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"TAKING RISKS WITHOUT FEELING INSECURE"DANIEL 1:8-16INTRO: "Risk" is defined as "a chance of encountering harm or loss." In this life there are certain risks we must be willing to take if we are going to meet the goals we have for ourselves personally and in our service for God. Ralph Winter said, "Risks are not to be evaluated by the probability of success, but by the value of the goal." (1) ?The life of a man named Daniel teaches us that also. Daniel was a man who knew about risks. Few people have accomplished more under adversity than he did. Daniel came to grips with the risk factor early in his life. Today we will see that he was willing to take a risk and the characteristics which enabled him to risk. Remember Daniel was carried into Babylonian captivity by King Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel and his friends were taken from their home, Jerusalem and put in the palace of the king to be trained in the religion, culture, language, and literature of the Chaldeans. As a part of their training, Daniel and the others were served delicacies from the king's table. But notice Daniel took a risk by refusing the king's delicacies and requesting, rather, a simple diet of vegetables, fruit, grain, and water.? God rewarded the risk by making them fatter and fairer than all the rest and gave them qualities that made it possible for them to move onto bigger and better things. Friend, you will never be great for God unless and until you are willing to take some risks. What characteristics did Daniel possess that made it possible for God to reward him with greater things? When we identify them, they will help us to accomplish great things for God and be the best we can for Him.?THE FIRST CHARACTERISTIC THAT ENABLES US TO RISK IS...?(1) CONVICTION…CONVICTION IS A BELIEF THAT REQUIRES SOMETHING OF US??????????? DANIEL 1:8—“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself withthe portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: Therefore he requested of?the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself."?*NOTICE:?A.? DANIEL'S RESOLVE (V8a—“But Daniel purposed in his heart."). Daniel believed that the food and wine from the king's table would defile him. What did that mean? It meant he would be ceremonially and morally compromised and contaminated by those delicacies from the king's table. The word purposed used there is a very interesting word. In the Hebrew it means "to be set, to establish, to erect, to plant."? Daniel was "set" in his heart that he would not comprise his convictions and defile himself with the things of the world. It is also interesting to note how the word defile is used. The root word also means "to redeem." Daniel was saving himself from the corruption associated with the king's food and wine. B.? DANIEL'S REASON (V8b—“...Therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself."). Daniel was convinced that to eat the food and drink the wine would pollute him and endanger his relationship with God. Daniel risked rejecting the offer of the delicacies from the king's table. This was no small matter because Ashpenaz, prince of the eunuch states in v10, ".then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king." Daniel's conviction was so strong that he was willing to put all them at risk. To remain ceremonially and morally pure was of great value to Daniel and he was willing to risk for it. Wouldn't it be wonderful if God's people were willing to take great risks for God because of their convictions? ILLUS: When will we be able to risk? When we believe in the value of something. What a man believes, he will die for. What he merely thinks, he will change his mind about (2). When we have the faith to step out with the belief that "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me," then will we be able to accomplish great things for God. Sometimes following God can put us at risk. But we are able because we believe God is leading and that is enough!It is conviction that moves us to risk. When we follow God because of the convictions we have concerning His working in our lives and the faith we have in His Word, we will be able to accomplish great things for God!? Then God will reward us with great responsibilities and great areas of Service. CONVICTION INSISTS WE RISK TO FOLLOW GOD TO GREATER AREAS OF SERVICE. THIS LEADS TO THE NEXT CHARACTERISTIC NECESSARY WHICH IS..(2) COURAGE…ABILITY TO RISK IN DIFFICULT SITUATIONS??????????? DANIEL 1:11-13—“Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs hadset?over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, Prove thy servants, I beseechthee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat and water to drink. Then let ourcountenances?be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the childrenthat eat of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants."?*Only he who can say, "The Lord is the strength of my life," can say, "Of whom shall I be afraid?" -- Alexander McClaren, Christian Reader, Vol. 32, no. 3. That could surely be said of Daniel. Daniel was not only a man of conviction but also a man of courage. A. THE CHALLENGE (V10). It took courage for Daniel and his friends not to compromise. We must remember Daniel and his friends weren't being persecuted but being pampered. They were experiencing the extravagant. They were living at the palace attending the best schools with all the advantages. They actually had private tutors to help them have the best advantages. They were given the best food in the kingdom. Many times, we, God's people, lack the courage to stand up for our convictions because we don't want to rock the boat and make waves. Everything in our lives seems to be smooth sailing, why jeopardize that? But if we have Biblical convictions about something, we have the courage to stand for our convictions. Even if that does rock the boat. Daniel knew not to participate put him and his friends at risk. They could lose the extravagance of the table…they could be sent to the Babylonian "ghettos"...they could even lose their lives. Their temptation was to compromise their convictions and enjoy the luxuries of palace life. They could have said, "Everybody's doing it!" or "We had better obey the king!" or "We'll obey on the outside but keep our faith privately!" But they did not compromise. They dared to believe God's Word and trust God for victory (3). B. THE CONSENT (V14). Daniel was courageous. He requested that he might not have to eat the delicacies or drink the wine. He also requested that he be given grain, fruit, and vegetables to eat. That took courage! The word consented in v14 means "Agreed or to come to agreement." Proverbs 16:7 says, "When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him." It takes faith and obedience to overcome the temptations and pressures of the world. First Corinthians 10:13, which says, "There hath no temptation taken you but such is as common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it," had not yet been written, but Daniel and his friends knew its truth by experience (4). ?COURAGE ENABLES US TO OVERCOME FEAR, TAKE THE RISK, AND RECEIVE WHAT GOD WILLS FOR US. IT MOVES US TO RISK. AND WHEN WE RISK KNOWING WE ARE FOLLOWING GOD, GOD WILL REWARD US WITH BLESSINGS AND GREATER AREAS OF SERVICE FOR HIM.(3) COURTEOUS…IT TAKES OTHERS TO MOVE FORWARD FOR GOD. WE MUST HAVE THE ATTITUDE OF GRACE??????????? DANIEL 1:12—“Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days..."*So many times people of conviction and courage can be arrogant, obtrusive, and rude in their beliefs and desires. From time to time that may be true of us who have deep and conservative beliefs about the Bible and Christian values. Notice how polite Daniel was to the Babylonian servant; he did not "parade" his religion nor attempt to embarrass the man. He simply made a humble request of him. Notice:A.? DANIEL'S GRACIOUSNESS. Look how Daniel handled the whole matter. He was determined to not defile himself but he was gracious in his approach. He didn't seek to intimidate or bully or manipulate Ashpenaz, prince of the eunuchs. Rather, he was gracious in his approach. He didn't demand vegetables, fruit, and grain. Nor did he demand not to be served the delicacies from the king's table. But notice verse 8 again, "But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, not with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself." He made a gracious request and that won a hearing for him. Ultimately he won the willingness of the eunuch's staff to help him. Listen, we must have convictions and have the courage to stand for them, but if we are ever going to influence and impact people's lives for Christ, we must be gracious. Colossians 4:6 says, "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man." B.? DANIEL'S GAIN (VV. 16-21). Moving forward, growing in grace, and reaching new heights for Christ is not always easy. We need the help of others. That is what the body of Christ, the Church is all about. We need each other for encouragement, edification, and enthusiasm. Colossians 3:15-16 tells us, "and let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also ye are called in one body, and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." And Hebrews 10:25 tells us, "not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; AND SO MUCH THE MORE, as ye see the day approaching." The writer of Hebrews uses the Greek word Parakaleo which means "called to one's side." It implies help, assistance, and aid. We need convictions, we need courage to stand by our convictions, but we must be courteous and practice brotherly love one for another because we need each other to grow in grace and move forward for Christ! Daniel had convictions. Daniel had courage to stand for his convictions, but notice Daniel was courteous and because of that attitude the one set over Daniel granted his request. And look how God blessed Daniel, and the three Hebrews. Verse 17 says, "As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams." Verse 20 says, "And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm." God blesses us when we are willing to takes risks for Him.CLOSING: Hudson Taylor, the great man of faith who founded the China Inland Mission, integrated faith and risk. He said, "Unless there is an element of risk in our exploits for God, there is no need for faith." (Paul Borthwick, Leading the Way, Navpress, 1989, p. 153.) To able to risk and move forward in our service for God, we must exercise conviction, courage, and courtesy. God will then enlarge our ministry and reward us with greater areas of service! Friend, are you willing to step out by faith and exercise your God-given convictions?NOTES: 1. Raymond McHenry. The Best of In Other Words. Pg. 213.????????????? 2. Albert M. Wells, Jr. Inspiring Quotations-Contemporary & Classical. Pg. 50.????????????? 3. Warren W. Wiersbe. Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the Old Testament. Pg. 553.????????????? 4. Wiersbe. Pg. 554. (ORIGINALLY PREACHED AT MEADOWSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH, PITTSBURG, KS BY BROTHER BRYAN L. BROWNING. REVISED AND PREACHED AT BEECHMONT BAPTIST CHURCH, BEECHMONT, KY ON SUNDAY MORNING, JULY 12, 2009). ................
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