4/29 Sermon on Daniel, Pt. 4

At the Family Church here in Gainesville Philip Griffin, our senior pastor, continued his Counter-Culture series this past Sunday about the Old Testament book of Daniel with a message titled The Conversion of Nebuchadnezzar.  The focus passage was Daniel 4: click on it to read it via Bible Gateway.  In examining what happened to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, Pastor Philip brought up some points about the price of pride...

Once again Nebuchadnezzar has an unsettling dream, although this time around he is a bit gentler about asking for an interpretation.  Daniel seeks God and the dream's meaning is revealed: for a time Nebuchadnezzar will become like the animals and leave all of the power and possessions that he has taken so much pride in because he has arrogantly refused to acknowledge God's role in all of his earthly blessings. In the end he is restored to his throne, has repented of his pride, and now understands the love of God.  Like him, we can be caught up with what we are proud of but still be insecure and empty...as Philip remarked, we cannot get soul-level contentment from anything this world offers.  He also pointed out that pride diminishes our humanity when we come to the belief that we...not God...are masters of our own fate.  Our pastor continued, listing five characteristics that Nebuchadnezzar shared with all who are consumed by pride: his identity was wrapped up in his possessions and accomplishments, he was blinded to his sin, he believed he was better and more deserving than others, he overlooked the vulnerable and oppressed, and he took credit for what God had done.   But, as Philip concluded, once Babylon's wayward king experienced the life-changing love of God, he expressed his gratitude to his Lord for humbling him...and this applies to us as well...

You can watch this sermon for yourself by clicking on the following link to the church's YouTube video website: [TFC Video].  The Family Church, at 2022 SW 122nd Street (Parker Road), meets on Sunday morning at 9 and 10:30...each service has the weekly message, wonderful praise and worship music, prayer and discipleship opportunities, a hospitality room with coffee and refreshments, and lots of friendly and interesting folks.  Daniel continues this Sunday...