Parkway Church

The world is changing fast. And not just politics, technology, and communication but our whole culture, morality, and attitudes. Christians living in Western culture have enjoyed the benefit of being in a world that largely shared our assumptions about what is fundamentally right and wrong. We can no longer assume this.

Increasingly, believers are finding themselves as the misunderstood minority and feeling at odds with where the world seems to be heading. We are all exiles. We have moved from a culture that affirmed and more or less agreed with Christianity to one no longer aligns with Christian values and in some ways is actively hostile to it.

Daniel faced decisions, made decisions, and responded based on his convictions.

We all have decisions to make when it comes to our engagement in and acceptance of today’s culture. Daniel chose not to defile himself. Improper engagement with culture is never neutral. Daniel chose differently so that He would honor God and not defile himself.

This wasn’t about the food. It was about their faith to do things God’s way even in a foreign land with foreign gods and zero encouragement and even limited permission to do things God’s way.

CONVICTION: Daniel pushed away from the King’s table because of His devotion to God. He pushed away from the royal food, royal wine, and the royal way of living and thinking.

The battle for our day isn't for freedom, expression, or identity. It is centered on objective truth.

Everything that God established in the Garden before the fall is being redefined, deconstructed, and denied because of the consequences of the Fall.

If objective truth is undone, then our society no longer has a basis of law and morality. If objective truth is undone, then we no longer have a God-defined measure of sinfulness. If objective truth is undone, we don’t have a way of salvation from our sins and no rescue from our problems.

1. My battles aren’t with people I see but with evil forces at work in our world.

Fight Spiritual Battles with Spiritual Means
Fight Spiritual Battles with Spiritual Tools
Fight Spiritual Battles with Spiritual Tactics

Big Idea #1: We stand strong in the unseen battle in a way that others can experience the goodness and the kindness of God through us.

2. My convictions are informed by Scripture, not my experience.

Know this: Every command in Scripture that we think is limiting is actually for our freedom.

Big Idea #2: When we live Biblical convictions, we show that life God’s way truly is better for us and best for those around us.

3. My life stands out and stands up for God's truth.

Today, we as believers need to live as Daniel lived - with Biblical convictions and Godly outcomes because we are doing this God’s way. We need to work out - live out - what we believe and be a part of accomplishing God’s good purposes in the world.

Big Idea #3: We shine the light of Jesus despite the darkness of the world.

KNOW THIS: The world’s darkness doesn’t dim your star! In fact, as the world grows darker, our light only shines brighter.