Fireproof

Introduction

Fireproofing is rendering something (structures, materials, etc.) resistant to fire, or incombustible; or material for use in making anything fire-proof.[1] It is a passive fire protection measure. "Fireproof" or "fireproofing" can be used as a noun, verb or adjective; it may be hyphenated ("fire-proof").

Noun- Door is fireproof

Verb- They fireproofed the building

Adjective- Fireproofing material sprayed on chair

Applying a certification listed fireproofing system to certain structures allows them to have a fire-resistance rating.

A fire-resistance rating typically means the duration for which a passive fire protection system can withstand a standard fire resistance test. This can be quantified simply as a measure of time, or it may entail a host of other criteria, involving other evidence of functionality or fitness for purpose.

An item classed as fireproof is resistant in specified circumstances, and may burn or be rendered inoperable by fire exceeding the intensity or duration that it is designed to withstand.

A fire test is a means of determining whether fire protection products meet minimum performance criteria as set out in a building code or other applicable legislation.

Transition To Body- Testing of the servants of God

Hananiah, Mishael, & Azariah

Shadrach, Meshach, & Abendago represent God’s people in exile who are faithful

In their Jeremiah 29 moment

Daniel 3:1-7- Flattery of Nebuchadnezzar to set up golden images to worship

Falling down & worshiping the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up

Daniel 3:8-12- Identification of God’s people among the Chaldeans

Certain Jews in appointed places not serving Nebuchadnezzar’s gods

Certain Jews whom Nebuchadnezzar appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon- do not pay attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the the golden image that you have set up. They got you working for them so they now want you worshiping like them

Daniel 3:13-15- Proving/Testing of God’s people when in the presence of the Nebuchadnezzar’s of the world & the golden images they have set up

Daniel 3:16-18- Confident Faith of God’s people when in the presence of the Nebuchadnezzar

How faith looks when under trial and testing?

Body- The LORD’s Servant’s Embody The

Courageous Audacity Of Faith (v16)

Daniel 3:16 ESV

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.

(Additionally)

Confident Expression Of Faith (v17)

Daniel 3:17 ESV

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.

(Finally)

Constant Firmness Of Faith (v18)

Daniel 3:18 ESV

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.”

Daniel 3:19-23- Fury of Nebuchadnezzar (and the world) against God’s people

Daniel 3:19 ESV

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.

Transition To Close- Fireproof Faith in our God who can save this way..

A miracle is emphatically not an event without cause or without results. Its cause is the activity of God: its results follow according to Natural law. In the forward direction (i.e. during the time which follows its occurrence) it is interlocked with all Nature just like any other event. Its peculiarity is that it is not in that way interlocked backwards, interlocked with the previous history of Nature.

Lewis, C. S.. Miracles (Collected Letters of C.S. Lewis) (p. 95). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.

Daniel 3:24-30- Astonishment of Nebuchadnezzar at Demonstration of God’s Power to Deliver God’s people (those who trust in him)

Theophany or incarnation of the LORD- ba visible manifestation to humankind of God or a god.

Daniel 3:24–25 ESV

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.”

God Delivers His Faithful Servants

Daniel 3:28 ESV

28 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God.

Who Yield Up Their Bodies

Romans 12:1–2 ESV

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Close- No God that can save this way

Daniel 3:29 ESV

29 Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way.”

No other god can save this way!

There is the LORD God who:

Will keep you in perfect peace…

Will be with you in the midnight hour…

Who says the battle is not yours, it is his…

Who is with you until the end of the age…

Something about fire when it comes to the saints:

Jeremiah would say almost 3 years earlier...

Jeremiah 20:7–9 ESV

7 O Lord, you have deceived me, and I was deceived; you are stronger than I, and you have prevailed. I have become a laughingstock all the day; everyone mocks me. 8 For whenever I speak, I cry out, I shout, “Violence and destruction!” For the word of the Lord has become for me a reproach and derision all day long. 9 If I say, “I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,” there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot.

John the Baptist would later talk about this son of man!

Matthew 3:8–11 ESV

8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 10 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

And the Apostle Peter said:

1 Peter 4:12–19 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. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” 19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

And it was Jesus who went through the fire one Friday...

On a hill called Calvary...

Jesus is with us

Emmanuel

Matthew 1:23 ESV

23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

With Us Always

Matthew 28:19–20 ESV

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Psalm 20:7 ESV

7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

Matthew 10:28 ESV

28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Luke 9:23–27 ESV

23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? 26 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”

Matthew 6:33 ESV

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

1 Corinthians 3:13 ESV

13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.

1 Peter 1:7 ESV

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.