Heavenly Living in Hostage Times Daniel 3

Background

v. 1 The Confusion of Blessing vs. being Self Made

We know that Nebuchadnezzar had risen to pwer by the hand of God for the sole purpose of bringing judgment against Israel as prophesied in the Bible.

Nebuchadnezzar forgot quickly the hand of God in his life related to the dream and interpreting the dream.

Daniel 2:28 “28 But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream, and the visions of your head upon your bed, were these:”

Daniel 2:32–33 “32 This image’s head was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, 33 its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay.”

-Image of Gold-details

90 x 9 ft

Wood with Gold Plating

-set up in Babylon-front and center

V. 2

Daniel 3:2 “2 And King Nebuchadnezzar sent word to gather together the satraps, the administrators, the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.”

If you have an agenda, you recruit all the popular people, the powerful people, the prestigious people, the important people and it carries weight. Peer Pressure is real and it has influence.

Faith

We all have faith. Those that say they are not religious, have faith, just faith in different things.

The #1 majority of people in the world have faith in themselves.

Nebuchadnezzar made himself a God

Isaiah 46:6 “6 They lavish gold out of the bag, And weigh silver on the scales; They hire a goldsmith, and he makes it a god; They prostrate themselves, yes, they worship.”

Psalm 96:5 “5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the Lord made the heavens.”

Habakkuk 2:19 “19 Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Awake!’ To silent stone, ‘Arise! It shall teach!’ Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, Yet in it there is no breath at all.”

Dearly beloved, how appropriate the timing of our study and the days in which we live. As I look at our upcoming election and i see what is formulating this next election, I am reminded from whence we as a nation have fallen. I am reminded how my political views of the day are not in keeping with the majority of America.

What we saw then, if you recruit enough people with weight, influence, name recognition, then what we are doing must be okay.

The Influence of Peer Pressure

-Political expediency

-its the best decision for the company

-it is best for all parties concern

-the popular vote, the popular thing will look attractive

God’s Laws vs. Man’s Laws

Exodus 1 Moses’ mother-infanticide

Acts 5:28–32 “28 saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!” 29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.””

“they stood before the image”- a stance carries weight

Ill.

Mississippi Burning

Mississippi Burning is a 1988 American crime thriller film directed by Alan Parker that is loosely based on the 1964 murder investigation of Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner in Mississippi. It stars Gene Hackman and Willem Dafoe as two FBI agents investigating the disappearance of three civil rights workers in fictional Jessup County, Mississippi, who are met with hostility by the town's residents, local police, and the Ku Klux Klan.

V.4

Daniel 3:4 “4 Then a herald cried aloud: “To you it is commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages,”

Isn’t it interesting that it is evidenced even in a pagan that He stayed abstract when winning over everyone. He used a Herald to share his edict.

KKK-Wore sheets

Burglars work by night-not to be seen

But notice that sinful acts are presented with all the allure and pomp that can be mustered.

Daniel 3:5 “5 that at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, you shall fall down and worship the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up;”

Its going to be a grand celebration. Anybody that is anybody will be there.

Faith Stands will bring fire

Daniel 3:6 “6 and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.””

Oh dearly beloved, when we make stands for God against man, it will come with a price. We will ruffle feathers.

Ill ALCAP Alabama Citizens Action Program

-alcohol

-gambling

-mariquana

-pro-life, religious liberty, human sexuality, tobacco, cigarettes-vap ing

The Poison of Worldly Influence

Daniel 3:8 “8 Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and accused the Jews.”

-The worldview is that we hate to be embarrassed, sidelined, jumped over when we feel we should have received the promotion. I will not get mad, I will get even. The sin that builds when we dwell on something and it can fester in our hearts.

I will not get mad, I will get even.

This is the workplace today. I have heard over the years from family, friends, some of you that worked in corporate America or worked for the government that I was done wrong, i was passed over, affirmative action cost me that position, they embarrassed me in front of my superior, etc. Payback will be tough.

The sin of jealousy vv. 8-12

VV. 13-14 Guys, you have another chance. I know I promoted you, but be sure you get it right this time.

v. 16 God does not need defending. If we have to defend God then we have no need of God. God defends us. Do not confuse defending with exhibiting faith or apologetics.

A Great Lesson in Faith

Daniel 3:17–18 “17 If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.””

FAITH (πίστις, pistis). Reliance upon and trust in God;

-Saving faith-a confessional faith

Romans 10:9 “9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Gift of Faith

1 Corinthians 12:7–10 NKJV

7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

Centrality of our Faith

Hebrews 6:1 “1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,”

Oh listen dear church, Shadrach, Meshach, & Abed-nego were not making a religious choice, they were committing treason against the Kingdom of Babylon.

This was a test of loyalty. Babylon had conquered many countries and Nebuchadnezzar wanted to test real loyalty.

Faith in God vs. a Goal End Result

“He will deliver us from your hand, O King, but if not, let it be known to you, O King, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”

1 Samuel 17:37 “37 Moreover David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!””

Several aspects about faith we want to discuss.

Faith in God vs. Results

-pray for what is our out come.

How do you respond when the prayer does not go as you want?

God answers yes, no, not now

My will vs. His will

Our will is not as good as His will. And guess whose will is best?

In Jesus’ humanity, Lord

Luke 22:41–42 “41 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.””

Matthew 6:9–14 (NKJV)

9 In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,

Hallowed be Your name.

10 Your kingdom come.

Your will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts,

As we forgive our debtors.

13 And do not lead us into temptation,

But deliver us from the evil one.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

Faith promises to carry us through the fire

Daniel 3:25 “25 “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.””

Fire times are purging times

They were unbound.

Fires will cause us sometimes to drop somethings that are hanging on.

Fire times are test times.

When your kids as for something and you say no, what did they do when they were young. Cry. Wanting their way.

Isaiah 43:2 “2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.”

Psalm 91:3–4 NKJV

3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. 4 He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.

Let’s close with a thought provoking comment and question.

What type of faith would you have in God if He prevented every single struggle we have to take place? What grows our faith.

He probably prevents many fires in our lives, but how would our faith grow if we never experienced fire?

V. 25 Christophony or theophany