Sermon Cloud

Chinese Food Credit Card Scandal

When someone steals your identity they are taking away your life.

We are pressured daily to adjust to the society around us
 - Clothes
 - Speech
 - Attitude

In today’s story:
The Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar attacks and conquers Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar orders that the most promising Jewish captives be trained for service
They would be enrolled in a three year training program to become Babylonian adviser
The purpose was to change their thought, worldview, and value system.
They chose Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (12-17 years old)

How do we maintain our identity in Christ while living in a fallen world?

1) Remember who we belong to (Dan. 1:1-7)
    Daniel (God is my judge) = Belteshazzar (Balak protects his life)
    Hananiah (God has been gracious)  = Shadrach (Follower of Aku)
    Mishael (He who is like God)  = Meshach (He who is like Aku)
    Azariah (The Lord is my Helper)  = Abednego (The servant of Nebo)

    By changing their name they attempted to change who they were at the core.

    We are to be known as Christians (Acts 11:26)
    This means we are followers of Christ.
    - We should not be ashamed of this name
    - We should proudly proclaim this name
    - We must confess this name before men ( Rom. 10:9)

2) Remember the principles of God (Dan. 1:8)
    - The king offered his food to idols before eating it.
    - Some meats such as pork and horsemeat were not to be eaten because they were
       considered unclean.
    -  Israelite diet laws prescribed a particular way of slaughtering and preparing their
        food. 
    - Special diet needed to be maintained.
 
     By eating the king’s food they would have ignored what God’s command is for them
     Was eating the food a big deal?
        
     Read Romans 12:1-2


   
3) Remember who our worship should be focused toward (Dan. 3:1-7)
    - King Nebuchadnezzar wanted the people to worship him and not God
    - Today it seems that most people worship things created by God instead of
       worshipping Him. 
    - Worship have never been about us being comfortable.

    

What happens when we maintain our identity in Christ? (Dan. 3:24-30)
1) We can overcome anything this world throws at us
2) God will be with us through all our struggles
3) Your influence on others will affect the way they live