Page header

Daniel - Far From Home: The Dangers of Pride
10.31.21
Pastor Phil

When It Comes to Pride:

  • We often fluctuate between reality and elevated self importance (Dan. 4:3, 30)
  • We find that prosperity is harder to live with that poverty (4:4)
  • We know that God—in his grace—gives us ample warnings (4:5)

"King Nebuchadnezzar to all peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you! 2 It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me. 3 How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion endures from generation to generation."
Daniel 4:1-3

"…and the king answered and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?”
Daniel 4:30

God's Seven I Will's:

"Say therefore to the people of Israel, ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from slavery to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment. 7 I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. 8 I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. I will give it to you for a possession. I am the Lord.’ ” 
Exodus 6:6-8

Pride's Five I Will's

"You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’"
Isaiah 14:13-14

Jesus' Three I Will's

"And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” … 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.”… 44 he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again."
Matthew 26:39,42, 44

When It Comes to Pride:

  • We often fluctuate between reality and elevated self importance (Dan. 4:3, 30)
  • We find that prosperity is harder to live with that poverty (4:4)
  • We know that God—in his grace—gives us ample warnings (4:5)

"I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and prospering in my palace. 5 I saw a dream that made me afraid. As I lay in bed the fancies and the visions of my head alarmed me."
Daniel 4:4-5

When It Comes to Pride:

  • We often fluctuate between reality and elevated self importance (Dan. 4:3, 30)
  • We find that prosperity is harder to live with that poverty (4:4)
  • We know that God—in his grace—gives us ample warnings (4:5)

"I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and prospering in my palace. 5 I saw a dream that made me afraid. As I lay in bed the fancies and the visions of my head alarmed me."
Daniel 4:4

When It Comes to Pride:

  • We believe that the sovereignty of God is the great equalizer (4:17)
  • We need the accountability of compassionate and truth-telling friends (4:19-ff)

"The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men’…"
Daniel 4:17

When It Comes to Pride

  • We believe that the sovereignty of God is the great equalizer (4:17)
  • We need the accountability of compassionate and truth-telling friends (4:19-ff)

"This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. And you, O Belteshazzar, tell me the interpretation, because all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation, but you are able, for the spirit of the holy gods is in you. 19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was dismayed for a while, and his thoughts alarmed him. The king answered and said, “Belteshazzar, let not the dream or the interpretation alarm you.” Belteshazzar answered and said, “My lord, may the dream be for those who hate you and its interpretation for your enemies!"
Daniel 4:18-19