For the past three months, I’ve been taking a preaching class, and this sermon is my second—and final—requirement for the course. Looking back, I can confidently say that I’ve grown in ways I didn’t expect. Each lesson stretched me, challenged me, and pushed me to think more deeply about what it means to preach with clarity, conviction, and compassion.
I am deeply grateful for my amazing professor, Allan Rudy-Froese, whose guidance, wisdom, and encouragement helped shape my journey. Through his teaching, I was able to tap into my “inner preacher,” discovering strengths I didn’t know I had and learning how to communicate God’s Word with greater authenticity.
This experience has not only strengthened my skills but also helped me grow into a better version of myself—both as a preacher and as a follower of Christ.
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Daniel is a perfect example of a well-assimilated Jew in the Babylonian Empire.
He’s well-educated, law-abiding, and highly respected.
The king adores him… and he pleases God.
Every immigrant’s dream
What could ever go wrong, right?
Well, despite his perfect and overachieving image, Daniel also had his share of critics — people who disliked him and even wanted him dead.
Now, Daniel could have just gone along with the new law.
He could’ve said, “It’s fine. I’ll just pray quietly in my bed, in the dark.”
But no — Daniel chose to pray with his window wide open,
fully aware that doing so was forbidden.
Was he too cocky?
Or just too confident?
Either way, this act of faith led him straight into the lions’ den.
And notice how reluctant the king was.
He didn’t want this to happen!
Daniel was his friend.
It’s almost as if he said, “I’m sorry, I hope you survive!” (Fingers cross)
The king had been Daniel’s silent observer.
Behind the palace windows, he had witness how Daniel’s God worked in his life.
He knew Daniel’s God was powerful… that He saves His people.
He had learned about God through Daniel—but up to this point, he had never spoken about it.
Deep down, all he could think was, “Daniel, I hope you’re right about your God.”
We have people like that in our lives, too — silent observers.
Those who admire our faith… but never talk about it.
They could be family members.
A neighbor.
A friend.
To them, we are the only open Bible they will ever read.
Through us, they see the extension of God’s grace.
Silent observers are the ones who ask for your prayers in hard times,
even if they are not religious at all.
They’re the ones who remind you to go to church,
even though they themselves don’t go!
They’re the ones who tease you —
“Oh, I thought you were a Christian!” —
When they think you’re not acting like one.
They are watching.
They’re behind the windows.
They’re reading the Bible through your life.
And yes — sometimes, it’s annoying.
But one day…
one day, that silent observer may become God’s proclaimer.
Just like King Darius,
who ran to the lions’ den, shouting for Daniel,
hoping he was still alive.
When he heard Daniel’s voice proclaiming God’s deliverance,
The king knew — he could no longer stay silent.
What he witnessed was too great and too powerful to keep hidden.
Daniel’s God was real.
The whole world had to know.
From a silent observer, the king became a proclaimer of God’s greatness.
He said,
“He is the living God, enduring forever!”
Wow!
There will come a time when our testimonies
will be used by God to bring others to faith.
Evangelism is not just a one-time event —
not just sharing the Gospel, saying a prayer, and “ta-da, a new convert!”
No.
People today need a real-life experience of Christ.
And that’s where we come in.
We are Christ’s ambassadors.
We are the open Bible for those who have never read one.
We are the emergency room for the broken, the hurt, the searching —
those who want to experience Christ for themselves.
By living a life centered on Jesus,
We open our windows for silent observers
to glimpse the Word of God.
And someday,
those who are peeking in through that window
may become God’s proclaimers through our lives.
Now maybe you’re thinking,
“But I don’t have silent observers in my life. Everyone around me already goes to church! This message isn’t for me.”
Then leave that place.
We are not called to stay where it’s safe.
We are called to share our lives with the people God wants to reach.
We are meant to be like Daniel —
people with open windows,
willing to be seen by those who have no faith.
We are meant to face our lion’s den moments,
We need to take those risks!
so that our faith will be tested,
and our silent observers will witness the power of God through us.
We are not silent observers.
We are God’s proclaimers!
So open your window.
Live your faith boldly.
And let the world see the living God —
enduring forever.
Amen
