WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.220 Welcome to the Willow Ridge Sermons Podcast, where you can listen to audio from our most 00:00:09.220 --> 00:00:13.860 recent sermons and more. Thanks for listening, and be sure to add this show to your library 00:00:13.860 --> 00:00:16.820 if you'd like to automatically receive new episodes each week. 00:00:27.540 --> 00:00:32.580 Well, good morning. If you have your Bible, and I hope you do, I want to invite you to join us in 00:00:32.580 --> 00:00:37.840 Daniel chapter 10. It's where we'll be this morning. We've got three weeks, including this 00:00:37.840 --> 00:00:42.560 week, left in our Daniel series, and then we'll be starting our Christmas series. And I know it 00:00:42.560 --> 00:00:46.880 doesn't feel like Christmas outside, but Christmas is coming. And one of those things is, as you 00:00:46.880 --> 00:00:50.780 walked in, I know you saw the Christmas tree. And so what we have on there is we have some of these 00:00:50.780 --> 00:00:56.640 wooden ornaments. We're partnering with our partner school, White Knoll Elementary, to come alongside 00:00:56.640 --> 00:01:02.000 some families that are in need during this time of year. And one of the ways that we're doing that 00:01:02.000 --> 00:01:08.100 is with helping to provide some gifts for some families at Christmastime. Dave shared with me, 00:01:08.180 --> 00:01:13.100 I forget how many exactly. There was probably somewhere close to 100 of these wooden ornaments 00:01:13.100 --> 00:01:18.080 that started off on the tree this morning, and now we're down to about 17. So thank you guys for 00:01:18.080 --> 00:01:22.440 already picking them up. We've got about 17 more that we need to take care of. And so if you haven't 00:01:22.440 --> 00:01:27.500 gotten one, please stop by on your way out. But then just kind of an administrative piece for us 00:01:27.500 --> 00:01:33.640 for this, there is a sign-up sheet. We're trying to be aware and to register who has what so that we 00:01:33.640 --> 00:01:38.580 know, so that we can help coordinate that. So you'll see there's a clipboard right beside there. If you 00:01:38.580 --> 00:01:43.320 grabbed one of these ornaments and did not fill out the information on the clipboard, please stop by 00:01:43.320 --> 00:01:47.500 there afterwards. If you're confused about what to do, that's fine. It can be a little bit confusing. 00:01:47.800 --> 00:01:52.240 You'll notice like on this one that I have right here at the very top, there's a number and a letter, and 00:01:52.240 --> 00:01:57.700 that's 2D. So I will go down to 2D and then fill out the information that I have with this. And then 00:01:57.700 --> 00:02:03.560 if you got any questions about what you need to do with these, Dave would be more than happy to answer 00:02:03.560 --> 00:02:09.920 that and excited for an opportunity to bless some families here in our community. I want to echo what 00:02:09.920 --> 00:02:14.860 Pastor Dave said. If you are a first-time guest, we are so happy that you were here. We count it as a blessing 00:02:14.860 --> 00:02:18.920 and an honor that you chose to be with us this morning. And at the end of the service, my wife 00:02:18.920 --> 00:02:22.960 and I will be back there at the connections table. If you wouldn't mind stopping by there just so that 00:02:22.960 --> 00:02:28.720 we could personally thank you, maybe learn your name. And if you do have any questions about who we are 00:02:28.720 --> 00:02:35.500 as a church, we would be extremely excited and happy to be able to answer those for you. There's a lot 00:02:35.500 --> 00:02:40.360 going on in the life of our church. There's something for everyone, and we want you to get connected 00:02:40.360 --> 00:02:46.580 and be a part of that. Well, as we go into Daniel 10 this morning, we'll cover all of Daniel chapter 10. 00:02:46.580 --> 00:02:51.660 I want to read to you verse 19, and then we'll go to the Lord in prayer. Verse 19 says, 00:02:51.760 --> 00:03:21.480 God, we're for some of us. We're for some of us. We walked in here today feeling defeated by the world. 00:03:21.480 --> 00:03:29.980 God, I pray that we could be encouraged by your spirit. God, we come in here today feeling 00:03:29.980 --> 00:03:37.160 overwhelmed in the situations that surround us. And God, I pray that we would be strengthened by the 00:03:37.160 --> 00:03:46.380 truth of your word. God, maybe we walked in here today feeling as if we're without hope. And Lord, 00:03:46.380 --> 00:03:58.120 if we could be reminded of the hope that we know in Jesus Christ. Or speak to us through your word. May 00:03:58.120 --> 00:04:06.080 everything that is said and is done be of you and be done to glorify you. And it's in Jesus' name we pray. 00:04:06.880 --> 00:04:12.640 Amen. Amen. Well, when we were walking through Daniel earlier, we talked about how the first 00:04:12.640 --> 00:04:20.040 six chapters are largely dealing with the biography, the historical count of Daniel. And then as we move 00:04:20.040 --> 00:04:26.340 into the next section of the chapters in Daniel, we're going into the prophetic pieces. And we're diving 00:04:26.340 --> 00:04:33.380 into some stuff. I mean, Daniel, the last half of Daniel in Revelation, there's a lot of similar 00:04:33.380 --> 00:04:38.300 imagery. There's a lot of symbolism. There's a lot of things that is Daniel. Or when you look to 00:04:38.300 --> 00:04:46.020 Revelation, John describes those in our earthly minds. It's hard to fathom what is exactly happening 00:04:46.020 --> 00:04:50.500 and taking place. Well, I want to tell you before we get into this, because this is going to kind of 00:04:50.500 --> 00:04:56.760 help us as we approach Daniel chapter 10. There's some crazy stuff that is happening in Daniel 10. 00:04:57.200 --> 00:05:01.580 They're not crazy. Like I don't believe that it happened. Crazy in that I do believe that it happened. 00:05:01.580 --> 00:05:07.380 And I think that it's things that you and I as believers, we don't set our minds to often enough 00:05:07.380 --> 00:05:14.260 in the reality that these are the pieces of the course of history that have played, are playing 00:05:14.260 --> 00:05:20.140 out, and will play out in the future. So what we're going to do through Daniel chapter 10 is we're 00:05:20.140 --> 00:05:26.360 going to look at maybe a couple of verses at a time. I want to explain to you a little bit of what's 00:05:26.360 --> 00:05:30.820 going on there in case there's any questions. And then at the very end, we're going to hit six 00:05:30.820 --> 00:05:37.660 application points that we can look at. So as most of the chapters in Daniel, Daniel chapter 10 starts 00:05:37.660 --> 00:05:42.700 off with kind of giving us a time stamp. And this time stamp is important. So join me in reading Daniel 00:05:42.700 --> 00:05:53.440 10 verse 1. In the third year of Cyrus, the king of Persia, a word was revealed to Daniel, remember whose name 00:05:53.440 --> 00:06:01.960 was Belshazzar. And the word was true, and it was a great conflict. And he understood the word 00:06:01.960 --> 00:06:11.320 and had understanding of the vision. When we find Daniel in Daniel chapter 9, remember Daniel is in 00:06:11.320 --> 00:06:17.820 God's word. He is reading what it says from the books, from the prophet Jeremiah. And he sees that 00:06:17.820 --> 00:06:24.540 Israel's exile, the exile that he's a part of, would only last or would last in fullness and 00:06:24.540 --> 00:06:32.280 complete completion, 70 years. And we're approaching for Daniel that time of coming to pass in Daniel 00:06:32.280 --> 00:06:39.760 chapter 9. And so Daniel prayed. That's what drove Daniel to his knees in prayer, that Daniel began to 00:06:39.760 --> 00:06:45.680 pray for that God would restore his people. And if you remember what we looked at last time, that God 00:06:45.680 --> 00:06:52.880 answered. And he answered way more than Daniel could even possibly fathom or expect. So now when we come 00:06:52.880 --> 00:06:59.120 into Daniel chapter 10, we find that we're in the first year of King Cyrus, I'm sorry, in the third 00:06:59.120 --> 00:07:05.400 year of King Cyrus. Well, here's what happened. Here's what happened between first year and third 00:07:05.400 --> 00:07:12.960 year. In first year of King Cyrus, as God said it would, a decree went out, and the Jewish people were 00:07:12.960 --> 00:07:21.040 allowed to return home. They were allowed to return from exile. So there should be this great, joyous 00:07:21.220 --> 00:07:28.620 reason to celebrate. But what we find here in the third year of King Cyrus is that here's what's 00:07:28.620 --> 00:07:38.220 happened. We find Daniel disappointed. We find Daniel, and we'll see this here in a moment, we find 00:07:38.220 --> 00:07:46.800 Daniel defeated. Because when we look at historically of what happened between the first year and the third 00:07:46.800 --> 00:07:58.960 year, they're allowed to return. So what has happened two years later? Only about four percent, roughly about 42,000, 00:07:59.520 --> 00:08:06.900 we know from Ezra chapter one, have actually made the return journey home. 00:08:08.200 --> 00:08:15.320 They either thought it would be too difficult to rebuild, too difficult to recapture life, but 00:08:15.320 --> 00:08:24.280 probably more likely than not, that God's people, instead of being like Daniel and resolved from 00:08:24.280 --> 00:08:32.220 blending in with the Babylonian culture and the Babylonian way of life, this pagan way of life, 00:08:32.220 --> 00:08:40.440 have become indoctrinated and engulfed and absorbed within the culture. They don't want to go home. 00:08:41.040 --> 00:08:46.060 They don't want to go to the land that God has for them, of what God has promised for them and what 00:08:46.060 --> 00:08:53.040 God has fulfilled for them. Instead, they just want to stay right where they're at. They're good in their 00:08:53.040 --> 00:08:59.660 comfort and their expectation of where they find themselves. And this breaks the elderly heart of 00:08:59.660 --> 00:09:07.180 Daniel. Remember, Daniel's at the end of his days. Daniel's going closer and closer, this elderly man 00:09:07.180 --> 00:09:16.560 who for most of his life, from 13 to roughly 85, 86, 87 years old, has what he has known as Babylonian 00:09:16.560 --> 00:09:27.060 captivity of where he finds himself. But Daniel also hasn't returned. So why hasn't Daniel returned? 00:09:27.260 --> 00:09:33.740 If Daniel's so upset because people haven't returned, then what's Daniel doing? Well, Daniel's living for mission 00:09:33.740 --> 00:09:43.100 right where he's at. Daniel sees as the spiritual leader of the people that for their sake, that he's better used 00:09:43.100 --> 00:09:51.840 for the mission of God, appealing for them to return and appealing to God through prayer that they will 00:09:51.840 --> 00:09:58.320 return. And so what we see in verse 1 is it uses this term that there would be this great conflict. 00:09:58.320 --> 00:10:05.820 So what Daniel's going to receive a vision through his response to his prayer, and this vision is going to speak of 00:10:05.820 --> 00:10:12.800 spiritual warfare. It's going to speak to matters of suffering. And so Daniel is going to give what one author referred to 00:10:12.800 --> 00:10:23.980 this week as a painful but necessary word. I think it's so important that when we look at God's word and we see the things 00:10:23.980 --> 00:10:29.620 that we begin to wrestle with, is that God and his faithfulness sometimes needs to give you and I, it's like he gave 00:10:29.620 --> 00:10:39.220 Daniel a painful but necessary word. So let's look at verses 2-3. We'll kind of find this condition 00:10:39.220 --> 00:10:42.140 where Daniel finds himself. It says, 00:10:42.140 --> 00:10:53.440 in those days, in those days, I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks. I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine 00:10:53.440 --> 00:11:04.620 entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all for three full weeks. So where Daniel finds himself in 00:11:04.620 --> 00:11:11.920 this condition for his people, this God's people, but rebellious people, is that Daniel is in this 00:11:11.920 --> 00:11:18.500 physical process. Like this isn't a mindset where Daniel says, I hate what you're doing, but Daniel is 00:11:18.500 --> 00:11:25.300 literally, physically mourning and grieving over the condition where they find themselves in, because 00:11:25.300 --> 00:11:31.180 God's people have found themselves spiritually indifferent to who God is and what God's called 00:11:31.180 --> 00:11:37.420 them to be. So it says that, that basically he eats nothing pleasant, right? There's nothing that when 00:11:37.420 --> 00:11:42.240 you think of, it's like, that's good that he's doing. Like, I don't know, like, like he's eating rice 00:11:42.240 --> 00:11:48.960 cakes and sauerkraut. Like, that's what he's getting by on, you know? This is what he's eating, but then 00:11:48.960 --> 00:11:55.360 also, like, he's not following, like, the customary grooming habits. Now, now it says that he had, that there 00:11:55.360 --> 00:12:01.160 was no, um, nor did I anoint myself at all. So there's some aspects to this. So when we see 00:12:01.180 --> 00:12:09.300 Daniel, Daniel's a physical picture of what he's walking through. He's starving. You see, they would 00:12:09.300 --> 00:12:14.880 anoint themselves with oil for three different reasons. They would anoint themselves with oil, 00:12:14.940 --> 00:12:20.720 number one, it would be used, this oil would be like, for medicinal purposes. Like, they're in the desert, 00:12:21.720 --> 00:12:27.180 right? There's the bugs, there's the insects, there's the scorpions, there's the, there's the 00:12:27.180 --> 00:12:34.100 plants. Like, everything is harsh with where they are, and so it's medicinal. So Daniel doesn't anoint 00:12:34.100 --> 00:12:45.340 himself. Unlike where we live, where it's always human, it's not human. And I don't know if you know 00:12:45.340 --> 00:12:49.720 this, but there are places out there in the world that, like, you step outside, and it's not that you 00:12:49.720 --> 00:12:56.020 start sweating, but your skin starts drying. And it'll dry, and it'll crack, and it'll split. 00:12:57.520 --> 00:13:06.540 And so they would use oil to anoint. But also, not in places like we have, where you can shower a 00:13:06.540 --> 00:13:10.340 couple times a day, go down to CVS, get you some good deodorant, kind of take care of things, right? 00:13:11.640 --> 00:13:20.680 They would use oil to help them for hygiene purposes with that. So we find Daniel. Daniel's 00:13:20.680 --> 00:13:28.780 neglecting to eat. He's mourning through this. He's allowing himself not to be physically cared for, 00:13:29.100 --> 00:13:37.380 even to the point to where he stinks, because he's so grieved by where God's people find himself. 00:13:38.640 --> 00:13:46.400 And all this is happening. All this is happening during the time of the Passover and the Feast of 00:13:46.400 --> 00:13:52.500 Unleavened Bread. So in a time when God's people would be celebrating, in a time when God's people, 00:13:52.640 --> 00:13:57.920 like, let's enjoy, man. Let's throw down. Let's have a good time. Like, let's let this be what it's 00:13:57.920 --> 00:14:06.900 about. This is the condition that we find Daniel, like a true desperation for God to come and for God 00:14:06.900 --> 00:14:11.040 to work and for God to move. So let's read verses 4 through 6. 00:14:12.660 --> 00:14:19.980 On the 24th day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river, that is the Tigris, 00:14:20.880 --> 00:14:29.500 I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen with a belt of fine gold from 00:14:29.500 --> 00:14:39.580 Uphaz around his waist. His body was like barrel, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like 00:14:39.580 --> 00:14:48.580 flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sounds of his word like 00:14:48.580 --> 00:14:56.180 the sound of a multitude. And so here's where we find Daniel, standing on the bank of a river, 00:14:57.700 --> 00:15:07.220 grieving, mourning, not for the physical death, but for the spiritual death that he sees around him. 00:15:08.220 --> 00:15:19.080 And who shows up? Who shows up? Jesus does. Jesus does. Like, hold up, hold up. We're in the Old 00:15:19.080 --> 00:15:25.420 Testament. Jesus is like a Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John thing, right? Well, what we see here is what's 00:15:25.420 --> 00:15:34.240 called a Christophany. It's an image. It's a pre-incarnate imagery or visitation of Christ. 00:15:35.040 --> 00:15:39.980 And we believe that this is Jesus because we talked about Daniel and Revelation, that we're not going 00:15:39.980 --> 00:15:45.260 to have time this morning, but if you were to look at Revelation 1, 12 through 15, we see this same 00:15:45.260 --> 00:15:53.500 depiction that John gives of Christ. So we see Daniel 10, Revelation 1, we see this is Jesus. 00:15:54.640 --> 00:16:02.420 And Daniel will see a vision coming up. Daniel is going to see a vision that writers and directors 00:16:02.420 --> 00:16:09.440 of Hollywood cannot come up in their own minds. Daniel will see a vision of a cosmic conflict and 00:16:09.440 --> 00:16:15.420 battle between angels and demons. He's going to see something that at its very core is going to rock 00:16:15.420 --> 00:16:23.860 him. But before all of that, before all of that, he sees Jesus and in the imagery of Jesus. 00:16:23.860 --> 00:16:30.420 I don't know why you picked out what you wore today, but I picked out what I wore today because 00:16:30.420 --> 00:16:36.380 my jeans didn't need to be ironed and neither did my shirt. That was the strategy. That's why you're 00:16:36.380 --> 00:16:43.980 getting what you got today, right? But when we see the imagery of why Jesus is the way he is, 00:16:44.240 --> 00:16:49.360 there's a reason for that. It's communicating something. It's something that Daniel would have 00:16:49.360 --> 00:16:54.080 known that Daniel would have seen and played into the picture for him to help him understand. And 00:16:54.080 --> 00:16:59.980 before you see what's going to rock you, before you see what's going to rattle you, let me talk 00:16:59.980 --> 00:17:05.260 to you for just a moment of what you're going to see in Jesus, Daniel, that's going to rock you and 00:17:05.260 --> 00:17:11.560 rattle you, but for different reasons and confidence of who God is. And this is the picture that he sees 00:17:11.560 --> 00:17:18.020 of Jesus. He sees that he's clothed in linen. What that carries with it is the meaning of perfect and 00:17:18.020 --> 00:17:26.780 holiness. What he's wearing is a golden belt that he's sovereign in majesty. What he sees that he has a 00:17:26.780 --> 00:17:34.620 body of barrel or crystal that he is radiant in his glory. He has a face like lightning, omnipotent in 00:17:34.620 --> 00:17:43.600 power. He has eyes of torches, omniscient in sight. He has arms and legs. Some translations say feet of 00:17:43.600 --> 00:17:51.140 bronze, righteous in judgment. And the words like the sound of a multitude and the imagery that you would 00:17:51.140 --> 00:17:59.540 see within there is, is the picture of rushing water. Not the slow babbling of a creek, but see the rushing 00:17:59.540 --> 00:18:11.780 water of a river raging as it floods. The picture of his authority. Folks, Daniel sees Jesus. 00:18:13.780 --> 00:18:25.680 Look at verses seven to nine. He says, and I, Daniel, alone saw the vision. For the men who were with me did 00:18:25.680 --> 00:18:33.420 not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them and they fled to hide themselves. So I was left 00:18:33.420 --> 00:18:42.220 alone and saw a great vision and no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed 00:18:42.220 --> 00:18:52.980 and I retained no strength. Then I heard the sound of his words and I heard the sound. And as I heard the 00:18:52.980 --> 00:19:00.740 sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground. So here's what's just 00:19:00.740 --> 00:19:05.700 happened with this. So Jesus appears. This is what we find. This is what we see. There are people with 00:19:05.700 --> 00:19:17.060 Daniel. There's some people with Daniel. They don't see him. Only Daniel sees him. But I think this is, 00:19:17.140 --> 00:19:25.780 this is more impressive. While they didn't see what Daniel saw, they still felt terrified 00:19:25.780 --> 00:19:39.460 in standing before the presence of God. And they fled from it. And they fled from it. I'm in that picture 00:19:39.460 --> 00:19:51.660 of the world. Standing before the presence of the Holy God, they fled. But Daniel, Daniel's not a lot 00:19:51.660 --> 00:20:02.340 better. And we see this response. We see it of what Peter says. We see it of John's reaction and revelation. 00:20:03.340 --> 00:20:11.580 We see it of Isaiah in Isaiah chapter 6. And now we see it in Daniel, in Daniel chapter 10. 00:20:13.060 --> 00:20:20.940 I like the beautiful phrasing of this. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed. Here's what that 00:20:20.940 --> 00:20:32.080 means. He turned pale white. It says, I retained no strength. His legs got weak underneath him. 00:20:33.060 --> 00:20:42.260 And then it says, I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground. He passes out. 00:20:43.740 --> 00:20:50.920 He's out cold. You see, standing as a sinful man. And remember, Daniel, I'm not going to compare you 00:20:50.920 --> 00:20:58.140 to Daniel. But let me compare me to Daniel. And that's not stacking up well for me. Daniel and his 00:20:58.140 --> 00:21:03.880 devoutness to the Lord still before the holiness of God. And that his response is, boom, he's out, 00:21:03.880 --> 00:21:13.820 he's out cold. So look with me. So what happens? It's no good to reveal a vision, boom, when you're 00:21:13.820 --> 00:21:27.980 gone. Verse 10. And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. And he said to 00:21:27.980 --> 00:21:37.960 me, oh, Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you and stand upright. For 00:21:37.960 --> 00:21:45.380 now I have been sent to you. And you had spoken these words to me. I stood up trembling. And then he 00:21:45.380 --> 00:21:51.800 said to me, fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled 00:21:51.800 --> 00:22:01.460 yourself before your God. Your words have been heard. And I have come because of your words. So an angel 00:22:01.460 --> 00:22:12.540 comes. And this isn't Jesus anymore. He sees Jesus. He falls out. An angel comes. The angel touches him, 00:22:13.540 --> 00:22:21.520 awakes him. And then the angel says two things to him. The first thing is he comforts him. He comforts 00:22:21.520 --> 00:22:28.760 him. I love the part. The angel doesn't back down with what I'm going to say or what is happening. 00:22:29.820 --> 00:22:33.980 And you know, sometimes when we read God's word and the reality of everything that's around us, 00:22:34.100 --> 00:22:40.160 we want to throw ourself cliche expectations or things to maybe hopefully get our mind not thinking 00:22:40.160 --> 00:22:46.640 on them. The angel doesn't do this. And what the angel speaks to is the truth of who Daniel is in God, 00:22:46.780 --> 00:22:52.960 which is my prayer, which is my prayer that this is who you know you are in God. Oh, Daniel, man greatly 00:22:52.960 --> 00:23:01.180 loved. Oh, Daniel, man who's greatly loved. I'm going to touch you. You're going to come up. The Bible 00:23:01.180 --> 00:23:09.620 says that Daniel's only able to get to his hands and his knees. And he says, stand up. Stand up. Oh, man 00:23:09.620 --> 00:23:18.380 greatly loved. And then he says, listen and pay attention because I've been sent to give you 00:23:18.380 --> 00:23:24.580 a divine revelation. Daniel, don't miss this. Don't miss this. You're going to want to lock in. 00:23:24.860 --> 00:23:28.280 You're going to pay attention. Wake up. Let's get the smelling salts because we're going to get to moving, 00:23:28.360 --> 00:23:38.580 buddy. Verse 13. Here's what he says. It's going to get a little crazy for us. It's going to get a 00:23:38.580 --> 00:23:43.740 little crazy in the things that we read because you and I are not accustomed to seeing things like 00:23:43.740 --> 00:23:55.120 this. It says, the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me 21 days. This is an angel speaking. 00:23:55.120 --> 00:24:08.040 So he's been battling someone for 21 days. That's a fight. But Michael, one of the chief princes, 00:24:08.980 --> 00:24:23.700 came to help me for I was left there. Now went from prince to kings of Persia and came to make you 00:24:23.700 --> 00:24:32.380 understand what has happened to your people in the latter days for the vision is for days yet to come. 00:24:34.060 --> 00:24:39.680 When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and was mute. 00:24:42.460 --> 00:24:48.240 And behold, one in the likeness of the children of man touched my lips. 00:24:50.180 --> 00:24:58.440 Then I opened my mouth and spoke. I said to him who stood before me, my Lord, by reason of the vision, 00:24:58.780 --> 00:25:06.660 pains have come upon me and I retain no strength. How can my Lord's servant talk with my Lord? 00:25:06.660 --> 00:25:13.320 For now no strength remains in me and no breath is left in me. 00:25:14.040 --> 00:25:23.580 This is the part when you and I want to live in what's known and what's logical and what our world 00:25:23.580 --> 00:25:30.680 tells us versus what the truth of God's word tells us. So I want to encourage you on your faith 00:25:30.680 --> 00:25:37.500 journey with me. Let's embrace what the truth of God's word says. So Daniel's been praying for this 00:25:37.500 --> 00:25:45.640 for three weeks and here's what we find that he has heard his prayer. He's heard his prayer and God sends 00:25:45.640 --> 00:25:55.160 his messenger to come and to share. But the messenger he sent faced spiritual opposition. 00:25:55.160 --> 00:26:08.120 The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me 21 days. Now, every theologian of sound doctrinal belief 00:26:08.120 --> 00:26:17.760 believes that this prince is no human prince, but a demonic power. And that this demonic power had 00:26:17.760 --> 00:26:28.960 influence over the Persian empire. And it's only when Michael, the archangel guardian of Israel came to assist 00:26:28.960 --> 00:26:39.900 that the messenger was freed to reach Daniel. And then from that, kings of Persia. 00:26:39.900 --> 00:26:49.280 You see, what we're seeing in scripture is that the spiritual realm and the matters that are at work 00:26:49.280 --> 00:26:57.340 in our world are real. There's spiritual battles that are taking place. We're talking about this 00:26:57.340 --> 00:27:05.660 to some depth at the end of our message. But not everything in our world fits into this neat 00:27:05.660 --> 00:27:14.400 human perspective of things. But if it was true for the time of Daniel, we believe it's true today. 00:27:14.400 --> 00:27:22.160 And we'll look to New Testament explanations for that. And it's a lot for Daniel to take in. 00:27:23.480 --> 00:27:30.140 And so as he's battled everything that he's going through, now he's unable to speak. 00:27:31.440 --> 00:27:39.020 And it touches his, Daniel touches his lips. But it says that Daniel, through all of this, 00:27:39.960 --> 00:27:48.360 that he could retain no strength. Literally, his breath and his strength have left him. 00:27:51.280 --> 00:27:52.820 Verses 18 through 21. 00:27:55.760 --> 00:28:00.900 Again, one, having the appearance of a man, touched me and strengthened me. 00:28:02.100 --> 00:28:07.380 And he said, O man greatly loved, fear not, peace with you, be strong and of good courage. 00:28:08.700 --> 00:28:10.940 And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened. 00:28:11.840 --> 00:28:15.960 And said, let my Lord speak, for you have strengthened me. 00:28:16.680 --> 00:28:19.020 Then he said, do you know why I've come to you? 00:28:20.080 --> 00:28:25.140 But now I will return to fight against the prince of Persia. 00:28:25.140 --> 00:28:26.380 It ain't over yet. 00:28:27.840 --> 00:28:30.020 A three-week battle will rage on. 00:28:31.260 --> 00:28:35.680 And when I go out, behold, the prince of Greece will come. 00:28:36.100 --> 00:28:38.780 Another battle will happen and take place. 00:28:39.260 --> 00:28:43.640 But I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth. 00:28:44.920 --> 00:28:52.460 There is none who contends by my side against these except Michael, your prince. 00:28:53.580 --> 00:28:55.200 The archangel for what we see. 00:28:55.880 --> 00:29:02.840 So for the third time, the angel touches and strengthens Daniel and gives him a three-fold message. 00:29:04.500 --> 00:29:05.340 He says, fear not. 00:29:06.660 --> 00:29:07.840 Peace be with you. 00:29:08.780 --> 00:29:11.520 Be strong and of good courage. 00:29:13.520 --> 00:29:17.180 And then Daniel says, I'll return to the fight. 00:29:18.680 --> 00:29:24.520 But he will reveal to him the book of truth. 00:29:25.560 --> 00:29:28.280 Now, question for you this morning. 00:29:30.960 --> 00:29:33.480 Have you ever had something like this happen to you? 00:29:35.860 --> 00:29:40.240 If you have, I would love to chat after the service. 00:29:41.740 --> 00:29:42.800 I'm guessing no. 00:29:44.180 --> 00:29:51.120 I'm guessing as we read and encounter these words, that these are big pieces for our minds. 00:29:51.180 --> 00:29:59.500 I want to draw down to six things that we can take from this morning so that we can apply the truth of Daniel chapter 10 to our life. 00:29:59.900 --> 00:30:05.520 As we work through God's word in an expository manner in the preaching and teaching of God's word. 00:30:05.520 --> 00:30:11.320 That it's not just enough to explain every verse, but that we need to apply this to our life. 00:30:12.020 --> 00:30:12.680 Point number one. 00:30:14.080 --> 00:30:17.200 That we live in a broken world. 00:30:17.200 --> 00:30:18.840 We live in a broken world. 00:30:20.020 --> 00:30:22.460 Daniel sees what's around him. 00:30:23.840 --> 00:30:25.960 He sees the disobedience. 00:30:25.960 --> 00:30:27.560 He sees the rebellion. 00:30:28.060 --> 00:30:28.860 And he sees it. 00:30:29.040 --> 00:30:29.960 Have you ever thought this? 00:30:30.080 --> 00:30:31.600 From people who ought to know better. 00:30:33.600 --> 00:30:40.200 But yet he sees them and they're ought to know better to choose the things they ought not choose. 00:30:41.820 --> 00:30:46.380 And so when you and I look at the world around us, like let's be honest, it ain't good. 00:30:48.680 --> 00:30:49.920 But it ain't heard of either. 00:30:51.400 --> 00:30:58.720 It's not good of what we see and the depravity and the destruction of the world around us. 00:30:58.780 --> 00:31:04.880 But I hope as we've been journeying through and we saw this and it's rampant through the Old Testament. 00:31:05.120 --> 00:31:11.700 And when we see the struggles even within the church in the New Testament is that there is no newness to the depravity that's around us. 00:31:14.080 --> 00:31:20.700 But the difficulty and the frustration and the paganness that Daniel lived in is the paganness that we live in now. 00:31:21.760 --> 00:31:25.380 The difference is Daniel's broken by it. 00:31:27.180 --> 00:31:28.800 Daniel's mourning for it. 00:31:30.240 --> 00:31:31.700 Daniel's not embracing it. 00:31:31.980 --> 00:31:33.120 Daniel's hating it. 00:31:33.720 --> 00:31:36.100 He says, I don't care if that means that I don't eat. 00:31:36.880 --> 00:31:38.880 He says, I don't care if it means that I smell bad. 00:31:39.040 --> 00:31:42.300 It doesn't mean if I have boils and sores on my hands. 00:31:42.480 --> 00:31:47.120 It doesn't mean, it doesn't matter to me if my skin splits wide open. 00:31:47.260 --> 00:31:52.320 It doesn't mean that I'm surrounded by people who ought to know better as they know who the truth of God is. 00:31:52.440 --> 00:31:54.320 But they don't and they reject it. 00:31:56.080 --> 00:32:01.120 And Daniel, in his grief, prays. 00:32:01.780 --> 00:32:03.480 And he prays. 00:32:03.480 --> 00:32:05.580 And he prays. 00:32:08.960 --> 00:32:14.860 What if we responded like Daniel? 00:32:16.140 --> 00:32:22.880 Daniel did not put his hope in the broken systems of the world. 00:32:24.820 --> 00:32:29.960 If there's anything, here's as political as I'm going to get this morning. 00:32:31.320 --> 00:32:37.820 If there's anything that politics and government have taught me over the last several weeks, 00:32:38.180 --> 00:32:51.340 is this, that politics and politicians and government are going to do what's best for politics and governments. 00:32:53.180 --> 00:33:02.700 But why do we put our faith so often in the political and the governmental realm of this world, 00:33:03.020 --> 00:33:10.360 when Daniel, who works in it and is appealing to people to go back and be obedient for who God is, 00:33:10.800 --> 00:33:15.440 says that the only appeal that I have is legislation is not going to make it happen. 00:33:15.640 --> 00:33:21.540 It's the work and the move and the appeal of God in the heart of man to do it. 00:33:24.360 --> 00:33:28.500 Folks, what does it look like if instead of putting our hope in government, 00:33:29.260 --> 00:33:36.360 who always does what's best for their political agenda and their governmental ways, 00:33:36.820 --> 00:33:40.500 what if we put our hope in all things, 00:33:41.320 --> 00:33:45.980 in a God who always does what's best for his people 00:33:45.980 --> 00:33:49.320 and always comes out of his heart of sacrifice? 00:33:50.660 --> 00:33:51.220 Always. 00:33:52.180 --> 00:33:52.640 Always. 00:33:52.640 --> 00:33:52.820 Always. 00:33:54.360 --> 00:33:56.740 We live in a broken world. 00:33:57.760 --> 00:33:58.200 Number two. 00:33:59.280 --> 00:33:59.920 Number two. 00:34:00.500 --> 00:34:01.400 Like we could give up. 00:34:02.020 --> 00:34:05.860 We could give up after number one if there wasn't number two. 00:34:06.720 --> 00:34:08.440 Number two is this, Jesus is alive. 00:34:09.520 --> 00:34:10.400 Jesus is alive. 00:34:11.360 --> 00:34:14.000 We see Jesus in Daniel 10. 00:34:14.740 --> 00:34:17.660 We see it's the same Jesus in Revelation 1. 00:34:18.460 --> 00:34:19.080 Jesus is holy. 00:34:19.080 --> 00:34:19.640 Jesus is holy. 00:34:19.800 --> 00:34:20.620 He's sovereign. 00:34:20.860 --> 00:34:21.560 He's glorious. 00:34:21.800 --> 00:34:22.500 He's powerful. 00:34:22.740 --> 00:34:23.520 He's all-knowing. 00:34:23.740 --> 00:34:24.380 He's righteous. 00:34:24.660 --> 00:34:25.540 He's authoritative. 00:34:25.880 --> 00:34:27.700 He is Jesus. 00:34:27.700 --> 00:34:27.780 Jesus. 00:34:36.660 --> 00:34:42.540 And the Jesus that we see in Daniel 10. 00:34:42.540 --> 00:34:46.420 And the Jesus that we see in Revelation 1. 00:34:46.420 --> 00:34:52.860 And the Jesus that we're worshiping on November 16th are all Jesus. 00:34:52.860 --> 00:34:55.860 He is still holy. 00:34:55.860 --> 00:35:00.140 And He is still holy. 00:35:00.140 --> 00:35:08.760 And He is still sovereign and glorious and powerful and all-knowing and righteous. 00:35:08.760 --> 00:35:12.660 And you remember the last one? 00:35:13.980 --> 00:35:21.560 That when He spoke, it was like rushing water. 00:35:22.240 --> 00:35:33.880 He is still authoritative in what He does and what He calls His people to. 00:35:35.400 --> 00:35:36.360 Three questions. 00:35:37.060 --> 00:35:38.780 Number one, do you believe that Jesus is alive? 00:35:39.940 --> 00:35:41.600 Do you believe that Jesus is alive? 00:35:43.360 --> 00:35:50.000 Do you believe that He died on the cross, was buried, and that He rose again? 00:35:51.040 --> 00:35:52.900 Do you believe that Jesus is alive? 00:35:54.120 --> 00:36:00.480 And in that, do you live your life in the truth of who He is? 00:36:01.460 --> 00:36:05.020 Do you live your life in the truth of who He is? 00:36:05.160 --> 00:36:08.040 Not just in who He was, but in who He is. 00:36:08.040 --> 00:36:14.680 And then as this, do you live your life in submission to Him? 00:36:15.680 --> 00:36:20.120 Do you live your life in submission to Him? 00:36:21.040 --> 00:36:21.840 The third thing. 00:36:21.840 --> 00:36:23.580 The third thing. 00:36:24.640 --> 00:36:26.060 Spiritual warfare is real. 00:36:27.420 --> 00:36:28.700 Spiritual warfare is real. 00:36:28.820 --> 00:36:29.580 A couple things in here. 00:36:31.620 --> 00:36:37.260 In Daniel 10, what is evident and what is true from God's Word, 00:36:37.360 --> 00:36:41.000 and I believe it is literal truth in God's Word, 00:36:42.000 --> 00:36:51.460 is that there's demonic and satanic forces at play in two worldly governmental systems. 00:36:52.460 --> 00:36:55.320 I said that's as political as I'm going to get, right, earlier. 00:36:56.180 --> 00:36:57.020 That's what we see. 00:36:57.680 --> 00:36:58.440 We see two. 00:37:00.220 --> 00:37:02.060 Persia and Greece. 00:37:02.780 --> 00:37:06.600 It doesn't say like a demon or demonic, 00:37:06.940 --> 00:37:13.340 but what we see is demons at work in what is happening and what is going on. 00:37:14.860 --> 00:37:18.200 And you think, but Bo, that's like crazy talk, right? 00:37:18.820 --> 00:37:20.680 That's a long time ago. 00:37:21.100 --> 00:37:23.460 Like, things like that don't really happen anymore. 00:37:26.140 --> 00:37:28.400 And that's the danger that we fall into. 00:37:29.240 --> 00:37:32.000 When it comes to Satan and his workers, 00:37:32.760 --> 00:37:35.980 that we begin to think that it's mythology, 00:37:37.040 --> 00:37:42.240 that we begin to think that it's some Lord of the Rings far out their place 00:37:42.240 --> 00:37:45.340 that's not real but is good literature on paper. 00:37:47.320 --> 00:37:48.480 Why do I believe it? 00:37:50.100 --> 00:37:51.800 Well, because of what Jesus says. 00:37:53.320 --> 00:37:54.780 Jesus says in John 10.10, 00:37:56.860 --> 00:37:58.720 Jesus says the thief comes, 00:37:59.960 --> 00:38:02.360 the thief, Satan, the deceiver, 00:38:03.360 --> 00:38:09.880 that he comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. 00:38:11.200 --> 00:38:12.040 And then Jesus says, 00:38:12.460 --> 00:38:16.160 and I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 00:38:16.740 --> 00:38:17.880 All right, so if you're like, well, 00:38:18.120 --> 00:38:21.080 well, Jesus is speaking symbolically. 00:38:22.580 --> 00:38:24.760 Well, then if Jesus is speaking symbolically, 00:38:24.840 --> 00:38:27.280 then Jesus would have been speaking symbolically of himself. 00:38:28.280 --> 00:38:29.320 But Jesus isn't. 00:38:30.100 --> 00:38:31.380 Jesus is speaking the truth 00:38:31.380 --> 00:38:33.340 when it comes to spiritual warfare 00:38:33.340 --> 00:38:34.700 and the work of Satan. 00:38:34.920 --> 00:38:37.100 That here's what Satan is coming to do. 00:38:37.300 --> 00:38:38.540 He wants to steal from you. 00:38:38.720 --> 00:38:40.000 He wants to steal your joy. 00:38:40.220 --> 00:38:41.380 He wants to steal your family. 00:38:41.600 --> 00:38:42.640 He wants to kill you. 00:38:42.640 --> 00:38:44.660 He wants to destroy your hopes, your dreams, 00:38:44.900 --> 00:38:47.220 your passion, your pursuit, your obedience. 00:38:47.440 --> 00:38:48.580 He wants to kill all of that. 00:38:48.760 --> 00:38:52.840 But he came that we may have life and have it abundantly. 00:38:54.060 --> 00:38:58.220 Satan comes to work as the opposition of Christ. 00:38:58.820 --> 00:39:00.780 And he doesn't give up on you. 00:39:01.360 --> 00:39:02.620 He tries to wreck you. 00:39:02.820 --> 00:39:04.080 He tries to ruin you. 00:39:04.380 --> 00:39:08.640 And what it says is that he wants to tempt us. 00:39:08.760 --> 00:39:10.860 In Matthew 4, he does this with Jesus. 00:39:11.160 --> 00:39:12.980 But in 1 Thessalonians 3, 00:39:13.860 --> 00:39:15.900 in 1 Thessalonians 3, 00:39:16.200 --> 00:39:19.520 Paul writes to the church at Thessalonica. 00:39:19.860 --> 00:39:20.300 And he says, 00:39:20.600 --> 00:39:23.800 Beware, because Satan will want to tempt you 00:39:23.800 --> 00:39:25.460 to abandon your faith. 00:39:26.800 --> 00:39:28.380 Like, folks, this is what he's doing. 00:39:30.520 --> 00:39:34.660 This isn't some made-up mythological creature. 00:39:36.040 --> 00:39:36.780 He tempts. 00:39:36.980 --> 00:39:39.400 1 Timothy 2 tells us that he deceives. 00:39:41.120 --> 00:39:43.900 2 Corinthians 11 says that he seduces. 00:39:45.820 --> 00:39:49.800 Luke 13, Jesus tells us that he torn that. 00:39:49.860 --> 00:39:55.940 And that demons, demons are at work 00:39:55.940 --> 00:40:02.200 and are moving the active agents of Satan. 00:40:02.700 --> 00:40:06.220 We see them at work in the Old Testament. 00:40:07.360 --> 00:40:10.360 We see them at work in the Gospels. 00:40:11.260 --> 00:40:15.720 We see their warnings about in the epistles. 00:40:17.340 --> 00:40:19.960 And you're like, but, Bo, all those times have passed. 00:40:20.340 --> 00:40:22.020 Okay, well, then let's talk about the book 00:40:22.020 --> 00:40:24.880 that's in the future in Revelation. 00:40:25.960 --> 00:40:26.840 And guess what? 00:40:27.960 --> 00:40:31.580 They're still at work there. 00:40:33.100 --> 00:40:36.660 Paul says in Ephesians 6, 00:40:37.500 --> 00:40:39.480 Ephesians 6, that passage, 00:40:40.160 --> 00:40:41.340 the armor of God. 00:40:42.420 --> 00:40:43.600 It's real. 00:40:44.540 --> 00:40:45.540 It's real. 00:40:46.240 --> 00:40:48.760 And before Paul describes 00:40:48.760 --> 00:40:50.660 the armor of God, 00:40:51.640 --> 00:40:52.600 here's what he says 00:40:52.600 --> 00:40:54.400 to the church at Ephesus. 00:40:55.500 --> 00:40:56.180 Finally, 00:40:56.180 --> 00:41:00.020 be strong in the Lord 00:41:00.020 --> 00:41:04.080 and in the strength of his might. 00:41:06.080 --> 00:41:09.500 Put on the whole armor of God. 00:41:10.380 --> 00:41:11.960 Put on the whole armor of God. 00:41:12.020 --> 00:41:12.220 Why? 00:41:13.220 --> 00:41:14.900 So that you'll be ready for Bible study in the morning? 00:41:16.760 --> 00:41:17.780 So that you'll be ready 00:41:17.780 --> 00:41:19.360 when you're just not having a great day? 00:41:21.420 --> 00:41:24.240 Here's what Paul says. 00:41:25.720 --> 00:41:28.200 That you may be able 00:41:28.200 --> 00:41:30.700 to stand against the schemes 00:41:30.700 --> 00:41:32.000 of the devil. 00:41:34.180 --> 00:41:35.160 Paul says, 00:41:35.760 --> 00:41:37.520 for we do not wrestle 00:41:37.520 --> 00:41:39.240 against flesh and blood, 00:41:40.040 --> 00:41:42.680 but against the rulers, 00:41:44.020 --> 00:41:45.280 against the authorities, 00:41:46.840 --> 00:41:50.060 against the cosmic powers 00:41:50.060 --> 00:41:52.680 over this present darkness, 00:41:54.180 --> 00:41:57.280 against the spiritual forces of evil 00:41:57.280 --> 00:41:59.300 in the heavenly places. 00:42:00.860 --> 00:42:03.320 Therefore, take up the whole armor of God 00:42:03.320 --> 00:42:06.100 that you may be able 00:42:06.100 --> 00:42:09.140 to withstand in the evil day 00:42:09.140 --> 00:42:11.120 and having done all 00:42:11.120 --> 00:42:13.560 to stand firm. 00:42:14.060 --> 00:42:14.520 Folks, 00:42:15.860 --> 00:42:18.380 spiritual warfare is real. 00:42:20.100 --> 00:42:23.360 We are called to be ready. 00:42:24.620 --> 00:42:26.300 And if you think I'm crazy 00:42:26.300 --> 00:42:28.060 for believing that, 00:42:29.280 --> 00:42:30.240 then I'll stand 00:42:30.240 --> 00:42:32.820 in your idea of crazy. 00:42:33.360 --> 00:42:35.380 I'll stand in that line with Paul. 00:42:36.240 --> 00:42:38.260 I'll stand in that line with Peter. 00:42:39.140 --> 00:42:41.880 And I'll stand in that line with Jesus. 00:42:43.280 --> 00:42:45.060 Be ready. 00:42:46.240 --> 00:42:49.120 This is what we battle. 00:42:50.100 --> 00:42:50.980 That's a lot. 00:42:52.220 --> 00:42:52.960 That's a lot. 00:42:54.200 --> 00:42:55.600 So when you go out into this world, 00:42:56.460 --> 00:42:59.060 there's real spiritual battles 00:42:59.060 --> 00:43:00.900 happening and taking place. 00:43:01.980 --> 00:43:05.860 There's real people living and influenced 00:43:05.860 --> 00:43:07.540 by demonic powers 00:43:07.540 --> 00:43:08.920 and demonic natures. 00:43:11.120 --> 00:43:13.100 When we step out into this world, 00:43:13.360 --> 00:43:14.980 this is what we're going to do. 00:43:15.300 --> 00:43:16.600 This is what we're going to face. 00:43:16.840 --> 00:43:17.960 This is what we're going to battle. 00:43:18.480 --> 00:43:18.940 And if you're like, 00:43:19.080 --> 00:43:20.040 man, I don't really know 00:43:20.040 --> 00:43:21.280 about how that goes. 00:43:21.460 --> 00:43:22.960 Can we just kind of like build up some walls 00:43:22.960 --> 00:43:24.240 and all kind of hang out here? 00:43:24.440 --> 00:43:25.860 Well, those are typically called cults 00:43:25.860 --> 00:43:26.420 and compounds 00:43:26.420 --> 00:43:27.460 and they don't play out well. 00:43:29.320 --> 00:43:29.980 And so Daniel, 00:43:30.480 --> 00:43:31.260 put it here in this, 00:43:31.580 --> 00:43:32.820 he's a lot like me and you. 00:43:33.020 --> 00:43:33.880 I don't know about this. 00:43:34.060 --> 00:43:35.040 This is terrifying. 00:43:35.860 --> 00:43:36.980 So what does the angel do? 00:43:37.360 --> 00:43:37.880 Fear not. 00:43:38.120 --> 00:43:38.800 Peace be with you. 00:43:38.900 --> 00:43:39.360 Be strong. 00:43:40.020 --> 00:43:40.520 Fear not. 00:43:40.700 --> 00:43:41.360 Peace be with you. 00:43:41.620 --> 00:43:42.120 Be strong. 00:43:42.920 --> 00:43:44.020 Three things in closing. 00:43:44.480 --> 00:43:44.960 Number four, 00:43:45.260 --> 00:43:46.560 live in the confidence of God. 00:43:46.960 --> 00:43:49.060 Daniel hears from the angel. 00:43:49.420 --> 00:43:49.880 Fear not. 00:43:50.000 --> 00:43:50.800 34 times. 00:43:51.360 --> 00:43:52.840 Folks, 34 times in the Bible 00:43:52.840 --> 00:43:55.120 this phrase is used. 00:43:56.480 --> 00:43:57.200 Fear not. 00:43:57.980 --> 00:43:58.740 Fear not. 00:43:59.040 --> 00:44:04.000 Every time these words are used together, 00:44:04.920 --> 00:44:08.980 it is in connection with the truth of who God is 00:44:08.980 --> 00:44:11.320 and the truth in what God has done for you. 00:44:12.940 --> 00:44:16.060 Fear not because this is who God is. 00:44:16.560 --> 00:44:18.900 Fear not because this is what God's done for you. 00:44:20.040 --> 00:44:21.560 Fear not, church. 00:44:22.560 --> 00:44:24.240 The battles are real 00:44:24.240 --> 00:44:27.460 because you know who He is. 00:44:28.820 --> 00:44:34.540 Fear not because this is what He's done for you. 00:44:35.760 --> 00:44:40.580 Live in the confidence of the God that you know. 00:44:41.980 --> 00:44:45.920 But do you know Jesus? 00:44:47.520 --> 00:44:48.640 Number five, 00:44:50.340 --> 00:44:54.220 live in the mission of God. 00:44:55.220 --> 00:44:58.240 Live in the mission of God. 00:44:59.200 --> 00:45:00.640 The angel tells Daniel, 00:45:01.380 --> 00:45:02.200 peace be with you. 00:45:03.200 --> 00:45:03.960 Peace be with you. 00:45:04.780 --> 00:45:07.660 Does that phrase jar something in your mind 00:45:07.660 --> 00:45:09.000 when it comes to Scripture? 00:45:10.000 --> 00:45:11.500 As I was reading it this week, 00:45:12.620 --> 00:45:15.100 it took me to John chapter 20. 00:45:17.260 --> 00:45:18.520 And John chapter 20, 00:45:18.580 --> 00:45:19.360 starting in verse 19, 00:45:19.460 --> 00:45:19.940 says this, 00:45:20.680 --> 00:45:23.000 on the evening of that day, 00:45:23.140 --> 00:45:24.240 the first day of the week, 00:45:24.320 --> 00:45:25.760 the doors being locked 00:45:25.760 --> 00:45:26.840 where the disciples were 00:45:26.840 --> 00:45:28.940 for the fears of the Jews, 00:45:30.340 --> 00:45:32.880 Jesus came and stood among them. 00:45:33.880 --> 00:45:35.760 This is the resurrected Christ. 00:45:37.320 --> 00:45:39.280 And He said to them, 00:45:40.300 --> 00:45:44.520 peace be with you. 00:45:46.020 --> 00:45:47.700 And when He had said this, 00:45:48.700 --> 00:45:50.200 He showed them His hands 00:45:50.200 --> 00:45:52.200 and His side. 00:45:54.320 --> 00:45:54.720 And it says, 00:45:54.860 --> 00:45:56.220 then the disciples were glad 00:45:56.220 --> 00:45:58.800 when they saw the Lord. 00:45:59.820 --> 00:46:01.920 And Jesus said to them again, 00:46:03.400 --> 00:46:06.240 peace be with you. 00:46:07.700 --> 00:46:10.180 As the Father has sent me, 00:46:11.580 --> 00:46:14.740 even so I am sending you. 00:46:16.000 --> 00:46:17.760 And when He said this, 00:46:18.500 --> 00:46:20.320 He breathed on them 00:46:20.320 --> 00:46:22.960 and said, 00:46:23.300 --> 00:46:26.740 receive the Holy Spirit. 00:46:28.080 --> 00:46:28.900 You see, Daniel 00:46:28.900 --> 00:46:31.280 wasn't going to just go away 00:46:31.280 --> 00:46:34.380 because Daniel knew who God was 00:46:34.380 --> 00:46:35.700 and knew who He was in God. 00:46:36.800 --> 00:46:38.260 That when the angel came 00:46:38.260 --> 00:46:38.620 and he said, 00:46:38.960 --> 00:46:41.300 peace be with you, 00:46:41.400 --> 00:46:42.980 the peace of God 00:46:42.980 --> 00:46:44.740 is with us 00:46:44.740 --> 00:46:46.200 because we live 00:46:46.200 --> 00:46:48.200 on the mission for God. 00:46:49.920 --> 00:46:51.820 Daniel at 87 years old 00:46:51.820 --> 00:46:52.960 is still in the game. 00:46:54.420 --> 00:46:56.820 Daniel at 87 years old 00:46:56.820 --> 00:46:59.780 still has a calling on his life. 00:47:00.440 --> 00:47:02.240 And in the midst of the world 00:47:02.240 --> 00:47:03.320 around us, 00:47:03.620 --> 00:47:06.780 we've got God with us. 00:47:06.800 --> 00:47:11.320 We know what God has done for us. 00:47:11.740 --> 00:47:13.020 And from there, 00:47:13.380 --> 00:47:16.000 peace is with us as we go. 00:47:16.280 --> 00:47:16.500 You see, 00:47:16.580 --> 00:47:18.500 the mission and purpose of our life 00:47:18.500 --> 00:47:20.040 isn't to find peace. 00:47:20.380 --> 00:47:21.540 Peace is given to us. 00:47:22.580 --> 00:47:25.140 Our mission isn't to earn peace. 00:47:25.520 --> 00:47:26.760 Peace comes to us. 00:47:27.180 --> 00:47:29.160 The mission is to carry 00:47:29.160 --> 00:47:31.180 the message of peace 00:47:31.180 --> 00:47:32.660 of Jesus Christ, 00:47:32.980 --> 00:47:34.500 the forgiveness of sin 00:47:34.500 --> 00:47:35.760 to the world 00:47:35.760 --> 00:47:37.080 who's rebelling from Him. 00:47:38.080 --> 00:47:39.240 And then lastly, 00:47:40.020 --> 00:47:41.300 lastly, 00:47:42.160 --> 00:47:45.480 to live in obedience to God. 00:47:46.480 --> 00:47:47.700 I'm going to ask our worship team 00:47:47.700 --> 00:47:49.160 to go ahead and make their way up 00:47:49.160 --> 00:47:51.200 and come up on the stage. 00:47:52.800 --> 00:47:54.420 The angel says to Daniel, 00:47:54.420 --> 00:47:57.320 O man greatly loved, 00:47:57.920 --> 00:47:58.800 fear not, 00:47:59.380 --> 00:48:00.280 peace with you, 00:48:01.080 --> 00:48:02.140 be strong 00:48:02.140 --> 00:48:04.760 and of good courage. 00:48:06.200 --> 00:48:07.360 That phrase, 00:48:07.480 --> 00:48:08.100 be strong, 00:48:09.000 --> 00:48:12.460 is used 31 times. 00:48:13.120 --> 00:48:15.240 31 times in Scripture. 00:48:16.380 --> 00:48:17.280 31 times. 00:48:17.560 --> 00:48:18.380 Be strong. 00:48:18.700 --> 00:48:19.560 Be strong. 00:48:19.760 --> 00:48:21.380 Be strong is what God says. 00:48:22.020 --> 00:48:24.440 God says be strong 00:48:24.440 --> 00:48:27.880 because He is about to do something. 00:48:28.120 --> 00:48:29.940 Now, that seems kind of, 00:48:30.000 --> 00:48:31.100 kind of productive, right? 00:48:32.160 --> 00:48:33.740 Like, be strong. 00:48:34.460 --> 00:48:36.180 I'm about to do something. 00:48:36.860 --> 00:48:38.320 I'm about to do something. 00:48:40.060 --> 00:48:41.700 But then what it continues with 00:48:41.700 --> 00:48:44.660 is be strong 00:48:44.660 --> 00:48:47.220 for what I'm about to do 00:48:47.220 --> 00:48:48.700 and the strength 00:48:48.700 --> 00:48:50.420 that I've given you 00:48:50.420 --> 00:48:52.480 is going to enable for you 00:48:52.480 --> 00:48:54.020 to be faithful to me. 00:48:55.020 --> 00:48:55.540 Church, 00:48:56.220 --> 00:48:58.860 as we go into this world, 00:48:59.260 --> 00:49:02.740 as we do what God has called us to do, 00:49:03.020 --> 00:49:05.860 may we live in the confidence of God. 00:49:06.200 --> 00:49:06.760 Fear not. 00:49:07.180 --> 00:49:09.840 May we live in the mission of God. 00:49:10.280 --> 00:49:11.560 Peace be with you. 00:49:11.800 --> 00:49:15.680 And may we go in the strength of God. 00:49:16.060 --> 00:49:17.880 The Alpha and the Omega. 00:49:18.280 --> 00:49:20.320 May we go with Him 00:49:20.320 --> 00:49:21.660 in that, in that, 00:49:21.880 --> 00:49:25.380 He is fighting the battle for us. 00:49:26.500 --> 00:49:27.980 And our call 00:49:27.980 --> 00:49:32.220 is in our faithfulness to Him. 00:49:33.040 --> 00:49:33.880 Would you pray with me? 00:49:33.880 --> 00:49:33.920 Amen. 00:49:33.920 --> 00:49:33.980 Amen. 00:49:33.980 --> 00:49:34.060 Amen. 00:49:41.800 --> 00:49:47.340 God, I thank you, Lord. 00:49:50.660 --> 00:49:51.820 Lord, personally, 00:49:52.820 --> 00:49:54.720 over these last several weeks, 00:49:55.360 --> 00:49:57.680 the spiritual, 00:49:58.820 --> 00:50:00.580 the mental, 00:50:01.720 --> 00:50:03.340 the physical journey, 00:50:04.340 --> 00:50:06.700 Lord, that your word has taken me on. 00:50:09.040 --> 00:50:11.300 God, I thank you that you are expanding 00:50:11.300 --> 00:50:16.340 the concepts of my faith 00:50:16.340 --> 00:50:18.900 to exceed 00:50:18.900 --> 00:50:24.040 the frailty and the humanity of my mind 00:50:24.040 --> 00:50:30.160 and to dive in and understand more and more 00:50:30.160 --> 00:50:31.000 about who you are. 00:50:36.480 --> 00:50:39.760 God, may we see our world 00:50:39.760 --> 00:50:45.740 in the brokenness that it is 00:50:45.740 --> 00:50:48.960 marked 00:50:48.960 --> 00:50:52.580 by the rebellion of man 00:50:52.580 --> 00:50:57.920 torn 00:50:57.920 --> 00:51:02.160 by the war that rages by sin 00:51:02.160 --> 00:51:09.180 and Lord, may we not become 00:51:09.180 --> 00:51:11.360 self-righteous, 00:51:13.360 --> 00:51:15.700 but may we come broken 00:51:15.700 --> 00:51:19.000 and humbled before you. 00:51:21.880 --> 00:51:22.980 God, we thank you. 00:51:24.540 --> 00:51:25.440 God, that Jesus, 00:51:26.860 --> 00:51:27.940 that He is alive 00:51:27.940 --> 00:51:32.460 that right now, Lord, 00:51:32.840 --> 00:51:35.240 as He stood in Daniel 10, 00:51:35.340 --> 00:51:37.400 as He stood in Revelation 1, 00:51:38.400 --> 00:51:41.900 as He came as a baby, 00:51:42.900 --> 00:51:45.940 as He died as a man on a cross, 00:51:45.940 --> 00:51:49.200 as He rose from the dead, 00:51:50.060 --> 00:51:51.040 that He is holy, 00:51:51.040 --> 00:51:51.540 that He is holy, 00:51:51.800 --> 00:51:52.620 He is sovereign, 00:51:52.900 --> 00:51:53.780 He is glorious, 00:51:54.100 --> 00:51:55.100 He is powerful, 00:51:55.400 --> 00:51:56.340 He's all-knowing, 00:51:56.580 --> 00:51:57.540 He's righteous, 00:51:57.760 --> 00:51:58.720 and praise God, 00:51:58.780 --> 00:51:59.600 He's authoritative. 00:52:04.200 --> 00:52:07.200 God, may we see this world around us 00:52:07.200 --> 00:52:11.180 in the spiritual warfare 00:52:11.180 --> 00:52:12.120 that rages, 00:52:13.180 --> 00:52:17.380 the works of Satan 00:52:17.380 --> 00:52:21.560 that seek to destroy our faith, 00:52:22.920 --> 00:52:25.340 that seeks to destroy marriages, 00:52:26.620 --> 00:52:30.320 that seeks to tear children 00:52:30.320 --> 00:52:32.940 from their families, 00:52:33.460 --> 00:52:36.380 that seeks to take life, 00:52:37.800 --> 00:52:39.360 that loves death, 00:52:39.720 --> 00:52:41.040 that loves destruction. 00:52:43.480 --> 00:52:44.920 And God, we thank you 00:52:44.920 --> 00:52:47.620 that as there's the activities 00:52:47.620 --> 00:52:48.960 of the demonic, 00:52:49.400 --> 00:52:50.420 there's the activities 00:52:50.420 --> 00:52:51.820 of the angelic. 00:52:55.660 --> 00:52:56.920 And God, we thank you 00:52:56.920 --> 00:52:59.200 that we know 00:52:59.200 --> 00:53:00.240 the end of the story. 00:53:03.040 --> 00:53:04.540 And one day, Lord, 00:53:05.000 --> 00:53:07.120 the complete fullness 00:53:07.120 --> 00:53:09.220 of your victory 00:53:09.220 --> 00:53:12.640 will be seen, 00:53:13.260 --> 00:53:14.660 felt by all. 00:53:16.320 --> 00:53:16.840 And so, Lord, 00:53:17.540 --> 00:53:18.920 as we have life, 00:53:19.860 --> 00:53:20.920 may we go 00:53:20.920 --> 00:53:23.120 and fear not, 00:53:23.960 --> 00:53:25.220 for you are with us. 00:53:26.060 --> 00:53:26.820 Fear not, 00:53:27.200 --> 00:53:28.780 because we are sons and daughters 00:53:28.780 --> 00:53:29.640 of the living God. 00:53:30.340 --> 00:53:31.220 May we go 00:53:31.220 --> 00:53:33.180 and the peace is with us, 00:53:33.420 --> 00:53:35.040 the peace of your Holy Spirit, 00:53:35.360 --> 00:53:36.800 the peace of the gospel. 00:53:37.220 --> 00:53:37.480 And Lord, 00:53:37.540 --> 00:53:38.460 may we carry it 00:53:38.460 --> 00:53:39.140 and share it. 00:53:39.440 --> 00:53:40.200 May we share it 00:53:40.200 --> 00:53:41.960 with those who oppose us, 00:53:42.180 --> 00:53:42.920 and may we share it 00:53:42.920 --> 00:53:44.360 with those who welcome us. 00:53:44.540 --> 00:53:45.340 May we share it 00:53:45.340 --> 00:53:46.500 with those who praise us, 00:53:46.600 --> 00:53:47.640 and may we share it 00:53:47.640 --> 00:53:49.000 with those who persecute us. 00:53:49.000 --> 00:53:52.340 and Lord, 00:53:52.400 --> 00:53:53.180 may we be strong. 00:53:55.280 --> 00:53:55.760 God, 00:53:55.800 --> 00:53:57.020 you will always be faithful. 00:53:58.680 --> 00:53:59.300 And Lord, 00:53:59.360 --> 00:54:00.200 may we always 00:54:00.200 --> 00:54:02.340 be faithful to you. 00:54:03.960 --> 00:54:05.000 It's in Christ's name we pray. 00:54:05.840 --> 00:54:06.280 Amen. 00:54:07.680 --> 00:54:09.580 That's it for this week's message. 00:54:10.100 --> 00:54:11.540 Be sure to check back next week 00:54:11.540 --> 00:54:12.360 for a new episode. 00:54:12.960 --> 00:54:13.720 And in the meantime, 00:54:13.980 --> 00:54:15.200 you can visit us online 00:54:15.200 --> 00:54:17.160 at willowridgechurch.org 00:54:17.160 --> 00:54:18.440 or by searching for 00:54:18.440 --> 00:54:19.240 Willow Ridge Church 00:54:19.240 --> 00:54:20.020 on Facebook, 00:54:20.360 --> 00:54:20.800 Instagram, 00:54:21.120 --> 00:54:21.580 and YouTube. 00:54:22.040 --> 00:54:22.980 Thanks again for listening. 00:54:27.080 --> 00:54:28.080 Bye.