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The Writing on the Wall Sermon

Joe Gordon [Executive Pastor of Ministries]

Sermon Points & Scripture References: 

• Sermon Points & Scripture References: 

• Sermon Takeaway = The Writing on the Wall

• Scripture Reference: Daniel 5:22-31

• Sermon Point: The Writing on the Wall Has a Warning

• Sermon Point: The Writing on the Wall Calls for Repentance

• Sermon Point: The Writing on the Wall Promises a Reward

• Scripture Reference: Hebrews 10: 26-27

• Scripture Reference: Hebrews 10:31

• Scripture Reference: Haggai 1:12

• Scripture Reference: Daniel 5:2

• Scripture Reference: Daniel 5:6

• Scripture Reference: Proverbs 28:14

• Scripture Reference: Daniel 5:25

• Scripture Reference: Psalm 112:1

• Scripture Reference: Daniel 5:26-30

• Scripture Reference: Daniel 5:17

• Scripture Reference: Revelation 19:1-2

Sermon Discussion Questions

Get to know me

The purpose of these questions is to generate responses that are self-revealing and informative. Feel free to ask all of these questions to your group or simply choose the one that best fits your group.

1. Think of a time when you were warned about something that could happen or was going to happen. What was the warning? How did you respond? What was the outcome?

Into the Bible

The purpose of these questions is to draw group members into the Bible to discover the truth from passages that were not the primary text for the weekend message.

1. Read Proverbs 28:14; Psalm 112:1. There is a wrong fear and a right fear of God. A wrong fear actually hates God because it merely sees him as a revenging judge. A right fear loves God, cherishing him as a holy Father, and therefore has a sincere longing to be like him, obey Him, and repent of their sins. How have you understood the fear of the Lord up to today? How can you fear the Lord in the right way?

2. Read Hebrews 12:3-11. Discipline carries with it a negative connotation. We think of discipline as a punishment for doing wrong. It's true, we are and should be disciplined for doing wrong, specifically sin. But discipline is also greatly positive. We have a God who corrects us to grow us. Praise God! How have you personally grown through the Lord's discipline? Can you recall specific situations you knew were corrections from God?

Application

The purpose of these questions is to apply the main points from the weekend message.

1. Read Daniel 5:25. Reading and understanding the Word grows our fear of God. It strengthens our relationship with him. It allows our hearts to grow in our love for God because we grow in his love for us. We fear God because we love him. What passages in Scripture make you think of the goodness of God? How does His goodness make you want to fear Him properly?

2. Read Daniel 5:26. Numbering your days means recognizing that life is short and judgment is coming. We will give an account for our lives. For believers the judgment will be for rewards but for unbelievers it will be condemnation. Think of a person close to you that does not know the Lord. How can you pray for them that they will recognize Christ's goodness and want to surrender to him?

3. Read Daniel 5:27. God sees everything we say, think, and do. We may be able to hide things from our spouses or our employers or our pastors but God sees it. Reminding ourselves of this thought will increase our fear of the Lord. On a scale of 1 to 10, 1 low and 10 high, how embarrassed would you be if your thoughts were displayed to everyone or you said everything that came to mind? (Remember the movie Liar Liar?) How can you shape your mind to replace your thoughts and words to reflect God's goodness?

4. Read Daniel 5:29-30. There's both a warning and also a promise given in Daniel 5. Those who fear the Lord will be rewarded one day. The reward for fearing the Lord isn’t stuff or status but justice. It’s justice for all the wrongs done to you and God’s people. How does justice and the Gospel relate? How is loving our neighbor, besides being a command to us, similar to the Gospel Jesus fulfilled?