1 00:00:29,859 --> 00:00:30,259 Amen. 2 00:00:30,979 --> 00:00:32,539 He's no longer in the grave. 3 00:00:32,539 --> 00:00:34,339 If you would in your Bibles, turn to Daniel. 4 00:00:34,819 --> 00:00:36,579 Book of Daniel, chapter four. 5 00:00:36,819 --> 00:00:39,299 Appreciate the Cook family tonight singing for us. 6 00:00:40,099 --> 00:00:44,899 And after the big wedding last night, Austin Cook and Hannah Shelton 7 00:00:46,259 --> 00:00:47,059 got married. 8 00:00:47,059 --> 00:00:53,619 And so we pray for them as they begin life's journey together. 9 00:00:54,179 --> 00:00:59,219 So two of our academy teachers, we're just matchmakers 10 00:00:59,219 --> 00:00:59,779 around here. 11 00:01:00,739 --> 00:01:01,739 Hire these teachers. 12 00:01:01,739 --> 00:01:02,299 Single teachers. 13 00:01:02,299 --> 00:01:02,899 They come in. 14 00:01:03,619 --> 00:01:04,099 Yeah. 15 00:01:04,179 --> 00:01:10,059 So it's awesome, and it's a wonderful thing, I think, about our 16 00:01:10,059 --> 00:01:10,899 missionaries a week. 17 00:01:10,899 --> 00:01:11,779 Brother Hamilton. 18 00:01:12,099 --> 00:01:16,499 Brother Hamilton did something unique in that, got his citizenship. 19 00:01:16,979 --> 00:01:20,899 And then actually, because normally foreign missionaries can't 20 00:01:20,899 --> 00:01:21,339 get jobs. 21 00:01:21,339 --> 00:01:25,199 I mean, it's not like you can go to foreign field and go to a country, 22 00:01:25,599 --> 00:01:28,399 any country, and get a job if you're not a citizen. 23 00:01:28,719 --> 00:01:33,439 And so don't get me into politics, other countries. 24 00:01:33,839 --> 00:01:36,559 You can't get a job if you're not a citizen. 25 00:01:36,799 --> 00:01:42,279 And so anyway, he got his citizenship and then got a job on 26 00:01:42,279 --> 00:01:47,319 purpose in order that he again could reach more people and uses 27 00:01:47,319 --> 00:01:47,719 his job. 28 00:01:47,719 --> 00:01:49,599 And there are some benefits, of course, to that job. 29 00:01:50,059 --> 00:01:52,779 And he wrote us a letter and said, you know, if you really feel 30 00:01:53,419 --> 00:01:57,739 that me getting a job is kind of not the right thing and you don't 31 00:01:57,739 --> 00:01:58,859 want to support me, I understand. 32 00:01:59,339 --> 00:02:01,179 And we said, that's amazing. 33 00:02:01,339 --> 00:02:04,779 I know a pastor up in Gainesville, took a smaller church, 34 00:02:05,659 --> 00:02:07,859 got a job at Chick Fil A so that. 35 00:02:07,859 --> 00:02:11,219 Just so he could have more time, more people that he could talk 36 00:02:11,219 --> 00:02:12,219 to and reach. 37 00:02:12,619 --> 00:02:13,819 And it was effective. 38 00:02:14,139 --> 00:02:17,029 And so just, just amazing what missionaries will do. 39 00:02:17,189 --> 00:02:20,469 Ireland's a tough place, and to be able to. 40 00:02:20,869 --> 00:02:25,429 The personal relationships are so important in the developed world, 41 00:02:26,469 --> 00:02:28,629 and so just a great way to do that. 42 00:02:28,629 --> 00:02:32,069 And so just, again, the sacrifices our missionaries make 43 00:02:32,069 --> 00:02:33,709 and what they do is amazing. 44 00:02:33,709 --> 00:02:34,949 So keep them in your prayers. 45 00:02:35,269 --> 00:02:36,469 Daniel, chapter four. 46 00:02:37,029 --> 00:02:38,389 And this is. 47 00:02:39,429 --> 00:02:42,389 I don't know if it's familiar to you, if you've read this particular 48 00:02:42,389 --> 00:02:43,349 portion very much. 49 00:02:44,109 --> 00:02:47,869 And so chapter four is really not prophetical in nature at all, 50 00:02:48,669 --> 00:02:54,509 but, boy, the lessons we can learn from it about Nebuchadnezzar. 51 00:02:54,589 --> 00:02:56,589 And so this great king. 52 00:02:57,869 --> 00:03:02,309 Let's read the last verse as our starting point, and then we'll 53 00:03:02,309 --> 00:03:02,749 start from there. 54 00:03:02,749 --> 00:03:03,949 Look at verse 37. 55 00:03:04,429 --> 00:03:09,229 Now, I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of Heaven, 56 00:03:10,099 --> 00:03:15,379 all whose works are truth and his ways, judgment, and those that 57 00:03:15,379 --> 00:03:21,379 walk in pride, those that walk in pride, he is able to abase. 58 00:03:21,939 --> 00:03:22,539 Let's pray. 59 00:03:22,539 --> 00:03:27,139 Heavenly Father, again, thank you, Lord, for your love Lord help 60 00:03:27,139 --> 00:03:30,899 us, Lord, to be a humble people. 61 00:03:32,099 --> 00:03:35,899 Lord, as we are just a couple of weeks from revival meeting, I 62 00:03:35,899 --> 00:03:38,859 pray, Lord, that we would walk humbly with you. 63 00:03:39,499 --> 00:03:43,099 And Lord, may we learn this life lesson from King Nebuchadnezzar. 64 00:03:43,339 --> 00:03:44,379 In Jesus name. 65 00:03:44,379 --> 00:03:45,019 Amen. 66 00:03:46,459 --> 00:03:51,659 You find several times in this chapter where Nebuchadnezzar's reminded 67 00:03:52,459 --> 00:03:54,899 that God rules in the affairs of man. 68 00:03:54,899 --> 00:03:57,819 I'm just going to read the end of verse 32 if you're there. 69 00:03:57,819 --> 00:04:04,369 Still, it says there until thou know that the Most High ruleth 70 00:04:04,369 --> 00:04:10,249 in the kingdom of men and giveth it to whomsoever he will. 71 00:04:10,809 --> 00:04:14,249 So the theme of the book of Daniel is God rules in the affairs 72 00:04:14,249 --> 00:04:14,649 of men. 73 00:04:15,929 --> 00:04:19,129 Again, God is the one who puts kings in place. 74 00:04:19,608 --> 00:04:22,809 He's the one who sets them down. 75 00:04:23,209 --> 00:04:24,649 And we need to be reminded of that. 76 00:04:24,649 --> 00:04:26,249 God rules on high. 77 00:04:27,209 --> 00:04:28,329 He's in control. 78 00:04:29,459 --> 00:04:33,259 And so Nebuchadnezzar, through this particular lesson he's about 79 00:04:33,259 --> 00:04:38,899 to learn and through the situation that God puts him through, 80 00:04:39,299 --> 00:04:44,339 learns again that God is the God of heaven. 81 00:04:44,978 --> 00:04:47,459 And so it's just an amazing, amazing thing. 82 00:04:48,259 --> 00:04:50,099 Nebuchadnezzar has another dream. 83 00:04:51,859 --> 00:04:53,939 More troubling, it says, than the first one. 84 00:04:54,669 --> 00:04:57,949 If you go back to verse 1, 2, and 3, more troubling than the first 85 00:04:57,949 --> 00:04:58,669 dream he had. 86 00:04:58,829 --> 00:05:05,749 Remember the image that he saw in chapter two, and he asked for 87 00:05:05,749 --> 00:05:07,229 the interpretation of that dream. 88 00:05:07,229 --> 00:05:09,309 And the wise men are called in once again. 89 00:05:09,389 --> 00:05:10,589 And guess what happened? 90 00:05:10,749 --> 00:05:15,549 The wise men again fail to be able to interpret the dream. 91 00:05:15,549 --> 00:05:17,389 Now, this time at least, he tells them the dream. 92 00:05:17,629 --> 00:05:21,839 They don't have to actually know, you know, tell him what, what 93 00:05:21,839 --> 00:05:23,639 he dreamed like the last time. 94 00:05:24,039 --> 00:05:25,239 So, but they couldn't. 95 00:05:25,319 --> 00:05:27,479 They couldn't tell him the interpretation of it. 96 00:05:29,239 --> 00:05:30,439 But here comes Daniel. 97 00:05:32,599 --> 00:05:33,959 Daniel's able to do it. 98 00:05:34,439 --> 00:05:37,079 And he warns the king of a potential. 99 00:05:37,479 --> 00:05:41,319 And I want you to see that too, a potential chastening by God. 100 00:05:41,799 --> 00:05:45,879 In other words, God is warning Nebuchadnezzar, hey, if you don't 101 00:05:45,879 --> 00:05:49,199 change your way, there's going to be a chastening coming. 102 00:05:50,239 --> 00:05:51,359 I will judge you. 103 00:05:52,479 --> 00:05:57,519 And so Nebuchadnezzar does not heed the warning and begins to still 104 00:05:57,599 --> 00:06:02,359 brag about what he has done, the splendor of his kingdom that 105 00:06:02,359 --> 00:06:03,119 he built. 106 00:06:05,759 --> 00:06:07,199 And the dream comes true. 107 00:06:08,079 --> 00:06:12,319 Nebuchadnezzar becomes a madman, and we could say a birdman. 108 00:06:14,409 --> 00:06:20,609 For seven years, he's walking in his palace one day and he begins 109 00:06:20,609 --> 00:06:25,249 to extol again his greatness and the greatness of the empire he's 110 00:06:25,249 --> 00:06:25,689 built. 111 00:06:25,769 --> 00:06:29,129 And I'm telling you, this is one year after the dream like that 112 00:06:30,569 --> 00:06:33,049 he's done for seven years. 113 00:06:33,769 --> 00:06:38,489 He's put out in the field to eat grass like an ox. 114 00:06:39,379 --> 00:06:42,299 Apparently he grows, whether it's hair or feathers. 115 00:06:42,299 --> 00:06:46,339 The Bible says this is something beyond normal. 116 00:06:46,499 --> 00:06:50,379 Normal than just something wrong mentally or some kind of mental 117 00:06:50,379 --> 00:06:50,979 disorder. 118 00:06:51,779 --> 00:06:57,459 God literally strikes him in a miraculous way in judgment. 119 00:07:00,579 --> 00:07:04,059 He was told that his kingdom would be held in place. 120 00:07:04,059 --> 00:07:07,859 In other words, Daniel does say to him, your kingdom is going 121 00:07:07,859 --> 00:07:10,859 to be held in place and that you will be restored. 122 00:07:12,379 --> 00:07:13,579 That's kind of amazing too. 123 00:07:13,579 --> 00:07:18,659 Seven years that this king is a crazy person and yet the kingdom 124 00:07:18,659 --> 00:07:23,739 is held together and he's able to return and rule over the kingdom 125 00:07:23,819 --> 00:07:24,459 once again. 126 00:07:25,579 --> 00:07:30,779 By the way, there was conditions to him returning, repentance, 127 00:07:31,819 --> 00:07:33,979 recognizing the God of heaven. 128 00:07:36,549 --> 00:07:38,789 Only God could have brought him from such a state. 129 00:07:38,949 --> 00:07:43,509 Only God could have brought him back from being a crazy person. 130 00:07:45,029 --> 00:07:48,789 Eating grass and sleeping outside. 131 00:07:48,789 --> 00:07:50,709 It says he slept outside in the dew. 132 00:07:51,589 --> 00:07:53,469 You know, just a crazy person. 133 00:07:53,469 --> 00:07:57,909 Only God could have brought him back from that again to reign 134 00:07:57,909 --> 00:08:04,579 on the throne of the nation who had defeated all nations. 135 00:08:07,619 --> 00:08:08,899 So let's look at this again. 136 00:08:08,899 --> 00:08:10,419 Nebuchadnezzar's dream. 137 00:08:10,819 --> 00:08:11,699 Look at verse. 138 00:08:12,899 --> 00:08:15,219 Let's start in verse one and we'll read a little ways. 139 00:08:15,219 --> 00:08:17,939 I just don't want to take time to read the whole chapter. 140 00:08:18,419 --> 00:08:20,099 So Nebuchadnezzar, verse 1. 141 00:08:20,099 --> 00:08:23,739 The king unto all people, nations, languages that dwell in 142 00:08:23,739 --> 00:08:25,859 all the earth, peace be multiplied unto you. 143 00:08:26,649 --> 00:08:30,289 I thought it good to share the signs and wonders that the high God 144 00:08:30,289 --> 00:08:31,609 hath wrought toward me. 145 00:08:32,249 --> 00:08:36,409 How great are his signs and how mighty are his wonders. 146 00:08:36,729 --> 00:08:39,049 His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. 147 00:08:39,209 --> 00:08:42,009 His domain is from generation to generation. 148 00:08:42,089 --> 00:08:45,169 So what's about to happen is he's communicating. 149 00:08:45,169 --> 00:08:48,569 Nebuchadnezzar is communicating a testimony about why, 150 00:08:48,809 --> 00:08:50,409 why and what happened to him. 151 00:08:51,049 --> 00:08:53,319 And he's communicating, he's testifying to the world. 152 00:08:53,639 --> 00:08:57,959 I mean, he is the king over the then known world. 153 00:09:00,119 --> 00:09:03,199 So we see his story again. 154 00:09:03,199 --> 00:09:04,999 We see the verses 4 through 7. 155 00:09:04,999 --> 00:09:06,119 I won't read that portion. 156 00:09:06,199 --> 00:09:11,919 The wise man again could not, could not interpret the dream. 157 00:09:11,919 --> 00:09:14,759 They failed once again because only God can do that. 158 00:09:14,839 --> 00:09:15,399 Amen. 159 00:09:15,479 --> 00:09:16,119 Only God. 160 00:09:16,119 --> 00:09:18,599 And God used Daniel to interpret the dream. 161 00:09:18,599 --> 00:09:19,719 Verses 8 through 18. 162 00:09:19,719 --> 00:09:23,559 We have his dream, the dream of Nebuchadnezzar. 163 00:09:24,439 --> 00:09:28,999 Daniel steps into the picture and he hears the dream. 164 00:09:29,319 --> 00:09:30,199 Look at verse eight. 165 00:09:30,199 --> 00:09:35,239 But at the last came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, 166 00:09:35,799 --> 00:09:37,559 according to the name of my God. 167 00:09:37,799 --> 00:09:40,599 And in whom is the spirit of the holy gods? 168 00:09:40,919 --> 00:09:43,479 And before him I told him the dream. 169 00:09:43,479 --> 00:09:47,219 Say, notice those gods are lowercase. 170 00:09:49,379 --> 00:09:52,339 Some time has apparently passed, even from chapter three. 171 00:09:52,659 --> 00:09:55,619 We know between chapter two and chapter three there's about a 172 00:09:55,619 --> 00:09:56,659 15 year gap. 173 00:09:56,819 --> 00:10:02,899 So chapter two is where he sees the image of the impending leaders 174 00:10:02,899 --> 00:10:05,059 of the world throughout the ages. 175 00:10:05,059 --> 00:10:08,179 You know, that they would be defeated by the Medo Persian empire, 176 00:10:08,179 --> 00:10:11,299 then the Grecian empire would rule, and then the Rome would rule. 177 00:10:11,849 --> 00:10:16,529 And then chapter three we have the three Hebrew children who would 178 00:10:16,529 --> 00:10:17,849 not bow, who would not bend. 179 00:10:18,169 --> 00:10:20,129 And again, they're about a 15 year gap. 180 00:10:20,129 --> 00:10:25,049 I don't know the gap here, but it is amazing how easy and how quickly 181 00:10:25,129 --> 00:10:27,049 Nebuchadnezzar forgets. 182 00:10:27,769 --> 00:10:29,689 And we pointed that out last Sunday night. 183 00:10:30,169 --> 00:10:31,689 It's amazing how we forget. 184 00:10:32,489 --> 00:10:34,169 We forget what God has done. 185 00:10:34,409 --> 00:10:35,849 And I said that this morning too. 186 00:10:35,849 --> 00:10:39,369 It's amazing how we have a tendency to dwell on the negative 187 00:10:39,369 --> 00:10:40,089 and not the positive. 188 00:10:40,089 --> 00:10:45,559 We have a tendency to dwell on the, the adversity and not the blessings 189 00:10:45,559 --> 00:10:46,719 that God has sent our way. 190 00:10:46,719 --> 00:10:47,759 And that's the old devil. 191 00:10:47,759 --> 00:10:52,439 He just loves and loves, loves to get you to look down instead of 192 00:10:52,439 --> 00:10:52,719 up. 193 00:10:54,319 --> 00:10:56,479 You know, the sun's always shining above the clouds. 194 00:10:57,039 --> 00:10:58,479 And we need to be reminded of that. 195 00:10:58,479 --> 00:11:00,719 Nebuchadnezzar was easy to forget. 196 00:11:01,039 --> 00:11:03,759 I mean, again, in chapter three, he looks down into the fire. 197 00:11:03,919 --> 00:11:05,319 He sees four men. 198 00:11:05,319 --> 00:11:08,559 He says to his leaders, he said, hey, didn't we throw three 199 00:11:08,559 --> 00:11:09,184 guys in there? 200 00:11:09,184 --> 00:11:11,759 But, but there's a fourth guy in there now, and he looks like the 201 00:11:11,759 --> 00:11:12,519 son of God. 202 00:11:13,479 --> 00:11:16,799 God revealed some things to him, to Nebuchadnezzar. 203 00:11:16,799 --> 00:11:18,639 I really believe, and I'm going to cover this in a moment, 204 00:11:18,639 --> 00:11:20,599 that God is bringing Nebuchadnezzar along. 205 00:11:21,479 --> 00:11:23,879 He is just teaching Nebuchadnezzar. 206 00:11:23,959 --> 00:11:28,319 He is definitely growing Nebuchadnezzar in his understanding 207 00:11:28,319 --> 00:11:30,599 of who the God of heaven really is. 208 00:11:32,119 --> 00:11:33,279 So he tells the dream. 209 00:11:33,279 --> 00:11:36,609 You can go back and read it and look at verse 16. 210 00:11:37,569 --> 00:11:42,089 Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast heart be given 211 00:11:42,089 --> 00:11:45,329 unto him, and let seven times pass over him. 212 00:11:45,329 --> 00:11:49,329 So he's describing that he's going to be a beast and he is going 213 00:11:49,329 --> 00:11:49,649 to. 214 00:11:49,889 --> 00:11:51,529 It's going to be seven years. 215 00:11:51,529 --> 00:11:52,289 He's going to be. 216 00:11:52,289 --> 00:11:54,729 He's going to act like a beast, like a, you know, like an 217 00:11:54,729 --> 00:11:56,769 ox, like an eagle, like a bird. 218 00:11:57,089 --> 00:11:57,809 Verse 17. 219 00:11:57,889 --> 00:12:03,559 This matter is by the decree of the watchers and the demand by 220 00:12:03,559 --> 00:12:07,359 the word of the holy ones to the intent that the living may know 221 00:12:07,679 --> 00:12:12,519 that the living may know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom 222 00:12:12,519 --> 00:12:16,879 of men, and giveth it to whomever he will, and setteth up 223 00:12:17,039 --> 00:12:19,759 over it the basest of men. 224 00:12:20,959 --> 00:12:24,359 By the way, God had already said that God chose Nebuchadnezzar 225 00:12:24,359 --> 00:12:26,559 as his instrument to judge Israel. 226 00:12:28,289 --> 00:12:32,209 Base man, a pagan man, a lost man. 227 00:12:35,889 --> 00:12:38,929 Again, the stream I gave Nebuchadnezzar have seen. 228 00:12:39,009 --> 00:12:42,369 Now thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation. 229 00:12:43,249 --> 00:12:44,689 Declare the interpretation. 230 00:12:45,249 --> 00:12:46,449 So we see his dream. 231 00:12:47,089 --> 00:12:49,809 And then Daniel interprets that dream. 232 00:12:49,809 --> 00:12:51,409 Look at again verse 17. 233 00:12:51,409 --> 00:12:56,059 And I've already alluded to this, that God ruleth in the affairs 234 00:12:56,059 --> 00:12:59,459 of men by the way, to show the whole world that God ruleth in the 235 00:12:59,459 --> 00:13:00,179 affairs of men. 236 00:13:01,859 --> 00:13:02,579 Verse 19. 237 00:13:02,659 --> 00:13:07,779 Then Daniel, whose name was Bethshazzar, was stoned for one hour, 238 00:13:08,739 --> 00:13:09,699 astonished. 239 00:13:10,099 --> 00:13:13,939 He just sat there, and his thoughts troubled him. 240 00:13:14,339 --> 00:13:17,819 The king spake and said, belshazzar, let not the dream or 241 00:13:17,819 --> 00:13:19,779 the interpretation thereof trouble thee. 242 00:13:20,189 --> 00:13:23,989 Belteshazzar answered and said, my lord, the dream be to them 243 00:13:23,989 --> 00:13:27,309 that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies. 244 00:13:27,389 --> 00:13:31,229 The tree that thou sawest which grew the dream he saw was a 245 00:13:31,229 --> 00:13:31,549 tree. 246 00:13:31,709 --> 00:13:34,989 He was the tree that grew up into heaven, talking about how great 247 00:13:34,989 --> 00:13:37,149 his nation was, how great his empire was. 248 00:13:37,309 --> 00:13:39,309 And somebody said, cut it down, cut it down. 249 00:13:39,309 --> 00:13:41,469 And they cut the tree down, but they left the stump. 250 00:13:43,149 --> 00:13:45,789 He said, that's what's going to happen to you. 251 00:13:47,619 --> 00:13:48,659 I'm summarizing now. 252 00:13:48,819 --> 00:13:51,299 You brag too much about your empire. 253 00:13:51,699 --> 00:13:56,179 You've made it all about you that you have done all of this, and 254 00:13:56,179 --> 00:13:57,619 God is sick and tired of it. 255 00:13:57,619 --> 00:13:59,699 I'm really summarizing now. 256 00:14:01,059 --> 00:14:04,099 And you're going to be cut down, but you're going to be left 257 00:14:04,099 --> 00:14:04,739 as a stump. 258 00:14:04,739 --> 00:14:08,259 In other words, it's not going to root you out, you're not going 259 00:14:08,259 --> 00:14:13,329 to die, but you're going to be an animal for seven years. 260 00:14:15,169 --> 00:14:16,049 For seven years. 261 00:14:19,169 --> 00:14:23,249 So we see Daniel's interpretation, verse 17 describes 262 00:14:23,249 --> 00:14:25,649 God as his position as the most high. 263 00:14:26,289 --> 00:14:27,289 Verse 26. 264 00:14:27,289 --> 00:14:28,129 Look there with me. 265 00:14:28,369 --> 00:14:29,649 Look at verse 26. 266 00:14:31,489 --> 00:14:33,249 So he's describing this in Nebuchadnezzar. 267 00:14:33,249 --> 00:14:38,089 He says, God, who is on high, who ruleth in the affairs of men. 268 00:14:38,089 --> 00:14:39,169 Look at verse 26. 269 00:14:39,569 --> 00:14:44,299 And and whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots, 270 00:14:44,299 --> 00:14:46,419 thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee. 271 00:14:46,579 --> 00:14:50,499 After that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule. 272 00:14:50,499 --> 00:14:51,379 Verse 27. 273 00:14:52,179 --> 00:14:55,539 That the heavens do what the heavens do rule. 274 00:14:56,339 --> 00:14:59,579 Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee. 275 00:14:59,579 --> 00:15:04,139 And break off thy sins by righteousness and thine iniquities, 276 00:15:04,139 --> 00:15:05,699 by showing mercy to the poor. 277 00:15:05,779 --> 00:15:09,689 And if it may be a lengthening of thy. 278 00:15:09,689 --> 00:15:11,209 What tranquility. 279 00:15:11,769 --> 00:15:18,809 He said, we might want to stop this and turn to righteousness and 280 00:15:18,809 --> 00:15:19,889 be kind to the poor. 281 00:15:19,889 --> 00:15:22,729 And maybe God will stay off this judgment. 282 00:15:23,289 --> 00:15:26,889 Maybe you'll experience tranquility for a little longer. 283 00:15:28,969 --> 00:15:31,049 But apparently Nebuchadnezzar didn't listen. 284 00:15:31,859 --> 00:15:35,579 But verse 26, again, I'm just talking about Nebuchadnezzar being 285 00:15:35,579 --> 00:15:37,699 brought along in his understanding of who God is. 286 00:15:38,899 --> 00:15:42,819 He says, the heavens do rule the heavens. 287 00:15:42,819 --> 00:15:48,499 Now remember who's speaking, who's giving his testimony. 288 00:15:49,859 --> 00:15:51,779 Nebuchadnezzar's giving his testimony. 289 00:15:52,819 --> 00:15:54,739 He is saying what Daniel said to him. 290 00:15:56,259 --> 00:15:57,139 God rules. 291 00:15:58,089 --> 00:15:59,089 God's the authority. 292 00:15:59,089 --> 00:16:01,689 So again, I want you to think along those lines. 293 00:16:01,689 --> 00:16:06,689 That Daniel, that God through Daniel is helping Nebuchadnezzar 294 00:16:06,689 --> 00:16:12,449 understanding who Jehovah God is, that he is again, the God of 295 00:16:12,449 --> 00:16:18,009 heaven, that he is the most High, that he is the moral authority. 296 00:16:18,329 --> 00:16:22,009 In other words, there is accountability to a moral standard. 297 00:16:22,169 --> 00:16:23,369 Nebuchadnezzar, you. 298 00:16:24,089 --> 00:16:28,649 You cross the line of that moral standard, of the God of High. 299 00:16:29,529 --> 00:16:35,489 And Therefore, in verses 27, you have been convicted, and now 300 00:16:35,489 --> 00:16:36,489 you're going to be judged. 301 00:16:37,769 --> 00:16:43,849 Punishment is coming, but it's potential punishment. 302 00:16:46,169 --> 00:16:47,289 He's warning him. 303 00:16:47,929 --> 00:16:48,529 I'm thankful. 304 00:16:48,529 --> 00:16:49,849 God always shows grace. 305 00:16:50,889 --> 00:16:53,929 God always puts some stop signs up when we do wrong. 306 00:16:54,089 --> 00:16:56,809 I mean, there's a yield sign, there's a stop sign. 307 00:16:56,889 --> 00:16:58,329 Hey, don't go this direction. 308 00:16:58,329 --> 00:17:00,449 Wrong way, wrong way, wrong way, wrong way. 309 00:17:00,449 --> 00:17:02,809 And we have a tendency just to keep on trucking. 310 00:17:03,769 --> 00:17:05,729 Years and years ago, this was. 311 00:17:05,729 --> 00:17:08,889 I was 18 when I first got my commercial driver's license. 312 00:17:09,129 --> 00:17:10,169 My pastor was. 313 00:17:11,449 --> 00:17:14,409 Yeah, he was dumb anyway, I'm just kidding. 314 00:17:14,969 --> 00:17:18,169 But he came to me one day as a youth pastor there at Calvary Baptist 315 00:17:18,169 --> 00:17:18,649 and Buoy. 316 00:17:18,649 --> 00:17:21,969 And he came to me and said, hey, we had three or four bus routes 317 00:17:21,969 --> 00:17:23,409 or van routes out in the country. 318 00:17:23,969 --> 00:17:27,329 And he said, I want you to start a route in town in the big 319 00:17:27,329 --> 00:17:29,969 metropolis of Bowie, Texas, city of 5,000. 320 00:17:30,209 --> 00:17:31,889 And so my wife and I said, of course. 321 00:17:31,889 --> 00:17:33,169 Whatever pastor you want. 322 00:17:33,489 --> 00:17:34,769 He said, well, I bought a bus. 323 00:17:35,409 --> 00:17:36,608 I said, that's awesome. 324 00:17:37,329 --> 00:17:38,609 I'm glad you bought a bus. 325 00:17:38,609 --> 00:17:39,729 Who's going to drive it? 326 00:17:39,969 --> 00:17:40,929 He said, you are. 327 00:17:40,929 --> 00:17:42,049 Go get your license. 328 00:17:42,529 --> 00:17:44,209 And of course, I grew up in Bowie. 329 00:17:44,289 --> 00:17:45,569 So I went down to the. 330 00:17:46,399 --> 00:17:48,279 To the, you know, to the driver's license place. 331 00:17:48,279 --> 00:17:53,919 And the lady working the counter, I knew her, she known me 332 00:17:53,919 --> 00:17:54,559 all my life. 333 00:17:54,879 --> 00:17:56,719 Then the DPS trooper comes out. 334 00:17:56,719 --> 00:17:57,839 I've known him all my life. 335 00:17:57,839 --> 00:18:01,199 In fact, my brother's friends with his son. 336 00:18:01,199 --> 00:18:02,959 And you know, it's a small town. 337 00:18:03,599 --> 00:18:06,959 And I said to Willard, who was the DPS trooper, I said, hey, I need 338 00:18:06,959 --> 00:18:08,079 to get my driver's license. 339 00:18:08,159 --> 00:18:10,439 You know, Brother Gantz down there at the church wants me to get 340 00:18:10,439 --> 00:18:10,719 it. 341 00:18:10,799 --> 00:18:11,759 And he said, no problem. 342 00:18:11,759 --> 00:18:12,439 Here's what you got to do. 343 00:18:12,439 --> 00:18:13,439 Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. 344 00:18:13,749 --> 00:18:18,109 Took the test and took the driving test with again, Mr. Willard, 345 00:18:18,109 --> 00:18:19,109 the DPS trooper. 346 00:18:19,509 --> 00:18:25,629 And I passed at 18 and ready to drive that bus. 347 00:18:25,629 --> 00:18:26,949 Alright, so I drove with the bus. 348 00:18:27,989 --> 00:18:33,749 We built a route in town, but all that to get to this story first 349 00:18:33,749 --> 00:18:37,749 all nighter as a youth pastor. 350 00:18:39,359 --> 00:18:42,479 We came to the Metroplex in that bus. 351 00:18:44,079 --> 00:18:46,559 And I'm going down 35. 352 00:18:46,559 --> 00:18:48,159 There's construction even back then. 353 00:18:48,399 --> 00:18:50,239 Construction never ends around here, right? 354 00:18:50,719 --> 00:18:54,639 And two men were with me, two adult grown men. 355 00:18:55,038 --> 00:18:58,759 I was a man, child, and two grown men are with me. 356 00:18:58,759 --> 00:19:01,719 And one of them sat in the back of the bus and he said, hey, 357 00:19:01,719 --> 00:19:07,489 Eric, when you went by that cement boundary while ago, you were 358 00:19:07,489 --> 00:19:08,689 two inches from it. 359 00:19:09,569 --> 00:19:13,329 I mean, it was so close, you know, we were coming toward the end 360 00:19:13,329 --> 00:19:13,649 of the night. 361 00:19:13,649 --> 00:19:17,809 We went to a place called Beltline Station. 362 00:19:17,809 --> 00:19:18,689 Anybody remember that? 363 00:19:18,769 --> 00:19:20,049 It was a go kart place. 364 00:19:20,049 --> 00:19:21,809 Like they have a bunch of them now too. 365 00:19:21,889 --> 00:19:25,569 Go karts, Arcadia, mini golf, all those things. 366 00:19:25,649 --> 00:19:27,969 And we were there at 3 o' clock in the morning. 367 00:19:28,289 --> 00:19:33,979 So I was going to that mini golf place and I was on Beltline 368 00:19:33,979 --> 00:19:35,979 Road because Beltline Station, Beltline Road. 369 00:19:36,139 --> 00:19:42,139 And anyway, I may have made a little wrong turn and I ended up 370 00:19:42,139 --> 00:19:46,779 going the wrong way in a one way street on Beltline Road. 371 00:19:47,339 --> 00:19:48,139 A lot of traffic. 372 00:19:48,139 --> 00:19:49,099 I was in a big old bus. 373 00:19:49,099 --> 00:19:49,619 What does it matter? 374 00:19:49,619 --> 00:19:50,939 I'm bigger than everybody there. 375 00:19:51,339 --> 00:19:53,179 Everybody blinking their lights at me. 376 00:19:54,539 --> 00:19:55,739 I was going the wrong way. 377 00:19:56,649 --> 00:19:57,129 Wrong way. 378 00:19:57,129 --> 00:19:58,169 Stop, turn around. 379 00:19:58,169 --> 00:19:59,089 That's a big old bus. 380 00:19:59,089 --> 00:20:00,409 Gonna take a little while to turn it around. 381 00:20:00,809 --> 00:20:01,929 I got it turned around. 382 00:20:02,089 --> 00:20:05,889 I'm telling you, God has warning signs all along the way when 383 00:20:05,889 --> 00:20:06,889 we go the wrong way. 384 00:20:07,449 --> 00:20:12,049 He is a merciful and loving and gracious God who puts those borders 385 00:20:12,049 --> 00:20:15,369 up, puts those boundaries up, puts those cement, you know, culverts 386 00:20:15,369 --> 00:20:18,329 up to try to keep us in line. 387 00:20:19,529 --> 00:20:23,129 God's so good, so he's merciful to Nebuchadnezzar. 388 00:20:23,359 --> 00:20:23,759 Amen. 389 00:20:29,679 --> 00:20:32,359 I do believe though, he was setting Nebuchadnezzar up to receive 390 00:20:32,359 --> 00:20:33,039 the gospel. 391 00:20:34,159 --> 00:20:37,759 You think about it now, he's recognizing how high God is. 392 00:20:39,038 --> 00:20:42,879 He's recognized that God's an authority, there is a moral standard, 393 00:20:42,879 --> 00:20:45,039 and God sets that moral standard. 394 00:20:46,079 --> 00:20:48,879 And he recognizes there's a punishment for crossing the line. 395 00:20:49,919 --> 00:20:53,239 There's a punishment for breaking the law, breaking the standard 396 00:20:53,239 --> 00:20:53,759 of God. 397 00:20:53,759 --> 00:20:54,639 You see how that. 398 00:20:55,519 --> 00:20:57,439 Is he not ready for the Gospel message? 399 00:20:57,519 --> 00:21:00,079 Do you believe that Daniel took the opportunity? 400 00:21:00,719 --> 00:21:01,919 I absolutely believe he did. 401 00:21:01,999 --> 00:21:04,399 I believe when we get to heaven, Nebuchadnezzar is going to 402 00:21:04,399 --> 00:21:04,719 be there. 403 00:21:05,519 --> 00:21:07,039 Can't be dogmatic about it. 404 00:21:07,279 --> 00:21:12,639 But as you continue to see God reveal himself to Nebuchadnezzar 405 00:21:12,959 --> 00:21:17,479 in amazing ways, and you see the words of Nebuchadnezzar as he 406 00:21:17,479 --> 00:21:21,159 talks back and he talks about the high God and the God who's in 407 00:21:21,159 --> 00:21:21,679 authority. 408 00:21:21,839 --> 00:21:26,399 It just seems as though he came to that place of understanding. 409 00:21:28,639 --> 00:21:33,999 Then verses 28 through 37, we again see the conclusion of Nebuchadnezzar's 410 00:21:33,999 --> 00:21:34,479 testimony. 411 00:21:35,599 --> 00:21:36,799 One year has passed. 412 00:21:36,799 --> 00:21:38,559 Look at verse 30 with me. 413 00:21:39,519 --> 00:21:40,119 Verse 30. 414 00:21:40,119 --> 00:21:44,279 The king spake and said, is not this great Babylon that I have 415 00:21:44,279 --> 00:21:47,849 built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power 416 00:21:48,089 --> 00:21:50,969 and for the honor of my majesty? 417 00:21:51,769 --> 00:21:55,369 And while the word was in his king's mouth, there fell a voice 418 00:21:55,369 --> 00:22:00,249 from heaven saying, o King Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken. 419 00:22:00,409 --> 00:22:04,809 The kingdom is departed from thee, and they shall drive thee from 420 00:22:04,809 --> 00:22:05,129 men. 421 00:22:06,649 --> 00:22:09,289 And thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. 422 00:22:09,689 --> 00:22:13,449 They shall make thee to eat grass as an oxen, and seven times 423 00:22:13,449 --> 00:22:14,529 shall pass over thee. 424 00:22:14,529 --> 00:22:19,409 That's seven years until thou know that the Most High ruleth in 425 00:22:19,409 --> 00:22:24,129 the kingdom of men and giveth it to whomever, whomsoever he will. 426 00:22:24,689 --> 00:22:25,489 Verse 33. 427 00:22:25,489 --> 00:22:28,609 The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar. 428 00:22:28,609 --> 00:22:32,049 And he was driven from men and did eat grass as an oxen. 429 00:22:32,289 --> 00:22:36,049 And his body was wet with the dew of the heaven till his hairs 430 00:22:36,289 --> 00:22:38,639 were grown like eagles, feathers and. 431 00:22:38,789 --> 00:22:41,349 And his nails like bird claws. 432 00:22:43,829 --> 00:22:48,549 Judgment fell upon Nebuchadnezzar, became a birdman. 433 00:22:49,989 --> 00:22:53,429 Crazy, crazy. 434 00:22:53,589 --> 00:22:54,709 Judgment fell. 435 00:22:55,189 --> 00:22:58,709 I remind you, the Bible tells us you reap what you sow. 436 00:23:00,709 --> 00:23:03,109 And God again gives us so many warnings. 437 00:23:04,879 --> 00:23:12,159 But we ought not to position ourselves and take for granted the 438 00:23:12,159 --> 00:23:13,439 graciousness of God. 439 00:23:14,719 --> 00:23:19,279 And he will be gracious to whom he is gracious, but don't take 440 00:23:19,279 --> 00:23:21,439 his graciousness for granted. 441 00:23:21,759 --> 00:23:25,759 And continuing our sins, continuing your sins. 442 00:23:26,399 --> 00:23:28,799 And find yourself in Nebuchadnezzar's spot. 443 00:23:29,849 --> 00:23:30,529 Heed the warning. 444 00:23:30,529 --> 00:23:31,129 Amen. 445 00:23:31,449 --> 00:23:32,969 Heed the warning signs. 446 00:23:33,929 --> 00:23:37,169 And then we see, in verses 34 through 37, Nebuchadnezzar again 447 00:23:37,169 --> 00:23:38,729 recognizes the true God. 448 00:23:39,449 --> 00:23:42,689 He saw that great image in chapter two, the fiery furnace. 449 00:23:42,689 --> 00:23:45,049 In chapter three, God's working on Nebuchadnezzar. 450 00:23:45,049 --> 00:23:47,649 God's bringing Nebuchadnezzar into a greater understanding of who 451 00:23:47,649 --> 00:23:48,169 he is. 452 00:23:48,649 --> 00:23:49,449 Verse 34. 453 00:23:49,449 --> 00:23:50,809 Look there with me and he. 454 00:23:50,809 --> 00:23:54,569 And at the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes 455 00:23:54,569 --> 00:23:57,669 unto heaven and and my understanding returned unto me. 456 00:23:57,749 --> 00:24:01,269 And I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honored him that 457 00:24:01,269 --> 00:24:05,189 liveth forever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his 458 00:24:05,189 --> 00:24:06,669 kingdom is from generation. 459 00:24:06,669 --> 00:24:08,629 You think he's getting an understanding of who God is? 460 00:24:09,029 --> 00:24:13,669 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing. 461 00:24:13,909 --> 00:24:18,469 And he doth according to his will in the army of heaven and among 462 00:24:18,469 --> 00:24:19,909 the inhabitants of the earth. 463 00:24:19,989 --> 00:24:24,409 And none can stay his hand or say unto him, what doest thou? 464 00:24:25,369 --> 00:24:29,289 At the same time my reason returned unto me, and for the glory 465 00:24:29,289 --> 00:24:32,409 of mine kingdom, mine honor and brightness returned unto me. 466 00:24:32,729 --> 00:24:35,289 And my counselors and my lord sought unto me. 467 00:24:35,449 --> 00:24:39,769 And I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was 468 00:24:39,769 --> 00:24:41,209 added unto me. 469 00:24:42,169 --> 00:24:43,329 We read this a moment ago. 470 00:24:43,329 --> 00:24:48,169 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven. 471 00:24:48,899 --> 00:24:54,219 All whose works are truth, and his ways judgments, and those that 472 00:24:54,219 --> 00:24:56,739 walk in pride he is able to debase. 473 00:24:57,939 --> 00:25:02,419 Now again he extols the majesty of God in verse 34, calls 474 00:25:02,419 --> 00:25:05,859 him the Most High, calls him God, the Eternal One, the authority 475 00:25:05,859 --> 00:25:08,819 over all who reigns forever and ever and ever. 476 00:25:09,939 --> 00:25:13,179 By the way, there was not a kingdom at that point that was forever 477 00:25:13,179 --> 00:25:13,619 and ever. 478 00:25:13,619 --> 00:25:16,099 He's speaking of that from generation to generation. 479 00:25:16,769 --> 00:25:19,889 Speaking of the fact that God rules not only in the affairs of 480 00:25:19,889 --> 00:25:23,169 men externally, but internally. 481 00:25:23,409 --> 00:25:24,049 The heart. 482 00:25:25,969 --> 00:25:28,129 God works in the heart of mankind. 483 00:25:29,249 --> 00:25:30,849 I'm thankful God worked in my heart. 484 00:25:31,489 --> 00:25:32,728 And he's alluding to that. 485 00:25:32,728 --> 00:25:33,889 God's working in his heart. 486 00:25:34,129 --> 00:25:36,289 I am telling you, I believe he's going to be in heaven. 487 00:25:36,849 --> 00:25:37,609 Verse 35. 488 00:25:37,609 --> 00:25:40,209 He says all are under God's feet. 489 00:25:41,729 --> 00:25:43,329 Who can tell God anything? 490 00:25:43,729 --> 00:25:45,089 Who can affront God? 491 00:25:45,479 --> 00:25:46,599 Who can defeat God? 492 00:25:46,599 --> 00:25:47,079 No one. 493 00:25:47,479 --> 00:25:48,039 No one. 494 00:25:49,399 --> 00:25:51,719 His armies are mightier than the armies of man. 495 00:25:52,919 --> 00:25:57,279 Nebuchadnezzar reasoning returned a miracle from God that 496 00:25:57,279 --> 00:26:04,519 he went from eating grass in the field to ruling the greatest 497 00:26:04,519 --> 00:26:09,799 nation at the time, the largest nation at the time, one who 498 00:26:09,799 --> 00:26:13,209 ruled over all the then known world. 499 00:26:15,529 --> 00:26:16,969 What a miracle from God. 500 00:26:17,929 --> 00:26:19,769 Do you think Nebuchadnezzar got it? 501 00:26:21,049 --> 00:26:22,009 I believe he did. 502 00:26:22,729 --> 00:26:23,889 He glorified God. 503 00:26:23,889 --> 00:26:29,129 Verse 37 spoke of God as one of truth and of judgment. 504 00:26:29,769 --> 00:26:30,809 A God of truth. 505 00:26:31,609 --> 00:26:32,569 God of judgment. 506 00:26:35,209 --> 00:26:41,889 I believe the biggest truth found here now, the biggest truth 507 00:26:41,889 --> 00:26:44,329 is of course, who God is. 508 00:26:45,369 --> 00:26:48,009 But the most practical lesson taught here is about pride. 509 00:26:49,609 --> 00:26:50,489 God rules. 510 00:26:53,049 --> 00:26:54,169 Pride drools. 511 00:26:54,329 --> 00:26:54,969 I don't know. 512 00:26:55,849 --> 00:26:56,769 I thought that was pretty. 513 00:26:56,769 --> 00:26:57,209 I just. 514 00:26:57,769 --> 00:26:58,489 I don't know. 515 00:26:58,649 --> 00:26:59,769 Thank you, Ms. Cindy. 516 00:27:03,779 --> 00:27:04,179 Pride. 517 00:27:05,699 --> 00:27:06,259 Pride. 518 00:27:08,019 --> 00:27:13,139 Pride is an affront to God by the saved or the unsaved. 519 00:27:13,859 --> 00:27:17,619 Because at this point, Nebuchadnezzar probably wasn't saved 520 00:27:18,099 --> 00:27:19,219 up until this point. 521 00:27:19,219 --> 00:27:23,379 I believe during this point, at some point here, Nebuchadnezzar's 522 00:27:23,459 --> 00:27:26,899 understanding is open, but it's in front of God. 523 00:27:26,899 --> 00:27:31,419 God condemns pride more than he condemns adultery, more than he 524 00:27:31,419 --> 00:27:36,219 condemns stealing, more than he condemns lying more than he condemns 525 00:27:36,219 --> 00:27:36,699 cheating. 526 00:27:37,179 --> 00:27:38,619 God condemns pride. 527 00:27:39,099 --> 00:27:41,179 By the way, pride leads to many of those things. 528 00:27:43,099 --> 00:27:44,259 Leads to many of those things. 529 00:27:44,259 --> 00:27:45,019 Jealousy. 530 00:27:46,059 --> 00:27:48,939 We all struggle, by the way, with pride at some level. 531 00:27:49,899 --> 00:27:53,539 There's no one in here or watching online that doesn't struggle 532 00:27:53,539 --> 00:27:55,019 at some level with pride. 533 00:27:56,149 --> 00:28:01,429 We have to constantly battle the I problem, the me problem, the 534 00:28:01,429 --> 00:28:02,069 my problem. 535 00:28:03,669 --> 00:28:06,469 We can even remind ourselves that we have nothing to boast of, 536 00:28:06,949 --> 00:28:08,709 that all we have comes from God. 537 00:28:09,989 --> 00:28:12,069 What knowledge we do have comes from God. 538 00:28:12,149 --> 00:28:14,309 What wisdom we have comes from God. 539 00:28:14,309 --> 00:28:17,029 What stuff we have comes from God. 540 00:28:17,429 --> 00:28:18,629 All things come from him. 541 00:28:19,589 --> 00:28:20,629 All our resources. 542 00:28:21,029 --> 00:28:23,269 We're just simply managers of God's resources. 543 00:28:24,009 --> 00:28:25,449 Our strength comes from God. 544 00:28:26,409 --> 00:28:28,729 If you can sing, your voice comes from God. 545 00:28:29,449 --> 00:28:30,769 If you can, all of us can sing. 546 00:28:30,769 --> 00:28:32,889 But if you can sing good, that voice came from God. 547 00:28:35,209 --> 00:28:35,849 No comments. 548 00:28:37,929 --> 00:28:40,009 They're on a trip anyway, so I can't comment. 549 00:28:40,329 --> 00:28:45,849 So no, our health comes from God. 550 00:28:46,649 --> 00:28:48,169 We have no reason to boast. 551 00:28:49,939 --> 00:28:51,619 And again, pride enters in. 552 00:28:51,859 --> 00:28:54,539 Dr. Barber has a lot of good sayings about pride. 553 00:28:54,539 --> 00:28:59,059 I love some of the things God never intended for us to put ourselves 554 00:28:59,059 --> 00:29:00,659 or pat ourselves on the back. 555 00:29:01,219 --> 00:29:03,299 If so, he would have hinged us differently. 556 00:29:04,579 --> 00:29:07,139 Don't break your arm trying to pat yourself on the back. 557 00:29:07,139 --> 00:29:11,579 Now some of you can reach it, but I can barely got to be careful 558 00:29:11,579 --> 00:29:12,579 about the pride issue. 559 00:29:13,379 --> 00:29:14,259 Isaiah 14. 560 00:29:14,659 --> 00:29:20,699 We understand and know that again pride we was recorded in the 561 00:29:20,699 --> 00:29:22,899 Bible and it was Satan who was prideful. 562 00:29:23,139 --> 00:29:25,379 I will be like the most high, he said. 563 00:29:26,899 --> 00:29:28,019 Mark chapter seven. 564 00:29:28,019 --> 00:29:29,619 Pride is a heart matter. 565 00:29:30,739 --> 00:29:31,979 It's anti God. 566 00:29:31,979 --> 00:29:33,859 It's selfishness in all of its glory. 567 00:29:34,499 --> 00:29:36,179 Romans chapter 12, verse 3. 568 00:29:36,339 --> 00:29:39,299 We understand that the Bible says there that let no man think 569 00:29:39,299 --> 00:29:41,459 more highly of Himself than he ought to think. 570 00:29:43,389 --> 00:29:47,709 What are the effects of pride again, Dr. Barber? 571 00:29:48,829 --> 00:29:51,869 Egotist is an eye specialist. 572 00:29:52,349 --> 00:29:54,229 An egotist is an eye specialist. 573 00:29:54,229 --> 00:29:58,109 Nobody an eye capital I specialist. 574 00:29:59,309 --> 00:30:00,109 That's pretty good. 575 00:30:00,109 --> 00:30:03,629 Dr. Barber's in heaven tonight, laughing. 576 00:30:05,469 --> 00:30:09,069 My favorite one of his sayings, and I'm sure he got it somewhere. 577 00:30:09,869 --> 00:30:11,949 Egotism again, that pride. 578 00:30:11,949 --> 00:30:17,629 You know, me, myself and I. Egotism is the hypodermic needle 579 00:30:17,629 --> 00:30:21,309 that God allows man to administer to himself to deaden the 580 00:30:21,309 --> 00:30:22,589 pain of being a fool. 581 00:30:25,629 --> 00:30:30,909 I love that allows to administer to himself. 582 00:30:30,909 --> 00:30:31,669 And that's what happens. 583 00:30:31,669 --> 00:30:32,749 You minister to yourself. 584 00:30:33,149 --> 00:30:34,509 I administer to myself. 585 00:30:35,389 --> 00:30:36,589 What are the signs of pride? 586 00:30:37,709 --> 00:30:42,109 How do we see or how can we know the effects of pride in our 587 00:30:42,109 --> 00:30:42,509 own lives? 588 00:30:43,229 --> 00:30:47,709 Well, pride makes us critical of others. 589 00:30:47,869 --> 00:30:50,189 You know, somebody who's just constantly critical of others. 590 00:30:50,669 --> 00:30:51,548 That's pride. 591 00:30:52,029 --> 00:30:53,229 That's pride in their life. 592 00:30:53,709 --> 00:30:56,589 Maybe that's you critical of others. 593 00:30:56,989 --> 00:31:00,349 Jealousy is an effect of pride. 594 00:31:01,879 --> 00:31:05,159 Jealousy always jealous of somebody else's success. 595 00:31:06,279 --> 00:31:07,159 That's pride. 596 00:31:07,799 --> 00:31:12,919 Self seeking an inflated view of oneself. 597 00:31:14,039 --> 00:31:16,678 By the way, I did not put a sermon together on this one. 598 00:31:16,678 --> 00:31:17,559 I could have done it. 599 00:31:17,959 --> 00:31:23,519 If you take First Corinthians 13 and the love chapter and you describe 600 00:31:23,519 --> 00:31:24,279 what love is. 601 00:31:24,919 --> 00:31:26,519 It's all the opposites of this. 602 00:31:29,179 --> 00:31:30,379 It's all the opposites. 603 00:31:30,939 --> 00:31:33,259 Love what seeks not our own. 604 00:31:35,179 --> 00:31:39,419 It's an amazing thing as we love others more than ourselves. 605 00:31:39,819 --> 00:31:43,579 It pushes the pride down in our life as we look out for others. 606 00:31:43,579 --> 00:31:48,619 But those effects of pride or the signs of pride in one's life, 607 00:31:48,699 --> 00:31:50,299 the next one is resentful. 608 00:31:50,699 --> 00:31:54,749 Somebody who's resentful, who does not forget, who does not easily 609 00:31:54,749 --> 00:31:57,149 forget, who keeps the score. 610 00:31:58,189 --> 00:32:00,109 We got to be careful about being resentful. 611 00:32:00,109 --> 00:32:02,349 The resentfulness is pride. 612 00:32:03,309 --> 00:32:06,669 Proverbs 13:10 says, Only by pride cometh contention. 613 00:32:07,549 --> 00:32:09,268 This is a verse that I'll never forget. 614 00:32:09,268 --> 00:32:13,229 That was Brother Olet the first time I heard this passage used 615 00:32:15,549 --> 00:32:19,869 in the context of which we as Christians find ourselves many times 616 00:32:19,869 --> 00:32:23,769 arguing with other people about non important things. 617 00:32:24,489 --> 00:32:26,649 And we find ourselves being contentious with others. 618 00:32:27,129 --> 00:32:30,969 And the Bible says it's only through pride that contentious comes. 619 00:32:31,689 --> 00:32:33,929 That we could contend without being contentious. 620 00:32:34,089 --> 00:32:36,849 This is where we go back to that we need to be loving and kind 621 00:32:36,849 --> 00:32:38,729 and gracious to those who we disagree with. 622 00:32:39,929 --> 00:32:41,929 We could disagree without being disagreeable. 623 00:32:42,089 --> 00:32:47,409 Now we can stand firm in our faith and not move and be still all 624 00:32:47,409 --> 00:32:47,849 those things. 625 00:32:47,849 --> 00:32:48,119 But. 626 00:32:48,269 --> 00:32:50,269 But we do need to preach the truth in love. 627 00:32:51,389 --> 00:32:54,669 And people want to know how much we again, how much we care before 628 00:32:54,669 --> 00:32:57,309 they will Accept our message. 629 00:32:59,949 --> 00:33:00,509 Pride. 630 00:33:01,469 --> 00:33:02,029 Pride. 631 00:33:02,989 --> 00:33:04,348 Contention in the home. 632 00:33:06,429 --> 00:33:08,829 Husband and wife who can't admit to wrong. 633 00:33:09,149 --> 00:33:09,869 Being wrong. 634 00:33:10,269 --> 00:33:11,549 You ever met anybody like that? 635 00:33:11,549 --> 00:33:12,509 They're never wrong. 636 00:33:13,799 --> 00:33:14,359 Never wrong. 637 00:33:16,679 --> 00:33:17,559 That's pride. 638 00:33:19,399 --> 00:33:22,039 Parents, it's okay to say sorry to your kids when you're wrong. 639 00:33:22,359 --> 00:33:26,119 In fact, it's good for them to know that Daddy and Mama do mess 640 00:33:26,119 --> 00:33:26,439 up. 641 00:33:27,559 --> 00:33:31,319 Might be good to say you're wrong to your spouse now and again. 642 00:33:32,919 --> 00:33:33,959 Okay, I'll move on. 643 00:33:36,359 --> 00:33:37,719 Think about the church as well. 644 00:33:37,799 --> 00:33:41,329 When it comes to contention. 645 00:33:42,129 --> 00:33:43,449 Only through contention. 646 00:33:43,449 --> 00:33:43,969 Pride. 647 00:33:44,529 --> 00:33:45,089 Pride. 648 00:33:46,609 --> 00:33:49,529 Understanding that the disciples were the ones who said, 649 00:33:49,529 --> 00:33:51,529 lord, who's going to be the greatest in the kingdom? 650 00:33:51,529 --> 00:33:52,289 Is it going to be me? 651 00:33:52,289 --> 00:33:53,249 Is it going to be him? 652 00:33:54,049 --> 00:33:57,369 And Jesus said, nope. 653 00:33:57,369 --> 00:34:00,369 The first shall be last, the last shall be first. 654 00:34:01,089 --> 00:34:03,889 I came not to be ministered unto, to minister and give my life 655 00:34:03,889 --> 00:34:04,849 a ransom for many. 656 00:34:05,699 --> 00:34:06,179 Amen. 657 00:34:07,379 --> 00:34:10,259 To be a servant boy. 658 00:34:10,979 --> 00:34:13,139 Only by pride cometh contention. 659 00:34:15,219 --> 00:34:16,539 What does God think about pride? 660 00:34:16,539 --> 00:34:18,819 Well, the Bible says in Proverbs 16 that he hates it. 661 00:34:19,619 --> 00:34:22,499 In First Peter, chapter 5, verse 5, he says he resisted the 662 00:34:22,499 --> 00:34:24,019 proud and gives grace to the humble. 663 00:34:24,659 --> 00:34:26,979 What is the cure for pride? 664 00:34:26,979 --> 00:34:27,779 It's humility. 665 00:34:29,059 --> 00:34:30,419 Humility is the cure. 666 00:34:31,509 --> 00:34:32,469 Nebuchadnezzar. 667 00:34:33,429 --> 00:34:34,269 What happened? 668 00:34:34,269 --> 00:34:40,909 Nebuchadnezzar was humbled by the judgment of God in so much that 669 00:34:40,909 --> 00:34:43,589 he could look up and say, he is the most high God. 670 00:34:44,709 --> 00:34:46,429 He is the everlasting God. 671 00:34:46,429 --> 00:34:48,029 He is the eternal God. 672 00:34:48,029 --> 00:34:50,949 He is the one who puts rulers on the throne. 673 00:34:50,949 --> 00:34:53,109 He's the one who takes them down. 674 00:34:53,349 --> 00:34:57,829 He's the one who has authority over the world, over all. 675 00:34:58,389 --> 00:35:01,109 He says, overall, God. 676 00:35:02,469 --> 00:35:05,349 So Nebuchadnezzar was humbled by God himself. 677 00:35:09,589 --> 00:35:11,829 And living a humble life is a choice. 678 00:35:12,309 --> 00:35:13,749 It's a heart matter, right? 679 00:35:13,829 --> 00:35:17,029 It's a choice we make to be humble. 680 00:35:18,069 --> 00:35:20,229 Moses, the Bible says, was a humble man. 681 00:35:20,389 --> 00:35:21,509 But look how he led. 682 00:35:22,789 --> 00:35:23,669 Look what he did. 683 00:35:24,669 --> 00:35:28,269 Since Jesus was meek and lowly, but look what he did. 684 00:35:30,189 --> 00:35:30,789 Humble. 685 00:35:30,789 --> 00:35:31,629 It's a choice. 686 00:35:32,029 --> 00:35:33,389 Choose to humble yourself. 687 00:35:34,829 --> 00:35:36,589 Admit that you need God's help. 688 00:35:36,909 --> 00:35:38,269 John 15:5. 689 00:35:38,509 --> 00:35:39,549 We need God's help. 690 00:35:41,389 --> 00:35:42,429 We need him. 691 00:35:42,509 --> 00:35:43,869 We need his strength. 692 00:35:44,909 --> 00:35:47,869 Third, we need to confess pride as a sin. 693 00:35:48,909 --> 00:35:50,789 Every once in a while, I just need to go to God and say, lord, 694 00:35:50,789 --> 00:35:51,789 I'm too full of myself. 695 00:35:51,789 --> 00:35:52,349 Help me. 696 00:35:53,619 --> 00:35:54,179 Help me. 697 00:35:54,899 --> 00:35:57,859 I don't know how many times, especially here in the last couple, 698 00:35:57,859 --> 00:35:59,379 two, three years, I find myself. 699 00:36:01,459 --> 00:36:02,339 I find myself. 700 00:36:02,339 --> 00:36:06,819 Somebody tells me a story, and then I want to tell them a story 701 00:36:06,819 --> 00:36:09,219 about something similar that happened to me. 702 00:36:10,499 --> 00:36:12,979 And sometimes you find yourself trying to up what they, 703 00:36:13,219 --> 00:36:14,779 you know, trying to one up them. 704 00:36:14,779 --> 00:36:18,419 Billy and I did that here recently even. 705 00:36:18,419 --> 00:36:22,019 And I'm like, why did I have to reply in that fashion? 706 00:36:22,879 --> 00:36:25,559 I went back and apologized to that person, said, I didn't mean 707 00:36:25,559 --> 00:36:29,519 to in any way discount what you've gone through because I've 708 00:36:29,519 --> 00:36:30,959 gone through similar circumstances. 709 00:36:31,839 --> 00:36:34,639 I was trying to say, hey, I've been through that before too. 710 00:36:34,639 --> 00:36:35,439 And here's what. 711 00:36:35,519 --> 00:36:41,359 But sometimes we can come across as, hey, my problem is bigger 712 00:36:41,359 --> 00:36:41,919 than your problem. 713 00:36:43,039 --> 00:36:50,569 And we need to be careful, humble ourselves, live humbly, confess 714 00:36:50,569 --> 00:36:51,209 our sins. 715 00:36:51,529 --> 00:36:54,249 When we come to pride, it's an act of confession. 716 00:36:54,409 --> 00:36:57,369 If we confess our sins, he's faithful and just to forgive us our 717 00:36:57,369 --> 00:36:58,809 sins and cleanse us from all unrighteous. 718 00:36:58,809 --> 00:36:59,769 And then I'm done. 719 00:37:00,009 --> 00:37:02,769 The Bible says Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, blessed 720 00:37:02,769 --> 00:37:05,769 are the meek for what they shall inherit the earth. 721 00:37:06,249 --> 00:37:07,289 Blessed are the meek. 722 00:37:07,289 --> 00:37:07,929 Happy. 723 00:37:09,369 --> 00:37:10,009 Blessed. 724 00:37:13,459 --> 00:37:13,979 Blessed. 725 00:37:13,979 --> 00:37:15,379 It's more than just being happy. 726 00:37:19,779 --> 00:37:20,579 It's joy. 727 00:37:23,859 --> 00:37:28,899 Seek his will, surrender, recognize all comes from him. 728 00:37:28,899 --> 00:37:34,779 Nebuchadnezzar testifying he is the king of the most powerful 729 00:37:34,779 --> 00:37:35,859 nation in the world. 730 00:37:36,659 --> 00:37:38,419 And God confronted him. 731 00:37:39,469 --> 00:37:44,029 And God was helping him and bringing him along to give him a 732 00:37:44,029 --> 00:37:45,549 fuller understanding of who he was. 733 00:37:46,749 --> 00:37:49,069 And Nebuchadnezzar, I think, got the lesson, don't you? 734 00:37:50,189 --> 00:37:52,349 At least by way of his testimony, he got it. 735 00:37:53,709 --> 00:37:55,389 Boy, we need to get it sometimes. 736 00:37:56,029 --> 00:37:57,069 We need to get it. 737 00:37:57,709 --> 00:37:58,749 Let us be humble.