A Tale of Two Kingdoms – Week 3 (9-22-24)
A Tale of Two Kingdoms
Who Sits on the Throne?
September 22, 2024
Is there pride hiding in my life?
Isaiah 66:2
Has not my hand made all these things,
and so they came into being?”
declares the Lord.
“These are the ones I look on with favor:
those who are humble and contrite in spirit,
and who tremble at my word.
James 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.
God helps those who help themselves… vs God helps those who humble themselves
The insanity of empire produces anxiety for everyone within the empire.
Nebuchadnezzar’s Pride
Daniel 4:17
“‘The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people.’
Daniel 4:29-30
Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?”
The anxiety of empire produces insanity
Daniel 4:33-36
Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.
34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.
His dominion is an eternal dominion;
his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
35 All the peoples of the earth
are regarded as nothing.
He does as he pleases
with the powers of heaven
and the peoples of the earth.
No one can hold back his hand
or say to him: “What have you done?”
36 At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before.
False humility is full of self.
True humility is full of purpose.
Daniel 4:17
“‘The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people.’
Belshazzar’s Pride
Daniel 5:22-23
“But you, Belshazzar, his son, have not humbled yourself, though you knew all this. 23 Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven. You had the goblets from his temple brought to you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines drank wine from them. You praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways.
Mene, Mene, Tekel, Parsin
Daniel 5:30
That very night Belshazzar, king of the Babylonians, was slain,
Two contrasting stroies…
It’s not help me, it’s help yourself!
Christ —> Evil vs Christ —> Self
Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Where is pride hiding?