Hannah spoke from Daniel.
Asbury Uni revival, Feb 2023. AU students had mandatory chapel service. 19 stayed behind to continue praying, 16 days later thousands were coming to Christ. The revival focused on repentance and confession. “The room was so full of his presence that the idea of sinning was alien. Now is the time for a holy life.” JD Holt.
The church is under attack. We have an enemy looking to steal, kill and destroy us, living in a world calling us to compromise with values far from God’s. We must choose conviction over compromise, turning away from worldly things.
Like Daniel.
Daniel is a young Jew taken into captivity into the Babylon. Daniel is a prophet relied on by the King and others to interpret their dreams. Daniel is living in a world that is hard for him and calling him to sin and compromise.
Like us.
We are ALL called to Holy lives.
It wasn’t just these people at Asbury because they are young and part of a revival.
It wasn’t just Daniel because he was a prophet and chief minister.
Each of us are God’s children, called to live Holy lives, set apart for God.
1 Peter 1:14-16
We should be holy because God is holy
From the time he was about 17 to being an 80 year old, Daniel lived a holy life. Daniel 6v5. The other priests can’t find fault in Daniel apart from his faith. We should be like this. People should know that we are different.
1 Daniel didn’t do this through his own strength
Daniel lived a holy life because he had God. The God with Daniel is the same God with us, the same spirit living within us! Living a holy life comes from God’s strength, capacity, resources, energy.
2. Daniel made Godly Choices, good choices
Daniel 6:10
Not only did Daniel pray, he gave thanks. Daniel has been told he will be put in a lion’s den if he continues to worship God. He’s looking death in the face. And he gives thanks. The best choice in this moment, the Godly choice. Daniel does what God wants. He trusts that God will never leave or forsake him.
When we are put into hard situations do we still worship?
Good choices come from knowing God: ‘as usual’ – Daniel was a pray-er. Prayer strengthens our relationship with. Kay Warren says “what is the point in my faith if no one around me can see what difference it makes.”
3. Daniel was faithful and holy in big things and small things.
-Faithful with his prayer life
-Refusing to eat royal food/wine because of strict Jewish laws about food and its origins
-Holy in conversations
Are we being faithful in the little things? Are we being holy when no one is listening or watching?
Everyday partnering with Holy Spirit to do God’s will
4. Daniel understood the bigger picture
Daniel understood the reward for living a holy life. He understood that we suffer on earth, as Christ did, but not forever. We are temporary residents here on earth but 1 Peter 1:4.
Living a holy life is difficult. We fall short. Grace is for us.
1 Peter 5:4
Your reward in Heaven, your righteousness is worth so much more than anything here on earth. God has a better plan for us. God’s holy plan for your life will produce more fruit and more joy than anything this earth can offer.
Daniel lived a holy life
Daniel was powered by God’s strength
Daniel made good choices and
Daniel understood the bigger picture
There is an invitation for you to enter in to living a holy life. God wants to partner with you on this journey of becoming more like Jesus. The fruit and the joy waiting for you is so worth it!
As a church family, as a body of broken people come to God, let’s ask for the supernatural ability to be holy, for him to strengthen us against sin. To choose conviction over compromise.
