We find ourselves in an unfamiliar position
* Country split in two
* Neighbor against neighbor
* Friend against friend
* Family against family
God Wants To Use You!
* Right where you are
* IN this hard season
* Even knowing your past
When we allow God to use us, to work through us, extraordinary things can happen
* People who were enemies become friends
* Families are restored
* Nations can change
* People are healed
But here’s the BIG question…
* How can God use me in the position I am in?
Position – Your season of life and the potential influence you can have with the people around you
* Your family
* Friends
* Acquaintances
* Social media
* Coworkers
* Ect
Some have more, some have less
* But we all have influence with others
That influence can be used for many reasons
* Selfish gain
* To manipulate
* To help change
* To bring together
* To tear apart
There is power in your position
Daniel had been placed in this group of wise men along with some of his friends
* His life was not on the line too
* But who was Daniel, just a captured slave with no position of authority
So what does Daniel do?
* Panic?
Daniel prays, and God answers him in a dream
* What Daniel says next is so powerful…
Daniel 2
19 The mystery was then revealed to Daniel in a vision at night, and Daniel praised the God of the heavens 20 and declared:
May the name of God be praised forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to him. 21 He changes the times and seasons; he removes kings and establishes kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. 22 He reveals the deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with him. 23 I offer thanks and praise to you, God of my ancestors, because you have given me wisdom and power. And now you have let me know what we asked of you, for you have let us know the king’s mystery.
For God to use you where you are…
1 – Remember God is in charge
Is there any doubt after hearing Daniels prayer who he thinks is in charge?
For God to use you, you have to trust him
That’s easy to say, but remember where Daniel was and the consequence of his actions
* If he was wrong, he would be killed
Let’s be honest – Following God hadn’t gotten Daniel to a great place
* Captured
* About to be killed
Despite all that, Daniel still placed all trust and authority with God
God can’t use us if we only trust him when things are good
* That’s not trust
The most common reason God can’t work through us is because we believe 2 lies
1 – God can’t be trusted with my current circumstance
2 – God can’t use someone like me
Both of those are huge lies
* God is trustworthy – worthy of our trust (Lie #1)
God has always used people who didn’t think they had a lot to offer (Lie #2)
* People who didn’t have a lot, but what they had, they gave to him
All God is asking for is your trust, He will add unto you all that you need for what is ahead
* Stop waiting to let God use you until you are ready, because, you will never be ready
Daniel brought all he had to God and trusted Him with it
* I’m sure he was scared
* I sure he was insecure
* I sure he second-guessed himself
But he still trusted that God was in control
Because of that trust, the king became his audience
* When we trust God, he puts us into places we never would have thought possible
* The king needed Daniel, not the other way around
* Daniel had a new authority because he knew who had ultimate authority
So Daniel went to give the king his answer to the dream
* The king was in awe of Daniel’s ability to tell him the dream and interpretation
Daniel 2
47 The king said to Daniel, “Your God is indeed God of gods, Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries since you were able to reveal this mystery.” 48 Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many generous gifts. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and the chief governor over all the wise men of Babylon. 49 At Daniel’s request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to manage the province of Babylon. But Daniel remained at the king’s court.
For God to use you in your position, you must live in the tension
Tension – Being in a relationship with someone who does not agree with you on all things
►Trusting God is up and down – Between you and him
Influence is side to side – Between you and others
* You cannot influence others if you cannot build trust
* You can only build trust if you are in a relationship
* You can’t be in a relationship if you are not willing to live in the tension
We want tension(less) Relationships
* Thing the same
* Look the same
* Talk the same
* Are the same
* No tension there
* Not pushing anyone to change
Study showed that many people live in “Likeness” bubbles
* Surrounded by others like them
* No tension there
The reason we must live in the tension is because those around us are worth it
* You’ll never lead someone to Jesus if you don’t live in the tension
* You’ll never have real influence in you don’t live in the tension
Daniel did not agree with this kings lifestyle or what that kingdom what all about
* But he decided to stay in that place of tension because that is where he could do the most good.
If you find yourself in a position of tension at work, home, friends, etc…
* God can use you in incredible ways
* He can grow you influence
But if you refuse to live in the tension with others, your influence will shrink
Practical Tips of who to live in the tension like Daniel
* Don’t generalize people who think different that you
* Build relationships of trust
* Walk with people instead of standing on issues
Because Daniel lived this way, he gained incredible influence with two separate kings who both eventually followed his God…
God Wants To Use You!
Remember God is in Charge
* You can trust him
For God to use you in your position, you must live in the tension
Do you trust God enough to live in the TENSION?