Our general population study of the U.S. showed that 60% of youth growing up in Christian homes will turn from their faith between ages 15 and 17. The same study showed Christians 50 and older are walking away from their faith at rates never seen before. And that’s just the trouble we’re having “within the family.” In general, 8 out of 10 people around us each day need evangelism. We are surrounded by people who need Jesus.
Here's the exciting thing—we’re equipped and called to start sharing Him now. None of us are expected to be Billy Graham. Special training in theology isn’t required, either. When we trust Jesus as Savior and start being transformed by Him through Scripture, we’re able to help someone else understand God’s work in our lives.
To share Jesus requires listening, caring and time. Plus some bravery when the Holy Spirit creates the opportunity! But you and I are already the experts on what God is doing in our faith and life. That’s why this Daniel event over Labor Day weekend is an incredible opportunity. If we’re willing to stretch ourselves, it can open the door to disciple someone we care about. So I hope by now you’ve got firmly in mind who you’d like to invite and have asked which showing suits them in your area. Here is this week’s installment from Sight & Sound Theater as we keep preparing.
I WANT TO BE WHERE YOU ARE.
Babylon. The epicenter of the world. It’s impressive in every way. It has the best military. The best resources. The best education. The best architecture. The beautiful and vibrant blue of the Ishtar gate represents the heavens. The small flowers and trees embedded in the décor represent paradise and the all-seeing eyes of the gods. The golden lions that line their main street represents the power and ferocity of the Babylonians. The Babylonian Sphinxes represent all of creation with Babylon at its head.
While Daniel knew that God was all powerful, all knowing and all loving, he was also raised in Jerusalem where the belief was that God’s presence was in His temple. That temple was in Jerusalem. Yes, Jerusalem had idolatry, but Babylon was worse than anyone could’ve imagined. Daniel knew that God heard his prayers, but how could he know that God was with him? Jesus had not defeated death through the cross and his resurrection yet. People were not given the Holy Spirit yet. Surely God wouldn’t be here in the darkness of Babylon?
God flipped this entire script on its head with 2 examples: Ezekiel, a priest turned prophet, was a Hebrew exile in Babylon. While in Babylon, he was looking over the waters and he saw the throne room of God. The Lord wasn’t relegated to the temple at all. He was there! In Babylon!
The second example is found in the book of Daniel. Remember the boys that were taken with him? Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah were renamed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. When they stayed faithful and refused to bow down to an idol that Nebuchadnezzar set up, they were thrown in the furnace. Nebuchadnezzar then looks in the fire and sees “one like the son of the gods”. The three young men were delivered from the fire because of the protective presence of the Lord. The wicked King Belshazzar even experienced the physical hand of the Lord in his debauched banquet hall during a party meant to defame the Hebrew God!
Even when it seemed impossible, God was in Babylon. God was with his people.
God’s presence reaches to the darkest corners of the world and our hearts. He truly is the light of the world. He is with you. He is for you. As King David said, “Where can I go from your spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence?” He loves shining in dark places. The light of hope comes with the presence of the Lord.
Scripture: Ezekiel 1:1-28, Daniel 3, Daniel 5, Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 139:7-12
Remember to pray for Arnie as he works on this new book and research study that goes with it. Be sure to reply with your thoughts about sharing and discipling others—I look forward to responding. Use this https://bit.ly/4dexjJ4 to see the Daniel trailer and get tickets for the theater near you.