Everything We Need (2 Peter 1:1-11)

Everything We Need

2 Peter 1:1-11

1. Christianity is all about God-help; not self-help

2. “Knowledge” of God and his promises motivate and equip us with all we need to live godly lives

3. We must never lose sight of what Jesus has done

Preacher: Steve Young

It’s All Part of the Plan! (Daniel 10-12)

It’s all part of the plan!

Daniel 10-12

(Reading 10:1- 8, 12:5-13)

1. Don’t be put-off by this ‘strange’ part of the Bible

2. Consider Daniel’s point of view (and remember all we’ve read in chapters 1-9)

– Daniel is given a look ‘behind the scenes’

– at what will happen to ‘his people’ (10:14)

– and told to patiently continue to the end (12:13)

3. Perhaps consider the historical perspective

4. But take to heart our Christian perspective

– this vision shows again that God is sovereign

– and God is working to a plan

– so we patiently continue to the end…

Preacher: Steve Blencowe

A Prayer of Confession (Daniel 9)

A Prayer of Confession

Daniel 9

(reading v 1-19)

1. Daniel’s earnest prayer, to our merciful God (v1-19)

  • a prayer of confession, for not listening or obeying
  • an appeal for mercy based on God’s Character and His plans

2. A rapid response to Daniel’s prayer! (v20-27)

  • the short and the long answer
  • hope and perseverance

3. Our own earnest prayer?

  • a prayer of confession, for not listening or obeying
  • an appeal for mercy based on God’s Character and His plans
  • filled with hope and assurance that God hears our prayer and will help us persevere

Preacher: Steve Blencowe

It’s only a matter of time (Daniel 7)

It’s Only a Matter of Time

Daniel 7 (Reading v1-18)

1. Another troubling vision… (v1-18)

  • four beastlykingdoms (v2-8)
  • One sovereign judge (v9-12)
  • And his ‘human‘ ruler (v13-14)

2. … and another interpretation (v15-28)

  • the short explanation – God is in control, there’s light at the end of the tunnel (v17-18)
  • the longer explanation – God is in control, there’s light at the end of a very dark tunnel (v23-27)

3. It’s only a matter of time…

  • Jesus is the ‘one like a son of man’ (v13-14, 18, 27 compared with the gospels e.g. Mark 14:62)(
  • Christians will reign with Jesus (v18, 27 compared with Psalm 8, Hebrews 2:5-10)
  • in the meantime….

Preacher: Steve Blencowe

Trusting God in a Hostile World (Daniel 6)

Trusting God in a Hostile World

Daniel 6

(reading 6:1-18)

1. Daniel counted the cost of living for God in a hostile world, just like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (in ch 3). And their trust was rewarded.

2. Daniel chapter 6 tells a story of…

… competition, conspiracy, a command (vv1-9)

… the cost of uncompromising trust in God (vv10-18

… complete vindication (vv19-28)

3. Trust in God will be rewarded because God will always be vindicated and victorious

Preacher: Steve Blencowe

Don’t Learn the Hard Way (Daniel 4-5)

Don’t Learn the hard way

Daniel 4-5(reading 4:1-18)

1. Confessions of a ‘self-made-man’ (Daniel 4)

(key verses 4:29-32 and 34-35)

2. And the fall of his fool-hardy son (Daniel 5)

(key verses 5:20-23 especially v22)

3. Should Belshazzar have been given a second chance?

(Jeremiah 25:12-14, 27:1-7)

4. What should we learn from all this?

Preacher: Steve Blencowe

O King Live Forever!? (Daniel 2)

O King, live forever!?

Daniel chapter 2

(Bible Reading – Daniel 2:1-23)

1. The great king has a recurring & disturbing dream (v1­-13)

2. A dream which God mercifully reveals to Daniel (v14­-23)

3. A dream that puts all rulers in their place (v24­-45)

4. Nebuchadnezzar is relieved, but did he really understand the dream? (v46­49)

Preacher: Steve Blencowe