Eastside Missionary Baptist Church

WHEN PRIDE GOES WILD AND GRACE GOES DEEP

"From the Palace to the Pasture and Back Again"

Text: Daniel 4:1-37

INTRODUCTION: Daniel chapter 4 is unlike any chapter in the book of Daniel. Chapter 1 shows a conquered king. Chapter 2 shows a dreaming king. Chapter 3 shows a raging king. Chapter 4 shows a broken king. This is the personal testimony of Nebuchadnezzar himself. God allowed a pagan emperor to write part of inspired Scripture so that every generation would forever know one unforgettable truth: "The Most High rules in the kingdom of men." (Daniel 4:17) Daniel 4 is not merely the story of a man who lost his mind. It is the story of a man who lost his pride. It is the story of a king who became like a beast. It is the story of how God can bring a man from: Scepter to Straw, Throne to Turf, Palace to Pasture, Crown to Cattle, Arrogance to Adoration. The chapter begins with a king praising God. Yet in the middle of the chapter, he is grazing with cattle. By the end he is worshipping the God he once ignored. Only God can write a story like that.

NOTICE:

I. THE PROCLAMATION OF GOD'S POWER Daniel 4:1-37

A. The King's Public Declaration Daniel 4:2, Psalm 66:16

B. The King's Powerful Description Daniel 4:3  

II. THE PEACE THAT PRODUCED PRIDE Daniel 4:4  

A. Prosperity Became His Poison “flourishing", Deuteronomy 8:11-14

B. Comfort Produced Carelessness II Samuel 11:1

III. THE DREAM THAT DELIVERED A WARNING

A. The Fearful Vision Daniel 4:25, Job 33:14-17

B. The Fruitful Tree Daniel 4:10-12

C. The Fallen Tree Daniel 4:13-18, Psalm 75:6-7

IV. THE PROPHET WHO PROCLAIMED THE TRUTH

Daniel 4:19-27 Daniel receives the interpretation.

A. His Compassionate Concern Daniel 4:19  

B. His Courageous Confrontation Daniel 4:20-25, Proverbs 29:25

C. His Clear Call to Repentance Daniel 4:27

V. THE PRIDE THAT PROVOKED PUNISHMENT Daniel 4:28-33

This is the heart of the chapter.

A. Pride's Dangerous Delay Daniel 4:28-29, Romans 2:4, Acts 17:30

B. Pride's Damning Declaration Daniel 4:30

C. Pride's Divine Destruction Daniel 4:31

VI. THE BEAST IN THE FIELD Daniel 4:32-33

VII. THE REPENTANCE THAT RESTORED REASON Daniel 4:34-35 

From Palace Pride to Pasture Repentance

A. The Direction of Repentance Daniel 4:34 "I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven." For seven years he looked downward. Restoration began when he looked upward. Psalm 121:1

B. The Discovery of Repentance Daniel 4:34 "Mine understanding returned unto me." When a man sees God correctly, he finally sees himself correctly. The prodigal son: "came to himself." (Luke 15:17)

C. The Declaration of Repentance   

Nebuchadnezzar begins worshipping. Notice the transformation. Previously: “I built." Now: "He rules." Previously: "My kingdom." Now: “His kingdom." That's repentance. Repentance is not merely feeling bad. It is changing direction. The New Testament Greek word metanoia means: "a change of mind resulting in a change of life."

VIII. THE PROMOTION THAT FOLLOWED HUMILITY Daniel 4:36-37

A. His Kingdom Restored God gave back what pride lost.

B. His Honor Returned Daniel 4:36 "Excellent majesty was added unto me." God gave him more than he had before.

C. His Heart Renewed Daniel 4:37The greatest need in America today is not politics. It is repentance. Not better programs. But broken pride.  Not bigger churches. But humbler churches. Not greater performances. But deeper prayer meetings. Not celebrity Christianity. But Calvary Christianity. Many churches have become impressed with: Attendance, Buildings, Budgets, Platforms, Popularity! Yet Heaven still asks: "Where is the brokenness?" Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Revival has never started through pride. Nebuchadnezzar looked up and found restoration. The sinner looks up and finds redemption. The same grace that restored Nebuchadnezzar is offered through Jesus Christ. Where Nebuchadnezzar's pride brought him down, Christ's humility brought Him down. Philippians 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. The First Adam exalted himself and fell. The Last Adam humbled Himself and was exalted.