing food for all, 00:04:23.319 --> 00:04:25.280 giving shelter to the beasts of the field, 00:04:25.360 --> 00:04:26.759 and having nesting places, 00:04:26.759 --> 00:04:29.339 and its branches for the birds of the air, 00:04:29.839 --> 00:04:32.139 you, O king, are that tree. 00:04:32.659 --> 00:04:34.459 You have become great and strong. 00:04:34.939 --> 00:04:37.459 Your greatness has grown until it reaches the sky, 00:04:37.659 --> 00:04:40.680 and your dominion extends to the distant parts of the earth. 00:04:41.459 --> 00:04:43.019 You, O king, saw a messenger, 00:04:43.199 --> 00:04:45.039 a holy one, coming down from heaven, 00:04:45.459 --> 00:04:46.039 and saying, 00:04:46.199 --> 00:04:48.680 Cut down the tree and destroy it, 00:04:49.039 --> 00:04:51.819 but leave the stump bound with iron and bronze 00:04:51.819 --> 00:04:53.779 in the grass of the field, 00:04:54.099 --> 00:04:56.219 while its roots remain in the ground. 00:04:57.000 --> 00:04:59.519 Let him be drenched with the Jew of heaven. 00:04:59.980 --> 00:05:02.240 Let him live like the wild animals 00:05:02.240 --> 00:05:05.219 until seven times pass by for him. 00:05:06.180 --> 00:05:08.019 This is the interpretation, O king, 00:05:08.240 --> 00:05:10.439 and this is the decree the Most High 00:05:10.439 --> 00:05:12.659 has issued against my lord, the king. 00:05:12.660 --> 00:05:15.800 You will be driven away from the people 00:05:15.800 --> 00:05:18.660 and will live with the wild animals. 00:05:19.320 --> 00:05:20.840 You will eat grass like cattle 00:05:20.840 --> 00:05:22.820 and be drenched with the Jew of heaven. 00:05:23.560 --> 00:05:25.960 Seven times will pass by for you 00:05:25.960 --> 00:05:28.420 until you acknowledge that the Most High 00:05:28.420 --> 00:05:30.820 is sovereign over the kingdoms of men 00:05:30.820 --> 00:05:33.580 and gives them to anyone he wishes. 00:05:34.620 --> 00:05:37.000 The command to leave the stump of the tree 00:05:37.000 --> 00:05:37.780 with its roots 00:05:37.780 --> 00:05:41.680 means that your kingdom will be restored to you 00:05:41.680 --> 00:05:44.620 when you acknowledge that heaven rules. 00:05:45.319 --> 00:05:46.139 Therefore, O king, 00:05:46.600 --> 00:05:48.439 be pleased to accept my advice. 00:05:49.139 --> 00:05:52.360 Renounce your sins by doing what is right 00:05:52.360 --> 00:05:55.019 and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. 00:05:55.460 --> 00:06:00.259 It may be that then your prosperity will continue. 00:06:01.199 --> 00:06:03.639 All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar 00:06:03.639 --> 00:06:05.340 12 months later. 00:06:05.680 --> 00:06:07.579 As the king was walking in the roof 00:06:07.579 --> 00:06:09.780 of the royal palace of Babylon, 00:06:09.779 --> 00:06:10.959 he said, 00:06:11.099 --> 00:06:13.259 it is not this great Babylon 00:06:13.259 --> 00:06:15.739 I built as the royal residence 00:06:15.739 --> 00:06:17.139 by my mighty power 00:06:17.139 --> 00:06:19.899 and for the glory of my majesty. 00:06:20.779 --> 00:06:22.519 The words were still on his lips 00:06:22.519 --> 00:06:24.279 when a voice came from heaven. 00:06:24.839 --> 00:06:26.639 This is what is decreed for you, 00:06:26.779 --> 00:06:27.779 King Nebuchadnezzar. 00:06:28.239 --> 00:06:30.619 Your royal authority has been taken from you. 00:06:31.079 --> 00:06:32.899 You will be driven away from the people 00:06:32.899 --> 00:06:35.500 and you will live like the wild animals. 00:06:35.500 --> 00:06:37.959 You will eat grass like cattle. 00:06:38.420 --> 00:06:40.339 Seven times will pass by for you 00:06:40.339 --> 00:06:42.540 until you acknowledge that the Most High 00:06:42.540 --> 00:06:45.540 is sovereign over the kingdoms of men 00:06:45.540 --> 00:06:47.920 and gives them to anyone he wishes. 00:06:49.000 --> 00:06:51.300 Immediately, what had been said 00:06:51.300 --> 00:06:53.019 about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. 00:06:53.819 --> 00:06:55.500 He was driven away from people 00:06:55.500 --> 00:06:57.060 and ate grass like cattle. 00:06:57.519 --> 00:07:00.060 His body was drenched with the dew of heaven 00:07:00.060 --> 00:07:03.019 until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle 00:07:03.019 --> 00:07:05.519 and his nails like the claws of a bird. 00:07:06.359 --> 00:07:07.699 At the end of the time, 00:07:08.159 --> 00:07:09.279 I, Nebuchadnezzar, 00:07:09.359 --> 00:07:10.959 raised my eyes towards heaven 00:07:10.959 --> 00:07:13.219 and my sanity was restored. 00:07:14.259 --> 00:07:15.879 Then I praised the Most High. 00:07:16.180 --> 00:07:18.879 I honored and glorified him who lives forever. 00:07:19.799 --> 00:07:22.099 His dominion is an eternal dominion 00:07:22.099 --> 00:07:25.779 and his kingdom endures from generation to generation. 00:07:26.500 --> 00:07:29.459 All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. 00:07:29.459 --> 00:07:32.599 He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven 00:07:32.599 --> 00:07:34.339 and the peoples of the earth. 00:07:34.739 --> 00:07:36.519 No one can hold back his hand 00:07:36.519 --> 00:07:37.680 or say to him, 00:07:37.799 --> 00:07:38.939 what have you done? 00:07:39.579 --> 00:07:42.639 At the same time that my sanity was restored, 00:07:42.899 --> 00:07:45.759 my honor and splendor were returned to me 00:07:45.759 --> 00:07:47.620 for the glory of my kingdom. 00:07:48.279 --> 00:07:50.719 My advisors and nobles sought me out 00:07:50.719 --> 00:07:52.740 and I was restored to my throne 00:07:52.740 --> 00:07:55.560 and became even greater than before. 00:07:55.560 --> 00:07:58.180 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, 00:07:58.620 --> 00:08:02.220 praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven 00:08:02.220 --> 00:08:05.040 because everything he does is right 00:08:05.040 --> 00:08:07.319 and all his ways are just 00:08:07.319 --> 00:08:09.620 and those who walk in pride, 00:08:09.840 --> 00:08:12.939 he is able to humble. 00:08:14.139 --> 00:08:19.980 We are confronted with the incontrovertible fact 00:08:19.980 --> 00:08:23.819 that our God is one of a kind. 00:08:23.819 --> 00:08:27.879 There is not a category or a class of gods 00:08:27.879 --> 00:08:29.800 to which our God belongs. 00:08:30.439 --> 00:08:33.080 You see, we like to categorize things, don't we? 00:08:33.399 --> 00:08:35.720 So for example, you could categorize animals. 00:08:35.860 --> 00:08:38.539 You could say there are certain animals that are mammals 00:08:38.539 --> 00:08:41.279 and there are certain animals that are reptiles 00:08:41.279 --> 00:08:43.980 or other animals that are marsupials. 00:08:44.539 --> 00:08:46.259 You can categorize and put them 00:08:46.259 --> 00:08:48.720 in their particular classes or categories. 00:08:49.580 --> 00:08:51.399 The Bible confronts us with the God 00:08:51.399 --> 00:08:52.779 who has no category, 00:08:52.779 --> 00:08:56.939 who has no similarity to other so-called deities. 00:08:57.519 --> 00:09:01.179 So that's why giving worship or honor or glory 00:09:01.179 --> 00:09:03.259 to anything or anyone else 00:09:03.259 --> 00:09:05.120 is not just mistaken, 00:09:05.519 --> 00:09:06.759 it is abominable 00:09:06.759 --> 00:09:08.819 because we are giving the credit, 00:09:08.959 --> 00:09:11.399 we are giving the glory to something that is not. 00:09:11.939 --> 00:09:14.399 Because our God has no lack, 00:09:14.559 --> 00:09:15.939 our God has no limit, 00:09:16.079 --> 00:09:17.559 our God has no need, 00:09:17.879 --> 00:09:19.279 he has no necessity, 00:09:19.279 --> 00:09:21.240 he does not need us, 00:09:21.339 --> 00:09:22.179 we need him, 00:09:22.379 --> 00:09:24.360 he is not made complete with us, 00:09:24.459 --> 00:09:26.120 we are made complete in him. 00:09:26.559 --> 00:09:28.159 So the God that we encounter 00:09:28.159 --> 00:09:29.959 on each of the pages of the Bible 00:09:29.959 --> 00:09:33.220 is a God that is without comparison. 00:09:33.939 --> 00:09:35.379 So that's why the lesson 00:09:35.379 --> 00:09:37.259 to the Old Testament people of God 00:09:37.259 --> 00:09:39.860 was you shall have no other gods before me. 00:09:40.299 --> 00:09:41.279 That does not suggest 00:09:41.279 --> 00:09:42.379 that there are other gods 00:09:42.379 --> 00:09:43.740 that could be before him, 00:09:43.939 --> 00:09:46.039 but to suggest that we have a tendency 00:09:46.039 --> 00:09:48.740 to make other things God. 00:09:49.480 --> 00:09:50.620 So with you this evening, 00:09:50.679 --> 00:09:52.480 I'd like to consider this theme 00:09:52.480 --> 00:09:54.679 that is brought before our attention. 00:09:55.159 --> 00:09:56.620 That the God that we worship, 00:09:56.759 --> 00:09:58.860 the God in whose presence we are gathered, 00:09:59.240 --> 00:10:02.059 is the God who is self-existent. 00:10:03.120 --> 00:10:05.879 This morning we had the induction 00:10:05.879 --> 00:10:08.360 of office bearers, elders, and deacons. 00:10:09.019 --> 00:10:11.620 And one of the questions that they were asked 00:10:11.620 --> 00:10:14.120 was about the Westminster Confession of Faith. 00:10:14.120 --> 00:10:16.039 It's a statement of what we believe. 00:10:16.600 --> 00:10:18.080 We would say that it's a statement 00:10:18.080 --> 00:10:19.299 of what the Bible teaches 00:10:19.299 --> 00:10:20.539 and of what we affirm. 00:10:21.320 --> 00:10:22.980 Now the great thing about the confession 00:10:22.980 --> 00:10:25.419 is that in a short compass, 00:10:26.120 --> 00:10:29.360 it summarizes some of the great truths of the faith. 00:10:29.940 --> 00:10:31.860 So let me just read you a few statements 00:10:31.860 --> 00:10:34.240 concerning the God that we worship. 00:10:35.120 --> 00:10:36.700 We're told in that confession 00:10:36.700 --> 00:10:39.879 in chapter 2 and chapter paragraph 1 00:10:39.879 --> 00:10:44.779 that there is but one only living and true God 00:10:44.779 --> 00:10:47.620 who is infinite in being and perfection. 00:10:48.559 --> 00:10:50.500 Infinite means that there is no measure. 00:10:51.080 --> 00:10:52.679 There is no measure to his being. 00:10:52.840 --> 00:10:54.500 There is no measure to his perfection. 00:10:54.500 --> 00:10:56.500 That there is a completeness 00:10:56.500 --> 00:10:57.620 and a wholeness and a fullness. 00:10:58.360 --> 00:11:02.379 We then go on to read that God has all life, 00:11:03.039 --> 00:11:05.179 glory, goodness, blessedness, 00:11:05.179 --> 00:11:07.599 in and of himself 00:11:07.599 --> 00:11:11.779 and is alone in and unto he himself 00:11:11.779 --> 00:11:13.199 all sufficient. 00:11:14.079 --> 00:11:16.199 Not standing in need of any creatures 00:11:16.199 --> 00:11:17.299 which he has made 00:11:17.299 --> 00:11:20.019 nor deriving any glory from them 00:11:20.019 --> 00:11:23.759 but only manifesting his own glory 00:11:23.759 --> 00:11:28.620 in, by, unto, and upon them. 00:11:28.620 --> 00:11:35.179 It's a dense paragraph with huge truths 00:11:35.179 --> 00:11:37.539 but it says that he is set apart. 00:11:38.240 --> 00:11:40.220 He is different, distinct from us. 00:11:40.720 --> 00:11:43.120 We can't say that our God is like 00:11:43.120 --> 00:11:46.100 because anything that we would liken our God to 00:11:46.100 --> 00:11:48.840 would be inadequate and would be insufficient. 00:11:49.840 --> 00:11:51.799 Now in the study of theology, 00:11:51.799 --> 00:11:53.039 it's not surprising 00:11:53.039 --> 00:11:56.200 that the human language has limitations, 00:11:56.200 --> 00:11:59.060 that we can't even speak in a way 00:11:59.060 --> 00:12:01.759 that adequately describes what it is 00:12:01.759 --> 00:12:04.640 or who it is that we are trying to describe. 00:12:05.300 --> 00:12:06.379 So for example, 00:12:06.860 --> 00:12:09.020 very early on in the history of the church, 00:12:09.180 --> 00:12:10.960 there was a word that was needed. 00:12:11.480 --> 00:12:15.060 How can we describe God who is one, unity, 00:12:15.060 --> 00:12:17.060 and how can we describe God 00:12:17.060 --> 00:12:19.600 who exists eternally in three persons? 00:12:20.900 --> 00:12:22.920 And you put the try for three 00:12:22.920 --> 00:12:24.580 and you put the unity together 00:12:24.580 --> 00:12:27.060 and you have this new word called trinity. 00:12:27.259 --> 00:12:28.420 It's not a biblical word 00:12:28.420 --> 00:12:29.800 but it's a biblical truth. 00:12:30.639 --> 00:12:31.240 Now the biblical, 00:12:31.500 --> 00:12:33.800 the new word that comes before us tonight 00:12:33.800 --> 00:12:37.180 is a word again from the Latin language 00:12:37.180 --> 00:12:42.120 which says that the term is aseity. 00:12:42.480 --> 00:12:43.500 Now it's a technical term, 00:12:43.560 --> 00:12:44.820 you don't need to remember it 00:12:44.820 --> 00:12:46.840 but if you know Latin at all, 00:12:47.220 --> 00:12:49.520 a or a would be from 00:12:49.519 --> 00:12:52.860 and se, se, means himself, 00:12:53.279 --> 00:12:54.579 from himself. 00:12:55.539 --> 00:12:56.980 Now this is a characteristic 00:12:56.980 --> 00:12:58.860 that God and God alone has, 00:12:58.919 --> 00:13:01.159 that there is a self-existence, 00:13:01.220 --> 00:13:02.120 a self-sufficiency 00:13:02.120 --> 00:13:05.299 that is in and of himself. 00:13:06.519 --> 00:13:08.840 Now we have difficulty understanding this 00:13:08.840 --> 00:13:11.179 because this bears no resemblance to us. 00:13:11.720 --> 00:13:14.259 We are completely contingent people. 00:13:14.399 --> 00:13:15.039 We depend. 00:13:15.039 --> 00:13:17.839 We depend on other people. 00:13:18.360 --> 00:13:20.019 We depend on other factors. 00:13:20.159 --> 00:13:21.159 Now you might think 00:13:21.159 --> 00:13:22.480 that you are self-sufficient. 00:13:23.219 --> 00:13:24.279 Well then ask yourself, 00:13:24.399 --> 00:13:26.439 how long could you survive without oxygen? 00:13:27.019 --> 00:13:29.059 How long could you survive without food? 00:13:29.159 --> 00:13:30.719 How long could you survive without water? 00:13:30.980 --> 00:13:33.259 We are completely dependent upon other things 00:13:33.259 --> 00:13:35.099 that are outside of ourself. 00:13:35.620 --> 00:13:38.679 Whereas God is sufficient in and of himself. 00:13:38.980 --> 00:13:42.059 He is self-existent, self-sustaining. 00:13:42.059 --> 00:13:43.979 He doesn't need our help. 00:13:44.099 --> 00:13:45.079 He doesn't need our support. 00:13:45.219 --> 00:13:46.239 He doesn't need our knowledge. 00:13:46.359 --> 00:13:47.179 He doesn't need anything. 00:13:47.639 --> 00:13:49.939 That's just the way he is. 00:13:50.599 --> 00:13:53.019 So keeping these truths in mind, 00:13:53.159 --> 00:13:56.639 we find that there is a qualitative difference 00:13:56.639 --> 00:13:59.059 and a quantitative difference 00:13:59.059 --> 00:14:02.239 between who we are and who God is. 00:14:02.899 --> 00:14:04.819 We come back to this scene 00:14:04.819 --> 00:14:08.239 600 years roughly before the time of Jesus. 00:14:09.039 --> 00:14:10.299 This kingdom Babylon 00:14:10.299 --> 00:14:12.500 was encompassing all the other kingdoms, 00:14:13.120 --> 00:14:14.479 conquering all the lands, 00:14:14.579 --> 00:14:16.959 including the people of the Holy Land 00:14:16.959 --> 00:14:19.799 and bringing into Babylon 00:14:19.799 --> 00:14:21.579 the best and the brightest. 00:14:22.399 --> 00:14:24.099 So you see the Babylonian empire was, 00:14:24.379 --> 00:14:26.179 they had wisdom, they had smarts. 00:14:26.179 --> 00:14:28.679 So they wanted to incorporate new peoples 00:14:28.679 --> 00:14:29.620 and new lands. 00:14:29.799 --> 00:14:31.000 And they thought to themselves, 00:14:31.000 --> 00:14:32.839 let's get the best and the brightest. 00:14:33.159 --> 00:14:34.079 They're foreigners. 00:14:34.279 --> 00:14:35.859 Well, let's bring them into Babylon. 00:14:36.299 --> 00:14:37.339 Let's train them. 00:14:37.439 --> 00:14:38.099 Let's equip them 00:14:38.099 --> 00:14:40.059 so that we can get the best out of them. 00:14:40.299 --> 00:14:42.379 So Daniel and some of his friends 00:14:42.379 --> 00:14:43.759 were brought into Babylon 00:14:43.759 --> 00:14:46.879 and placed in positions of authority. 00:14:47.839 --> 00:14:50.279 But this chapter is quite remarkable 00:14:50.279 --> 00:14:52.419 because what we have here 00:14:52.419 --> 00:14:55.179 is an audience with a king, 00:14:55.500 --> 00:14:58.319 not a king of the people of Israel, 00:14:58.479 --> 00:15:00.099 not a king of the people of God 00:15:00.099 --> 00:15:01.579 as we are familiar with, 00:15:02.079 --> 00:15:04.019 you know, David or Solomon 00:15:04.019 --> 00:15:06.759 or, you know, the great figures of the past. 00:15:06.759 --> 00:15:08.939 But here's a foreign king. 00:15:08.939 --> 00:15:13.059 And this foreign king is testifying to us 00:15:13.059 --> 00:15:16.980 about the God that he previously had not known, 00:15:17.139 --> 00:15:18.379 had not worshipped. 00:15:18.500 --> 00:15:21.740 And he's now testifying to the God he has encountered 00:15:21.740 --> 00:15:26.600 and to the God to whom he now owes absolutely everything. 00:15:27.419 --> 00:15:28.659 So with you, if you look back 00:15:28.659 --> 00:15:30.519 at the very beginning of Daniel 4, 00:15:30.600 --> 00:15:32.819 it was a long narrative passage. 00:15:32.820 --> 00:15:35.160 But the passage is important 00:15:35.160 --> 00:15:36.860 because it captures the details, 00:15:36.980 --> 00:15:39.280 it captures the events 00:15:39.280 --> 00:15:42.360 that reminds us that this actually happened. 00:15:42.879 --> 00:15:44.920 These events actually occurred 00:15:44.920 --> 00:15:47.980 in time, in place, and with people. 00:15:48.760 --> 00:15:50.860 So notice first the audience. 00:15:53.360 --> 00:15:55.100 Nebuchadnezzar has a big audience. 00:15:55.260 --> 00:15:55.879 Verse one, 00:15:56.440 --> 00:15:58.100 to the peoples, nations, and men 00:15:58.100 --> 00:16:01.100 of every language who live in all the world. 00:16:01.100 --> 00:16:03.300 You can't have a bigger audience than that. 00:16:03.519 --> 00:16:05.220 Nebuchadnezzar has a big story 00:16:05.220 --> 00:16:08.580 to tell a big audience about a big God. 00:16:09.019 --> 00:16:10.440 He's a big person himself. 00:16:10.560 --> 00:16:11.159 He's powerful. 00:16:11.519 --> 00:16:12.440 He has authority. 00:16:12.580 --> 00:16:13.200 He has power. 00:16:13.320 --> 00:16:14.000 He has prestige. 00:16:14.480 --> 00:16:16.399 And he has something to share, 00:16:16.860 --> 00:16:18.639 not just with his own people, 00:16:18.879 --> 00:16:21.040 but he has something to share with all people. 00:16:21.600 --> 00:16:23.420 So we're part of his audience 00:16:23.420 --> 00:16:26.700 because we are members of this human race 00:16:26.700 --> 00:16:28.960 and we live in different parts, 00:16:28.960 --> 00:16:31.400 or we live now currently in Scotland. 00:16:31.639 --> 00:16:33.720 We may come from different parts of the world. 00:16:33.920 --> 00:16:35.759 So we have a big audience, 00:16:35.759 --> 00:16:38.740 but he also has a big story. 00:16:39.180 --> 00:16:40.440 In verse two, he says, 00:16:40.560 --> 00:16:43.340 it is my pleasure to tell you 00:16:43.340 --> 00:16:45.759 about the miraculous signs and wonders 00:16:45.759 --> 00:16:49.420 that the most high God has performed for me. 00:16:50.420 --> 00:16:51.379 Most high. 00:16:51.379 --> 00:16:54.100 The God who is, 00:16:54.340 --> 00:16:56.159 in English we would say that they're, 00:16:56.720 --> 00:16:59.000 when you have adjectives like good, 00:16:59.200 --> 00:17:00.679 that's a descriptive word. 00:17:00.759 --> 00:17:01.480 Something is good. 00:17:01.899 --> 00:17:03.860 You have a comparative word, better. 00:17:04.299 --> 00:17:07.759 I like ice cream better than trifle. 00:17:07.920 --> 00:17:09.119 You compare two things. 00:17:09.500 --> 00:17:11.039 But then you come to superlatives 00:17:11.039 --> 00:17:12.279 where you have best. 00:17:13.039 --> 00:17:15.259 And Nebuchadnezzar says that this God 00:17:15.259 --> 00:17:16.839 is the most high. 00:17:16.839 --> 00:17:20.579 Now, if Nebuchadnezzar is the top of an empire, 00:17:21.019 --> 00:17:23.519 and if he is at the top of a power structure, 00:17:23.819 --> 00:17:26.240 and if he's the top of an imperial kingdom, 00:17:26.639 --> 00:17:28.159 and he's saying that there is a God 00:17:28.159 --> 00:17:29.199 who is most high, 00:17:29.439 --> 00:17:31.679 he is in a position to understand 00:17:31.679 --> 00:17:33.539 what high looks like. 00:17:33.699 --> 00:17:35.539 Because he is in a high position, 00:17:35.859 --> 00:17:37.439 and he's telling us that the God 00:17:37.439 --> 00:17:38.639 that he wants to tell us about 00:17:38.639 --> 00:17:40.059 is the most high. 00:17:41.019 --> 00:17:42.599 He says, he goes on to say, 00:17:42.699 --> 00:17:44.679 how great are his signs, 00:17:44.680 --> 00:17:46.640 how mighty are his wonders. 00:17:47.120 --> 00:17:49.060 His kingdom is an eternal kingdom. 00:17:49.460 --> 00:17:52.160 His dominion endures from generation to generation. 00:17:52.900 --> 00:17:55.500 When you read the whole of the Daniel story, 00:17:55.920 --> 00:17:57.960 we get an insight into Nebuchadnezzar. 00:17:58.740 --> 00:18:00.100 Nebuchadnezzar was a man 00:18:00.100 --> 00:18:01.779 who was overwhelmed by greatness, 00:18:02.299 --> 00:18:04.380 but primarily he was overwhelmed 00:18:04.380 --> 00:18:06.039 by his own greatness. 00:18:06.860 --> 00:18:09.180 But obviously something has changed. 00:18:09.519 --> 00:18:11.140 His perspective has altered 00:18:11.140 --> 00:18:13.560 because now he's using great, 00:18:14.080 --> 00:18:15.640 not as a self-description, 00:18:16.080 --> 00:18:17.980 but he's using great as a description 00:18:17.980 --> 00:18:20.120 of this most high God. 00:18:21.020 --> 00:18:21.580 Singular. 00:18:22.140 --> 00:18:23.640 That there is a God 00:18:23.640 --> 00:18:25.259 who is the most high, 00:18:25.360 --> 00:18:26.660 the highest, the most powerful, 00:18:27.140 --> 00:18:28.220 the one who has, 00:18:28.560 --> 00:18:29.500 who does wonders, 00:18:29.640 --> 00:18:31.440 the one whose kingdom has no end, 00:18:31.700 --> 00:18:33.320 and the one whose dominion 00:18:33.320 --> 00:18:36.340 endures from generation to generation. 00:18:36.339 --> 00:18:40.899 So God is in the story 00:18:40.899 --> 00:18:43.500 and God is above the story 00:18:43.500 --> 00:18:46.019 that Nebuchadnezzar has a story to tell 00:18:46.019 --> 00:18:47.699 of which he is a character, 00:18:48.119 --> 00:18:49.980 but that he is not the main character. 00:18:50.879 --> 00:18:54.480 Now, this is difficult sometimes for us to grasp, 00:18:54.919 --> 00:18:57.359 that we are not the center of this world, 00:18:57.480 --> 00:18:59.000 we are not the center of this universe, 00:18:59.179 --> 00:19:01.159 that we are not the center of this story. 00:19:01.480 --> 00:19:03.039 We're all part of this story, 00:19:03.459 --> 00:19:05.899 7.4 billion people on this planet, 00:19:06.360 --> 00:19:08.280 each one of us is part of the story, 00:19:08.280 --> 00:19:11.880 but not any one of us is the center of the story. 00:19:13.780 --> 00:19:16.080 I was reading a book recently, 00:19:16.240 --> 00:19:18.440 it's called Instruments in the Hands of the Redeemer, 00:19:19.080 --> 00:19:20.820 and in that there was an illustration 00:19:20.820 --> 00:19:24.080 that there was a children's birthday party 00:19:24.080 --> 00:19:26.500 and a lot of five-year-old kids were invited, 00:19:27.019 --> 00:19:29.960 and everybody was singing and blowing out candles, 00:19:30.200 --> 00:19:31.380 presents were being given, 00:19:32.040 --> 00:19:33.840 a great time was had by all, 00:19:33.839 --> 00:19:36.399 but one of the five-year-olds was crying, 00:19:37.220 --> 00:19:40.059 and the host's parents said, 00:19:40.179 --> 00:19:41.579 what's wrong, why are you so upset? 00:19:42.500 --> 00:19:45.519 He said, I don't have a cake, 00:19:46.019 --> 00:19:47.879 and nobody's giving me presents. 00:19:48.859 --> 00:19:50.839 Well, the parent tried to explain this to the kids, 00:19:50.899 --> 00:19:52.519 saying, but it's not your party. 00:19:53.220 --> 00:19:54.359 You know, you're at the party, 00:19:54.459 --> 00:19:55.519 but it's not your party. 00:19:56.199 --> 00:19:58.299 Now, Nebuchadnezzar thought it was his party. 00:19:58.299 --> 00:20:00.859 He thought he was the center of everybody's attention, 00:20:00.859 --> 00:20:03.419 but he came to realize that he was part of the party, 00:20:03.519 --> 00:20:04.899 not the center of the party, 00:20:04.899 --> 00:20:07.039 and he comes to tell us 00:20:07.039 --> 00:20:10.299 that we are not the center of our lives, 00:20:10.899 --> 00:20:13.700 but that God is the center of this world, 00:20:13.700 --> 00:20:16.299 and that we are to revolve around him 00:20:16.299 --> 00:20:19.379 rather than him revolve around us. 00:20:20.099 --> 00:20:22.759 Two other technical words that you might find helpful. 00:20:23.240 --> 00:20:26.720 What we see here is that God is in the story, 00:20:26.720 --> 00:20:27.700 he's part of the story, 00:20:27.880 --> 00:20:29.779 but that God is above the story. 00:20:30.400 --> 00:20:31.640 Now, theologians will tell you 00:20:31.640 --> 00:20:33.720 that this means that God is imminent. 00:20:34.360 --> 00:20:35.600 Remember that word that we use 00:20:35.600 --> 00:20:37.180 to describe Jesus from Isaiah, 00:20:37.579 --> 00:20:39.519 Emmanuel, God with us, 00:20:39.860 --> 00:20:41.640 that God is in the story, 00:20:41.640 --> 00:20:43.640 but God is also transcendent, 00:20:44.220 --> 00:20:47.360 that he exists above and over the story. 00:20:47.740 --> 00:20:49.960 He has no beginning, he has no end, 00:20:50.039 --> 00:20:52.360 he has no start, he has no finish, 00:20:52.799 --> 00:20:54.720 whereas Nebuchadnezzar had a start, 00:20:54.940 --> 00:20:56.680 and Nebuchadnezzar had a finish. 00:20:57.240 --> 00:20:59.420 So if you were there in the 6th century BC, 00:20:59.740 --> 00:21:02.059 you would have known who Nebuchadnezzar was. 00:21:02.559 --> 00:21:04.339 Here in the 21st century, 00:21:04.779 --> 00:21:05.700 weeks could go by 00:21:05.700 --> 00:21:08.000 where you never even give a thought to Nebuchadnezzar. 00:21:08.720 --> 00:21:10.319 He's faded into obscurity. 00:21:11.579 --> 00:21:13.500 So we want to say that God is in, 00:21:13.600 --> 00:21:14.680 and God is above. 00:21:15.600 --> 00:21:17.420 And fourth, I want you to notice this, 00:21:17.500 --> 00:21:21.360 that Nebuchadnezzar now knows the score. 00:21:21.720 --> 00:21:23.519 He now knows God. 00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:25.799 He may have known something about God. 00:21:25.879 --> 00:21:27.619 He may have known something about Daniel. 00:21:27.920 --> 00:21:30.819 He may have known something about the various gods 00:21:30.819 --> 00:21:34.000 and the various deities that existed in his vast empire. 00:21:34.539 --> 00:21:37.019 He had some previous connection with God. 00:21:37.099 --> 00:21:38.539 You'll see that in Daniel 3. 00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:40.480 But now he knows him. 00:21:41.259 --> 00:21:43.139 He now knows who this God is. 00:21:43.359 --> 00:21:47.099 And there's a huge difference between knowing about and knowing. 00:21:47.099 --> 00:21:51.879 The Bible invites us to have a personal relationship 00:21:51.879 --> 00:21:56.500 with a personal, powerful, almighty, ever-present, all-knowing God. 00:21:56.980 --> 00:21:58.899 So it's not just a series of facts. 00:21:58.959 --> 00:22:00.339 It's not just a series of figures. 00:22:00.419 --> 00:22:04.819 It's not just a body of data that you come to know. 00:22:05.119 --> 00:22:08.119 But we have the opportunity, like Nebuchadnezzar, 00:22:08.179 --> 00:22:12.359 to have a personal, powerful encounter with this God. 00:22:12.359 --> 00:22:17.459 Now, Nebuchadnezzar learned certain lessons the hard way, 00:22:18.259 --> 00:22:19.579 that he was warned. 00:22:20.019 --> 00:22:20.779 He had a dream. 00:22:20.859 --> 00:22:21.479 It troubled him. 00:22:22.359 --> 00:22:25.559 Daniel, the man of God, came and interpreted that dream 00:22:25.559 --> 00:22:27.039 and told him, Nebuchadnezzar, 00:22:27.219 --> 00:22:28.539 I'm frightened. 00:22:29.299 --> 00:22:32.959 I'm frightened because the dream is not about your enemies, 00:22:33.099 --> 00:22:34.759 but the dream is about you. 00:22:35.359 --> 00:22:37.639 And unless you mend your ways, 00:22:37.740 --> 00:22:39.639 unless you turn from your sin, 00:22:39.640 --> 00:22:41.800 unless you acknowledge God, 00:22:42.080 --> 00:22:44.120 if you continue on the path, 00:22:44.440 --> 00:22:47.300 the destruction that you see in your dream 00:22:47.300 --> 00:22:49.060 will be your destruction. 00:22:50.280 --> 00:22:52.340 So Nebuchadnezzar heard, 00:22:52.900 --> 00:22:54.300 Nebuchadnezzar was warned, 00:22:54.440 --> 00:22:56.900 and Nebuchadnezzar ultimately decided 00:22:56.900 --> 00:22:59.700 to ignore the warning. 00:23:00.120 --> 00:23:01.900 He decided to carry on. 00:23:02.640 --> 00:23:03.640 And then one day, 00:23:03.780 --> 00:23:05.840 he was admiring his great city, 00:23:05.839 --> 00:23:08.059 all that he had done, 00:23:08.539 --> 00:23:10.199 and all that he had made, 00:23:10.399 --> 00:23:14.039 and how high and how great and how mighty he was. 00:23:14.799 --> 00:23:17.519 And then God, in his power, 00:23:18.220 --> 00:23:22.220 God in his promise, 00:23:23.220 --> 00:23:25.359 brought this big man low, 00:23:25.740 --> 00:23:28.139 brought this high man to a low position. 00:23:28.539 --> 00:23:31.740 And we see what God does. 00:23:31.740 --> 00:23:35.000 We see the power that God has, 00:23:35.120 --> 00:23:36.900 and we realize that this man, 00:23:36.980 --> 00:23:37.720 Nebuchadnezzar, 00:23:37.720 --> 00:23:38.980 is not self-sufficient. 00:23:39.339 --> 00:23:40.599 He is not self-existent. 00:23:40.740 --> 00:23:42.799 He has nothing in and of himself, 00:23:42.799 --> 00:23:45.039 because when his power was removed, 00:23:45.140 --> 00:23:46.620 when his sanity was removed, 00:23:46.839 --> 00:23:48.720 he was like one of those animals 00:23:48.720 --> 00:23:50.240 who was grazing under the tree. 00:23:50.900 --> 00:23:52.079 He had no power. 00:23:52.200 --> 00:23:53.019 He had no strength. 00:23:53.079 --> 00:23:54.000 He had no authority. 00:23:54.240 --> 00:23:55.700 He had no prestige. 00:23:56.259 --> 00:23:58.120 He was humbled and brought low. 00:23:58.119 --> 00:24:01.819 But our God is a merciful God, 00:24:01.919 --> 00:24:02.779 a gracious God, 00:24:02.859 --> 00:24:04.039 so he warns us. 00:24:04.359 --> 00:24:06.159 He warns us when we're in danger, 00:24:06.519 --> 00:24:09.119 but he also is able to restore us. 00:24:09.359 --> 00:24:10.719 When we've ignored the warnings, 00:24:10.819 --> 00:24:11.779 when we've gone too far, 00:24:11.879 --> 00:24:13.099 when we strayed too far, 00:24:13.519 --> 00:24:15.059 when we ignore the warnings, 00:24:15.219 --> 00:24:16.279 he can restore us. 00:24:16.639 --> 00:24:17.819 He can renew us. 00:24:18.379 --> 00:24:18.799 So you see, 00:24:18.879 --> 00:24:20.899 Nebuchadnezzar thought that he had it all, 00:24:21.259 --> 00:24:23.059 thought that he was the center of the story, 00:24:23.299 --> 00:24:24.859 that he was the top of the tree. 00:24:25.199 --> 00:24:25.919 And God says, 00:24:26.000 --> 00:24:27.419 well, you're no longer at the top of the tree. 00:24:27.420 --> 00:24:28.560 You're now under the tree. 00:24:28.560 --> 00:24:30.779 You're now at the grass level. 00:24:31.860 --> 00:24:33.180 So what can we learn? 00:24:33.580 --> 00:24:36.820 How can we apply the lessons of this big passage 00:24:36.820 --> 00:24:39.360 to our individual circumstances? 00:24:40.039 --> 00:24:41.920 Let me give you four things to think about. 00:24:42.460 --> 00:24:43.380 First of all, 00:24:43.480 --> 00:24:45.180 this passage points us, 00:24:45.460 --> 00:24:48.200 and this truth points us inexorably 00:24:48.200 --> 00:24:50.100 beyond this story, 00:24:50.420 --> 00:24:53.100 because it points us to the one called Jesus. 00:24:53.740 --> 00:24:55.960 Because if God is self-existent, 00:24:56.000 --> 00:24:57.160 that means he has no beginning. 00:24:57.160 --> 00:24:58.180 He has no start. 00:24:58.300 --> 00:24:58.740 He has no, 00:24:59.140 --> 00:25:01.320 there was no time where he was not. 00:25:02.259 --> 00:25:04.300 Listen to the words of John chapter one, 00:25:04.440 --> 00:25:05.080 verse one. 00:25:06.100 --> 00:25:07.380 In the beginning was the word, 00:25:07.460 --> 00:25:08.740 and the word was with God, 00:25:08.880 --> 00:25:10.360 and the word was God. 00:25:10.720 --> 00:25:12.300 He was with God in the beginning. 00:25:13.120 --> 00:25:13.759 Through him, 00:25:13.840 --> 00:25:15.100 all things were made. 00:25:15.500 --> 00:25:16.320 Without him, 00:25:16.460 --> 00:25:18.300 nothing was made that has been made. 00:25:18.700 --> 00:25:20.180 There is no one in human history 00:25:20.180 --> 00:25:22.740 of which that verse can be said. 00:25:23.180 --> 00:25:23.740 Through him, 00:25:23.740 --> 00:25:24.759 all things were made. 00:25:25.759 --> 00:25:26.319 Without him, 00:25:26.400 --> 00:25:27.960 nothing was made that was made, 00:25:28.019 --> 00:25:28.700 has been made. 00:25:29.000 --> 00:25:30.299 In him was life, 00:25:30.599 --> 00:25:32.480 and that life was the light of men. 00:25:32.480 --> 00:25:33.900 That there is a characteristic 00:25:33.900 --> 00:25:35.039 that belongs to God, 00:25:35.120 --> 00:25:36.140 that belongs to Jesus, 00:25:36.339 --> 00:25:37.819 that he is life. 00:25:38.079 --> 00:25:39.660 He's not just a living God. 00:25:39.740 --> 00:25:40.920 He's not just the living Savior, 00:25:41.039 --> 00:25:42.160 but he's life itself. 00:25:42.160 --> 00:25:43.700 So Jesus can say, 00:25:43.880 --> 00:25:44.360 I am the way, 00:25:44.460 --> 00:25:44.820 the truth, 00:25:44.860 --> 00:25:45.300 and the life. 00:25:45.440 --> 00:25:47.340 No one comes to the Father 00:25:47.340 --> 00:25:49.120 except through me. 00:25:49.640 --> 00:25:51.480 So we are pointed to the person 00:25:51.480 --> 00:25:52.660 of Jesus Christ. 00:25:52.800 --> 00:25:53.140 Secondly, 00:25:53.380 --> 00:25:55.640 we are pointed to one of the key principles 00:25:55.640 --> 00:25:57.080 of Jesus' kingdom. 00:25:57.880 --> 00:25:58.160 You see, 00:25:58.240 --> 00:26:00.880 Jesus has a way of bringing high people low 00:26:00.880 --> 00:26:01.960 and low people high. 00:26:03.500 --> 00:26:04.840 He told a parable, 00:26:05.300 --> 00:26:07.360 and he had a parable about a Pharisee 00:26:07.360 --> 00:26:08.360 and a tax collector. 00:26:09.220 --> 00:26:09.600 He said, 00:26:09.599 --> 00:26:10.919 to some who were confident 00:26:10.919 --> 00:26:12.099 of their own righteousness 00:26:12.099 --> 00:26:14.819 and looked down on everybody else, 00:26:15.339 --> 00:26:16.799 Jesus told this parable. 00:26:17.299 --> 00:26:19.619 Two men went up to the temple to pray, 00:26:19.740 --> 00:26:20.559 one a Pharisee 00:26:20.559 --> 00:26:21.939 and the other a tax collector. 00:26:22.319 --> 00:26:23.759 The Pharisee stood up 00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:24.899 and prayed about himself, 00:26:25.039 --> 00:26:25.379 God, 00:26:25.879 --> 00:26:26.619 I thank you. 00:26:27.039 --> 00:26:28.279 I am not like other men, 00:26:28.619 --> 00:26:28.980 robbers, 00:26:29.119 --> 00:26:29.579 evildoers, 00:26:29.699 --> 00:26:30.179 adulterers, 00:26:30.199 --> 00:26:31.740 or even like this tax collector. 00:26:32.240 --> 00:26:33.839 I fast twice a week 00:26:33.839 --> 00:26:35.439 and give a tenth of all I get. 00:26:35.959 --> 00:26:37.199 But the tax collector 00:26:37.199 --> 00:26:38.299 stood at a distance. 00:26:38.299 --> 00:26:40.319 He would not even look up to heaven 00:26:40.319 --> 00:26:41.279 but beat his breast 00:26:41.279 --> 00:26:41.700 and said, 00:26:41.839 --> 00:26:42.180 God, 00:26:42.319 --> 00:26:43.759 have mercy on me, 00:26:43.799 --> 00:26:44.279 a sinner. 00:26:44.819 --> 00:26:46.119 I tell you that this man, 00:26:46.180 --> 00:26:47.000 rather than the other, 00:26:47.539 --> 00:26:49.299 went home justified before God 00:26:49.299 --> 00:26:51.460 for everyone who exalts himself. 00:26:52.220 --> 00:26:52.740 Nebuchadnezzar, 00:26:52.819 --> 00:26:53.879 you exalted yourself. 00:26:54.799 --> 00:26:55.319 Nebuchadnezzar, 00:26:55.359 --> 00:26:57.079 you put yourself on a high place. 00:26:57.960 --> 00:26:58.220 Whoever, 00:26:58.399 --> 00:26:59.700 everyone who exalts himself 00:26:59.700 --> 00:27:00.419 will be humbled 00:27:00.419 --> 00:27:02.319 and he who humbles himself 00:27:02.319 --> 00:27:03.119 will be exalted. 00:27:03.680 --> 00:27:04.559 So what happens 00:27:04.559 --> 00:27:05.639 when Nebuchadnezzar 00:27:05.639 --> 00:27:06.359 exalted himself? 00:27:06.500 --> 00:27:07.039 He was humbled. 00:27:07.039 --> 00:27:07.960 What happened 00:27:07.960 --> 00:27:09.119 when he humbled himself? 00:27:09.559 --> 00:27:10.539 He was exalted. 00:27:10.700 --> 00:27:11.399 He was restored. 00:27:11.559 --> 00:27:12.720 He was put back 00:27:12.720 --> 00:27:13.899 into his position. 00:27:14.119 --> 00:27:15.420 But he recognized 00:27:15.420 --> 00:27:17.200 that the Most High God 00:27:17.200 --> 00:27:18.879 is the God. 00:27:20.379 --> 00:27:21.279 And finally, 00:27:21.339 --> 00:27:22.500 I'd like you to notice this. 00:27:23.200 --> 00:27:24.599 We not only are pointed 00:27:24.599 --> 00:27:25.779 to the person of Jesus 00:27:25.779 --> 00:27:26.859 and the key principle 00:27:26.859 --> 00:27:27.659 of his kingdom, 00:27:28.279 --> 00:27:29.940 but we are also reminded 00:27:29.940 --> 00:27:31.440 that the kingdom of Jesus 00:27:31.440 --> 00:27:33.019 needs to be proclaimed. 00:27:33.019 --> 00:27:35.920 Now, God does not need us. 00:27:36.700 --> 00:27:38.960 God does not rely upon us. 00:27:39.460 --> 00:27:41.259 We don't make him whole, 00:27:41.740 --> 00:27:42.259 but he, 00:27:42.440 --> 00:27:43.200 in his mercy, 00:27:43.200 --> 00:27:44.420 mercy and in his grace, 00:27:44.579 --> 00:27:46.039 he uses us. 00:27:46.720 --> 00:27:48.119 He used Nebuchadnezzar 00:27:48.119 --> 00:27:48.980 as a spokesman 00:27:48.980 --> 00:27:50.460 in the 6th century BC 00:27:50.460 --> 00:27:52.420 to tell the known world 00:27:52.420 --> 00:27:54.240 about the Most High God, 00:27:54.319 --> 00:27:55.299 the King of Heaven. 00:27:55.299 --> 00:27:58.619 And he used you and me 00:27:58.619 --> 00:28:00.559 in the 21st century 00:28:00.559 --> 00:28:03.500 to make Jesus known to others. 00:28:04.139 --> 00:28:05.259 At the very beginning 00:28:05.259 --> 00:28:06.299 of John's Gospel, 00:28:06.419 --> 00:28:07.579 I read from John 1, 00:28:07.680 --> 00:28:08.819 verses 1 to 4. 00:28:09.579 --> 00:28:10.519 Listen to this word 00:28:10.519 --> 00:28:11.200 of testimony, 00:28:11.500 --> 00:28:12.779 which we find later 00:28:12.779 --> 00:28:15.200 in John 1, verse 14. 00:28:15.819 --> 00:28:17.200 The word became flesh 00:28:17.200 --> 00:28:18.720 and made his dwelling among us. 00:28:19.079 --> 00:28:20.339 We have seen his glory, 00:28:20.440 --> 00:28:21.700 the glory of the one and only 00:28:21.700 --> 00:28:22.799 who came from the Father, 00:28:22.960 --> 00:28:24.879 full of grace and truth. 00:28:25.320 --> 00:28:27.380 John testifies concerning him. 00:28:27.900 --> 00:28:29.060 He cries out, saying, 00:28:29.160 --> 00:28:30.720 This was he of whom I have said. 00:28:31.200 --> 00:28:32.260 He who comes after me 00:28:32.260 --> 00:28:33.160 has surpassed me 00:28:33.160 --> 00:28:34.520 because he was before me. 00:28:34.960 --> 00:28:36.380 From the fullness of his grace, 00:28:36.440 --> 00:28:37.300 we have all received 00:28:37.300 --> 00:28:38.860 one blessing after another. 00:28:39.340 --> 00:28:40.500 For the law was given 00:28:40.500 --> 00:28:41.120 through Moses. 00:28:41.800 --> 00:28:42.860 Grace and truth came 00:28:42.860 --> 00:28:43.960 through Jesus Christ. 00:28:44.480 --> 00:28:46.180 No one has ever seen God, 00:28:46.260 --> 00:28:47.640 but God, the one and only, 00:28:47.640 --> 00:28:49.500 who is at the Father's side, 00:28:49.600 --> 00:28:51.440 has made him known. 00:28:52.720 --> 00:28:53.920 Nebuchadnezzar testifies 00:28:53.920 --> 00:28:54.840 to the Most High. 00:28:55.540 --> 00:28:57.120 The apostle John 00:28:57.120 --> 00:28:58.140 and John the Baptist 00:28:58.140 --> 00:28:59.500 testified to Jesus. 00:29:00.060 --> 00:29:01.020 And you and I, 00:29:01.340 --> 00:29:02.820 we can give our own account. 00:29:03.320 --> 00:29:04.000 We can't give 00:29:04.000 --> 00:29:05.060 Nebuchadnezzar's account. 00:29:05.160 --> 00:29:06.100 We can't give the accounts 00:29:06.100 --> 00:29:06.820 of the disciples 00:29:06.820 --> 00:29:07.560 or the apostles, 00:29:07.820 --> 00:29:09.480 but you can give your story. 00:29:09.720 --> 00:29:11.160 If you have indeed met 00:29:11.160 --> 00:29:12.500 with this Most High God, 00:29:12.660 --> 00:29:14.140 if you have indeed been 00:29:14.140 --> 00:29:15.960 brought low and then exalted, 00:29:16.320 --> 00:29:17.400 if you indeed have come 00:29:17.400 --> 00:29:18.140 to know him 00:29:18.140 --> 00:29:19.020 and want to share 00:29:19.020 --> 00:29:20.460 that knowledge with others, 00:29:21.200 --> 00:29:22.340 Nebuchadnezzar's life 00:29:22.339 --> 00:29:23.679 was transformed 00:29:23.679 --> 00:29:26.019 by the power of God 00:29:26.019 --> 00:29:28.000 and by the grace of God. 00:29:28.000 --> 00:29:29.819 This God who has no beginning 00:29:29.819 --> 00:29:30.720 and has no end, 00:29:31.059 --> 00:29:32.599 this God who is contingent 00:29:32.599 --> 00:29:34.119 upon nothing and no one, 00:29:34.500 --> 00:29:36.279 he encountered this God 00:29:36.279 --> 00:29:37.659 and he wanted to tell 00:29:37.659 --> 00:29:38.980 others about him. 00:29:39.299 --> 00:29:41.019 Have you encountered this God? 00:29:41.279 --> 00:29:42.859 Have you encountered his son? 00:29:43.259 --> 00:29:44.939 And have you now been given 00:29:44.939 --> 00:29:46.579 a testimony to tell? 00:29:46.579 --> 00:29:48.619 You might not have 00:29:48.619 --> 00:29:49.319 the whole world 00:29:49.319 --> 00:29:50.019 as your audience 00:29:50.019 --> 00:29:51.279 as Nebuchadnezzar had. 00:29:51.539 --> 00:29:52.500 You might not write 00:29:52.500 --> 00:29:53.759 one of the gospel accounts 00:29:53.759 --> 00:29:56.259 as John the apostle has, 00:29:56.619 --> 00:29:58.259 but you have your own audience, 00:29:58.399 --> 00:30:00.339 you have your own circle of friends, 00:30:00.439 --> 00:30:01.559 you have your own family, 00:30:01.779 --> 00:30:03.619 and you have your own story 00:30:03.619 --> 00:30:05.460 about the grace of God, 00:30:05.579 --> 00:30:07.059 the Most High God, 00:30:07.419 --> 00:30:10.559 who is powerful and personal 00:30:10.559 --> 00:30:12.619 and who has worked in your life 00:30:12.619 --> 00:30:14.579 to work through your life. 00:30:14.579 --> 00:30:16.519 So may God bless to us 00:30:16.519 --> 00:30:17.579 this great truth 00:30:17.579 --> 00:30:20.460 that our God is self-existent. 00:30:20.559 --> 00:30:22.419 No beginning, no end, 00:30:22.679 --> 00:30:24.319 no start, no finish. 00:30:24.619 --> 00:30:27.419 All sufficient, all powerful, 00:30:27.779 --> 00:30:29.819 all present in time 00:30:29.819 --> 00:30:30.679 and in eternity. 00:30:31.179 --> 00:30:32.659 And we together tonight, 00:30:33.220 --> 00:30:34.559 we have had the opportunity 00:30:34.559 --> 00:30:35.799 of encountering him, 00:30:36.399 --> 00:30:37.599 encountering him in worship, 00:30:38.079 --> 00:30:39.339 encountering him in prayer, 00:30:39.759 --> 00:30:41.240 encountering him in his word. 00:30:41.500 --> 00:30:42.939 And he wants us to take 00:30:42.939 --> 00:30:43.720 that encounter 00:30:43.720 --> 00:30:45.319 and to take that message 00:30:45.319 --> 00:30:46.039 to others 00:30:46.039 --> 00:30:47.100 so that they too 00:30:47.100 --> 00:30:47.880 can encounter 00:30:47.880 --> 00:30:49.720 the Most High God 00:30:50.319 --> 00:30:51.980 who is incomparable, 00:30:52.460 --> 00:30:54.519 who is one of a kind.