Living for God in an Ungodly Culture // Jason King

Faith

Living for God in an Ungodly Culture

Daniel 1:1-6 (NIV)

“In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god. Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility—young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service. Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.”

The enemy uses culture:

1. To attack and shape your worldview.

Romans 12:2 (NIV)

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

“We must allow the Word of God to confront us, to disturb our security, to undermine our complacency and to overthrow our patterns of thought and behavior.”

John Stott

2. To isolate you from other believers.

“Church attendance is as vital to a disciple as a transfusion of rich, healthy blood to a sick man.”

Dwight L. Moody

Hebrews 10:25 (NLT)

“Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.”

3. To indoctrinate you with new truth.

Definition of indoctrination:

“The process of teaching a person or group to accept a set of beliefs uncritically.”

Proverbs 9:10 (NIV)

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

“We cannot continue to send our children to Caesar for their education and be surprised when they come home as Romans.”

Voddie Baucham

4. To attack your God given identity.

“The chief official gave them new names: To Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.”

Daniel - “God is my judge”

Belteshazzar - “Protector of the king; Lady, protector of the king”

Hananiah - “Yahweh has been gracious”

Shadrach - “Commanded by Aku” (pagan moon God)

Mishael - “Who Is Like God?”

Meshach - “Who is like the moon God Aku?”

Azariah - “Yahweh is my helper”

Abednego - “Servant of Nego”

Isaiah 43:1-3 (ESV)

“But now thus says the Lord, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God.’”

Isaiah 43:1-3 (ESV)

“But now thus says the Lord, He who created you, O _______________________, He who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God.’”