The Country Church Bourbon Indiana

Introduction:

Live in a highly politicized environment.

The political situation is very sensitive.

We have radical groups committed to the oppression and destruction of people of color. And we have radical groups committed to the destruction of history.

Our thoughts increasingly turn to politics. It dominates our news and concerns us greatly.

*convo of Jenni’s family – politics. Visit lady in nursing home, politics*

*story of fellow who insulted and frightened other people at church and claimed constitutional right to free speech – jumped to politics before the Bible*

Are you an American first, or are you a Christian first?

Because of our present condition, because so many of us our looking through the lens of politics, rather than the lens of the Bible, this will likely be a tense sermon.

Because everything is so politically charged at the moment it will be easy to imagine innumerable individuals or organizations that I might be alluding to. It is not directed at any particular individual, but is instead about man’s propensity to disregard and disobey God in pursuit of their own agenda. It just so happens that there is a large amount of that going on in our country today.

No, this sermon is not directed at any one in particular. This sermon is directed at anybody and everybody who would choose to do or advance something that is contrary to the Word of God. And so, in a sense, it is directed at all of us. If you have ever chosen to do something contrary to God’s Word in pursuit of your own things, then this sermon is for you.

Theme: God’s plan for human history is unalterable. Rebelling against His decrees is a futile endeavor. Stay true to God.

Review:

Four kingdoms.

God’s eternal kingdom.

God’s Kingdom will come. The destruction of the kingdoms of man cannot be stopped.

Also: Structure of Daniel – 2, 7 (Vision, Vision) ;; 3, 6 (Furnace, Lions) ;; 4, 5 (Neb, Belshazzar humbled)

Text: Daniel 2:44-3:7

Key verses:

“A great God has made known to the king what shall be after this. The dream is certain, and it’s interpretation sure.” – This is the “last word” delivered by Daniel on the subject. Given how Nebuchadnezzar reacts to the dream, it was a kind of warning. To paraphrase, Daniel is saying “This is certainly what will happen and it cannot be changed.

“An offering and incense be offered up to him… truly your God is God of gods and Lord of kings.” – this does not indicate conversion. Nebuchadnezzar is very wishy washy and has as many gods as he has mood swings. If you look at the surrounding context of his statement, his statement comes across as insincere. Prior to the statement, he idolizes Daniel. After the statement, he rebels against God and reveals his unbelief.

“King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and it’s breadth six cubits…you are commanded to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up… and whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace.” –

What is Nebuchadnezzar trying to accomplish with this edict? Why a golden image? Why so insistent that leaders worship it? Why the threats of death? What is going on here? Let’s look at the facts.

1) This statue is set up right after Daniel reveals the dream and the interpretation. We don’t know the specific time frame, but it’s no accident that these events are recorded back to back. They are related.

2) The dream was of a statue. The golden part of the statue represented Babylon. Below the golden head the body became silver, then bronze, then iron and clay.

3) In this image, it is gold from top to bottom. It is no accident that gold is chosen for this image.

4) Nebuchadnezzar is insistent that every one of his leaders worship this image or be destroyed. Nebuchadnezzar is obviously extremely concerned that this program of his be followed without exception. There is a desperate concern to be obeyed in this matter.

5) This action by Nebuchadnezzar is followed by punishment from God. After the conclusion of the events here, Nebuchadnezzar has another dream. He asks Daniel for the interpretation of this new dream and this is what he says **Daniel 4:24-27** Notice that this punishment is to occur “till you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.”

So, course of events: Nebuchadnezzar has a dream that his kingdom will be replaced by another. Nebuchadnezzar makes an image solidly of gold, which represents him and his kingdom. He uses force and murder to coerce people to worship the image. God punishes Nebuchadnezzar and states that the punishment will continue until Nebuchadnezzar admits that God is greater than him and can give the kingdoms of men to whomever he will.

Adding all of that up, it is no stretch to see what Nebuchadnezzar is trying to do. God has just told him that another kingdom will come after his own. Nebuchadnezzar is trying to prevent that from happening. He has set up an image of uninterrupted gold to state that his kingdom will be uninterrupted. Remember, gold represents Babylon.

He is frantic to ensure that everyone of importance throughout his kingdom submits to this golden image to ensure national stability.

He is determined to destroy anyone who does not worship this image.

Nebuchadnezzar has taken the dream and it’s interpretation seriously, but he has not taken the God behind it seriously enough. He’s taken God seriously enough to believe the dream might come to pass, but he believes it can be stopped. Nebuchadnezzar apparently believes that it is within his power to stop God’s plan.

He was told explicitly that it will come to pass, and that the dream and it’s interpretation sure.

He immediately proceeded to create a golden image.

Nebuchadnezzar obviously believes in God to some degree, but it would appear that he views God as a potential threat to his kingdom, and believes that he is able to alter God’s decree through force and murder.

How mistaken he is.

Theme: “God’s plan for human history is unalterable. Rebelling against His decrees is a futile endeavor.”

In another week we will see just how mistaken Nebuchadnezzar is in this endeavor.

This week we are going to talk about the rebellion of this world leader and what it means to us today.

What Nebuchadnezzar is trying to do has been done many times before him and many times after him. Choosing not to believe God can or will fulfill his word, and then fighting against it, is, sadly, an all too common occurrence.

First, and most directly related to this passage, we see this happening in government and politics. We see it happening today in our own country, and maybe because it is so much more blatant than we have ever seen it before it feels like a new thing to us, but governments and political persons turning against the Lord is not an unusual thing.

There are many forces in our country at this present time which are acting in rebellion against the Word of God. They have agendas contrary to the Bible, ideologies contrary to the Bible. Some of these forces are openly hostile to Christianity – those are bad, but they aren’t the worst. They are easy enough for us to identify and to not be fooled by. The really dangerous ones are the ones wearing Christianity as a mask. These speak in biblical terms, give head nods to God, but if you examine closely what they stand for and seek to advance, it is contrary to God.

See, Nebuchadnezzar knew how to talk the talk. He said “your God is God of gods and Lord of kings.” And because he said those words, some have believed he was saved. But look, he then proceeded to try to force everyone to worship an idol. And most people were taken in with his talk and threats. Only a few young Jewish men resisted, whom we will learn about next week.

We live in a very dangerous time. There are many people out there who are wearing Christian clothes and want you to worship an idol. And it’s not just politicians, but present in all professions within society – some, like politicians, journalists, teachers, lawyers, writers, pastors, etc., just have louder voices than others.

This isn’t intended to scare and depress you, if you are paying attention to the state our country is in, you probably already are. This is not intended to scare you, but to help you be cautious – there are many people who would say “God of gods and Lord of kings” and then act contrary to God’s word. Recognize these people. Do not be fooled by them and do not submit to their ungodly plans.

So, first, this text reminds us that there are forces contrary to God out there, who we need to be aware of and be careful of.

Second, this text reminds us that these forces cannot win. No matter how powerful they might appear. No matter how resounding their victories, God says “the dream is certain, and it’s interpretation sure.”

Theme: “God’s plan for human history is unalterable. Rebelling against His decrees is a futile endeavor

That statue we talked about during our last sermon, the one representing the kingdoms of man. It will be utterly wiped out and in its place will rise the Kingdom of God.

Nebuchadnezzar can try all he wants to stop that and keep his own kingdom afloat for eternity, but it won’t work.

Others have also tried to do it and failed.

Hitler tried to do it and also failed.

*book on Bonhoeffer*

Hitler elected to power. Publicly viewed as a Christian. Publicly portrayed himself as a Christian.

“It has been our misfortune to have the wrong religion. Why didn’t we have the religion of the Japanese, who regard sacrifice for the Fatherland as the highest good? The Mohammedan religion too would have been much more compatible to us than Christianity. Why did it have to be Christianity with its weekends and flabbiness.”

Still today, individuals with anti-God agendas will try to portray Hitler and the Nazis as Christians, despite such obvious and strong evidence to the contrary.

In less than a year:

Privately stated intentions:

“The national church demands immediate cessation of the publishing and dissemination of the Bible in Germany.

The National Church will clear away from its altars all crucifixes, Bibles, and pictures of saints.

On the altars there must be nothing but Mein Kampf (to the German nation and therefore to God the most sacred book) and to the left of the altar a sword.

On the day if it’s foundation, the Christian Cross must be proved from all churches, cathedrals and chapels… and it must be superseded by the only unconquerable symbol, the swastika.

Publicly stated intentions:

“In coarse, crude language, Krause demanded that the German church must once and for all divest itself of every hint of Jewishness. The Old Testament would be first, “with its Jewish money morality and it’s tales of cattle merchants and pumps!” The geographical record notes that sustained applause ensued. The New Testament must be revised,too, and must prevent a Jesus “corresponding entirely with the demands of National Socialism.” And it must no longer present an exaggerated emphasis on the crucified Christ.” This tenet was defeatist and depressing, which was to say Jewish. Germany needed hope and victory… furthermore, he demanded that every German pastor must take an oath if personal allegiance to Hitler And the Aryan Paragraph that demanded the expulsion of every church member of Jewish descent must be heartily accepted by every German church.”

There was plenty of resistance, but many complied.

This didn’t happen overnight. Such opinions had been growing for years.

In our own time now: there are people out there who will talk the talk and promote abortion. There are people out there who will talk the talk and promote racism and oppression. They will promote sexual promiscuity, gender confusion, drugs, and lies and they will do so couched in Christian terms like “love.” They will want you to submit to their cause.

But remember: their kingdoms won’t stand.

This knowledge should reinforce our commitment to choose Jesus as our King. Stand up for the things He promotes and condemn what He condemns, because His kingdom will stand. Rebelling against God isn’t new or novel. It has never caused good things and it won’t now either.

This isn’t intended to tell you to disengage from the world.

Yes, do get involved in this world and promote good causes and exercise your right to vote. But remember that this world is rotting. That’s why God calls you salt.

But keep your allegiance and priorities straight. Be in the world, but not of the world.

Be involved as salt within this kingdom of America, but remember that you are a Christian first and American second.

Don’t be like these people in the story who so easily bowed down before an idol in submission to Nebuchadnezzar’s ungodly plan.

So, this text reminds us that there are forces contrary to God out there, and it teaches us that they will ultimately fail.

And lastly, they it teaches us that the Kingdom of God is coming.

Do you feel discouraged by how things are shaping up in the world today? Do you feel small and powerless to change things? Are you afraid for the future?

We are discouraged, but we have a message of hope. No matter how dark the night, day is coming. Like the forces at Helm’s Deep in the Lord of the Rings, we might feel our situation helpless, but day will break and salvation will come.

Application:

1) Beware agendas, and the people who advocate them, which are against God.

Because

2) Their agenda cannot succeed, no matter how popular. God’s Kingdom is coming.

And therefore

3) Rejoice and be glad. You picked the right team, and a day is coming when we won’t need to have political conversations anymore, because God’s perfect government has been established.

**Read Psalm 2:1-12** (If Time)