INSIDE OUT

Graduate Recognition – Inside Out, May 15, 2022
Intro: Ships & Icebergs
Daniel 1:3-5 (NIV2011)
3 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— 4 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. 5 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.
Daniel 1:6 (NIV2011)
6 Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.
Daniel 1:7 (NIV2011)
7  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 judge”
“Belteshazzar” = “May Bel (Babylonian god) protect his life”
“Hananiah” = “Jehovah has been gracious”
“Shadrach” = “Command of Aku (Babylonian god)”
“Mishael” = “Who is what God is?”
“Meshach” = “Who is what Aku (Babylonian god) is?”
“Azariah” = “The Lord helps”
“Abednego” = “Servant of Nebo (Babylonian god)”
First:
Don’t let gods take God’s rightful place
Example: Money
Example: Power/popularity
Daniel 1:5 (NIV2011)
5  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.
Daniel 1:8 (NIV2011)
8  But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.
Second:
Be cautious about compromise 
Example: “What worked then can’t work now”
Hebrews 13:8 (NIV2011)
8  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Example: “Consequences have changed”
Finally:
Daniel 1:6 (NIV2011)
6 Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.
Daniel 2:48-49 (NIV2011)
…the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men.
49  Moreover, at Daniel’s request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego administrators over the province of Babylon, while Daniel himself remained at the royal court.
“Different” makes a difference