Thank you for listening to Servants for Christ. In all that we do, in all that we say, we want to give glory and honor to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank you for tuning us in as we get into the wonderful Word of God. For the next few minutes, let's take the beautiful Word of God and share it with each and every one of you as we have a sense of anticipation to take the Word of God and to listen to its truth for each and every one. I'm Darrell Bailey, Servants for Christ, for we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord in ourselves, your servants for Jesus' sake. I'm glad that seldom in history has there been a more urgent need for heroes, for young men and women of strong, righteous character than today. We live in a time of immorality, wickedness, injustice and oppression and greed, a time when few individuals stepped forth to take a stand for justice and righteousness. Daniel was born in such an environment, an age of terrible immorality, lawlessness and violence, when there was little justice or righteousness on earth. And yet he rose above it all. And despite the temptations and the enticements of different culture, Daniel stood strong for the Lord, even in the face of death. Here we see the personal history of Daniel. Daniel's captivity and his education in Babylon, that he was tempted to compromise his commitment to the Lord and Daniel's faithfulness to the Lord, determined to trust and to be steadfast in the Lord. I want to talk to you just for a little while when it's time to draw the line, when it's time to draw the line. I'm glad that as Daniel, this great book opens with a dramatic scene of war with King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, besieging Jerusalem, taking her people captive. It was in this war that Daniel was taken captive, deported to Babylon, where he would be educated And you know what? Scripture shows how Daniel was deported to Babylon and immediately tempted to compromise his loyalty to the Lord and the promised land. Let's have a word of prayer and we'll read out of Daniel chapter one, verse eight. Father, we come before you asking for wisdom and strength as we face the pressures of this world. Help us like Daniel to draw the line in our lives when it comes to our faith and our relationship with you. Give us courage to stand firm in our convictions, to resist the temptations that are around us, to live in a way that honors you and speak to our hearts and empower us to claim victory through your power. Forgive us of our many sins and I pray for the salvation of those that are lost out in the world. In Jesus' marvelous mighty name, Amen. When it's time to draw the line, Daniel chapter 1 verse 8, But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank. Therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. You know, There was a story about a businessman who was offered an incredible deal. The deal came with a catch. He would have to cut a few corners and compromise on his personal integrity. Faced with this dilemma, he remembered the lessons of his father that he taught him as a child, that principles of honesty and hard work. And although the temptation was great, He declined the offer, choosing to uphold his values. Years later, he realized that decision not only saved his reputation, but it opened even greater opportunities for the future. And like this businessman, Daniel faced an immersed pressure to compromise his values. And yet he made a private decision that led to public victory when it's time to draw the line. When we first look at this, we see the line must be drawn privately. That was Daniel's holy past. Before Daniel's great public stance, he first had to draw the line in his heart, his spiritual foundation, his values, his personal convictions. They were forged in private moments of faithfulness. And so the line must be drawn privately because his godly family, Daniel, learned the word. In Deuteronomy chapter six, verses six and seven, that how the children are taught. And these words, which I command thee this day. shall be in thy heart, and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children. You've heard this Deuteronomy scripture before. Daniel's upbringing in a God-fearing family prepared him for future challenges. Like Daniel, we need to be rooted in God's word, establishing a foundation in private. And so the line must be drawn privately, amen, because of Daniel's past, his godly family, but also his gripping faith. Daniel learned the way. Proverbs 22 6 the Bible says train up a child in the way that he should go and when he's old He'll not depart from him that the faith that was instilled in Daniel as a young man became a guiding force in his decisions his faith Gripped him tightly led him to trust God even in difficult situations and so his holy his godly family his gripping faith, but also his great future that Daniel not only learned the word Daniel learned the way, but also his great future, Daniel learned to wait. And so Isaiah chapter 40 verse 31 says, but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. Daniel's patience in trusting God with his future is a testament to his steadfastness. He didn't rush to fit in with the world and the crowd. Instead, he waited on God's timing. when it's time to draw the line. I'm glad the line must be drawn privately. That was Daniel's past, but also the line must be drawn publicly because Daniel's pressure. And when we look, once the private line was drawn, Daniel faced enormous public pressure to conform, and yet he remained steadfast even when the temptation, even when the challenges intensified. And so, when the line must be drawn publicly, We see the pressure of Daniel, a pressure of critical choices that he would have to face. But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself. Daniel made a critical choice to remain pure, even in the face of a foreign king's demands. We all face crucial moments where our values are tested. Will we stand strong like Daniel? And so we see the pressure of the critical choices, but also the pressure of compromising crowds. Because I'm glad Proverbs 29, 25 says, the fear of man bringeth a snare, but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be saved. Daniel didn't follow the crowd or fear of their judgment. He stood alone, if necessary, showing that the fear of man could not shake his faith. And so the line must be drawn publicly because the pressure of the critical choices, the pressure of compromising crowds and The pressure of changing conditions, amen. I'm glad Romans 12, 2 says, and be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. You see, the pressures of critical choices, he had to face them. The pressure of compromising crowds, would he fear them? and the pressure of changing conditions, would he follow them? Well, I'm glad though circumstances and cultures changed around Daniel. He did not allow those external pressures to change his internal convictions. And like Daniel, we must resist being shaped by the world. And so, we see the line must be drawn privately. That's Daniel's past. But also, we see the line must be drawn publicly, Daniel's pressure. But lastly, in closing, the line must be drawn permanently. That's Daniel's place, because Daniel honored and remained faithful in both private and public, and God honored him with a lasting victory. His decision to draw the line resulted in lasting blessings because he was tested, not forgotten. Daniel chapter 1 verses 12 and 13 says, prove thy servants I beseech thee 10 days and let them give us pulse to eat and water to drink. You see, Daniel was tested, but his faithfulness was never forgotten. He passed the test and was rewarded with God's favor and wisdom. He was tempted also. Not only was he tested but not forgotten, but he was tempted but not forsaken. Hebrews, the writer in chapter 13 verse 5 says, for he has said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. Even though Daniel faced temptation, God never abandoned him. God stood by him as he stood by his convictions. And so he was tested, but he was not forgotten. He was tempted, but not forsaken. He was tried, but not forbidden. Because in Daniel chapter six, verse 16, the Bible says, thy God whom thou service continually, he will deliver thee. When Daniel was thrown into the lion's den, he was tested once again, but God delivered him. His trials did not prevent him from victory. They only serve to highlight God's power that was in his life. And so when we look and we realize that drawing the line in our lives begins privately in our hearts, but must also be lived out publicly. As we see in Daniel's life, his unwavering faith and commitment to God set him apart and brought him through the greatest challenges. And like Daniel, we must draw the line in our faith Even when the pressure is on, knowing that God will honor our faithfulness. Victory comes not by conforming to the world, but by standing firm in our commitment to God. And so, when we look and we realize that the line must be drawn privately, that was Daniel's past. The line must be drawn publicly, that was Daniel's pressure. But we see the line must be drawn permanently. That was Daniel's place. And I'm glad that he was tested, but he was not forgotten. I'm glad he was tempted, but he was not forsaken. He was tried, but he was not forbidden. Because I'm glad that every one of us, like Daniel, We must draw the line in our faith, even when the pressure is on, knowing that God will honor our faithfulness because victory comes not by conforming to the world, but by standing firm in our commitment to God. What private decisions do you need to make in your walk with God to stay faithful? I think God, as Daniel purposed in his heart, he would not defile himself. We must make conscience decisions in our private lives to follow God's word and to seek his will regardless of the world's influence. How do you respond when public pressure challenges your faith. Daniel faced the pressure to conform, but he stayed true to his convictions. And we all must learn, as men and women of God, to stand firm in our faith, even when it's unpopular or inconvenient. You know, what ways can you remain steadfast, trusting God to bring you victory? I look back on Daniel's perseverance and God's faithfulness in delivering him, and I see that we've got to trust that God will honor your faith and bring you through trials just as he did Daniel. I hope and pray that when it's time to draw the line, you'll be able to claim victory in your life as Daniel did. Father, we thank you for the example of Daniel, and we draw the line in his life, and I'm glad that he refused to compromise his faith when he made that mark. Help us to make the same choices to remain faithful to you, both in private and public. And when the pressures of life come, give us the strength to stand firm and trust that you will honor our commitment. May we live lives that reflect your glory and claim the victory you have promised us in Jesus's marvelous mighty name. you