2. (Dan. 5) “Inspiring Blasphemy”

3. Daniel 5:4 (NKJV) 4 They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone. Daniel 5

4. Daniel 5:5–6 (NKJV) 5 In the same hour the fingers of a man’s hand appeared and wrote opposite the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace; and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. 6 Then the king’s countenance changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his hips were loosened and his knees knocked against each other.

5. Daniel 5 MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN Lit. Mene: From “Mina” meaning “to number” [2x] Tekel: From “Shekel” meaning “To Weigh” Upharsin: From “Half-shekel” meaning “To Divide All together: “to number, to number, to weigh, to divide”

6. David & Bathsheba 2 Samuel 12:14 (NKJV) 14 However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the L ORD to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die.” Others Who Gave God’s Enemies Occasion to Blaspheme His Holy Name

7. Rebellious People Numbers 14:11–16 (NKJV) 11 Then the L ORD said to Moses: “How long will these people reject Me? And how long will they not believe Me, with all the signs which I have performed among them? 12 I will strike them with the pestilence and disinherit them, and I will make of you a nation greater and mightier than they.” 13 And Moses said to the L ORD : “Then the Egyptians will hear it, for by Your might You brought these people up from among them, 14 and they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. They have heard that You, L ORD, are among these people; that You, L ORD, are seen face to face and Your cloud stands above them, and You go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night. 15 Now if You kill these people as one man, then the nations which have heard of Your fame will speak, saying, 16 ‘Because the L ORD was not able to bring this people to the land which He swore to give them, therefore He killed them in the wilderness.’ Others Who Gave God’s Enemies Occasion to Blaspheme His Holy Name

8. Presumptuous People Numbers 15:30 (NKJV) 30 …the person who does anything presumptuously, whether he is native-born or a stranger, that one brings reproach on the L ORD, and he shall be cut off from among his people. Others Who Gave God’s Enemies Occasion to Blaspheme His Holy Name

9. 2 Corinthians 7:1 (NKJV) 1 …beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. We Are Called to Live by a Higher Standard

10. Romans 13:13 (NKJV) 13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. We Are Called to Live by a Higher Standard

11. Ephesians 5:8 (NKJV) 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light We Are Called to Live by a Higher Standard

12. Romans 12:2 (NKJV) 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. We Are Called to Live by a Higher Standard

13. Matthew 5:16 (NKJV) 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. We Are Called to Live by a Higher Standard

14. 1 Peter 2:12 (NKJV) 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. We Are Called to Live by a Higher Standard