Lessons Learned through the Fire
Biggest Lesson from 2020 • Sermon • Submitted
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HOOK
HOOK
Start with a prayer today!
There are several ways on how you may approach the Word of God— either you just want to study it— or look deeper how it can help make your life better
Why do you study the Bible?
The Bible could either make you “knowledgeable” or it can also make you “changeable”— it can change you to be the better you!
January ends today!— another lesson-filled month— hopefully for all of us!— I started the year asking you— What is your biggest lesson in 2020?
GOD CAN SEE THINGS YOU CAN’T
HE IS GOOD TO YOU EVEN WHEN YOU ARE CRANKY
GOD IS IN CONTROL OF EVERY DETAIL OF YOUR LIFE
GOD WANTS YOU TO FOCUS ON WHAT WILL LAST
And then Pastor Justin talked to us about “The Winter of Faith”
From Pastor Ritchie we learned that “Things may seem to be unfair, but God is never unjust”
And last Sunday— we all went very emotional with Pastor Pete— God told us through him that.. “it is not about what the future holds, but what the present provides”
Joseph relied on God in every season and every process of life— he too, just like us were tested
Before every blessing comes a testing— Daniel, the author of the book that I will discuss with you today was tested before he was promoted!
Today’s text is quite long so I will lead you to approach it a different fashion— to get the most out of it, you may want to get your sermon outlines ready [if you’re not able to download it, just write your notes on your spiritual journey, or any piece paper handy— open your Bible to Daniel chapter 3— in there you will find a 2,500 years old story about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.
These men in their thirties appointed by king Nebuchadnezzar as governors in Babylon and was serving for 15 years— Daniel started narrating what happened int this way…
BOOK/LOOK
BOOK/LOOK
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 of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the nations and peoples of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
MANKIND CREATES HUGE IMAGES FOR US TO WORSHIP
Now, in our days it could not be images or statues that the world creates for us to worship— it could be movie screens— sports stadium— concert halls— or even the internet!
We worship wealth, success, pleasure, fame, power, influence!
TO IMPRESS OTHERS, I AM TEMPTED TO CREATE A FALSE IMAGE OF MYSELF
It is not just mankind who does that, sometimes we do it to ourselves too!
We want to be loved— you want to be honored— you want to be worshiped!
Image building become idol building— everyone wants to be famous! it’s not about you!
I’m not talking about not being the best that you can be— I am talking about when you are trying to be who you are not!
How do you know when a person idolized himself?— When he thinks that everything revolves around him!
PEOPLE WILL TRY TO BURN ME IF I REJECT THE WORLD’S IDOLS OR IMAGES,
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.”
People will try to cancel us!— some people are kiss ups!—
SOME PEOPLE ARE ANGRY WHEN I’M DOING THE RIGHT THING
13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, 14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? 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?”
Jesus was perfect and yet they killed Him!
What upset everybody was they dared challenge the king’s narcism— stock up in themselves!— kiss ups with their boss! — but Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego are that kind of people that stood up!
Whatever is first in your life is your god!— it could be your work— your wealth— what you love the most is your god!
3 “You shall have no other gods before me. 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. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,
Our debts paid for by future generations— look at what’s happening in our country now— trillions and trillions of money printed with nothing but the assurance of insolvency to back it up! Who do you think is gonna pay for that? Bella and her generation!
DEFENDING YOURSELF IS SOMETHING THAT YOU DON’THAVE TO WORRY ABOUT
16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.
Just trust God— He will take care of your attackers— let God deal with them!— do not be impressed nor be afraid of their threats!
KEEP IN MIND THAT GOD HAS THE POWER TO SAVE YOU
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. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
Often times we rush to defend ourselves forgetting that God can better do that for us!
If you know what God can do for you, you will not worry!
BELIEVE THAT GOD CAN AND WILL SAVE YOU
When you don’t know what God can do for you, that’s when you worry— that’s why you need this book!
2 When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. 3 For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I gave Egypt as a ransom for your freedom; I gave Ethiopia and Seba in your place.
I DECLARE MY LOYALTY TO GOD NO MATTER WHAT
Let’s again take a quick look of verse 18
18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
That’s pretty courageous!— if you got yourself caught in a confrontation somewhere, can you declare your loyalty to God?— Story about Reza!
Now, what happens next are 6 things when we trust God
THROUGH THE FIRE, GOD WILL WALK WITH ME
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,
It wasn’t “a son of the gods”— it was “the” Son of God!— that was Jesus! He was the “another” in the fire!
20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
GOD WILL BURN OFF EVERYTHING THAT TIES YOU DOWN
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.
What got you tied up?
Whatever they are, God will burn them off!— Fire can cauterize your wound!
Fire can refine you!— look!
10 See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.
GOD WILL GIVE ME A NEW FREEDOM
12 You let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.
Tell your story how God liberated you to your new freedom!— The story when I spiraled to self destruction— I end up drunk on the side of the road— sleepless! Jun Fajardo & Alvin
GOD WILL MAKE SURE I COME OUT UNHARMED
Neil let’s put that verse 27 on the screen again..
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.
Why do you think king Nebuchadnezzar did not invite the “another” in the fire?— he only invited Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego because was afraid of the 4th man in the furnace!
So these three [who are in the 30’s at that time] came out unharmed— their hair wasn’t even hinged!— they do not even smell smoke! they are not just unshakable, they are also unbakable! lol!
MY TRUST IN GOD WILL BRING UNBELIEVERS TO BELIEVE
28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 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.”
How you handle your pain is what testifies to unbelievers— it’s not when things are cool! or when everything is alright— didn’t you notice that God will take through some pain before He gives you some gain?— before every blessings comes a testing!
God will test you with stress before He trust you with success!
If you do not know what you are really willing to die for— you are not living! The key is to know what are worth dying for
There’s no god that can save except God— are you looking for the government to save you? never! specially not now!— if you think this government can save you, good luck on that! — You need a Savior!
GOD WILL REWARD MY FAITH IN HEAVEN
30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
The Bible says we are builders of ourselves— either we build a strong or a weak life— you get to choose the foundation where you’re going to build your life on— and the materials you will use to build it
You will never lose your salvation but you can lose your reward
10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.
WHERE ARE YOU FEELING THE HEAT TODAY?
Let me put the summary of what we learned today in simple sentences that we can all easily remember—
TOOK
TOOK
OCCASIONALLY GOD SAVES US FROM THE CRISIS
OCCASIONALLY GOD SAVES US FROM THE CRISIS
This is what Pastor Rick calls “Divine Detour”— He helps us to avoid the fire!
OCCASIONALLY GOD SAVES US THROUGH THE CRISIS
OCCASIONALLY GOD SAVES US THROUGH THE CRISIS
He walks with us through the fire— through our crisis— not around our crisis, but “through” our crisis!
OCCASIONALLY GOD SAVES US BY THE CRISIS
OCCASIONALLY GOD SAVES US BY THE CRISIS
A problem save you from “the” problem— I remember Kuya Norm’s story— and Jinno’s story too! BP is at 218!
I’m gonna end with this verse from Peter....
6 You are extremely happy about these things, even though you have to suffer different kinds of trouble for a little while now. 7 The purpose of these troubles is to test your faith as fire tests how genuine gold is. Your faith is more precious than gold, and by passing the test, it gives praise, glory, and honor to God. This will happen when Jesus Christ appears again.
God will test you with stress before He trust you with success
Every blessings comes a testing!— The difference between life and school— at school, you learn the lessons before you take the test— in life you take the test before you learn the lessons!
God is more interested in your character than in your comfort!
SING
SING
Another in the Fire