By Gale Nelson
Date: Sunday, April 11, 2021
Lesson Scripture(s): 2 Timothy 3:12-14
Tags: #persecution #Daniel #lionsDen #Medes #Persians #decree

Through the lens of Daniel and the lion's den, Bro. Nelson provides clarity on the reality of persecution for those who live godly in Christ Jesus and how to deal with it.

LESSON AT A GLANCE

• (v. 12) If you choose to live godly in Christ Jesus, you will suffer persecution.

• (v. 13) Evil is going to get worse and worse; no shame.

• (v. 14) Remain faithful, stay with the teaching despite the inevitable persecution.

• What is Persecution? (Greek word: diogmos)

○ To be followed, pursued, or chased-- "the hunt to bring someone down like an animal" (see 1 Peter 5:8)

○ Trying to suppress (punish) convictions-- "I don’t want to hear about how good God is or about your faith"

○ Hostility-- Don't expect support or standing ovation from people in the world if they don't support your faith or what you do for the Lord's church.

• The four P's of this lesson

○ Plot: They don't like Daniel
○ Persecution: They seek to entrap him and the king
○ Preservation: God has a plan.
○ Proclamation: Bold statement is made. God will be praised.

• The Lion's Den… Daniel 6

○ (v. 1-3) Daniel was the first of three president. He was the king's righthand man. He was preferred because he had an excellent spirit. He was different!

○ (v. 4-7) The princes and presidents don't like Daniel, and could find no fault in him. Therefore, they conspired with others to have the king devise a statute that no man petition any man or God, except the king, for 30 days. Evil is always drafting.

○ (v. 9) The king signed this decree, and according to the law of the Medes and Persian, it could not be altered.

○ (v. 10) Daniel, despite knowing of the decree, did not change his godly routine out of fear of man.

○ (v. 13-16) Darius is displeased to learn that his decree has been set against Daniel, and seeks way to deliver him from the judgment. However, the men remind him that the law cannot be changed.

○ Daniel understood that prayer was part of his and every Christian's lifestyle: we are commanded to pray (see 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Psalm 55:17)

○ Evil people seek to catch you (see Psalm 35:21)

○ The wicked seeks to persecute (see Psalm 37:32)

○ Be careful when trying to set someone up; it might come back on you.

○ (v. 16) Daniel was placed in the lion's den, but the king believed that Daniel's God would deliver him because king Darius saw Daniel's faithfulness.

○ (v. 19; 21-23) In the morning, the king rushed to see what came of Daniel in the lion's den. Daniel was preserved. His God sent his angels and shut the lion's mouth because of the innocence found in him.

○ (v. 24) The men who conspired against Daniel were cast into the den, along with their families, and the lions had its mastery of them.

○ (v. 26) The proclamation of king Darius, that every man should fear and tremble before the God of Daniel!


CALL TO ACTION
• God's Plan of Salvation... https://miamigardenscoc.net/salvation.php
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RECOMMENDED LINKS
* Our Passover: https://youtu.be/gtg4IcD2Ivo
* Website: https://www.miamigardenscoc.net