Faith and the Fellowship Hall

Romans 14:23 - “for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”

James 4:17 – “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”

I John 3:4 – “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.”

Daniel 6:10 – Daniel discovered fellowship with God in the lion’s den.  He would not have found this any other way.  The same can be said of Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego – Daniel 3.

When Daniel knew the writing was signed, he prayed with his window opened toward Jerusalem and prayed three times a day just like he aforetime.

Fear – Fear of embarrassment, fear of your failure, fear of what people will say to me. Fear of harm to me and mind.

Count the cost – Luke 14:25-33 – Don’t be foolish.

Perfect love casteth out fear.

Some might say it was Daniel’s old age talking – President Reagan was 70 years old when he took office. He said he didn’t care what the media said about him.  He had already struggled with the issues he brought before the American people, and knew what he thought.

I Timothy 4:12 – “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”  Remember Daniel in his youth and how he refused to eat the meat offered to idols.

Acts 4:38-30 – Pray for overcoming power, not relief from the bad situation.  Do not back up when you should be fighting.

Acts 5:41 – The disciples rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer.  They did not cower in shame.

II Thess. 1:5 – Suffering (righteously) fits us for the kingdom of God.

I Peter 4:16 – Suffer as a Christian.

II Tim. 2:12 – If we suffer, we shall reign.  If we deny him, he will deny us.