The Indestructible Kingdom Part 6: Hope

Daniel 12:1-13, Philippians 2:14-15, John 12:25, John 5:24-29, 1 Timothy 1:1

•  Next Series: BE THE CHURCH (www.stillnaz.com/bethechurch) 

 Question for the day: What does hope look like?

 IN THE INDESTRUCTIBLE KINGDOM…

Hope is the virtue rooted in the person and story of the resurrecting King. It is not based in temporary circumstances but it does affect present circumstances. The wise one practices hope by knowing God, resisting the tyrants and leading others in righteousness. But the wicked ignore God, compromise and mislead others. The wise will inherit everlasting life, but the wicked will inherit condemnation.

 THE HOPE FILLED WISE WILL SHINE LIKE STARS

As Daniel lived in difficult times, he shined like a star, his example stood out in the dark days.

 THE HOPE FILLED WISE SHINE BY…

1. KNOWING GOD (Daniel 11:32)

2. RESISTING THE TYRANTS (Daniel 11:32, James 4:7)

3. LEADING OTHERS IN RIGHTEOUSNESS (Daniel 11:33, 12:3)

 BUT THE WICKED CONTINUE IN DARKNESS BY

1. Ignoring God (12:10)

2. Compromising with tyrants (11:31-32)

3. Misleading others

 RESURRECTION IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

Job 19:26, Ps 17:15, Isaiah 26:19 all point to resurrection, but Daniel 12:2 is the most explicit resurrection prophecy in the Old Testament.

 JESUS IS THE FULFILLMENT OF OLD TESTAMENT HOPES: HE IS RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE (John 12:25)

 So, what does hope look like? Hope looks like the person of Jesus. (1 Timothy 1:1)

 EVERLASTING LIFE IS AVAILABLE TO ANYONE WHO BELIEVES IN JESUS, BUT DESTRUCTION WAITS FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE

Daniel 12:1-2, John 5:24-25, 28-29

HOPE IS A VIRTUE ROOTED IN THE PERSON AND STORY OF THE RESURRECTING KING. 

WILL YOU PUT YOUR HOPE IN JESUS? WILL YOU SHOW THE WORLD WHAT HOPE LOOKS LIKE? WILL YOU SHINE LIKE STARS? 

Message Reflection Questions

1. Begin with silence.

2. What did God say to you through the message?

3. How are things going from “bad to worse” in our world, country and county?

4. Read Daniel 12:1-13. What hope does this offer regarding how things are going in our time?

5. What is the difference between the wicked and the wise? Consider Daniel 11:31-33, 12:3 and 12:10.

6. Compare Jesus’ description of resurrection and judgment in John 5:24-29 with Daniel 12:1-3. What does this tell you about God and humanity?

7. How does the future resurrection and judgment affect your thinking and acting today?

8. What does it look like for you to practice hope today?

9. Close in prayer. Include prayers for Christians in persecuted countries and for resolve to live like Daniel.

DAILY READINGS 

We are on a 6 week journey through the book of Daniel, exploring how God’s kingdom endures through all generations. Daniel shows us how to live according to God’s kingdom no matter the circumstance.

Find the whole plan at www.stillnaz.com/theindestructiblekingdom. 

Week 6 (October 9)

Monday: Daniel 11:2-13, Matthew 23:37-39

Tuesday: Daniel 11:14-24, 1 Peter 5:1-4

Wednesday: Daniel 11:25-35, Revelation 19:1-10

Thursday: Daniel 11:36-45, 1 Peter 5:5-11

Friday: Daniel 12:1-4, Revelation 1:4-8

Saturday: Daniel 12:5-13, 1 Peter 5:12-14

Helpful Instructions for reading

1. Start with silence. Relax in God’s presence. Imagine resting with Jesus.

2. Thank God for something that happened in the last 24 hours.

3. Read the verses slowly. Ask: How do I see God’s rule and revelation?

4. Finish in prayer for yourself, your family, your neighbors, your co-workers, your church. Pray through the nations at www.prayercast.com/nations.html.