“Arrogance and Awesomeness” Daniel 5:1-30

INTRO> This is a picture of the “Tetraodontidae” fish…. or better known as a “puffer” fish. Most pufferfish contain a toxic substance that makes them foul tasting and potentially deadly to other fish. The toxin is deadly to humans. There is enough poison in one pufferfish to kill 30 adult humans, and there is no known antidote. In Japan, they are called fugu and are a very expensive, delicious treat. They are prepared only by trained, licensed fugu chefs.

APP> This is a good physical picture to show you about the poison of pride. How deadly it is and how attractive it is and today we need to let the word of God be a “fugu chef” to us and cut it out.

• • • “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Matthew 23:12

CONTEXT> Chapter 5 is similar to chapter 4 that we learned about last week, only there is a difference, there is a major difference between the two men. Scholars estimate that around 23 years have passed from Chapter 4 and King Ned has passed away and King Belshazzar, his grandson is now on the throne, and this dude is an idiot. We not only see another warning on pride and arrogance but we see what it looks like when its not repented of.

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Big Idea> God destroys human arrogance by demonstrating his awesomeness.

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APP> We will see Human Arrogance and God’s awesomeness.

1. Human arrogance.

1. 1. 1. Arrogance desires significance.v1-4 “made a great feast…” We see something very significant with this feast that he throws, the Bible takes 4 verses to go into great detail about it. *ILL> As I was studying this week I ran across the concept of human significance through Ernest  Becker who wrote the book “The Denial of Death” in 1973 and it won a pulitzer prize. He is an agnostic but assess the human condition correctly.

The Search for Significance:

• • • The “noble” way. “great feast for his lords”
    • The “sexual” way. “concubines”
    • The “spiritual” way. “and praised the gods of…”

APP> The problem with all of these is that self is at the center of them all, these are just different vehicles to arrive at you. Self-Absorption always leads to self-destruction.

B. Arrogance gets ignorance.v5-12 “ v8but they could not read the writing…” We are seeing a constant theme throughout this book, have you noticed it? “Daniel is saying that life is a dead in street without a God who discloses what the future holds. He is telling exiled Israel that there is no need to be in awe of the pagan culture, despite the trappings of splendor for it is nothing but empty and dark.” Dale Ralph Davis, Daniel pg 43

APP> Humanity can not save itself.

C. Arrogance denies the evidence. v20-30 “v22 though you knew all this…” This is a strong statement from Daniel. He even tells him what the writing says! And the King does NOTHING!

APP> Arrogance denies the truth because it is deceived by lies.

“He continued in sin because he trusted the gods he made to protect him. Sometimes contemporary people continue in sin because of a god they invent to protect them. They believe that because they say that Jesus died for their sins and God forgives whatever they confess, then they can do as they please. Such people reason, “God doesn’t want us to be ‘really bad,’ but the ordinary business lies, the ungodly entertainments, the academic compromises, the residual anger toward a brother, the neglect of church obligations—these things don’t really count. After all, God knows we’re just human.” Such “believers” smear the truth about Christ’s blood on their sin, believing this will insulate them from its consequences. They only fool themselves. The god that they imagine will protect them is not the God of Daniel.” – Bryan Chapell

2) God’s awesomeness.

• • • Do you know what a good jeweler does to show you the quality of the diamond they are selling you, the put it up against a black piece of velvet to show you the contrast (PIC) that’s what this chapter is like, mans brownness and God’s awesomeness.

1. 1. God’s Word. v17 “Let your gifts be for yourself” Do you see what Daniel is saying, this isn’t of my doing, this is GOD speaking to you! APP> Again, God’s word comes to the King IN HIS REBELLION!
   2. God’s Faithfulness v30 “that very night…” Gods word is faithful! It is true! What God has said that WILL happen WILL happen!
   3. God’s Grace. v27 “You have been weighed and found wanting..” This is a heavy word, a judgment. But follow me here… because God’s justice is still the same… he hasn’t changed, this word is true for us to expect for one factor… Jesus… You see Jesus stepped on those scales in our place.

“And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,  by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.” Colossians 2:13-15

“God warns us of his judgment so that we will seek the Son who already has assumed it. The blood of Jesus beacons and beckons. It beacons a warning to all who will look, testifying that God judges sin. “Turn back,” the blood warns, “turn back from the sin that leads to your hurt and this destruction.” At the same time, the blood beckons. It beckons sinners to be covered and cleansed by the crimson flow which God lovingly provides for all who truly repent. “Come,” cries the blood, “come away from your guilt and enter the forgiving, comforting, strengthening presence of the Savior.”- Bryan Chapell

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Big Idea> God destroys human arrogance by demonstrating his awesomeness.

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