1. DARE TO BE A DANIEL Chapter 6 princes Governors excellent spirit Dan 6:1 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; (Governors) 2 And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage. 3 Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. Excellent spirit – Is this possible for us? John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

2. EXCELLENT SPIRIT IN US! sons of God Abba, Father Romans 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. …12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint–heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

3. we believe that we shall also live with him Romans 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that hence- forth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewisereckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Christ liveth in me I live by the faith of the Son of God Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. MY EXCELLENT SPIRIT IS CHRIST IN ME!

4. Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Dan 6:4 Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. 5 Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.

5. Dan 6:5 Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God. IS THERE ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO CONVICT YOU OF KEEPING THE LAW OF GOD? Ac 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. Ac 26:28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. 1Pe 4:16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

6. WHY WERE THEY OUT TO DESTROY DANIEL? 1.Because of his excellent Spirit. 2.Because of his position, that God gave him. 3.Because he was faithful. 4.Because there was no error or fault found in him. errorfault Dan 6:4 Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. 5 Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.

7. ERROR OR FAULT Proverbs 6:16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud looka lying tongue 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, deviseth wicked imaginationsfeet that be swift in running to mischief(1. thought 18An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, (1. thought 2. device, plan, purpose 3. invention) A false witness that speaketh lies discord(1.strife, contention) 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. (1.strife, contention) IS THERE ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO CONVICT YOU OF BEING A CHRISTIAN, OF AN EXCELENT SPIRIT, OR ARE YOU BEING CONVCTED OF AN ERROR OR A FAULT? WHO IS SOWING DISCORD, THE FALSE TEACHER OR THE ONE EXPOSING THE FALSE TEACHER?

8. THE PLOT Dan 6:6 Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever. 7 All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. 8 Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. 9 Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.

9. Pr 29:5 A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet. 1Th 2:5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: Ro 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. BEWARE OF FLATTERING LIPS

10. Dan 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. WHOM DO WE OBEY? 1.God’s Word or Man’s word? 2.People Peer pressure or Holy Spirit Conviction 1 Kings 8:30 And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: and hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place: and when thou hearest, forgive. Ps 55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

11. OBEY GOD 1 Kings 8:30 And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: and hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place: and when thou hearest, forgive. Ps 55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. Dan 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

12. WHOM DO WE OBEY? Whom do we call Christian or give Christian recognition to?!!! Ac 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. Ac 4:19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. S Systems H Heart I Institutions P People S Satan biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. 2 John 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

13. Daniel 6:11 Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.

14. Daniel maketh his petition three times a day. Daniel 6:12 Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king’s decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. 13 Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.

15. these men 14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.15 Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed. The “these” men in our lives just don’t give up. Occupy till I come. Jesus said in Lu 19:13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

16. Dan 6:16 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee. 17 And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.

17. Daniel 6:18 Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him. 19 Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.

18. servest continually Daniel 6:20 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God. Dan 6:5 Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.

19. Daniel 6:21 Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. 22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. Some of the best citizens are the ones persecuted.

20. Ro 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Daniel 6:23 Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God. 24 And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den. WHAT THEY THOUGHT TO DO TO DANIEL HAPPENED TO THEM!

21. THE PURPOSE OF OUR TESTIMONY! Daniel 6:25 Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end. 26 I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end. 27 He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. 28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.