Establish Your Priorities Today

Scripture

Daniel 3:10–18 ESV

You, O king, have made a decree, that every man who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image. And whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into a burning fiery furnace. There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. So they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, “Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 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. 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.”

This morning’s message is specifically addressed to our graduates. We are very proud of our graduates. They will be leaving the safety of home and some of the church family. It may take a whole village to raise a child, but it definitely takes an entire church family to raise a graduate. Not just to graduation, but also to instill the integrity and love for the Word of God that our children grow into the men and women of God. We want to see God’s perfect will completed in our graduates and to seem them make an impact on our world.

This is not just for our graduates. We all face the same struggles, just in different arenas. We all must have our eyes open and our sword sharpened. The three main points this morning (Ungodly World, Faith Challenged, and Be Ready to Stand) though directed to our graduates, is applicable to everyone.

Ungodly World

Matthew 10:16 ESV

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

We look around our world and we see a constant degradation. We see glimpses of hope and improvement in different areas at different times, but for the most part we see a degradation in the culture. We can look back one generation and compare it with today and see a vast divide in the family situation and values.

I saw a post on Facebook that said the stark difference between 1970 and 2022 is the same difference between 1918 and 1970.

1918 saw the end of WWI, the Russian Civil War, and Spanish Influenza.

The 1970’s were referred to as the ‘Me’ decade as compared to the 1960’s was a community based decade. This was the time where the 2 greatest franchises came out with Star Trek and Star Wars. They still affect our world today.

When we see a generation focused on themselves, it will only spiral down. We see the effect 52 years later. The concept of ‘Me’ has been capitalized on. Selfies has become its own art form. This is what our children are walking into. We need to prepare them and continue to pray and do what we can to ensure success. Graduates, you need to remember, that even though this world is not a wonderful place, you are not going it alone. You have a church family who only wants to see you succeed and be blessed.

Faith Challenged

Philippians 4:6–7 ESV

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Your faith may have been challenged at school and/or friends. This is nothing compared to what you will face in the future. When you have to make decisions which will affect a job and then have consequences for your families.

We look at Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They were young men taken away from everything they know and made into slaves of an ungodly empire. You may wonder what this has to do with you? You will choosing to go away to school or move out of your parents’ home and are not forced out. But whether in school or in the work place, you will feel like a slave to your professors or supervisors. In school, your time management is dictated by the work given to you by the professor and your place of residence is dictated by the school. An employer tells you when to clock in, what work is expected to be completed, and what time to clock out. Though your life is not in danger if you do not fulfill these expectations, you still fill as if your life is not your own. Especially when your faith is challenged.

Be Ready to Stand

Ephesians 6:13 ESV

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

You need to decide today before you leave the safety of your surroundings what your faith is and what dictates your actions. The time when you are pressured to do something is not the time to settle this. God does not have grandchildren. You cannot make it through life on the backbone of your parents, grandparents, or church families walk with God. You need to walk with God yourself. You need to allow Him to speak to you and more importantly to correct you.

If Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had waited until they faced the golden image, they would have fallen. They had their faith stedfast in the Lord before they left their homeland. You need to do the same thing. You will always be in our hearts and prayers, but we will not be there when you are tempted. The enemies favorite time to tempt, it seems to be, is at night.

This is where the armour of God comes into play. Commit to putting on the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes with the gospel of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. So that you can say, “I know my God is able to deliver me, but even if He does not, I will not bow”.

Conclusion:

A - Acknowledge

Romans 3:23 ESV

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

B - Believe

Acts 16:31 (ESV)

And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.”

C - Confess

Romans 10:9–10 ESV

because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.