Abundant Life Sermons

In Daniel 1:1-4, we see Nebuchadnezzar waging a religious and cultural war against the Jews but also against their God. In our day, there are four pillars of Judeo-Christian civilization that have been targeted for destruction – Faith, Family, Finances, and Freedom. The American Church often reflects more of Babylon than it does the Bible. It's time to rebuild the walls of our nation and repair the foundation through prayer and repentance. Will you join me today in offering your prayers of repentance to God on behalf of our nation?

The theme of the book of Daniel is God’s sovereignty! The kingdoms of this world will rise and fall, but the kingdom of our God will abide forever! As we begin our study of the book of Daniel, we find both history and prophecy in the first chapter of Daniel. Babylon in the Bible is a symbol of a wicked world system that is anti-God and anti-Christ. While the city of Babylon died long ago, the spirit of Babylon lives on today. Babylon today is about two kingdoms colliding, one led by the “gods” of Babylon and the other led by the God of the Bible. What impact does Babylon have on your life?

Leaders have vision to see not merely what is but what will be. Vision is seeing what God sees and seeing future realities that may currently seem impossible. Moses’ leadership was limited because of his sin, and he wasn’t allowed to enter the Promised Land. Our sin and unbelief cannot limit God’s plan for eternity, but it can limit God’s plan for our lives personally. As we evaluate our lives, is there anything that would cause God to limit your leadership and influence?

Good leaders are good followers. If you rebel against following God-given leadership in your life, it can lead to destruction. Korah and his band of men pridefully stood against Moses and Aaron, who were appointed by God to lead the people of Israel. Their rebellion was ultimately against God’s authority, and their destruction was a warning to the people of Israel. If you want to be a wise leader, humble yourself and submit to God.

It’s your decisions, not good intentions, that define your destination. Moses sent twelve spies into Canaan to gather intelligence on the enemy. Ten of the twelve came back with a desire to “preserve” their lives instead of being willing to “give” their lives. Consequently, they and an entire generation of Hebrews would all die in the wilderness. But Joshua and Caleb decided ahead of time to believe God no matter what they saw. True leaders are willing to lay down their lives to follow Jesus no matter the cost. What keeps you from laying down your fears and crossing over to the promised land in your life?

God will sometimes lead you to a place where the odds are against you so He can show you He can save you. At times, being right in the center of God’s will is having your back to the sea, a situation from which there is no escape. Like Moses, in the Red Sea moments, Jesus alone is sufficient to save you—and He will.