Those Who Walk in Pride
(Daniel 4)

I. It is good to honor our great and sovereign God for sorrow that leads to repentance. (Daniel 4:1-3; Proverbs 18:12)

II. It is good when our great and sovereign God troubles our heart in order to get our attention. (Daniel 4:4-18; Psalm 10:4)

III. It is good when our great and sovereign God exposes our sin and calls us to righteousness. (Daniel 4:19-27; Proverbs 16:5)

IV. It is good that our great and sovereign God humbles us when we are arrogant and prideful. (Daniel 4:28-33; Isaiah 2:17; Galatians 6:7)

V. It is good to praise our great and sovereign God because He always does what is right. (Daniel 4:34-37; James 4:6,10)

Conclusion: How does our text point to Jesus?

Another in the Fire
(Daniel 3)

I. God’s people will be confronted with the idols of this world (Daniel 3:1-7)

II. God’s people will be criticized by the people of this world. (Daniel 3:8-12)

III. God’s people will be challenged to worship the gods of this world (Daniel 3:13-15)

IV. God’s people must be courageous in the face of danger in this world. (Daniel 3:16-18)

V. God’s people can be confident the Lord is with them. (Daniel 3:19-30)

Conclusion: How Does Our Text Point to Christ (Exodus 3:6,12; Isaiah 43:2; Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 8:37-39; Hebrews 13:5; 1 Peter 4:12-13)

The Kingdom of God
(Daniel 2)

I. God creates impossible situations to reveal His greatness.
A. Unbelievers may respond with anger. (Danel 2:1-13)
B. Believers should respond with wisdom and faith (Daniel 2:14-16)

II. God delights in the prayers and praise of His children.
A. Go to God in prayer. (Daniel 2:17-19)
B. Respond to God’s goodness with praise. (Daniel 2:20-23)

III. God reveals the mystery of His kingdom to demonstrate His power.
A. Only the God of Heaven knows all things. (Daniel 2:24-30)
B. Only the God of Heaven can do all things. (Daniel 2:31-45)

IV. God honors His servants who faithfully serve Him. (Daniel 2:46-47)

Conclusion: How does our text point to Christ? (Luke 20:17-18)

Be Strong and Courageous!
(Daniel 1)

I. God may sovereignly send you to a difficult place.
A. God works in spite of our sins. (Daniel 1:1-2)
B. God works as He scatters His people. (Daniel 1:3)

II. Be careful because culture will try to lead you away from God.
A. Beware of isolation. (Daniel 1:3)
B. Beware of indoctrination. (Daniel 1:4)
C. Beware of assimilation. (Daniel 1:5)
D. Beware of confusion. (Daniel 1:6-7)

III. Determine that you will not compromise your convictions and commitments to God
A. Resist the temptation to defile yourself. (Daniel 1:8)
B. Win the favor of those in authority when possible (Daniel 1:9-10)
C. Wisely offer alternative solutions (Daniel 1:11-13)

IV. Trust God to honor your faithfulness to Him
A. God blessed them physically, mentally, spiritually, and socially. (Daniel 1:14-21; Colossians 3:22-24; 1 Corinthians 10:31)

Faith to the End (Saul Takes His Life)
(1 Samuel 31:1-13)

I. The Tragic Death of Saul
A. The Philistines defeat Israel (1 Samuel 31:1-3)
B. Saul takes his life (1 Samuel 31:4-6)

II. The Dishonor of Saul
A. Fails to protect his people (1 Samuel 31:7)
B. Desecration of the bodies (1 Samuel 31:8-9a)
C. Defamation of the one true God (1 Samuel 31:9b-10)

III. The People of Jabesh Gilead
A. Acted valiantly (1 Samuel 31:11-13)
B. Repaid a debt (1 Samuel 11:1-11)
C. Shown favor for their kindness and loyalty (2 Samuel 2:4-6, 21:12-14)

CONCLUSION:

1. Your choices are important.
2. Your choices have consequences.
3. You need the Holy Spirit to live a life that brings honor and glory to God.

God’s Way (David Fights the Amalekites)
(1 Samuel 30:1-31)

I. Begin with God
A. Find strength in God (1 Samuel 30:1-6; Psalm 28:7)
B. Seek God’s will in prayer (1 Samuel 30:7-8; James 1:5)
C. Act on God’s Word in faith (1 Samuel 30:9-10; James 1:22-24)

II. Stay Focused on God
A. Interruptions may be opportunities (1 Samuel 30:11-15; Mark 5:21-43; Luke 10:25-37)
B. Perseverance brings reward (1 Samuel 30:16-20; James 1:12)

III. Follow God
A. Show grace to others (1 Samuel 30:21-25; Ephesians 4:32)
B. Be generous to others (1 Samuel 30:26-31; 2 Corinthians 8:9)

Rejected by the World (The Philistines Reject David)
(1 Samuel 29:1-11)

I. Living Out Your Faith Brings Conflict
A. Pressure to conform to the world (1 Samuel 29:1-2; Romans 12:2)
B. Persecution for not conforming (1 Samuel 29:3-5; John 15:18-19)

II. Try to live in peace if possible
A. Maintain a good testimony (1 Samuel 29:6-7; 1 Peter 2:12)
B. Keep a clear conscience (1 Samuel 29:8-10; 1 Peter 3:15-16)

III. Trust God’s sovereignty (1 Samuel 29:11)
A. God will provide a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13)
B. God will work all things for good (Romans 8:28)

Seeking God (Saul Seeks a Medium)
(1 Samuel 28:1-25)

I. Do Not Bypass Prayer
A. Seek God in times of trouble (1 Samuel 28:1-4; Psalm 9:9-10)
B. Stay away from the occult (1 Samuel 28:5-7; Deuteronomy 18:10-11)

II. Do Not Bypass Conscience
A. Don’t disregard your conscience (1 Samuel 28:8; Job 24:14-16)
B. Don’t disregard God’s law (1 Samuel 28:9-10; Romans 2:12)

III. Do Not Bypass Obedience
A. Your sin can cause others to sin (1 Samuel 28:11-14; Matthew 18:7)
B. God will judge disobedience (1 Samuel 28:15-19; Romans 2:6-8)

IV. Do Not Bypass God’s Blessing
A. There is no benefit in sin (1 Samuel 28:20-22; Romans 6:21)
B. Eternal life is found in Christ alone (1 Samuel 28:23-25; 1 Chronicles 10:13, Romans 6:23; John 14:6)

Running Away or Running the Race (David among the Philistines)
(1 Samuel 27:1-28:2)

I. Running Away
A. The Heart That Runs: Doubting God’s Promises (1 Samuel 27:1; Psalm 78:21-22)
B. The First Steps: In a Land of Idols (1 Samuel 27:2-4; Proverbs 19:27)
C. A Full Sprint: The Slippery Slope (1 Samuel 27:5-12; Hebrews 3:12-13)
D. Dead in Our Tracks: The Crossroads of Compromise (1 Samuel 28:1-2; Proverbs 16:25)

II. Running the Race (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Trusting God (David Spares Saul Again)
(1 Samuel 26:1-25)

I. Trust God to Make Things Right
A. Look out for temptation (1 Samuel 26:1-7; Matthew 26:41)
B. God will decide, not us (1 Samuel 26:8-11; Romans 12:19)

II. Trust God for Protection
A. Trust in God, not people (1 Samuel 26:12-16; Psalm 146:3-4)
B. Commit your way to the Lord (1 Samuel 26:17-20; Psalm 37:5-6)

III. Trust that God Rewards
A. God rewards all those who do right (1 Samuel 26:21-24; Hebrews 6:10)
B. God can make even your enemies be at peace (1 Samuel 26:25; Proverbs 16:7)