Summary of a published sermon by Cornelius Williams, prepared from the sermon's captions. This page carries the summary and scripture index only — no transcript is published for this record. An attributed primary source — not Acts 2:38 Life doctrine text.
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Summary
Summary prepared by Acts 2:38 Life from the sermon's captions — published in summary form; watch the full sermon at the source.
A better plan in Babylon
Williams preaches the whole story of Daniel 1, with the host church's youth pastor reading the chapter aloud at his invitation. Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah — young men, he says, between 13 and 18, well favoured and chosen by the hand of God — were carried to Babylon in chains, but Babylon's deeper design was chains on their spirits. The reading runs: Jehoiakim given into Nebuchadnezzar's hand and the vessels of God's house carried into the land of Shinar; Ashpenaz ordered to bring certain of the children of Israel — children in whom was no blemish, well favoured, skilful in wisdom, able to stand in the king's palace — to be taught the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans; and the king's daily provision of meat and wine appointed for three years. Babylon's threefold attack on a young person, Williams preaches, is against identity, influence and integrity — changing how they talk, what they know, and above all what they digest; what you digest will either develop you or destroy you.
Scriptures: Daniel 1:1-2; Daniel 1:3-4; Daniel 1:5; Ephesians 4:12
Daniel purposed in his heart
First the names were changed — Daniel to Belteshazzar — because if you forget your name, maybe you'll forget his name. But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself. The most powerful word an anointed young person can learn, Williams says, is "no" — not because mama said it or daddy said it, but because the purpose is in the heart; two yeses — yes to God and yes to the devil — make a hypocrite. The young people are the treasures of the house of God, and parents must not let the spirits of the age take from them the right to teach their children the ways of God.
Scriptures: Daniel 1:7; Daniel 1:8
Prove thy servants ten days
Daniel brings Melzar a better plan: prove thy servants ten days — let them have bread to eat and water to drink, and let their countenances be looked upon beside those eating the king's meat. Living for God, Williams says, is not a list of dos and don'ts; it is a list of "I will not." What goes into the eyes and the heart comes out of the mouth, so get the word of God into your heart the way Daniel purposed in his. At the end of the ten days the steward could see it in their faces: it matters what you eat. Every chance you get to pray, pray; every day you can open up that book and read, read.
Scriptures: Daniel 1:11-13
Ten times better
At the end of the days the king had them brought in and communed with them — and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. In all matters of wisdom and understanding that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better: every spirit Babylon tried to infiltrate had failed to take, because they did not take the bait. Prayer and fasting work, and holiness is not wrong. Williams closes by pressing the house — young people above all — toward consecration: cut off whatever drags you back, and be not just better, but ten times better.
Scriptures: Daniel 1:18; Daniel 1:19; Daniel 1:20
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Scripture references as spoken: Daniel 1:1-2; Daniel 1:3-4; Ephesians 4:12; Daniel 1:5; Daniel 1:7; Daniel 1:8; Daniel 1:11-13; Daniel 1:18; Daniel 1:19; Daniel 1:20.