The Growing Years | Pastor Trey Townsley | 10.4.26

The Growing Years

• ‘Heroes’ of the faith who have accomplished great feats all have one thing in common:
• Experience!
• Luke 14:28 ²⁸ For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it
• God does not use unproven vessels to accomplish His greatest tasks
• Romans 5:2-5 ² through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ³ And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; ⁴ and perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
• KJV: ² By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.³ And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; ⁴ And patience, experience; and experience, hope: ⁵ And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
• We see Elijah as a hero who challenged false prophets at a ratio of 450:1 and prevailed with supernatural results (1 Kings 18)
• Do we see him a few years earlier being affected by the drought/famine that he prophesied would come while having to trust God for every meal and drink?
• Do we see him subjected to trusting God to provide for him through a widow who was ready to die?
• Do we see him crying out to the LORD in distress to raise a young man to life?
• Do we see the internal struggle of being viewed by an unknown number of people as the ‘troubler of Israel”?
• David was a young stripling who challenged a war veteran and defeated him in a glorious manner (1 Samuel 17)
• But do we see the young boy who was sent out to the fields to care for the sheep?
• Do we see the mental struggle when the bear cub snatches a ewe lamb? Or when a young lion attempts to run off with another one? 
• Do we witness the pain of rejection from a family who did not think to call in the youngest when the prophet told his dad to bring his sons?
• What is the Daniel experience?
• Daniel 1:8 ⁸ But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 
• Daniel purposed [established, determined] in his heart that he would not defile himself
• Daniel 1:12 ¹² “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.

• The test led to the gift. God gave all four of them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom. In addition, Daniel was given understanding in all visions and dreams. This was not an arbitrary gift without sacrifice. 
• Just a few months later, Nebuchadnezzar made the decree to kill all the wise men of Babylon.
• Daniel 2:26-28 ²⁶ The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, “Are you able to make known to me the dream which I have seen, and its interpretation?” ²⁷ Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, “The secret which the king has demanded, the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, and the soothsayers cannot declare to the king. ²⁸ But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days…
• Nebuchadnezzar receives another warning in his dream after years of rebellion. Daniel pleads with him to turn from evil and become righteous.
• In stark contrast, chapter 5 records a stern rebuke from Yahweh with imminent judgment pronounced. Again, Daniel reflected the heart of Yahweh in his response. Also note how Daniel was unmoved by gifts and promotion.
• Daniel 5:17 ¹⁷ Then Daniel answered, and said before the king, “Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another; yet I will read the writing to the king, and make known to him the interpretation. 
• Daniel 5:22-23 ²² “But you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, although you knew all this. ²³ And you have lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven. They have brought the vessels of His house before you, and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines, have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which do not see or hear or know; and the God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways, you have not glorified.
• Acts 4:13 ¹³ Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.
• We will never make extraordinary moves with ordinary preparation
• Without experience we are Peter in Matthew 26:74 ⁷⁴ Then he began to curse and swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!”
• What are your trials this season? What are they meant to prepare you for?
• Pray: Lord, what can I do to bring You the most glory in this situation?

Daniel VII | Pastor Chris Searcy | 9.27.26

1. Daniel 2 — The dream of the statue.
2. Daniel 3 — The fiery furnace.
3. Daniel 4 — The warning dream.

“Break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed.” — Daniel 4:27

God then gave him 12 additional months before the judgment actually fell (Daniel 4:29–31).

Daniel 4:36-37
36 At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

Matthew 23:12
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Daniel 5

1 King Belshazzar made a great feast for a thousand of his lords and drank wine in front of the thousand.

2 Belshazzar, when he tasted the wine, commanded that the vessels of gold and of silver that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the temple in Jerusalem be brought, that the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines might drink from them.

3 Then they brought in the golden vessels that had been taken out of the temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines drank from them.

4 They drank wine and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.

5 Immediately the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace, opposite the lampstand. And the king saw the hand as it wrote. 6 Then the king's color changed, and his thoughts alarmed him; his limbs gave way, and his knees knocked together. 7 The king called loudly to bring in the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers. The king declared to the wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this writing, and shows me its interpretation, shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around his neck and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.”

8 Then all the king's wise men came in, but they could not read the writing or make known to the king the interpretation. 9 Then King Belshazzar was greatly alarmed, and his color changed, and his lords were perplexed.

10 The queen, because of the words of the king and his lords, came into the banqueting hall, and the queen declared, “O king, live forever! Let not your thoughts alarm you or your color change. 11 There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the spirit of the holy gods. In the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods were found in him, and King Nebuchadnezzar, your father—your father the king—made him chief of the magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans, and astrologers, 12 because an excellent spirit, knowledge, and understanding to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve problems were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation.”

18 O king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father kingship and greatness and glory and majesty. 19 And because of the greatness that he gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whom he would, he killed, and whom he would, he kept alive; whom he would, he raised up, and whom he would, he humbled. 20 But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was brought down from his kingly throne, and his glory was taken from him. 21 He was driven from among the children of mankind, and his mind was made like that of a beast, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. He was fed grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, until he knew that the Most High God rules the kingdom of mankind and sets over it whom he will.

22 And you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this,

23 but you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven. And the vessels of his house have been brought in before you, and you and your lords, your wives, and your concubines have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or know, but the God in whose hand is your breath, and whose are all your ways, you have not honored.

24 “Then from his presence the hand was sent, and this writing was inscribed. 25 And this is the writing that was inscribed: Mene, Mene, Tekel, and Parsin. 26 This is the interpretation of the matter: Mene, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; 27 Tekel, you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting; 28 Peres, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”

29 Then Belshazzar gave the command, and Daniel was clothed with purple, a chain of gold was put around his neck, and a proclamation was made about him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.

30 That very night Belshazzar the Chaldean king was killed. 31 And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.

539 BC. Cyrus the Great defeated the Babylonian army outside the city.

The Nabonidus Chronicle says Cyrus's army entered Babylon “without battle.”

Greek historian Herodotus tells:
Cyrus opened canals and diverted Euphrates and troops walked through the riverbed into the city.

Huburis - excessive pride or self confidence

Verse 1:
1 King Belshazzar made a great feast for a thousand of his lords and drank wine in front of the thousand.

22…. though you knew all this

“You should have known better!!!!”

Daniel 5 is not merely the story of one wicked king dying. It is the story of an entire political order being weighed, judged, and transferred to another power.

Daniel tells Belshazzar:

“God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it… Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.”
— Daniel 5:26–28

The judgment is simultaneously personal and governmental.

1. A nation that refuses to learn from its history eventually repeats the judgments of its history.

2. Pride goes before destruction.

3. A nation can appear strong but be collapsing internally

Personal Application:

Sometimes somebody else's testimony may have been your warning.

Belshazzar couldn't say, “God, you never showed me what happens when a king exalts himself against you.”

Luke 12:47-48

47 And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. 48 But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.

James 4:17 whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it sins

1 Corinthians 10:11 “These things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction.”

1. Obey

2. Obey

3. Obey 

Daniel VII | Pastor Chris Searcy | 9.13.26

 Daniel 4:36-37

36 At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

Matthew 23:12
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Question #1: Why am I here? Did God put me here or did I?

Question #2: What is troubling me about this?

Question #3: Who will get glory from my response?

Question #4: What am I afraid of in this situation?

God is perfecting His body.

1 JOHN 2:12-17 

Reasons for Writing

12 I am writing to you, dear children,
    because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.

13 I am writing to you, fathers,
    because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men,
    because you have overcome the evil one.

14 I write to you, dear children,
    because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers,
    because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
    because you are strong,
    and the word of God lives in you,
    and you have overcome the evil one.

On Not Loving the World

15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 
16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 
17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

WHY? Babylon will END!

Isaiah 45:1-4
1 “This is what the Lord says to his anointed,

    to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of

to subdue nations before him

    and to strip kings of their armor,

to open doors before him

    so that gates will not be shut:

2 

I will go before you

    and will level the mountains[a];

I will break down gates of bronze

    and cut through bars of iron.

3 

I will give you hidden treasures,

    riches stored in secret places,

so that you may know that I am the Lord,

    the God of Israel, who summons you by name.

4 

For the sake of Jacob my servant,

    of Israel my chosen,

I summon you by name

    and bestow on you a title of honor,

    though you do not acknowledge me.

Daniel 5

1 King Belshazzar made a great feast for a thousand of his lords and drank wine in front of the thousand.

2 Belshazzar, when he tasted the wine, commanded that the vessels of gold and of silver that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the temple in Jerusalem be brought, that the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines might drink from them.

3 Then they brought in the golden vessels that had been taken out of the temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines drank from them.

4 They drank wine and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.

5 Immediately the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace, opposite the lampstand. And the king saw the hand as it wrote. 6 Then the king's color changed, and his thoughts alarmed him; his limbs gave way, and his knees knocked together. 7 The king called loudly to bring in the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers. The king declared[b] to the wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this writing, and shows me its interpretation, shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around his neck and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.”

8 Then all the king's wise men came in, but they could not read the writing or make known to the king the interpretation. 9 Then King Belshazzar was greatly alarmed, and his color changed, and his lords were perplexed.

10 The queen, because of the words of the king and his lords, came into the banqueting hall, and the queen declared, “O king, live forever! Let not your thoughts alarm you or your color change. 11 There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the spirit of the holy gods. In the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods were found in him, and King Nebuchadnezzar, your father—your father the king—made him chief of the magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans, and astrologers, 12 because an excellent spirit, knowledge, and understanding to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve problems were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation.”

18 O king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father kingship and greatness and glory and majesty. 19 And because of the greatness that he gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whom he would, he killed, and whom he would, he kept alive; whom he would, he raised up, and whom he would, he humbled. 20 But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was brought down from his kingly throne, and his glory was taken from him. 21 He was driven from among the children of mankind, and his mind was made like that of a beast, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. He was fed grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, until he knew that the Most High God rules the kingdom of mankind and sets over it whom he will.

22 And you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this,

23 but you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven. And the vessels of his house have been brought in before you, and you and your lords, your wives, and your concubines have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or know, but the God in whose hand is your breath, and whose are all your ways, you have not honored.

24 “Then from his presence the hand was sent, and this writing was inscribed. 25 And this is the writing that was inscribed: Mene, Mene, Tekel, and Parsin. 26 This is the interpretation of the matter: Mene, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; 27 Tekel, you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting; 28 Peres, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”

29 Then Belshazzar gave the command, and Daniel was clothed with purple, a chain of gold was put around his neck, and a proclamation was made about him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.

30 That very night Belshazzar the Chaldean king was killed. 31 And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.

1. A nation that refuses to learn from its history eventually repeats the judgments of its history.

2. Pride goes before destruction.
Belshazzar is having a massive feast while an enemy army is threatening Babylon.

They behaved as though: “Babylon cannot fall.”

3. A nation can appear strong but be collapsing internally
Daniel focuses on what was happening

inside Babylon:
Belshazzar was feasting.

The leadership was intoxicated.

Sacred things were being desecrated.

The ruling class was celebrating.

And the king apparently had no idea how close the end was.

Personal Application:

Daniel VI | Pastor Trey Townsley | 9.6.26

Daniel 4:1-3 Nebuchadnezzar the king, to all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: peace be multiplied to you. ² I thought it good to declare the signs and wonders that the Most High God has worked for me. ³ How great are His signs, and how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and His dominion is from generation to generation.

Nebuchadnezzar besieges Judah and conquers it

• Setup #1: In chapter 1, he takes nobles, descendants of Jehoiakim, and children of Israel who are knowledgeable and quick to learn so they can be indoctrinated with the literature of the Chaldeans (assimilation)
• ³ Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the nobles, ⁴ young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans.
• Daniel and his compadres end up looking better, learning more, and impressing the king more than all the magicians and astrologers in all his realm
• Setup #2: In chapter 2, a dream troubles him. Nebuchadnezzar shows his wisdom in requiring the wise men to prove their connection to the Wise One, but they could not.
• ⁹ if you do not make known the dream to me, there is only one decree for you! For you have agreed to speak lying and corrupt words before me till the time has changed. Therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that you can give me its interpretation.

• ¹² For this reason the king was angry and very furious, and gave the command to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. ¹³ So the decree went out, and they began killing the wise men; and they sought Daniel and his companions, to kill them.
• Daniel is in place (captivity) to show that there is a God who reveals secrets
• In verse 46 the king does the unthinkable
• ⁴⁶ Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, prostrate before Daniel…
• Setup #3 (the god-complex): In chapter 3, after hearing he was the head of gold, he makes a statue of gold and commands it to be worshiped

• ⁵ that at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, you shall fall down and worship the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up; ⁶ and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.

•  ¹⁵ He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed
• The Jewish men are in place to defy the king’s foolish complex
• God allows the situation to progress to reveal who Nebuchadnezzar really is 

• ¹⁵ Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?” ¹⁶ Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. ¹⁷ If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. ¹⁸ But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” ¹⁹ Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. He spoke and commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated.
• Setup #4: In chapter 4, another dream troubles him and makes him afraid
• ⁴ I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at rest in my house, and flourishing in my palace. ⁵ I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts on my bed and the visions of my head troubled me. ⁶ Therefore I issued a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream. ⁷ Then the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers came in, and I told them the dream; but they did not make known to me its interpretation. ⁸ But at last Daniel came before me (his name is Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god; in him is the Spirit of the Holy God), and I told the dream before him, saying: ⁹ “Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, because I know that the Spirit of the Holy God is in you, and no secret troubles you, explain to me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and its interpretation. ¹⁰ “These were the visions of my head while on my bed: I was looking, and behold, a tree in the midst of the earth, and its height was great. ¹¹ The tree grew and became strong; its height reached to the heavens, and it could be seen to the ends of all the earth. ¹² Its leaves were lovely, its fruit abundant, and in it was food for all. The beasts of the field found shade under it, the birds of the heavens dwelt in its branches, and all flesh was fed from it. ¹³ “I saw in the visions of my head while on my bed, and there was a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven. ¹⁴ He cried aloud and said thus: ‘Chop down the tree and cut off its branches, strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the beasts get out from under it, and the birds from its branches. ¹⁵ Nevertheless leave the stump and roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field. Let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let him graze with the beasts on the grass of the earth. ¹⁶ Let his heart be changed from that of a man, let him be given the heart of a beast, and let seven times pass over him. ¹⁷ ‘This decision is by the decree of the watchers, and the sentence by the word of the holy ones, in order that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, gives it to whomever He will, and sets over it the lowest of men.’ ¹⁸ “This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen. Now you, Belteshazzar, declare its interpretation, since all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able, for the Spirit of the Holy God is in you.” ¹⁹ Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonished for a time, and his thoughts troubled him. So the king spoke, and said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation trouble you.” Belteshazzar answered and said, “My lord, may the dream concern those who hate you, and its interpretation concern your enemies! ²⁰ “The tree that you saw, which grew and became strong, whose height reached to the heavens and which could be seen by all the earth, ²¹ whose leaves were lovely and its fruit abundant, in which was food for all, under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and in whose branches the birds of the heaven had their home— ²² it is you, O king, who have grown and become strong; for your greatness has grown and reaches to the heavens, and your dominion to the end of the earth. ²³ “And inasmuch as the king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave its stump and roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze in the tender grass of the field; let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let him graze with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him’; ²⁴ this is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king: ²⁵ They shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you eat grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses. ²⁶ “And inasmuch as they gave the command to leave the stump and roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be assured to you, after you come to know that Heaven rules. ²⁷ Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity.” ²⁸ All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. ²⁹ At the end of the twelve months he was walking about the royal palace of Babylon. ³⁰ The king spoke, saying, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?” ³¹ While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice fell from heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you! ³² And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.” ³³ That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws. ³⁴ And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: for His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation. ³⁵ All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, “What have You done?” ³⁶ At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles resorted to me, I was restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added to me. ³⁷ Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.

• Daniel gives the meaning and a warning, but Nebuchadnezzar does not heed it
• The outcome is a vessel better able to reveal who Yahweh is
• God deals with His chosen the same way. 
• Question #1: Why am I here? Did God put me here or did I?
• Question #2: What is troubling me about this?
• Question #3: Who will get glory from my response?
• Question #4: What am I afraid of in this situation?
• God is perfecting His body. As you begin to see more, handle it appropriately. 
• See something in others? Handle it with grace!
• See something in yourself? Run to God, not from Him!

Daniel Part V | Pastor Chris Searcy | 8.30.26

   Daniel V - Faith unto Faithfulness

   Is your faith producing faithfulness?

In chapter three we see two different responses:

Nebuchadnezzar = Idolatry

Shadrach Meshack Abednego = Faithfulness

 

Daniel 3:

 

23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the burning fiery furnace.

 

24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste…….

 

24……. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.”

 

25 He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; 

 

25…….and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.”

 

26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace; he declared, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire.

 

27 And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king's counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them.

 

28 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king's command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God.

 

29 Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way.” 

 

30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.

 

*28 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king's command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God.

Take away question:

Is our faith producing faithfulness?

Faith unto Faithfulness questionnaire:

1. Do you fear God more than you fear men?

2. Has your identity survived Babylon?

3. Are you practicing courage in your daily life?

4. Is your faith dependent on your deliverance?

5. Are you willing to die faithful or would you live compromised? 

 

 

Daniel Part IV | Pastor Chris Searcy | 8.23.26

 COME OUT OF HER!

In chapter three we see two different responses:

Nebuchadnezzar = Idolatry

Shadrach Meshack Abednego = Faithfulness unto death


CHAPTER 3:

1 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 

2 He then summoned the ……..
3 officials for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it.

4 Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do: 
5 As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 
6 Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”

8 At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever! 10 Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, 11 and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. 

12 But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.”

13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king,

Daniel 2:49
Daniel interprets the dream and Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego are promoted over Babylon Province

Daniel 3:1
Nebuchadnezzar erects the image in Babylon Province

Daniel 3:2–3
Nebuchadnezzar summons all the provincial officials

Daniel 3:12
Their accusers specifically say:

“There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon…”

So their promotion actually placed them directly in the path of the test.

13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, 14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? 15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace.


15 ……………..Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”

16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand.

18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

22 The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, 23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.

John 15:18-20
18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.


John 15:22

22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. 

Revelation: 18:1-9
1 After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was made bright with his glory. 2 And he called out with a mighty voice,

“Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!
    She has become a dwelling place for demons,
a haunt for every unclean spirit,
    a haunt for every unclean bird,
    a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast.

3 

For all nations have drunk
    the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality,
and the kings of the earth have committed immorality with her,
    and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living.”

4 Then I heard another voice from heaven saying,

“Come out of her, my people,
    lest you take part in her sins,
lest you share in her plagues;

5 

for her sins are heaped high as heaven,
    and God has remembered her iniquities.

6 

Pay her back as she herself has paid back others,
    and repay her double for her deeds;
    mix a double portion for her in the cup she mixed.

7 

As she glorified herself and lived in luxury,
    so give her a like measure of torment and mourning,
since in her heart she says,
    ‘I sit as a queen,
I am no widow,
    and mourning I shall never see.’

8 

For this reason her plagues will come in a single day,
    death and mourning and famine,
and she will be burned up with fire;
    for mighty is the Lord God who has judged her.”

9 And the kings of the earth, who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her, will weep and wail over her when they see the smoke of her burning. 10 They will stand far off, in fear of her torment, and say,

“Alas! Alas! You great city,
    you mighty city, Babylon!
For in a single hour your judgment has come.

Daniel Part III | Pastor Chris Searcy | 8.16.26

Week 1: Babylon is forcing assimilation, Daniel Hannaniah, Mishael, Azariah taken. They resists the Kings food

Will the Hebrew boys try to make a great name for themselves by way of Babylon!

Or will they accept the level of greatness and significance that the Lord gives!

Week 2: Application - How do we stand against Babylon and What am I standing against.

Proverbs 3:5-6

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

The Daniel 1 test

Before participating in something, ask:

• Does Scripture directly call this sin?
• Does this require me to deny, disobey, or dishonor God?
• Does it involve idolatry or agreement with false worship?
• Does it feed lust, greed, pride, hatred, or deception?
• Is it controlling me?
• Can I do it with thanksgiving and for God’s glory?
• Would participating violate my conscience?
• Would it knowingly encourage someone else to sin?

CONTEXT OF DANIEL SO FAR: 

Babylon a wicked nation overtakes Judah and Daniel Hananiah Mishael and Azariah are taken there to serve King Nebuchadnezzar.

This was forced assimilation:

They are forced to change their:

• God
• Language 
• Home
• Customs 
• Food 
• Name 

Daniel 2:

1 In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his mind was troubled and he could not sleep. 2 So the king summoned the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers to tell him what he had dreamed. When they came in and stood before the king, 3 he said to them, “I have had a dream that troubles me and I want to know what it means.

4 Then the astrologers answered the king, “May the king live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will interpret it.”

5 The king replied to the astrologers, “This is what I have firmly decided: If you do not tell me what my dream was and interpret it, I will have you cut into pieces and your houses turned into piles of rubble. 6 But if you tell me the dream and explain it, you will receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. So tell me the dream and interpret it for me.”

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

8 Then the king answered, “I am certain that you are trying to gain time, because you realize that this is what I have firmly decided: 9 If you do not tell me the dream, there is only one penalty for you. You have conspired to tell me misleading and wicked things, hoping the situation will change. So then, tell me the dream, and I will know that you can interpret it for me.”

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

10 ……….. No king, however great and mighty, has ever asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or astrologer. 11 What the king asks is too difficult. No one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among humans.”

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

How do we handle trials?

13 So the decree was issued to put the wise men to death, and men were sent to look for Daniel and his friends to put them to death.

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

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

18 He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

19 During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven

20 and said:

“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
    wisdom and power are his.

21 He changes times and seasons;
    he deposes kings and raises up others.
He gives wisdom to the wise
    and knowledge to the discerning.

22 He reveals deep and hidden things;
    he knows what lies in darkness,
    and light dwells with him.

23 I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors:
    You have given me wisdom and power,
you have made known to me what we asked of you,
    you have made known to us the dream of the king.”

Daniel went to the executioner and said:
24…….. “Do not execute the wise men of Babylon. Take me to the king, and I will interpret his dream for him.”

The executioner told the king:
25……… “I have found a man among the exiles from Judah who can tell the king what his dream means.”

27 Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, 

28 but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.

45…….. “The great God has shown the king what will take place in the future. The dream is true and its interpretation is trustworthy.”

46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell prostrate before Daniel and paid him honor and ordered that an offering and incense be presented to him. 47 The king said to Daniel, “Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery.”

48 Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men. 49 Moreover, at Daniel’s request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego administrators over the province of Babylon, 

49….. while Daniel himself remained at the royal court.

So how did Daniel deal with trial:
1. He Recognized God put me here. (God handed Judah over to Babylon)

2. He prayed and asked God to turn it around v17-18 (asked for mercy)
3. He bet on God (Set up a meeting before the interpretation) (operated in the fulfillment)

4. He praised God the whole time. (When facing death and when exalted)

How do we deal with trial:

• We Recognize, God put me here. (Who am I here to help)
• We pray and asked God to turn it around. (Lord save US)
• We bet on God (Trust in his faithfulness)
• We praise God the whole time. (Maintain gratefulness)