Occasionally you will read or hear about an ordinary person who does some extraordinary things. They are highlighted on the evening news or written up in a magazine because of this great thing that they accomplished. It isn't that the people changed and became someone different, they just did some amazing things that caused folks to take notice.
Tonight, I want us to consider another group of people who did some great things; and what God had to say about them.
Read: Daniel 11:30-32
Daniel's prophecy in chapter 11 speaks of the rule of the Gentiles over Israel which was to continue. These events came to pass just as Daniel had foretold. In v30 we have in view Antiochus Epiphanes, a wicked ruler who was a type of the anti-christ which will come. He had returned from an attack against Egypt which was thwarted by the Roman armies. In his anger he took out his frustrations against the nation of Israel. He tried to compel the Jews to forsake the worship of God and replace it with the worship of the Greek god Zeus.
Some were persuaded, but there was a believing remnant of God's people who refused. As a result they were martyred. I want to draw your attention to the last phrase in v32. "...but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits."
Tonight I would like to use this phrase as a challenge to each of us. A challenge to be outstanding believers! To rise above the circumstances and to do exploits!
I. Consider their Relationship: They know God.
A. What does it mean to know God?
B. It means more than just to know about Him.
1. Many people know about God.
2. That knowledge does nothing for them.
3. We are living in a country and a time when probably more people know about God than at any other time in our history.
4. But it hasn't helped much has it?
C. These people knew God.
1. Note: '...knew their God..."
2. Here we see the difference.
3. They had a personal relationship with God.
4. It takes time to get to know someone.
5. Soon my wife and I will have been married for 27 years!
a. That is amazing in itself!
b. Over the past 27 years I have come to know my wife pretty well.
c. Often we almost seem to think the same thoughts.
d. That wasn't true in July of 1970.
e. It takes time to get to know someone.
6. These people had spent time with God and had a personal relationship with Him.
7. May we accept the challenge tonight to be people who "know their God"!
II. Consider also their Character: They were Strong.
A. We are talking about their character here.
1. History records for us that they were not strong in military might.
2. They certainly were not strong in numbers.
3. But God's Word says they were strong.
B. Strength comes from preparation.
1. Mothers tell their children to drink their milk so they will grow up to be strong.
2. Popeye said to eat your spinach soes you can be strong!
3. It takes preparation to grow strong.
4. Consider an athlete who trains with weights.
5. He works his muscles against resistance in order to strengthen them.
C. What was the resistance that these people faced?
1. The enemy of God was trying to force them to change what they believed.
2. They resisted it...they were strong.
3. Their strength of character came from their relationship to God.
4. Paul said he could do all things through Christ...why? Because Christ gave him the strength!
D. May we accept the challenge to be a people who know our God and have the strength to resist the attacks of the enemy!
III. Consider also their Action: Exploits.
A. What are 'Exploits'?
1. Webster : a notable or heroic act.
2. Big things....unusual things.
3. The kind of things that were not expected of these people.
B. God's people are known for 'Exploits'.
1. Biblical examples:
a. Joseph: overcame unimaginable trials and personal obstacles to become a great leader and bring about the salvation of the nation of Israel.
b. Moses: at eighty years old, accepted the call of God to lead His people out of bondage.
c. Joshua...
d. David...
e. Nehemiah...
2. Great people of God in history.
a. Those who came to this country to carve out a new land where they could worship God freely.
b. Missionaries who take the gospel to the multitudes around the world.
c. How about those who came together to build a work for God here in this place.
C. What does it take to do 'Exploits'?
1. It begins with vision.
a. What is your vision tonight?
b. Do you have a vision for what God can do through you?
(PROV 29:18A) "WHERE THERE IS NO VISION, THE PEOPLE PERISH..."
c. Do you have a vision for this church?
d. Sunday school teachers, workers, etc. what is your vision?
2. It is accomplished by commitment.
a. Are we committed to the work of God tonight?
b. A vision will be nothing more than an empty dream if we are not committed to giving of ourselves. God is still looking for a people who desire to know Him, so that He might strengthen them, so that they might do exploits. May we accept that challenge tonight!
Do you know God tonight? What about our strength?