INFLUENCE

“Stepping Into More Influence”
Pastor Doug Heisel – September 17, 2023

Daniel 2:1 — In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his mind was troubled and he could not sleep. So the king summoned the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers to tell him what he had dreamed.

Verse 4 — Then the astrologers answered the king, “May the king live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will interpret it.”

Verse 5 — The king replied to the astrologers, “This is what I have firmly decided: If you do not tell me what my dream was and interpret it, I will have you cut into pieces and your houses turned into piles of rubble…

Verses 10-11 — The astrologers answered the king, “There is no one on earth who can do what the king asks! No king, however great and mighty, has ever asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or astrologer. What the king asks is too difficult. No one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among humans.”

Verse 12 — This made the king so angry and furious that he ordered the execution of all the wise men of Babylon. So the decree was issued to put the wise men to death, and men were sent to look for Daniel and his friends to put them to death.

God can take the darkest moments and use His people to be the LIGHT.

1. Believe that God has given you a SACRED ADVANTAGE as you put Him first.
   
   Verse 14 — When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, had gone out to put to death the wise men of Babylon, Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and tact. He asked the king’s officer, “Why did the king issue such a harsh decree?” Arioch then explained the matter to Daniel.
   
   Daniel 1:17 — To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.
   

2. PRAY for supernatural help and TRUST that God will give you what you need.
   
   Verse 16 — …Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery…
   
   Verse 19 — During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven…
   

3. Look for ways to fight FOR people who do not know God, rather than merely fighting AGAINST what they represent.
   
   Verse 24 — Then Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to execute the wise men of Babylon, and said to him, “Do not execute the wise men of Babylon. Take me to the king, and I will interpret his dream for him.”
   

4. Expect the Lord to arrange some DIVINE appointments where you can DIRECT someone’s attention to the One True God.
   
   Colossians 4:5 — Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.
   
   Verse 26 — The king asked Daniel (also called Belteshazzar), “Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?” Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come.