WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.259 We're going to begin our worship now, singing first of all in Psalm 106, in the Scottish 00:00:05.259 --> 00:00:11.200 Psalter, Psalm 106, that's on page 378. 00:00:17.460 --> 00:00:24.440 Singing verses 1 to 5, give praise and thanks unto the Lord, for bountiful is He, His tender 00:00:24.440 --> 00:00:31.480 mercy doth endure unto eternity. God's mighty works who can express or show forth all His 00:00:31.480 --> 00:00:39.480 praise. Blessed are they that judgment keep and justly do always. Psalm 106, verses 1 00:00:39.480 --> 00:00:42.760 to 5, if you're able to stand, please stand. We'll stand to sing. 00:00:42.759 --> 00:01:07.799 Give praise and thanks unto the Lord, for bountiful is He, their tender mercy doth endure. 00:01:07.799 --> 00:01:32.840 And to eternity. God's mighty works who can express or show forth all His praise. 00:01:32.840 --> 00:01:48.840 Blessed are they that judgment keep and justly do always. 00:01:48.840 --> 00:01:53.840 Remember me, Lord, with the love which thou do not bear. 00:01:53.840 --> 00:02:07.840 Remember me, Lord, with the love which thou do not bear. 00:02:07.840 --> 00:02:08.840 Remember me, Lord, with the love which thou do not bear. 00:02:08.840 --> 00:02:14.840 God's mighty gloriousaja das Heim hat alive. 00:02:14.840 --> 00:02:24.840 You are the only one who's ق добnahme an devotion which thou do not bear but earn. 00:02:24.840 --> 00:02:43.280 That thy right chosen's good mercy, and in their joy rejoice, 00:02:43.280 --> 00:03:00.520 and may with thy inheritance triumph with cheerful voice. 00:03:03.580 --> 00:03:08.159 Let's now join together in prayer. We're praying at this time for the Sunday School and for the Young Folks' 00:03:08.159 --> 00:03:12.420 meeting, so we'll pray especially for them at this time. 00:03:13.280 --> 00:03:21.039 Lord, our gracious God, we give thanks that we are able to come together of all ages to worship you today, 00:03:21.039 --> 00:03:27.620 and we give thanks for the way that your interest in us is not confined to any particular age group, 00:03:28.000 --> 00:03:31.840 but we give thanks, O Lord, for your grace that is extended to us all. 00:03:32.800 --> 00:03:37.819 We thank you today for the young people and for the children that belong to us as a congregation, 00:03:38.620 --> 00:03:42.060 and we thank you, O Lord, for the way that they give us such delight 00:03:42.060 --> 00:03:48.300 in seeing them come to learn the things of God, coming to join together in public worship, 00:03:49.120 --> 00:03:55.199 and coming to understand the importance as they grow up of those things that are foundational to life 00:03:55.199 --> 00:03:57.479 from the teaching of your Word. 00:03:58.120 --> 00:04:02.400 Bless them, we pray today, and give them as they learn more of you, 00:04:02.780 --> 00:04:06.439 and as they learn more of your Word and its meaning and its significance. 00:04:06.439 --> 00:04:12.939 Lord, help them today to increase in understanding and in the application of this to their lives. 00:04:13.740 --> 00:04:15.960 Bless them in their homes, their parents and families. 00:04:16.879 --> 00:04:19.740 We ask that you bless them in whatever else they do in life, 00:04:20.319 --> 00:04:25.980 and as they grow up especially, we pray, they will grow in the grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:04:25.980 --> 00:04:32.640 Receive our prayers for them, we pray, and help us to be a means of encouragement and help to them, 00:04:33.280 --> 00:04:37.560 and bless those who give up their time today to teach them or to look after them 00:04:37.560 --> 00:04:40.860 in creche or tweenies and in the Sunday school and Bible class. 00:04:41.580 --> 00:04:47.840 We thank you, Lord, for their dedication and for their commitment to these wonderful tasks 00:04:47.840 --> 00:04:49.680 of teaching our young people. 00:04:50.400 --> 00:04:53.980 Receive our thanks, we pray, in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:04:53.980 --> 00:04:54.140 Amen. 00:04:55.980 --> 00:05:02.720 Well, you'll notice if you go into supermarkets these days that there's usually or almost always now 00:05:02.720 --> 00:05:05.939 a section of free from food. 00:05:07.020 --> 00:05:08.120 Anybody notice that? 00:05:08.180 --> 00:05:09.860 Any of the children here? 00:05:10.000 --> 00:05:13.319 Stick your hand up if you noticed free from food, 00:05:13.660 --> 00:05:17.620 or if you know anything about why free from food is now important for some people. 00:05:18.600 --> 00:05:19.439 Some people do. 00:05:20.180 --> 00:05:23.220 Okay, well, there's always a section now on free from food. 00:05:23.220 --> 00:05:27.280 Why is it necessary to have a section there on free from food? 00:05:27.360 --> 00:05:31.080 What is free from food, and why is it important to some people? 00:05:31.380 --> 00:05:38.220 Well, it's important because some people have a really bad reaction to certain things you find in some foods. 00:05:38.860 --> 00:05:44.880 For example, in ordinary bread that's not free from, it contains gluten. 00:05:44.879 --> 00:05:51.579 And some people have a bad reaction to gluten and can become very ill if they eat something with gluten in it. 00:05:51.579 --> 00:05:53.680 The same with dairy products. 00:05:54.479 --> 00:06:00.879 Those who have problems with dairy products can't eat dairy products because, again, they have a bad reaction to it. 00:06:01.359 --> 00:06:05.959 So nowadays, you get food that's free from those types of things. 00:06:06.139 --> 00:06:08.500 Nuts is another thing that people react badly to. 00:06:09.039 --> 00:06:09.799 Some people do. 00:06:10.159 --> 00:06:16.680 Don't panic if you know that there are certain things that people react to in that way. 00:06:16.680 --> 00:06:20.439 This is really something that affects only a certain number of people. 00:06:20.840 --> 00:06:28.459 But, of course, it's important to them that they actually can't take ordinary bread or any nuts or stuff like that. 00:06:28.720 --> 00:06:30.420 They need free from food. 00:06:31.139 --> 00:06:39.139 And our grandchildren, for example, a number of the boys have always had difficulty with gluten and dairy products, 00:06:39.199 --> 00:06:40.620 and they have a bad reaction to that. 00:06:40.660 --> 00:06:44.620 And that can actually be very dangerous if it's really quite acute. 00:06:44.620 --> 00:06:46.800 So they always need free from food. 00:06:47.180 --> 00:06:56.840 But their mom always has to check the jars or the tins of stuff she buys because the ingredients, the stuff that's in the food, is listed on the jars. 00:06:57.319 --> 00:07:09.879 And she has to make sure that there's nothing in that that can really prove to be harmful or would really cause a bad reaction or be dangerous even to the children that have these allergies and intolerances, as they're called. 00:07:09.879 --> 00:07:19.319 And the ingredients, the stuff that could be harmful nowadays, are highlighted in bold, bold letters, big black letters. 00:07:19.420 --> 00:07:23.240 So you can see there if there's anything that's going to be harmful, obviously you put it back. 00:07:23.939 --> 00:07:25.540 And it's important to check that. 00:07:25.939 --> 00:07:32.879 Otherwise, it could be very dangerous for children that have these problems or for adults as well that have these problems. 00:07:32.879 --> 00:07:36.079 Nuts, gluten, all that sort of stuff. 00:07:36.719 --> 00:07:40.219 Now, the Bible has nothing bad in it. 00:07:40.819 --> 00:07:43.879 Nothing in the Bible that will be harmful to you. 00:07:44.339 --> 00:07:46.079 Nothing in the Bible that will damage you. 00:07:46.139 --> 00:07:47.420 It's the other way about, in fact. 00:07:47.939 --> 00:07:50.860 Everything that's in the Bible is good for you. 00:07:51.120 --> 00:07:52.420 That's why we want to learn it. 00:07:52.519 --> 00:07:59.019 That's why we want the young folks as well to learn it more and more and to learn its teachings for themselves. 00:07:59.019 --> 00:08:03.159 And, oh, there's nothing bad in the Bible. 00:08:03.500 --> 00:08:07.439 It does tell us about many things that are bad for us. 00:08:08.439 --> 00:08:12.859 And just as you need to be careful with food if you've got allergies to nuts or whatever, 00:08:13.680 --> 00:08:20.699 so we need to be careful about what sort of stuff, spiritually or morally, we take into our lives. 00:08:20.699 --> 00:08:30.699 And we need to be sure that we have a free-from diet as far as possible with those matters that will harm us spiritually and morally. 00:08:31.099 --> 00:08:39.039 The Bible tells us very specifically at times things that we are to avoid to have in our spiritual food, if you like. 00:08:39.500 --> 00:08:45.740 When Paul wrote to the Ephesians, to the Colossians, he listed a number of things that were really harmful. 00:08:46.620 --> 00:08:48.679 Telling lies was one of them. 00:08:48.679 --> 00:08:52.739 Always, he says, be truthful with one another. 00:08:53.739 --> 00:08:54.699 Bad language. 00:08:55.659 --> 00:08:59.599 Just because the world uses bad language doesn't mean it's okay. 00:09:00.519 --> 00:09:02.019 It's bad for us. 00:09:02.759 --> 00:09:03.539 It's not good. 00:09:04.599 --> 00:09:10.259 The same thing with hatred, disobedience to parents. 00:09:10.259 --> 00:09:20.879 All these things are mentioned in the Bible as harmful or bad for us and will damage our lives and will damage the lives of other people as well. 00:09:22.460 --> 00:09:23.019 Laziness. 00:09:24.399 --> 00:09:27.779 Laziness is mentioned in the Bible as something bad as well. 00:09:27.779 --> 00:09:30.480 Because God didn't make us to be lazy. 00:09:31.299 --> 00:09:33.399 He made us to work, to work hard. 00:09:34.039 --> 00:09:38.339 He made us to actually work so that it will benefit other people as well as ourselves. 00:09:39.299 --> 00:09:40.720 And bad company. 00:09:41.879 --> 00:09:52.059 Getting with or being always with people who hate God, who don't love God, who say bad things about the gospel, who don't like God's church. 00:09:52.059 --> 00:09:55.059 We want, of course, them to come to know the truth. 00:09:55.799 --> 00:10:01.679 But the Bible says that bad company corrupts good manners, good behavior. 00:10:02.959 --> 00:10:07.239 So free from is very important in foodstuffs. 00:10:07.679 --> 00:10:13.000 For those who have allergies and intolerances, free from is also important spiritually for us. 00:10:13.500 --> 00:10:15.359 Leave out of your life, young people. 00:10:15.360 --> 00:10:20.399 All the things the Bible tells you are harmful to you and harmful to other people. 00:10:21.139 --> 00:10:24.519 And that way we will live a life that's pleasing to God. 00:10:25.039 --> 00:10:28.379 A life of what the Bible calls holiness of life. 00:10:28.480 --> 00:10:36.139 A life that wants to get rid of all the harmful, sinful stuff and get God's help to enable us to do that. 00:10:37.100 --> 00:10:41.519 Okay, so next time you see in the supermarket, look for the free from stuff. 00:10:41.519 --> 00:10:51.000 And it reminds you of how important it is to live as far as possible free from everything that the Bible tells you is bad for you. 00:10:52.579 --> 00:10:54.899 Well, let's now say the Lord's Prayer together. 00:10:54.899 --> 00:10:55.899 Amen. 00:10:55.899 --> 00:10:56.899 Amen. 00:10:56.899 --> 00:11:00.579 Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. 00:11:01.199 --> 00:11:02.279 Thy kingdom come. 00:11:02.840 --> 00:11:05.360 Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 00:11:06.059 --> 00:11:08.039 Give us this day our daily bread. 00:11:08.379 --> 00:11:12.360 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 00:11:12.759 --> 00:11:16.959 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 00:11:17.439 --> 00:11:20.679 For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory. 00:11:21.259 --> 00:11:21.659 Amen. 00:11:21.659 --> 00:11:26.759 Let's sing again to God's praise from Psalm 12. 00:11:27.799 --> 00:11:28.719 Psalm number 12. 00:11:28.860 --> 00:11:32.299 Again, it's in the Scottish Psalter, page 213. 00:11:33.039 --> 00:11:34.360 We'll sing the whole of this psalm. 00:11:35.719 --> 00:11:39.019 Lord, help, because the godly man doth daily fade away, 00:11:39.719 --> 00:11:42.939 and from among the sons of men the faithful do decay. 00:11:43.819 --> 00:11:46.159 And to his neighbor everyone doth utter vanity. 00:11:46.959 --> 00:11:51.159 They with a double heart do speak, and lips of flattery. 00:11:51.159 --> 00:11:57.620 Here is the psalmist, times when those who believed in God were becoming few in his day, 00:11:57.679 --> 00:11:58.639 as he saw it at least. 00:11:59.120 --> 00:12:05.419 And he's crying out to the Lord for help, not only for himself, but for the world in which he was placed. 00:12:05.959 --> 00:12:08.919 And that's what we too pray to God about. 00:12:09.659 --> 00:12:10.259 Psalm 12. 00:12:10.259 --> 00:12:14.500 Help, Lord, because the godly man doth daily fade away. 00:12:14.500 --> 00:12:34.500 Help, Lord, because the godly man doth daily fade away. 00:12:34.500 --> 00:12:51.500 And from among the sons of men the faithful do decay. 00:12:51.500 --> 00:13:09.940 And to this day let everyone doth utter vanity. 00:13:09.940 --> 00:13:16.940 God, Lord, because the godly man doth daily fade away. 00:13:16.940 --> 00:13:21.940 God, Lord, because the godly man doth daily fade away. 00:13:21.940 --> 00:13:26.940 And to this day let everyone doth daily fade away. 00:13:26.940 --> 00:13:47.460 God, Lord, because the godly man doth daily fade away. 00:13:47.460 --> 00:14:05.460 We'll with our tongue prevail our lips, our marches for your eyes. 00:14:05.460 --> 00:14:25.300 For the open stand for the sight of me, the right will I. 00:14:25.299 --> 00:14:43.299 Safe, fraud, and in vain safety set from such a sin he died. 00:14:43.299 --> 00:15:01.299 The words of God are words close pure, in divine silver dry. 00:15:01.299 --> 00:15:19.299 In heaven, by the seven times, the top finger high. 00:15:19.299 --> 00:15:38.299 Lord, thou shalt and bring seven feet forever from this grave. 00:15:38.299 --> 00:15:55.299 On its side walk thou wakest when I'll lend our high embrace. 00:15:57.299 --> 00:16:04.620 Our reading today of God's Word is from the book of Daniel, the book of the prophet Daniel in the first chapter. 00:16:04.620 --> 00:16:10.720 We'll read through the chapter from the beginning through to the end of the chapter. 00:16:17.860 --> 00:16:24.419 The book of Daniel, it should be run about page 890, 891 in your pew Bibles. 00:16:31.860 --> 00:16:33.419 So, reading through the first chapter. 00:16:33.419 --> 00:16:41.019 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 00:16:41.899 --> 00:16:48.099 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim, king of Judah, into his hand and some of the vessels of the house of God. 00:16:48.779 --> 00:16:56.360 And he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his God, and placed the vessels in the treasury of his God. 00:16:56.360 --> 00:17:05.039 Then the king commanded Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring some of the people of Israel, both of the royal family and of the nobility, 00:17:05.660 --> 00:17:13.799 youths without blemish of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding, learning, 00:17:14.400 --> 00:17:21.120 and competent to stand in the king's palace, and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. 00:17:21.119 --> 00:17:28.119 The king assigned them a daily portion of the food that the king ate, and of the wine that he drank. 00:17:28.719 --> 00:17:31.059 They were to be educated for three years. 00:17:31.839 --> 00:17:35.079 And at the end of that time, they were to stand before the king. 00:17:35.879 --> 00:17:41.319 Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah. 00:17:41.319 --> 00:17:44.559 And the chief of the eunuchs gave them names. 00:17:45.319 --> 00:17:54.899 Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego. 00:17:56.099 --> 00:18:02.419 But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food or with the wine that he drank. 00:18:03.339 --> 00:18:07.539 Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. 00:18:07.539 --> 00:18:13.079 And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs. 00:18:13.680 --> 00:18:15.480 And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, 00:18:16.220 --> 00:18:20.019 I fear my lord the king, who assigned your food and your drink. 00:18:20.519 --> 00:18:25.740 For why should he see that you are in worse condition than the youths who are of your own age? 00:18:26.379 --> 00:18:29.339 So you would endanger my head with the king. 00:18:30.200 --> 00:18:34.799 Then Daniel said to the steward, whom the chief of the eunuchs had assigned over Daniel, 00:18:34.799 --> 00:18:39.980 Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, test your servants for ten days. 00:18:40.680 --> 00:18:43.659 Let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. 00:18:44.480 --> 00:18:51.220 Then let our appearance and the appearance of the youths who eat the king's food be observed by you. 00:18:51.740 --> 00:18:54.379 And deal with your servants according to what you see. 00:18:55.220 --> 00:18:59.480 So he listened to them in this matter and tested them for ten days. 00:18:59.480 --> 00:19:05.599 At the end of ten days it was seen that they were better in appearance and fatter in flesh 00:19:05.599 --> 00:19:08.160 than all the youths who ate the king's food. 00:19:08.860 --> 00:19:13.519 So the steward took away their food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables. 00:19:14.539 --> 00:19:19.380 As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom. 00:19:20.259 --> 00:19:23.079 And Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. 00:19:23.079 --> 00:19:27.359 At the end of the time when the king had commanded that they should be brought in, 00:19:27.899 --> 00:19:30.879 the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 00:19:31.639 --> 00:19:32.879 And the king spoke with them. 00:19:33.460 --> 00:19:38.980 And among all of them none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 00:19:39.819 --> 00:19:41.659 Therefore they stood before the king. 00:19:42.359 --> 00:19:47.480 And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, 00:19:47.480 --> 00:19:54.839 he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom. 00:19:55.920 --> 00:20:01.160 And Daniel was there until the first year of King Cyrus. 00:20:03.160 --> 00:20:06.559 And we pray God will bless to us this reading again of his word. 00:20:06.660 --> 00:20:09.160 Let's join together again in prayer. 00:20:09.259 --> 00:20:09.700 Let's pray. 00:20:09.700 --> 00:20:19.220 Our gracious God, our Father in heaven, we have been reading your word and singing your praises. 00:20:20.059 --> 00:20:25.299 And as we now call upon you in prayer, we ask that we may be guided again by your Holy Spirit. 00:20:26.039 --> 00:20:32.340 The Holy Spirit whose presence and power we require to enlighten our minds in the knowledge of your truth. 00:20:32.759 --> 00:20:35.720 And also to guide our thoughts as we speak with you. 00:20:36.360 --> 00:20:39.440 As we bring before you our petitions and our thanksgivings. 00:20:39.700 --> 00:20:40.860 Our requests. 00:20:41.799 --> 00:20:45.000 Lord, we thank you today for this privilege we have once again. 00:20:45.580 --> 00:20:48.660 To gather here together to be a worshipping people. 00:20:49.519 --> 00:20:53.960 And to be known publicly as a people whose desire it is to worship God. 00:20:54.480 --> 00:20:56.120 And to bear testimony to him. 00:20:57.000 --> 00:21:00.480 And to bear testimony not only to the fact that he is and exists. 00:21:01.019 --> 00:21:02.380 But that he is our God. 00:21:02.500 --> 00:21:04.519 That he is our creator and our redeemer. 00:21:05.100 --> 00:21:08.140 That he is one to whom we owe our allegiance. 00:21:08.779 --> 00:21:09.559 Our very life. 00:21:10.440 --> 00:21:15.500 We bless you, Lord, today that as we come before you, so we bring our thanksgivings. 00:21:16.160 --> 00:21:20.799 We thank you, Lord, for all that you have been to us since the last time we met here. 00:21:21.559 --> 00:21:26.519 Every week that goes by, Lord, your goodness is made known to us in so many ways. 00:21:26.519 --> 00:21:30.480 Even throughout the matters in life that we see as ordinary. 00:21:30.480 --> 00:21:38.900 Yet we, Lord, I recognize that all the good things we do receive and are familiar with are your gifts to us. 00:21:38.900 --> 00:21:42.720 And we thank you today that we can come together to thank you for them. 00:21:43.519 --> 00:21:48.540 For there are many people we know in the world in which we live that have to do with so few. 00:21:49.060 --> 00:21:52.880 Indeed, sometimes without any of these things, even our basic footsteps. 00:21:52.880 --> 00:21:58.060 Help us, Lord, to realize that it is by your blessing that we have them. 00:21:58.680 --> 00:22:00.320 By your will that we enjoy them. 00:22:00.980 --> 00:22:02.700 And that we are answerable to you. 00:22:03.060 --> 00:22:05.980 And so as to give thanks as your word requires. 00:22:05.980 --> 00:22:10.920 Bless us, we pray, as we come here together once again round your word. 00:22:11.579 --> 00:22:16.900 Bless your word to us and lead us into these avenues of your truth that your word contains. 00:22:17.920 --> 00:22:22.220 Help us, we pray, to be mindful of our own native lack of understanding. 00:22:23.019 --> 00:22:25.640 Of our need of your spirit to open our minds. 00:22:26.380 --> 00:22:28.079 To bless your word to us. 00:22:28.620 --> 00:22:33.720 To enable us to increase in our understanding and knowledge of it and of yourself through it. 00:22:33.720 --> 00:22:39.240 Help us, Lord, today that we may lay to heart things which we need to know. 00:22:39.839 --> 00:22:42.600 And need to apply in all aspects of our lives. 00:22:43.279 --> 00:22:48.420 We bless you, Lord, today that you have taken account of all that we need to be in this world. 00:22:48.720 --> 00:22:51.539 And all the things that we will meet with in this world. 00:22:52.279 --> 00:22:56.980 And your word brings us counsel and teaching against them in relation to them all. 00:22:57.660 --> 00:23:02.319 We pray today that we may be thankful that you have remembered us, Lord, in that way. 00:23:02.319 --> 00:23:05.960 So as to provide for us this light for our path. 00:23:06.579 --> 00:23:08.000 This lamp for our feet. 00:23:08.839 --> 00:23:11.339 We pray today that you bless us as a congregation. 00:23:12.299 --> 00:23:15.220 Bless us, we pray, in our services of worship. 00:23:16.079 --> 00:23:18.480 Bless us in the activities that are related to them. 00:23:19.220 --> 00:23:23.179 Bless the children in their Sunday school classes and Bible class. 00:23:24.039 --> 00:23:26.480 Bless, too, those who are in tweenies and those who are in creche. 00:23:27.079 --> 00:23:28.919 And those who look after them and care for them. 00:23:28.920 --> 00:23:31.400 Bless us, we pray, in our homes. 00:23:32.279 --> 00:23:34.620 Help us, Lord, there to be faithful to you. 00:23:35.340 --> 00:23:38.620 Help us to be in public and in private the same. 00:23:39.279 --> 00:23:47.980 And help us to realize, O Lord, that you have given us your word so that we may apply it in all of these different facets of life. 00:23:47.980 --> 00:23:54.400 We thank you today, O Lord, for the way that you provide for us in our daily living. 00:23:55.200 --> 00:24:02.099 We pray that you would help us to be faithful to you in whatever calling you have called us to work in this world. 00:24:02.819 --> 00:24:07.339 And to be known to others as a people who love and value the Lord. 00:24:07.339 --> 00:24:12.379 We pray, Lord, for those who, at this time, are anxious over their work. 00:24:12.699 --> 00:24:15.899 For those who have lost employment during these difficult times. 00:24:16.459 --> 00:24:20.959 We pray that you would be gracious to them and provide for them and for their families. 00:24:21.839 --> 00:24:27.259 We pray that you would bless those today who have particular difficulties in their family circles. 00:24:27.259 --> 00:24:29.900 Those anxieties over loved ones. 00:24:30.940 --> 00:24:34.180 Difficulties, Lord, in coping with these issues themselves. 00:24:34.980 --> 00:24:42.359 Those who have problems in themselves, O Lord, of mental health or other types of challenges in life that we need to face. 00:24:43.059 --> 00:24:44.680 Lord, bless them all, we pray. 00:24:45.319 --> 00:24:47.039 Help us to be supportive to them. 00:24:47.599 --> 00:24:51.660 Whether they belong to us as a family or in a congregation or out with it. 00:24:51.660 --> 00:24:55.840 Help us always, Lord, to be mindful of the needs of others. 00:24:55.980 --> 00:25:01.880 And to bring all as we can to bear upon them in practical help and prayerful remembrance. 00:25:02.960 --> 00:25:07.640 We pray, too, for those who mourn the passing of loved ones today in our communities. 00:25:08.180 --> 00:25:10.400 In the congregation here, bless them, we pray. 00:25:11.240 --> 00:25:14.220 Help them, Lord, as they express their grief. 00:25:14.880 --> 00:25:17.240 And as they find the pain of parting. 00:25:17.860 --> 00:25:20.080 To be so real, help them, Lord, we pray. 00:25:20.079 --> 00:25:22.119 And be with them at this time. 00:25:22.619 --> 00:25:25.000 And comfort them and be their portion in life. 00:25:25.899 --> 00:25:31.859 We pray, too, Lord, for all those who serve you in public life, in public office. 00:25:32.460 --> 00:25:35.000 Remember them before you in our local government. 00:25:35.879 --> 00:25:39.559 Bless our local council and councillors and council officers. 00:25:40.519 --> 00:25:43.659 Bless, we pray, those who help with the administration. 00:25:44.019 --> 00:25:49.399 Help also those who take up responsibilities and duties. 00:25:49.400 --> 00:25:53.380 In regard to caring for others in the medical sphere. 00:25:53.480 --> 00:26:01.980 Remember, our hospital, our hospice, our care homes, our doctors, our nurses, and all the agencies that help them. 00:26:02.600 --> 00:26:07.940 Macmillan nurses and all others, Lord, who go about from day to day in our community. 00:26:07.940 --> 00:26:09.940 And seek to bring help to day in our community. 00:26:09.940 --> 00:26:11.440 And seek to bring help to those who are in need. 00:26:12.019 --> 00:26:14.160 We pray for the work of Crossroads. 00:26:14.299 --> 00:26:16.539 We ask that you bless them also. 00:26:17.360 --> 00:26:22.480 We pray, too, Lord, for those who are involved with pregnancy crisis ministry. 00:26:22.480 --> 00:26:26.500 And we ask that you'd bless them here in our own congregation. 00:26:27.299 --> 00:26:28.620 Bless them elsewhere as well. 00:26:28.700 --> 00:26:35.339 In a world that takes life, Lord, so casually and many times treats life so cheaply. 00:26:35.660 --> 00:26:39.319 Whether it be the life of the unborn or those who are old aged. 00:26:39.519 --> 00:26:41.200 Lord, we pray for them. 00:26:41.279 --> 00:26:45.460 And we pray for all who have different challenges with themselves. 00:26:45.640 --> 00:26:48.519 Whether it be in mental health or other disabilities. 00:26:48.519 --> 00:26:50.279 Lord, we ask that you'd bless them. 00:26:51.019 --> 00:26:54.879 Bless those who don't have the same faculties as most people have. 00:26:55.339 --> 00:26:57.440 The same abilities intellectually or otherwise. 00:26:57.639 --> 00:26:58.440 Bless them, we pray. 00:26:59.220 --> 00:27:03.859 Bless their families as they seek to continue to give them support and help. 00:27:04.420 --> 00:27:08.180 And we ask, Lord, that you would bring them as they come to be. 00:27:08.759 --> 00:27:10.700 Many of them familiar with your word. 00:27:10.900 --> 00:27:11.839 Bless that to them. 00:27:12.400 --> 00:27:17.579 And help them, Lord, we pray, to assimilate that in their own way of life and understanding. 00:27:18.519 --> 00:27:26.359 We pray your blessing too for our street pastors as they go out to help those who end up in need, Lord, 00:27:26.420 --> 00:27:30.440 at different times of the week, especially in the evenings and weekends. 00:27:30.440 --> 00:27:36.500 We pray for our street pastors and for all who help, Lord, in that regard. 00:27:36.619 --> 00:27:43.440 We pray that you'd keep them safe and enable them to be of help to those they meet regularly, Lord, each week. 00:27:43.440 --> 00:27:49.660 We ask that their ministry may indeed prove to be continually beneficial to many others. 00:27:50.299 --> 00:27:55.279 And that especially as they come with opportunities to speak about you and about their own faith. 00:27:55.940 --> 00:27:57.980 Bless that, we pray, to those who hear them. 00:27:58.519 --> 00:28:07.900 Those who bear witness to their desire to make Christ known, as well as being of practical help to others. 00:28:08.039 --> 00:28:09.820 Bless, we pray, our nation at this time. 00:28:09.819 --> 00:28:39.799 Bless, we pray, our nation at this time. 00:28:40.500 --> 00:28:43.439 We pray, O Lord, that you'd bless our government at this time. 00:28:44.039 --> 00:28:47.179 We ask that you'd be with them in Westminster, here in Holyrood. 00:28:47.839 --> 00:28:54.240 We commend them to you, not merely because we are required and commanded to do that from your word, 00:28:54.919 --> 00:29:01.720 but because, Lord, our heart is burdened that we be led in a way that would be exalting to us in righteousness 00:29:01.720 --> 00:29:04.100 and would be pleasing to yourself. 00:29:04.620 --> 00:29:09.339 Once again, we pray for those who are seeking office of first minister. 00:29:09.339 --> 00:29:15.240 We pray especially for Kate Forbes and her constant Christian testimony and witness. 00:29:15.559 --> 00:29:21.539 We pray for our Lord and her family and all the pressures that she has to meet with at this time. 00:29:21.679 --> 00:29:28.079 Whatever our political persuasion may be, Lord, we know that we have to pray for your people 00:29:28.079 --> 00:29:35.759 and we have to bring them before you, especially when they face such difficulties and trials as she faces in these days. 00:29:35.759 --> 00:29:43.119 And so, Lord, whatever the outcome might be, we pray that you would continue to be with her and to assure her of your presence. 00:29:44.000 --> 00:29:46.099 Bless us as a church, as a denomination. 00:29:46.940 --> 00:29:53.839 Help us, Lord, we pray in all the activity that we engage in, in gospel services, in outreach, in evangelism. 00:29:53.839 --> 00:30:01.559 And help us in all the church plants and all the other aspects of ministry that we are engaged in. 00:30:02.159 --> 00:30:03.980 Bless those who are training for ministry. 00:30:04.139 --> 00:30:05.879 We pray for Scott here with ourselves. 00:30:06.759 --> 00:30:11.459 We ask that you would bless him and bless all others with him at this time, O Lord, 00:30:11.519 --> 00:30:13.259 who are going through their period of training. 00:30:13.259 --> 00:30:22.420 We pray that you would be with them and assure them and make them, Lord, more and more capable and endowed with your Spirit 00:30:22.420 --> 00:30:29.379 so as to make known to others the beauty of Christ and the claims of Christ in our society. 00:30:30.140 --> 00:30:32.240 Hear us then, we pray now, and continue with us, 00:30:32.680 --> 00:30:36.599 pardoning all our sin and cleansing us freely for Jesus' sake. 00:30:36.799 --> 00:30:37.160 Amen. 00:30:37.160 --> 00:30:37.279 Amen. 00:30:39.340 --> 00:30:45.500 Once more, we're going to praise the Lord this time in Psalm 147, 147. 00:30:45.640 --> 00:30:50.100 It's in the Sing Psalms version on page 192. 00:30:52.259 --> 00:30:53.980 We'll sing verses 1 to 7. 00:30:53.980 --> 00:30:58.340 O praise the Lord, how good it is to sing him songs of praise, 00:30:58.900 --> 00:31:02.980 how pleasant to give thanks to him for all his gracious ways. 00:31:03.680 --> 00:31:06.480 Psalm 147 and verses 1 to 7. 00:31:07.160 --> 00:31:23.779 O praise the Lord, how good it is to sing him songs of praise, 00:31:23.779 --> 00:31:38.779 and blessed to give thanks to him for all his gracious grace. 00:31:38.779 --> 00:31:42.200 The Lord, how good it is to sing from ourp 00:31:42.200 --> 00:31:55.799 The Lord, how good it is to sing him ceux- жив in the world. 00:31:55.799 --> 00:32:08.759 Who reaches the children of Israel to bring his exiles for whole? 00:32:08.759 --> 00:32:24.359 He heals, he heals, he heals, broken hearts, which torches to salvation. 00:32:24.359 --> 00:32:41.599 He sets the number of persons and calls them each by name. 00:32:41.599 --> 00:32:56.599 Great is our Lord and great in power, his wisdom is profound. 00:32:56.599 --> 00:33:13.599 The Lord's substance can be cut out, the wicked to the ground. 00:33:13.599 --> 00:33:29.740 Sing to the Lord with thankfulness, with joy his faithful praise. 00:33:29.740 --> 00:33:45.559 And with the new shape of the heart, give glory to his name. 00:33:48.059 --> 00:33:52.240 Let's turn now to the scripture we read in Daniel chapter 1. 00:33:54.539 --> 00:33:59.720 Daniel chapter 1, we're looking at the chapter, especially the first seven verses of it. 00:33:59.740 --> 00:34:07.559 Daniel chapter 1, which we'll call Wisdom for Challenging Times. 00:34:09.840 --> 00:34:17.619 Now, the historical setting for Daniel, as I'm sure you know, as it says here, is during the days of King Nebuchadnezzar. 00:34:17.920 --> 00:34:20.780 This passage is certainly set in that context. 00:34:20.780 --> 00:34:30.420 Nebuchadnezzar ruled around about 605 through to 562 years before Christ. 00:34:30.800 --> 00:34:32.240 So it's going back a long time. 00:34:33.019 --> 00:34:41.680 But at that time, the Babylonians, over which Nebuchadnezzar was king, to which he belonged, was the superpower of the world. 00:34:42.740 --> 00:34:47.420 It was really the great powerhouse in the known world of the time. 00:34:47.420 --> 00:34:50.840 It had a magnificent city in Babylon. 00:34:51.599 --> 00:34:54.460 The hanging gardens of Babylon were the envy of the world. 00:34:54.559 --> 00:34:58.159 They were one of the seven wonders of the world at the time. 00:34:58.920 --> 00:35:03.920 But through the Bible, Babylon is more than just a geographical location. 00:35:04.820 --> 00:35:11.800 And the Babylonians, or Chaldeans, as sometimes they're called, are more than just a reference to an actual people who lived long ago. 00:35:11.800 --> 00:35:14.160 Although that is, of course, true. 00:35:14.240 --> 00:35:15.080 That's what they were. 00:35:15.620 --> 00:35:24.220 In the Bible, Babylon represents all that is contrary to God's kingdom, to God's reign. 00:35:25.019 --> 00:35:37.580 Babylon represents evil, corruption against God's people, against God himself, against the known church, if you like, of the time in the people of Israel, Judah. 00:35:37.579 --> 00:35:47.960 So, all that you find in the Bible about Babylon and that way of teaching is about powers and forces that are against God and against his people. 00:35:48.059 --> 00:35:52.980 That's all the way through until you reach the end of the Bible in Revelation chapters 18 and 19, 00:35:53.440 --> 00:35:56.500 in the judgment of God bringing us right through to the end of the world, 00:35:57.019 --> 00:36:01.980 where Babylon is judged, where Babylon has fallen, and where Babylon is judged by God. 00:36:01.980 --> 00:36:10.659 In other words, these powers of evil and corruption and anti-God coalitions of various kinds throughout the centuries, 00:36:11.380 --> 00:36:15.519 they are actually brought under the judgment of God at the end of it all. 00:36:16.500 --> 00:36:20.940 And the Lamb, Jesus, and his people prevail. 00:36:21.679 --> 00:36:27.139 They are the ones whom God shows to have the victory on their side, 00:36:27.139 --> 00:36:31.139 because God is on their side and they have his salvation. 00:36:32.019 --> 00:36:41.480 In other words, Daniel really is a timeless book in this sense that although it is important that we remember it is talking about history, 00:36:42.239 --> 00:36:45.940 it's history with a purpose in the presentation of this Word of God. 00:36:46.299 --> 00:36:53.039 It's timeless in the sense that Babylon, if you like, and the powers that Babylon represented, as we've mentioned, 00:36:53.039 --> 00:36:55.380 they're active in every generation. 00:36:56.119 --> 00:37:02.360 Something to do with Babylon, with the powers of Babylon, with the powers of, if you like, of worldliness, 00:37:02.699 --> 00:37:07.679 in whatever form, that's always present to battle against God's people, 00:37:07.900 --> 00:37:10.219 to resist the call of God in the gospel, 00:37:10.559 --> 00:37:14.219 to try and undermine the church, to try and infiltrate the church, 00:37:14.440 --> 00:37:17.019 to try and overthrow the teaching of the Bible, 00:37:17.019 --> 00:37:20.579 in whatever ways that's possible for it under God. 00:37:20.579 --> 00:37:24.199 And it seeks Babylon's powers. 00:37:24.420 --> 00:37:30.759 Babylon seeks to take captive the minds of Christians as well. 00:37:30.840 --> 00:37:31.799 Let's remember this. 00:37:32.139 --> 00:37:35.840 Because the powers that are represented by Babylon, 00:37:35.980 --> 00:37:39.840 the powers of evil and corruption and ungodliness and worldliness, 00:37:40.319 --> 00:37:42.880 everything that's opposed to the gospel in every generation, 00:37:43.259 --> 00:37:46.319 it wants to take your mind captive and my mind captive, 00:37:46.320 --> 00:37:50.660 to take us away from faithfulness to God, from allegiance to God, 00:37:50.740 --> 00:37:55.640 and throw our lot in with Babylon and its so-called values. 00:37:57.680 --> 00:38:03.519 And it uses ideologies, different types of ideology, 00:38:03.840 --> 00:38:06.860 to actually carry out its plan and its purpose. 00:38:06.860 --> 00:38:15.880 Institutions, individuals, nations, churches, schools, government systems, 00:38:15.880 --> 00:38:23.120 they're all subject to infiltration and the powers and the persuasion of Babylon 00:38:23.120 --> 00:38:28.900 in order to try and do more to undermine the gospel of Christ. 00:38:28.900 --> 00:38:34.460 And that's why we must see the contents of Daniel and the passage we're looking at today 00:38:34.460 --> 00:38:38.260 in that wider perspective, in that spiritual perspective, 00:38:38.639 --> 00:38:43.360 that spiritual and moral dimension that Babylon in the Bible represents. 00:38:44.400 --> 00:38:48.119 The first thing, I'm going to look mainly at the first point, 00:38:48.599 --> 00:38:51.700 which is the king's three-year program. 00:38:52.420 --> 00:38:56.599 The three-year program mentioned here that King Nebuchadnezzar set 00:38:56.599 --> 00:39:02.139 for these young people that he had brought captive from Jerusalem to Babylon. 00:39:03.420 --> 00:39:07.339 This three-year program you'll find in verse 5, this was his purpose. 00:39:08.339 --> 00:39:12.900 He assigned in verses 3 to 5 these youths that came 00:39:12.900 --> 00:39:19.239 and were skillful in wisdom and knowledge, understanding and learning, 00:39:19.739 --> 00:39:24.799 and it was to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. 00:39:24.800 --> 00:39:30.140 They were to be educated for three years and then they were to stand before the king. 00:39:30.940 --> 00:39:37.100 So this was a program deliberately set up to try and educate or really re-educate 00:39:37.100 --> 00:39:41.800 these young people that had come from Jerusalem to Babylon. 00:39:42.260 --> 00:39:43.600 The king's three-year program. 00:39:44.380 --> 00:39:47.000 And then more briefly, although it's not unimportant, of course, 00:39:47.080 --> 00:39:48.640 because the rest of Daniel deals with it, 00:39:48.639 --> 00:39:55.299 God's faithful people in Babylon, in that setting, in those circumstances. 00:39:55.799 --> 00:40:02.059 And you can see already how up-to-date Daniel is as we're looking out over the world in which we are placed, 00:40:02.400 --> 00:40:06.239 as we're seeing Babylon represented by all the powers and the ideologies 00:40:06.239 --> 00:40:09.299 that actually are in conflict with the gospel. 00:40:09.300 --> 00:40:12.760 The king's three-year program. 00:40:13.140 --> 00:40:18.940 Well, he wanted, first of all, the ablest youths that came from Jerusalem. 00:40:20.400 --> 00:40:23.260 He brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his God. 00:40:23.340 --> 00:40:24.560 He placed the vessels there. 00:40:25.000 --> 00:40:27.700 And then he commanded Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, 00:40:27.760 --> 00:40:29.160 to bring some of the people of Israel, 00:40:29.640 --> 00:40:31.600 both of the royal family and of the nobility, 00:40:31.599 --> 00:40:34.579 youths without blemish of good appearance, 00:40:35.139 --> 00:40:36.980 and skillful in all wisdom, 00:40:37.420 --> 00:40:41.119 endowed with knowledge, understanding, and learning. 00:40:41.460 --> 00:40:43.860 In other words, he wanted the very best. 00:40:43.860 --> 00:40:48.599 He wanted the very best as a potential for the service of Babylon. 00:40:49.259 --> 00:40:52.799 He wanted the choice young people of Jerusalem, of Judah, 00:40:52.960 --> 00:40:56.319 to come and be in the service of the king of Babylon 00:40:56.319 --> 00:40:58.480 and to take up the values of Babylon 00:40:58.480 --> 00:41:01.519 and the aims of Babylon and the purpose of Babylon 00:41:01.519 --> 00:41:05.519 and, as we'll see, even to come to be identified as Babylonians. 00:41:06.500 --> 00:41:08.139 That was his purpose. 00:41:08.139 --> 00:41:14.219 And only the best would do to serve the kingdom, 00:41:15.000 --> 00:41:16.619 the intentions of Babylon. 00:41:17.159 --> 00:41:18.699 Now, you can see in verse 4 there, 00:41:19.840 --> 00:41:21.820 youths without blemish of good appearance, 00:41:22.559 --> 00:41:23.800 skillful in all wisdom, 00:41:23.980 --> 00:41:26.159 endowed with knowledge, understanding, learning, 00:41:26.659 --> 00:41:28.880 and competent to stand in the king's palace. 00:41:28.880 --> 00:41:33.940 And that actually involves both understanding and communication. 00:41:34.260 --> 00:41:35.840 And these two are always important. 00:41:36.260 --> 00:41:39.400 Because to the king of Babylon, to the aims of Babylon, 00:41:40.039 --> 00:41:43.160 understanding coupled with communication skills 00:41:43.160 --> 00:41:46.340 was always going to be an important combination. 00:41:46.660 --> 00:41:48.599 And it still is an important combination. 00:41:49.000 --> 00:41:50.320 That's why he wanted the best, 00:41:50.400 --> 00:41:51.579 those who could understand, 00:41:51.960 --> 00:41:54.579 those who could quickly assimilate the teachings of Babylon 00:41:54.579 --> 00:41:58.019 and also be able to cogently explain them 00:41:58.019 --> 00:42:00.519 or communicate them to the world around them. 00:42:00.779 --> 00:42:03.159 That is what Babylon is still aiming to do. 00:42:04.079 --> 00:42:05.880 That's why there is today, 00:42:06.199 --> 00:42:07.639 in this very building, 00:42:08.599 --> 00:42:11.400 an interest in you and in your minds. 00:42:12.259 --> 00:42:14.480 An interest on the part of these forces 00:42:14.480 --> 00:42:16.079 that oppose the gospel 00:42:16.079 --> 00:42:19.659 of these satanic-led powers 00:42:19.659 --> 00:42:21.379 that really have in their mind, 00:42:21.440 --> 00:42:23.659 even if they would never associate themselves, 00:42:23.819 --> 00:42:24.859 of course, with Satan 00:42:24.859 --> 00:42:26.719 and with Satan's intentions 00:42:26.719 --> 00:42:28.339 and plans and strategies. 00:42:28.819 --> 00:42:31.379 Well, the Bible itself tells you all about that. 00:42:31.500 --> 00:42:33.819 But here is what is seeking 00:42:33.819 --> 00:42:36.059 to bring your mind today captive 00:42:36.059 --> 00:42:38.339 and lead your mind away 00:42:38.339 --> 00:42:39.739 from the teachings of Scripture, 00:42:39.899 --> 00:42:40.879 of the Word of God, 00:42:41.399 --> 00:42:44.420 of these principles and values of the gospel. 00:42:44.420 --> 00:42:48.360 So, understanding and communicating abilities 00:42:48.360 --> 00:42:50.740 are so important to the world, 00:42:51.000 --> 00:42:52.900 so important in the world that we live, 00:42:53.099 --> 00:42:54.420 so important to Babylon, 00:42:54.619 --> 00:42:56.980 so important to all the ideologies 00:42:56.980 --> 00:42:58.300 that oppose the gospel. 00:42:59.280 --> 00:43:00.039 But this is the thing. 00:43:00.420 --> 00:43:01.440 They are also important 00:43:01.440 --> 00:43:03.460 to those who support the gospel, 00:43:03.700 --> 00:43:05.400 to those who promote the gospel. 00:43:06.059 --> 00:43:07.380 That's why our prayer is 00:43:07.380 --> 00:43:09.300 that God will raise up 00:43:09.300 --> 00:43:10.720 people of understanding 00:43:10.720 --> 00:43:12.740 and able to communicate the gospel. 00:43:12.739 --> 00:43:14.799 That's why we have the likes of Scott 00:43:14.799 --> 00:43:16.839 as a trainee minister in training 00:43:16.839 --> 00:43:18.019 and others like him 00:43:18.019 --> 00:43:19.279 in different congregations 00:43:19.279 --> 00:43:20.439 throughout the country. 00:43:20.619 --> 00:43:21.619 That's why we're thrilled 00:43:21.619 --> 00:43:22.939 when God calls people 00:43:22.939 --> 00:43:25.839 to actually come to minister the gospel 00:43:25.839 --> 00:43:27.339 by the preaching of the gospel, 00:43:27.539 --> 00:43:29.379 but also, like many of yourselves, 00:43:29.519 --> 00:43:32.259 to be living witnesses to God 00:43:32.259 --> 00:43:33.859 in your own place of work, 00:43:34.019 --> 00:43:35.239 whether it's in education 00:43:35.239 --> 00:43:36.439 or wherever it is. 00:43:37.059 --> 00:43:39.000 Learning and competence 00:43:39.000 --> 00:43:41.419 in communicating those principles 00:43:41.420 --> 00:43:43.059 that have to do with righteousness 00:43:43.059 --> 00:43:45.360 and truth and integrity 00:43:45.360 --> 00:43:46.860 are so important. 00:43:49.579 --> 00:43:52.860 They are crucial to the aims of Babylon, 00:43:53.320 --> 00:43:54.820 but they're also crucial 00:43:54.820 --> 00:43:56.860 in resisting and overcoming 00:43:56.860 --> 00:43:59.460 all that Babylon wants to bring about. 00:44:00.460 --> 00:44:02.599 That's why you must give your mind 00:44:02.599 --> 00:44:03.840 and I must give my mind 00:44:03.840 --> 00:44:05.059 to Christ, 00:44:05.760 --> 00:44:07.099 to the teachings of the Bible, 00:44:07.099 --> 00:44:08.940 to the Holy Spirit of God, 00:44:09.360 --> 00:44:10.059 to these things 00:44:10.059 --> 00:44:11.819 that the Bible itself tells us 00:44:11.819 --> 00:44:12.860 are absolutely crucial 00:44:12.860 --> 00:44:13.679 and foundational 00:44:13.679 --> 00:44:15.219 if we are to be 00:44:15.219 --> 00:44:16.279 the kind of people 00:44:16.279 --> 00:44:18.980 that bear witness to God 00:44:18.980 --> 00:44:19.880 in this world. 00:44:20.699 --> 00:44:21.759 The world needs you 00:44:21.759 --> 00:44:22.519 and the world needs 00:44:22.519 --> 00:44:24.279 that particular witness, 00:44:24.420 --> 00:44:25.739 that particular understanding 00:44:25.739 --> 00:44:26.860 and communication 00:44:26.860 --> 00:44:28.019 of God's truth. 00:44:29.559 --> 00:44:30.480 But secondly, 00:44:31.019 --> 00:44:31.739 he didn't just want 00:44:31.739 --> 00:44:33.099 the ablest youths, 00:44:33.759 --> 00:44:34.639 he wanted them 00:44:34.639 --> 00:44:36.940 to be turned into Chaldeans. 00:44:38.219 --> 00:44:39.019 And three points 00:44:39.019 --> 00:44:39.719 under this briefly. 00:44:40.619 --> 00:44:41.239 First of all, 00:44:41.400 --> 00:44:42.679 you'll see in verse 4, 00:44:43.259 --> 00:44:44.199 the end of the verse there, 00:44:44.279 --> 00:44:45.259 to teach them 00:44:45.259 --> 00:44:46.359 the literature 00:44:46.359 --> 00:44:47.440 and language 00:44:47.440 --> 00:44:49.139 of the Chaldeans. 00:44:49.960 --> 00:44:50.879 He wanted them 00:44:50.879 --> 00:44:51.759 to be skillful 00:44:51.759 --> 00:44:53.139 in both the literature 00:44:53.139 --> 00:44:54.199 and language 00:44:54.199 --> 00:44:55.159 of the Chaldeans. 00:44:55.199 --> 00:44:55.619 In other words, 00:44:56.019 --> 00:44:56.960 this was a curriculum 00:44:56.960 --> 00:44:58.059 with purpose, 00:44:58.539 --> 00:44:59.019 a curriculum 00:44:59.019 --> 00:45:00.519 with a specific purpose. 00:45:00.779 --> 00:45:01.920 He wanted to turn them 00:45:01.920 --> 00:45:03.259 from being Jews 00:45:03.260 --> 00:45:04.640 or being associated 00:45:04.640 --> 00:45:05.560 with Jewishness 00:45:05.560 --> 00:45:06.480 and turn them 00:45:06.480 --> 00:45:07.320 into Chaldeans 00:45:07.320 --> 00:45:08.540 effectively and practically. 00:45:08.920 --> 00:45:09.440 He wanted them 00:45:09.440 --> 00:45:10.360 to think of themselves 00:45:10.360 --> 00:45:11.460 no longer as a people 00:45:11.460 --> 00:45:11.960 of Judah, 00:45:12.240 --> 00:45:13.580 but a people of Chaldea, 00:45:13.680 --> 00:45:14.180 of Babylon, 00:45:14.380 --> 00:45:15.280 who had taken up 00:45:15.280 --> 00:45:16.520 the aims and the purposes 00:45:16.520 --> 00:45:17.520 and the intentions 00:45:17.520 --> 00:45:18.200 of Babylon. 00:45:21.440 --> 00:45:22.880 He wanted to erode 00:45:22.880 --> 00:45:23.800 their Jewishness 00:45:23.800 --> 00:45:25.700 as they developed 00:45:25.700 --> 00:45:26.340 an allegiance 00:45:26.340 --> 00:45:27.840 to Babylon. 00:45:27.840 --> 00:45:29.780 See how up-to-date 00:45:29.780 --> 00:45:30.400 that is? 00:45:30.400 --> 00:45:34.220 You see how relevant 00:45:34.220 --> 00:45:35.420 that is to the world 00:45:35.420 --> 00:45:36.180 in which you and I 00:45:36.180 --> 00:45:37.079 are placed today? 00:45:38.460 --> 00:45:39.599 Where education 00:45:39.599 --> 00:45:41.220 is so, so important, 00:45:41.820 --> 00:45:42.980 but where education 00:45:42.980 --> 00:45:44.720 sadly all too often 00:45:44.720 --> 00:45:46.619 drifts into indoctrination 00:45:46.619 --> 00:45:47.440 because that's what 00:45:47.440 --> 00:45:49.119 Babylon was about. 00:45:49.480 --> 00:45:50.019 He wasn't there 00:45:50.019 --> 00:45:51.139 just to educate 00:45:51.139 --> 00:45:51.980 their minds 00:45:51.980 --> 00:45:53.119 so as to give them 00:45:53.119 --> 00:45:53.820 different things 00:45:53.820 --> 00:45:54.460 to compare. 00:45:54.700 --> 00:45:55.280 He was there 00:45:55.280 --> 00:45:56.880 to bring their minds 00:45:56.880 --> 00:45:58.860 over to the business 00:45:58.860 --> 00:45:59.900 and the intentions 00:45:59.900 --> 00:46:01.019 and the identity 00:46:01.019 --> 00:46:01.840 of Babylon. 00:46:05.720 --> 00:46:06.620 And Babylon 00:46:06.620 --> 00:46:07.640 is still at it. 00:46:10.519 --> 00:46:11.599 That's why we need 00:46:11.599 --> 00:46:12.900 to pray for our teachers. 00:46:14.539 --> 00:46:15.720 Not just for the 00:46:15.720 --> 00:46:16.420 Christian teachers, 00:46:16.539 --> 00:46:17.180 but especially 00:46:17.180 --> 00:46:18.260 our Christian teachers. 00:46:18.880 --> 00:46:20.280 Because they are facing 00:46:20.280 --> 00:46:21.360 from the top, 00:46:22.000 --> 00:46:22.840 from government 00:46:22.840 --> 00:46:23.599 intentions 00:46:23.599 --> 00:46:24.880 and government 00:46:24.880 --> 00:46:27.000 provided 00:46:27.000 --> 00:46:28.759 ideologies, 00:46:29.119 --> 00:46:29.900 they are actually 00:46:29.900 --> 00:46:30.759 infiltrating 00:46:30.759 --> 00:46:31.839 the education 00:46:31.839 --> 00:46:32.779 of our children 00:46:32.779 --> 00:46:34.279 and in some parts 00:46:34.279 --> 00:46:34.839 of the country 00:46:34.839 --> 00:46:35.400 at least. 00:46:36.039 --> 00:46:36.599 Our children, 00:46:36.920 --> 00:46:37.839 even at their youngest 00:46:37.839 --> 00:46:39.239 years in primary, 00:46:39.819 --> 00:46:40.960 are being subjected 00:46:40.960 --> 00:46:41.819 to teaching 00:46:41.819 --> 00:46:43.000 that really belongs 00:46:43.000 --> 00:46:43.860 only in the adult 00:46:43.860 --> 00:46:44.759 field, sadly. 00:46:47.059 --> 00:46:48.400 That is Babylon 00:46:48.400 --> 00:46:49.139 at work. 00:46:49.139 --> 00:46:52.480 seeking to win 00:46:52.480 --> 00:46:53.559 young minds 00:46:53.559 --> 00:46:54.400 over to these 00:46:54.400 --> 00:46:55.139 ideologies 00:46:55.139 --> 00:46:58.319 in order to provide 00:46:58.319 --> 00:46:59.539 very skillful 00:46:59.539 --> 00:47:00.500 communicators 00:47:00.500 --> 00:47:02.139 for that particular 00:47:02.139 --> 00:47:03.659 type of ideology 00:47:03.659 --> 00:47:04.279 or teaching 00:47:04.279 --> 00:47:05.619 to actually spread 00:47:05.619 --> 00:47:06.179 that throughout 00:47:06.179 --> 00:47:06.739 the world. 00:47:07.619 --> 00:47:08.259 Now you can see 00:47:08.259 --> 00:47:09.119 how dangerous 00:47:09.119 --> 00:47:09.759 that is. 00:47:10.099 --> 00:47:10.460 You can see 00:47:10.460 --> 00:47:11.039 how important 00:47:11.039 --> 00:47:11.879 it is to pray 00:47:11.879 --> 00:47:13.099 against more 00:47:13.099 --> 00:47:13.839 infiltration 00:47:13.839 --> 00:47:14.659 of that type 00:47:14.659 --> 00:47:15.699 into our system 00:47:15.699 --> 00:47:16.460 of education. 00:47:17.099 --> 00:47:17.859 Where all kinds 00:47:17.859 --> 00:47:18.559 of ideologies 00:47:18.559 --> 00:47:19.099 are seen 00:47:19.099 --> 00:47:19.960 as acceptable 00:47:19.960 --> 00:47:20.860 and where, 00:47:21.039 --> 00:47:22.139 for some at least, 00:47:22.519 --> 00:47:23.320 our very youngest 00:47:23.320 --> 00:47:24.079 children have to be 00:47:24.079 --> 00:47:25.099 subjected to these 00:47:25.099 --> 00:47:25.920 things even from 00:47:25.920 --> 00:47:27.159 their youngest days. 00:47:28.820 --> 00:47:29.139 See, 00:47:29.299 --> 00:47:29.940 that's Babylon 00:47:29.940 --> 00:47:31.000 at work. 00:47:31.980 --> 00:47:32.539 That's King 00:47:32.539 --> 00:47:33.360 Nebuchadnezzar's 00:47:33.360 --> 00:47:34.440 three-year program 00:47:34.440 --> 00:47:37.340 being rolled out 00:47:37.340 --> 00:47:39.099 in our society 00:47:39.099 --> 00:47:41.259 to take minds 00:47:41.259 --> 00:47:41.779 captive 00:47:41.779 --> 00:47:43.299 in order that 00:47:43.299 --> 00:47:44.259 they then serve 00:47:44.259 --> 00:47:45.139 the values 00:47:45.139 --> 00:47:45.659 and the aims 00:47:45.659 --> 00:47:46.219 of Babylon. 00:47:48.559 --> 00:47:51.000 to erode, 00:47:51.699 --> 00:47:54.239 to normalize, 00:47:54.799 --> 00:47:56.860 to normalize 00:47:56.860 --> 00:47:57.679 what the Bible 00:47:57.679 --> 00:47:59.259 says is not 00:47:59.259 --> 00:47:59.900 acceptable, 00:48:00.440 --> 00:48:01.619 is ungodly, 00:48:02.679 --> 00:48:03.400 is contrary 00:48:03.400 --> 00:48:04.539 to righteousness, 00:48:05.259 --> 00:48:06.320 to uprightness, 00:48:06.400 --> 00:48:07.159 to truthfulness, 00:48:07.159 --> 00:48:11.219 and in their 00:48:11.219 --> 00:48:11.639 place 00:48:11.639 --> 00:48:13.460 to put the 00:48:13.460 --> 00:48:14.000 values of 00:48:14.000 --> 00:48:14.359 Babylon. 00:48:16.359 --> 00:48:16.859 Friends, 00:48:17.619 --> 00:48:19.739 please pray 00:48:19.739 --> 00:48:20.139 for our 00:48:20.139 --> 00:48:20.559 teachers. 00:48:22.420 --> 00:48:22.879 Pray for our 00:48:22.879 --> 00:48:24.019 education authority. 00:48:25.599 --> 00:48:26.139 Pray for that 00:48:26.139 --> 00:48:27.139 throughout the land. 00:48:29.739 --> 00:48:30.319 Pray for all 00:48:30.319 --> 00:48:31.159 our schools 00:48:31.159 --> 00:48:33.219 where there are 00:48:33.219 --> 00:48:34.119 Christian teachers 00:48:34.119 --> 00:48:34.619 placed 00:48:34.619 --> 00:48:37.679 Christians 00:48:37.679 --> 00:48:38.440 are still 00:48:38.440 --> 00:48:39.059 concerned 00:48:39.059 --> 00:48:39.599 at having 00:48:39.599 --> 00:48:40.960 or being 00:48:40.960 --> 00:48:41.940 called upon 00:48:41.940 --> 00:48:42.380 to teach 00:48:42.380 --> 00:48:42.839 things which 00:48:42.839 --> 00:48:43.480 they themselves 00:48:43.480 --> 00:48:44.960 find unacceptable. 00:48:45.960 --> 00:48:46.579 Pray for 00:48:46.579 --> 00:48:47.699 Christian schools 00:48:47.699 --> 00:48:49.219 wherever they 00:48:49.219 --> 00:48:49.639 are. 00:48:50.480 --> 00:48:51.000 Pray for those 00:48:51.000 --> 00:48:51.599 who sincerely 00:48:51.599 --> 00:48:52.859 intend to 00:48:52.859 --> 00:48:54.440 bring children 00:48:54.440 --> 00:48:55.000 up in the 00:48:55.000 --> 00:48:55.819 values of 00:48:55.819 --> 00:48:56.319 Christ. 00:48:57.119 --> 00:48:57.460 Pray for 00:48:57.460 --> 00:48:58.000 parents. 00:48:59.199 --> 00:48:59.579 Pray for 00:48:59.579 --> 00:49:00.380 parents who 00:49:00.380 --> 00:49:00.960 have to actually 00:49:00.960 --> 00:49:01.920 face this with 00:49:01.920 --> 00:49:02.460 their children 00:49:02.460 --> 00:49:03.079 from day to 00:49:03.079 --> 00:49:03.380 day. 00:49:03.380 --> 00:49:04.119 when they 00:49:04.119 --> 00:49:04.480 come home 00:49:04.480 --> 00:49:05.079 from school, 00:49:05.300 --> 00:49:05.660 even in 00:49:05.660 --> 00:49:06.440 primary school, 00:49:06.700 --> 00:49:07.140 and say, 00:49:07.440 --> 00:49:07.860 the teacher 00:49:07.860 --> 00:49:08.460 today was 00:49:08.460 --> 00:49:09.140 teaching us 00:49:09.140 --> 00:49:10.700 to ask 00:49:10.700 --> 00:49:11.440 questions about 00:49:11.440 --> 00:49:12.099 ourselves and 00:49:12.099 --> 00:49:12.680 who we are. 00:49:12.740 --> 00:49:13.220 Are we really 00:49:13.220 --> 00:49:13.619 male or 00:49:13.619 --> 00:49:13.840 female? 00:49:13.940 --> 00:49:14.260 Are we a 00:49:14.260 --> 00:49:14.440 boy? 00:49:14.500 --> 00:49:14.840 Am I a 00:49:14.840 --> 00:49:15.160 girl? 00:49:16.160 --> 00:49:16.740 That's what's 00:49:16.740 --> 00:49:17.619 going on in 00:49:17.619 --> 00:49:18.140 some of our 00:49:18.140 --> 00:49:18.740 schools throughout 00:49:18.740 --> 00:49:19.440 our land. 00:49:20.200 --> 00:49:20.780 That's where 00:49:20.780 --> 00:49:21.559 children's minds 00:49:21.559 --> 00:49:22.300 are being messed 00:49:22.300 --> 00:49:22.700 with. 00:49:24.559 --> 00:49:25.360 That's Babylon 00:49:25.360 --> 00:49:26.039 at work. 00:49:27.380 --> 00:49:28.220 We have to be 00:49:28.220 --> 00:49:28.940 aware of that 00:49:28.940 --> 00:49:29.760 and pray over it 00:49:29.760 --> 00:49:31.099 and also, 00:49:31.500 --> 00:49:32.000 as we bring it 00:49:32.000 --> 00:49:32.460 before the 00:49:32.460 --> 00:49:33.320 Lord, ask the 00:49:33.320 --> 00:49:34.400 Lord to bring 00:49:34.400 --> 00:49:35.500 a change around. 00:49:36.940 --> 00:49:37.480 So there's the 00:49:37.480 --> 00:49:38.280 education that 00:49:38.280 --> 00:49:39.500 sadly sometimes 00:49:39.500 --> 00:49:40.059 becomes 00:49:40.059 --> 00:49:41.179 indoctrination. 00:49:41.360 --> 00:49:41.800 There's secondly 00:49:41.800 --> 00:49:42.659 incentives. 00:49:42.840 --> 00:49:43.000 You see, 00:49:43.099 --> 00:49:43.699 verse 5, 00:49:44.619 --> 00:49:45.179 he gave them 00:49:45.179 --> 00:49:46.139 the incentives, 00:49:46.280 --> 00:49:46.719 he assigned 00:49:46.719 --> 00:49:47.260 them a daily 00:49:47.260 --> 00:49:47.960 portion of the 00:49:47.960 --> 00:49:48.519 food that the 00:49:48.519 --> 00:49:49.739 king ate and 00:49:49.739 --> 00:49:50.460 the wine that 00:49:50.460 --> 00:49:51.199 he drank. 00:49:51.780 --> 00:49:52.239 In other words, 00:49:52.280 --> 00:49:52.679 they were made 00:49:52.679 --> 00:49:53.500 to feel really 00:49:53.500 --> 00:49:54.079 special. 00:49:54.519 --> 00:49:55.159 They were singled 00:49:55.159 --> 00:49:56.099 out from the 00:49:56.099 --> 00:49:57.039 others as 00:49:57.039 --> 00:49:58.320 favorites of the 00:49:58.320 --> 00:49:58.519 king. 00:49:58.739 --> 00:49:59.260 They were made 00:49:59.260 --> 00:49:59.900 to feel that 00:49:59.900 --> 00:50:00.660 they really 00:50:00.660 --> 00:50:01.980 should surely 00:50:01.980 --> 00:50:02.900 serve this 00:50:02.900 --> 00:50:03.700 very kind 00:50:03.700 --> 00:50:04.119 king, 00:50:04.539 --> 00:50:05.119 this person 00:50:05.119 --> 00:50:05.740 that brought 00:50:05.740 --> 00:50:06.340 all of these 00:50:06.340 --> 00:50:07.039 things to them 00:50:07.039 --> 00:50:08.340 and made them 00:50:08.340 --> 00:50:09.599 feel so special 00:50:09.599 --> 00:50:10.380 compared to 00:50:10.380 --> 00:50:10.639 others. 00:50:10.740 --> 00:50:11.660 The design was 00:50:11.660 --> 00:50:12.139 to make them 00:50:12.139 --> 00:50:13.420 feel advantaged, 00:50:13.519 --> 00:50:13.900 to make them 00:50:13.900 --> 00:50:14.500 feel special, 00:50:14.599 --> 00:50:14.940 to make them 00:50:14.940 --> 00:50:15.700 feel this is 00:50:15.700 --> 00:50:16.500 really the right 00:50:16.500 --> 00:50:16.720 way. 00:50:16.800 --> 00:50:17.260 We're surely 00:50:17.260 --> 00:50:18.440 not wrong in 00:50:18.440 --> 00:50:19.579 following the 00:50:19.579 --> 00:50:21.139 king's requirements 00:50:21.139 --> 00:50:21.920 and taking up 00:50:21.920 --> 00:50:23.599 this teaching 00:50:23.599 --> 00:50:24.440 that he wants 00:50:24.440 --> 00:50:24.860 to give us 00:50:24.860 --> 00:50:25.300 of the things 00:50:25.300 --> 00:50:25.580 of the 00:50:25.580 --> 00:50:26.360 Chaldeans. 00:50:28.740 --> 00:50:29.500 And you can 00:50:29.500 --> 00:50:30.380 see how similar 00:50:30.380 --> 00:50:31.100 that is to 00:50:31.100 --> 00:50:32.000 the idea 00:50:32.000 --> 00:50:32.980 today that 00:50:32.980 --> 00:50:34.660 if you follow 00:50:34.660 --> 00:50:35.700 the Christian 00:50:35.700 --> 00:50:36.380 way, if you're 00:50:36.380 --> 00:50:37.120 especially open 00:50:37.120 --> 00:50:37.920 about being a 00:50:37.920 --> 00:50:39.260 Christian, you 00:50:39.260 --> 00:50:40.160 can't possibly 00:50:40.160 --> 00:50:41.240 get on in the 00:50:41.240 --> 00:50:42.539 world if that's 00:50:42.539 --> 00:50:43.140 what you commit 00:50:43.140 --> 00:50:43.900 yourself to. 00:50:44.220 --> 00:50:44.700 That's the 00:50:44.700 --> 00:50:45.560 ideology of 00:50:45.560 --> 00:50:45.900 Babylon. 00:50:46.240 --> 00:50:46.660 That's what 00:50:46.660 --> 00:50:47.440 Babylon will say 00:50:47.440 --> 00:50:47.640 to you. 00:50:47.680 --> 00:50:47.960 That's what 00:50:47.960 --> 00:50:48.680 worldliness will 00:50:48.680 --> 00:50:49.220 say to you. 00:50:49.420 --> 00:50:49.920 It will say, 00:50:50.240 --> 00:50:50.640 if you really 00:50:50.640 --> 00:50:51.440 want to get on 00:50:51.440 --> 00:50:52.019 in the world 00:50:52.019 --> 00:50:52.940 and progress 00:50:52.940 --> 00:50:54.180 your life and 00:50:54.180 --> 00:50:54.660 make something 00:50:54.659 --> 00:50:55.399 of a career 00:50:55.399 --> 00:50:55.839 of it and 00:50:55.839 --> 00:50:56.579 get promotion 00:50:56.579 --> 00:50:57.279 in whatever 00:50:57.279 --> 00:50:57.859 field you're 00:50:57.859 --> 00:50:58.679 working, you've 00:50:58.679 --> 00:50:59.239 got to take 00:50:59.239 --> 00:51:00.940 on the world 00:51:00.940 --> 00:51:01.980 as of equal 00:51:01.980 --> 00:51:02.799 validity and 00:51:02.799 --> 00:51:03.799 equal value 00:51:03.799 --> 00:51:04.579 to the Christian 00:51:04.579 --> 00:51:05.059 life. 00:51:06.159 --> 00:51:06.799 You just have 00:51:06.799 --> 00:51:07.779 to embrace 00:51:07.779 --> 00:51:08.179 that. 00:51:09.039 --> 00:51:09.420 And we're 00:51:09.420 --> 00:51:10.379 being told by 00:51:10.379 --> 00:51:11.299 certain ideologies 00:51:11.299 --> 00:51:12.199 today, it's 00:51:12.199 --> 00:51:13.219 not enough 00:51:13.219 --> 00:51:14.759 in the old 00:51:14.759 --> 00:51:15.839 style tolerance 00:51:15.839 --> 00:51:16.599 of just saying, 00:51:16.719 --> 00:51:17.039 well, I don't 00:51:17.039 --> 00:51:17.819 agree with that, 00:51:18.079 --> 00:51:18.960 but I leave you 00:51:18.960 --> 00:51:19.719 your freedom to 00:51:19.719 --> 00:51:20.799 believe that and 00:51:20.799 --> 00:51:21.639 to live that way 00:51:21.639 --> 00:51:22.500 of life if that's 00:51:22.500 --> 00:51:23.139 your choice. 00:51:23.420 --> 00:51:24.139 I don't agree 00:51:24.139 --> 00:51:24.539 with it. 00:51:24.659 --> 00:51:25.359 But I don't 00:51:25.359 --> 00:51:25.819 agree with 00:51:25.819 --> 00:51:26.559 persecuting you 00:51:26.559 --> 00:51:27.039 for it. 00:51:28.179 --> 00:51:28.719 Now, the new 00:51:28.719 --> 00:51:30.000 ideology, the new 00:51:30.000 --> 00:51:31.039 tolerance really 00:51:31.039 --> 00:51:31.659 says, I think I 00:51:31.659 --> 00:51:32.099 mentioned this 00:51:32.099 --> 00:51:33.119 last week, it's 00:51:33.119 --> 00:51:33.679 not enough to 00:51:33.679 --> 00:51:34.359 say, well, I 00:51:34.359 --> 00:51:34.940 don't agree with 00:51:34.940 --> 00:51:35.339 it, but you're 00:51:35.339 --> 00:51:35.879 free to follow 00:51:35.879 --> 00:51:36.339 it if that's 00:51:36.339 --> 00:51:36.899 your choice. 00:51:37.339 --> 00:51:37.699 The new 00:51:37.699 --> 00:51:38.299 ideology says, 00:51:38.539 --> 00:51:39.379 you must see 00:51:39.379 --> 00:51:40.359 this as of 00:51:40.359 --> 00:51:41.500 equal value to 00:51:41.500 --> 00:51:42.319 your Christianity. 00:51:44.000 --> 00:51:44.920 You must take 00:51:44.920 --> 00:51:46.059 it and celebrate 00:51:46.059 --> 00:51:47.039 it the way you 00:51:47.039 --> 00:51:47.679 celebrate your 00:51:47.679 --> 00:51:48.339 Christianity. 00:51:50.719 --> 00:51:51.460 That's Babylon 00:51:51.460 --> 00:51:52.079 at work. 00:51:54.720 --> 00:51:55.720 The idea that 00:51:55.720 --> 00:51:56.860 you really must 00:51:56.860 --> 00:51:57.740 embrace the 00:51:57.740 --> 00:51:59.059 world in every 00:51:59.059 --> 00:51:59.840 facet of the 00:51:59.840 --> 00:52:00.400 world in its 00:52:00.400 --> 00:52:01.039 thinking and in 00:52:01.039 --> 00:52:01.599 its behavior. 00:52:01.880 --> 00:52:02.659 If you really 00:52:02.659 --> 00:52:03.300 want to get on 00:52:03.300 --> 00:52:03.639 in the world, 00:52:03.720 --> 00:52:04.159 that's what you 00:52:04.159 --> 00:52:04.760 have to do. 00:52:05.099 --> 00:52:05.579 And Daniel 00:52:05.579 --> 00:52:06.199 teaches us 00:52:06.199 --> 00:52:06.659 otherwise. 00:52:08.619 --> 00:52:09.340 Daniel, as we'll 00:52:09.340 --> 00:52:09.900 see, teaches 00:52:09.900 --> 00:52:11.800 that God has 00:52:11.800 --> 00:52:12.659 to come first. 00:52:13.760 --> 00:52:14.380 That God is the 00:52:14.380 --> 00:52:14.980 one who must, 00:52:15.159 --> 00:52:15.980 at all times, 00:52:15.980 --> 00:52:20.260 all times must 00:52:20.260 --> 00:52:20.960 have allegiance 00:52:20.960 --> 00:52:22.559 to Him. 00:52:23.619 --> 00:52:24.159 And that, of 00:52:24.159 --> 00:52:24.559 course, doesn't 00:52:24.559 --> 00:52:25.519 mean hating 00:52:25.519 --> 00:52:25.980 others. 00:52:26.820 --> 00:52:27.280 That doesn't 00:52:27.280 --> 00:52:27.639 mean being 00:52:27.639 --> 00:52:28.440 obsessed with 00:52:28.440 --> 00:52:29.460 and taken up 00:52:29.460 --> 00:52:30.380 with phobias, 00:52:30.500 --> 00:52:30.820 the way the 00:52:30.820 --> 00:52:31.360 world actually 00:52:31.360 --> 00:52:32.139 presents it. 00:52:32.659 --> 00:52:33.260 Phobic this 00:52:33.260 --> 00:52:33.780 and phobic 00:52:33.780 --> 00:52:34.199 that. 00:52:34.900 --> 00:52:35.300 We're called 00:52:35.300 --> 00:52:36.019 upon to love 00:52:36.019 --> 00:52:36.940 people, to 00:52:36.940 --> 00:52:37.500 love people 00:52:37.500 --> 00:52:38.280 whatever their 00:52:38.280 --> 00:52:39.360 ideology, to 00:52:39.360 --> 00:52:39.840 love people 00:52:39.840 --> 00:52:40.619 whatever difference 00:52:40.619 --> 00:52:41.260 there may be in 00:52:41.260 --> 00:52:41.679 their way of 00:52:41.679 --> 00:52:42.099 life throughout 00:52:42.099 --> 00:52:43.099 Christian life. 00:52:43.099 --> 00:52:43.159 love. 00:52:44.860 --> 00:52:47.960 But love is 00:52:47.960 --> 00:52:48.739 not that sort 00:52:48.739 --> 00:52:50.019 of wobbly 00:52:50.019 --> 00:52:50.539 thing that the 00:52:50.539 --> 00:52:51.219 world presents 00:52:51.219 --> 00:52:51.599 to you. 00:52:51.839 --> 00:52:52.619 Love is love. 00:52:54.719 --> 00:52:55.420 Love is 00:52:55.420 --> 00:52:55.980 primarily 00:52:55.980 --> 00:52:57.000 faithfulness to 00:52:57.000 --> 00:52:57.420 God. 00:52:58.239 --> 00:52:58.880 A love for 00:52:58.880 --> 00:52:59.219 God. 00:52:59.319 --> 00:52:59.779 A love for 00:52:59.779 --> 00:53:00.480 His principles. 00:53:00.860 --> 00:53:01.619 For His truth. 00:53:01.739 --> 00:53:02.339 For His values. 00:53:02.440 --> 00:53:03.019 For His people. 00:53:05.360 --> 00:53:06.079 And so we 00:53:06.079 --> 00:53:07.860 really resist 00:53:07.860 --> 00:53:08.779 the idea that 00:53:08.779 --> 00:53:09.860 to get on 00:53:09.860 --> 00:53:10.380 in the world 00:53:10.380 --> 00:53:11.259 you have to 00:53:11.259 --> 00:53:11.920 embrace the 00:53:11.920 --> 00:53:12.239 world. 00:53:12.239 --> 00:53:12.919 God and 00:53:12.919 --> 00:53:13.559 its values. 00:53:13.799 --> 00:53:14.199 Daniel is 00:53:14.199 --> 00:53:14.479 going to 00:53:14.479 --> 00:53:15.699 teach us 00:53:15.699 --> 00:53:16.000 that. 00:53:16.419 --> 00:53:16.819 Again, 00:53:16.919 --> 00:53:17.279 teach us 00:53:17.279 --> 00:53:17.719 you that as 00:53:17.719 --> 00:53:18.500 you work 00:53:18.500 --> 00:53:18.839 your way 00:53:18.839 --> 00:53:19.199 through the 00:53:19.199 --> 00:53:19.500 book of 00:53:19.500 --> 00:53:19.859 Daniel. 00:53:20.419 --> 00:53:20.859 And especially 00:53:20.859 --> 00:53:21.419 these opening 00:53:21.419 --> 00:53:21.839 chapters. 00:53:23.219 --> 00:53:23.699 So there's 00:53:23.699 --> 00:53:24.219 education. 00:53:24.479 --> 00:53:25.179 There's incentives 00:53:25.179 --> 00:53:26.179 that are given 00:53:26.179 --> 00:53:27.259 for them to 00:53:27.259 --> 00:53:28.039 actually throw 00:53:28.039 --> 00:53:28.699 their lot in 00:53:28.699 --> 00:53:29.259 with Babylon. 00:53:29.679 --> 00:53:30.119 But there's 00:53:30.119 --> 00:53:30.500 thirdly, 00:53:30.719 --> 00:53:31.319 identity. 00:53:31.759 --> 00:53:31.959 Look at 00:53:31.959 --> 00:53:32.519 verse 7. 00:53:34.519 --> 00:53:34.919 Among 00:53:34.919 --> 00:53:35.459 these were 00:53:35.459 --> 00:53:35.859 Daniel, 00:53:36.159 --> 00:53:36.619 Hananiah, 00:53:36.799 --> 00:53:37.259 Mishael, 00:53:37.639 --> 00:53:38.239 and Azariah, 00:53:38.339 --> 00:53:38.899 tribe of Judah. 00:53:38.939 --> 00:53:39.179 And the 00:53:39.179 --> 00:53:39.739 chief of the 00:53:39.739 --> 00:53:40.279 eunuchs gave 00:53:40.279 --> 00:53:40.919 them names. 00:53:40.920 --> 00:53:42.059 Daniel he 00:53:42.059 --> 00:53:42.300 called 00:53:42.300 --> 00:53:43.220 Belteshazzar, 00:53:43.519 --> 00:53:44.119 Hananiah he 00:53:44.119 --> 00:53:44.320 called 00:53:44.320 --> 00:53:44.880 Shadrach, 00:53:45.159 --> 00:53:45.659 Mishael he 00:53:45.659 --> 00:53:45.880 called 00:53:45.880 --> 00:53:46.360 Meshach, 00:53:46.440 --> 00:53:47.019 and Azariah 00:53:47.019 --> 00:53:48.000 Abednego. 00:53:48.079 --> 00:53:48.480 What's that 00:53:48.480 --> 00:53:48.800 about? 00:53:49.860 --> 00:53:50.500 Is that just 00:53:50.500 --> 00:53:50.840 saying, 00:53:51.099 --> 00:53:51.240 well, 00:53:51.300 --> 00:53:51.760 this is just 00:53:51.760 --> 00:53:52.320 a change of 00:53:52.320 --> 00:53:52.800 names and 00:53:52.800 --> 00:53:53.320 nothing more? 00:53:53.360 --> 00:53:53.639 Of course 00:53:53.639 --> 00:53:54.019 it's not. 00:53:54.240 --> 00:53:54.860 It fits 00:53:54.860 --> 00:53:55.420 into the 00:53:55.420 --> 00:53:55.860 teaching, 00:53:56.159 --> 00:53:56.800 the theology 00:53:56.800 --> 00:53:57.539 of Daniel. 00:53:57.659 --> 00:53:57.880 And what 00:53:57.880 --> 00:53:58.240 it's saying 00:53:58.240 --> 00:53:58.639 to us is 00:53:58.639 --> 00:53:59.460 part of 00:53:59.460 --> 00:54:00.119 the strategy 00:54:00.119 --> 00:54:00.940 of Babylon 00:54:00.940 --> 00:54:02.180 is actually 00:54:02.180 --> 00:54:03.480 to give 00:54:03.480 --> 00:54:04.380 you an 00:54:04.380 --> 00:54:05.019 identity 00:54:05.019 --> 00:54:06.000 associated 00:54:06.000 --> 00:54:06.920 with being 00:54:06.920 --> 00:54:08.000 a Babylonian. 00:54:08.000 --> 00:54:09.619 This was 00:54:09.619 --> 00:54:10.059 a deliberate 00:54:10.059 --> 00:54:10.599 part of 00:54:10.599 --> 00:54:11.179 the strategy 00:54:11.179 --> 00:54:13.460 because he 00:54:13.460 --> 00:54:14.840 was concerned 00:54:14.840 --> 00:54:15.699 that the 00:54:15.699 --> 00:54:16.159 more they 00:54:16.159 --> 00:54:16.800 forgot their 00:54:16.800 --> 00:54:17.500 own native 00:54:17.500 --> 00:54:18.820 names given 00:54:18.820 --> 00:54:19.360 to them as 00:54:19.360 --> 00:54:19.619 Jews, 00:54:19.739 --> 00:54:20.099 and you 00:54:20.099 --> 00:54:20.579 notice these 00:54:20.579 --> 00:54:20.880 names, 00:54:21.380 --> 00:54:21.619 as they 00:54:21.619 --> 00:54:22.420 often did 00:54:22.420 --> 00:54:23.599 in Judah 00:54:23.599 --> 00:54:24.039 and Jewish 00:54:24.039 --> 00:54:24.400 names, 00:54:24.739 --> 00:54:25.219 had some 00:54:25.219 --> 00:54:25.719 element to 00:54:25.719 --> 00:54:26.019 do with 00:54:26.019 --> 00:54:26.579 God in 00:54:26.579 --> 00:54:26.719 them. 00:54:26.840 --> 00:54:27.260 Daniel, 00:54:28.099 --> 00:54:28.380 it has 00:54:28.380 --> 00:54:28.679 the word 00:54:28.679 --> 00:54:29.159 El, 00:54:29.559 --> 00:54:29.920 the same 00:54:29.920 --> 00:54:30.579 word 00:54:30.579 --> 00:54:32.079 Mishael, 00:54:32.500 --> 00:54:33.139 Mishach, 00:54:33.260 --> 00:54:34.039 Azariah, 00:54:34.039 --> 00:54:35.139 the name 00:54:35.139 --> 00:54:35.719 Yahweh 00:54:35.719 --> 00:54:36.679 or Jehovah, 00:54:37.639 --> 00:54:39.279 and built 00:54:39.279 --> 00:54:39.820 into these 00:54:39.820 --> 00:54:40.380 Jewish names 00:54:40.380 --> 00:54:40.619 you have 00:54:40.619 --> 00:54:41.039 something to 00:54:41.039 --> 00:54:41.320 do with 00:54:41.320 --> 00:54:41.719 God, 00:54:42.400 --> 00:54:42.779 something to 00:54:42.779 --> 00:54:43.039 do with 00:54:43.039 --> 00:54:43.719 a relationship 00:54:43.719 --> 00:54:44.360 with God, 00:54:44.739 --> 00:54:45.099 something to 00:54:45.099 --> 00:54:45.380 do with 00:54:45.380 --> 00:54:45.960 what God 00:54:45.960 --> 00:54:46.480 is or 00:54:46.480 --> 00:54:47.000 who God 00:54:47.000 --> 00:54:47.380 is and 00:54:47.380 --> 00:54:47.639 what he 00:54:47.639 --> 00:54:47.960 is to 00:54:47.960 --> 00:54:48.219 you. 00:54:49.659 --> 00:54:50.159 They're 00:54:50.159 --> 00:54:50.759 substituted 00:54:50.759 --> 00:54:51.380 by thoroughly 00:54:51.380 --> 00:54:52.360 pagan names, 00:54:53.019 --> 00:54:53.800 and the hope 00:54:53.800 --> 00:54:54.400 is that as 00:54:54.400 --> 00:54:54.960 they forget 00:54:54.960 --> 00:54:55.659 the significance 00:54:55.659 --> 00:54:56.420 of their 00:54:56.420 --> 00:54:57.360 Jewish name, 00:54:57.699 --> 00:54:58.239 their Jewish 00:54:58.239 --> 00:54:58.659 name that's 00:54:58.659 --> 00:54:59.320 rooted in 00:54:59.320 --> 00:54:59.659 the name 00:54:59.659 --> 00:55:00.119 of God 00:55:00.119 --> 00:55:00.599 himself, 00:55:00.940 --> 00:55:01.360 so the 00:55:01.360 --> 00:55:01.699 more they 00:55:01.699 --> 00:55:02.139 will take 00:55:02.139 --> 00:55:02.659 up these 00:55:02.659 --> 00:55:03.340 pagan names, 00:55:03.340 --> 00:55:03.960 the more 00:55:03.960 --> 00:55:04.200 they will 00:55:04.200 --> 00:55:04.920 be associated 00:55:04.920 --> 00:55:05.740 with Babylon 00:55:05.740 --> 00:55:06.579 and being 00:55:06.579 --> 00:55:07.480 Chaldeans. 00:55:08.200 --> 00:55:08.800 That's the 00:55:08.800 --> 00:55:09.280 strategy. 00:55:10.480 --> 00:55:11.120 That's the 00:55:11.120 --> 00:55:11.500 three-year 00:55:11.500 --> 00:55:12.079 program the 00:55:12.079 --> 00:55:12.579 king set 00:55:12.579 --> 00:55:13.059 for them. 00:55:16.519 --> 00:55:17.180 That's the 00:55:17.180 --> 00:55:17.720 aim to 00:55:17.720 --> 00:55:18.559 gradually 00:55:18.559 --> 00:55:19.920 incorporate 00:55:19.920 --> 00:55:22.280 them so 00:55:22.280 --> 00:55:22.579 that they 00:55:22.579 --> 00:55:23.300 come effectively 00:55:23.300 --> 00:55:23.740 to be 00:55:23.740 --> 00:55:24.559 Chaldeans. 00:55:25.820 --> 00:55:26.440 That's what 00:55:26.440 --> 00:55:26.800 the world 00:55:26.800 --> 00:55:27.200 wants you 00:55:27.200 --> 00:55:27.620 to be. 00:55:29.120 --> 00:55:29.740 That's what 00:55:29.740 --> 00:55:30.079 the world 00:55:30.079 --> 00:55:30.600 is calling 00:55:30.600 --> 00:55:31.039 you to 00:55:31.039 --> 00:55:31.760 today. 00:55:31.760 --> 00:55:33.360 That's 00:55:33.360 --> 00:55:33.520 what 00:55:33.520 --> 00:55:33.960 worldliness 00:55:33.960 --> 00:55:34.500 has as 00:55:34.500 --> 00:55:34.680 its 00:55:34.680 --> 00:55:35.340 intentions 00:55:35.340 --> 00:55:35.780 through 00:55:35.780 --> 00:55:36.160 whatever 00:55:36.160 --> 00:55:36.940 ideology 00:55:36.940 --> 00:55:38.440 that 00:55:38.440 --> 00:55:38.740 wants 00:55:38.740 --> 00:55:38.980 you 00:55:38.980 --> 00:55:39.440 to 00:55:39.440 --> 00:55:39.700 lose 00:55:39.700 --> 00:55:40.020 sight 00:55:40.020 --> 00:55:40.200 of 00:55:40.200 --> 00:55:40.380 your 00:55:40.380 --> 00:55:40.980 identity 00:55:40.980 --> 00:55:41.280 as 00:55:41.280 --> 00:55:41.440 a 00:55:41.440 --> 00:55:41.800 Christian. 00:55:42.300 --> 00:55:42.660 Where is 00:55:42.660 --> 00:55:42.840 the 00:55:42.840 --> 00:55:43.340 Christian's 00:55:43.340 --> 00:55:43.820 identity? 00:55:44.440 --> 00:55:44.880 What is it 00:55:44.880 --> 00:55:45.620 that identifies 00:55:45.620 --> 00:55:46.300 the Christian? 00:55:46.420 --> 00:55:46.740 It's not 00:55:46.740 --> 00:55:47.780 your name 00:55:47.780 --> 00:55:48.720 given by 00:55:48.720 --> 00:55:49.180 baptism. 00:55:49.380 --> 00:55:49.600 It's not 00:55:49.600 --> 00:55:49.900 your name 00:55:49.900 --> 00:55:50.360 given by 00:55:50.360 --> 00:55:50.860 parents, 00:55:50.940 --> 00:55:51.540 important though 00:55:51.540 --> 00:55:51.920 these may 00:55:51.920 --> 00:55:52.200 be, 00:55:52.680 --> 00:55:53.400 precious though 00:55:53.400 --> 00:55:53.900 these may 00:55:53.900 --> 00:55:54.220 be. 00:55:54.360 --> 00:55:54.600 What 00:55:54.600 --> 00:55:55.160 identifies 00:55:55.160 --> 00:55:55.560 you as 00:55:55.560 --> 00:55:55.680 a 00:55:55.680 --> 00:55:55.920 Christian 00:55:55.920 --> 00:55:56.520 is what 00:55:56.520 --> 00:55:57.040 you are 00:55:57.040 --> 00:55:57.420 in 00:55:57.420 --> 00:55:57.960 Christ. 00:55:58.540 --> 00:55:58.780 And 00:55:58.780 --> 00:55:59.040 what you 00:55:59.040 --> 00:55:59.520 are in 00:55:59.520 --> 00:56:00.140 Christ means 00:56:00.140 --> 00:56:00.640 what you 00:56:00.640 --> 00:56:01.080 are to 00:56:01.079 --> 00:56:01.819 God and 00:56:01.819 --> 00:56:02.199 what God 00:56:02.199 --> 00:56:02.599 is to 00:56:02.599 --> 00:56:02.980 you. 00:56:05.420 --> 00:56:06.079 That's 00:56:06.079 --> 00:56:06.239 your 00:56:06.239 --> 00:56:06.719 identity. 00:56:07.960 --> 00:56:08.319 That's 00:56:08.319 --> 00:56:08.679 who you 00:56:08.679 --> 00:56:09.019 are as 00:56:09.019 --> 00:56:09.159 a 00:56:09.159 --> 00:56:09.480 Christian. 00:56:11.319 --> 00:56:12.000 And 00:56:12.000 --> 00:56:12.199 that's 00:56:12.199 --> 00:56:12.460 who the 00:56:12.460 --> 00:56:12.739 world 00:56:12.739 --> 00:56:13.099 must 00:56:13.099 --> 00:56:13.519 see. 00:56:14.460 --> 00:56:14.699 You 00:56:14.699 --> 00:56:15.219 are. 00:56:16.559 --> 00:56:17.199 A 00:56:17.199 --> 00:56:17.679 person who 00:56:17.679 --> 00:56:18.319 belongs to 00:56:18.319 --> 00:56:20.039 God and 00:56:20.039 --> 00:56:20.460 to whom 00:56:20.460 --> 00:56:21.380 by grace 00:56:21.380 --> 00:56:22.279 this God 00:56:22.279 --> 00:56:23.079 belongs as 00:56:23.079 --> 00:56:23.319 your 00:56:23.319 --> 00:56:23.679 Savior, 00:56:23.679 --> 00:56:26.440 as your 00:56:26.440 --> 00:56:26.799 King, 00:56:26.800 --> 00:56:28.240 and 00:56:28.240 --> 00:56:28.539 whatever 00:56:28.539 --> 00:56:29.039 Nebuchad 00:56:29.039 --> 00:56:29.140 and 00:56:29.140 --> 00:56:29.420 Ezra 00:56:29.420 --> 00:56:30.840 arrive on 00:56:30.840 --> 00:56:31.220 the scene. 00:56:32.780 --> 00:56:33.220 That's 00:56:33.220 --> 00:56:33.740 the aim 00:56:33.740 --> 00:56:34.740 of the 00:56:34.740 --> 00:56:35.120 three-year 00:56:35.120 --> 00:56:35.560 program. 00:56:37.700 --> 00:56:38.500 He wanted 00:56:38.500 --> 00:56:38.720 the 00:56:38.720 --> 00:56:39.260 ableist 00:56:39.260 --> 00:56:39.500 for 00:56:39.500 --> 00:56:39.960 himself. 00:56:41.120 --> 00:56:41.660 He 00:56:41.660 --> 00:56:42.200 wanted to 00:56:42.200 --> 00:56:42.700 educate 00:56:42.700 --> 00:56:43.120 them 00:56:43.120 --> 00:56:44.160 with the 00:56:44.160 --> 00:56:44.460 element 00:56:44.460 --> 00:56:44.660 of 00:56:44.660 --> 00:56:45.500 indoctrination. 00:56:46.580 --> 00:56:47.100 He 00:56:47.100 --> 00:56:47.560 wanted to 00:56:47.560 --> 00:56:47.860 give them 00:56:47.860 --> 00:56:48.420 incentives. 00:56:48.539 --> 00:56:48.900 He gave 00:56:48.900 --> 00:56:49.640 them incentives 00:56:49.640 --> 00:56:50.500 to help 00:56:50.500 --> 00:56:50.840 them on 00:56:50.840 --> 00:56:51.380 that way. 00:56:53.260 --> 00:56:53.600 And he 00:56:53.600 --> 00:56:54.060 changed their 00:56:54.060 --> 00:56:54.519 identity, 00:56:54.700 --> 00:56:54.920 at least 00:56:54.920 --> 00:56:55.559 by name, 00:56:56.780 --> 00:56:57.159 so that 00:56:57.159 --> 00:56:57.619 gradually 00:56:57.619 --> 00:56:57.940 they'd 00:56:57.940 --> 00:56:58.280 come to 00:56:58.280 --> 00:56:58.480 see 00:56:58.480 --> 00:56:59.119 themselves, 00:56:59.980 --> 00:57:00.480 no longer 00:57:00.480 --> 00:57:01.240 us people 00:57:01.240 --> 00:57:01.800 of Judah, 00:57:03.139 --> 00:57:03.599 but people 00:57:03.599 --> 00:57:04.119 of Babylon. 00:57:05.800 --> 00:57:06.320 What's the 00:57:06.320 --> 00:57:06.860 counter to 00:57:06.860 --> 00:57:07.079 that? 00:57:07.159 --> 00:57:07.300 Well, 00:57:07.320 --> 00:57:07.659 this is 00:57:07.659 --> 00:57:08.320 our final 00:57:08.320 --> 00:57:08.539 point. 00:57:08.599 --> 00:57:08.900 The second 00:57:08.900 --> 00:57:09.180 point, 00:57:09.240 --> 00:57:09.519 briefly, 00:57:10.240 --> 00:57:10.840 has to 00:57:10.840 --> 00:57:11.159 do with 00:57:11.159 --> 00:57:11.599 God's 00:57:11.599 --> 00:57:12.079 faithful 00:57:12.079 --> 00:57:12.500 people, 00:57:12.579 --> 00:57:13.039 because as 00:57:13.039 --> 00:57:13.400 the chapter 00:57:13.400 --> 00:57:13.940 goes on, 00:57:14.380 --> 00:57:14.659 you can 00:57:14.659 --> 00:57:15.059 see how 00:57:15.059 --> 00:57:16.400 God gave 00:57:16.400 --> 00:57:17.200 Daniel 00:57:17.200 --> 00:57:17.980 wisdom, 00:57:18.139 --> 00:57:18.500 along with 00:57:18.500 --> 00:57:19.139 his companions, 00:57:19.940 --> 00:57:20.360 to actually 00:57:20.360 --> 00:57:20.920 not just 00:57:20.920 --> 00:57:21.420 to offset, 00:57:21.619 --> 00:57:21.860 but to 00:57:21.860 --> 00:57:22.440 overcome 00:57:22.440 --> 00:57:23.400 the strategy 00:57:23.400 --> 00:57:24.000 of Babylon 00:57:24.000 --> 00:57:24.360 and this 00:57:24.360 --> 00:57:24.760 three-year 00:57:24.760 --> 00:57:25.160 program. 00:57:27.180 --> 00:57:28.500 In other 00:57:28.500 --> 00:57:28.660 words, 00:57:28.700 --> 00:57:28.900 what you 00:57:28.900 --> 00:57:29.460 really find 00:57:29.460 --> 00:57:30.120 in the 00:57:30.120 --> 00:57:30.480 chapter, 00:57:30.840 --> 00:57:31.320 as throughout 00:57:31.320 --> 00:57:31.680 the book, 00:57:31.720 --> 00:57:32.060 in fact, 00:57:33.180 --> 00:57:34.180 is that the 00:57:34.180 --> 00:57:35.300 main figure, 00:57:35.820 --> 00:57:36.400 as always 00:57:36.400 --> 00:57:37.020 really in the 00:57:37.020 --> 00:57:37.220 Bible, 00:57:37.320 --> 00:57:37.820 the main 00:57:37.820 --> 00:57:38.680 figure is 00:57:38.680 --> 00:57:39.300 not Daniel, 00:57:39.760 --> 00:57:40.360 it's not 00:57:40.360 --> 00:57:41.600 his companions, 00:57:42.720 --> 00:57:43.560 it's actually 00:57:43.560 --> 00:57:44.060 God. 00:57:45.520 --> 00:57:46.980 God gave 00:57:46.980 --> 00:57:47.880 Daniel, 00:57:48.040 --> 00:57:48.680 he resolved 00:57:48.680 --> 00:57:48.940 that he 00:57:48.940 --> 00:57:49.560 wouldn't defile 00:57:49.560 --> 00:57:49.960 himself, 00:57:50.340 --> 00:57:51.160 God gave 00:57:51.160 --> 00:57:52.200 Daniel favor 00:57:52.200 --> 00:57:53.000 and compassion, 00:57:53.160 --> 00:57:53.620 verse 9, 00:57:53.619 --> 00:57:54.480 in the sight 00:57:54.480 --> 00:57:54.739 of the 00:57:54.739 --> 00:57:55.119 chief of 00:57:55.119 --> 00:57:55.239 the 00:57:55.239 --> 00:57:55.679 eunuchs. 00:57:56.199 --> 00:57:56.659 Where did 00:57:56.659 --> 00:57:57.159 Daniel get 00:57:57.159 --> 00:57:57.659 his wisdom 00:57:57.659 --> 00:57:58.059 from? 00:57:58.359 --> 00:57:58.699 It wasn't 00:57:58.699 --> 00:57:59.000 from the 00:57:59.000 --> 00:57:59.699 ideology of 00:57:59.699 --> 00:58:00.519 the Babylonians 00:58:00.519 --> 00:58:01.259 or of his 00:58:01.259 --> 00:58:02.900 own ingenuity, 00:58:03.099 --> 00:58:03.719 it was the 00:58:03.719 --> 00:58:04.299 wisdom that 00:58:04.299 --> 00:58:04.980 was God 00:58:04.980 --> 00:58:05.380 given. 00:58:06.159 --> 00:58:07.079 God gave 00:58:07.079 --> 00:58:07.539 this to 00:58:07.539 --> 00:58:07.839 Daniel, 00:58:08.079 --> 00:58:08.500 he gave 00:58:08.500 --> 00:58:09.139 him favor. 00:58:09.659 --> 00:58:09.900 God 00:58:09.900 --> 00:58:10.480 arranged it 00:58:10.480 --> 00:58:11.000 that the 00:58:11.000 --> 00:58:11.359 chief of 00:58:11.359 --> 00:58:11.819 the eunuchs 00:58:11.819 --> 00:58:12.440 actually went 00:58:12.440 --> 00:58:12.940 along with 00:58:12.940 --> 00:58:13.579 Daniel's 00:58:13.579 --> 00:58:14.059 strategy, 00:58:14.480 --> 00:58:15.000 counter to 00:58:15.000 --> 00:58:15.599 the strategy 00:58:15.599 --> 00:58:15.920 of the 00:58:15.920 --> 00:58:16.219 king of 00:58:16.219 --> 00:58:16.579 Babylon. 00:58:16.579 --> 00:58:18.119 And of 00:58:18.119 --> 00:58:18.380 course we 00:58:18.380 --> 00:58:18.659 know how 00:58:18.659 --> 00:58:19.219 that ended 00:58:19.219 --> 00:58:19.559 up. 00:58:20.960 --> 00:58:21.340 And he 00:58:21.340 --> 00:58:21.980 showed himself 00:58:21.980 --> 00:58:23.920 superior to 00:58:23.920 --> 00:58:24.239 all the 00:58:24.239 --> 00:58:24.619 rest, 00:58:25.360 --> 00:58:26.000 to all the 00:58:26.000 --> 00:58:26.360 people that 00:58:26.360 --> 00:58:27.860 belonged to 00:58:27.860 --> 00:58:29.559 Babylon who 00:58:29.559 --> 00:58:29.960 ate the 00:58:29.960 --> 00:58:30.679 king's food. 00:58:32.860 --> 00:58:33.599 Daniel and 00:58:33.599 --> 00:58:34.179 his companions 00:58:34.179 --> 00:58:34.779 turned out to 00:58:34.779 --> 00:58:35.819 be ten times 00:58:35.819 --> 00:58:37.360 more superior 00:58:37.360 --> 00:58:37.799 than they 00:58:37.799 --> 00:58:38.199 were. 00:58:40.840 --> 00:58:41.179 You see, 00:58:41.239 --> 00:58:41.880 God's favor, 00:58:43.299 --> 00:58:44.000 Joseph proved 00:58:44.000 --> 00:58:44.440 it before, 00:58:44.539 --> 00:58:44.819 didn't he? 00:58:44.820 --> 00:58:47.200 Daniel proves 00:58:47.200 --> 00:58:47.640 it here. 00:58:48.360 --> 00:58:48.760 Many others 00:58:48.760 --> 00:58:49.160 have proved 00:58:49.160 --> 00:58:49.559 it down 00:58:49.559 --> 00:58:50.000 through the 00:58:50.000 --> 00:58:50.420 years, 00:58:50.940 --> 00:58:52.780 that God's 00:58:52.780 --> 00:58:55.080 favor is 00:58:55.080 --> 00:58:55.820 of so much 00:58:55.820 --> 00:58:56.420 more value 00:58:56.420 --> 00:58:56.780 than the 00:58:56.780 --> 00:58:57.180 favor of 00:58:57.180 --> 00:58:57.680 the world. 00:59:00.320 --> 00:59:00.840 God's 00:59:00.840 --> 00:59:02.840 favor is 00:59:02.840 --> 00:59:03.340 the chief 00:59:03.340 --> 00:59:03.740 thing in 00:59:03.740 --> 00:59:04.200 your life, 00:59:04.300 --> 00:59:04.539 surely. 00:59:05.460 --> 00:59:05.960 To know 00:59:05.960 --> 00:59:06.320 that you're 00:59:06.320 --> 00:59:06.780 living a 00:59:06.780 --> 00:59:07.380 life that's 00:59:07.380 --> 00:59:08.000 pleasing to 00:59:08.000 --> 00:59:08.320 God, 00:59:08.460 --> 00:59:09.120 not because 00:59:09.120 --> 00:59:09.519 it's a 00:59:09.519 --> 00:59:10.300 perfect life 00:59:10.300 --> 00:59:10.680 though you'd 00:59:10.680 --> 00:59:11.180 want it to 00:59:11.180 --> 00:59:11.380 be, 00:59:12.000 --> 00:59:12.760 not because 00:59:12.760 --> 00:59:13.840 it's a 00:59:13.840 --> 00:59:14.519 better life 00:59:14.519 --> 00:59:15.019 than other 00:59:15.019 --> 00:59:15.820 people live, 00:59:16.980 --> 00:59:17.579 not because 00:59:17.579 --> 00:59:17.920 you see 00:59:17.920 --> 00:59:18.480 yourself as 00:59:18.480 --> 00:59:19.219 superior to 00:59:19.219 --> 00:59:19.480 others, 00:59:19.699 --> 00:59:20.280 but because 00:59:20.280 --> 00:59:20.579 you know 00:59:20.579 --> 00:59:21.059 this is what 00:59:21.059 --> 00:59:21.800 God requires 00:59:21.800 --> 00:59:22.300 of you. 00:59:23.539 --> 00:59:24.079 That is your 00:59:24.079 --> 00:59:24.800 privilege to 00:59:24.800 --> 00:59:25.759 live as a 00:59:25.759 --> 00:59:26.639 Christian life, 00:59:27.659 --> 00:59:28.059 as a 00:59:28.059 --> 00:59:28.559 Christian in 00:59:28.559 --> 00:59:28.759 life. 00:59:29.019 --> 00:59:29.539 That is your 00:59:29.539 --> 00:59:30.119 privilege to 00:59:30.119 --> 00:59:31.000 serve God, 00:59:31.380 --> 00:59:31.880 your privilege 00:59:31.880 --> 00:59:32.679 to be openly 00:59:32.679 --> 00:59:33.960 on His side 00:59:33.960 --> 00:59:34.440 because there 00:59:34.440 --> 00:59:34.920 are so many 00:59:34.920 --> 00:59:35.940 openly against 00:59:35.940 --> 00:59:36.259 Him. 00:59:37.820 --> 00:59:38.519 To have 00:59:38.519 --> 00:59:39.179 God's favor, 00:59:39.320 --> 00:59:39.659 friends, 00:59:40.840 --> 00:59:41.360 is the most 00:59:41.360 --> 00:59:42.000 important thing 00:59:42.000 --> 00:59:42.380 in the world 00:59:42.380 --> 00:59:42.840 for you and 00:59:42.840 --> 00:59:43.300 for me. 00:59:44.720 --> 00:59:45.480 To know 00:59:45.480 --> 00:59:45.820 that you 00:59:45.820 --> 00:59:46.380 have that, 00:59:47.079 --> 00:59:48.120 to show 00:59:48.120 --> 00:59:48.840 openly that 00:59:48.840 --> 00:59:49.200 you have 00:59:49.200 --> 00:59:49.559 that. 00:59:50.600 --> 00:59:51.100 Nothing's 00:59:51.100 --> 00:59:51.740 more important 00:59:51.740 --> 00:59:52.320 than that, 00:59:53.340 --> 00:59:54.559 that you 00:59:54.559 --> 00:59:54.920 have the 00:59:54.920 --> 00:59:56.120 favor of 00:59:56.120 --> 00:59:56.680 God upon 00:59:56.680 --> 00:59:57.360 your life. 00:59:58.960 --> 01:00:00.280 And these 01:00:00.280 --> 01:00:00.740 were people 01:00:00.740 --> 01:00:01.380 of principle 01:00:01.380 --> 01:00:01.760 in other 01:00:01.760 --> 01:00:02.120 words. 01:00:02.740 --> 01:00:03.160 It wasn't 01:00:03.160 --> 01:00:03.559 just the 01:00:03.559 --> 01:00:03.960 fact that 01:00:03.960 --> 01:00:05.200 God gave 01:00:05.200 --> 01:00:05.760 them this 01:00:05.760 --> 01:00:06.160 favor, 01:00:06.519 --> 01:00:06.980 that God 01:00:06.980 --> 01:00:07.500 opened up 01:00:07.500 --> 01:00:07.840 the way 01:00:07.840 --> 01:00:08.220 for them, 01:00:08.280 --> 01:00:08.640 that God 01:00:08.640 --> 01:00:09.400 endowed them 01:00:09.400 --> 01:00:10.079 with all of 01:00:10.079 --> 01:00:10.680 these abilities, 01:00:10.800 --> 01:00:11.260 which He of 01:00:11.260 --> 01:00:12.020 course undoubtedly 01:00:12.020 --> 01:00:12.480 did. 01:00:12.980 --> 01:00:13.540 But they 01:00:13.540 --> 01:00:14.300 themselves were 01:00:14.300 --> 01:00:14.780 people of 01:00:14.780 --> 01:00:15.160 principle. 01:00:15.540 --> 01:00:15.920 They were 01:00:15.920 --> 01:00:16.720 committed to 01:00:16.720 --> 01:00:17.180 God, 01:00:17.600 --> 01:00:18.260 by the grace 01:00:18.260 --> 01:00:18.800 of God, 01:00:19.200 --> 01:00:20.140 by the blessing 01:00:20.140 --> 01:00:20.720 of God, 01:00:20.800 --> 01:00:21.040 yes, 01:00:21.100 --> 01:00:21.520 but they were 01:00:21.520 --> 01:00:22.220 still themselves 01:00:22.220 --> 01:00:23.400 committed to 01:00:23.400 --> 01:00:23.840 God, 01:00:23.940 --> 01:00:24.640 to the ways 01:00:24.640 --> 01:00:25.200 of God, 01:00:25.340 --> 01:00:26.140 to serving 01:00:26.140 --> 01:00:26.480 God, 01:00:26.540 --> 01:00:27.080 to be true 01:00:27.080 --> 01:00:27.740 to God. 01:00:30.680 --> 01:00:31.320 And that's 01:00:31.320 --> 01:00:33.260 why Daniel 01:00:33.260 --> 01:00:34.140 in chapter 2, 01:00:34.260 --> 01:00:34.680 just flick 01:00:34.680 --> 01:00:35.220 forward for a 01:00:35.220 --> 01:00:35.380 minute, 01:00:35.500 --> 01:00:36.040 chapter 2, 01:00:36.100 --> 01:00:36.860 verse 48. 01:00:36.860 --> 01:00:40.599 As they 01:00:40.599 --> 01:00:41.180 came to 01:00:41.180 --> 01:00:43.300 Nebuchadnezzar 01:00:43.300 --> 01:00:44.039 following the 01:00:44.039 --> 01:00:44.440 interpretation 01:00:44.440 --> 01:00:44.880 of his 01:00:44.880 --> 01:00:45.120 dream, 01:00:45.260 --> 01:00:45.599 which none 01:00:45.599 --> 01:00:45.820 of his 01:00:45.820 --> 01:00:46.120 own 01:00:46.120 --> 01:00:47.079 mystery men 01:00:47.079 --> 01:00:47.420 were able 01:00:47.420 --> 01:00:47.860 to do, 01:00:49.099 --> 01:00:49.820 then the 01:00:49.820 --> 01:00:50.340 king gave 01:00:50.340 --> 01:00:51.180 Daniel high 01:00:51.180 --> 01:00:52.599 honors and 01:00:52.599 --> 01:00:53.480 many great 01:00:53.480 --> 01:00:53.920 gifts, 01:00:54.660 --> 01:00:55.420 and made 01:00:55.420 --> 01:00:56.079 him ruler 01:00:56.079 --> 01:00:57.240 over the 01:00:57.240 --> 01:00:58.079 whole province 01:00:58.079 --> 01:00:58.660 of Babylon, 01:00:59.360 --> 01:00:59.920 and chief 01:00:59.920 --> 01:01:00.820 prefect over 01:01:00.820 --> 01:01:01.640 all the wise 01:01:01.640 --> 01:01:02.160 men of 01:01:02.160 --> 01:01:02.500 Babylon. 01:01:03.500 --> 01:01:03.900 See what's 01:01:03.900 --> 01:01:04.240 happened? 01:01:04.700 --> 01:01:05.260 Here's a man 01:01:05.260 --> 01:01:05.559 who's been 01:01:05.559 --> 01:01:06.240 faithful to 01:01:06.240 --> 01:01:06.599 God, 01:01:06.860 --> 01:01:07.280 who has 01:01:07.280 --> 01:01:08.039 made known 01:01:08.039 --> 01:01:08.720 his allegiance 01:01:08.720 --> 01:01:09.440 to God, 01:01:09.640 --> 01:01:10.039 who has 01:01:10.039 --> 01:01:10.599 not stepped 01:01:10.599 --> 01:01:11.200 back from 01:01:11.200 --> 01:01:13.220 being a 01:01:13.220 --> 01:01:13.680 man of 01:01:13.680 --> 01:01:15.200 Judah in 01:01:15.200 --> 01:01:15.780 the captivity 01:01:15.780 --> 01:01:16.539 of Babylon. 01:01:17.500 --> 01:01:17.820 And yet what 01:01:17.820 --> 01:01:18.120 happens? 01:01:18.180 --> 01:01:18.680 The king of 01:01:18.680 --> 01:01:19.640 Babylon promotes 01:01:19.640 --> 01:01:19.920 him. 01:01:20.740 --> 01:01:21.420 He sees that 01:01:21.420 --> 01:01:22.019 he has special 01:01:22.019 --> 01:01:22.980 qualities that 01:01:22.980 --> 01:01:23.360 none of his 01:01:23.360 --> 01:01:23.820 own people 01:01:23.820 --> 01:01:24.320 have. 01:01:26.360 --> 01:01:26.940 And not 01:01:26.940 --> 01:01:27.380 only that, 01:01:27.460 --> 01:01:28.480 but he made 01:01:28.480 --> 01:01:29.180 a request of 01:01:29.180 --> 01:01:29.480 the king, 01:01:29.559 --> 01:01:30.180 and he appointed 01:01:30.180 --> 01:01:30.760 Shadrach, 01:01:31.360 --> 01:01:31.820 Meshach, 01:01:31.940 --> 01:01:32.500 and Abednego 01:01:32.500 --> 01:01:33.700 over the 01:01:33.700 --> 01:01:34.660 affairs of 01:01:34.660 --> 01:01:35.019 Babylon. 01:01:35.019 --> 01:01:36.800 But Daniel 01:01:36.800 --> 01:01:37.980 remained in 01:01:37.980 --> 01:01:38.440 the king's 01:01:38.440 --> 01:01:38.619 court. 01:01:38.719 --> 01:01:39.059 Now chapter 01:01:39.059 --> 01:01:39.679 3 tells you 01:01:39.679 --> 01:01:40.360 the difficulties 01:01:40.360 --> 01:01:41.659 associated with 01:01:41.659 --> 01:01:41.980 that. 01:01:42.079 --> 01:01:42.400 There's the 01:01:42.400 --> 01:01:42.759 furnace. 01:01:43.179 --> 01:01:43.500 There's the 01:01:43.500 --> 01:01:44.119 fiery furnace. 01:01:44.820 --> 01:01:45.239 There's all 01:01:45.239 --> 01:01:46.039 the intimidation, 01:01:46.159 --> 01:01:46.380 all the 01:01:46.380 --> 01:01:46.960 antagonism, 01:01:47.079 --> 01:01:47.360 all the 01:01:47.360 --> 01:01:47.679 suffering, 01:01:47.900 --> 01:01:48.219 all the 01:01:48.219 --> 01:01:48.739 persecution. 01:01:50.019 --> 01:01:50.420 Nevertheless, 01:01:52.320 --> 01:01:53.280 you'd rather be 01:01:53.280 --> 01:01:54.000 in that fiery 01:01:54.000 --> 01:01:55.259 furnace with 01:01:55.259 --> 01:01:55.840 the fourth 01:01:55.840 --> 01:01:56.599 man, the 01:01:56.599 --> 01:01:57.099 figure of 01:01:57.099 --> 01:01:58.219 a son of 01:01:58.219 --> 01:01:58.719 the gods, 01:01:58.840 --> 01:02:00.420 a figure of 01:02:00.420 --> 01:02:01.099 God himself 01:02:01.099 --> 01:02:01.539 with his 01:02:01.539 --> 01:02:02.420 people through 01:02:02.420 --> 01:02:03.099 the fires of 01:02:03.099 --> 01:02:03.639 persecution. 01:02:04.900 --> 01:02:05.940 You'd rather be 01:02:05.940 --> 01:02:06.539 there than be 01:02:06.539 --> 01:02:07.059 in the service 01:02:07.059 --> 01:02:07.559 of the king 01:02:07.559 --> 01:02:08.119 of Babylon, 01:02:08.579 --> 01:02:11.900 whose only 01:02:11.900 --> 01:02:12.699 reward is at 01:02:12.699 --> 01:02:13.099 the end of 01:02:13.099 --> 01:02:13.559 the day, 01:02:14.299 --> 01:02:14.719 death, 01:02:16.279 --> 01:02:16.759 and open 01:02:16.759 --> 01:02:17.699 shame before 01:02:17.699 --> 01:02:18.179 God. 01:02:21.639 --> 01:02:22.380 One of the 01:02:22.380 --> 01:02:22.799 commentators, 01:02:22.900 --> 01:02:23.739 a small book, 01:02:24.659 --> 01:02:25.559 a brief 01:02:25.559 --> 01:02:26.099 commentary on 01:02:26.099 --> 01:02:26.679 Daniel by 01:02:26.679 --> 01:02:28.019 D.S. 01:02:28.099 --> 01:02:28.360 Russell, 01:02:28.360 --> 01:02:30.079 and he 01:02:30.079 --> 01:02:30.500 puts it this 01:02:30.500 --> 01:02:30.920 way when he 01:02:30.920 --> 01:02:31.380 speaks about 01:02:31.380 --> 01:02:31.620 these, 01:02:31.980 --> 01:02:32.599 writing about 01:02:32.599 --> 01:02:34.539 these young 01:02:34.539 --> 01:02:35.120 people of 01:02:35.120 --> 01:02:36.880 Judah as 01:02:36.880 --> 01:02:37.280 people of 01:02:37.280 --> 01:02:37.599 principle. 01:02:37.720 --> 01:02:37.900 He said, 01:02:37.980 --> 01:02:38.640 to act on 01:02:38.640 --> 01:02:40.099 principle is 01:02:40.099 --> 01:02:40.760 sometimes an 01:02:40.760 --> 01:02:41.420 expression of 01:02:41.420 --> 01:02:42.380 stubbornness and 01:02:42.380 --> 01:02:43.380 pig-headedness, 01:02:44.099 --> 01:02:45.200 but that is no 01:02:45.200 --> 01:02:45.820 excuse for 01:02:45.820 --> 01:02:46.720 denigrating the 01:02:46.720 --> 01:02:47.660 act itself. 01:02:48.740 --> 01:02:49.200 People of 01:02:49.200 --> 01:02:50.039 principle find 01:02:50.039 --> 01:02:50.960 greater favor 01:02:50.960 --> 01:02:52.579 with God than 01:02:52.579 --> 01:02:53.140 people of 01:02:53.140 --> 01:02:53.620 property. 01:02:54.500 --> 01:02:54.880 They are 01:02:54.880 --> 01:02:55.420 prepared to 01:02:55.420 --> 01:02:55.860 pay the 01:02:55.860 --> 01:02:56.500 price for the 01:02:56.500 --> 01:02:56.960 stand they 01:02:56.960 --> 01:02:57.300 take. 01:02:57.300 --> 01:02:58.580 They accept 01:02:58.580 --> 01:02:59.100 the penalty 01:02:59.100 --> 01:02:59.519 of being 01:02:59.519 --> 01:02:59.880 the odd 01:02:59.880 --> 01:03:00.380 man out. 01:03:01.140 --> 01:03:01.340 They are 01:03:01.340 --> 01:03:01.680 willing to 01:03:01.680 --> 01:03:02.180 be counted 01:03:02.180 --> 01:03:02.760 among the 01:03:02.760 --> 01:03:03.860 dissenters and 01:03:03.860 --> 01:03:04.620 the dissidents, 01:03:05.019 --> 01:03:05.580 whatever the 01:03:05.580 --> 01:03:06.200 outcome may 01:03:06.200 --> 01:03:06.500 be. 01:03:07.480 --> 01:03:08.340 When principle 01:03:08.340 --> 01:03:09.120 ceases to 01:03:09.120 --> 01:03:09.440 matter, 01:03:10.340 --> 01:03:11.039 then religion, 01:03:11.860 --> 01:03:12.260 truth, 01:03:13.140 --> 01:03:13.560 honesty, 01:03:14.100 --> 01:03:14.780 and integrity 01:03:14.780 --> 01:03:16.460 are all 01:03:16.460 --> 01:03:17.920 at risk. 01:03:19.320 --> 01:03:20.120 People of 01:03:20.120 --> 01:03:21.480 principle, 01:03:22.060 --> 01:03:22.420 in other 01:03:22.420 --> 01:03:22.580 words, 01:03:22.660 --> 01:03:22.980 people who 01:03:22.980 --> 01:03:23.820 are true to 01:03:23.820 --> 01:03:24.280 God, 01:03:25.880 --> 01:03:26.340 come what 01:03:26.340 --> 01:03:26.920 may as 01:03:26.920 --> 01:03:27.740 Daniel himself 01:03:27.740 --> 01:03:28.039 and his 01:03:28.039 --> 01:03:28.600 companions 01:03:28.600 --> 01:03:29.720 prove to 01:03:29.720 --> 01:03:30.000 be. 01:03:31.360 --> 01:03:31.960 And it 01:03:31.960 --> 01:03:32.820 does give 01:03:32.820 --> 01:03:33.320 the lie, 01:03:33.400 --> 01:03:33.860 doesn't it, 01:03:34.260 --> 01:03:34.980 to the 01:03:34.980 --> 01:03:35.660 allegation, 01:03:36.240 --> 01:03:36.940 to the 01:03:36.940 --> 01:03:37.420 suggestion 01:03:37.420 --> 01:03:38.039 that 01:03:38.039 --> 01:03:40.240 Christian 01:03:40.240 --> 01:03:40.740 people, 01:03:41.900 --> 01:03:42.420 people who 01:03:42.420 --> 01:03:43.080 believe the 01:03:43.080 --> 01:03:43.460 Bible, 01:03:44.460 --> 01:03:44.980 will never 01:03:44.980 --> 01:03:45.660 make suitable 01:03:45.660 --> 01:03:46.220 leaders for 01:03:46.220 --> 01:03:46.700 a nation. 01:03:46.699 --> 01:03:49.819 Daniel gives 01:03:49.819 --> 01:03:50.439 the lie to 01:03:50.439 --> 01:03:50.739 that. 01:03:52.460 --> 01:03:53.259 Allegiance to 01:03:53.259 --> 01:03:53.699 God, 01:03:54.379 --> 01:03:55.079 publicly and 01:03:55.079 --> 01:03:55.439 openly, 01:03:56.319 --> 01:03:56.939 does not 01:03:56.939 --> 01:03:57.319 make a 01:03:57.319 --> 01:03:58.519 person unsuitable 01:03:58.519 --> 01:04:00.099 to lead a 01:04:00.099 --> 01:04:00.480 nation, 01:04:00.819 --> 01:04:01.039 or a 01:04:01.039 --> 01:04:01.339 people, 01:04:02.179 --> 01:04:02.599 or a 01:04:02.599 --> 01:04:02.960 church. 01:04:04.899 --> 01:04:05.359 Indeed, 01:04:05.919 --> 01:04:07.119 put it the 01:04:07.119 --> 01:04:07.539 other way, 01:04:08.599 --> 01:04:09.119 surely there's 01:04:09.119 --> 01:04:09.659 nothing more 01:04:09.659 --> 01:04:11.739 important than 01:04:11.739 --> 01:04:12.099 to be a 01:04:12.099 --> 01:04:12.619 person of 01:04:12.619 --> 01:04:13.319 integrity, 01:04:14.359 --> 01:04:15.019 a man or 01:04:15.019 --> 01:04:15.500 woman of 01:04:15.500 --> 01:04:15.880 God, 01:04:16.619 --> 01:04:17.219 who will 01:04:17.219 --> 01:04:17.679 be true 01:04:17.679 --> 01:04:18.360 to God, 01:04:18.739 --> 01:04:19.739 and will 01:04:19.739 --> 01:04:20.539 lead people 01:04:20.539 --> 01:04:21.500 in the 01:04:21.500 --> 01:04:22.219 right direction. 01:04:23.239 --> 01:04:23.579 May God 01:04:23.579 --> 01:04:24.480 bless these 01:04:24.480 --> 01:04:24.920 thoughts on 01:04:24.920 --> 01:04:25.480 his word to 01:04:25.480 --> 01:04:25.719 us. 01:04:29.380 --> 01:04:30.119 Let's now 01:04:30.119 --> 01:04:31.159 conclude by 01:04:31.159 --> 01:04:31.639 singing to 01:04:31.639 --> 01:04:32.280 God's praise 01:04:32.280 --> 01:04:32.960 from Psalm 01:04:32.960 --> 01:04:33.440 90. 01:04:35.219 --> 01:04:35.860 Psalm number 01:04:35.860 --> 01:04:36.380 90, 01:04:36.880 --> 01:04:37.500 that's in the 01:04:37.500 --> 01:04:37.960 Sing Psalms 01:04:37.960 --> 01:04:38.400 version of 01:04:38.400 --> 01:04:39.039 Psalm 90, 01:04:40.860 --> 01:04:41.360 singing the 01:04:41.360 --> 01:04:41.860 final three 01:04:41.860 --> 01:04:42.139 verses, 01:04:42.280 --> 01:04:43.000 verses 13 01:04:43.000 --> 01:04:44.219 to 17. 01:04:44.360 --> 01:04:44.639 Return, 01:04:44.820 --> 01:04:45.260 O Lord, 01:04:45.500 --> 01:04:46.340 how long 01:04:46.340 --> 01:04:46.699 will you 01:04:46.699 --> 01:04:47.039 delay? 01:04:47.380 --> 01:04:47.880 Have mercy 01:04:47.880 --> 01:04:48.280 on your 01:04:48.280 --> 01:04:48.679 servants, 01:04:48.820 --> 01:04:49.039 Lord, 01:04:49.119 --> 01:04:49.539 we pray. 01:04:50.280 --> 01:04:50.960 O satisfy 01:04:50.960 --> 01:04:51.539 us with 01:04:51.539 --> 01:04:52.000 your love 01:04:52.000 --> 01:04:52.619 always, 01:04:52.900 --> 01:04:53.519 that we 01:04:53.519 --> 01:04:54.079 may sing 01:04:54.079 --> 01:04:54.840 rejoicing 01:04:54.840 --> 01:04:56.099 all our 01:04:56.099 --> 01:04:56.619 days. 01:04:57.619 --> 01:04:58.019 Verses 01:04:58.019 --> 01:04:58.960 13 to 01:04:58.960 --> 01:04:59.719 17 of 01:04:59.719 --> 01:05:00.219 Psalm 90 01:05:00.219 --> 01:05:00.739 on page 01:05:00.739 --> 01:05:01.860 120. 01:05:01.860 --> 01:05:02.239 Amen. 01:05:02.239 --> 01:05:02.360 Amen. 01:05:02.360 --> 01:05:05.740 Lord, 01:05:05.740 --> 01:05:06.519 not away, 01:05:06.519 --> 01:05:07.140 suficiente 01:05:07.140 --> 01:05:07.660 p Ajax 01:05:07.660 --> 01:05:11.700 maken 01:05:11.700 --> 01:05:12.740 mgreen 01:05:12.740 --> 01:05:16.099 ide 01:05:16.099 --> 01:05:16.940 ed оно 01:05:16.940 --> 01:05:27.980 Have mercy on you, serenity, Lord, we pray. 01:05:27.980 --> 01:05:39.360 O satisfy us with pure love always, 01:05:39.360 --> 01:05:51.360 That we may sing rejoicing on our day. 01:05:51.360 --> 01:06:03.360 When place of love, affliction with us, God, 01:06:03.360 --> 01:06:15.360 In joy for all the years you may not die. 01:06:15.360 --> 01:06:26.360 Till all your strength and the earth is we shown, 01:06:26.360 --> 01:06:38.360 And to their children make their glory known. 01:06:38.360 --> 01:06:50.360 Now may the favor of Almighty Lord, 01:06:50.360 --> 01:07:02.360 How by God of rich blessings, O our Lord, 01:07:02.360 --> 01:07:13.360 Establish every work of us of God, 01:07:13.360 --> 01:07:25.360 Yes, Lord, for us, Establish every one. 01:07:25.360 --> 01:07:28.360 I'll go to the main door after the benediction. 01:07:28.360 --> 01:07:31.360 Now may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, 01:07:31.360 --> 01:07:33.360 The love of God the Father, 01:07:33.360 --> 01:07:37.360 And the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you now and evermore. 01:07:37.360 --> 01:07:38.360 Amen. 01:07:58.360 --> 01:08:05.360 Moses, строils so that there may talk, 01:08:05.360 --> 01:08:09.360 And the grace of God, 01:08:09.360 --> 01:08:10.099 As 있으eni, 01:08:10.099 --> 01:08:10.360 Ashopabhin scripture, 01:08:10.360 --> 01:08:11.360 In extra balance of love, 01:08:11.360 --> 01:08:12.360 In the past fall in the past, 01:08:12.360 --> 01:08:13.360 While desire to God, 01:08:13.360 --> 01:08:15.360 As you may become means bigger, 01:08:15.360 --> 01:08:16.360 In the future. 01:08:17.360 --> 01:08:19.360 I will be able to emphasize everything. 01:08:19.460 --> 01:08:20.360 In the whole world with power to a the Lord,