This is the tenth in a series of expositions of the book of Daniel. This message was delivered at Hillcrest Baptist Church on the morning of October 21, 2012. This message deals with the distinct marks of God, which every believer will bear. This contains an audio recording of my message, along with my sermon notes and a study outline. Please note that the sermon notes are not a full transcript.
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Study Outline:
SERMON NOTES:
Daniel 5:10-16 / The Mark of God
Every believer will bear the marks of God. Some characteristics will be common among all believers, while others will be unique.
v.10:
The queen, was most likely Belshazzar’s grandmother. She actually remembered Daniel.
She gave the same message that people often get today when they face judgment for their sin. It’s the message that says everything will be ok, don’t worry, it will all work out.
There was no call for repentance or change, and no acknowledgement that the king was in the wrong.
This is the same message that the false prophets brought to Israel, and the same message that so many false teachers bring today.
They won’t talk about sin. they just want to make people feel good about themselves by telling them that we are all good people, and that everything will work out. No change required!
v.11:
Daniel was now 82 years old, and had probably been retired for many years, but God’s true minister never truly retires his ministry.
The queen recognized and remembered something special about Daniel. She attributed it to the spirit of the holy gods.
Though some translations render it as the true God, the hebrew word elahin is plural.
While the queen recognized a supernatural way about Daniel, she didn’t recognize the true God.
This is the case with the majority of unbelievers, they can recognize a difference, but they don’t recognize why we are different.
That is why the adage “preach the Gospel always, and use words if necessary” is incorrect.
The phrase suggests that you can share the Gospel, simply by living a Christ like life.
No one lived a more Christ like life than Christ, and even Jesus preached the Gospel.
Works alone will be insufficient. We have to explain Jesus to people, we have to tell them why we do what we do. They won’t automatically know.
Romans 10:17
vv.12-13:
Daniel had certain characteristics which caused him to stand out from the crowd. He was known for his Godly attributes. (Compare to Daniel 5:14)
In fact, all believers bear the marks of their Creator, the question is, do those marks shine free, or are they hidden under a cloak of sin and compromise?
Because of Daniels Godly attributes, he was once again called upon for counsel.
v.14:
In verse 12, we are told that Daniel had an excellent spirit. This probably refers to his general demeanor
Daniel was most likely a man, who in all areas of life, exhibited God honoring attitudes and relationships with others.
LIGHT:
John 8:12
In darkness, even a small amount of light is visible.
Those who follow Jesus will have the light of life, and that light will be visible to those around them.
Luke 11:33-36
Jesus uses the eye, here, as a metaphor.
The eye is the means by which light reaches a person’s inward mind; a healthy eye lets light in, but an unhealthy eye leaves a person in darkness.
The eye needs light to function properly, and being receptive to Jesus’ teaching would show that they were full of light.
The hearers of Jesus must be sure that what they accept as light really is light and not darkness.
This brings us to Daniel’s next characteristic.
UNDERSTANDING (insight, discernment)
Romans 12:1-2
Daniel certainly made himself a living sacrifice, and he was able to discern spiritual matters and the will of God.
Knowing Scripture will help us to discern, and will prepare us for the job that God has for us.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
WISDOM:
Wisdom cannot be bought.
Job 28:12-15
Wisdom is available to the believer, just by asking in faith.
James 1:5-6
These God-given traits set Daniel apart from the rest, and the difference was readily apparent.
Can people readily see that you are different?
If you were to ask the people around you what you are known for, what would the answer be?
v.15:
Daniel was brought in, precisely because he was different.
The king rightfully assumed that Daniel could do what the others couldn’t, and, of course, with God all things are possible. Daniel was with God!
v.16:
The marks of God inspired confidence, not only in Daniel, but in those around him.
Do you inspire confidence?
Is it apparent that God is working in you?
Does the light of God shine through you for all to see?
What do others see in you?
In Defense: The Blog 
Posted on October 27, 2012
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