Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, June 02, 2002, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.
WHAT MADE DANIEL DIFFERENT?
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Daniel 6:1-10
Text: Daniel 6:3
Daniel 6:3 Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.
Introduction: Daniel had an “excellent spirit” in him. Something that is excellent is different. It excels the others in its category. Daniel was a young man who excelled. He excelled in government, and he excelled in godliness.
Today is Teen Sunday, and I want to encourage you young people to be willing to be DIFFERENT for JESUS. Most young people are striving to become individuals, distinct from others. They want to be approved by their peers, but they would like to be recognized as being SPECIAL. Daniel was SPECIAL. Let me encourage all of you, young and old alike, to be SPECIAL and DIFFERENT for our Lord!
Titus 2:13-14 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
I want us to look at how different this man Daniel was:
DANIEL WAS DIFFERENT IN THAT:
I. DANIEL HAD PURPOSE
Daniel 1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
A. He had a heart purpose
B. He had a heavenly purpose
C. He had a holy purpose
DANIEL WAS DIFFERENT IN THAT:
II. DANIEL HAD PURITY
Daniel 1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
“he would not defile himself”
A. He had purity in private
B. He had purity in public
C. He had purity in persecution
DANIEL WAS DIFFERENT IN THAT:
III. DANIEL HAD PROTECTION
Daniel 6:22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.
A. He was protected from harm from leaders and their laws
B. He was protected from the hunger of the lions
C. He was protected from the hatred of lost people
DANIEL WAS DIFFERENT IN THAT:
IV. DANIEL HAD POWER
Daniel 2:48 Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon.
What impressed the king was Daniel’s power to interpret dreams. However, Daniel had great power than that.