Text: Daniel 1:1—6

Topic: How to make an impact on our world.

Introduction:

• Illustration: Polonius's advice to Laertes in Shakespeare's Hamlet was to live with integrity.
• We cannot make the impact God desires without character excellence.
• The life of Daniel shows five practices that enabled him to live above the crowd.

We live above the crowd by resolving to stay on the right path.

• Daniel 1:8
• You must make up your mind in advance to seek God's will first.

We live above the crowd by receiving God's favor for fidelity.

• Daniel 1:9
• The favor of God is there for his people.
• Illustration: Black had a boss who liked him despite feelings of prejudice.

We live above the crowd by expecting our faith to be tested.

• 2 Timothy 3:12

We live above the crowd by maintaining a positive attitude.

• Daniel positively reframed the challenge and made a trial offer.
• Romans 12:21
• Illustration: Joseph maintained a positive attitude because he knew that God had plans for him.
• Illustration: Naaman's maid maintained a positive attitude.

We live above the crowd by harnessing prayer power.

• Prayer is a motif in the Book of Daniel.
• Daniel 6:10
• 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Conclusion:

• Jesus lived above the crowd by practicing all five of these things.

• If we're to make an impact on this age, we must live above the crowd.
• Illustration: William Cullen Bryant's Thanatopsis describes the approach to death of one who lives above the crowd.