Lessons From The Fire

Daniel 3:19 -30 Lessons from The Fire I GOD’S PEOPLE ARE A PRINCIPLED PEOPLE 1. They are a Called People 2. a Committed People 3. a Consecrated People A) Their Commitment Was Unmovable 16: “O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.” B) Their Confidence Was Unshakable 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.” C) Their Convictions Were Unwavering 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.” They Refused :- 1. To Bend to their Will 2. Bow to Their Idols 3. Break Fellowship With Their God Luther " Here I Stand " II. GOD’S PEOPLE ARE A PERSECUTED PEOPLE v. 19-23 A. They Are Persecuted Because Of Their Standards – v. 8-12 Col. 3:1-2. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. B. They Are Persecuted Because Of Their Saviour – v. 13-15 Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? Nebuchadnezzar implies that he is more powerful than the God they serve. He demands that they bow to his will instead of the will of God. John 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. C. They Are Persecuted Because Of Their Stand – v. 16-18 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. 2 Tim. 3:12; Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 1 Pet. 4:12. Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. III. GOD’S PEOPLE ARE A PRESERVED PEOPLE v. 24-27 A. They Were Preserved By An Ever Present God – v. 25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. 1. Their Fellowship In The Fire (the Lord met them in the fiery furnace.)

My mama read a story about the Bible long ago,

About Shadrach, Meshach, and old Abednego;

How the wicked king commanded they be thrown into the flame,

Because they wouldn't bow and then deny their Father's name.

My Mama said the king stood high upon a balcony so tall,

When he looked in he was shocked by all the things he saw;

He thought that he would find them lying dead upon the ground,

But instead of three he counted four up walking all around.

Well, He's still in the fire and He's walking in the flame,

And He'll be there to help you when you call in Jesus' name;

And he can still deliver by His almighty power,

While here below it's good to know He's still in the fire.

Then I said "Mama, wait a minute, there's one thing that I must know,

If three went in and three came out, then where'd the fourth man go?"

And I never will forget it, as Mama danced across the floor,

These are the words I heard her say as she shouted through the door.

Son, He's still in the fire and He's walking in the flame,

And He'll be there to help you when you call in Jesus' name;

And he can still deliver by His almighty power,

While here below it's good to know He's still in the fire.