STAND IN FAITH

Series: Stand

Week 4

Tim Bycroft, Lead Pastor  

THE POINT EXISTS TO WELCOME THE UNCHURCHED TO BECOME FULLY DEVOTED FOLLOWERS OF JESUS. 

Pointing People to God  

Pointing People to Jesus  

Pointing People to Community 

A church characterized by Love, Acceptance, and Forgiveness.

Daniel 10:5-8a, “I looked up and [I] saw a Man dressed in linen clothing, with a belt of pure gold around His waist.  His body looked like a precious gem.  His face flashed like lightning, and His eyes flamed like torches.”  

Verse 6, “His arms and [His] feet shone like polished bronze, and His voice roared like a vast multitude of people.”  

Verse 7, “Only I, Daniel, saw this vision. The men with me saw nothing, but they were suddenly terrified and ran away to hide.   So I was left there all alone to see this amazing vision.”

Verse 8b, “My strength left me, my face grew deathly pale, and I felt very weak.”  

Verse 9, “Then I heard the Man speak, and when I heard the sound of His voice, I fainted and lay there with my face to the ground.”  

HOW DO YOU STAND FIRM IN FAITH, WHEN YOU’RE PRAYING, AND YOU DON’T SEE ANYTHING HAPPEN?  

REMEMBER THAT GOD CARES ABOUT YOU MORE THAN YOU DO.  

Verse 10-11, “Just then a hand touched me and lifted me,  still trembling, to my hands and knees.   And the Man said to me, ‘Daniel, you are very precious to God.’”  

“And the man said to me, “Daniel, you are very precious to God, so listen carefully to what I have to say to you. STAND UP, for I have been sent to you.” When he said this to me, I stood up, still trembling.”

GOD IS DOING MORE THAN YOU UNDERSTAND. 

Verse 12, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer.

Verse 13, “But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help Me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia.”  

GOD’S STRENGTH IS MADE PERFECT IN YOUR WEAKNESS.  

Verse 17-18, “How can someone like me, your servant, talk to you, my Lord?  My strength is gone, I can hardly breathe.”

“Then the one who looked like a man (Christ) touched me again, and I felt my strength returning.”

Verse 19, “Don’t be afraid,” he said, “FOR YOU ARE VERY PRECIOUS TO GOD. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!”  

Verse 19b, “As he spoke these words to me, I suddenly felt stronger and said to him, “Please speak to me, my lord, for you have strengthened me.”