Being successful Gods way

Dan. 6:1-10

Theme: The world defines success in many different ways and it always leads to difficulty and confusion but success as found through God’s word is the only success that matters.

Intro: today the world will teach us about relative truth, situational ethics and alternate agendas, that the global marketplace and world politics demands 21^st century life to be flexible and diverse. We find this taught, practiced and even expected in our public schools, corporate America and sadly enough in some of our Churches. This places the Christian and especially the man of God in a situation to make one of two decision’s, either conform to the world’s plan of success or follow the Biblical principals of Gods success. If we choose Gods principles, we will find Him faithful to see His us through even the most difficult of decisions and circumstances. From our text notice with me how Gods servant deals with the peer pressure, manipulation, and even sabotage placed in front of him by those seeking to destroy him.

I. A Successful Servant Vv. 1-3

A. Achievement (chief overseer)

It is not wrong for a Christian to achieve success.

B. Attitude (excellent Spirit)

In the worst of conditions a child of God can still walk with Joy in their

heart.

II. A Serious Issue Vv. 4-6

Envy causes others too:

A. Examines the Servants daily life

1. Walk your talk

(a) at home

(b) at work

(c) at leisure

B. Confronts the Servants faith.

1. Religion always has conflict.

2. Christ always has closure.

(Ill. As so often is the case when God is working in someone’s life, the devil immediately takes the opportunity to breed envy. There’s an illustration told of a watch, which became dissatisfied with its little sphere in a woman’s pocket. It envied Big Ben, the great tower clock in London. One day, as it passed over Westminster Bridge with its mistress, the little watch was heard to say, "I wish I could be up there. I could then serve the multitude." "You shall have your opportunity, little watch," said a voice. Magically the watch was drawn up to the tower by a slender thread. When it reached the top, its mistress said to it, "Where are you, little watch? I cannot see you." Nor could anybody else. Its elevation became its annihilation.)

III. A Secret plan Vv. 7-9

A. Conspiracy proclaimed

God could have stopped this but he chose not too; trials create tribulation, which develops patience.

B. Christianity defamed.

(Ill. There’s an old saying that goes something like this “misery loves company” and that is so true when it comes to envy. When envy strikes the heart of one person, they immediately start searching for others to pollinate with it.)

IV. A Saintly response V. 10

Daniel knew what to do, he had:

A. An Intentional reaction against the world’s request.

“...he went in to his house, and his windows being opened in his chambers toward Jerusalem,”

B. An Intentional resolve for Godly living.

“...he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed,”

C. An Intentional response for a Godly witness.

Conc. There’s no question about it we face a difficult world and God expects us to face it as a servant, with a good attitude and a clean life. In order to do this we have to realize a few things. First, we must know that we have a relationship with Jesus Christ that we are washed with His precious blood, our sins forgiven and our name written in the Lamb’s book of life. Then we must know that we are in His will, that we are following God’s direction for our life. We must be consistent in our walk; others watch us and whether we realize it or not they do pay attention. Our life is the introduction to our witness and without godly consistency in our life; our testimony is weak at best. In closing I will ask this, when your older and looking back on life and the success you have had will it be based on conformity to man’s standards or on Christ as His disciple.