Some thoughts on Daniel 1:1-2

       Daniel is writing to the remnant of Israel who has returned from Babylon to Israel. Daniel's main points for writing the book are to encourage his readers to hold fast to the Lord through trials and tribulation and to remind them that God is sovereignly in control of all things and He is worthy of our faith and obedience.  

       Daniel begins the book by explaining his exile (remember from the outline that chapters 10-12 our Daniel's corresponding visions of the end of the exile) to Babylon which happens (according to verse 1-7) in the third year of Jehoiakim.  Throughout the first few verses Daniel puts in some 'nugget' words, or words to draw the readers attention back to other parts of the Old Testament Scriptures. For instance in verse 2 the words vessels and Shinar should immediately recall to the original readers (and to us) back to Genesis 10-11 and to Isaiah 39:7 and 2 Kings 20:16-19. 

       The vessels are described here in Daniel because Nebuchadnezzar would take these vessels and place them as trophies in the temple of his gods to show that his deities were superior to Israel's. However noting the passages from 2 Kings and Isaiah we know that this happens as a negative fulfillment that was promised to King Hezekiah by the Lord.  Thus, Daniel makes it clear to his readers that Nebuchadnezzar is not superior (verse 2) to Yahweh.  Daniel is very God centered in his book as a whole, and especially in chapter 1 (see verse 9 and 17).  The vessels come up again in chapter 5 where Belshazzar drinks from them, mocking Yahweh, and praises his gods.  You can read chapter 5 to see what happens to him, it does not end well. 

       Shinar is also mentioned in 1:2 and should draw our attention to the importance of where Daniel has been exiled to.  Shinar is first mentioned in Genesis 10-11 in which the stories of the towel of Babel and the descendants of Noah are given.  Ham's (one of Noah's sons who was cursed in chapter 9) descendants are described in chapter 10 and Moses includes this information in Genesis 10:7-10

"The sons of Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteca. The sons of Raamah: Sheba and Dedan. Cush fathered Nimrod; he was the first on earth to be a mighty man. He was a mighty hunter before the Lord. Therefore it is said, “Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before the Lord.” The beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar."

       What does Shinar represent then? Opposition to Yahweh, rebellion, the City of Man. That is what Babel is all about.  Man trying to make his name great, opposing the Lord.  This is spiritual warfare that Daniel and Israel will be going through, but Daniel wants his readers to know (now and throughout the book) that even in exile, God cannot be shaken, nor His purposes thwarted.  Even though they are in enemy territory God will be with them and protect them, even while He is judging them (see chapters 3-furnance and 6-lion's den). 

       I will look more into chapter one in future posts but it is worth notating now that Daniel ends chapter 1 by reminding his audience that he is in Babylon until the first year of Cyrus.  In other words, Yahweh is greater than Babylon.  Don't be tempted to succumb to their idols.  Trust in the Lord, be faithful to Him.  A great message then, and now.  

The Book of Daniel: Introduction

I haven't blogged for a while (see the original post of the blog to validate this wouldn't be easy), but thought I would pick it back up. 

I recently finished preaching through the Book of Daniel. I thoroughly enjoyed studying and wrestling over the text. So much so that I thought that I would blog through the book over a series of several blog posts as a follow up to the sermon series. 
You can listen to or download the sermons Here.  

For my sermon prep I used these books and commentaries. (in no particular order)

Daniel: (NAC) by Stephen Miller
Daniel: (REC) by Iain Duguid
Daniel: (TOTC) by Joyce Baldwin
Daniel: (WBC) by John Goldingay
Preaching Christ from Daniel by Sydney Greidanus
The Message of Daniel: by Dale Ralph Davos
Daniel: (AOTC) Ernest Lucas
Daniel: (Concordia) by Andrew Steinmann
Daniel-Malachi (Expositor's) by Andrew Hill
Daniel: (Preaching the Word) by Rodney Stortz
Hope in the Midst of a Hostile World by George Schwab
Daniel: (FOTB) Robert Fyall
God's Glory in Salvation through Judgement by Jim Hamilton
Kingdom through Covenant by Gentry and Wellum

Other helpful links and articles

Daniel Notes, Sam Storms
Chiasm in Daniel by Jim Hamilton
Was Joseph a Type of the Messiah? Tracing the Typological Identification between Joseph, David, and Jesus by Jim Hamilton
Qumran Scrolls and the Date of Daniel by Jim Hamilton
Josephus on Alexander the Great and the Book of Daniel by Jim Hamilton


The Book of Daniel is a very disputed book.  At certain points through the study there would be different opinions on a particular passage from each resource.  I wouldn't say that I had a "favorite" resource though I did tend to use Greidanus's, Duguid's, Steinmann's, Davis's and Stortz's commentaries the most but all of the commentaries were helpful. 

One of the most helpful resources was Hamilton's view on the structure of Daniel. I took a J-Term class on Daniel with Dr. Hamilton at Southern Seminary and got to sit under his teaching directly.  Therefore he was a big influence in my views on Daniel, though I do differ on certain things. But his view on the structure I think i right on and extremely important for interpreting some of the harder chapters.  

Here is Hamilton's Chiastic structure of Daniel. 

Daniel 1–Daniel Exiled

Daniel 2–Nebuchadnezzar’s Vision (Statue representing four kingdoms)

Daniel 3–Deliverance from the Fiery Furnace

Daniel 4–Nebuchadnezzar Humbled (seven years of insanity)

Daniel 5–Belshazzar Humbled (handwriting on the wall)

Daniel 6–Deliverance from the Lion’s Den

Daniel 7-9–Daniel’s Visions (Four kingdoms represented in various ways)

Daniel 10-12–Daniel’s Vision of the End of the Exile

Commitments's # 5 & 6

I have been extremely behind (see first post about being new to this blogging gig) but wanted to finish blogging on "I am a Church Member" by Thom Rainer. We finished our mini-series on the church at Antioch this past weekend while reading Rainer's work corporately.  Studying both together definitely was an eye opener that every church needs to go through.

Both commitments were very similar to each other.  Commitment # 5 essentially being about leading everyone in your household to be an active member and Commitment # 6 being about treasuring your membership.

I like how Rainer talks about leading your family to be healthy members.  He says, "Part of the opportunity and honor of being a church member is the teaching of our family to love the church.  And that teaching often begins by praying together as a family for the church where God has placed us."

Part if the temptation that has faced church members over he past few decades is to have the "leave it to the professionals" attitude.  Meaning, if your car breaks you take it to a mechanic, if you have home issues you call a plumber, electrician. If your children need education is has to come from a 'professional'….on and on the list could go.  The problem with this mentality is that it doesn't work with Christianity.  Sure, your pastor should know more about the Bible than you, but Deuteronomy 6 makes it clear that parents were to be the primary disciplers of their children.  This means that parents and not pastors will be the most spiritual influence on their children, no matter how much or little a family attends a church.

Simply put. For Revival to happen in churches, it must first happen in homes.

In the last chapter Rainer discusses the fact that church membership is a gift to be treasured.  Membership should't be seen as an obligation so much as should be seen as an opportunity. An opportunity to encourage other Christians, to serve, and to give out of the love an forgiveness that we have received. Membership in a local body is a gift from the Lord. Not a legalistic obligation to gain favor with the Lord.  Membership is a gift we should treasure.


First Baptist Church, Oak Ridge
Commitments 5 & 6
I Am a Church Member

       I will lead my family to be good members of this church as well.  We will pray together for our church.  we will worship together in our church.  we will serve together in our church.  and we will ask Christ to help us fall deeper in love with this church because He gave His life for her. 
      This membership is a gift.  When I received the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, I became a part of the body of Christ.  I soon thereafter identified with the local body and was baptized.  And now I am humbled and honored to serve and to love others in our church.  I pray that I will never take my membership for granted, but see it as a gift and an opportunity to serve others and to be apart of something much greater than any one person or member. 

__________________________

Sign and Date

"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." 

2 Corinthians 13:14

Commitment #4: Pray for your pastor

Parents for the most part always want their kids to live in better conditions or have an easier life then what the parents have gone through.  While I can sympathize with this desire that parents have it can easily become an idol for parents who begin spoiling their children or try to prevent anything from ever happening to their kids. One prayer that the Lord has given to me since our oldest was born "Lord save our children from their sin and do more for your kingdom through our children than you ever could do through us."

Deuteronomy 6 makes it clear that parents are to be the primary disciplers of their children. Not their Sunday School teachers, youth pastors, or pastors. The prophet Malachi when talking about the great Day of the Lord and how Elijah will come says this about what Elijah will do "And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.” Malachi 4:6.  Awakening will happen when fathers hearts are turned towards their children and become Deuteronomy 6 parents.

Commitment #4 from "I am a Church Member" is all about praying for your pastor.  Praying for his sermon, for his mental and physical health are all valid and needed prayer request.  But the most important to me is prayer for my family.  So pray that I would model Christ to my wife and children.  That I would be a husband first and parent second.  That I would not fall to the temptation to spend too much time doing 'ministry' and neglect my children.  That I would raise my children to fear the Lord and that the Lord would save them from their sin. Pray that I would wisdom on how to minister to both my family and my church family effectively. 

First Baptist Church, Oak Ridge

The Fourth Pledge

I am a church member.

"I will pray for my pastor every day.  I understand that the pastor's work is never ending.  His days are filled with numerous demands that bring emotional highs and lows. He must deal with critics.  He must be a good husband and father. Because my pastor cannot do all things in his own power, I will pray for his strength and wisdom daily. 

_________________________

Sign and Date

"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." 

2 Corinthians 13:14

Cardinals Game

Last night I took the boys to our first Cardinals game. The Cardinals played the Braves and won 3-1. It was a great game! The highlights during the game were seeing Adam Wainright pitch an absolute gem, Matt Holiday homering, and Justin Upton get ejected.

Before the game the boys and I went with friends from church and were able to get a few former Cardinals autographs. I also caught a ball thrown into the stands by former Brave great Terry Pendleton after the Braves batting practice. After the game we got a few more autographs highlighted by Jim Edmunds.

I didn't tour all Busch stadium but it was a great park. There were great views of the city skyline and the Arc. Overall the atmosphere was incredible.

Of course I wore a Gators shirt and got several Go Gators! during the night.

Heroes of the Faith?

Albert Mohler had a fantastic message this morning in Chapel at Southern Seminary warning seminary students how easily and quickly they can become disqualified for the ministry by falling into sin. 

Dr. Mohler's message got me thinking though on an important issue. Heroes. Hebrews 11 is sometimes referred to as the "Hall of Faith" and men and women like Abel, Noah, Abraham & Sarah, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, David, and Solomon are mentioned for their great faith.  While their faith was tremendous if you go back and read their stories in the Old Testament you quickly realize that they struggled with faith and with believing the Word of God.  They made mistakes. But in a way that's the point. They were just men and women like me and you trying to have faith, deny self, and hope in things unseen. 

There is really only one Hero and I believe the Old Testament is intentionally pointing us to Jesus. Jesus is the true and better Abel, Noah, Moses, and _______ you can enter in all of the heroes of the Old Testament.  They are all 'types' of someone greater who was to come. Jesus. 

I, like a lot of people have made the mistake of taking men and propping them up like heroes only to see them dramatically fall.  It's devastating to see heroes have an affair, go through divorce, fall away from the faith, or just fail morally. I am not saying that we should not have heroes. But those heroes should point us to Jesus who is the one and only true Hero.  Learn from Him, His burden is light, and He will give you rest. 

Matthew 11:28-30
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be will you all.
 2 Corinthians 13:!4

Commitment # 3: Church is not centered on "me"

       The kingdom of God is diverse and yet unified (See Revelation 7:9-10).  Why? Because the gospel changes us.  Instead of thinking about ourself we think of others.  Thom Rainer rightly says "But the strange thing about church membership is that you actually give up your preferences when you join…you are there to meet the needs of others" (34). Listen to what Paul tells the Philippians in 2:3-8

       "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."

       Christianity if about being "other" focused.  That is why loving God and neighbor sums up the entire law(Mark 12:30-31).  So why do we get upset when things do not go our way at church? Well, the easy answer is that we are all sinners.  The more detailed answer is that we our idolators of self worship.  We think of our selves first, we care for ourselves first, we provide for ourselves first.  It is bad enough we have this sinful desire to promote self but Americans especially have this individualistic mindset when it comes to how we operate in this world.  Then, we bring this mindset into church with us.  That is normally why churches are either fighting, or they are made up of people who look like and think (practically, not theologically) like us (both being wrong). Read over chapter 3 of "I am a Church Member" and repent of ways that you have had a selfish attitude toward the church (we are all guilty) and prayerfully consider commitment # 3.

First Baptist Church, Oak Ridge

The Third Pledge

I am a church member.

       I will not let my church be about my preferences and desires.  That is self-serving.  I am a member in this church to serve others and to serve Christ.  My Savior went to the cross for me.  I can deal with any inconveniences and matters that just aren't my preference or style. 


________________________
Sign and Date

"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." 

2 Corinthians 13:14

Commitment # 2: Unity

Why should the church be unified? Because our God is unified. One God-Three Persons. Each person of the God head displays humility. The Father exalts the Son. The Son obeyed the Father. The Holy Spirit magnifies the Son. There is an 'other' centered focus.

Satan on the hand centers on self exaltation and self praise. He boasts, disrupts, murders, lies, and accuses.

The church must follow and resemble its Heavenly Father and not the father of lies. Take a moment and pray over the second pledge. How will you seek to be a source of unity?


First Baptist Church, Oak Ridge
The Second Pledge
I am a church member.

I am a church member. I will seek to be a source of unity in my church. I know there are no perfect pastors, staff or other church members, but neither am I. I will not be a source of gossip or dissension. One of the greatest contributions I can make is to do all I can in God’s power to help keep the church in unity for the sake of the gospel.

________________________
Sign and Date

Commitment #1 From "I am a Church Member"

Thom Rainer in "I am a Church Member" rightly states in chapter one "Biblical membership is functioning membership (15)" Being apart of a church means that we are all necessary parts of a whole, different, but working together, doing and saying everything based on the biblical foundation of love. 

FBC Oak Ridge; Carefully pray over the commitment from chapter one.  We will have an opportunity to corporately sign this commitment on Sunday August 18th, 2013. 

First Baptist Church, Oak Ridge

The First Pledge

I am a church member.

I like the metaphor of membership.  It’s not membership as in a civic organization or a country club. It’s the kind of membership given to us in 1 Corinthians 12:27 “Now you are the body of Christ, and individual members of it” 

Because I am a member of the body of Christ, I must be a functioning member, whether I am an “eye,” an “ear,” or a “hand.”  As a functioning member, I will give.  I will serve.  I will minister.  I will evangelize. I will study. I will seek to be a blessing to others.  I will remember that “if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it” (1 Corinthians 12:26).

________________________________

Sign and Date

"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." 

2 Corinthians 13:14

I am a church member

This week our church will begin reading "I am a church member" by Dr. Thom Rainer. For the next 3 weeks I am asking members to read 2 chapters a week and to prayerfully commit to the pledges at the end of each chapter. I have read the book and it is a great resource for all pastors and church members. It is short, precise, and a good ole punch in the gut!

Many in and outside the church struggle with the purpose and meaning of church membership. Why does it matter?
Hebrews 10:24-25 says
"24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Membership matters because all through out the New Testament the church is illustrated as being a body or a building. Something that is made up of diverse parts. Never does the New Testament indicate that someone can have a Lone Ranger or non-committed type of attitude when following Jesus. Being apart of a church is joining with other believers and being part of the body. Actively.

Church membership is also important because one day we will stand before Jesus and be judged. We need to encourage one another to stop sinning and to grow in grace and holiness as we patiently wait for our Lords return.

If you are never in church or around Christians who can keep you accountable then you probably aren't worrying about how you are living. The author of Hebrews warns us not to neglect meeting because Jesus will return. Our view of Church Membership needs to be elevated....we need to grow up.

Better Late than Never?

Thanks to Thom Rainer's recent blog post concerning pastors and blogging I have officially joined the blogging world.  Extremely late, but better late than never right?  We'll see.  

I plan to use the blogging highway to further discussions on sermons, discipleship, social issues, current events, books, theology, and sports. 

The name Grace.Love.Fellowship. comes from 2 Corinthians 13:14
"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."

Dr Jim Hamilton at Southern Seminary would have his students recite this verse as we dismissed, looking at each other, using the verse as an encouragement as we departed. I have implemented this as the Benediction to our worship services at FBC Oak Ridge.