Another in the Fire
The ComeBack: Rise Up • Sermon • Submitted
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· 95 viewsNo matter what the bondage, prison, or heat we are up against--our God is Faithful to see us through every moment...even if we don't experience the full deliverance.
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Transcript
Generosity Moment
Generosity Moment
PRAYER MOMENT
"The 9/11 tragedy was a wake-up call, a warning to return to our spiritual roots."
"The 9/11 tragedy was a wake-up call, a warning to return to our spiritual roots."
– Dr. James Dobson
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Comeback Sunday/FriendDay
Harvard has suggested some BBQ and all the trimmings
LESSON— GRAB YOUR LIFE SHEETS
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Intro to series
Intro to series
STORY: Young girl was terrified to have surgery and her parents offered her a kitten as a reward.
STORY: Young girl was terrified to have surgery and her parents offered her a kitten as a reward.
Waking up from surgery she was heard saying softly “This sure is a lousy way to get a cat!”
Waking up from surgery she was heard saying softly “This sure is a lousy way to get a cat!”
When we are in the struggle of trials and persecutions we may feel that things are LOUSY in being a Follower of Christ—nevertheless we will never be disappointed when we look back and see the REWARD what God has really done in your life.
When we are in the struggle of trials and persecutions we may feel that things are LOUSY in being a Follower of Christ—nevertheless we will never be disappointed when we look back and see the REWARD what God has really done in your life.
2 Timothy 3:12
Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
In Following Jesus, he tells us...
In Following Jesus, he tells us...
Matthew 16:24
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.
Yes, taking up your own cross and following Jesus will have times of Hardships—times of distress are going to come—we cannot get away from that—nor should we want to as this is the process of maturing and growing up.
Yes, taking up your own cross and following Jesus will have times of Hardships—times of distress are going to come—we cannot get away from that—nor should we want to as this is the process of maturing and growing up.
I mean—how many of you want to go back to Jr. High and have those struggles all over again?
I mean—how many of you want to go back to Jr. High and have those struggles all over again?
*However, Our ETERNAL rewards will not leave any room for disappointment.
*However, Our ETERNAL rewards will not leave any room for disappointment.
Jesus went on to say in...
Jesus went on to say in...
Matt 16:27
For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds.
*OUR LESSON TODAY MAY HAVE SOME FAMILIARITY AS STORY… BUT MY PRAYER and DESIRE FOR YOU IS FOR YOU TO FIND A NEW DEGREE OF INSPIRATION TO THE STORY’S APPLICATION
*OUR LESSON TODAY MAY HAVE SOME FAMILIARITY AS STORY… BUT MY PRAYER and DESIRE FOR YOU IS FOR YOU TO FIND A NEW DEGREE OF INSPIRATION TO THE STORY’S APPLICATION
Wait for it….ANOTHER IN THE FIRE.
*Another in the Fire Standing Next to Me
*Another in the Fire Standing Next to Me
This familiar story comes to us out of Dan 3.1 with a golden statute that stood approx. 90 feet tall and 9 feet wide.
Dan. 3.3-6
So all these officials came and stood before the statue King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
Then a herald shouted out, “People of all races and nations and languages, listen to the king’s command! When you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments, bow to the ground to worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s gold statue. Anyone who refuses to obey will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”
*Right there — the story just took a TURN for me— I think I have to ask myself the question...
*Right there — the story just took a TURN for me— I think I have to ask myself the question...
“What would I do in this situation?”
“What would I do in this situation?”
I mean it is a FIERY FURNACE—not a sauna at the club!
I mean it is a FIERY FURNACE—not a sauna at the club!
One word comes to me “Ouch!”
One word comes to me “Ouch!”
Think about it? HOW HAVE YOU BEEN BURNED?
Think about it? HOW HAVE YOU BEEN BURNED?
HOW ABOUT YOU? This is more than a Children’s Bible Story.
WE MUST ask some questions with realistic responses.
This Response can’t be a Blind response like...
“Oh yeah-but that was then and this is the 21st Century.”
REMEMBER there was an emotion attached with that first burn you got as a child. The pain went down deep…and as a response to pain you thought—just after you screamed—
“OUCH!”, you thought “I will never throw a lit pop bottle rocket again. That really burned my hand”
— or when i put those tweezers into the electrical outlet in the hallway as a five year old— “OUCH!!”
Likewise today,
Our response must be real and honest.
A Response that needs an action!
*
*
#1.
Trusting God
Isn’t POPULAR.
*BACK TO THE TEXT:
*BACK TO THE TEXT:
dan. 3.10-13
You issued a decree requiring all the people to bow down and worship the gold statue when they hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments. That decree also states that those who refuse to obey must be thrown into a blazing furnace. But there are some Jews—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—whom you have put in charge of the province of Babylon. They pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They refuse to serve your gods and do not worship the gold statue you have set up.”
Then Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and ordered that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought before him. When they were brought in,
NOW BACK IN THE DAY—
NOW BACK IN THE DAY—
*DO YOU REMEMBER WHAT IT FELT LIKE TO BE CALLED TO PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE…? (Mick’s story).
*DO YOU REMEMBER WHAT IT FELT LIKE TO BE CALLED TO PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE…? (Mick’s story).
M,S, & A were being called to the office and it wasn’t going to be a good thing.
M,S, & A were being called to the office and it wasn’t going to be a good thing.
*
*
#2.
Trusting God
Comes with a PRICE.
Dan.3.14-23
Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?”
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”
Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully dressed in their pants, turbans, robes, and other garments. And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in. So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames.
IS THIS WHERE WE FEEL WE ARE TODAY IN THE MIDST OF LIFE’S *TURMOIL?
IS THIS WHERE WE FEEL WE ARE TODAY IN THE MIDST OF LIFE’S *TURMOIL?
Filled with disappointment, sickness, unemployment, uncontrolled anger, bitterness — at everyone and everything? Maybe feeling unproductive or maybe Burned Emotionally by one of your best buds or BFF?
The feelings that go along with these areas of turmoil are real. We can’t wish them away.
Father wants us to deal with THESE FEELINGS head-on and use them as a tool to grow through each area where we cry out— like in our song this morning “LORD I NEED YOU-LORD I NEED YOU!”
it is important that we ponder where we are—OUR FIERY FURNACE!
Maybe you can see yourself in the first verse to this new song...
*
*
"Another in the Fire" by Hillsong United:
"Another in the Fire" by Hillsong United:
Verse 1:
Verse 1:
There's a grace when the heart is under fire
There's a grace when the heart is under fire
Another way when the walls are closing in
Another way when the walls are closing in
And when I look at the space between
And when I look at the space between
Where I used to be and this reckoning
Where I used to be and this reckoning
I know I will never be ALONE
I know I will never be ALONE
IF WE WERE TRULY ALONE—WOULDN’T WE HAVE SOMETHING TO BE REALLY fearful especially of future evil
Merriam-Webster, I. (2003). Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary. (Eleventh ed.). Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, Inc. OF?
*[insert slide of ALONE]
*[insert slide of ALONE]
In every Season of the Series “ALONE”… about 90% of the contestants TAPPED OUT not because of they just gave up—
THEY TAPPED OUT because they were lonely for family, companionship, for going home…
the ALONENESS was greater than the reward , even as much as $500K.
The riches of this world was not worth the cost of them being ALONE.
BUT WE ARE NOT ALONE. Thank God!
WE DON’T NEED TO TAP OUT!
*
*
HEB. 13.5
Hebrews 13:5 (NLT)
For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”
YET WE WILL HAVE SUFFERINGS—THESE SUFFERINGS COME TO TEMPER US AND TO BRING US INTO MATURITY.
*
*
TEMPER means to...
5: to make stronger and more resilient through hardship: TOUGHEN 〈troops tempered in battle〉
6 a: to put in tune with something:
James 1.2-4
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
GOD IS AT WORK IN US …He is putting us in tune with His heart, His will, and His purpose.
Philippians 2:13-14
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
Do everything without complaining and arguing,
Ps. 32.7
Ps. 32.7
For you are my hiding place;
you protect me from trouble.
You surround me with songs of victory.
Interlude
*Since God is giving you this desire to please him—to work through each Fiery Trial we need the mindset that we can do this,---- “in Christ.”
*Since God is giving you this desire to please him—to work through each Fiery Trial we need the mindset that we can do this,---- “in Christ.”
Godly Grit
Godly Grit
Rom. 8.15-16
So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.
See, Paul’s encouragement is to support the Philippians church about “living the Christian life.”
Lightner, R. P. (1985). Philippians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, pp. 646–647). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
*YOU CAN DO IT TOO—IN CHRIST!
*YOU CAN DO IT TOO—IN CHRIST!
Paul encourages us to make this mindset concerning the way we should look at our sufferings in Rom. 8.18 when he says ...
Paul encourages us to make this mindset concerning the way we should look at our sufferings in Rom. 8.18 when he says ...
Rom 8.18
Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.
THUS WE SHOULD HOLD FIRMLY AS PAUL SAYS IN
Phil. 2.16
Phil. 2.16
Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.
And when you begin to dwell on the fact that YOU DON’T THINK YOU CAN DO IT—EVEN WITH CHRIST’S HELP…Remember this...
Rom. 8.35-39
Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
*
*
#3.
Trusting God
is a PRIVILEGE.
Philip. 1.29
For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.
Psalm 84.11-12
For the Lord God is our sun and our shield.
He gives us grace and glory.
The Lord will withhold no good thing
from those who do what is right.
O Lord of Heaven’s Armies,
what joy for those who trust in you.
The Lord is my strength and shield.
I trust him with all my heart.
He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.
I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.
NOW, LET’S LOOK AT THE CHORUS
OF THIS NEW SONG WE FIND THE GIST OF THE NEXT PORTION OF SCRIPTURE IN Dan. 3
*Chorus:
*Chorus:
There was another in the fire
There was another in the fire
Standing next to me
Standing next to me
There was another in the waters
There was another in the waters
Holding back the seas
Holding back the seas
And should I ever need reminding
And should I ever need reminding
Of how I've been set free
Of how I've been set free
There is a cross that bears the burden
There is a cross that bears the burden
Where another died for me
Where another died for me
There is another in the fire
There is another in the fire
*DO YOU SENSE THAT THERE IS ANOTHER STANDING BESIDE YOU? The Bible says, “He is near you even in your mouth.” Romans 10:8.
*DO YOU SENSE THAT THERE IS ANOTHER STANDING BESIDE YOU? The Bible says, “He is near you even in your mouth.” Romans 10:8.
LET’S CONTINUE TO READ OUR TEXT LOOKING FOR HEART FELT CONVICTIONS TO INSPIRE OUR LIVES TODAY…
Dan. 3.24-27
But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?”
“Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied.
“Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!”
Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!”
So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire. Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke!
(pause)
(pause)
THIS IS WHERE THE CROWD SHOULD HAVE BEEN LEAPING AND SHOUTING FOR JOY, RIGHT?
THIS IS WHERE THE CROWD SHOULD HAVE BEEN LEAPING AND SHOUTING FOR JOY, RIGHT?
well, they were in too much fear not knowing Neb mind frame…
listen to what Neb says next.
Dan. 3.28-29
Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore, I make this decree: If any people, whatever their race or nation or language, speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they will be torn limb from limb, and their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble. There is no other god who can rescue like this!”
* HALLELUJAH!
* HALLELUJAH!
BUT WHAT ABOUT M, S, & A?
I THINK THEY WERE SHOUTING OR SINGING HALLELUJAH TOO!!! THANKING GOD FOR HIS GLORIOUS DELIVERANCE.
YOU TOO HAVE ANOTHER STANDING NEXT TO YOU.
*Peter wrote to us ...
*Peter wrote to us ...
1 Peter 4:13
Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.
SUFFERING WITH CHRIST--
Unifies you with similar trials and pains of being one with Christ, but also it joins us together with the same joys that Christ endured.
*
*
Heb 12.2
We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED WITH M,S, AND A…after they were obedient to stand against the culture of their day and time...
Dan 3.30
Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to even higher positions in the province of Babylon.
*WE INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE
*WE INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE
WE GROW THROUGH TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS
WE INVEST IN THE LIVES AROUND US AND
GOD GIVES THE INCREASE…ACCORDING TO HIS WILL AND GOOD PLEASURE.
No matter what the bondage, prison, or heat we are up against--OUR God is Faithful to see us through every moment...even if we don't experience the full deliverance TODAY.
No matter what the bondage, prison, or heat we are up against--OUR God is Faithful to see us through every moment...even if we don't experience the full deliverance TODAY.
LISTEN TO KING NEBUCHADNEZZAR DECLARE GOD’S GREATNESS IN THE NEXT CHAPTER...
*
*
Dan 4.1-3
King Nebuchadnezzar sent this message to the people of every race and nation and language throughout the world:
“Peace and prosperity to you!
“I want you all to know about the miraculous signs and wonders the Most High God has performed for me.
How great are his signs,
how powerful his wonders!
His kingdom will last forever,
his rule through all generations.
* SO, HOW ABOUT YOU? WHAT ABOUT ME?
* SO, HOW ABOUT YOU? WHAT ABOUT ME?
Like I said earlier, WE MUST ask these hard questions with a realistic responses.
It can’t be a Blind response.
“Oh yeah—I know” or “yes God is great—Ho Hum”.
REMEMBER there was an emotion attached with that burn you experienced as a child. It went down deep…It hurt bad-- Our response must be a real and honest Response!
DO WE HAVE disappointment, sickness, unemployment, uncontrolled anger, bitterness THAT WE ARE NOT TRUSTING GOD WITH?
Being Burned Emotionally may feel like you are being thrown into a furnace—gloom, despair, and agony on me?
*BUT WE ARE NOT ALONE—
*BUT WE ARE NOT ALONE—
WE CAN TRUST GOD.
It’s Not Popular—It comes with a Price—But it is our Privilege.
LET’S STAND TO OUR FEET AND LET’S DECLARE GOD’S GREATNESS TODAY Like King NEBUCHADNEZZAR IN PREPARATION FOR LATER WHEN WE FEEL THE TROUBLE RISING UP IN US!
*
*
DAN.4.3
Daniel 4:3 (NLT)
How great are Your signs,
how powerful are Your wonders!
Your kingdom will last forever,
You rule through all generations.
*HALLELUJAH!
*HALLELUJAH!
WHEN WE TRUST GOD THROUGH OUR SUFFERINGS HE CAN WORK HIS WILL IN US—WITH NO REGRETS.
PtL!