Faith Under Fire Daniel 3:8:18
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;
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,
People have a tendency to follow the false and the futile.
People will either follow that which brings them pleasure or conform to that which brings them fear!
People will compromise to either get what they want or save their life!
This is nothing new!
This is the philosophy of Satan
But God has faith in faithful people
And we even see in Job when God’s faith in faithful people meets Satan’s faith in the unfaithfulness of people
Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the Lord.
And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?”
Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”
Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil? And still he holds fast to his integrity, although you incited Me against him, to destroy him without cause.”
So Satan answered the Lord and said, “Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life.
Satan believes man will trade all that he has for his life!
God believes that a faithful person will trade all that they have for eternal life!
Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.
Jesus is making a powerful point alluding to himself.
Wheat is planted in the ground and dies to bring forth a harvest.
The death of Jesus brought a plentiful harvest of believers.
It remains alone but what it produces is great!
Sometime we will have to stand alone and be sacrificed for the cause to help many!
Jesus was sent by God to be in the position for many to see
He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
Many who conform to the world will have exactly what they want in this world but will not share in the next world the riches of God!
If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.
Those who love God will follow him!
Now pay attention:
Job was given favor by God and God knew He would present him to Satan to prove that he was faithful to God!
Jesus humbled himself, was sent by God to be in position to lead God’s people back to Him.
and in our text Daniel and now Shadrach, Meshach and Abed Nego were put in position in the face of opposition to once again prove the faithfulness of mankind to God and encourage the people of God to be faithful to God and to show potential people of God or those who won’t follow God who God is.
Recap
Recap
The Makes a Crazy Decree Shortly After Daniel Interprets his dream.
Then a herald cried aloud: “To you it is commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages,
that at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, you shall fall down and worship the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up;
and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.”
So at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the horn, flute, harp, and lyre, in symphony with all kinds of music, all the people, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the gold image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
The Conformed and the Decree
The Conformed and the Decree
Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and accused the Jews.
They spoke and said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, live forever!
You, O king, have made a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the gold image;
and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
The Anger of the King
The Anger of the King
There are certain Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego; these men, O king, have not paid due regard to you. They do not serve your gods or worship the gold image which you have set up.”
But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.
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.
Then Nebuchadnezzar, in rage and fury, gave the command to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. So they brought these men before the king.
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up?
Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?”
Jesus warned his own disciples of the consequences of following God!
“But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them.
The Transformed
The Transformed
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.
Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
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.
God is our deliverer!
God is our deliverer!
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
“Behold! My Servant whom I uphold,
My Elect One in whom My soul delights!
I have put My Spirit upon Him;
He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.
These men and Daniel are mentioned by Faith in Hebrews!
quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
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.”
“You shall have no other gods before Me.
you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,
These Men would not bow down because they had been taught the word of God!!!
These Men would not bow down because they had been taught the word of God!!!
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.
Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.
Though the fig tree may not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls—
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.
The Lord God is my strength;
He will make my feet like deer’s feet,
And He will make me walk on my high hills.
To the Chief Musician. With my stringed instruments.
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,
We should tell people but if not!!!
Conclusion
Conclusion
BUT IF NOT!!