Series: Stand—Stories of Courage from Daniel. Week 2: Stand Up
How do we Stand Up for what is right?
TWO CONFRONTATIONAL EXTREMES
SOME ARE UNWILLING TO CONFRONT. None of my business. Live and let live. Who am I to judge?
SOME CONFRONT UNLOVINGLY. (Drive by confrontations)
Problem is either we don’t take a stand, or we stand up in the wrong way.
We need to really seek God for wisdom as to, how do we confront, in the right way, at the right time, and for the right reasons.
Daniel 4: King Nebuchadnezzar (evil king, Saddam) actually saw God work, and God move, enough to where it got his attention, and he even kind of would lean toward the things of God.
King dream rattles him. Interpreters couldn’t/wouldn’t.
Nebuchadnezzar calls Daniel—Daniel going to do what’s right-Stand Up!
Daniel 4:13-18
Daniel doesn’t like what he hears! Really sorry.
Examples of Dreams Interpretations from Psychology:
- Falling-something you can’t control.
- Forgetting exam-don’t feel prepared.
- Stuck-overwhelmed.
- Dirty water-sick.
- Chocolate-deserve to be rewarded.
- Have to go to the bathroom-have to go.
- Naked-insecure.
Daniel – confronts Lovingly: I Wish this applied to your enemies!
Daniel Stands Up to king because it’s right thing to do and he wants king know God.
Daniel 4:22
Here is the interpretation: Daniel 4:25-26
Daniel could have stopped-“Did my job-interpreted dream but… Daniel 4:27
PRAYERFUL CONFRONTATION
Galatians 6:1
- GOD, HELP ME CONFRONT WITH THE GOAL OF RESTORATION. Galatians 6:1a
Our goal is not the goal of being right it should be the goal of helping others be right with God.
Approach matters!
- GOD, HELP ME CONFRONT WITH CAUTION. Galatians 6:1b
When you are confronting-you’re vulnerable to pride.
See ourselves as above-others below-all below God.
Daniel confronted King Nebuchadnezzar but King Nebuchadnezzar didn’t turn. Daniel 4:28-33
Daniel 4:34
Daniel did what was right-trusted God with results.
TRUTH: To STAND UP means to do what is RIGHT and TRUST God with the Results.