My Worship is Authentic

Introduction: no one can escape the fiery trials of life. No person can escape the troubles or problems of life. Every one of us experiences adversity, affliction, anguish, distress, grief, hardship, sorrow, unhappiness, misfortune, pain. Sooner or later all of us face hard times. In such times, we need a strong, steadfast faith in the Lord. We need to surrender, submit our lives to the Lord, trusting Him to deliver us. A strong, steadfast faith and submission to God is the practical subject of the present Scripture.

I. Introduction

A. Daniel … Book of Prophecy and People

1. An outline of the ages

2. Views of the end time

a. The triumphal entry

b. The cross … the destruction of Jerusalem

c. The antichrist … the tribulation … end-time rulers

3. But it is also a book of people

a. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego

b. Trials and triumphs of men of faith

B. Three Men Who are Tried by Fire

1. The great image

2. Bow or burn

3. They refused to bow … but did not burn

II. Body

A. They were Different (v. 12)

1. They regarded not the king, nor his gods, nor his golden image

2. Our Lord was different

a. He was righteous in a sinful world

b. He was light on a dark planet

c. His teachings demanded a different lifestyle

The message of Christ lays hold upon a man with the intention to alter him, to mold him again after another image and make of him something altogether different from what he had been before.

A. W. Tozer

3. We are to be different, changed by the power of the gospel

a. Born-again, new creatures

b. Changed Corinthians (1 Cor. 6:9–11)

c. Changed Paul (Phil. 3:7–10)

B. They were Daring (v. 16)

1. “We are not careful to answer thee”

2. The thrill of new Christianity

a. Taking new stands

b. Risking position, job, friends

c. Fresh zeal in soul-winning

3. Then we become careful

a. So tactful that we never witness

b. So tolerant of sin that we compromise with the world

c. So conservative that we make no advances for Christ

4. The walk of faith is a daring walk

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Co. 15:58).

C. They were Dedicated (vv. 17–18)

1. He is able to deliver us

2. But if He does not deliver us, we will still be true

3. You may be angry with God. He has not come through

a. He did not save your marriage

b. He did not heal your loved one

c. He did not rescue your home from foreclosure

d. He has not yet provided work

e. He has not yet saved your children

4. But notice their total commitment

5. They are like Job: “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15)

6. They are like Jesus in Gethsemane

III. Conclusion

A. They were Delivered (vv. 25–27)

1. And what a deliverance!

a. Jesus walked with them in the fire

b. Only the ropes burned off

c. The smell of fire was not on them

d. Not even their hair was singed

2. Why??? Because they were already on fire!

B. You can’t burn me when I’m in the Presence of Fire.