Eastside Missionary Baptist Church

WHEN CONVICTION CONQUERS COMPROMISE

The Secret of Daniel's Success

Text: Daniel 1:1-21 Key Verse: Daniel 1:8

INTRODUCTION: “Purpose in Your Heart, Stand in Your Generation” We live in a generation that celebrates compromise and criticizes conviction. The world says: "Everybody is doing it." "Times have changed." "Standards don't matter."  "Truth is relative."  "Just fit in." Yet God is still looking for men and women who refuse to bow. Daniel was a young man, probably between 14 and 17 years old, when his world fell apart. His city was conquered. His king was defeated. His temple was plundered. His future was uncertain. His family was likely separated. Everything around him changed. But there was one thing Babylon could not change: His heart. Babylon could change his address. Babylon could change his education. Babylon could change his language. Babylon could change his name. But Babylon could not change his God. You can take a man out of Jerusalem, but if God is in his heart, you cannot take Jerusalem out of the man. Daniel chapter one is not simply the story of four Hebrew boys eating vegetables and drinking water. It is about: Conviction versus compromise. Purity versus pollution. Dedication versus defilement. Faithfulness versus conformity. Christians are in the world. The danger is when the world gets into the Christian. The central statement of this chapter is found in Daniel 1:8: "But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself..." Everything rises and falls on that purpose.

I. THE CAPTURE OF GOD'S PEOPLE Daniel 1:1

A. The Sovereign Purpose Behind the Captivity Daniel 1:2 “And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand,” Isaiah 46:9-10, Psalm 115:3, Romans 8:28

B. The Sacred Things Were Taken Daniel 1:2 “with part of the vessels of the house of God:”

II. THE CORRUPTION OF BABYLON'S PROGRAM

Daniel 1:3-7 Babylon had a plan. If they could not destroy the Hebrew young men, they would redefine them. Satan still uses the same strategy today.

A. Separation From Their Homeland ISOLATION

B. Saturation With Babylon's Learning INDOCTRINATION

Daniel 1:4, Romans 12:2

C. Substitution Of Their Identity IDENTIFICATION

The Babylonians changed their names. Names meant everything in Hebrew culture. Why? Because names carried spiritual significance.  Daniel = "God is my Judge." Belteshazzar="Bel is your protector." Hananiah = "Jehovah Has Been Gracious" Shadrach = Associated with Babylonian moon-god worship.  Mishael = "Who Is Like God?"  Meshach = "Who Is Like Aku?" (Babylonian deity) Azariah = "Jehovah Has Helped" Abednego = "Servant of Nego" The enemy always tries to exchange God's truth for worldly lies.

III. THE CONVICTION OF DANIEL'S PURPOSE

"A Heart Settled Before The Test Arrives” Daniel 1:8 THE HEBREW BEAUTY OF "PURPOSED" The idea carries the thought of: Determined, Established, Fixed, Settled. Daniel had settled the issue before the temptation arrived. His public victory was the result of a private decision.

A. A Predetermined Conviction "purposed"

B. A Personal Conviction Daniel 1:8 “his heart”

C. A Pure Conviction Daniel 1:8 “that he would not defile himself”

IV. THE CONFLICT OVER THE KING'S MEAT

Daniel 1:8 THE KING'S MEAT Hebrew word: "Pathbag" Refers to royal delicacies. Luxurious foods from the king's table. Likely included:  Unclean meats, Foods sacrificed to idols, Food connected with pagan worship, To eat this food would identify Daniel with Babylon's religious system. The king's table contained rich foods reserved for royalty. Leviticus 11 outlined dietary regulations for Israel. Babylon's table represented much more than food. It represented acceptance of Babylon's culture and religion. Daniel's Diet Daniel 1:12 "Pulse” The Hebrew word refers to things grown from seed. Examples included: Grains, Beans, Lentils, Vegetables! Water was requested instead of royal wine.

V. THE COURAGE OF DANIEL'S APPROACH Daniel 1:8-13

A. He Stood Firmly He refused. He did not compromise.

B. He Spoke Respectfully Notice: "requested" Daniel was not rebellious. He was respectful. Truth without love becomes brutality. Love without truth becomes hypocrisy. Daniel possessed both. Ephesians 4:15

C. He Trusted God Fully Daniel 1:12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.

VI. THE CONFIRMATION OF GOD'S POWER Daniel 1:14-16

A. God's Favor Was Visible Psalm 1:1-3

B. God's Faithfulness Was Vindicated

VII. THE CONSECRATION THAT PRODUCED EXCELLENCE 

Daniel 1:17-20 Notice repeatedly:  "God gave"

God gave knowledge. God gave wisdom. God gave understanding. God gave favor. God gave promotion. Proverbs 22:29 “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings;”

A. Supernatural Wisdom Daniel 1:17, James 1:5

B. Special Understanding Daniel 1:17 “and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.”

C. Superior Testimony Daniel 1:18-19, 1:20 “ten times better”

VIII. THE CONSISTENCY OF DANIEL'S LIFE Daniel 1:21

“And Daniel continued” This may be the greatest statement in the chapter.

For nearly seventy years Daniel remained faithful. The greatest ability in the Christian life is dependability.

PM SERVICE

“HARVEST OF BLESSINGS, FEAST OF FELLOWSHIP” Psalm 67:5-7 and Acts 2:46-47