3 Positions In Life

Sunday, September 09, 2001

3 POSITIONS OF LIFE A CHRISTIANS LIFE

Dan. 3: 26 – 30

[Heading into the Fire, In the Fire, Coming out of the Fire]

Notice what brought the Hebrew boys to the fire.

Da 3:6 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. :7 Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down [and] worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. :8 ¶ Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews. :9 They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever. :10 Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image: :11 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, [that] he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. :12 There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

It was their lifestyle, their devotion and dedication to the One True God.

They refused to Worship an image or false god.

They would not be entertained by their music.

They were put to question about their living.

They were ridiculed about who was their God,

They could not see Him

“”””””””””””Touch Him.

Hear is their response

Da 3:16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we [are] not careful to answer thee in this matter. :17 If it be [so], our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver [us] out of thine hand, O king.

Heading into the fire and knowing that is were you are going it is important to keep your faith in God.

Even when you do not know how God is going to work it out.

Da 3:18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

The Hebrew boys knew they would lose if they bowed.

[Nebie said boys if you do not bow you will burn the 3 boys said you got that wrong o king if we bow we will burn]

The songwriter said I’m a winner either way. A Brother in Madisonville, Ky was dying and people were in the room and said if you are going to be a winner you need a miracle. Brother said folks you got that wrong for wither I go or wither I stay I’m a winner either way.

3 boys did not allow fear to direct their life and relationship with God.

2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Church sign said when fear knocks faith answered and no one was there.

Ps 46:1 God [is] our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. :2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; :3 [Though] the waters thereof roar [and] be troubled, [though] the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. :4 [There is] a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy [place] of the tabernacles of the most High. :5 God [is] in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, [and that] right early.

Ps 56:2 Mine enemies would daily swallow [me] up: for [they be] many that fight against me, O thou most High. :3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. :4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

3 boys possessed a faith that regardless of the conscience they trusted God

Your faith will be tried.

#2 In the Fire

I believe it is this position that is the determining element in their deliverance.

Da 3:20 And he commanded the most mighty men that [were] in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, [and] to cast [them] into the burning fiery furnace.

Bound and cast in.

Just because you have been thrust into a fiery situation does not spell disaster.

In the fire the found Liberty.