Daniel 1:8,15 (NKJV) But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself…. And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies.
Today, the 18-35 age group is absent from the church because they have never been taught that worshipping God on Sunday is essential for them. Many parents prioritise sports, music, and extra tutoring over youth group activities and church services. As a result, when they reach university, they do not look for a church, and when they start working, they are busy establishing their careers and prioritise pleasing their bosses over worshipping God. They don’t seek God unless they face a life crisis. It is sad that they have a religious faith but not an intimate relationship with God, and they do not lead a lifestyle of a believer.
There is nothing wrong with achieving success in the marketplace as long as we do it God’s way and acknowledge His blessings. We should set ourselves apart from the world and be successful in God’s way.
It was a search across the country for the best to serve King Nebuchadnezzar. However, after being chosen for such an important role, Daniel rejected the palace lifestyle, contrary to common practice. It is every young person’s dream to be an advisor to the king, and they might be willing to sacrifice anything for it. Nevertheless, Daniel put God first in his decisions. Similarly, we must choose to live for God, viewing our work as a form of worship unto Him before everything, including our job.
Matthew 22:37 (NKJV) Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
Daniel loved God and made Him the top priority in his life. He had made up his mind and purposed in his heart that he would not compromise with what was required of him as a Jew, but worshipped the only true God. It wasn’t easy for Daniel to make his decision because he was subject to the king’s rule in the foreign land. He needed as much favour as possible without compromising with the local culture and values.
There is nothing wrong with adapting to local culture and the values of today unless they contradict the Bible’s teachings. Daniel rejected the delicacies because he abided by the Jewish law that prohibits certain foods, deeming them unclean. He also didn’t want to eat food offered to idols as a stand against idolatry—he was pledging his allegiance to God! Daniel had faith in God to ensure he was nourished adequately, and he honoured God by not defiling himself. Even though Nebuchadnezzar was a tyrant and extremely hard to work with, Daniel was proven faithful to God instead of wanting to please King Nebuchadnezzar.
Sermon Series: Vessel for His Glory
第一要务
但以理书 1:8,15 但以理却立志不以王的膳和王所饮的酒玷污自己，所以求太监长容他不玷污自己。… 过了十天，见他们的面貌比用王膳的一切少年人更加俊美肥胖。
今天，教会中18至35岁的年龄群体正在流失，因为他们从未被教导——在主日敬拜神是他们生命中必不可少的。许多父母把运动、音乐和课外辅导放在青少年团契和主日崇拜之上。结果，当他们进入大学时，并不会主动寻找教会；等到他们开始工作，就忙于建立事业，把取悦上司看得比敬拜神更重要。除非遇到人生危机，他们很少寻求神。这是令人忧伤的——他们或许有一种宗教信仰，却没有与神的亲密关系，也没有活出信徒的生活方式。
在职场取得成功本身没有错，只要我们是按照神的方式，并承认祂所赐的祝福。我们应当与世界分别为圣，以神的方式得着成功。
在全地搜寻最优秀的人才来服事尼布甲尼撒王的过程中，但以理被拣选出来。然而，在这样一个重要的职位上，他却拒绝接受王宫的生活方式，这与当时的普遍做法完全不同。做国王的谋士是每个年轻人梦寐以求的机会，许多人愿意为此牺牲一切。然而，但以理在决策上却首先把神放在首位。同样地，我们也必须选择为神而活，把我们的工作视为献给祂的敬拜，高于一切，包括我们的职业。
马太福音 22:37 “耶稣对他说：‘你要尽心、尽性、尽意，爱主你的神。’”
但以理爱神，把神放在他生命中的首要位置。他立定心志，决意不妥协于作为犹太人所当遵守的要求，而是单单敬拜独一的真神。对于但以理而言，这并不是一件容易的事，因为他身处异国，必须顺服在王的权柄之下。他需要尽可能得到恩宠，但却不与当地的文化和价值观妥协。
适应当地文化和当今的价值观本身没有错，除非它们与圣经的教导相违背。但以理拒绝了王的膳食，因为按照犹太律法，那些食物是不洁净的。他也不愿吃献给偶像的祭物，以此来抵挡偶像崇拜——这是他对神忠诚的见证！但以理相信神必供应他所需，使他得到充足的营养，他选择尊荣神，不使自己玷污。即便尼布甲尼撒是一位暴君，极难相处，但以理仍然忠心于神，而不是一味讨好尼布甲尼撒王。
讲章系列：成为祂荣耀的瓦器
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