Pride is ultimately an issue of worship because it leads to self-worship.
Sermon #4: King Releases Autobiography of Personal Exile Experience!
Sermon Series: In Exile: Living with purpose in the days of Daniel
Scripture Text: Daniel 4
Sermon Notes:
DANIEL 4:34-37 NIV
34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
35 All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?”
36 At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before.
37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.
DANIEL 4:1-3 NIV
1 King Nebuchadnezzar, To the peoples, nations and men of every language, who live in all the world: May you prosper greatly!
2 It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me.
3 How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation.
“Success is as much a test in life as suffering is.”
“Pride is ultimately an issue of worship because it leads to self-worship.”
DANIEL 4:22 NIV
22 you, O king, are that tree! You have become great and strong; your greatness has grown until it reaches the sky, and your dominion extends to distant parts of the earth.
DANIEL 4:25-27 NIV
25 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes.
26 The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules.
27 Therefore, O king, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.”
DANIEL 4:29-31NIV
29 Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon,
30 he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?”
31 The words were still on his lips when a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you.
DANIEL 4:33 NIV
33 Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like cattle. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.
“You can expect to be tested in your success.”
3 POINTS:
- THE MARKS OF PRIDE
- THE CURE OF PRIDE
- THE LESSONS OF PRIDE
THE MARKS OF PRIDE
1. COMPLACENCY
DANIEL 4:4 NIV
4 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented and prosperous.
“DON’T LET COMPLACENCY GET THE BETTER OF YOU!”
THE MARKS OF PRIDE
1. COMPLACENCY
2. NEGLECT
DANIEL 4:27 NIV
27 Therefore, O king, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.”
- Humility is a choice.
- Humility is others-centered.
THE MARKS OF PRIDE
1. COMPLACENCY
2. NEGLECT
3. PROCRASTINATION
DANIEL 4:29 NIV
29 Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon
“Those who walk in pride, God is able to humble.” — Daniel 4:37
THE CURE FOR PRIDE
DANIEL 4:34 NIV
34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
“Is there anything more important in your life than worshiping God?”
“The opposite of pride in man’s strength is praise for God’s sovereignty.” — John Piper
“Praise replaces pride.”
LESSONS ON PRIDE
1. God’s kingdom will outlast everything we do.
DANIEL 4:34 NIV
34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
LESSONS ON PRIDE
1. God’s kingdom will outlast everything we do.
2. Worship is man’s highest calling.
DANIEL 4:34 NIV
34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
LESSONS ON PRIDE
1. God’s kingdom will outlast everything we do.
2. Worship is man’s highest calling.
3. God is not a safe God, but he is good.
DANIEL 4:26 NIV
26 The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules.
Daniel 4
- THE MARKS OF PRIDE:
Complacency. Neglect. Procrastination. - THE CURE OF PRIDE:
Look up, and worship God. - LESSONS ON PRIDE:
God’s kingdom will outlast everything we do.
Worship is our highest calling.
God is not a safe God, but he is a good God.
1 PETER 5:5b NIV
5 “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
DANIEL 4:36-37 NIV
36 At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before.
37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.
“What we have today, we have because of the grace of Christ, there should be no room for pride.”