You Can’t Reason Away Integrity/Transformed (Karen Youth)

Personal Introduction

About Me

How many of you have grown up in a Christian family?

Summit Plug

Introduction

The theme of this weekend is “Be The Light”

Matthew 5:16 “16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

And that is so important that we be the light in this world.

I’ve heard it said that YOU may be the only Jesus people ever see.

Meaning as part of the church “His body” you represent Him. People can form their perception of God based on their opinion of you.

That can be a very scary thought.

But it is also a great privilege, that we represent our God.

It is a high calling.

Just in this past couple of weeks alone, two pastors with major influence in the church world stepped down from their churches because of sin.

One pastored his church of over 10,000 people for over 50 years, and the other had been a pastor for decades of a church of ten’s of thousands.

Every time a story like this comes out, you see the articles and headlines that talk about how Christianity is nothing but hypocrisy, and we are just like every one else.

And the light that Christians are supposed to be in culture grows dimmer.

When I hear stories like this, my reaction is not one of judgement towards these pastors, but one of self-reflection that says, “God help me.”

Because if not for the grace of God, there go I.

I’m capable of the same sin and debauchery.

God Help us.

God, help us live as lights, set up on a hill.

God help us to live as a generation that is an example of the love and purity that Christ exemplified.

God help us to be a sign and wonder to this generation that is so confused, and give us endurance in our walk with you.

We don’t want just a temporary revival in our hearts, let it last for the entirety of our lives.

Let us represent you well.

This morning I’m going to be spharing from the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and the Burning Furnace in Daniel 3.

A few months ago our school had a chapel service where we spent extended time in prayer, worship, and reading through the first 6 chapters of the book of Daniel.

It was a really powerful time, and since then, I had been going back over those chapters in my personal devotions, and even did a series on the book of Daniel with our church youth.

There are many takeaways you can get in the book of Daniel, but what has resonated the most with me lately is the integrity that’s on display in the lives of four young Jewish men.

If we want to be a church that is a light that shines in the darkness in a way that causes others to see our good works and glorify our Father…..We need integrity.

Personal lives

In families

In churches

The way the world is setup, it can make doing the right thing very difficult at times.

And that is one thing that these three men have in common with us. As captives in a pagan culture, Godly integrity was something that needed to be fought for.

But they showed us that it is possible to walk with Christian integrity in a culture far from Godly.

If you’re here and say “the temptations are too much”

My sermon title is……You Can’t Reason Away Integrity.

If you have your Bibles, turn to Daniel 3:18

Pray

Backdrop Summary

The story we are looking at in Daniel 3 is one that many of you are familiar with.

In it, three men named Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are threatened with death by fire if they don’t bow down and worship a golden image that was erected by the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar.

Just to give a backdrop to these men’s lives, we first hear of them in Daniel 1:6

Daniel 1 - The book of Daniel opens up with King Nebuchadnezzar, taking over Jerusalem and taking the people of Judah as captives.

Judah was part of the Israelite nation (God’s chosen people).

Amongst those captives, the text follows the story of 4 young men in particular…..Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

These young men were anywhere from 15-20 years old at the time they were taken captive.

Good looking, educated, and part of the royal family and nobility.

Neb took these young men captive and turned their lives upside-down.

It’s believed that they were most likely made eunuchs….so their manhood was taken from them.

Their identities were erased.

Their Jewish names were replaced with Babylonian names that were nods to their pagan gods.

That’s how Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah became Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

And they were to be educated in the literature and language of this empire for 3 years before serving as advisors to the pagan King.

But even in the midst of all this, these four men display integrity and obedience to God.

And because of this God blessed them with wisdom and understanding, so much so that at the end of Chapter 1, it says that King Neb found them 10x better than all the other advisors/magicians/enchanters in the kingdom.

1 Corinthians 1:27 - But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;

And you see that at play here as God takes the captive young men, and gives them a voice that is more potent than everyone else around them.

So Daniel 1 sets up this narrative of God blessing the obedience and integrity of these young men.

And others are noticing….they are lights shining in a dark culture.

Daniel 2 - Then in Daniel 2, this becomes even more clear.

How many of you have ever had a very vivid, terrible dream?

Neb has a dream that leaves him very anxious and troubled. He knows there is some kind of significance to it, and so he does something unheard of.

He calls all his astrologers and magicians together to interpret his dream, but to first tell him what his dream was, and then interpret it.

They said it was impossible, so he commanded that all the magicians, astrologers, advisors in his kingdom be killed.

So Daniel finds out about it, and sets up an appointment with the King, and God reveals to him what the dream was and what the interpretation is.

Because of this, chapter 2 ends with Daniel being promoted as a ruler in Babylon, and as the chief magistrate over all the wise men of Babylon.

And then at the request of Daniel, Shad, Mesh, and Abed are appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon.

It’s believed that they may have even been put over provinces where many of their fellow captive Jews were living.

So once again, obedience and integrity to God is opening up doors of opportunity for these men.

Daniel 3 - So now we get to Daniel 3.

In the first several verses of Daniel 3, Neb sets up this golden image (representing his glory and power and the power of his gods), and commands the people to bow down and worship it.

But these three men refuse to do so and this is where we pick up reading in Daniel 3:8-18

Daniel 3:8-18

Scripture Text

8 Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans (meaning the astrologers and magicians) came forward and maliciously accused the Jews. 9 They declared to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, live forever! 10 You, O king, have made a decree, that every man who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image. 11 And whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into a burning fiery furnace. 12 There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

Just a note here on the accusers that came forward.

The accusers are well aware of the circumstances in which these Jews were appointed to office and they resent the king’s promotion of foreigners over their heads. Now is their opportunity to gain the favour of the king by revealing treachery. Daniel: An Introduction and Commentary (b. Three Jews Protest (3:8–18)

They are jealous and are using this opportunity to gain favor with the king, and to try and get rid of these three men.

Here’s what we have to realize in this story…..it wasn’t Neb that promoted these men to these positions….it was God who, because of their obedience and integrity, promoted them.

And that’s why these Chaldeans were jealous and looking for an occasion to maliciously accuse them because….they were supposed to be the trained, elite ones, wise ones, strong ones.

But once again….God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;

You see God working like that all throughout history. The submitted always do greater feats than the mere talented.

The ministry I work for….Summit, Times Square Church was founded by a man that took a step of faith in obedience that seemed absolutely crazy to those around him, but God blessed it.

As Christians, we have to realize that obedience and integrity, will open doors for you that human reason never will.

That is something these accusers couldn’t understand.

13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. So they brought these men before the king. 14 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, “Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? 15 Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?”

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

Main Point

I’ve always loved how how unhesitant and how deliberate these men were in response to the King.

It’s like “I will kill you in a very painful way if your don’t do this”, and they are, “Yeah, we’re not going to do that.”

“our God will deliver us out of your hand, but even if he doesn’t, we will not bow our knee to serve your gods.”

These men weren’t concerned with preserving their own lives.

In one sense, what do they have to lose?

Their manhood was taken.

Their country and homes were taken.

They’re being forced to live in a foreign land.

What else could they take from them other than their life?

They had kept their integrity through all that, so what is giving their life?

But what resonates most with me in this story is their refusal to reason away obedience and integrity.

Think of how Shad, Mesh, and Abed could have done this.

These three men were not just random captives in Babylon.

As we have talked about, they were in leadership positions

Advisors to the King.

Leaders of a province or district.

They had good opportunities before them.

They were in a very strategic position to be used by God to help their fellow Jews in captivity because of the influence and resources they wielded.

Given the position they were in…..

Internal Dialogue (I can imagine how I might try to reason away integrity if I were in their shoes)

I need to do what is best for my people.

I have influence with the King. I’m in a position to help my fellow Jews.

If I don’t bow, I take what is only a passing moment, and jeopardize the future of what could be many more years of influence with this king.

I have to compromise my values temporarily for a greater good.

I can’t squander the opportunities God has given me in this place.

In the long run, the strategic thing to do would be do bow my knee and get past this moment.

Plus….Everyone else is doing it….bowing down.

This is just the way the world works, and what you need to do survive, let alone get ahead.

I’m just being realistic. I’m just being practical.

God will forgive me.

He knows my heart….my allegiance is to him.

My outward expression might fool these pagans into thinking that I’ve complied, but in my heart I’m only loyal to Jehovah God.

That’s what it would sound were you to try and reason away integrity.

If these three men were to have taken that route, they would have been using human strength, reason, and strategy to try and protect what God blessed because of integrity.

But because they were men of integrity first, they made a choice that very well could have ended their influence and opportunities in Babylon.

Now the story doesn’t end that way…we aren’t going to read the rest of the story, but….

It concludes with these 3 men being thrown into the fire, and God does a miracle and they aren’t harmed whatsoever.

And Daniel 3 ends in a very similar way to chapter 2….with Neb recognizing the power of their God and promoting Shad, Mesh, and Abed.

But even if that wasn’t the case…..even if they did burn in the fire, and lost everything…it still would have been the right decision.

Listen close to this next part….

Because if you reason away integrity enough, eventually you don’t even need a reason any more, it just becomes your lifestyle.

Telling one lie, which becomes two, which becomes three.’

And you begin to look just like the rest of the world where you were called to be a light in the darkness.

Application

You may never be in this kind of death and life scenario, but we’ve all probably had those times where we knew the right thing to do, but made excuses, or wanted to make excuses.

Story of stealing something at Walmart

We would pay if it weren’t for my dad

It’s not like it’s going to hurt anyone.

Just in case your wondering “Josiah, in your integrity, did you pay Walmart back?”

I’m happy to say that I did.

15 years later when I was shopping at Walmart, I was accidently charged twice for something I bought.

and didn’t complain at customer service….now we’re even.

But we can be very good at trying to reason away what we know to be right.

Examples: (For…)

Pastors

As the church grows, and God blesses you as you minister to more and more people, the temptation becomes to water down Biblical teachings in order to avoid controversial issues and conflict in order to maximize church growth.

I can reach more people.

Business/Workplace

Compromising on Biblical principles, because you’ve worked hard to get to where you are at, and you just need to do this get ahead, maximize profits, or gain a competitive edge.

Relationships

I know what the Bible says about sexuality and marriage, but dating has changed, and even amongst other Christians, the Bible’s views on this stuff is considered outdated.

I’ve gone the route of integrity, but if I really want to get in a dating relationship or get married, I’m just going to have to be willing to adjust Biblical values to make it happen.

Friendship Relationships

It might look like joining the crowd in the way they speak and act, even if it means doing and saying things you shouldn’t, because you want to fit in and make friends.

School

I know AI generators writing my papers for me is cheating, but I’m not the only one. Besides, what is the point of technology if we can’t benefit from it?

You fill in the blank

These are just some examples, but you fill in the blank.

This world needs people with integrity.

God blesses integrity and obedience.

I’ve fallen short many times….I’ve reasoned away many times….but I pray God let me live with the kind of integrity we read about in the book of Daniel.

This is the challenge….what does the next step towards integrity look like for you?

Transformation

This is my prayer for.

That you live in the transforming power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that enables you to walk out this life on earth with integrity and righteousness.

That doesn’t mean we always get it right, we will make mistakes, but the fruit of the spirit is being developed in our lives more and more as we are transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Some people have just come to accept that fact that the teenage years of a person’s life is just going to be their rebellious stage, where they find themselves, and explore different things, even sinful things.

It’s the stage where you fall away from your faith for a season.

I don’t believe in that.

The story we just read is about young men, your age, who not only kept their faith with integrity, but did it as captives in a foreign land.

Conformity

Conformity - Has to do with external

It has to do with outward actions

Conform means “to comply with, or to be similar in form or type to something else”

You are just conforming to whatever crowd you’re with

This outward pressure dictates your thoughts and actions

Conformity to the World

The Bible says we are not to comply with and be conformed to this worldly value system

Coveting, Greed, Lying, Arrogance, Gossip

But do you know what is just as dangerous as conformity to the world.....conformity to the church.

Notice the Bible does not say. “be conformed to the church”....it says be transformed.

Church Conformity

Conformity, even to the church, is still and outward form of pressure that will crush you.

If all I’m ever doing is conforming....I haven’t gotten to the heart of the issue.

Conformity doesn’t change you and I

Conformity to the world is fleshly living

Conformity to the church is empty religion

Transformation is a relationship with Jesus

Mere Conformity to the church is what 2 Timothy 3:5 calls “having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.”

Many young people make the mistake of thinking conformity to church culture is transformation. You might conform to the church because:

You grew up in a Christian home

Because your parents want you to

Conformity to the church simply means you are similiar in type on the outside

This is dangerous because people can be convinced they are something that they are not.

Conformity to church might look good, but it can’t save you.

It might look like transformation, but it is emptied of all it’s power.

Transformation

Transformation - Has to do with the internal

It is an internal pressure (or power) that results in outward action.

It is what gives us the ability to be lights in this dark world, and to live in righteousness and integrity.

Moon analogy

When a caterpillar changes into a butterfly, it doesn’t just pretend to be a butterfly with external features,

As hormones change and genes are activated on the inside, it produces something on the outside.

While conformity uses pressure from the outside....transformation is The Holy Spirit releasing power from within.

That is transformation.

The Apostle Paul shows this In Galatians 5:22-23

Galatians 5:22-23ESV)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

In other words, there is something that happens on the inside that begins to manifest itself outwardly!

It starts when we become a new person in Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

We don’t inherit new values, new motives, new purpose without first becoming a new creature.

Then that transformation begins to take place through the renewing of the mind.

Renewing of the Mind

Renewing of the Mind

When we have submitted ourselves to God by faith, he changes our destiny in an instant, but He changes us day by day.

2 Corinthians 3:18 “And we all, with unveiled face

Speaking of a relationship

beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image

Transformation takes place from beholding the glory of the Lord

We are transformed as we allow the Spirit to reveal Christ through the Word of God.

from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”

Renewing the mind is a process, but as we submit to the process by beholding the glory of the Lord, we begin to change.

Bible Reading

Prayer

Being an active part of the Church (the Body of Christ)

Soccer Ball Analogy

Declaration

You are not a hostage to your unhealthy thoughts. The weapons you fight with are not the weapons of this world. You have divine power to demolish strongholds.

You are not a slave to your habits or sins. You are not a prisoner to an addiction. You have been rescued from the power of darkness and brought into the kingdom of God’s light.

Sources

https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/can-you-begin-by-the-spirit-and-be-completed-by-the-flesh