Orchard Community Church
As people of faith, we are called to humility before God and as a way of life with others, counter to our culture of arrogance and pride.
Counterculture (Part 1)
The Book of Daniel
We live in a culture that is often foreign and hostile to our faith. The book of Daniel is a collection of stories and prophecies written about Jewish believers living in the hostile foreign land of Babylon during the Exile. Therefore, the book of Daniel can teach us a lot about standing firm and living faithfully counter to the culture in which we find ourselves.
Pride is a universal temptation. We live in a culture where pridefulness and arrogance are basically the norm and are even encouraged.
Studies show that narcissism, which is an excessive self-interest, has been on the rise for years and some researchers are now saying that we’re in the midst of a narcissistic epidemic
This morning we’re going focus on the fact that as people of faith we’re called to humility before our God and as a way of life with others counter to our culture of arrogance and pride.
Daniel 4:1-18 NIV
v. 1 begins in a very unexpected way, with Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon himself writing! And, he’s proclaiming the greatness of God to the nations!
Nebuchadnezzar believed he had built this mighty empire and brought peace and prosperity, but he’d soon learn that all these things had been permitted by the will of God.
So after praising God in Chapters 2 and 3, again Nebuchadnezzar turned away from God back to his gods. But as we’ll see, his faith in his gods doesn’t amount to much, because in truth his faith is in himself!
Daniel 4:9-27 NIV
Daniel was in a tough spot because this was a very bad dream!
With that, we can see with full clarity that this is really about Nebuchadnezzar's pride.
God has tried to reach Nebuchadnezzar, but he has turned away each time in his stubborn pride. In chapter 5, in retrospect is says that his “heart became arrogant and hardened with pride.” So now Neb will have to learn the hard way, he’s headed for a terrible fall.
Daniel says if Neb will repent and change his ways, maybe God will relent and what he saw in the dream won’t come to pass.
Daniel 4:28-33 NIV
Notice that he gives no credit to his gods, or Daniel’s God, or to anyone but himself.
He clearly honors himself above everyone and even God. and if we are not careful we can go down that same road.
Then in v. 33 it happens, Nebuchadnezzar falls under a strange delusion that he’s an animal
Daniel 4:34-37 NIV
Nebuchadnezzar looked to heaven and God observed this simple gesture of humility and repentance and restored his sanity.
With v. 36 Nebuchadnezzar continues and says as soon God restored his sanity, God also restored his kingdom just as Daniel had said would happen.
The Bible does describe a good kind of pride.
But sinful pride is self-centered and arrogant and leads us to take credit for everything we are and everything we do. Instead of realizing that we are dependent on God this kind of pride causes us to ignore God and believe we can get along without Him.
This kind of pride also damages our relationships with others and can poison all we do. Sinful pride causes us to demean and even use or abuse other people. It turns us into someone no one wants to be around.
But God’s word in Daniel’s time and in ours call us not to pride, but humility.
Paul goes on the lift up Jesus as our example of humility. What do could be more counterculture than that!
If you’re humble God will lift you up, but if you persist in pride, like Neb, God will knock you down.
That one day “at the name of Jesus every knee [will] bow… and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!” But our call is not to wait until that time, our all is not to learn this lesson the hard way, as people of faith we’re called to humility before our God and as a way of life with others, right here and now counter to our culture!
Today's Music
Orchard's Streaming and Song Select CCLI# 160190
Worship Options
We are excited to be able to worship under the Tent together. If you are not wanting to be under the Tent, feel free to sit in the front row of parking spots of the Orchard Parking Lot your car and tune your radio to 100.1 FM to listen to the service.
1. Masks must be worn while on the Orchard Campus (both inside and out)
2. Please maintain the Social Distance
3. Sunday Morning Children's program. Children are always welcome in the service and we do not mind the noises that come with children. Children are a healthy sign of a healthy congregation.
Orchard Kids Sunday School (For preschool through 5th grade)
We encourage families to bring your own blanket and beach chairs and distance on the lawn as much as you like. Children will worship with their families and be dismissed following the kids’ message, escorted by our Orchard Kids’ Leaders to our beautiful outdoor classroom space in the children’s play yard. We will have our Bible story, activities, crafts, and games in a specially designed format following current health and safety guidelines. Parents, please come to the children’s area immediately following the worship service and find all of your children in one place. Each family will receive a “My Church Bag” to be brought each week with basic supplies already included plus items from home: water bottle and mask for each child and a blanket for all siblings. Our team is so excited to see your family! See you Sunday!
Nursery care for children birth to 3 years old is available by RSVP only to Melinda Hoyt at melinda@orchardventura.org.
Interested in being a Volunteer? Middle school through adult, please contact Melinda Hoyt at melinda@orchardventura.org.
While we understand that some may not feel comfortable coming back in person or having to wear masks while on the Orchard campus, we encourage you to stay home and join us online with our Live Stream.
Office Hours
Monday – Thursdays from 10 am to noon.
Masks and social distancing are required.
If you are unable to make it in during our office hours, please send an email to info@orchardventura.org and or leave a message at (805) 647-3757.