(Read Daniel 6:15-16)
This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing our mini-series entitled, “Grace Based Success (Prosperity)”. For the past two days we have been dealing with the same topic and this morning I feed led to remain in the same vein. Let’s go back to yesterday’s passage and seek to glean a few more golden nuggets. The Bible says, “Then the men went as a group to the king and said to him, “Remember, King, that the law of the Medes and Persians says that no law or command signed by the king can ever be canceled or changed.” So King Darius gave the order. They brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May the God you serve save you!”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. The people you are attempting to reach are NOT spiritual.
a) Don’t be so heavenly minded that you forget how the people you are attempting to reach in the earth think. Un Born-Again people are not filled with the Holy Spirit, they are not spiritual, they don’t understand the Bible, and they may never step foot in your church. That’s why God will draw them through you at work.
b) I don’t expect sinners to be anything other than sinners. I don’t expect a sinner to desire spiritual things. Sinners want to know how your God is ‘working for you’. If they can’t “see” The Blessing, then they assume you are not blessed. Three different kings listened to Daniel because they could see the excellence in his actions and the results of his performance. They were not drawn to God by sermons or Bible studies, they were drawn to God by a young man who was good at his job.
c) Most of the time, for an unsaved, unrepentant and unspiritual person to be drawn to your God through you, it will be because they can see something IN you they want. Does your conduct, character and performance exemplify God to the point where unbelievers will be drawn to God because of you?
2. The purpose of discipleship is evangelism.
a) The goal of getting a steady diet of the Word of God through church services, Bible studies and etc., is to grow and develop into a disciple.
b) The goal of becoming a disciple of Jesus the Christ is to evangelize the world and disciple others.
c) God doesn’t want you spending countless hours learning about Him — His character, attributes and ways — just for the sake of gaining more knowledge. No, the goal of growing as a believer is to make an impact in this world for Jesus.d) God wants you to grow and develop in Him to the point where you are so submitted to Him that He can freely flow through you and leave a mark in this world that will never be erased.
e) God used a slave (Daniel) to impact a nation (Babylon), so He can surely use you to impact your sphere of influence.
3. The purpose of prosperity is evangelism.
a) Daniel drew people to God with his earthly success. Unsaved and unspiritual people saw how successful Daniel was and they wanted to know more about His God.
b) God is not opposed to His children walking in earthly success. God can give you a position of influence or earthly wealth, because He can both for His glory. Yes, our God can give you power with a purpose and money with a mission.
c) The people you are attempting to reach are NOT spiritual. The lost do not have the Holy Spirit, they don’t read the Bible and they look at life through a natural lens. Therefore, they want to see how your God is working for you! If all people ever see in you is lack, frustration, defeat and despair, they will never come to your God, because they already have all of that. But if they see someone who is happy, healthy and doing well, they will be drawn by your natural blessings and God can then reach them in a spiritual way.
d) People will come to you because of what they see in the natural, and when they do, you can tell them about Jesus! That’s how you can minister in the marketplace!
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my requirement to live by faith. I was saved by grace when I exercised faith in Jesus the Christ. I am Born-Again, filled with Your Spirit, covered by the Blood of Jesus, and called according to Your purpose. But the people You want to reach through me may not be. Unspiritual people want to see natural things. Therefore, I release my faith to experience the earthly success You want me to have. People want to see how my God is working for me and I declare that they will. I am blessed in the city, the field, at home, at work, in church and in the streets. I walk in the blessing every day, in every way. Everything I put my hands on prospers. Not because I am so good, but only because of Your grace. And as I prosper, You give me power with a purpose and money with a mission. People see my success and they are drawn to You because of it. So here I am Father, I am available to You, to become the person I was born to be, to lead the lost to Jesus, and to leave a mark in this world that will never be erased! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
