But If Not

But if Not Daniel 3:18 Read 12-18

Opener: AFTER the service a little boy told the Pastor; “when I grow up I’m going to give you some money.” “well thank you ,” the minister replied “but why?” “because my daddy says you’re one of the poorest preachers he’s ever heard.” I’ll probably fit in that category tonight but I’m trusting the Lord to help us.

Introduction: The Story and characters are very familiar. Nebuchadnezzar the Chaldeans and the three Hebrew children. Shadrach Meshach Abednego An idol set up in the plain of Durra. The temptation was to compromise their faith in order to escape the King’s wrath. I like their answer “WE ARE NOT CAREFUL TO ANSWER THEE” Shadrach didn’t turn to Mesahack and ask, “What ya think we ought to do” Mechach didn’t turn to Abednego and ask for a business meeting real quick no they all automatically knew what to do. The God whom we serve is able to deliver, BUT IF NOT We will not bow. Even though it might cost them. The King turned up the fire seven time which is a symbol of completeness it was to completely destroy these boys. Even in the threat of this they would not bow. They:

I. Were not swayed by what saith the multitude but What saith the Lord.

A.I like to think that when the sentence came down that Shadrach turned to the others and quoted Those words from Isa. When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned, neither shall the flames kindle upon thee.

1. Or Abednego with fire in his eyes quotes Job 13:15 Though God slay me yet will I trust him

B. Jane Welsh husband of John Welsh and daughter of John Knox was told by some officers in authority, “That if she used her influence to induce her husband, then in prison, to disown the Protestant faith, his life might be spared. She was wearing an apron when this was brought to her, and gathering it up at the corners she held it out as a receptacle saying, “ No, your lordships,; I would rather catch his head in this apron than that he or I should renounce my Savior.”

1. We can be so settled that no matter what the world says We won’t bow.

Won’t bow to:

1. The alternative lifestyle agenda trying to redefine marriage.

2. The filth Hollywood produces

3. Worldliness

II. They would rather suffer than to sin

A. If we can only see the fourth no furnace we may have to pass thru will keep it’s heat

B. Moses would rather suffer with the righteous than enjoy sin for a season

C. They had a faith in God not in God’s deliverance

1. Neither they nor Nebucadnezzar could see what was going to happen for sure. Those boys had a firm faith in God and his commands

2. Thou hast the words of life. He could speak and things would leap to life why serve and idol that took so long to carve and mold?

III. These boys were steadfast

A. Steadfast in their faith. V28 c

1. This wasn’t the first time. Remember when they wouldn’t eat the King’s food.

B. They were not moved by the threat of the fiery furnace

Conclusion: The furnace was fiery there was a Fourth man in the fire and they were all free!!! PRAISE THE LORD. We are not careful to answer thee God is able to deliver us “BUT IF NOT” we still won’t bow. They didn’t bend they didn’t bow and they didn’t burn. HALLELUJAH. I imagine those words began to ring in Nebuchadnezzars ear “who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands” as he looked in the furnace and seen that Fourth man. I like what he says after that “there is no God that can deliver after this sort.” I love the story of Samuel perhaps you have heard Dr. Scmelsnbach tell it so well, how the young boy in Swaziland heard the wonderful news of Jesus and found Him real to his soul. When the Samuel went back to his village they were not happy and had the witch doctor try his spells to change the boy. When Samuel wouldn’t partake of the “Witch Doctor’s” stew they tied him to the ground and beat him severely on the back with long whips then they offered him some more of the “Witch Doctor’s” meat. He still would not take it . They turned him over and beat him severely again on the chest and legs. He was bleeding sore and would soon die. A little girl in the village snuck out at night an loosened the straps that held Samuel. He was able to escape and hobbled all night long, headed back to the Mission station. When he arrived and had received medical attention he told the Missionary, “They couldn’t beat him out of me. He’s still there.” We may go through the fiery furnaces we may face beatings and stoning I hope not, but the God we serve is able to deliver us but if not don’t listen to what the crowd saith listen to what thus saith the Lord, be willing to suffer rather than to sin, and stay steadfast, they may be able to kill this body but they can’t take Jesus out of the Soul. Hallelujah. Our God is able to deliver, but if not we’re still gonna serve Him . Are you?