Services | God Is Still Sovereign

Bulletin

November 18, 2018

“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and truth.”

“I Will Celebrate”

SCRIPTURE READING – Psalm 47
PROCLAMATION OF THE WORD
MESSAGE Pastor Joe
“DANIEL – Living as Strangers in a Foreign Land: God Is Still Sovereign”
“The Fight Is Spiritual”

Time of Reflection
PRAYER TIME –
“Word of God Speak”

GIVING OF SELVES AND OUR OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY PRAYER

SPECIAL MUSIC – By Pru Hungate

PRAISE AND WORSHIP
“The Only Name (Yours Will Be)”
“Control”
“Living Hope”

Benediction “I Surrender My Life”

SERMON NOTES
Daniel 10:1 A message of great conflict
Daniel 10:2 & 3 Mourning for three weeks
Daniel 10:4 – 9 A heavenly visitation
Daniel 10:10 & 11 Heavenly visitor sent to give understanding
Daniel 10:12 – 14 Reason for the delay
Ephesians 6:10 – 17 Our fight is spiritual
Daniel 10:15 – 17 Anguished due to the vision
Daniel 10:18 – 21 Be courageous the fight goes on

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Scritpures

Daniel 10:1 A message of great conflict

Daniel 10:1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar; and the message was true and one of great conflict, but he understood the message and had an understanding of the vision.

Daniel 10:2 & 3 Mourning for three weeks

Daniel 10:2 In those days, I, Daniel, had been mourning for three entire weeks.

Daniel 10:3 I did not eat any tasty food, nor did meat or wine enter my mouth, nor did I use any ointment at all until the entire three weeks were completed.

Daniel 10:4 – 9 A heavenly visitation

Daniel 10:4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, while I was by the bank of the great river, that is, the Tigris,

Daniel 10:5 I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, there was a certain man dressed in linen, whose waist was girded with a belt of pure gold of Uphaz.

Daniel 10:6 His body also was like beryl, his face had the appearance of lightning, his eyes were like flaming torches, his arms and feet like the gleam of polished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a tumult.

Daniel 10:7 Now I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, while the men who were with me did not see the vision; nevertheless, a great dread fell on them, and they ran away to hide themselves.

Daniel 10:8 So I was left alone and saw this great vision; yet no strength was left in me, for my natural color turned to a deathly pallor, and I retained no strength.

Daniel 10:9 But I heard the sound of his words; and as soon as I heard the sound of his words, I fell into a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground. Daniel Comforted

Daniel 10:10 & 11 Heavenly visitor sent to give understanding

Daniel 10:10 Then behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees.

Daniel 10:11 He said to me, "O Daniel, man of high esteem, understand the words that I am about to tell you and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you." And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling.

Daniel 10:12 – 14 Reason for the delay

Daniel 10:12 Then he said to me, "Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words.

Daniel 10:13 "But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia.

Daniel 10:14 "Now I have come to give you an understanding of what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision pertains to the days yet future."

Ephesians 6:10 – 17 Our fight is spiritual

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6:13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

Ephesians 6:14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,

Ephesians 6:15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;

Ephesians 6:16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Ephesians 6:17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Daniel 10:15 – 17 Anguished due to the vision

Daniel 10:15 When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless.

Daniel 10:16 And behold, one who resembled a human being was touching my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke and said to him who was standing before me, "O my lord, as a result of the vision anguish has come upon me, and I have retained no strength.

Daniel 10:17 "For how can such a servant of my lord talk with such as my lord? As for me, there remains just now no strength in me, nor has any breath been left in me."

Daniel 10:18 – 21 Be courageous the fight goes on

Daniel 10:18 Then this one with human appearance touched me again and strengthened me.

Daniel 10:19 He said, "O man of high esteem, do not be afraid. Peace be with you; take courage and be courageous!" Now as soon as he spoke to me, I received strength and said, "May my lord speak, for you have strengthened me."

Daniel 10:20 Then he said, "Do you understand why I came to you? But I shall now return to fight against the prince of Persia; so I am going forth, and behold, the prince of Greece is about to come.

Daniel 10:21 "However, I will tell you what is inscribed in the writing of truth. Yet there is no one who stands firmly with me against these forces except Michael your prince.

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Transcript of Service

Where in our study of the book of Daniel and the theme that I have?Kept emphasizing and for some we understand it in for some we kind of forget it. Is that we live in a foreign an alien land that the culture is not ours. Even if we were born in this country because.Citizens of Heaven and this is not our home and we are in the world, but not of the world and there are times that that becomes very apparent when the world does even crazier things that they do, and we just don't feel like we belong.And then sometimes we kind of forget that we live in a foreign land and things go out or we kind of think that we live in a DM Z now for those of you don't know what those letters mean a Demilitarized Zone. We kind of think that we just live in a area that there's no strife.It just at peace Daniel is going to show us that we do not live in a DM Z that there is conflict. That is happening that there are spiritual warfare and that even when we seem to be.And so we are reintroduced into this and this says, is the third year of Cyrus. What that says by implication that is now been a couple years since people from the Persian Empire in Babylon have been allowed to go back.

To Jerusalem Cyrus in the first year issued a decree and so many of the people who wanted to go back to Jerusalem into Judea were starting to go. Daniel at this point is not a young man, Daniels probably in about 85 years of H He.Been ministering with the King who but he's probably at a flower. He goes I'm not going home because of my advanced years. However, he also understands that things are not going smoothly back home and all to get an idea of that. All you have to do is read the books of Ezra.And Esther to see how the people of God, we're having great difficulty not only rebuilding the temple. But the city, but also in the book of Esther how they how nayeon wanted to.Eliminate all of the Jews and so there was still great conflict, there and Daniel has been praying and seeing this message in this conflict and it's a great conflict. First, 2 it says in those days, I Daniel had been.The entire weeks and it is not eating tasty food. Nor did meet or any wine into my mouth. Nor did I use any ointment at all until the entire 3 weeks were completed.Now Daniel doesn't do a typical fast in the sense of OK. I'm not going to eat certain foods or whatever, he it's kind of a fast based on?For lack of a better word depression. Some of us when we get depressed or upset. We eat in some of us. When we get depressed and upset don't eat kind of Daniel looks to be in that second group who he's affected by what he has seen in the vision and the great conflict that is happening is going to happen.

Pouring out his soul to the Lord and it is not a if you will a formal fast, but one that says I'm not treating my body is if it was nothing unusual that there are times and so I'm not eating tasty food. And I'm not eating meat or wine. I'm not enjoying my.'cause of this great.Perceived difficulty that the people of God half and he does is for 3 weeks now.If we just stop there. You might say well. His plan fast with 21 days and therefore it was over at the 21 days. We're going to see that no, the reason he concluded the fast was because of something that's not going to happen if it was if it didn't happen until the 20.My third day or the 30th day I suspect Daniel would have continued on. In this he only stopped because of what's going to happen. Next on the 24th day of the first month, while I was by the Bank of the Great River. That is the Tigris. I lived in my eyes and looked and behold.A certain man dressed in linen who's waste was greeted with a belt of pure gold of proof as his body was also like Burrell, his face had the appearance of lightning his eyes were like. Flaming torches his arms and his feet were like the gleams of polished bronze and the sound of his words were like the sound.Mold.Now I Daniel alone saw the vision while the men are with me did not see the vision. Nevertheless, a great read Phillip on them and they ran away to hide, and so I was left alone and saw this great vision. And yet no strength was left in me for my natural color turned into a deathly pallor.

Strength but I heard the sound of his words and as soon as I heard the sound of his words, I fell into a deep sleep on my face with my face of the ground so we have this one who.Is a heavenly visitor one is by all the parents to be an Angel now? Some say that they think that it's a preincarnate at the office neoprene Carnett Christ. I don't think so.Because of the what we will see in I think it's an Angel. It's an Angel with come to deliver a message to Daniel in this message. The only one who sees the Angel is Daniel the people who are with him fi.There and they just run away, they don't know why they're afraid they don't why they didn't. But they take off. Not seeing the visitor. It's kind of if you will like when Paul.Was on the road to Damascus and was knocked off of his horse and he heard the voice and he saw but nobody else did. They just heard a noise and so these people who were with him didn't stick around to see what's going on. They just something that right, I'm outta here.And so Daniels left alone confronted by this heavenly visitor. But in coming in contact with his heavenly visitor. Daniel has no strength. He has no strength. One partially because of his age, partially because of his fasting.Because he's coming in contact with the heavenly visitor.And so.

He falls to his face on the ground the first and then Behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. And he said. To me, O'daniel Man of high esteem understand the words that I am about to tell you and stand upright for I have been now sent to you.Of this angelic this heavenly being.It's Daniel up on his hands and knees. Get sonances be strengthened so that you might understand the words that I'm sent saying to you. Then he said. To me do not be afraid Daniel for from the first day that you set your heart. Understanding this anon humbling yourself before your God.We were heard and I have come in response to your words now.Here's something very interesting on the first day that Daniel started praying on that 21 day fast.And request his words were heard.The first day.But you see most of us have a microwave theology.

Well, I prayed.How come we didn't happen well I prayed notice one thing the first day so it wasn't like Daniels prayed and after 21 days guys that OK well. He really means it. So I'll give him an answer know the first day that he started setting his heart on.God heard and sent a response.Second thing Daniel is considered?Somebody to be listened to his highly esteemed will see this further so it's like Oh, well. Daniel had to get right with God, no Daniel was Beloved.And the response came sent on the first day.So he comes so God heard your words and I have come in response to your words God sent me to you because God heard you.Here's a little bit of.Comfort.

Just because you don't get an answer immediately doesn't mean God didn't hear.Just because you don't get an answer immediately doesn't mean God doesn't value you.Daniel pretty important guy Daniel in the entire book. We never see one bad thing mentioned of him.And yetIt's 21 days later.But verse 13 the Prince of the Kingdom of Persia with with standing me for 21 days.I was coming to you, but there was spiritual opposition. The one who not the King. Not these Cyrus all those but the princes of the powers.Of the spiritual dark forces, with held me. There was opposition there and that is why it took me 21 days to get to you.Which again I want us a room remember that we'd like Daniel don't live in and Emeril Demilitarized Zone? Yes, Persia was an empire has Persia.Was at semi piece if you will?Doesn't mean there's not conflict happening?And so the Prince of Persia Kingdom version with spending over 3021 days, then behold. Michael one of the chief Prince is came to help me for. I had been left there with the Kings of Persia. But now I've come to you to give you an understanding of what will happen to your people.
Today's for the vision pertains to the days yet future so.

This angelyn forces I came God heard you 21 days ago but it's taken me 21 days to get to you. You're highly esteemed, but I've come here to give you understanding of what's going to happen and I needed help, so Michael who seem?It seems to also be the one who is if you will in charge of the people of God, Israel comes and helps.So that this Angel can get to Daniel.So there was a reason for delay. So when God doesn't seem to answer you right away. It may not be because he didn't hear it may not be because.You're not valuable.There may be additional conflict happening.Paul tells us this and Ephesians and I like you to turn if you have your bibles to Ephesians. Chapter 6 and look at versus 10 through 17.

Some of the Ladies in our church studied these passage few months ago and so this will be.Just a shortened version of that study.Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the Devil. So Paul is telling us that we need to be strong in the Lord not strong in our own strength, but strong in the Lord.My and we need to put on his armor so that we will be able to stand firm against the schemes. The plans the devious attacks of thing.And this is a verse I want to look at for our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers against the powers against the world forces of this darkness against spiritual forces, a witness in heavenly places you see we?Are deceived when we think the enemy? Is somebody else and Satan loves? It turned church is against each other in this member against that member and defied into complain in to criticize and be bitter and think that, well that personally did this thing, then the church would be better and we get our eye.

Comments on each other.Impala, saying that's not where the fight is the fight is with spiritual forces.We are brothers and sisters were not the enemy and even people who aren't believers are not necessarily the enemy.They're just the ponds used by Satan and his schemes to get our eyes off of what's really happening because it's spiritual battle and we do not live in a DM Z?We live in places where even at times when we may think that is at peace that there's a battleground.There are times that I have come and we call this place is sanctuary and it is and there are times that I like to come in here all by myself and pray and just be quiet and not even pray just like these.Aspect of it to be there.But there are also times that I see this place as a battlefield.Where people sit in these pews?And will outright reject not what I'm saying but what God has to say.Or those will think.It's true but if I give my God, my life to God.Then it, I can't do what I want to do, and they struggle just hoping for the service to be over and then leave wish there is a battlefield that goes on here that sometimes we don't know.So yes, it's a sanctuary. But even in this sanctuary. It is a battle zone and I think we need to be aware of that come in prayer. Understanding that God needs to be victorious, even in this place that we assume he's going to be.For our struggle.Struggle.

It's not easy.Star Wars OK well, I'll wait till it's over. It's a struggle.It's not against flesh and blood but against the rulers against the powers against the world forces of this darkness against the spiritual forces of witnesses in heavenly places and that's what this Angel was saying to Daniel I came that was sent the very first day. You started but it took me 21 days to get here and.Spiritual help to get me here.So maybe when our prayers seem to be answered in delay.We gotta say Lord.What's the fight going on? How can I be a part of it to win the battle.Therefore take up the full armor of God and done take don't take apart of it.'cause Sainz very well so you take the shield.Your legs are vulnerable.You take the shield your heads vulnerable and Satan knows where you're vulnerable.'cause if you've ever tried to do some for God and you start out to do it and then he comes up and says at know who will listen to you so why do you want to do that teach Sunday school?Kids you even like kids so why would you teach sudden he gives you all these reasons not to do things and then you start doubting yourself in law? I guess I'm not qualified and you get defeated.So you take the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day.You see you can have the full armor of God and you can walk around. You say this is cool, but it's not evil they stop the battle.And having done everything to stand firm.Stand firm.Prepare yourself for the battle prepare yourself, so that you stand firm against his.Schemes.And then determine I'm not retreating. I'm standing firm thing you can say what you want and standing firm. Yeah, you're right. I'm no good. I'm standing firm. Yeah, you're right. I'm a Sinner. I'm standing firm. Yeah, you're right God should have chosen me but he did.
Firm because our battle is not with flesh and blood it's against him.

Having heard your loins the truth and having put on the full the breastplate of righteousness, having shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of peace in additional take up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish. The Flaming Arrows of the evil one and take the helmet of salvo.And the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God.We fight.There is a fight going on.Some see it some down.Daniel was made fully aware of it.By his Visitation.Let's go back to Daniel Chapter 10.Verse 15 when you're spoken in mean, according to these words, I turn and face towards the ground who became speechless.And behold, one who resembled a human being was touching my lips, then I open my mouth and spoke and said to him who was standing before me all my Lord as a result of the vision anguish has come upon me and have retained no screen.His verses.I've seen the vision and I understand it and it is horrible. It's terrible, the future is terrible for my people for your people so much so that.It just waits me down.For how can such a servant of my Lord talked with such as my Lord, he saying I'm so weak I came and talk about it? Why are you even bothering with me?As for me, there remains now, just know strengthen me nor has any breath been left in me.I'm not up to the fight. Then this one with human appearance. Touch me again and strengthen me and said Oh Man of high esteem do not be afraid peace be with you take courage and be courageous.Read those words autumn bring your memory to someone who was told to take the battle to the enemy. In his name was Joshuah. He was told over and over to be courageous to be courageous to be courageous and Daniel is told yes what you see is.But be courageous.

We have courage and notice he is of high esteem and you might say Well, you know, Daniel might be of high esteem, but you know me and not so much.Let me tell you how much higher steam dark use you, he sent Jesus to die for you.So how much higher esteem can God hold you than that.So do not be afraid peace be with you take courage and be courageous. Now, as soon as he spoke to me, I receive strength and said may my Lord speak for you have strengthen me.I heard what you said I heard which and I am strengthened by it. I'm courageous. I'm ready to go.Oh, that the people of God would hear the word of God that strengthen them and give them courage and peace. But the truth is, when you hear the word of God that strengthens you gives you courage.And gives you peace.May the May my Lord speak for you have strengthen me. Then he said. Do you understand why it came to you?I came to let you know that God is heard you that God understands your.Concern for your people.But God is in control.God not only is in control, if you will wrote the play knows exactly all the parts house. It's going to go and how is it going to end?I came that you would understand why I came, but I shall now return to fight against the Prince of Persia. So I am going forth and behold, the Prince of Greece is about to come so I'm saying I can't stay with you. I've come to encourage you to strengthen you to give you peace in to give you call.Gotta go back because the battles, not done. I'm going to go back and fight the Prince of Persia. But there's also another into becoming the Prince of Greece that Kingdom, which the Persian Empire. The Babylonian Empire. The Persian Empire and then the Greek Empire are all going to have.Impact on the people of God.And there's a fight happening and this one's gone back to the fight.So the question is.Since we aren't in a DM Z.We're going to do with the rest of the battle.Now the war is won.

Jesus wonderful battle, he has the victory. But there is a mopping up operation that's required.And we can either sit on the sidelines.Or we can say I'm going to get the full armor of God and understand who the enemy is an fight them and not the ones that Satan tries to get me looking at.However, I will tell you what is inscribed in the writing of truth?Yet there is one who stands firmly with me against these forces there's no one who stands firmly with me against these forces except Michael your prints, there's a battle going on.Unfortunately doesn't seem like there are many who want to be on God's side.So the question is who side do you want to be on?On the side of one who says well when I tell God what to do God does it.The Santa Claus God or give him my list of things that he supposed to do for me.Then answer me pronto.Or you one who says.I am simply a servant of the most high God.He can tell me what to do, and I will do that, and even when he tells me what to do and I do that. I'm an unprofitable servant's only did what he told me to do.I want you to understand in this passage.Prayer is valuable.Prayer may not be instantaneous in our response that doesn't mean God didn't hear you and doesn't mean that God doesn't respond to you, but you also might need to understand that there might be a greater conflict and you understand.So maybe you've been praying for one, and you don't understand why God just doesn't change. That person could have God change. That person everything would be wonderful.
Well, maybe there's a whole lot of battle going on that you just don't see.

Chess is there is a conflict in kingdoms. There can be a conflict of individuals. So maybe what we need is to continue the fight and part of their fight is prayer and part of that fight is acknowledging that we need to be prepared.God.By being prepared.And not getting our eyes on people on the spiritual forces of darkness that we might fight them.It is so sad.I don't know about other denominations, but it seems that there have been more Baptist denominated church is formed by church splits than intentional.How sad?And a group of people start another church 'cause. They don't like the group of people they left.Now what happens is when you leave a group of people. You didn't like to start another group of people. Guess what will happen pretty soon. You won't like those people.And you'll either start a new church or you find another church.That's not victory.Have fled in the Satan.Divide and conquer us.

So when churches are ready to start new churches. It should be intentional, and it should be with the desire of spreading his word, not getting rid of the people, you don't like.So the next time you pray which maybe this afternoon.Or, a year from now.If God doesn't answer right away.Think of Daniel.And think maybe something's happening.That you just don't see yet.But continue to seek the word of God, Lord speak send me someone.Give me understanding of what's happening so I can trust you more than I can have peace that I could have understanding and I could have courage.'cause the space it. We need that there is a group of people with Daniel who didn't know what they were afraid of the ran away.

Daniel knew why he was afraid.But the word of God gave him strength.

Seek His word siecus peace seek his strength and all god's People said.