This sermon examines the teaching of this passage that believers have been made alive with Christ. In the light of the biblical story of redemption this granting of new life must be seen as part of the beginning of the renewal of the cosmos. The reason that believers are made alive with Christ is that they are united to Christ. Other passages show that this union with Christ happens through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Read Ephesians 2:4-7
This vision centers on a period of extreme persecution of God’s people that would take place in the future. The point of this vision is that God is in control even when his people must go through persecution. It also teaches that the persecution will last only as long as God permits and that in the end the persecutors of God’s people will be punished. Daniel’s response to the vision reminds us that we are called to show concern for brothers and sisters who are being persecuted today.
Read Daniel 8:1-27
This second sermon of the series consider a another part of the biblical teaching about human sin and that is the fact that apart from salvation humans have a sinful nature. In this passage the key point is that apart from God’s saving grace, everyone is dead in transgressions and sins. This condition is described with reference to the world, the devil and our own sinful nature. The verses that follow this text show how God brings dead sinners to life with Christ.
Read Ephesians 2:1-3
This is the first chapter in Daniel of what is called apocalyptic literature. The purpose of this kind of writing in the Bible is to describe the struggle between God and his enemies using very colourful imagery. In this chapter the beasts, and the horns stand for evil kingdoms which seek to harm and destroy the people of God. The message of the chapter is that God will judge the evil kingdoms and that the son of man will have an everlasting dominion.
Read Daniel 7:1-28
To understand the gospel we must understand what we are saved from. This passage teaches that apart from salvation all of mankind is unrighteous before God. It shows us a number of the characteristics of our sinfulness and confronts us with the truth that we are all accountable to God. The passage makes it clear that there is no hope of salvation from man’s side. We need to be rescued. The verses and chapters that follow describe how God does this in Christ.
Read Romans 3:9-20
To understand the gospel we must understand what we are saved from. This passage teaches that apart from salvation all of mankind is unrighteous before God. It shows us a number of the characteristics of our sinfulness and confronts us with the truth that we are all accountable to God. The passage makes it clear that there is no hope of salvation from man’s side. We need to be rescued. The verses and chapters that follow describe how God does this in Christ.
Read Daniel 6:1-28
The Thessalonians were facing persecution and questions concerning the return of Christ. These difficulties were discouraging for them. In this text Paul prays that they will be encouraged and strengthened. He also mention truths which were designed to be an encouragement for them.
The overall message of this chapter is that one cannot defy the living God and get away with it. This is a warning passage which stresses that our lives are in God’s hands, they are evaluated by God and if found wanting punishment will follow. The good news in the passage is that God calls to repentance and God will deliver those who humble themselves before him.
Read Daniel 5:1-31
This passage marks the end of Jesus public ministry in John’s gospel. Jesus summarizes the message that he has been teaching and he does so with a note of urgency that underscores the great significance of how we respond to him.
Read John 12:44-50
In this passage, God humbles proud Nebuchadnezzar. The story teaches us about the pride that is in all of us by nature and the grace of God in bringing people to humble themselves before him.
Read Daniel 4:1-37
