Willow Ridge Sermons

November 2nd, 2025 • “Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes." – Daniel 9:3

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Creators and Guests

Host

Beau Bradberry

Senior Pastor

What is Willow Ridge Sermons?

Sermon audio from Sunday services at Willow Ridge Church.

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Good morning. If you have your Bibles, and I hope you do, I want to invite you to join me in

Daniel chapter 9. That's where we're going to be this morning as we continue to work through

this Old Testament book of Daniel. If you're a first-time guest, we are privileged and honored

that you are here worshiping with us today. At the end of the service, my wife and I will be back

at the Connect table, back here to my left. If you wouldn't mind just stopping by there for just a

moment, we'd love to be able to speak with you. We'd love to be able to welcome you face-to-face,

learn your name, and if by chance you have any questions about Willow Ridge Church, about who

we are, what we do, we would love to be able to answer those for you. Also, I want to echo what

Pastor Dave said. Make sure you come back tonight, 4 to 5.30, Harvest Hangout, bring someone with you.

This event is for all ages. I am kind of excited for tonight. It's looking like earlier in the week,

it gets like a 75% chance of rain. At least last time I looked at it before our nine o'clock

discipleship hour, it looked like that was down to nothing for most of the websites. We're hoping

that the rain will stay away, and I am a little surprised that it started feeling as warm as it

felt. Early this morning, I got up to let the dogs out. It was about 36 degrees outside, and because we

are going to have a dunking booth, because that was someone's idea who didn't think through that very

well. Me, we're going to have that, and we'll be in there. But here's what I want to give you as far

as the dunking booth is concerned, because you might want to make sure that you are available.

So, here's when you get to try to dunk people.

Dawn Coulter, our beloved children's minister, who is just precious, she will be in it from 4 to 4.10.

And if she is wet, by the end of that, shame on you. That's all I'm going to say. None of us deserve

God's love, but Dawn deserves it more than the rest of us on this list, okay? All right, so here's the

rest of us on this list. Joel Van Ham will be in the dunking booth from 4.10 to 4.30, all right?

So, stretch the arms, get good and ready for that. Brent Hawkins. Yeah, when you hear, oh yeah, right?

That's when it's good. That's when it's good. Brent Hawkins will be there from 4.30 to 4.50. And he said

something about this morning that if you play softball for one of the high schools, you're probably not

any good and probably couldn't hit the target. He said something like that. So, you might want to be

there. Isn't that what you said, Brent? Close, close, close enough, close enough. Kyle Watts. I know some

of you want to throw things at Kyle. Kyle will be in there from 4.50 to 5.10. And then lastly, guys,

I'm not feeling good today. I woke up. I got a little something going on here. So, Michelle Schultz,

she just spoke up. Michelle Schultz is going to be in there from 5.10 to 5.30. And we're going to move

whoever's throwing it to within three feet for Michelle. Now, I'll be in there from 5.10 to 5.30.

And you will have to at least be able to throw a baseball 75 yards in order to be able to hit it

when I'm in there. Now, we're going to have that. It'll be a fun time tonight. This event is for all

ages. And, you know, somebody asked me, is there going to be anyone else in the Duncan booth? And

here's what I'll say. For enough money, we will put anyone in it. All right? So, just come with cash.

This is no cash app situation. Like, we want cash and we'll get them in there. But we'll look forward

to having you guys with us tonight. All ages, come out, invite people. A wonderful, wonderful time of

fellowship. And so, come out there and soak everyone but Dawn. Don't do that to her. And

then at the end of the service, we will partake in the Lord's Supper together. So, hopefully,

you got one of the element cups as you came in. If you didn't, that's okay. You can go right now and

you can pick those up. They're right at the very back, kind of behind the camera at the entrance of

where you came in. And then we will partake in this together. This is for anyone who's a follower of

Jesus Christ, whether you're a member of our church or not. So, we would love to have you

partake with us if you feel well. I want to read from you this morning in Daniel 9, verse 3.

Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking Him by prayer and pleas for mercy,

with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. Would you pray with me?

God, may the words of Daniel

in verse 3

be the position of our hearts.

May it be the declaration of our spirits.

That God, this morning,

it is only

by your goodness and your grace

that we're allowed another moment.

It's only through the work of Christ,

Lord, that we're welcomed into your presence.

And so, God, may our songs of praise

be sweetness

to your ears.

God, may we come to you

humble.

May we come to you

ready to receive

not what we

in and of ourselves

desire,

but, Lord,

what you have for us.

God, I pray

that I will be faithful

to your word

as you are faithful

to us.

And, God,

if there's anyone here

who does not know Christ

as their Lord and Savior,

today will be the day

of their salvation.

And it's in Jesus' name we pray.

Amen.

Daniel 9,

for the first,

probably two-thirds

of Daniel 9,

is going to deal

with a prayer

that Daniel offers

on behalf of his people.

Daniel, as we've seen

looking back at

Daniel chapter 1,

Daniel chapter 2,

Daniel chapter 6,

is the man

who's founded

and has a strong

foundation of faith

but is rooted in prayer.

That we see

from Daniel

that Daniel

in Daniel 1,

when Daniel

resolves

that this is what

he will be,

that this is what

he'll do,

that we see

that he is a man

of prayer.

In Daniel chapter 2,

when we see

that Daniel has to

not only figure out

the proper interpretation

of the Babylonian king

Nebuchadnezzar's dream

but that Daniel

has to figure out

what the prayer is.

If not,

it could cost him

his life.

We find in that moment

that Daniel

is a man of prayer.

In Daniel chapter 6,

what we see

in Daniel,

that Daniel

makes it

to the lion's den

because Daniel

is faithful

in prayer.

and so we see

this act

of Daniel

continuously

throughout

the book

of Daniel

so far

but then what

we get

is an insight

into the heart

of the man

who is offering

these prayers,

this intercession

for his people

to his God

and it's a beautiful

picture of what

we will find.

It was very

convicting

for me

this week

to ask for

and to lean

into the Holy Spirit

to show me

am I a person

who prays

or am I a person

of prayer?

Am I a person

who prays

or am I a person

of prayer?

And what I would

find in the conviction

of the Holy Spirit

within me

is all too often

that I will be

a person

who prays

but what God

desires

within me

of what God

wants to grow

me into

is that I be

more of a person

of prayer.

That my prayers

are more centered

and focused

in on who

he is

and what he

has done

and the glory

of God

in my life.

And so we're

going to be

welcomed into

to be able

to see this

prayer from Daniel.

So would you

join me?

We'll read

the first two

verses of

Daniel 9.

In the first

year of Darius

the son

of Aharasus

I didn't pronounce

that correctly

at all.

I practiced

that all

morning.

Ahasuerus

by descent

Amid

who was made

king over

the realm

of the Chaldeans

in the first

year of his reign.

I, Daniel,

perceived

in the books

the number

of years

that according

to the word

of the Lord

to Jeremiah

the prophet

must pass

before the end

of the desolations

of Jerusalem

namely

seven years.

I want to ask you

this morning

what prompts

you to pray?

What prompts

you to pray?

What causes you

in those moments

in those days

in the times

of your life

to make the choice

to come to God

in prayer?

What we see here

from Daniel

as we get a glimpse

into his prayer life

is that for Daniel

prayer is a response

to God's word

and submission

to God's will.

Prayer is a response

to God's word

and submission

to God's will.

So again

I ask you the question

what prompts you

to pray?

There can be

many reasons

many instances

that prompt

you and I

to pray.

Do you find

yourself praying

from circumstance

whether it be

a positive

or a negative

circumstance

that is in your life

and the response

of those

is to come

before the Lord

to pray?

Do you pray

from routine?

Are you

early in the morning

a late at night

before a meal

with your family

or maybe even

you've locked

into a task?

I hear people say

often you know

that some of the time

that they can spend

in worship

or in prayer

is in their drive

to work in the morning

right?

Like they will

take that time

set it apart

keep their eyes

open ten and two

and pray to the Lord

right?

Do we pray

from need?

Do we pray

from need?

Is need

what prompts you?

That there's

something that's lacking

there's something

that you desire

there's something

that you long for

and so you make

it known to God.

In Daniel chapter 9

we see this very

interesting aspect

within Daniel

so Daniel has not

yet begun to pray

but instead

it lets us know

the setting

in which Daniel

will be prompted

to pray.

We find Daniel

reading the word

of God.

In verse 2

it says

Daniel

perceived

in the books.

This is his scriptures.

Daniel couldn't go

and pick up a copy

of the Bible

right?

This is what he has

and Daniel was spending

his time

in God's word

reading the word

of God

and specifically

from what we will find

reading the prophet

Jeremiah.

And while reading

the prophet Jeremiah

Daniel comes

onto the understanding

that the desolations

or the exile

of God's people

would last

for 70 years.

You can find this

you can read it

in Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 25

talks about this

and Jeremiah 29

talks about this

as well.

So here's what's

kind of cool

when we look

and see

and we picture

and we piece

through

why God does

what God does

in his word

so that he can

communicate things

to us

thousands of years

later who weren't

even around

when this happened

and took place.

I don't know

if you've ever

wondered this

but it seems

that almost

every single

chapter in Daniel

begins with a

time stamp.

Begins with a

time stamp.

You know this

king is in rule

and rules over

this certain amount

of time

and these events

are happening

and take place.

So here's what

we can kind of

deduce from

working some

math as we've

read through

the book of Daniel

and aligning it

with the course

of history.

We know that

Daniel was

exiled as a

teenage boy

probably in

around the year

605 B.C.

based off of

the time stamp

of Daniel 1.

And then we

learn from the

time stamp of

Daniel chapter 9

that it's about

538 B.C.

So what we

find here in

this time is

that Daniel

and his

people are

somewhere around

60 to 67

years of

exile

depending on

when you

believe God

started his

clock for the

exile to begin.

Remember all

the way back in

chapter 1 there

were three

different instances

where the

Babylonians came

into Judah.

They took the

first group in

the first exile

they took the

second group in

the second time

and then they

took the third

group there.

And there are

theologians that

argued does it

start at the

first, does it

start at the

third.

Either way 60

to 67 years

is where we

find this.

And Daniel

now as a

man in his

80s

begins to

read

and begins

to see

and Daniel

through the

reading of

God's word

begins to

have the

tugging of

his heart

that this

exile is

coming to

an end.

Daniel

who we

talk about

the success

of Daniel

Daniel's been

successful

throughout the

exile.

Daniel's risen

to high levels

within the

government both

under the

Babylonian

government and

the Medo-Persian

empire both as

well.

Daniel's been a

who's who.

He's been a

person to know.

He's been a

person who's been

very closely

connected with

the king.

But through it

all he's faced

hardship, he's

faced death, and

through it all

Daniel has

remained

faithful.

Daniel hasn't

gotten bitter

to what he's

walked through.

Daniel hasn't

gotten negative

to God for

what God has

allowed.

In fact what

God has

purposed.

Daniel has not

been persuaded

by the culture

to walk away

and what we

find is that

Daniel comes

to God's

word and

in God's

word finds

out God's

will and

then as a

result of that

is driven

to God

in prayer.

Do you

struggle to

pray?

Do you

struggle to

pray?

Find that

oftentimes that

men and women

when we're

talking to

them with

fellow believers

right?

Like prayer

is something

that people

struggle with

that people

wrestle with

and so I

ask you this

morning do you

struggle to

pray?

The Bible's

gracious to us

God's gracious

to us.

The Bible

tells us in

Romans 8 that

the Holy Spirit

prays for us

when we don't

know what to

pray for.

So that gives

us some comfort

right?

That gives us

some comfort for

you and I

that when our

words are lacking

and the

groanings of

the world

that we

live in

that God

and the

power of

the Holy

Spirit of

what he

works for

and what

he does

and how

he moves

in our

life as

he intercedes

for us

on our

behalf in

his groanings

when we

don't know

what to

pray.

But I

read this

from one

of the

authors

this week

talking about

this passage

of scripture.

He said

but is there

more to it

for you

and I?

He said

do you

struggle

to pray

not simply

because you

don't know

what to

pray for

but do you

struggle to

pray because

you don't

know the

scripture as

you should?

Do you

struggle to

pray because

you don't

find yourself

in a

positioning

and desire

and dependence

on the

very word

of God?

Do you

struggle to

pray because

when you do

read God's

word you

treat it as

a task

to be

pushed

through

and not

an opportunity

to meditate

on the

truth of

God's

word?

Do you

struggle to

know God's

word and

so do you

then struggle

to pray

God's

word?

I thought

about this

a lot

this week

of what

it would

look like

if I

came to

God's

word

to know

the truth

of God

to surrender

to the

will

of God

and so

that I

then know

how to

pray to

God

delight

yourself

in the

Lord

and he

will give

you the

desires

of your

heart

delight

yourself

in the

will

and the

way

of God

and God

will not

change

what he's

going to

but he'll

change the

heart of

the person

who offers

the prayer

I want

to try

this exercise

with you

this morning

we'll try

this exercise

of what

does it

look like

to come

to God

in God's

word

and then

pray to

God

I want

to read

to you

a verse

this morning

of what

this could

look like

when you

and I

as the

people

of God

come to

God's

word

to understand

God's

will

for our

lives

and then

to seek

to pray

to God

as a result

Romans 8

a very

common verse

I'll have

this verse

on the

screen

behind us

and it

says

and we

know

that for

those

who

love

God

all

things

work

together

for

good

for

those

who

are

called

according

to his

purpose

well how

can we

begin

pray

this

how

can we

let

this

the

declaration

our

heart

and not

just

the

pursuit

what

read

well

the

first

question

that I

would

ask

you

evaluate

this

word

this

verse

that's

on the

screen

as you

evaluate

this

word

from

the

Lord

as you

evaluate

this

verse

that he

has

for

you

how

does

this

hit

your

mind

what

are you

instantly

drawn

what

begins

penetrate

into

the

wanderings

and the

curiosities

what is

the truth

that you

find

here

some ones

that I'll

just draw

out for

you

as I

prayed

through

this

for

myself

this

morning

and

know

and

know

here's

how

this

hits

mind

that

there

truth

God's

word

that

there

are

things

that

cannot

just

simply

hope

for

longing

that

this

might

take

place

but

you

and

there's

certainty

in the

promise

of the

word

God

and

know

and

then

continue

that

for

those

who

love

God

that

there's

beauty

the

relationship

that

holy

God

has

with

imperfect

people

that

when

are

saved

Christ

for

those

who

love

him

that

there's

this

reciprocal

relationship

that

God

longs

and

desires

have

with

for

those

who

love

God

all

things

work

together

for

good

I'll

back

what

Josh

talked

about

this

summer

as he

preached

through

this

verse

her

summer

series

right

all

things

means

all

things

all

things

means

all

things

and

God's

working

them

all

for

the

good

for

those

who

were

called

according

his

purpose

first

God's

will

it's

God's

plan

not

for

those

who

were

called

according

their

purpose

but

for

those

who

were

called

according

his

purpose

read

God's

word

settles

the

mind

and

now

as I

move it

from

the

mind

how

does

settle

with

the

heart

how

does

settle

with

the

heart

anybody

ever

struggle

with

faith

from

time

anybody

else

other

than

and we

see

that God

I need

to be

desperate

for

you

that

Lord

in the

areas

life

where

I'm

inconsistent

and believe

in your

word

God

through the

power of

your

Holy

Spirit

Lord

make

know

God

your

word

says

and for

those

who

love

God

there

are

things

in my

life

that

long

for

and

that

love

and

that

desire

that

I've

made

greater

than

you

that

I've

been

desperate

for

than

you

God

create

and

grow

within

deepening

love

for

you

that

second

none

that

all

things

work

together

for

the

good

God

here's

the

laundry

list

things

that

see

life

and

God

don't

see

the

good

Lord

I'm

confused

the

circumstances

God

I'm

faithless

the

outcomes

God

help

when

can't

see

trust

for

those

who

are

called

according

his

purpose

God

at the

end of

the day

at the

beginning

of the

morning

and

every

time

between

God

may I

surrender

my will

your

will

and

that

God

may I

live

for

your

purpose

above

own

what

would

your

life

and

life

came

God's

word

not

means

check

box

what

must

accomplish

during

this

five

minute

time

sip

coffee

but

what

came

with

expectation

driving

him

prayer

let's

keep

reading

Daniel

verse

Daniel

says

then I

turned

face

the

Lord

seeking

him

prayer

and

pleas

for

mercy

with

fasting

and

sackcloth

and

ashes

the

second

thing

that

begin

understand

about

prayer

the

life

Daniel

prayer

humble

persistence

prayer

humble

persistence

Daniel's

going to

give

three

actions

that

see

here

that

enters

into

during

his

time

prayer

and

these

actions

that

Daniel

enters

into

think

this

important

are

not

actions

that

are

done

order

change

Daniel

you

see

these

aren't

things

that

Daniel's

going

punish

himself

these

aren't

things

that

Daniel's

going

to do

to pay

for

his

sins

but

instead

what

find

that

these

actions

that

he's

going

will

reflection

who

has

already

become

who

before

God

the

first

thing

that

turned

his

face

God

turned

his

face

God

Daniel

this

moment

takes

direct

action

order

come

God

prayer

you

see

this

intentional

moment

with

who

turns

his

face

God

should

pray

without

ceasing

absolutely

the Bible

tells us

to do

that

should

you

engage

in a

continual

on and

conversation

with the

Lord

throughout

your

day

from

the time

you wake

the

time

that

you

bed

absolutely

but

what

find

the

life

Daniel

that

there

intentionality

who

make

sure

this

time

that

everything

else

does

not

matter

and

Daniel

turns

his

face

God

communicating

doesn't

matter

how

let

prove

you

wrong

that

fellas

it's

your

anniversary

you've

been

married

years

you

wake

that

morning

you

see

your

wife

she's

standing

there

you

walk

out

the

door

head

work

and

you

walk

past

her

you're

a little

tired

you're

a little

grumpy

and

you

what's

for

dinner

tonight

and

then

later

you

think

there's

some

important

things

that

need

say

let

just

shoot

that

text

message

her

and

send

and

that's

good

enough

I've

communicated

now

hopefully

I've

just

painted

hypothetical

that

none

our

guys

here

have

ever

done

you're

thinking

the

hypothetical

that

just

laid

out

should

the

response

everyone

Dave

has

some

counseling

hours

that

will

open

this

week

that

would

love

for

you

come

and

take

part

it's

the

intentionality

the

conversation

it's

the

intentionality

making

sure

that

there's

time

between

she

and

it's

the

intentionality

the

word

it's

not

that

I'm

just

giving

her

quotes

pass

throughout

the

day

but

that

there

becomes

point

time

life

that

the

woman

who

I'm

covenant

relationship

with

and

she's

covenant

relationship

with

that

have

intentionality

communication

and

that's

important

this

relationship

then

how

much

important

for

is it

this

Daniel

turned

his

face

God

we've

seen

Daniel

this

before

Daniel

when

Daniel

knew

that

the

document

had

been

signed

went

his

house

where

had

windows

his

upper

chamber

open

toward

Jerusalem

got

down

his

knees

three

times

day

and

prayed

and

gave

thanks

before

his

God

had

done

previously

Daniel

was

told

you

pray

you

come

God

you

honor

the

time

and

the

commitment

that

you've

set

before

him

what

awaits

you

the

lion's

den

and

Daniel

goes

okay

and

then

Daniel

heads

his

house

turns

his

face

God

and

prays

and

prays

and

prays

here's

interesting

thing

when

you

look

the

time

stamps

Daniel

chapter

and

Daniel

chapter

they're

the

same

they're

the

same

one

the

theologians

that I

read

this

week

said

you can't

prove

this

but

this

just

what

believes

his

heart

hearts

that

Daniel

chapter

when

Daniel

caught

praying

God

and

then

ushered

into

the

lion's

den

and

then

God

saves

him

that

prayer

that

this

the

prayer

what

read

Daniel

you

see

there

was

nothing

that

was

going

take

him

away

from

his

appointment

turning

your face

towards

something

in the

Bible

means

that

you're

not

predetermining

what

the

outcome

that

you're

looking

for

and

instead

you're

looking

for

who

God

Daniel

coming

God's

word

and

being

God's

word

causes

Daniel

want

God

the

second

thing

that

Daniel

does

says

that

Daniel

fasts

Daniel

fasts

find it

you know

a little

bit ironic

that we

just

advertised

women's

night

where

there's

going

to be

food

men's

night

where

there's

going

to be

continued

whole

hog

and

then

kids

event

where

there's

going

to be

chicken

and

waffles

yes

sign

for

all

those

let's

talk

about

fasting

when we

see this

scriptures

withholding

from

food

for

time

period

for

the

sake

prioritizing

something

else

such

prayer

and so

what does

Daniel

says

this

who

and

this

the

priority

and

this

the

dependence

God

that

have

I'm

going

withhold

I'm

going

something

that

would

depend

someone

greater

than

even

the

food

that

sustains

Daniel

his

turning

his

face

God

says

want

you

and

now

his

fasting

communicates

you

are

all

that

need

want

you

and

God

you

are

all

that

need

Daniel

coming

God

looking

Daniel

isn't

coming

God

I'm

sorry

God

that

can't

make

sense

instead

Daniel

comes

God

and

says

want

you

and

you

are

all

that

need

the

third

thing

Daniel

literally

changes

his

appearance

literally

changes

his

appearance

as he

wears

sackcloth

and he

covers

himself

ashes

this

important

this

important

Daniel

coming

God

heart

repentance

when

someone

was

wanting

show

repentant

heart

they

would

wear

sackcloth

they

would

sit

ashes

they

would

put

ashes

the

top

their

head

sackcloth

was

coarse

material

usually

made

from

black

goat's

hair

and it

was

uncomfortable

to wear

the ashes

signified

desolation

and ruin

sackcloth

and ashes

were used

as public

signs

repentance

and humility

before God

very simply

sackcloth

and ashes

were used

as an

outward

sign

one's

inward

condition

Daniel

says

as I'm

not okay

with this

Daniel's

gonna say

I'm not

okay

with this

I'm not

okay

with this

and so

Daniel

from his

word

from God's

word

seeks

God

and what

he comes

repentance

verses

4-14

what did

Daniel

repent

why

did

Daniel

need

repent

he says

I prayed

to the

Lord

my God

I prayed

to the

Lord

my God

and made

confession

saying

oh Lord

the great

and awesome

God

who keeps

covenant

and steadfast

love

with those

who love

him

and keep

his commandments

we have

sinned

and done

wrong

and acted

wickedly

and rebelled

turning aside

from your

commandments

and rules

we have

not listened

to your

servants

the prophets

who spoke

in your

name

to our

kings

and princes

and our

fathers

and to

all the

people

of the

land

to you

oh Lord

belongs

righteousness

but to

open

shame

as at

this day

to the

men

of Judah

to the

inhabitants

of Jerusalem

and to

all Israel

those

who are

near

and those

who are

far away

in all

the lands

to which

you have

driven

them

because of

the treachery

that they

have committed

against

you

to us

oh Lord

belongs

open

shame

to our

kings

to our

princes

to our

fathers

because

have

sinned

against

you

to the

Lord

our

God

belong

mercy

and

forgiveness

for

have

rebelled

against

him

and have

not

obeyed

the

voice

the

Lord

our

God

walking

his

laws

which

set

before

his

servants

the

prophets

all

Israel

has

transgressed

your

law

and

turned

aside

refusing

obey

your

voice

and

the

curse

and the

oath

that are

written

in the

law

Moses

the

servant

God

have

been

poured

out

upon

because

have

sinned

against

him

has

confirmed

his

words

which

spoke

against

and

against

our

rulers

who

ruled

bringing

upon

great

calamity

for

under

the

whole

heaven

there

has

not

been

done

anything

what's

been

done

against

Jerusalem

written

the

law

Moses

all

this

calamity

has

come

upon

yet

have

not

entreated

the

favor

the

Lord

our

God

turning

from

our

iniquities

and

gaining

insight

your

truth

therefore

the

Lord

has

kept

ready

the

calamity

and

has

brought

upon

for

the

Lord

our

God

righteous

all

the

works

has

done

have

not

obeyed

his

voice

for

Daniel

what we

see

here

prayer

confession

self

and

prayer

cry

for

God's

people

prayer

confession

self

and

cry

for

God's

people

remember

where

Daniel

began

Daniel

did not

begin

in a

circumstance

Daniel

did not

begin

emotional

outbreak

Daniel

did not

begin

in a

complicated

moment

in his

day

Daniel

began

God's

word

and

here's

what

happens

when

you

and

get

into

God's

word

here's

what

find

out

find

out

who

are

light

who

God

when

you

and

are

God's

word

should

always

bring

the

sweet

position

the

sweet

spot

repentance

you

see

repentance

isn't guilt

heaped

on you

it's

freedom

that we

find

Christ

Romans

says

God's

kindness

is meant

to lead

you

repentance

and

it's

not

out

fear

that

repent

but

it's

out

the

kindness

who

God

that

repent

find

this

fascinating

about

Daniel

when

you

read

through

this

prayer

confession

want

honest

with

you

Daniel

one

biblical

heroes

when

read

through

this

what

notice

faithfulness

after

faithfulness

after

faithfulness

resolve

after

resolve

after

resolve

notice

what

Daniel

does

not

notice

what

Daniel

doesn't

say

God

I'm

glad

I'm

getting

this

right

God

when

all

them

were

eating

the

king's

meat

Lord

wasn't

Lord

when

all

them

were

participating

the

party

wasn't

God

when

all

Judah

begins

wander

into

the

Babylonians

and

the

Medo

Persians

God

it's

not

God

it's

them

God

look

what

they're

doing

God

bring

your

wrath

and

your

judgment

them

what

find

remarkable

about

what

Daniel

does

Daniel

comes

before

the

Lord

all

humility

turning

his face

him

and

fasting

sack

cloth

ashes

and

says

have

not

listened

have

sinned

against

you

have

transgressed

have

ignored

what

has

been

written

have

sinned

against

you

and

you

alone

have

not

obeyed

your

voice

when

you

pray

when

you

pray

not

only

confession

you

but

you

feel

the

burden

the

that

are

God's

people

that

cry

out

for

one

another

that

don't

just

see

other

people's

sin

the

problem

but

see

our

sin

well

we've

all

wandered

we've

all

strayed

this

Daniel

can

align

with

them

then

can

align

with

one

another

come

before

the

Lord

Daniel

was

God's

word

and

God's

word

showed

him

who

was

spite

all

that

know

don't

know

the

dark

spots

his

heart

I'm

reminded

of the

prophet

Isaiah

that

Isaiah

taken

into

vision

before

the

Lord

comes

and

sees

God

and

this

Isaiah

response

Isaiah

said

and

said

woe

the

prophet

Isaiah

woe

for

lost

for

man

unclean

lips

and

dwell

the

midst

people

unclean

lips

for

eyes

have

seen

the

King

the

Lord

host

but

the

Pharisee

the

legalist

the

self

righteous

wants

look

who

are

and

think

that

we're

better

wants

look

who

are

and

think

this

what

deserve

wants

look at

what

everyone

else

doing

and

say

God

pour

out

them

but

them

there's

the

and

there's

humility

for

the

King

Jesus

teaches

this

his

parable

how

pray

Luke

chapter

says

this

also

taught

this

parable

some

who

trusted

themselves

that

they

were

righteous

and

treated

others

with

contempt

let's

pause

there

for

just

second

let

say

something

that

can

get

trouble

thank

you

Beverly

I'm

afraid

that

this

may

very

strong

description

of the

church

America

Jesus

told

this

parable

some

who

trusted

themselves

that

they

were

righteous

that

they

deserved

they

had

accomplished

something

and

treated

others

with

contempt

Jesus

two

men

went

into

the

temple

pray

one

Pharisee

the

other

tax

collector

doesn't

get

worse

than

the

tax

collector

doesn't

get

morally

unacceptable

than

the

tax

collector

the

tax

collector

is a

traitor

he's a

thief

he's a

robber

he's

turned

from

his

own

people

discussed

his

family

discussed

the

people

around

him

how

dare

the

things

that

says

the

Pharisee

standing

himself

prayed

this

God

thank

you

that

not

other

men

extortioners

unjust

adulterers

even

this

tax

collector

fast

twice

week

give

tithes

of all

that I

get

can I

tell you

the heart

of the

Pharisees

prayer

God

aren't

you

glad

that

I'm

your

team

God

you

need

you

need

what

I'm

going

for

you

need

provide

what

I'm

going

provide

and

stands

there

his

self

righteousness

stands

there

his

judgment

stands

there

someone

who

knows

the

law

but

who

has

not

been

transformed

his

creator

Daniel

can't

say

look at

what

I've

done

then

how

can

and

how

can

but

the

tax

collector

verse

but

the

tax

collector

standing

far

off

would

not

even

lift

his

eyes

heaven

but

beat

his

breast

saying

God

merciful

sinner

what's

he doing

he's doing

the same

thing

Daniel

did

he's doing

the same

thing

Daniel

did

Daniel

turned

his

face

the

Lord

it's

setting

it's

positioning

it's

positioning

the

heart

that

the

tax

collector

does

the

exact

same

thing

except

humility

can't

hold

his

head

beats

his

chest

seems

weird

doesn't

he's

mourning

this

was an

act

mourning

where

you

would

mourn

over

the

death

someone

beat

yourself

he's

mourning

over

his

sin

Jesus

says

verse

tell

you

this

man

went

down

his

house

justified

rather

than

the

other

one

for

everyone

who

exalts

himself

will

humbled

but

the

one

who

humbles

himself

will

exalted

Billy

Graham

said

this

Billy

Graham

said

this

get

nations

back

their

feet

must

first

get

down

our

knees

get

nations

back

their

feet

must

first

get

down

our

knees

what

looked

the

lostness

our

world

not

the

problem

what

looked

the

lostness

people

our

community

not

what

stops

but

the

mission

that

God

has

called

verse

through

we'll

with

this

section

and

now

Lord

our

God

who

brought

your

people

out

the

land

Egypt

with

mighty

hand

and

have

made

name

for

yourself

this

day

have

sinned

and

done

wickedly

Lord

according

all

your

righteous

acts

let

your

anger

and

your

wrath

turn

away

from

your

city

Jerusalem

your

holy

hill

because

our

sins

and

for

the

iniquities

of our

fathers

Jerusalem

and

your

people

have

become

byword

among

all

who

are

around

now

therefore

God

listen

the

prayer

your

servant

and

his

pleas

for

mercy

and

for

your

own

sake

Lord

make

your

face

shine

upon

the

sanctuary

which

desolate

God

incline

your

ear

and

hear

open

your

eyes

and

see

our

desolations

the

city

that

called

your

name

for

not

present

our

pleas

before

you

because

our

righteousness

but

because

your

great

mercy

Lord

hear

Lord

forgive

Lord

pay

attention

and

act

delay

not

for

your

own

sake

God

because

your

city

and

your

people

are

called

your

name

lastly

what

see

here

Daniel

prayer

dependent

the

character

God

seems

Daniel

gets

a little

bossy

here

with

God

this

God

that

God

forgive

God

show

mercy

God

hear

pay

attention

these

are

what

this

what

Daniel

saying

God

Daniel

being

bossy

God

Daniel

trying

control

the

moment

with

God

absolutely

not

what's

Daniel

doing

Daniel

saying

God

what

God

has

said

will

Daniel

aligning

and

Daniel

saying

all

this

salvation

going

possible

comes

from

the

character

God

last

night

the

Bradbury

house

watched

movie

which

you're

fan

football

team

from

the

state

South

Carolina

let

just

encourage

you

that

watching

movie

with

your

family

probably

better

idea

right

now

than

watching

football

game

watched

movie

that

was

filmed

1996

I'm

going

tell

little

bit

about

what

happens

the

end

the

movie

you're

disappointed

because

ruined

for

you

again

this

movie

came

out

1996

you've

had

time

see

the

movie

the

movie

time

kill

based

upon

John

Grishan

novel

focused

around

a lot

characters

but

favorite

character

man

named

Carl

Lee

Haley

played

Samuel

Jackson

movie

stars

Matthew

McConaughey

it's

got

Kiefer

Sullivan

it's

got

Donald

Sullivan

it's

got

Sandra

Bullock

it's

got

the

younger

Judd

daughter

whichever

one

she

right

and

this

movie

Carl

Lee

Haley

charged

with

the

murder

two

men

did

kill

these

men

killed

these

men

because

they

assaulted

and

tried

kill

his

daughter

and

the

movie

everybody

knows

what

Carl

Lee

Haley

did

because

did

publicly

did

the

courthouse

murdered

these

men

execution

style

front

the

sheriff

front

attorneys

front

reporters

everyone

knows

what

Carl

Lee

Haley

did

the

issue

though

as he

goes

stand

trial

would

they

find

him

guilty

because

acted

knowingly

innocent

because

acted

insanity

phenomenal

movie

made

him

cry

the

movie

ends

here

you

the

movie

ends

as a

young

boy

runs

out

the

courthouse

into

setting

racial

tension

and

proclaims

Carl

Lee

innocent

Matthew

McConaughey

the

hero

everything

plays

out

the

way

that

you

hoped

played

out

you

came

through

group

men

and

women

determined

that

was

innocent

what

God's

word

tells

that

are

not

innocent

that

are

guilty

sin

you

are

guilty

sin

we've

done

and

our

self

there's

hope

and

our

self

there's

nothing

fix

and

our

self

there's

not

rights

that we

can do

overcome

the

wrong

can't

save

ourselves

can't

even

save

one

another

and

what

need

for

God

within

his

character

what

God

has

said

would

and

God

does

and

sends

savior

and

sends

his

son

who

dies

cross

that

you

and

can

experience

the

forgiveness

God

straight

from

the

heart

God

Daniel

says

God

we're

guilty

forgive

for

your

name

and

God

forgives

his

forgiveness

is found

Christ

and

Christ

alone

that

Jesus

not

because

our

goodness

Jesus

not

because

deserved

Jesus

not

for

our

name

but

because

the

goodness

God

comes

and

dies

and

dies

a death

on the

cross

to pay

the price

for

your

sin

and

sin

and

the

sins

the

world

and

that

forgiveness

is given

for

his

name

and

his

glory

not

only

does

his

blood

wash

and

make

clean

but

the

punishment

that

endures

the

wrath

that

deserve

and

endures

for

you

and

the

cross

that

even

though

we've

known

we've

disobeyed

even

though

we've

known

and

we've

wandered

God

forgives

into

our

time

response

you

know

that

God

has

forgiven

you

know

that

he's

forgiven

you

he's

forgiven

you

every

single

thing

that

you've

ever

done

he's

forgiven

you

and

offered

you

forgiveness

isn't

just

what

God

does

forgiveness

who

God

that

his

holiness

can't

ignore

your

sin

and in

his

love

provides

payment

for

your

sin

God

forgives

you

see

it's

not

about

getting

cleaned

and

getting

fixed

and

being

made

right

it's

not

about

figuring

it out

and doing

yourself

it's

not

something

that anyone

else

can

for

you

much

may

love

one

another

it's

done

God

and

God

alone

and

that

just

God

let

his

people

out

Egypt

God

too

can

lead

you

and

out

the

death

our

sin

and

that's

what

offers

and

that's

what

presents

into

our

time

worship

today

you

respond

what

God

has

done

and

what

he's

called

you

I'm

going

challenge

you

to be

reminded

the

sweetness

that

found

repentance

before

the

Lord

come

him

confessed

come

him

ready

come

him

open

repenting

for

what

you've

done

and

glory

for

who

there's

anyone

else

that

you

need

forgive

that

you

would

set

that

Bible

tells

forgive

one

another

Christ

has

forgiven

that

you

would

that

you

were

prepared

and

ready

acknowledge

the

sacrifice

that

Christ

made

would

you

pray

with

Lord

God

come

you

this

morning

thanksgiving

for

who

you

are

Lord

and

what

you've

done

God

are

sinners

each

and

every

one

Lord

not

deserve

your

kindness

and

mercy

but

God

thank

you

that

you

give

and

that

found

Christ

alone

God

work

our

hearts

God

bring

the

spot

repentance

before

you

God

create

desire

God

would

turn

our

faces

you

coming

you

desperation

but

acknowledging

you

are

all

that

need

and

God

while

cannot

cover

ourselves

sackcloth

and

ash

Lord

may

the

position

our

spirit

there

Lord

that

mourn

for

who

are

and

celebrate

you

for

what

you

have

done

Jesus

love

you

and

praise

you

your

name

pray

amen

that's

for

this

week's

message

sure

check

back

week

for

new

episode

and

the

meantime

you

can

visit

online

willowridgechurch.org

or by

searching

for

Willowridge

Church

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and

YouTube

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again

for

listening

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