Music...
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James: Okay, we are
moving on but not really
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because Daniel chapter 4 is
connected to Daniel chapter 3
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which is connected
to Daniel chapter 2
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which is connected
to Daniel chapter 1,
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not just in the sense
that they are the same book
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but in the sense of the
experience of Nebuchadnezzar.
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Yvonne: Hmmm...
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James: Chapter 4 is the summary
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of Nebuchadnezzar's
conversion experience
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and chapter 4 is
actually his testimony...
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his testimony...
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"They overcame by
the blood of the Lamb,
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and by the word of their
testimony... " Revelation 12
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we're already connected
to Revelation, you see that?
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Yvonne: Yeah.
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James: And it's
really cool because
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Nebuchadnezzar is
the guy that goes in
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and basically
takes out God's people
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and he's the heathen king
that's ruling the world...
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he's the guy that's forcing
people to worship an image
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and giving the interpretation...
"I'm going to kill you... "
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and now Nebuchadnezzar is
writing a chapter of the Bible,
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a chapter, see...
Daniel doesn't write this...
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Daniel doesn't write
this about Nebuchadnezzar...
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Nebuchadnezzar writes this.
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This is his personal
testimony that he's writing out.
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Daniel is like, "You
should write that out
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because I'd love to have...
I... you should write that. "
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Yvonne: Yeah.
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James: Everyone has a testimony,
doesn't matter who you are
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everyone has a testimony
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and Nebuchadnezzar has
this powerful testimony
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not because of all the things
he's been through necessarily
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but because it's a testimony of
how God has worked in his life
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and that's the
testimony that we bear...
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how God has worked in our lives
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so, let's have a word of prayer
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and then we'll jump
right in to Daniel chapter 4.
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Yvonne, would you
like to pray for us?
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Yvonne: Sure.
"Father, thank You so very much
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for bringing us
together once again
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to study Your Word
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and to get these truths
that You have for us, Lord,
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these relevant practical
applications of Your Word,
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we thank You so much for them.
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We ask for the
guidance of Your Holy Spirit
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and we ask You Lord to accept
our offering to You this day,
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in Jesus' name, amen. "
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All: Amen.
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James: All right,
Daniel chapter 4...
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let's just read... Jason, can
we read the first four verses?
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Jason: Sure...
"Nebuchadnezzar the king,
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to all peoples,
nations, and languages
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that dwell in all the earth:
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peace be multiplied to you.
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I thought it good to
declare the signs and wonders
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that the Most High
God has worked for me.
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How great are His signs,
and how mighty His wonders!
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His kingdom is an
everlasting kingdom,
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and His dominion is from
generation to generation.
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I, Nebuchadnezzar,
was at rest in my house,
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and flourishing in my palace. "
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James: One more... sorry.
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Jason: "I saw a
dream which made me afraid,
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and the thoughts on my bed
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and the visions of
my head troubled me. "
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James: Hmmm... hmmm...
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you know, it's when
we're being troubled,
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it's when we're at peace...
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it's when we're prospering and
when we're in peace and safety
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that sometimes God stirs
up the waters a little bit.
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Yvonne: Yeah, yeah.
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James: Because when we
get all relaxed and lackadaisy
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that's the time when we're
susceptible to going astray...
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to going in the
wrong direction...
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and so, he's again working...
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God is again
working with Nebuchadnezzar
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and he's
working through a dream.
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Yvonne: Hmmm... hmmm...
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James: "I had a dream... I
had a vision that troubled me"
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and when I think about this,
he's in a false security...
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he's in this world but
not in the eternal world...
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that's where he's at
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and so, God wants to stir us up
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and I think about how
Nebuchadnezzar opens this up
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and it's so powerful
because basically he says,
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"Peace be multiplied unto you. "
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Yvonne: Hmmm... Jason: Hmmm...
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James: What? Who is that?
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That sounds
like Paul doesn't it?
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You know what's
really interesting about Paul
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and Nebuchadnezzar?
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Nebuchadnezzar
persecuted God's people...
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Paul persecuted God's
people. Yvonne: Hmmm...
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James: Both of them went through
this incredible experience
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where they saw
Jesus the Son of God
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and through that
whole experience,
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they started
preaching the gospel...
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"Peace be multiplied unto you...
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grace from our
Lord Jesus Christ... "
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this is what Nebuchadnezzar...
this is him converted right here
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he's just going back and
he's telling his experience.
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Yvonne: Yeah...
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James: It's powerful
isn't it? Yvonne: Yes indeed...
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and he's proclaiming
that God is the most high God.
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James: "How great are His signs!
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and how mighty are his wonders!"
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Yvonne: Yes, he
is... he is praising God.
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James: He's a 100%
converted right here
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and we're going to
see that more and more
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when we get into the rest of the
story... it's a powerful story,
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any more thoughts to
that before we move on?
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Jason: As I was reading
it... and I was just like,
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"Who is this guy now?
after reading about him before,
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yeah... what took place?"
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James: You know what Jason,
that's a really good point...
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that's a really
good point isn't it?
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Because I remember, when
I first became a Christian,
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I was a party guy
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and I didn't
think I was a bad guy,
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I thought I was
better than a lot of people
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but I was... I was a bad guy...
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and... and when I
gave my heart to Jesus,
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a lot of my friends were
like, "Wow, you've changed...
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you have changed...
we are interested... "
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I remember one... one...
one time I went to church,
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there were six
of my friends there
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and they were just there
because they'd seen a change...
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I hadn't told them
much... they were just there
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because they'd
seen the change in me
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and they just all
wanted to come to this church.
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So, Nebuchadnezzar to change...
like, what happened to him?
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That's a really good point.
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Jason: That's almost like
when we were talking before
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in a previous program
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about how Nebuchadnezzar wanted
what the three Hebrews had.
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James: He saw they had no fear,
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they saw they were
sold out for God...
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and he was mad at himself,
remember, we've thought that,
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he was mad at himself.
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All: Hmmm... hmmm... hmmm...
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James: Now he's got it...
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he's not far
from every one of us,
00:06:06.56\00:06:07.90
we can have that... it's just...
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we don't have to be thinking,
"Oh, that's for somebody else"
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and this is what I like
about Nebuchadnezzar and Paul.
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These guys were bad guys...
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like,
Nebuchadnezzar was a bad guy...
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he had... he was a
K I L L A... right?
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"You look at me
wrong... you're done... "
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dunghill house... and...
and now he's transformed.
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Jason: Hmmm... hmmm...
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James: If God can
transform Nebuchadnezzar...
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God can transform anybody.
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I think that's the message here
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that God is
trying to communicate.
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"You're not too far gone...
you haven't done too much...
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you're not too bad...
you're not too terrible...
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you're not... you're not
as bad as you think you are
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I can save you. "
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There is mercy...
there is forgiveness...
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there is transformation that
can take place in your life.
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Every single person on Planet
Earth needs to know that, yeah.
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Yvonne: And look how
much more powerful it is
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to have this in
Nebuchadnezzar's words...
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instead of Daniel talking about
Nebuchadnezzar's transformation,
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Nebuchadnezzar is
saying to himself...
00:07:04.95\00:07:08.39
he's saying... giving
praise to the Most High God
00:07:08.42\00:07:12.53
so, you see the
guy in the last chapter
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was ready to burn up
everybody and kill everybody
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and this guy is
praising the Most High God...
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he's saying, "There's
something bigger than me...
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bigger than I am... "
00:07:24.44\00:07:26.14
so, that to me... I
mean... our testimony...
00:07:26.17\00:07:29.21
our own personal
testimony is so powerful...
00:07:29.24\00:07:32.01
so much better than me telling
about your journey, Jason...
00:07:32.08\00:07:37.09
that's okay... but you
telling about your journey,
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it makes all the
difference you know,
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because people see
the difference in you.
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Jason: Yeah.
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Yvonne: So, that's
what Nebuchadnezzar did.
00:07:46.53\00:07:48.20
James: And there's a place...
00:07:48.23\00:07:50.27
there's a place
for everyone of us...
00:07:50.30\00:07:51.63
Yvonne: Yes.
00:07:51.67\00:07:53.00
James: Sometimes we
think "Oh, the preacher...
00:07:53.03\00:07:54.57
that's his place... he
needs to preach and share. "
00:07:54.60\00:07:57.01
No, we all have a testimony
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so, God made a
place for Nebuchadnezzar
00:07:58.77\00:08:00.88
in this inspired
book of Daniel...
00:08:00.91\00:08:02.41
this prophetic book of Daniel...
00:08:02.44\00:08:03.88
and Daniel, you
know, the humility there,
00:08:03.91\00:08:06.05
"Yeah, you write that,
00:08:06.08\00:08:07.42
we'll put it in but you write
that... this is your story...
00:08:07.45\00:08:09.68
there's a place for
you in this story...
00:08:09.72\00:08:11.25
there's a place
for you in the Bible...
00:08:11.29\00:08:12.82
there's a place for you
in God's history book...
00:08:12.85\00:08:14.92
there's a place for you...
00:08:14.96\00:08:16.39
there's a place for
every single person...
00:08:16.42\00:08:17.93
even the worst...
there's a place for you. "
00:08:17.96\00:08:19.29
Yvonne: Yeah.
00:08:19.33\00:08:20.66
James: So, all of that
is coming together here
00:08:20.70\00:08:22.03
in these first few
verses, it's really powerful.
00:08:22.06\00:08:23.73
Yvonne: At the
beginning of his testimony,
00:08:23.77\00:08:25.67
he says he was lying in his bed
00:08:25.70\00:08:27.64
and he had a vision
that troubled him...
00:08:27.67\00:08:30.64
again, anxiety...
"This is who I was... "
00:08:30.71\00:08:33.68
so, he's talking
about his journey
00:08:33.71\00:08:36.81
and he's talking
about who he was.
00:08:36.85\00:08:38.61
This is the guy
we used to see...
00:08:38.65\00:08:40.35
"I was lying in my bed
and I was really troubled... "
00:08:40.38\00:08:43.72
but then, he goes on...
and then we see what happens.
00:08:43.75\00:08:48.62
Ivor: I think you
can... even verse 7 and 8
00:08:48.66\00:08:52.36
which we haven't read yet is
really very interesting to me.
00:08:52.39\00:08:54.33
Yvonne: Hmmm...
00:08:54.36\00:08:55.86
Ivor: Because it says,
"Then came in the magicians,
00:08:55.90\00:08:57.63
the astrologers, the
Chaldeans, and the soothsayers:
00:08:57.67\00:08:59.93
and I told the
dream before them. "
00:08:59.97\00:09:02.57
"Wait a minute...
didn't we do this before?"
00:09:02.60\00:09:05.81
Yvonne: Yeah, right,
haven't been here before...
00:09:05.84\00:09:07.74
Ivor: "Haven't we been here
before? are you... are you...
00:09:07.78\00:09:09.61
are you going back and forth?
00:09:09.64\00:09:11.35
Are you being double minded?
00:09:11.41\00:09:13.38
Are you swayed?
00:09:13.42\00:09:14.75
I mean, you know
who to go to first...
00:09:14.78\00:09:16.82
why are you going
back to your gods... "
00:09:16.85\00:09:19.09
Yvonne: "Why are
you wasting time?"
00:09:19.12\00:09:21.02
Ivor: "And so, I
told them the dream...
00:09:21.06\00:09:22.92
I told the dream before them;
00:09:22.96\00:09:24.29
but they did not
make known unto me
00:09:24.33\00:09:26.13
the interpretation thereof. "
00:09:26.16\00:09:27.50
The next verse doesn't say,
00:09:27.53\00:09:28.86
"I commanded them
all to be killed... "
00:09:28.90\00:09:30.23
you know, it's
like, again he is like...
00:09:30.27\00:09:32.87
he's mellowed...
he's a different person
00:09:32.90\00:09:35.27
but there is that
swaying back and forth
00:09:35.30\00:09:37.87
"But at the last
Daniel came in before me,
00:09:37.91\00:09:41.08
whose name was Belteshazzar,
according to the name of my God"
00:09:41.11\00:09:43.38
you know,
00:09:43.41\00:09:44.75
"and in whom is the
spirit of the holy gods:
00:09:44.78\00:09:46.98
and before him I told
the dream, saying... "
00:09:47.02\00:09:49.55
then he goes into the dream
but you just see this anxiety
00:09:49.58\00:09:53.99
same thing happens...
"I'm going to call on my gods"
00:09:54.02\00:09:56.79
but at the same time he doesn't
command that they all be killed
00:09:56.83\00:10:00.30
he goes to Daniel...
Daniel tells him the dream
00:10:00.33\00:10:03.20
so, you see this
struggle... you know,
00:10:03.23\00:10:06.07
the good that I
would... I do not...
00:10:06.10\00:10:08.00
Yvonne: Yes.
00:10:08.04\00:10:09.37
Ivor: Same struggle as
Paul, right? and it's just...
00:10:09.40\00:10:12.94
it's very interesting
to see that confidence...
00:10:12.97\00:10:16.34
to actually see him growing...
see his battle between...
00:10:16.38\00:10:19.91
"Do I follow the Lord or
do I go back to my old ways?"
00:10:19.95\00:10:23.45
Yvonne: Yeah, yeah.
00:10:23.49\00:10:25.05
James: "I'll
try one more time...
00:10:25.09\00:10:26.45
I'm going to try the
world one more time... "
00:10:26.49\00:10:28.16
Yvonne: Yeah. Jason: Yeah.
00:10:28.19\00:10:29.52
James: "My
expectations are lower this time
00:10:29.56\00:10:30.96
so, if they don't
meet my expectations,
00:10:30.99\00:10:32.73
I'm not going to kill
them but I'm going to try
00:10:32.76\00:10:34.10
and give them one more chance...
00:10:34.13\00:10:35.46
see if this is real...
00:10:35.50\00:10:36.83
whoa... yeah, it doesn't work...
00:10:36.87\00:10:38.90
because the first time
I tried this with them,
00:10:38.93\00:10:41.07
I didn't really
know the dream...
00:10:41.10\00:10:42.44
so, maybe I was...
maybe that was unfair...
00:10:42.47\00:10:44.44
that was unfair...
let me try it again...
00:10:44.47\00:10:46.47
this time, I'll give
them the dream... and then...
00:10:46.51\00:10:48.64
yeah, they'll probably
give me the interpretation... "
00:10:48.68\00:10:50.71
"Whoa... man... they can't
even deliver the interpretation,
00:10:50.75\00:10:54.08
they can't really fulfill
my... satisfy my needs...
00:10:54.12\00:10:56.18
so, they really can't at all...
the world really can't do that,
00:10:56.22\00:10:58.75
you know, you go
back to the world
00:10:58.79\00:11:00.22
but really... it's...
it's even more empty now. "
00:11:00.26\00:11:02.72
You're giving it a second
chance... a third chance...
00:11:02.79\00:11:05.23
but it really doesn't do it.
00:11:05.26\00:11:06.59
I would love
that... that's powerful.
00:11:06.63\00:11:08.13
All right, so let's pick
up with dream then in verse 9,
00:11:08.16\00:11:11.77
Jason, do you
want to read for us?
00:11:11.80\00:11:13.47
Let's read from verse 9 all the
way down to verse, I think, 18
00:11:13.50\00:11:19.77
yeah verse 18... 9 to 18.
00:11:19.81\00:11:21.34
Jason: Okay, "Belteshazzar,
chief of the magicians,
00:11:21.38\00:11:24.85
because I know that the Spirit
of the Holy God is in you,
00:11:24.88\00:11:28.15
and no secret troubles you,
00:11:28.18\00:11:29.52
explain to me the visions
of my dream that I have seen,
00:11:29.55\00:11:32.79
and its interpretation.
00:11:32.82\00:11:34.16
These were the visions
of my head while on my bed:
00:11:34.19\00:11:37.36
I was looking, and behold,
00:11:37.39\00:11:39.49
a tree in the
midst of the earth,
00:11:39.53\00:11:41.06
and its height was great.
00:11:41.10\00:11:43.90
The tree grew and became strong;
00:11:43.93\00:11:46.00
its height
reached to the heavens,
00:11:46.03\00:11:48.00
and it could be seen to
the ends of all the earth.
00:11:48.04\00:11:50.87
Its leaves were
lovely, its fruit abundant,
00:11:50.91\00:11:53.88
and in it was food for all.
00:11:53.91\00:11:56.14
The beasts of the
field found shade under it,
00:11:56.18\00:11:58.75
the birds of the
heavens dwelt in its branches,
00:11:58.81\00:12:01.35
and all flesh was fed from it.
00:12:01.38\00:12:03.75
I saw in the visions of
my head while on my bed,
00:12:03.79\00:12:07.12
and there was a
watcher, a holy one,
00:12:07.16\00:12:11.06
coming down from heaven.
00:12:11.09\00:12:12.43
He cried aloud and said thus:
00:12:12.46\00:12:14.50
'Chop down the tree
and cut off its branches,
00:12:14.53\00:12:17.33
strip off its leaves
and scatter its fruit.
00:12:17.37\00:12:20.14
Let the beasts
get out from under it,
00:12:20.17\00:12:22.74
and the birds from its branches.
00:12:22.77\00:12:24.41
Nevertheless leave the
stump and roots in the earth,
00:12:24.44\00:12:28.24
bound with a band
of iron and bronze,
00:12:28.28\00:12:31.01
in the tender
grass of the field.
00:12:31.08\00:12:33.78
Let it be wet
with the dew of heaven,
00:12:33.82\00:12:36.58
and let him
graze with the beasts
00:12:36.62\00:12:39.39
on the grass of the earth.
00:12:39.42\00:12:40.82
Let his heart be
changed from that of a man,
00:12:40.86\00:12:43.96
let him be given
the heart of a beast,
00:12:43.99\00:12:46.76
and let seven
times pass over him.
00:12:46.80\00:12:49.46
This decision is by
the decree of the watchers,
00:12:49.50\00:12:52.40
and the sentence by
the word of the holy ones,
00:12:52.43\00:12:55.40
in order that
the living may know
00:12:55.44\00:12:57.61
that the Most High
rules in the kingdom of men,
00:12:57.64\00:13:00.51
gives it to whomever He will,
00:13:00.58\00:13:03.24
and sets over it
the lowest of men. '
00:13:03.28\00:13:05.38
This dream I, King
Nebuchadnezzar, have seen.
00:13:05.41\00:13:09.75
Now you, Belteshazzar,
declare its interpretation,
00:13:09.78\00:13:14.09
since all the
wise men of my kingdom
00:13:14.12\00:13:16.12
are not able to make
known to me the interpretation;
00:13:16.16\00:13:19.06
but you are able,
00:13:19.09\00:13:20.90
for the Spirit of
the Holy God is in you. "
00:13:20.93\00:13:22.83
James: Wow! I love
that last sentence,
00:13:22.86\00:13:26.30
he starts out and
you can see him wrestling
00:13:26.33\00:13:28.40
he says, "I asked
Daniel to come in...
00:13:28.47\00:13:30.51
Daniel to come in
00:13:30.57\00:13:32.04
who is Belteshazzar
according to my gods... "
00:13:32.07\00:13:34.31
so, he's... he's...
he's going back and forth...
00:13:34.34\00:13:36.58
Daniel... Belteshazzar...
Daniel... Belteshazzar,
00:13:36.61\00:13:38.45
"Now, Daniel, give
me the interpretation,
00:13:38.48\00:13:40.88
because all our magicians...
00:13:40.92\00:13:42.25
they haven't been able to
give me this interpretation. "
00:13:42.28\00:13:43.62
Yvonne: Yeah.
00:13:43.65\00:13:44.99
James: And, you
know, it's amazing...
00:13:45.02\00:13:46.35
some of the stuff
that he's bringing out here
00:13:46.42\00:13:48.39
where he talks about...
00:13:48.42\00:13:49.76
that God is setting up over
the world... the basest of men.
00:13:49.79\00:13:55.73
James: And again, that's
our same theme right here
00:13:55.76\00:13:58.60
that God is
interested in the basest of men.
00:13:58.63\00:14:01.27
Yvonne: Hmmm... hmmm...
00:14:01.30\00:14:02.87
James: But one of the
thoughts that I really love here
00:14:02.90\00:14:04.24
in verse 15...
00:14:04.27\00:14:05.61
and this could
be a sermon title...
00:14:05.64\00:14:06.98
All: Laughter.
00:14:07.01\00:14:08.48
James: "Nevertheless... "
00:14:08.54\00:14:09.94
just "Nevertheless...
" I just love that.
00:14:09.98\00:14:12.21
Nevertheless... this
is going to happen...
00:14:12.25\00:14:14.42
this is happen... all
this is going to be...
00:14:14.45\00:14:16.32
these calamities are going
to take place... nevertheless...
00:14:16.35\00:14:18.62
no matter what
happens in our lives,
00:14:18.65\00:14:20.69
no matter how much
is taken from us...
00:14:20.72\00:14:22.72
no matter how much we lose,
00:14:22.76\00:14:24.09
no matter how low we
come... nevertheless...
00:14:24.13\00:14:26.73
there's... there's a
band... there's a hope...
00:14:26.76\00:14:29.53
there's... there's
a prodigal father...
00:14:29.56\00:14:31.93
there's... there's...
there's someone who is with us
00:14:31.97\00:14:35.24
all the way to the end...
00:14:35.27\00:14:37.11
He will never leave us nor
forsake us... nevertheless...
00:14:37.14\00:14:39.51
and to me, that's the
hope that Nebuchadnezzar has...
00:14:39.57\00:14:41.91
that's the hope that
Daniel is going to bring to him
00:14:41.94\00:14:44.05
through this whole calamity.
00:14:44.11\00:14:45.45
Yvonne: Hmmm... hmmm... hmmm...
00:14:45.48\00:14:47.08
James: What are
your thoughts guys?
00:14:47.12\00:14:48.75
Yvonne: I love the fact
that... okay, so this tree
00:14:48.78\00:14:53.42
it... it was strong
and powerful and all that
00:14:53.46\00:14:57.33
but then, chop down the
tree, cut off its branches...
00:14:57.36\00:15:02.56
strip off its
leaves... scatter its fruit...
00:15:02.60\00:15:04.67
the beasts get
out from under it...
00:15:04.73\00:15:07.60
the tree is now just desolate...
00:15:07.64\00:15:10.51
except... that bond with iron...
a band of iron and bronze...
00:15:10.54\00:15:17.35
iron... which is so strong
00:15:17.38\00:15:19.15
that that root is not
going to be destroyed.
00:15:19.18\00:15:23.49
That is the covering that God
has over our lives, I love it.
00:15:23.52\00:15:29.02
Jason: I like the
fact that they had to...
00:15:29.06\00:15:32.13
well, King Nebuchadnezzar
had to resort back
00:15:32.16\00:15:35.20
to God's servant Daniel...
00:15:35.26\00:15:38.13
he tried, like you
said, Pastor Myers,
00:15:38.17\00:15:41.84
he tried the world...
he tried these other guys
00:15:41.87\00:15:45.94
but he had to go back to God
00:15:45.97\00:15:48.44
and... and he... I mean...
00:15:48.48\00:15:50.85
he should have gone
there in the first place,
00:15:50.88\00:15:52.61
but it was... it was
what he had to resort back to.
00:15:52.65\00:15:57.59
James: Yeah, the
world disappointed him again
00:15:57.62\00:15:59.92
and he... and he... but
it's really cool, I think,
00:15:59.95\00:16:03.19
it's a powerful message that
when the world disappoints us,
00:16:03.22\00:16:06.43
we can still go back to God.
00:16:06.46\00:16:08.20
We could say, "Whoa, no way...
00:16:08.23\00:16:09.86
you should have
come to me first... "
00:16:09.93\00:16:11.37
Like, hey,
Daniel could have said,
00:16:11.40\00:16:12.83
"Well, wait a
minute, you just told me
00:16:12.93\00:16:14.74
that you went to the wise
men that couldn't figure it...
00:16:14.77\00:16:16.10
why didn't you
come to me first?"
00:16:16.14\00:16:17.47
We can cop an attitude,
you know what I'm saying?
00:16:17.51\00:16:19.01
But no... God says, "I'm here...
00:16:19.04\00:16:20.51
when everyone else disappoints
you, I'll still be here.
00:16:20.54\00:16:22.84
Even though you
went to them first...
00:16:22.91\00:16:24.58
I'm glad you came to Me. "
00:16:24.61\00:16:26.55
Yvonne: Yes... yes...
Jason: Yeah, that's beautiful.
00:16:26.61\00:16:29.08
Yvonne: That is beautiful.
00:16:29.12\00:16:30.45
Ivor: God saves
the best for last.
00:16:30.49\00:16:31.82
All: Hmmm...
00:16:31.85\00:16:33.19
Ivor: As you have the story
of Jesus at the wedding feast...
00:16:33.22\00:16:39.79
Yvonne: Changing
the water into wine.
00:16:39.83\00:16:42.20
Ivor: He says, "Right now,
let me give you the real thing"
00:16:42.23\00:16:44.17
and they say, "You
saved the best for last"
00:16:44.23\00:16:47.70
so... yeah...
00:16:47.74\00:16:49.14
Yvonne: Yes... it's good.
00:16:49.17\00:16:51.71
James: All right,
any other thoughts
00:16:51.74\00:16:53.21
before we get into...
into the... to the next verse?
00:16:53.24\00:16:55.01
I say "the next verse"
00:16:55.04\00:16:57.61
because I want us to spend a
little bit of time on this verse
00:16:57.65\00:17:00.32
Jason, can you
read for us verse 19?
00:17:00.38\00:17:03.35
Jason: Sure, "Then Daniel,
whose name was Belteshazzar,
00:17:03.39\00:17:06.62
was astonished for a time,
and his thoughts troubled him.
00:17:06.65\00:17:09.86
So the king spoke, and said,
00:17:09.92\00:17:11.59
'Belteshazzar,
do not let the dream
00:17:11.63\00:17:13.43
or its
interpretation trouble you. '
00:17:13.46\00:17:15.26
Belteshazzar answered and said,
00:17:15.30\00:17:17.97
'My lord, may the dream
concern those who hate you,
00:17:18.00\00:17:21.47
and its interpretation
concern your enemies!'"
00:17:21.50\00:17:24.34
James: Whooo... this is
an amazing verse right here,
00:17:24.37\00:17:28.34
this is an amazing revelation of
the heart and spirit of Daniel
00:17:28.38\00:17:32.38
okay, he knows
what the dream is...
00:17:32.41\00:17:34.42
he knows what the dream
is but he is astonished...
00:17:34.45\00:17:38.45
he is waiting... he's like,
00:17:38.52\00:17:40.32
"How do I tell
Nebuchadnezzar this?
00:17:40.36\00:17:42.86
How do I... how do
I tell him the truth
00:17:42.89\00:17:45.29
but do it in a way
that will win his heart. "
00:17:45.33\00:17:47.80
He... he's reluctant...
00:17:47.83\00:17:49.96
some of us don't have a
reluctant bone in our body.
00:17:50.00\00:17:52.63
Yvonne: Hmmm...
00:17:52.67\00:17:54.00
James: Like, "This is the
truth, you need to hear it...
00:17:54.04\00:17:55.60
yeah, I need to tell you
that... now you just... "
00:17:55.64\00:17:59.27
you know what I'm
saying? Yvonne: Yeah.
00:17:59.31\00:18:00.64
James: Daniel is like,
"Man, I got to... this is... "
00:18:00.68\00:18:02.34
and so, this is how
he does it, he says,
00:18:02.41\00:18:04.48
"This dream... "
which God gave him...
00:18:04.51\00:18:06.51
is... "your enemies are
going to love this dream...
00:18:06.55\00:18:08.68
this is for
those who hate you... "
00:18:08.72\00:18:11.45
wow, Daniel...
he's so reluctant...
00:18:11.49\00:18:14.16
but what I love about
this even in his reluctance...
00:18:14.19\00:18:16.83
which Nebuchadnezzar sees
00:18:16.86\00:18:18.43
and therefore, I
think it softens his heart,
00:18:18.46\00:18:20.63
even in his reluctance,
he still tells him the dream.
00:18:20.70\00:18:22.60
Yvonne: Hmmm...
00:18:22.63\00:18:23.97
see some of us are...
00:18:24.00\00:18:25.47
we don't have a
reluctant bone in our bodies
00:18:25.53\00:18:26.90
but others are so reluctant
that we don't say anything.
00:18:26.94\00:18:29.44
Yvonne: Right... that's right.
00:18:29.50\00:18:31.04
James: You got the two
extremes Yvonne: That's right.
00:18:31.07\00:18:32.41
James: No
reluctance... and like,
00:18:32.44\00:18:33.81
so reluctant that we're
not going to say a word.
00:18:33.84\00:18:35.18
Yvonne: That's right.
00:18:35.21\00:18:36.54
James: Daniel is
just... for us he's portraying
00:18:36.58\00:18:38.85
his perfect
balance. Yvonne: Yes.
00:18:38.88\00:18:40.65
James: The reluctance...
but still being faithful to God,
00:18:40.68\00:18:43.18
the reluctance... but
still being faithful to God.
00:18:43.22\00:18:45.22
James: "This is
to your enemies... "
00:18:45.25\00:18:46.89
in the very next
verse... then he says,
00:18:46.92\00:18:48.52
got to get my glasses on...
00:18:48.56\00:18:50.09
"The tree which thou sawest... "
00:18:50.13\00:18:51.46
I'm not going to
read the whole verse...
00:18:51.49\00:18:52.83
"The tree which thou sawest...
" so he goes right into...
00:18:52.86\00:18:54.20
"I'm going to
tell you what it is. "
00:18:54.23\00:18:55.56
Yvonne: Right.
00:18:55.60\00:18:56.93
James: But Nebuchadnezzar
knows at this point
00:18:56.97\00:18:58.47
that Daniel is reluctant...
that he's wrestling with this.
00:18:58.50\00:19:01.77
James: Right? We
need to ask God...
00:19:01.80\00:19:04.44
how can we be as wise as
serpents and harmless as doves
00:19:04.47\00:19:06.54
we don't... as Christians,
00:19:06.57\00:19:08.21
we don't have to
be in people's faces,
00:19:08.24\00:19:10.58
you know, we don't
have to be that upset,
00:19:10.61\00:19:12.51
angry... Yvonne:
Confrontational...
00:19:12.55\00:19:14.35
James: Yeah, confrontational,
"You're going to hell... "
00:19:14.38\00:19:16.25
yeah but... that...
00:19:16.28\00:19:17.62
Ivor: Shall we
call fire down on them?
00:19:17.65\00:19:19.09
James: Yes, yeah... yeah.
00:19:19.12\00:19:23.09
we need to come...
and... and again...
00:19:23.12\00:19:25.53
this is three
angels' messages...
00:19:25.59\00:19:26.93
we need to come with the
everlasting gospel first.
00:19:26.96\00:19:29.33
Before we get into...
the Mark of the Beast...
00:19:29.36\00:19:32.00
the fire and brimstone...
00:19:32.03\00:19:33.70
we got to come with the
everlasting gospel first,
00:19:33.74\00:19:35.67
the everlasting
gospel prepares the way
00:19:35.70\00:19:37.51
for the rest of the message
00:19:37.54\00:19:38.97
and that's what we
see Daniel doing here,
00:19:39.01\00:19:41.08
he's preparing the way
for the rest of the message.
00:19:41.11\00:19:42.94
He's coming with the gospel,
he's coming with this grace...
00:19:42.98\00:19:45.98
this heart of grace
toward Nebuchadnezzar.
00:19:46.01\00:19:48.08
and I think that's what...
00:19:48.12\00:19:49.45
part of what wins
Nebuchadnezzar's heart.
00:19:49.48\00:19:51.99
Yvonne: Yeah...
because Nebuchadnezzar sees
00:19:52.02\00:19:54.62
that Daniel didn't
really want to tell him,
00:19:54.66\00:19:57.23
because he... he
said... let's see here...
00:19:57.26\00:20:00.06
James: "Don't let it
trouble you... " he said.
00:20:00.10\00:20:02.90
Yvonne: Yeah, "Then Daniel,
whose name was Belteshazzar,
00:20:02.93\00:20:05.27
was astonished for a time...
00:20:05.33\00:20:06.67
so the king spoke, and said,
00:20:06.74\00:20:08.07
'Belteshazzar, do not let
the dream or its interpretation
00:20:08.10\00:20:11.27
trouble you... '"
00:20:11.31\00:20:12.64
he saw in his
face... he didn't want to...
00:20:12.67\00:20:14.51
he knew that it
wasn't good news...
00:20:14.54\00:20:17.21
you know, just
like Joseph telling
00:20:17.25\00:20:20.85
the baker and the
other guy in prison
00:20:20.88\00:20:24.45
what their dreams were
00:20:24.49\00:20:26.89
the steward... the
baker and the steward...
00:20:26.96\00:20:29.89
what their dreams
were... one had a good dream
00:20:29.92\00:20:32.83
and the other
didn't have a good dream...
00:20:32.89\00:20:34.56
in this case, Daniel
didn't really want to say either
00:20:34.60\00:20:38.93
but he had to tell him...
he had to be faithful to God
00:20:38.97\00:20:43.30
and he... he was what?
00:20:43.34\00:20:44.67
James: He was reluctant
but he was not negligent.
00:20:44.71\00:20:46.91
Yvonne: Right.
00:20:46.94\00:20:48.28
James: He was reluctant
but he wasn't negligent.
00:20:48.31\00:20:49.64
Yvonne: Right...
James: That's a balance there.
00:20:49.68\00:20:51.01
Yvonne: That's important.
00:20:51.05\00:20:52.38
James: In
Colossians 4 verse 6, it says,
00:20:52.41\00:20:53.88
"Let your speech or
conversation or communication
00:20:53.92\00:20:57.22
be always with grace
seasoned with salt. "
00:20:57.25\00:21:00.22
Yvonne: Hmmm...
00:21:00.26\00:21:01.59
James: Now, sometimes I
think, we as Christians...
00:21:01.62\00:21:04.39
our conversation or
the way we communicate
00:21:04.43\00:21:07.93
is like an entree of
salt seasoned with grace.
00:21:07.96\00:21:11.43
Yvonne: Hmmm... Jason: Hmmm...
00:21:11.47\00:21:13.80
James: I love potatoes
and when I eat potatoes,
00:21:13.84\00:21:15.97
I like a little
bit of salt on them
00:21:16.00\00:21:17.71
but the main
entree is the potatoes.
00:21:17.74\00:21:19.37
So, the Bible is saying,
00:21:19.41\00:21:20.74
the main entree
needs to be grace
00:21:20.78\00:21:22.21
but don't leave off the salt,
00:21:22.24\00:21:23.61
because the world
is bland with iniquity,
00:21:23.65\00:21:25.35
I mean, we need some salt,
you are the salt of the earth
00:21:25.38\00:21:27.45
so you got to put
some salt on there
00:21:27.48\00:21:28.82
but have you ever eaten
things that are just too salty?
00:21:28.85\00:21:30.69
Yvonne: Yes. Jason: Yes.
00:21:30.72\00:21:32.05
James: Or can you
imagine a pile of salt
00:21:32.09\00:21:33.82
with some potatoes sprinkled on?
00:21:33.96\00:21:35.72
we just get people
the truth and we say,
00:21:35.76\00:21:37.13
"and by the way,
Jesus loves you... "
00:21:37.16\00:21:38.53
Yvonne: Right.
00:21:38.56\00:21:39.89
James: "I've got to
let you know that...
00:21:39.93\00:21:41.26
so you know... "
00:21:41.30\00:21:42.63
it needs to be entree Jesus...
entree grace... entree love...
00:21:42.66\00:21:46.13
but put the salt on...
and that's what Daniel does.
00:21:46.17\00:21:49.57
He... he... he is reluctant...
the grace is coming through...
00:21:49.60\00:21:53.71
and he makes sure
to put the salt on it.
00:21:53.74\00:21:55.78
Yvonne: That's good.
00:21:55.81\00:21:57.35
James: Any other thoughts
there before we move on?
00:21:57.41\00:21:58.78
Jason: No...
00:21:58.81\00:22:01.02
James: All right
let's go... verses...
00:22:01.05\00:22:03.39
Yvonne, would
you read verses 20...
00:22:03.42\00:22:05.75
how far should we go Ivor?
00:22:05.79\00:22:08.39
Ivor: Say, let's
go down to 24... 23...
00:22:08.42\00:22:11.33
Yvonne: 23...
"The tree that you saw,
00:22:11.36\00:22:14.23
which grew and became strong,
00:22:14.30\00:22:16.16
whose height
reached to the heavens
00:22:16.20\00:22:18.00
and which could be
seen by all the earth,
00:22:18.03\00:22:20.57
whose leaves were
lovely and its fruit abundant,
00:22:20.60\00:22:23.27
in which was food for all,
00:22:23.30\00:22:24.97
under which the
beasts of the field dwelt
00:22:25.01\00:22:27.48
and in whose branches the birds
of the heaven had their home...
00:22:27.51\00:22:31.38
it is you, O king, who
have grown and become strong;
00:22:31.41\00:22:35.05
for your greatness has grown
and reaches to the heavens,
00:22:35.08\00:22:38.69
and your dominion to
the end of the earth.
00:22:38.72\00:22:40.99
And inasmuch as the king
saw a watcher, a holy one,
00:22:41.02\00:22:45.56
coming down from
heaven and saying,
00:22:45.59\00:22:47.60
'Chop down the
tree and destroy it,
00:22:47.63\00:22:49.56
but leave its stump
and roots in the earth,
00:22:49.60\00:22:53.07
bound with a band
of iron and bronze
00:22:53.10\00:22:55.50
in the tender
grass of the field;
00:22:55.54\00:22:57.87
let it be wet
with the dew of heaven,
00:22:57.91\00:23:00.18
and let him graze with
the beasts of the field,
00:23:00.21\00:23:02.38
till seven times
pass over him... "
00:23:02.41\00:23:05.15
Ivor: You can actually go ahead
and keep reading till verse...
00:23:05.18\00:23:08.62
verse 29.
00:23:08.68\00:23:11.49
Yvonne: Okay,
00:23:11.52\00:23:14.26
"this is the
interpretation, O king,
00:23:14.29\00:23:16.73
and this is the
decree of the Most High,
00:23:16.79\00:23:19.13
which has come
upon my lord the king:
00:23:19.16\00:23:21.46
they shall drive you from men,
00:23:21.50\00:23:23.83
your dwelling shall be
with the beasts of the field,
00:23:23.87\00:23:26.60
and they shall make
you eat grass like oxen.
00:23:26.63\00:23:29.24
They shall wet you
with the dew of heaven,
00:23:29.30\00:23:31.87
and seven times
shall pass over you,
00:23:31.91\00:23:34.31
till you know that the Most High
rules in the kingdom of men,
00:23:34.34\00:23:38.31
and gives it to
whomever He chooses.
00:23:38.35\00:23:40.72
And inasmuch as they gave
the command to leave the stump
00:23:40.75\00:23:45.02
and roots of the tree,
00:23:45.05\00:23:46.39
your kingdom
shall be assured to you,
00:23:46.42\00:23:49.29
after you come to
know that Heaven rules.
00:23:49.32\00:23:52.16
Therefore, O king, let my
advice be acceptable to you;
00:23:52.19\00:23:56.60
break off your
sins by being righteous,
00:23:56.63\00:23:59.27
and your iniquities by
showing mercy to the poor.
00:23:59.30\00:24:02.17
Perhaps there
may be a lengthening
00:24:02.20\00:24:05.17
of your prosperity. "
00:24:05.21\00:24:06.71
James: I would stop
right there, that's good.
00:24:06.74\00:24:08.08
Ivor: Hmmm... hmmm...
00:24:08.11\00:24:09.44
James: Whoooo... Yvonne: Wow!
00:24:09.48\00:24:11.08
James: So, Daniel
comes right out and he says,
00:24:11.11\00:24:13.21
"It is thou O king... "
00:24:13.25\00:24:14.58
reminds me of
Nathan with David..
00:24:14.62\00:24:16.02
."You... you are the
man... it's thou O king... "
00:24:16.05\00:24:18.15
it's the straight testimony.
00:24:18.19\00:24:19.75
Jason: I think that,
like, towards the beginning
00:24:19.79\00:24:22.59
the king might have
been feeling this dream...
00:24:22.62\00:24:25.33
like, he was probably
like, "Yeah... what are you...
00:24:25.36\00:24:27.56
what are you going to tell me?"
00:24:27.60\00:24:28.93
Because when he
was saying in verse 21,
00:24:28.96\00:24:31.20
"Whose leaves...
" oh, no, no, no...
00:24:31.23\00:24:33.64
let's go to verse 20,
00:24:33.67\00:24:35.10
"The tree that you saw,
which grew and became strong,
00:24:35.14\00:24:37.71
whose height
reached to the heavens
00:24:37.74\00:24:39.07
and which could be
seen by all the earth,
00:24:39.14\00:24:41.04
whose leaves were
lovely and it's fruit abundant,
00:24:41.08\00:24:43.08
in which was food for all,
00:24:43.11\00:24:44.55
under which the
beasts of the field dwelt,
00:24:44.58\00:24:46.35
and in whose branches
the birds of the heaven
00:24:46.38\00:24:49.65
had their home...
it is you, O king... "
00:24:49.68\00:24:52.89
so, he was probably
like... he was probably like,
00:24:52.92\00:24:55.96
"Oh well, you know... you
know, Daniel... you know...
00:24:56.02\00:24:59.03
yeah, that's me... "
00:24:59.06\00:25:00.40
and then when he went
on he was probably like,
00:25:00.43\00:25:04.30
"I'm not feeling
this interpretation... "
00:25:04.33\00:25:06.53
Yvonne: Yeah... yeah.
00:25:06.57\00:25:07.90
James: And Daniel
was faithful to share it.
00:25:07.94\00:25:10.01
Yvonne: Yes... yes.
00:25:10.04\00:25:11.41
James: There's going to be times
00:25:11.47\00:25:12.81
when we're going to have to
say some difficult things...
00:25:12.84\00:25:14.54
some challenging things...
00:25:14.58\00:25:15.91
if we're going to
be faithful to Christ,
00:25:15.94\00:25:17.88
but look where it led,
00:25:17.91\00:25:19.81
I mean, look what
happened to Nebuchadnezzar
00:25:19.85\00:25:22.62
because Daniel was faithful.
00:25:22.65\00:25:24.02
Nebuchadnezzar not
only heard some hard things
00:25:24.05\00:25:27.66
but he
experienced some hard things.
00:25:27.69\00:25:29.19
What Daniel predicted
00:25:29.22\00:25:30.79
through the dream that was
given to Nebuchadnezzar by God
00:25:30.83\00:25:33.33
came to pass.
00:25:33.36\00:25:35.03
It didn't actually have to
come to pass... I don't think...
00:25:35.06\00:25:37.77
because Daniel gives
him an option, he says,
00:25:37.80\00:25:40.54
"Hey, you know,
you could actually... "
00:25:40.57\00:25:41.90
what does it say there?
00:25:41.94\00:25:43.27
"You could actually break
away your sins... " verse 27...
00:25:43.30\00:25:47.04
"by righteousness...
" by doing what's right
00:25:47.08\00:25:49.64
"and your iniquities by
showing mercy to the poor... "
00:25:49.68\00:25:51.51
which I think is...
which I think is really cool...
00:25:51.55\00:25:53.78
because bottom
line in Matthew 25...
00:25:53.82\00:25:57.19
when Jesus comes He says,
00:25:57.22\00:25:58.59
"Hey, what did you do
for those that were in prison
00:25:58.62\00:26:02.19
and those who needed water
and those who needed clothes
00:26:02.22\00:26:04.06
and those who needed food?"
00:26:04.09\00:26:05.43
That's the bottom
line of Christianity...
00:26:05.46\00:26:07.20
"Religion pure and undefiled
is this... to visit the widows
00:26:07.23\00:26:10.00
and the orphans in
their affliction. "
00:26:10.03\00:26:11.40
That's the bottom
line... it's not arguing...
00:26:11.43\00:26:13.27
it's not preaching...
00:26:13.30\00:26:14.64
it's... it's ministry...
it's the bottom line...
00:26:14.67\00:26:16.60
so, I love the way Daniel
puts that, it's so powerful.
00:26:16.64\00:26:20.38
Any other
thoughts before we close?
00:26:20.41\00:26:22.58
because we're
running out of time.
00:26:22.61\00:26:23.95
Yvonne: If he had
some anxiety before...
00:26:23.98\00:26:27.65
if Nebuchadnezzar
had anxiety before...
00:26:27.68\00:26:30.49
after hearing
this... this dream...
00:26:30.52\00:26:32.59
but even... he
still has an "out"
00:26:32.62\00:26:35.29
where Daniel says,
"Break off your sins
00:26:35.32\00:26:38.93
by being righteous and
merciful and perhaps... "
00:26:38.96\00:26:43.37
now, it didn't say that the
dream wasn't going to happen,
00:26:43.40\00:26:46.77
"there would be
a lengthening... "
00:26:46.80\00:26:49.27
so, it's still going to happen.
00:26:49.30\00:26:51.51
Ivor: It's... it's
interesting to note that...
00:26:51.54\00:26:53.88
and we talked about
this a little bit earlier
00:26:53.91\00:26:55.48
that that tree
reaching into the heavens
00:26:55.51\00:26:58.58
kind of signified
Nebuchadnezzar's sins
00:26:58.61\00:27:01.95
reaching to a very high place.
00:27:01.98\00:27:04.89
You know, pride
goes before destruction,
00:27:04.92\00:27:07.02
and a haughty
spirit before a fall... "
00:27:07.06\00:27:08.72
and he is exalting himself
00:27:08.76\00:27:10.16
and I think in the
next Program that we do,
00:27:10.19\00:27:14.13
we're going to
stay on Daniel 4...
00:27:14.16\00:27:16.83
I'm going to bring out
some prophetic insights
00:27:16.87\00:27:19.60
that will really,
like, help us again to see,
00:27:19.63\00:27:22.80
how this relates
to us in our time. "
00:27:22.84\00:27:24.34
All: Hmmm... hmmm...
00:27:24.37\00:27:25.71
Ivor: So, yeah...
keep that in mind.
00:27:25.74\00:27:27.84
Yvonne: Yeah,
good... this is good...
00:27:27.91\00:27:30.21
James: It is... Yvonne: Meaty...
00:27:30.25\00:27:31.58
Ivor: It's meaty.
Jason: Yeah, it is.
00:27:31.61\00:27:33.25
James: It's practical...
it's dealing with pride.
00:27:33.28\00:27:35.98
Yvonne: It is, that's right.
00:27:36.02\00:27:37.39
James: We all have
it. Yvonne: That's right.
00:27:37.42\00:27:38.92
James: It just comes
out of us you know, and...
00:27:38.95\00:27:40.46
but God knows how
to deal with that...
00:27:40.49\00:27:42.06
we can trust Him
with that. Yvonne: Amen.
00:27:42.09\00:27:43.53
James: And we can trust other
people too into God's hands,
00:27:43.66\00:27:45.39
that's what Daniel is doing,
00:27:45.43\00:27:46.76
he is trusting Nebuchadnezzar
into God's hands...
00:27:46.80\00:27:48.36
which is sometimes
important for us to do
00:27:48.40\00:27:50.77
so, praise God.
00:27:50.80\00:27:52.13
Jason: Amen.
00:27:52.17\00:27:53.50