Faith in the Fire: No Compromise

Intro

Nebuchadnezzar built a 90 foot tall and 9 ft wide

Mad

Compromise is an Idol

Why do I say such a thing?

Whatever we negotiate our faith with and betray God for is our idol.

Popularity can be an idol

Comfort can be an idol

fame can be an idol

respect can be an idol

life can be an idol

food can be an an idol

relationships can be an idol

Internal Principle versus External Pressure

1 John 5:21 NKJV

Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

Mishael, Haniniah, and Azziriah kept themselves from Nebuchadnezzar’s idol.

They refused his idolatry of food

They refused his idolatry of him

They refused his idolatry of comfort

They refused his idolatry of worship

They refused the idol of compromise

The Confession

Daniel 3:17 NKJV

If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king.

They knew God would deliver then one way or another

Daniel 3:18 NKJV

But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”

They confessed their God Before Nebuchadnezzar

Matthew 10:33 NKJV

But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

Mark 8:38 NKJV

For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

The Consequences

Daniel 3:19 NKJV

Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. He spoke and commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated.

Daniel 3:20 NKJV

And he commanded certain mighty men of valor who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, and cast them into the burning fiery furnace.

Daniel 3:21 NKJV

Then these men were bound in their coats, their trousers, their turbans, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

The King was so furious he had them bound in the garbs!

The couldn’t be saved from the fire so they hoped they would be saved in the fire!

Daniel 3:22 NKJV

Therefore, because the king’s command was urgent, and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego.

The Companion

Daniel 3:24 NKJV

Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.”

Daniel 3:25 NKJV

“Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”

Isaiah 43:2 NKJV

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.

Faith Needs to be Tested in the Fire!

1 Peter 1:6 NKJV

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,

1 Peter 1:7 NKJV

that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

Conclusion

When We Stay With The Lord The Lord Stays With Us!

Hebrews 13:5 NKJV

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”