Even If

Daniel 3:16–28 NIV84

16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” 19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual 20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. 22 The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, 23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace. 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, O king.” 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, 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. 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.

1. Our faith does not shrink back

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood before the king—their ruler—and they did not shrink back

We need Authentic Faith—some call it radical faith—we know it as Authentic Faith

It is the type of faith that always stands

We must believe the promises of God

We must be certain of promises of God

We must believe that He exists and that He is a rewarder of those that earnestly seek Him

He will never let you down

Psalm 37:25 CSB

25 I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous abandoned or his children begging for bread.

He is always with you

Your circumstances may be depressing you but remember, He is always for you

Time to step up and take a swing

You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take

Don’t let the enemy silence you

Don’t shrink back—you have a Big God

1 Corinthians 16:13 NIV84

13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.

2. Our God is able to rescue us

Hebrews 10:23 CSB

23 Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful.

The Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego placed their trust in God and in God alone

We must have faith that does not waver

Jesus told us to have faith in God

Faith in things is not good enough

Faith in faith is not good enough

Faith in man is not good enough

Faith in science is not good enough

We need Faith in God

The Centurion said, “Just say the Word”

That is faith in God

We need assurance that God is for us

He has good plans for you

There is no demon that can stand against our God

There is no yoke that God cannot break

There is no sickness that God cannot heal

There is no disease that God cannot heal

There is no obstacle that God cannot overcome

Have faith in God

You must want God more than your healing

More than you spouse

More than your blessing

More than your life

Matthew 6:33 CSB

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

Our God can rescue us

3. It is better to obey God rather than man

Acts 5:28–30 NIV84

28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” 29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men! 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.

When you serve God, you will always have opposition

You must remember to stand firm on His Promises

He is still the Promise Keeper

He is still able to do miracles

Don’t fear man, what can man do to you?

We must remember than we need to obey God

His word tells us to come to church for worship0

Hebrews 10:23–25 NIV84

23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Don’t lose faith in the midst of your trial

Don’t let your eyes deceive you with the temporary

Don’t make permanent decisions out of temporary situations

You have overcome 100% of your obstacles—your still here

Get to His house to worship

You need to refuel and be equipped to endure the attacks of the evil one

This too shall pass

If it does not pass, it will not come near you

If it kills you, you win

4. We need to develop Even If Faith

You may not get everything you want but you will have all you need

God will never leave you nor forsake you

Some steps to develop Even if Faith

Know God and His Word

Feed yourself the Word of God—daily

Remember His Promises

Know yourself — limitations and strengths

Love the Lord your God with all that is within you

Practice your faith—if God commands it do it

Be doers of the Word

Speak faith

Things that are not as though they were

Remember you are free

Endure trials—winners don’t quit and quitters don’t win

Share your faith—it keeps you accountable

We overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony

Even if things don’t work out for you—God is still Good

Even if you are sick—God is still the Healer

Even if you are in need—God is still the Provider

Even if you are in the midst of chaos—God is still our Peace

Even if you messed up—God is still our Righteousness

Rejoice in the Lord

5. Even if we appear forsaken—We serve God

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown in the fiery furnace

Their declaration did not keep them from the furnace

Their declaration angered the king of the land

They were in the furnace and yet they trusted God

Don’t bend the knee just because it seems like it is the only choice

Habakkuk 3:17–18 NIV84

17 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

The government wants everyone to bend the knee to them, but we trust God and serve Him only

Even if we go to jail—we only serve God

Even if we get sick—we only serve God

Even if we lose our money—we only serve God

Even if we lose our possessions—we only serve God

Even if we lose everything—we only serve God

Even if we are in danger of losing our lives—we only serve God

Even if

Declare it today—Even if

Stand up against your challenge and say it, “Even if”