(Read Daniel 4:1-3)
This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing our mini-series entitled, “Grace Based Success (Prosperity)”. The fourth chapter of Daniel contains a letter from King Nebuchadnezzar. The Bible says, “King Nebuchadnezzar sent the following message to the people of all nations, races, and languages in the world.” His letter takes up the entire chapter. For this morning’s message we will only look at the introduction of the letter. King Nebuchadnezzar wrote, “Greetings! Listen to my account of the wonders and miracles which the Most High God has shown me. How great are the wonders God shows us! How powerful are the miracles he performs! God is king forever; he will rule for all time.”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. Don’t forget to reach the people on top.
a) Many churches focus on the less fortunate, and there is nothing wrong with that. Jesus said, “I was hungry and you fed me, thirsty and you gave me a drink; I was a stranger and you received me in your homes, naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me, in prison and you visited me… whatever you did for the least of these, you did it for me!” (Mat 25).
b) While we are not saved by works, I believe we are saved UNTO good works (Eph 2:10). Part of the good works we are called to is ministering to the less fortunate.
c) Rick Pina Ministries feeds the less fortunate, we take food to the needy in nursing homes in the Dominican Republic, we blessed orphans with toys for Christmas, and just this week we will take care packages with toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap and deodorant to prisoners.
d) Every work we do for a person in need is a work we are doing for Jesus. However, the people at the top need to be reached as well.
e) Focusing on widows, orphans, the homeless and the needy is important. But let’s not forget that we are also supposed to reach Presidents, Generals, CEOs, politicians, millionaires, billionaires, and the like. King Nebuchadnezzar was one of the most influential men in the world during his time, and the Lord saw fit to reach him through His servants.
2. One supernatural act can impact an unbeliever more than 1,000 sermons.
a) I believe in the power of the preached Word. I am a preacher and I love preaching. Preaching and teaching have their place, but King Nebuchadnezzar was not reached with preaching.
b) King Nebuchadnezzar was so high-minded that it would have been hard for him to receive from God through words alone.
c) God performed several miracles in front of King Nebuchadnezzar and the supernatural manifestation of God did more than any sermon ever could.
d) God will give you the grace to SHOW the world His power. Some people need to see the unexplainable, unthinkable, and impossible, before they come to God.
3. When God reaches a person of great influence, He can use that person’s voice to reach all those within that person’s sphere of influence.
a) Once King Nebuchadnezzar was convinced that the God of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego was the Most High God, he sent out a letter to people of all nations, races, and languages in the world. In the letter King Nebuchadnezzar unashamedly talked about the power of the Most High God.
b) Once King Nebuchadnezzar was reached, not only could God influence Babylon, but He moved on the heart of Nebuchadnezzar to influence everyone he knew – which included national leaders all over the world.
c) What do you think would happen if billionaires, CEOs, Presidents and Prime Ministers all started talking about Jesus? What if President Barak Obama talked about the impact Jesus has had on his life during a State of the Union Address? What if a world leader took his/her time during an address at the United Nations to talk about the power of the Most High God? What if the King of Jordan the Prince of Saudi Arabia was Born-Again, what impact would that have on the Middle East?
4. Think Kingdom-minded and not just church-minded.
a) Far too many Christians are comfortable living church-minded. They go to church twice a week, they perform their duties, give their offering, and go about their merry way.
b) Jesus did not come to establish a church, He came to establish a Kingdom!
c) Jesus left us behind to continue what He started. Jesus was God incarnate and we are the continuation of His incarnation.
d) We are supposed to reach the world and expand God’s Kingdom.
e) God will give you the grace to affect (with effects and influence) the people and systems of this world.
f) Stop thinking small, think “Kingdom”. If God could use a slave to reach a king, then surely he can use you to reach leaders of great influence.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my requirement to live by faith. I have not because I ask not. But from this day forward I shall start asking. I won’t complain about my leaders, I will pray for them and the organizations they lead. You can grace me to reach them for You. I think of all the leaders I know, people of great influence, and I ask You, in-faith, to give me an audience before them. You can use my words, if that is what it will take. Or You can perform a supernatural act through me, if that is what it will take. Either way, the words won’t come from me and the supernatural power won’t come from me. It’s not about me. It’s all about You and Your Kingdom. You established a Kingdom and You expect Your Kingdom to expand throughout the entire earth. I am both a Kingdom citizen and a Kingdom Ambassador. I give myself over to You today and every day, so You can use me to influence the people and systems of this world. By faith I declare that Your Kingdom expands daily and it expands through me! My focus is not church. My focus is Your Kingdom. I go to church to learn how to expand Your Kingdom influence in the world. And I leave the church focused on leaving a mark that will never be erased! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
