Bernard Gabbott - Sunday, 27 July 2025
A Tale of Two Cities
Scripture References: Daniel 1:1-7, Psalms 115:1-18, Philippians 2:5-11
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CloseI have never read ‘A tale of two cities’, but the title captures what we are dealing with in Daniel: how to live as a disciple who is discerning, in the power struggle between two powers. In this sense, much of what we will read here of Daniel’s life is strikingly similar to Revelation. And God’s people have always faced such a life: living as God’s people, in a world that rejects God. This was the case when God’s people were made his mob in Exodus 19. It is the case as God’s mob go into the land he promised them in Deuteronomy 28-29. It is the case as God’s mob are called back by the prophets and remain stubborn, in Daniel. It is exactly what Jesus faced as he expressed his ‘God-ness’ by coming into enemy territory (Phil. 2:5-11). And it is what we face now as we live as God’s mob (just read 1 Peter 2:9-12). In this place between two powers, every person is subjected to a discipleship (and we will define that soon) programme. God’s mob are no different – and so we must be discerning!
Scripture References: Daniel 1:1-7, Psalms 115:1-18, Philippians 2:5-11
From Series: Service - Sunday Morning, Daniel | More Messages from Bernard Gabbott | Download Audio
| A Tale of Two Cities | Bernard Gabbott | Sunday, 27 July 2025 | Kids Talk | Watch | Listen |
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| Why so few? | Phil Kern | Saturday, 29 June 2024 | Watch |
I guess it is probably hard to forget an event like the Exodus, and the moments of the Passover – at least in the short term. But, God knows his mob. He knows that they forget quickly. He knows that they will be rebellious, and wander in the wilderness for forty years. He knows that he needs to command them to remember, especially when it is only Joshua and Caleb who will enter the land of Israel from the slavery of Egypt. And so, as they leave, God commands ‘statutes’, laws to enforce remembering – remembering the night of the Passover, remembering the strength of God who saved them, remembering their identity as ‘my firstborn’. The God who commands this remembering is the God who knows them, and so he orders their route as they leave. He is the God who follows through faithfully and relentlessly on his promises – just look at the bones of Joseph. And he is the God who is their constant companion, even as they wander in rebellion. He is our God!
The Passover is one of the seminal moments in God’s commitment to reverse the curse of sin in this world. It is the climax of His work to save His people from Egypt – for people to know Him, for His ‘firstborn son’ to be saved, for them to dwell with Him and be His people. In this sense, the last of the signs and wonders is both a salvation and a preparation. As the LORD sweeps over Egypt, delivering His judgement of death on those who have refused Him, in each of the households of His people, a perfect lamb has died. This lamb’s death is a substitute for God’s firstborn son, taking the judgement of death. This lamb’s blood protects God’s people, preparing them to be acceptable to live with God. As God’s mob obediently do as He commanded, they are trusting in His provision – they are trusting in His kind mercy. And so, they are both saved out of Egypt, and they are made acceptable to dwell with the God who has visited this world. Can you think of any other event that is similar to this?
Last week we considered why God saves His people. But God’s salvation and judgement often go hand in hand. Indeed God’ s judgement of His enemies is often the means by which He saves His people. In Exodus 7:8-10:29, we are given three reasons why God judges the Egyptians; To reveal Himself to the world, to display His power and authority and humble both His enemies and His people. The implication for God’s enemies is that they should repent and turn to Him for salvation while His people should learn to serve Him in humility because they recognise that except by His miraculous power, no one can be saved from his judgement.
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