DANIEL, I CAN BE USED BY GOD PART 8 OF 10

TEXT- DANIEL 6:1-24

INTRODUCTION

ON THE FIRST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH OUR CHURCH EMPHASIZES OUR THEME FOR THE YEAR.

DURING THIS TIME I HAVE BEEN PREACHING A SERIES OF SERMONS ABOUT DIFFERENT PEOPLE WITHIN THE BIBLE WHO GIVE US AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT A "CAN DO" CHRISTIAN SHOULD BE LIKE.

THIS MORNING OUR TEXT IS FOUND IN DANIEL 6:1-24 AND THE TITLE OF MY MESSAGE IS, "DANIEL, I CAN PRAY."

THE STORY OF DANIEL IN THE LION'S DEN IS A CLASSIC ILLUSTRATION OF HOW WE AS CHILDREN OF GOD TODAY ARE TO BE "CAN DO" CHRISTIANS.

A YOUNG MAN WAS LOOKING FOR A JOB WITH THE CIRCUS--ANY JOB, JUST SO HE COULD TRAVEL. THE OWNER OF THE CIRCUS, THINKING HE MIGHT BE ABLE TO MAKE AN ASSISTANT LION TAMER OUT OF THE MAN, TOOK HIM OUT TO THE PRACTICE CAGE. THE HEAD LION TAMER, A BEAUTIFUL YOUNG WOMAN, WAS JUST STARTING HER REHEARSAL. AS SHE ENTERED THE CAGE, SHE REMOVED HER CAPE VERY PROFESSIONALLY AND, STANDING IN A GORGEOUS COSTUME, MOTIONED TO ONE OF THE LIONS. OBEDIENTLY THE LION CREPT TOWARD THE YOUNG WOMAN, LICKED HER ELBOW, AND ROLLED OVER TWICE. "WELL," SAID THE OWNER TO THE YOUNG MAN, "THINK YOU COULD DO THAT?" "I'M SURE I COULD, SIR,' SAID THE YOUNG MAN, "BUT FIRST YOU'LL HAVE TO GET THAT LION OUT OF THERE."

AS WE EXAMINE THIS STORY ABOUT DANIEL IN THE LION'S DEN THERE ARE FOUR THINGS I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT ON HOW TO BE USED BY GOD.