Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Church · Sermon study sheet

Which king do you serve?

Bryan Schneider · July 6, 2019

Daniel 1

sharonrpc.org/sermons/which-king-do-you-serve

Summary

Daniel's life asks whether God's people will serve earthly power, cultural pressure, and personal desire or the sovereign King of kings.
Daniel and his friends resolve not to defile themselves in Babylon, and God grants favor, wisdom, and understanding as they obey him under real risk.
Nebuchadnezzar's dream reveals that God raises and removes kingdoms, while the kingdom represented by the stone will stand forever and is fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refuse idolatry even without presuming that God must spare their lives; their allegiance does not depend on a comfortable outcome.
Nebuchadnezzar repeatedly gives verbal recognition to God yet must be humbled until he acknowledges that the Most High rules human kingdoms and puts down pride.
Daniel 7 identifies the Son of Man as receiving everlasting dominion from the Ancient of Days, and the sermon connects Jesus' preferred title to this royal vision.
Christ is not presented as a local deity or instrument of convenience but as the righteous King who gave himself for his people and calls for whole-hearted allegiance.

How does exile in Babylon test whether Israel's God is understood as Lord of every nation?
What did Daniel and his friends risk by refusing the king's food and later the golden image?
Why do they obey God without presuming that he must deliver them from the furnace?
What does Nebuchadnezzar's statue dream teach about temporary empires and God's everlasting kingdom?
Why is verbal praise of God insufficient when pride and self-rule still govern the heart?
How does Nebuchadnezzar's humiliation expose the irrationality of living only by appetite and ambition?
How does Daniel 7 clarify Jesus' title ‘Son of Man’ and his claim to universal dominion?
Which cultural demand or personal desire most directly competes with your allegiance to Christ the King?

Sovereignty: God's supreme authority over nations, kings, history, wisdom, judgment, and salvation.
Resolve: A settled purpose to obey God rather than defile oneself under pressure from power or culture.
Kingdom of God: The indestructible reign God gives to the Son of Man, surpassing every temporary human empire.
Son of Man: The royal figure in Daniel 7 who receives everlasting dominion and the title Jesus repeatedly uses for himself.
Ancient of Days: Daniel's title for the eternal God seated in judgment and granting dominion to the Son of Man.
Idolatry: Giving worship or ultimate allegiance to any ruler, image, culture, appetite, or desire in place of God.