CHARACTER: Daniel Had What It took!
“Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts; and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon.”
Dan. 2:48
DOES THE PRIVATE life of a Christian truly impact his or her public life? No question about it! Daniel illustrates why character plays such a vital role.
Daniel could have tried merely to survive his experience as a captive in a foreign land. Instead, he never left his disciplined life of character and personal commitment. Ponder the character he displayed during his times of testing under the kings of Babylon:
1. His Diet: He wouldn’t compromise on ritually unclean foods, but ate only vegetables
2. His Motives: He didn’t take credit for interpreting dreams, but glorified God instead.
3. His Honesty: He spoke the truth to authorities regardless of unpopularity
4. His Disciplines: He continued praying daily even though it might cost him his life
5. His Integrity: He had no interest in bribes or payoffs
6. His Convictions: He stayed committed to his friends and beliefs even as he rose through the ranks.
Character is the foundation on which a Christian builds his or her life. It all begins with character, because Christians operate on the basis of trust. Character communicates credibility, harnesses respect, creates consistency, and earns trust.
Sunday AM
“21” Crucial Qualities of Christians:
#1 - CHARACTER
Col. 3:12-17
I. The Quality Defined
a. Psa. 62:7
b. Col. 3:12-17
II. David’s Character Honored God
a. 1 Sam. 24:1-22
b. 1 Sam. 24:4, 5, 6
c. 1 Sam. 24:17, 18, 19, 20
III. Daniel’s Character Sets Him Apart
a. Dan. 6:6-28
b. Dan. 6:3, 4, 10
c. Dan. 6:25-27
IV. Herod’s Character Revealed Insecurity
a. Matt. 2:1-18
b. Matt. 2:3, 4
c. Matt. 2:7-8
d. Matt. 2:16
V. Conclusion
a. Col. 3:12-17
Sunday PM
Steadfast
1 Cor. 15:50-58
I. Every Christian Must Be Steadfast
a. Luke 9:23-24
b. Jude 3
c. Acts 2:42
d. Gal. 2:20
II. God’s Plan Makes Us Steadfast
a. 2 Pet. 1:3-7
b. Rom. 12:4-5
c. Phil. 1:27
d. Heb. 13:7
e. 1 Pet. 1:3-5
III. Conclusion
a. 1 Cor. 15:58
b. Rom. 6:4
c. 1 John 1:9
Herod Lacked Character and Lost Everything
Acts 12:1-23
EGO DROVE King Herod of Paul’s day, just as it had driven his father and grandfather. They all desperately lacked character.
Herod was the surname of a family of rulers who held power by permission of the roman Empire. Herod the Great ruled at the time of Jesus’ birth; he’s the one who killed all the male babies in Bethlehem. Herod Antipas ordered the beheading of John the Baptizer. The Herod in Acts 12 is Herod Agrippa I, the grandson of Herod the Great.
Herod’s lack of character provides us with many examples of what not to do as a Christian:
1. Herod mistreated his own citizens (12:1).
2. He executed innocent people (12:2).
3. He made decisions based on popularity (12:3).
4. He acted irrationally in difficult times (12:19).
5. He harbored anger toward others (12:20).
6. He sought power our of insecurity (12:20).
7. He projected an infallible image (12:21, 22).
8. He was blinded by his ego (12:23).
In order to improve our character and build a solid foundation for our walk as Christians we must learn from the mistakes of Biblical examples like Herod!