Daniel 1:1-8 – What Youth Can Do – Bible study

Daniel 1:1-8 What Youth Can Do The Book of Daniel is about God, Israel, and prophecy, but not about those alone. It is also about young people doing right. The first three chapters of this book have a special emphasis on four young men, probably just teenage boys as the story begins. The story will continue to focus on Daniel but after chapter three, Daniel wont be the boy being taught. He will be the man doing the teaching. In fact, before the story is completely told, Daniel will be an old man, probably 80 or more years old. But it all starts with an emphasis on four young people. In chapter one, we see some young people who dared to obey God. I. Notice the increased influence that youth have in the nations. A. Youth have always had a great influence in the nations. 1. It may be that the WEALTH of the older folk finance the nation. 2 And it may be that the WISDOM of the older folk lead the nation. 3. But it has always been the STRENGTH of the YOUTH that carry it. a. It is not the middle aged or old who fight in the wars. It is the young. b. The draft never started at 45 or 50. It started at 18. c. Most branches of service will not even accept a person in their 30s if they have not had some previous military experience. B. In America today, more and more it is the influence of the young entrepreneurs who carry the country. 1. 2019 marked the tenth year in a row that millionaires increased in our country. a. Today 3% of the US population are millionaires. b. While most of them are still the older achieving that status through savings and retirement, more and more the youth are making it big. 2. Young millionaires: a. Andrew Mason, created Goupon, millionaire at 29 b. Mark Zuckerberg, co-founder of Facebook, millionaire at 23 c. Francis Doherty – Took his grandmothers recipes for jam and became a millionaire at 16. d. Elise MacMillan did almost the same thing with her grandmothers candies, becoming a millionaire in her teen years. C. It would appear that youths influence in leadership is growing as well. When a sixteen year old girl can stand before the United Nations and chastise the world for ruining her planet, and instead of her getting her bottom spanked and sent home, she gets a standing ovation, I would have to say young peoples influence in leadership is growing. D. But, and I say this somewhat sadly, it is also the youth who direct the standards and general moral conditions of America today. 1. Music, dress, entertainment, impulse buying are directed and influenced by the youth. So much so that the fate of restaurants which have existed for decades close and brick-n-mortar stores decline simply because todays youth no longer patronize those locations. 2. It has been that way for years. a. Rock-n-roll, mini-skirts, shorty-shorts, and an entire sexual revolution were created the youth of the 60s, 70s, and 80s. b. The young people of the 80s and 90s moved our country to become what they termed a "greener," more energy-conserving nation. 3. Even worse, the drug and gang culture was started by the youth of America. Not todays youth, but by youth none- the-less. 4. The youth of today have a different agenda, pushing socialism and perversion to extremes never before imagined. 5. And now todays youth want to put the last of the "boomers" out to pasture and take the reigns leadership while they are still in their 20s E. And maybe it is time for us to move along since we did not do a very good job in keeping America clean; but before we go, let me tell the Christian young people of today that you must make your legacy or God and our country today, right now, or there will be nothing to pass along to your children. must get busy making sure something good happens! II. Notice what influenced the youth of Daniels day. A. It was a decision to stay pure and obey God. Daniel 1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself. 1. Those are not two separate decision, but one in the same. 2. To stay pure was the action they decided upon and to obey God was the motivation they had. 3. If you have the right motives, youll be far more likely to have the right actions. B. It is interesting how unimportant a single decision may seem, but in reality, it is a very important turning point in life. 1. These were just four slave boys who decided to stay pure and to obey God; but before it was finished, their decision would help to influence nations and kingdoms. 2. How is that possible? It is possible because every decision either puts us on a new road or drives us further down the old one. a. It is a New Year. (1) Many would like to lose weight. (2) Every time we go to the pantry or refrigerator, we are making the decision to drive further down the old road of plumpness. b. It is a New Year. (1) Many would like to read through the Bible this year. (2) Every time we go to the television instead of the Bible, we are making the decision to drive further down the old road of carnality. c. Tonight, we will have church at 6:30. (1) Many say they want to learn the Bible, become a better Christian, do more for Jesus. (2) Every time we sit at home instead of going to church, we are making the decision to drive further down the old road of spiritual inactivity. 3. If you want on a new road, start making new decisions. That is what these young men did. C. Consider the consequences of their decision. 1. Even in the immediate, their decisions could have affected their lives, those immediately over them, and their walk with God. a. To those over them, the consequences were not small, especially to the keeper of the eunuchs. He had grown rather attached to his head. b. Even for themselves, this decision could and did change their lives. c. It decided: (1) Whether they would be promoted or demoted, be imprisoned or be free, be educated or dumped into the lot of manual laborers. (2) It could have determined whether they lived or died. 2. However, those were not the most serious repercussions of their decision. a. The wrong decision here could have cost them their walk with God. b. It does not matter what your decisions profit or cost in you this world. It only matters what your decisions profit or cost you before God. 3. Lesson – If you dont start obeying God over the things that you think are small, you will not obey God over the things that you think are important. III. \#11-14\ Notice how these youths influenced a nation for God. A. They did it with a plan. B. Their plan included three parts: 1. Daniels plan was to obey God. 2. Daniels plan was to work with those who could make things happen. 3. Daniels plan was to let God stand up for God. C. Lets consider each of these. 1. Daniels plan was to obey God. a. I have been here a long time and some things you have heard me say many, many times before; but I must say one of them again. b. You do not accidently obey God. You must purpose and work to do so. c. Daniel made the decision that he would obey God and then he did the work to do so. (1) We understand this concept very well. (a) We make plans and work to be educated. (b) We make plans and work for a career. (c) We make plans and work for marriage. (d) We make plans and work for retirement. (2) Why do we think we do not need to make plans and work to obey God? (a) Moses did not happen by Pharaohs palace. i. He planned to be there. ii. God directed Moses to be there. iii. God had the will but Moses did the work to get there. (b) Joshua did not happen to walk near Jericho. i. Under Gods direction, he planned to be there. ii. Indeed, a lot of work and energy went into him and his army being where they were when they were supposed to be there. (c) Jesus did not just happen by Calvary. i. He planned to be there. ii. Isaiah says that Jesus set His face like a flint to be there. d. Let me brag on our people. (1) Yesterday, some 30 or more ladies and men planned and worked to fed and witness to the homeless. (2) Such projects are not accidentally. People plan and work to make them happen. e. Madam, sir, young person, just what are you plans for God? 2. Daniel worked with those who could make things happen. a. The days of doing things for God pretty much ended when God created the church; but the further into the end days we get, the more I see the need for the body of Christ to work together. (1) Daniel was not alone. (2) Daniel had three friends. (3) These friends would put their lives on the line for him as is recorded in chapter 1, but they would also put their lives on the line for God as recorded in chapter 2. b. We need every Christian to be in one or more of the three places of service for God. (1) We need some spiritual soldiers on the front lines fighting the fight. (2) We need some blessed financiers supporting the work of God. (3) We need some prayer warriors praying for the blessings and power of God. c. As you grow in the Lord, you will likely find out that you are better in one of these areas than the other two; but no matter where you excel, you need to cross train and serve in all three areas. d. I want to say something a little tricky. (1) Young people, you need to exceed what you presently are and what you can presently do. (2) That is not intended to be a slam. We all need to exceed what we presently are and what we are presently planning. (3) There is nothing wrong with being a godly miner, or construction worker, or office manager, or doctor, lawyer, or business person; but if we dont get some preachers, some missionaries, some evangelists, some politicians, and some public speakers out of the God-fearing churches like Green Pond Baptist Church, this country is lost. 3. Daniels plan was to let God work. Daniel 1:12 Prove thy servants. a. That is what Daniel said, but what he really meant was, "Prove my God!" b. The key to Daniels plan was to let God work. (1) Daniel wanted his keeper to let them eat the kind of food God had commanded for 10 days and let God work. (2) If God did not use the food that God had commanded the Jews to eat to make them healthier than the kings food, they would end up eating the kings food or starving. (3) Daniels plan was banking on God working! (4) Friend, that is always a safe bet. c. Every plan should count on God working! (1) That is what living by faith is. (2) If God does not show up, something is wrong. (3) Granted, He may not show up to do what we would most like to see done, but God should always show up and such power that even the lost world cannot miss His presence. d. Christians, plan on God showing up! (1) Prove Him. (2) Do the promises of God work? (3) If they work, rely on them. If they dont, lets get another book and another God! Notice in \#15-16\ that the plan worked. 1. Why? Because God gets involved when we people stand for Him and serve Him. 2. That should not surprise us. a. It might have surprised keeper of the eunuchs! b. It might have surprised some of the other prisoners under his care. c. If the king had found out, it might surprise him. d. But it should not surprise Gods people to find out that God does what says He will do. Whether you are a youth or a not-youth, God desires obedience. 1. Maybe you need to obey Him concerning salvation. 2. Maybe you need to obey Him concerning repentance. 3. Maybe you need to obey Him concerning His calling for you life. In whatever area, would you dare to obey God today?