## DARE TO BE A DANIEL

## Daniel 1:1 & various

The Bible is filled with accounts of many godly men and women who are worthy of our emulation. One such person is Daniel, a man who obtained preeminence and power in his lifetime:

- He started out preeminent among the children of Israel.
- He gained preeminence among the wise of men of Babylon.
- He was given power over all of Babylon.
- He received similar power over the Medo-Persian empire.

How was Daniel able to reach these positions of power and influence without compromising his position as a godly man? A close look at the book of Daniel reveals his secret, and shows how we too can be successful without selling out to the world.

I. DANIEL WAS A MAN OF PURPOSE

A. "DANIEL PURPOSED IN HIS HEART..." cf Dan 1:8

1. As a young boy in a strange land, Daniel was immediately faced with a challenge to violate God's law by eating the king's food.

2. Despite his youth and the obvious pressures to conform, Daniel "purposed in his heart" to uphold the law of God, no matter the cost.

3. Because of his willingness to put God first, God granted Daniel favor in the sight of others - Dan 1:9

a. How God did this is not explained, but it happened in the case of Joseph also - cf. Gen 39:1-4; 21-23

b. By putting God first, God blessed Joseph in such a way that favorably impressed others.

B. EVERY CHILD OF GOD NEEDS TO BE A PERSON OF PURPOSE...

1. No one respects a "wishy-washy" person, someone with no direction in their lives.

2. Whereas a strong sense of purpose often breeds respect and admiration in others

3. What should be the "purpose" of the Christian?

a. Jesus makes it clear in Mt 6:33

(MAT 6:33) "BUT SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD, AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS; AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU."

b. To seek the will of God and fulfill it in our lives, no matter what the circumstances may be.

4. As Jesus promised, this will guarantee God's favor toward us and in turn likely gain us favor in the eyes of those around us.

a. Will we "dare to be a Daniel" and be a person with a purpose like he had?

b. No matter how young or how old we may be, it is never too early or too late to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness"!

c. Throughout his life, Daniel not only had a strong sense of purpose, but...

II. DANIEL WAS A MAN OF PRINCIPLE

A. HE REFUSED TO COMPROMISE HIS CONVICTIONS...

1. As a young man, by refusing to eat the king's meat or drink his wine. Cf Da1:8

2. As an old man, by refusing the gifts of Belshazzar. Cf Dan 5:13-17

3. Under the threat of persecution, by refusing to obey the decree of Darius. Cf Dan 6:10

B. PEOPLE ADMIRE PERSONS OF PRINCIPLE.

1. Outwardly they may ridicule them, but inwardly they wish they had the same intestinal fortitude.

2. And when they need someone that can be trusted, and depended upon to carry through with an assigned task, who do you think they will turn to?

(PSA 15) "A PSALM OF DAVID. LORD, WHO SHALL ABIDE IN THY TABERNACLE? WHO SHALL DWELL IN THY HOLY HILL? {2} HE THAT WALKETH UPRIGHTLY, AND WORKETH RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND SPEAKETH THE TRUTH IN HIS HEART. {3} HE THAT BACKBITETH NOT WITH HIS TONGUE, NOR DOETH EVIL TO HIS NEIGHBOUR, NOR TAKETH UP A REPROACH AGAINST HIS NEIGHBOUR. {4} IN WHOSE EYES A VILE PERSON IS CONTEMNED; BUT HE HONOURETH THEM THAT FEAR THE LORD. HE THAT SWEARETH TO HIS OWN HURT, AND CHANGETH NOT."

3. God also admires individuals who will stand by their principles, and by their words.

4. Our society is in great need of people with principle.

a. Those who "dare to be a Daniel", and demonstrate by example the value of being led by "principle" rather than by "price", are not only highly valued by God but also by their fellow man.

b. But having purpose and principle is not all...another element for true success is needed.

c. What that element is can be seen when we observe that...

III. DANIEL WAS A MAN OF PURITY

A. HIS OPPONENTS COULD NOT FIND ANY FAULT...

1. He was faultless when it came to management of his business affairs. Cf Dan 6:1-4

2. This would help to explain his rise to positions of great responsibility and power.

3. Of course, his purity in business affairs was related to...

a. His overall purpose to please God first

b. And the fact that as a man of principle he could be trusted.

B. THE CHRISTIAN IS ALSO TO MAINTAIN PURITY OF CONDUCT.

1. Whether young or old.

(1 TIM 4:12) "LET NO MAN DESPISE THY YOUTH; BUT BE THOU AN EXAMPLE OF THE BELIEVERS, IN WORD, IN CONVERSATION, IN CHARITY, IN SPIRIT, IN FAITH, IN PURITY."

(TITUS 2:6-8) "YOUNG MEN LIKEWISE EXHORT TO BE SOBER MINDED. {7} IN ALL THINGS SHOWING THYSELF A PATTERN OF GOOD WORKS: IN DOCTRINE SHOWING UNCORRUPTNESS, GRAVITY, SINCERITY, {8} SOUND SPEECH, THAT CANNOT BE CONDEMNED; THAT HE THAT IS OF THE CONTRARY PART MAY BE ASHAMED, HAVING NO EVIL THING TO SAY OF YOU."

2. People who maintain purity in their dealings with others are often given positions of great responsibility and privilege, because they can be trusted to use them wisely.

3. Daniel was a man of purpose, principle, and purity.

4. But the element that likely tied all these together in such a way to receive blessings from God and favor from man is the fact that...

IV. DANIEL WAS A MAN OF PRAYER

A. A GLIMPSE OF HIS "PRAYER LIFE" cf. Dan 6:10

1. He knelt in prayer, a demonstration of his humility.

2. He prayed three times daily, a demonstration of his continual dependence upon God

3. He gave thanks in the midst of persecution, a demonstration of his gratitude and the fact that he had not lost sight of God's blessings.

4. His prayers were a "custom since early days", demonstrating his persistence and faithfulness in his service to God

5. It is likely that his "custom" to pray so diligently helped him to remain…

a. A man of purpose

b. A man of principle

c. A man of purity despite his rise to power and preeminence over the empire?

B. WE WOULD DO WELL TO FOLLOW DANIEL'S EXAMPLE...

1. As Christians, we are to pray often -

(1 TH 5:17-18) "PRAY WITHOUT CEASING. {18} IN EVERY THING GIVE THANKS: FOR THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS CONCERNING YOU."

(COL 4:2) "CONTINUE IN PRAYER, AND WATCH IN THE SAME WITH THANKSGIVING;"

2. If our efforts to live purposeful, principled, and pure lives are not what they should be…

3. Maybe it is due to an undisciplined "prayer life".

4. Are we willing to "dare to be a Daniel" in regards to prayer?

There is a false assumption that to "get ahead" in this world one must conform to the sinful practices of the world. How about us tonight? Will we "dare to be a Daniel" by becoming a person of: PURPOSE, PRINCIPLE, PURITY, and PRAYER?