High School | Are You Alive Down There? (Daniel 6) | Collin Warner

Main message: Daniel’s rescue from the lions illustrates what a living, not merely intellectual, faith looks like—one that is obvious, blameless, persevering, and ultimately confirmed by God. Believers are invited to examine themselves (Are you “alive down there?”) against five evidences of a living faith.

Key points:

• A living faith is obvious — Daniel “glittered from afar,” his life caught people’s attention (he was known as a man in whom the Spirit of God was).
• A living faith is blameless and trustworthy — Daniel’s integrity made it hard for enemies to find fault with him.
• A living faith remains faithful under pressure — Daniel continued his regular prayers even after the anti-prayer decree.
• A living faith is an effective witness — a life lived faithfully gives weight to one’s words and points others to God.
• A living faith will be confirmed by God — God vindicated Daniel (and Darius issued a public decree about the living God); believers should expect God’s ultimate vindication.
• Application/exhortation: examine yourself (2 Corinthians 13:5) to see whether your faith is living rather than only intellectual.

Scriptures mentioned: Daniel 6, Daniel 2, Daniel 5, Ephesians 2:4-8, James 2:17, 2 Corinthians 13:5, Philippians 2:14-15, Matthew 5:14-16, Romans 8:31