Sermon Tone Analysis

Unshakable: Faith under Fire

Liz Gibson Jerry Lott

Stanley Green John and Nelda Haire

Doris Hyde

May 26, 2019

Introduction

We are in the middle of a series entitled, “Unshakable.”

In this series, we are looking at the book of Daniel.

In the book of Daniel, we see example after example of unshakable faith.

The question that we need to be asking ourselves throughout this series, “Do we have an unshakable faith?”

Illustration: Tight Roper over Niagra Falls — Pushes Wheel bearer — Any Volunteers

The sermon today is about faith.

The sermon today is about our faith being under fire.

The sermon today is about our faith being put to the test.

Read Text

Chapter 3 is all about S, M, and A. Daniel is out of this story.

Some have asked, “Does that mean Daniel bowed to the image?”

That’s like asking Sean Peyton if he’s going to bench Drew Brees.

It ain’t happening.

Daniel bowing to the golden image.

Not happening.

is not about Daniel.

This chapter is about his three friends: S, M, and A.

Growing up this was one of my favorite stories in the Bible.

These three didn’t bow the golden image of King Nebi.

They didn’t budge in their faith when threatened with death.

S, M, and A didn’t burn when they were thrown into the fiery furnace.

It’s a powerful story of faith.

It’s a powerful story of our faith being put to the test.

1.

The Fire We Face

Explanation: Nebi brings all his official to the plain of Dura to dedicate and worship the golden image that he had built.

Verse 3 is the pecking order of Babylonian officials.

Circle the position of governor.

S, M, and A were governors.

In the last chapter, they were promoted from counselors to governors.

S, M, and A had it pretty good.

S, M, and A were not Babylonians.

They were Hebrews from Israel.

The Babylonians had defeated and destroyed Israel.

S, M, and A came to Babylon as prisoners of war.

They are put in a program in which they become wise men to the king and eventually promoted to governors.

Not bad for three prisoners of war.

S, M, and A had it pretty good.

But now the find themselves in quite the predicament.

King Nebi, the most powerful king in the world, wants them to bow to a golden image.

Doing so would break the first two of the 10 commandments.

(KJV) Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

(KJV) Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them …

Illustrations: Funny Test Questions

For S, M, and A, their faith is being put to the test.

Will they honor God or will they honor the king?

Will they worship only God, or they worship the golden statue?

Their faith is being put to the test.

When they refused to bow, they faced the fury of the king and ended up in the fiery furnace.

Their faith is literally under fire.

Their faith is being put to the test.

Application: I don’t want you to misunderstand me.

This is a true story, a real story.

This is not fiction.

But fire in the Bible is also symbolic of testing, trials, suffering.

We go through the fires of life.

We go through testing and trials in life.

How has your faith been tested?

Is your faith being tested?

Maybe your faith is being tested by a sickness or the health of a friend or family member.

Maybe, your faith is being testing situations at work — your boss is asking you to do something that is unethical.

Maybe, your faith is being tested on how you will handle success?

Or maybe your faith is being tested because you have hit rock bottom in life.

Maybe, your faith is being tested every weekend — should I go to church or do something else? Maybe, your faith is being tested by a modern day idol.

A modern day idol is anything that takes God’s place in our hearts.

(NLT) Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.

The building needs at our church is a test of our faith.

How is your faith being tested?

2. The Faith We Follow

Explanation: S, M, and A pass the test.

They do not deny their faith.

They did not compromise their faith.

Their faith led them to obey God’s Word even though the outcome was far from certain.

I want you to see a couple of things about the faith of S, M, and A.

First, they had a strong faith.

(v.

17).

They believed that God was able to deliver them from the fiery furnace of King Nebi.

They believe that God had the power to save them from the fire.

Second, they had a steadfast faith.

(v.

18).

Notice that phrase “if not.”

If not had nothing to do with God’s being able.

If not had nothing do with God’s power.

What if God had a different outcome in mind.

What if God had different purpose in mind.

They had a steadfast faith.

Even if God didn’t deliver, they were not going to bend or bow.

Application: Do we have a strong faith?

Do we believe that God can deliver us from the fire?

Do we believe that God can save us from the crisis?

Our God is able.

God can help us avoid the fire.

God can take us out of bad situations.

But what if God chooses not to?

What if God has a different purpose?