Through studying Daniel 6, we see how Daniel lived out his faith, refusing to compromise even in small ways, which resulted in Daniel being an amazing and persuasive example to a people who do not know God. By now, Daniel is a great public figure, ranked just below the king, and many eyes are upon him. His example is a true testament to his trust and reliance upon God, unafraid of risking even his own life. Through this passage, we see how Daniel was delivered and saved from the den of lions waiting to devour him, through God’s faithfulness in protecting him, once again. We can learn how difficult it is to change our own ways and thinking, as the people witnessed Daniel saved by his Lord many times, and yet they still doubted in Daniel’s God, clinging on to their many gods. We learn that, as Christians, we are to bring glory to God, through revealing God’s character through our own actions and character. Find out how Daniel was able to glorify God once again.
Category Archives: Podcast
IGSM Friday Forum Podcast – “Lifted Up” – 05/13/11
Speaking from Numbers 21:1-9, Chul discussed how the Israelites grew impatient and grumbled against God and Moses in the desert. Despite God’s covenant to deliver them into the Promised Land, the Israelites’ complaint is an emotional response based on their underlying expectation that everything should go well with them. Their self-centered perspective not only harmed relationships, but also led God to lift his protection over the Israelites, subjecting them to venomous snakes.
Against this backdrop, Chul explained how we need to pause and count God’s blessings in our lives whenever we have a grumbling heart, so that we may be convicted to repent and turn from our evil ways. It is only when our identity is that of a sinner who is dying under God’s judgment that we will be desperate enough to look to the bronze snake (in the Old Testament), and to the Cross (in the New Testament) to receive salvation. By trusting God’s promise and actually taking a step of faith, we can grow to appreciate God’s mercy and grace. In the process, our faith also gets strengthened.
Other verses referenced: John 3:14-18, Ezekiel 33:11
To listen to the podcast, click the link below:
IGSM Sunday Service Podcast – Daniel 5 (5/8/11)
In this message, Chul Kim talks about the dangers of living a success-driven life, where we justify ourselves based on how well things are going while ignoring our relationship with God. King Belshazzar lived in this way in Daniel 5, treating the things that God gave over to his father King Nebuchadnezzar as his own material achievements that he celebrated, and not humbling himself before God. God had remained silent, but ultimately wrote a message of warning on the wall. When King Belshazzar asked Daniel to interpret the message, the king still did not give proper respect and authority to Daniel’s god (the true God), in spite of all the things Daniel did for the king’s father. Ultimately, the king was slain, perhaps out of God’s wrath for him.
This message warns us about our daily routines before God. As King Belshazzar knew what had happened to his father and the role that God had, he likely failed to uphold practices in his everyday routine that kept his focus on God. He also had no desire to learn more about God, and ultimately lost sight of God. We must examine our own spiritual lives in light of this.
To listen to the podcast, click the link below:
IGSM Friday Forum Podcast – Matthew 14:22-33 – 05/06/11
This was a special brothers’ bible study. Two brothers, Wesley and Joseph in IGSM, gave testimonial messages based on their life experiences.
First, Wesley spoke on the topic of a Christian community which he greatly benefited from. He shared the impact other brothers had in his life to break the long-formed unhealthy habits and spur him on to live a more godly life as he moved in with other Christian brothers in IGSM upon the promptings of the older brothers in the group. He spoke based on 1 John 1:3 along with other passages in the bible.
Next, Joseph shared about his participation in a church plant earlier on his life as he was called to move to another part of the country and start his studies at a business school. He referred to the account of Jesus walking on the water at night, and Peter following after him in Matthew 14:22-33. As Peter was more eager to imitate Jesus and follow Him and experienced more of Him than the other disciples, Joseph was called to make that step of faith and when he made it, he experienced a new dimension of God’s working in his life.
The following Bible verses are referenced: 1 Tim. 1:14, Matthew 26:6-8, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Gal. 6:2, Prov. 27:17, 1Thess. 2:8
IGSM Sunday Service Podcast — Daniel 4 (5/1/11)
After a brief hiatus from our regular message series, Chul Kim returns to the events surrounding Daniel. This week’s message followed King Nebuchadnezzar as God confronts him with his power. When Nebuchadnezzar has a dream that none of his wise men can interpret, he once again goes to Daniel. Daniel warns the king that the dream is a warning from God that the king will be stripped of power and authority and have the mind of an animal for a period of time. Daniel tries to tell the king to do what is right to avoid this fate. However, like many in such a context today, the king did not listen. Consequently, as the king was reflecting on his power, he heard the voice of God and lost his mind for a time. It was after this time that Nebuchadnezzar was able to recognize the power and authority of God, and praise him for it. Chul Kim explains how difficult it can be to change our perspective to follow God. Those who follow Christ must take drastic actions at times to experience change toward greater faith.
To listen to the podcast, click the link below:
IGSM Friday Forum Podcast – Mark 5 – 04/29/11
In this message, Chul Kim discusses the importance of exercising our faith in Jesus Christ. It focuses on the example of Jairus and his daughter, as well as the bleeding woman, when they put their faith in Jesus for their problems that the world was not able to address. Jairus and the bleeding woman both had meaningful contacts with Jesus, in that they were both desperate to begin with, they both exercised their faiths, and Jesus responded to their faiths. Oftentimes, we have the opportunity to exercise the same kind of faith that Jairus and the bleeding woman exercised before Jesus, and should seize the opportunities to do so. By exercising faith, we may be able to experience the hope that Jesus provides.
The following Bible verses are referenced: Mark 5:21-45, Matthew 7:6, John 6, Hebrews 11:6
IGSM Friday Forum Podcast – Good Friday & Easter (4/15/11)
With Good Friday and Easter just around the corner, Chul Kim explains what these major Christian holidays are all about. In this message, Chul covers why Good Friday is so “good”, important points about the death of Jesus, what Easter means, and why the events in Jesus Christ’s life regarding his death and resurrection are so essential and pivotal to the Christian faith. May this bring you to wonder about the resurrection, as we will investigate the evidence for Jesus Christ’s resurrection at our Gracepoint Easter Service this upcoming Sunday on April 24, 4pm, at Kofman Auditorium.
IGSM Friday Forum Podcast – Faith through Films, Part 3 (4/08/11)
This message focuses on the good and evil in our hearts. Because the Bible says that human beings are made in the image of God, we’re capable of doing much good. However, the sin within us has caused us to replace God who should rightfully be at the center of our lives. Satan often tells us that we don’t need God’s guidance, planting the seed of mistrust in God. We must learn to say “no” to our self-centeredness that’s embedded within our sinful nature, so that we can experience true peace from God, who is the rightful owner of our lives, and knows what’s best for ourselves. These themes are illustrated through various movie clips from Star Wars and Lord of the Rings.
To listen to the podcast, click the link below:
IGSM Sunday Service Podcast – Daniel 3 (4/10/11)
Chul speaks about the third chapter of Daniel this time. It starts out with the powerful King Nebuchanezzar of Babylon showing off his seemingly absolute power to all his wise men and the leaders of his empire by making a formidable statue of 90 ft high and making them all to bow down before it whenever music is played. Daniel’s three friends Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego are put on the spot as they were the God-fearing Jews in the pagan world, not willing to bow down to an idol. They face a time of trial, with their lives on the line. The King confronts them for their disobedience to his decree and threatens that they will be burned alive. However, the three friends keep their faith to God, and God works mightily in their lives.
To listen to the podcast, click the link below:
IGSM Sunday Service Podcast — Daniel 2 (4/3/11)
We continue to follow the life of Daniel and his friends through the captivity in Babylon. When King Nebuchadnezzar threatens to kill all the wise men of the land when they cannot tell him and interpret a dream that he has, Daniel goes to seek the solution from God. After learning of the solution from God, Daniel reveals the solution to the mystery to Nebuchadnezzar, and he and his friends are promoted to high status officials. Chul Kim explains how God uses people like Daniel to topple the power of the world, as the statue in the king’s dream was toppled. Like Daniel, we also must understand how a Christian can trust upon God for greater wisdom, and learn to follow him through what can seem like great difficulties.
To listen to the podcast, click the link below: