Stuff Michael Meeks is doing

Up late, Eggs for breakfast, Aldeburgh Baptist Church in the morning, decent sermon but a grey congregation. Back for lunch; out to see ducks and a lake in the afternoon, a lovely day - pram somewhat broken - lots of 'uhb'ing from H.
Drove home early evening. Phone call with Simon, interesting things happening in London.
Listened to a Gordon sermon Feet of Clay Daniel 2:31-49.
- The message Nebuchadnezzar's worst nightmare is going to come true; all his work will ultimately be destroyed. It's true that not all dreams are true cf. Ecclesiasties; but God does use dreams - clearly measure dreams vs. the word of God - nevertheless God speaks in dreams; Jacob's Ladder, Joseph's dreams, Mary's husband - warned twice, Joel's prophecy ... your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.
- The statue - is really an idol, he was used to bowing down to worship physcial representation; the essence of idolatory isn't worshiping an image - but rather worshiping the creature not the creator. Their land is full of idols, they bow down to things their hands have made - do you worship the work of your hands ? idolatory. Col 3 greed is idolatory.
- An enormous dazzling idol; what God is saying is: as bad as your literal idolatory is - far worse, is your worship of your life's work - this kingdom of Babylon; all of it is destined for the junk-heap. In Chapter 4 - we see him strutting around, admiring the city he helped to build, the massive fortifications, the hanging gardens etc. is not this the great Babylon I have built by my mighty power ... for the glory of my majesty - this is the justification for my existance.
- God's message for Nebuchadnezzar's - Daniel starts with You oh King are the King of Kings, the God of heaven has given you ... - not are a jerk, not simply sycophantic adulation, but acknowledging the true dignity of the King, ... you are that head of gold - acknowledging the truth - honouring the King, but 3 times over reminding the King that it all comes from God.
- The future - progressive decline from Gold to Iron, things go from bad to worse - not an endless cycle, but through divine intervention - the best is yet to come. The English expression feet of clay - a reminder of the intrinsic weakness of human structures.
- Idols are to be pulverised - Moses & the golden calf etc.
- Nebuchadnezzar allowed to see the terrible loss that would be sustained if he continued to give himself over to such futility, 'Nabu bless his offspring' ?
- Daniel - overhearing the nighmare of your enemies; we hear Pilate's wife's nightmare, Gideon 300 vs 35,000 got courage from the Mideanites nightmare.
- We get to hear the nightmares of our opponents; Betrand Russell - responding to his Daughter who converted to Christ, I believe that when I die I shall rot ... there is darkness without and darkness within.
- Why does Daniel accept a promotion in such a loosing line of work ? yes - the kingdoms of the world are doomed for the ash heap; but - what you do for Christ stands forever. He commits himself to a life of integrity and faithfulness, in the government of Babylon.

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Stuff Michael Meeks is doing

2004-04-11: Sunday