Christ Community Brookside
How to Live Without Control
Daniel 1:8-21 ESV
Title: How to Live Without Control
Scripture: Daniel 1:8-21
Speaker: Bill Gorman, BillG@ChristCommunityKC.org
>> You can lose control without losing your soul.
>> You can lose your name without losing your identity
>> You can lose your freedom without losing your character
>> You can lose all your plans without losing your purpose
>> You can lose your name without losing your identity
- Resolve to be different no matter the cost
“Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration…”
—Jonathan Edwards, “The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards”
>> You can lose your freedom without losing your character
- Resolve to live graciously no matter the opposition
>> You can lose all your plans without losing your purpose
- Resolve to let God manage the results no matter the outcome
“Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and how great soever.”
—Jonathan Edwards, “The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards”
Conversation Starters – Brookside Campus
TAKEAWAY: What is the main thing you will take away from this sermon?
SCRIPTURE: Two weeks ago, we said that God is in absolute control over everything in His universe. How do you see God’s continued control over Daniel’s situation in Daniel 1:8-21?
MAKE IT PERSONAL: Bill spoke about the need for us to be resolved to be different no matter the cost. What do you think God desires for you to resolve to, even if it might cost you something?
LIVING IT OUT: God also calls us to, like Daniel, live graciously no matter the opposition. What might you need to resolve to so that you can live graciously toward those whom you disagree with, be they friends or politicians?
CASE STUDY: Imagine living in an America without religious freedom, in a culture that is completely hostile toward Christianity. What would it look like for you to remain faithful and let God manage the results no matter the outcome?
PRAYER.