Faith meets Fire
Daniel: Faithful in the Fire • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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In Dan 1, we were introduced to friends companions of Daniel: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego...
Like Daniel, they were young men taken from Judah into captivity and trained to serve before the king. Like Daniel, they were blessed by God and impressed the king after their period of training . Dan 3 reveals more about the character of these three young men.
In chapter 1, we observed these faithful young men doing something that was different from everyone else. It was an active pursuit of “doing things God’s way”— Today in Chapter 3, we will observe these young men refraining from doing something wrong. They will be tempted to just go along with the flow of everyone else but they choose NOT to worship incorrectly. They choose NOT to go along with the crowd.
This story today illustrates what God can do, and the impact that a strong faith displayed in real life can have in bringing glory to God.
The Big Idea for today:
God uses tests of our faith for our good, and for His glory!
Watch for
Nebuchadnezzar’s Test, The Chaldean’s Trial, The Exile’s testimony, and the Lord’s Triumph
1. THE KING’S TEST (v.1-7)
1. THE KING’S TEST (v.1-7)
Nebuchadnezzar's image, and his command to worship it - Dan 3:1-7
The accusation and trial against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego - Dan 3:8-12
The king's threat of the fiery furnace - Dan 3:13-15
The triumph of God to protect these men.
Daniel 3:1–7 “1 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2 He then summoned the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up. 3 So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it. 4 Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do: 5 As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6 Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.” 7 Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound …”
A. King Nebuchadnezzar creates a golden image of himself.
A. King Nebuchadnezzar creates a golden image of himself.
At sixty cubits, this statue is about 100 feet high! That’s quite a sight!
What is at stake?
They had been promoted over the affairs of Babylon - Dan 3:12 They would lose their position as well as their lives or choose to sacrifice their conscience
All they needed to do was to conform outwardly.
This would have meant disobedience to God - Exo 20:4-5
4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.
Exodus 20:5 (NIV)
5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God,
B. The King demands everyone to worship incorrectly.
B. The King demands everyone to worship incorrectly.
2. THE CHALDEAN’S TRIAL (v.8-12)
2. THE CHALDEAN’S TRIAL (v.8-12)
8 At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever! 10 Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, 11 and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. 12 But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.”
A. The three faithful men will not bow to the statue.
A. The three faithful men will not bow to the statue.
WE MAY FACE SIMILAR TRIALS TODAY...
What might we face also?
Our popularity at school, by doing things our peers or others may think is “cool”.
Our position at work, by doing that which our boss or company requires which may be illegal, unethical or immoral
To sacrifice our conscience in some way, just to go along with the crowd and not make a scene.
It would be easy to conform outwardly, to "go along with the crowd"
But our conscience would condemn us, and so would God.
If we do not conform, (do not conform to peer pressure) there will be consequences:
B. The other wise men accuse these exiles of disobedience.
B. The other wise men accuse these exiles of disobedience.
Likely we all have been tempted in some way like this. How did we react? How should we have reacted?
12 But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.”
The king brings them in and questions them.
He even gives them what he believes is some “grace”— He says he will give them another change.
They still refuse. No, sorry Neb. We’ve already decided that we will not worship your image.
He gets angry— very angry.
Why is he so upset with these guys? Lets have a thoughtful moment here?
I think the answer is because in Nebuchadnezzar’s world— he’s the center. He’s the top dog. He’s large and in charge. What message would it send if these captives— his subordinates didn’t do what he commanded? It would make him look like he wasn’t in charge!
Isn’t that how our world works? Dominance and power are measured by transactions. How much authority can I grab. How much money and possessions can I obtain? That’s not the measure of strength or power or authority at all in the kingdom of God.
We see a little clue of this attitude in verse 15: I love this:
15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”
Do you see it? Neb has made an assumption here? In his perspective and view of the situation, Neb thinks he’s in charge! There must not be any other way.
How did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego react? Let's consider.
3. THE EXILE’S TESTIMONY (v.16-18)
3. THE EXILE’S TESTIMONY (v.16-18)
THEY DEMONSTRATED FAITH...
16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.
17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand.
They respond in the power of God- “You’re asking the wrong question, Neb.”
“Our God IS able”.
If it was the will of God, they would be saved.
The ability of God to deliver them was NEVER in question.
If it was God's will not to deliver it, so be it!They would still not worship other gods, nor the gold image!
A. The exiles resolve to honor God, no matter what happens.
A. The exiles resolve to honor God, no matter what happens.
Polycarp is considered a Church Father. Its a term used to describe the early leaders and shepherds of the very earliest Christian movements.
[Photo of Polycarp in the arena or burned at the stake]
Polycarp’s end was very much like this story. He is condemned for preaching that God, through the revelation of Jesus Christ and the guidance of His Holy Spirit, is indeed God of the Universe— not Ceasar.
At 86 years old, he is brought up on charges of treason— of rebellion against Caesar.
“Swear by the fortune of Cæsar; repent". But Polycarp, gazing with a stern countenance on all the multitude of the wicked heathen then in the stadium, and waving his hand towards them, while with groans he looked up to heaven, said, Away with the Atheists. Then, the proconsul urging him, and saying, Swear, and I will set you at liberty, reproach Christ; Polycarp declared, Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He never did me any injury: how then can I blaspheme my King and my Saviour now?
Polycarp offered this prayer as he was being burned at the stake: "For this cause, yea and for all things, I praise Thee, I bless Thee, I glorify Thee, through the eternal and heavenly High Priest, Jesus Christ, Thy beloved Son, through whom with Him and the Holy Spirit be glory both now and for the ages to come. Amen.' - From The Martyrdom Of Polycarp
The exiles really have lost everything — they are taken from their homes as young men— they changed their names, their language, their education, the attempt is to change their IDENTITY and their god. But these hold firm and will not bend, they will not bow.
B. This infuriates Nebuchadnezzar even more!
B. This infuriates Nebuchadnezzar even more!
Neb concludes that they must be destroyed.
Daniel 3:19–23 “19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual 20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. 22 The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego,
23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.
It actually happened. They were yelled at, bound tightly, and thrown into the blazing hot fire, seven times hotter than usual.
There is a little lesson in this for us— God will allow us to go through it. We often pray that we are spared from the pain, or from the stress, or conflict. Sometimes God protects us, and yet sometimes— as we’ve seen in the suffering of Jesus himself, sometimes God allows suffering and trials to happen to us.
Nearly every biblical story contains this dynamic— your life story probably has this element also.
Our dear sister Vivian Miller recently passed away— after 20+ years battling with Parkinson’s disease. She would very regularly remind me, by telling me this part of her story: “Pastor, I cannot control the circumstances that I face… But I can control how I respond to them.” That is a truth we should never forget. Especially when we are suffering.
Pray this prayer from the Psalms:
5 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
4. GOD’S TRIUMPH (v.24-27):
4. GOD’S TRIUMPH (v.24-27):
Neb must have taken one last nostalgic look over the side of the furnace… “AH - those guys really had potential. It’s such a shame to loose such good servants...”
24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?” They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.” 25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” 26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, 27 and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.
A. The suffering was only temporary, and it produced a harvest!
A. The suffering was only temporary, and it produced a harvest!
The exiles experience a new level of freedom.
The exiles experience a new level of freedom.
They entered bound, but were soon seen "loose, walking" The very thing presumed to destroy them, enabled them to walk freely!
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
The exiles experienced a new level of fellowship.
The exiles experienced a new level of fellowship.
Note: There was a fourth person in the fire! The identity of this fourth person is not certain
Many scholars will call it a “Christophany” (a preincarnate appearance of Jesus!)
Some may just believe it was an angel--- But either way, it created a closer communion and fellowship with God!
As explained by the author of Hebrews - He 12:5-11 As promised by Jesus Himself
The exiles experienced a new level of favor.
The exiles experienced a new level of favor.
They were promoted to even higher positions! - Dan 3:30
Daniel 3:29-30 “30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.”
29 Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.” 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
Demonstrating that faith in the fire can lead to greater things
Let's not overlook perhaps the most important outcome of this incident: glory to God!
I know these men obviously did not stay faithful for the rewards. That’s not the point— but in this incident, they gained freedom, fellowship, and favor— as a result of faithfulness, God was glorified all the more.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
What a wonderful example of faith in these three young men!
What about you?
Do you need a touch from God today? Is He allowing you to be tested and suffer for your faithfulness?
Do you need to feel freedom?
Fellowship?
God’s favor?
Then it may start with your faith.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. 17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.