The Dream of the Kingdom
Tim Keller | April 30, 2000
Overview
We’re going to consider the question, “What does it mean to live the Christian life? How can we live it out?” The book of Daniel is a helpful place to go because it’s exilic literature, meaning it tells the stories of the Israelites when in exile. They were taken away from Israel and into a city that was hostile to God. As believers, we’re like Daniel in exile, asking ourselves, “How in the world can we live a life of integrity in a pluralistic, polytheistic, unbelieving world?”
There are three questions to ask ourselves: what’s the meaning of Daniel’s two names, what’s the meaning of this weird dream, and thirdly, what is the rock that strikes the statue? We’re going to learn three practical principles for living a believing life in an unbelieving world.
Outline
Daniel 2:24–35, 44–46
The book of Daniel is a great guide for those who believe in God but live in a world where not everyone does. Daniel’s story, living in a foreign land (Babylon), gives us three important rules for staying true to what we believe in, even when others don’t. One cool thing to note is Daniel’s two names which show the struggle between his belief in God and his job in a government that didn’t believe. This can be a helpful guide for us today.
1. What’s the meaning of the two names?
Being an Israelite in Babylon, Daniel was in a tough spot. He had to keep his faith strong in a city that didn’t share his beliefs. God’s advice to his people was to make a life there, get married, and work for the city’s good, but without losing or hiding who they were. Daniel did just that – he was involved in the city, kept his faith, prayed for the city, and served the people. This encourages Christians today to be active in their communities, showing that it can be good to be in a place where they don’t have all the power.
2. What’s the meaning of the dream?
When Daniel interpreted King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, it showed that seeking power and fame, and building your life on popularity, money, or looks is not the way to go. It’s a reminder for Christians living in today’s world to understand why we do what we do. The dream encourages us to align with God’s kingdom, see the power of the church to change things, and interact with society while keeping true to God.
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