A Burning Devotion

This sermon was going to be a devotional but I felt I needed to develop it more even if just to preach to myself. 

I hate preaching sermons I need to hear myself, but here we go!

Introduction

Peyton - Nurse missions trip

ILLUST - bacon burn

Unlike Daniel’s three friends in Daniel 3, I was not saved from the fire!

They came out and didn’t even smell like smoke while I smelled like bacon for weeks!

Context:

Israel - 2 kingdoms - not following the Law - prophets warn - northern kingdom exiled 722 BC by Assyrians - prophets warn southern kingdom of Judah

Jerusalem falls to the Babylonians in 586 BC

Babylon was in modern-day Iraq

Daniel was exiled to Babylon sometime before this - Right around 605 BC

Daniel 1:1–2 ESV

1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the vessels of the house of God. And he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and placed the vessels in the treasury of his god.

Daniel was a Jew - young man with with likely a noble heritage - taken into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon.

In 539 BC, the Persians defeat the Babylonians and Daniel stays to serve under King Cyrus.

In Daniel 2, Daniel interpreted a dream for King Nebuchadnezzar

We don’t know how much time elapsed between the end of chapter two and the beginning of chapter 3

Daniel is not mentioned in this story — story centers on Daniel’s three friends. Clue may be found in last verse of Dan 2:

Daniel 2:49 (ESV)

49 Daniel made a request of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the affairs of the province of Babylon. But Daniel remained at the king’s court.

Here we will see three young men whose burning devotion for God will consume them more than any temptation, threat, or pressure the world can throw at them.

Daniel 3:1–30 (ESV) 1 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its breadth six cubits. He set it up on the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.

In case you don’t remember your cubit-to-standard conversion rate, Giant idol - 90+ ft tall and 9 ft wide - tall and thin

Image of one of the Babylonian gods: Marduk, Anu, Ishtar

Plain of dura - large plain where many people could gather.

Remember Neb’s dream that Daniel interpreted - statue with Neb’s kingdom as head of gold - Could this have prompted Neb to create an entire statue of gold to say his kingdom would be greater than the dream prophesied

Gold from the temple in Jerusalem?

2 Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent to gather the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 3 Then the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces gathered for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. And they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 4 And the herald proclaimed aloud, “You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, 5 that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6 And whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace.”

Everyone was commanded to worship Neb’s god. Failure to comply was capital punishment.

Command and Consequence — Worship the idol or die.

Peoples, nations, and languages = everybody.

Neb is setting himself up as the supreme authority directing people’s worship.

This should not be lost on the NT believer.

Much of life as well as Scripture is a shadow of spiritual realities.

Neb’s false kingdom only hints at the true reality— Neb’s greatest efforts with what seemed to be the greatest’ authority with what seemed to be the ‘greatest’ consequences still do not stand in the light of God’s eternal kingdom.

There will come a day when people form every nation, tribe, and language will bow and worship but it won’t be worshiping Marduk, or Anu, or Ishtar — instead, they will

Revelation 7:9–10 (ESV)

[stand] before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

7 Therefore, as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

For most people in the ANE this would not be a problem - they were polytheists.

They would have no problem assimilating one more god into their pantheon of gods.

This is a problem for the Jews who are monotheistic.

This was in direct violation of the first two commandments:

Exodus 20:3–6 (ESV)

3 “You shall have no other gods before me.

4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.

There is no way to square this with the faith — it’s exclusive.

We are all worshippers. And. . .

*God requires exclusive worship.

Keller’s foundational claim is:

“Everyone worships something.”

Worship isn’t limited to church or prayer. It’s whatever:

You center your life on

You seek for meaning, identity, or security

You believe cannot be taken away without your life falling apart

If it’s not God, it will be:

Career or success

Romantic love or family

Money or comfort

Approval, power, or moral superiority

These become what Keller calls “functional saviors.”

Similar to Christianity - also exclusive.

ILLUST - Hindu cell phone repairman who was willing to accept Christ until he learned it meant the rejection of his other gods.

Christianity is inclusively exclusive — all are welcome to the One Way.

8 Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans 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.

(interesting their Jewish names are used - perhaps to highlight that they are Jews)

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.”

Why were these three singled out? It seems unlikely that the ‘certain Chaldeans’ were so concerned about the idol’s feelings or about the king’s pride that they just HAD to bring this to the king’s attention.

It could be the Chaldeans were jealous of SMA for their meteoric rise in their roles — after all, they were foreigners - they were different - they were living in exile.

Not main point but I wonder — what about the other Jews? Did they bow?

‘Yes, I know it’s technically worshipping an idol, but I don’t really mean it — I just need to fit in right now and I’ll be serious about my faith later.’

‘if I don’t do this, I won’t be able to feed my family — they will be with out a father.’

‘I may be giving in in this one area but Rueben’s not just bowing to fit in right now, he’s becoming full on Babylonian! I’m not as bad as him!’

‘I feel like God’s abandoned me. Here I am in a place I didn’t choose for reasons that are not mine. I’m not so sure God’s even real.’

Unfortunately, many of these same excuses are used today.

I know this is not exactly living like a Christian but there’s grace!

I won’t be able to keep up at work if I don’t

Problem is:

You can’t be fully devoted to Christ and blend in with the world.

Eventually the two will collide because their worship is contrary.

The world is worshipping self and things while believers are called to worship — be fully devoted to — Christ alone.

Matthew 6:24 (ESV)

24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

You will stand out when you stand up for Christ.

Our neighbors are looking for people who will stand for something as the world is falling for anything.

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?”

He is just asking for a fight!

This is one of my favorite lines in the story. It sets the stage. It’s high noon. The tumbleweed rolls across the sandy road. *whistle*

There will likely come a time when you must answer for your faith.

It may not be as dramatic as SMA — but what if it was? How would you answer?

SMA answered not with smug defiance but with genuine devotion to God.

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.”

Is v18 hedging their bets?

No, difficult to translate — some believe it is hypothetical

It is not that they are giving themselves an out — they are actually shutting the door — in life AND death, their burning devotion for God is greater than the burning of any fire.

These men were not unsure of God’s ability; rather they were so sure of their devotion!

** Why do you worship God? Because he saved you from hell?

That’s a good reason, but I would submit it is not the ultimate reason

If that is the only (or even the main reason we serve God) then why we serve God is based on what he can do (has done) for us. 

It is not wrong to say we worship God for all he has done for us but it cannot be the only reason or even the main reason

If it is, then the basis for our worship is what has done or will do for us, and if he does something we don’t expect or he does not save us from the fire, we question if we should worship him!

God exists and we worship him.

It is that simple. . . and profound. . . and beautiful.

It is the main reason we worship him and the best reason to worship him.

If there is a God who is himself uncreated and created all things and by the power of his will holds all things together, then he deserves our worship — period.

So often our worship is transactional instead of theological.

My faith was strong, but then the cancer — we prayed, we know God can heal, but he hasn’t, so now I’m rarely at church or have personal devotions.

I was taught that if I just had enough faith, I would never lack money, never be sick, never suffer loss but I’ve experienced each of those things.

We have this idea that one of the purposes of our life is to read ourselves from authority and all power structures

That power structures are inherently evil

Baked into this is the idea that self autonomy is the highest ideal, when in fact, genesis three shows the outworking of self autonomy is the greatest sin

To be fair, there are power structures which are evil there is freedom that is needed, but those can only be judged in the light of God’s good kingdom, and as they stand against his delegated ultimate authority

We should not be chasing down the freedom from all power structures. We should be learning to submit to the right power.

It is not the authority that is wrong, it is the lack of righteousness and goodness in the authority that is wrong. 

the goal then is not to rid oneself of all authority - this leads to self worship but to submit oneself to righteous and good authority!

Sometimes we base our piety on God’s generosity

God, if you will just give me this job I’ll go to church more.

If you give me that raise, I’ll begin to tithe.

If the situation goes MY way I’ll send prayers YOUR way.

We don’t worship God because of what He has done, we worship Him because of who He is and PRAISE Him for what He has done.

These men will serve God even if he doesn’t immediately save!

**Will you still worship God if your most recent prayer request isn’t answered the way you prayed?

They have such a strong trust in God that they would choose death over worshipping anything else.

19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury, and the expression of his face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it was usually heated. 20 And he ordered some of the mighty men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. 21 Then these men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics, their hats, and their other garments, and they were thrown into the burning fiery furnace. 22 Because the king’s order was urgent and the furnace overheated, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the burning fiery furnace. 24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” 25 He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.” 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace; he declared, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire. 27 And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them.

It is God’s will if He saves you from the fire but it is His promise to be with you IN the fire!

It is interesting that God could have stepped in at any time to stop the process but chose to allow the men to be put into the fire.

Some of us are at the tension point of SMA - Knowing God can deliver but not knowing if He will - the key is to remain devoted.

Sometimes God delivers from the fire and other times he walks with you in the fire.

But whichever direction God chooses know this: it will be for your good and His glory.

1 Peter 4:12 (ESV)

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

1 Peter 1:6–7 (ESV)

6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Which do we want more, pure gold or contaminated gold?

How is gold purified? by fire?

What is taken away - dross - everything that is not gold.

the fires of trial test our faith to remove from our faith anything that is not faith — any part of our life that is trusting in something other than God (trial often rips it from us) so that our faith may be found to be more pure.

God’s power is seen when He acts prior to the fire, but His presence is felt only when we are in the fire.

You say God I want to know your presence, He may need to kindle a fire around you first!

Trust His ability; expect His presence (based on His promise)

Isaiah 43:1–3 (ESV)

1 But now thus says the Lord,

he who created you, O Jacob,

he who formed you, O Israel:

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by name, you are mine.

2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;

when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,

and the flame shall not consume you.

3 For I am the Lord your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

If we worship God because of who he is and not simply because of what he does, then we can trust whatever God does because of who he is!

Doesn’t matter what 2025 looked like, we can trust God in 2026

New Year - same God

*What is needed for you to shift your thinking from, “I’ll trust God in 2026 if he does. . .” to “I’m praying God will do . . . in 2026, but even if he doesn’t I WILL TRUST HIM.”

*What cooled the fire you once had?

*In what ways have you been transactional with God? In what ways has your piety been based on God’s generosity?

*What are the idols calling for your compromise? Repent and receive the grace of Christ to stand again!

*What is holding you back from worshipping God with a burning devotion?

*What fires are you facing and fearing in the upcoming year that you need the presence of Jesus to walk with you?

*Will you trust God’s power and purpose even if you don’t know the plan for 2026?

*Will you commit 2026 to Christ with a burning devotion?