The Reality of Higher Levels
Daniel 3
INTRODUCTION:
• Jesus wants to take us into new and deeper dimensions of our walk with Him
• There are spiritual levels in the Lord
• Levels of Faith, Maturity, Obedience, Worship
• Today we are going to look at the results and reality of higher levels
Dan 3:1-7… King Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue ninety feet tall and nine feet wide and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2 Then he sent messages to the princes, prefects, governors, advisers, counselors, judges, magistrates, and all the provincial officials to come to the dedication of the statue he had set up. 3 When all these officials had arrived and were standing before the image King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, 4 a herald shouted out, "People of all races and nations and languages, listen to the king’s command! 5 When you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other instruments, bow to the ground to worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s gold statue. 6 Anyone who refuses to obey will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace."
7 So at the sound of the musical instruments, all the people, whatever their race or nation or language, bowed to the ground and worshiped the statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. NLT
1. Moving In Higher Levels Will Go against Conventional Wisdom
ILL… of conventional wisdom… “Out of the mouth of babes?”
Patrick, age 10, said, “Never trust a dog to watch your food.”
Michael, 14, said, “When your dad is mad and asks you, "Do I look stupid?" don’t answer him.”
Michael, wise man that he was also said, “Never tell your mom her diet’s not working.”
Randy, 9 years of age said, “Stay away from prunes.” One wonders how he discovered that bit of wisdom.
Kyoyo, age 9, said, “Never hold a dust buster and a cat at the same time.”
Naomi, 15 said, “If you want a kitten, start out by asking for a horse.”
Lauren, age 9 said, “Felt markers are not good to use as lipstick.”
Joel, 10 years old, said, “Don’t pick on your sister when she’s holding a baseball bat.” and
Eileen, age 8 said, “Never try to baptize a cat.”
• Worshipping this idol was the conventional wisdom of the day
• Today there are idols that are worshipped
• The Higher Level is not popular
• The Higher Level does not conforming to man’s ways
Joke… Take the money… An angel appeared at a faculty meeting and told the dean that in return for his unselfish service, he will be rewarded with his choice of wealth, wisdom, or beauty. Without hesitating, the dean selects wisdom. "It is done!" the angel said, and then disappeared into a cloud of smoke.
All of the other members of the faculty stared at the dean with amazement. Finally, one of them whispered, "Now that you have infinite wisdom, Dean, say something." The dean looked them and said, "I should have taken the money."
Dan 3:8-13… But some of the astrologers went to the king and informed on the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, "Long live the king! 10 You issued a decree requiring all the people to bow down and worship the gold statue when they hear the sound of the musical instruments. 11 That decree also states that those who refuse to obey must be thrown into a blazing furnace. 12 But there are some Jews--Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego--whom you have put in charge of the province of Babylon. They have defied Your Majesty by refusing to serve your gods or to worship the gold statue you have set up."
13 Then Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and ordered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to be brought before him. NLT
2. Moving In Higher Levels Will Bring Opposition
• When you stand up & stand out for what is holy - count on opposition
• Holy living brings conviction and people don’t like to be convicted
• Shadrach, Meshach & Abed-nego were marked men
James 1:2-4…Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. 3 For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything. NLT
2 Cor 10:3-4… We are human, but we don’t wage war with human plans and methods. 4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil’s strongholds. NLT
Dan 3:13-18
When they were brought in, 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. If you bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments, all will be well. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. What god will be able to rescue you from my power then?"
3. Moving In Higher Levels Will Bring The Temptation To Compromise
• When you are challenged over & over, the natural man wants to compromise & justify the world’s view.
• The true test of your character and integrity is not who you are in public but in private
• Moving in the Higher Level, will develop higher levels of character and integrity
Quote… Have you ever wondered why opportunity knocks once – yet temptation bangs on the door constantly?
1 Peter 2:12… Be careful how you live among your unbelieving neighbors. Even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will believe and give honor to God when he comes to judge the world. NLT
16 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. 18 But even if he doesn’t, Your Majesty can be sure that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up." NLT
4. Moving In Higher Levels Will Produce Holy Boldness
• They spoke freely and they spoke boldly
When you move in the higher levels, you move in a supernatural confidence and courage
ILL… Not till next Sunday… “A pastor saw Robert Schuller’s TV program “Hour of Power.” One of the things that impressed him the most during the program was watching everyone turning around to shake hands with and greet other worshippers seated near them. The pastor felt that his church was a bit stuffy and could use a bit of friendliness. So, at Sunday morning worship he announced that next week they would initiate this custom of greeting one another.
At the close of this same worship service one man turned around to the lady behind him and said a cheerful, “Good morning!” She looked back at him with shock at his boldness and said, “I beg your pardon! That friendliness business doesn’t start until next Sunday!”
Matt 10:18-20… And you must stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. This will be your opportunity to tell them about me--yes, to witness to the world. 19 When you are arrested, don’t worry about what to say in your defense, because you will be given the right words at the right time. 20 For it won’t be you doing the talking--it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. NLT
Dan 3:19-30… 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. 20 Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully clothed. 22 And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames leaped out and killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in! 23 So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell down into the roaring flames.
24 But suddenly, as he was watching, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, "Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?"
"Yes," they said, "we did indeed, Your Majesty."
25 "Look!" Nebuchadnezzar shouted. "I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire. They aren’t even hurt by the flames! And the fourth looks like a divine being!"
26 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. 27 Then the princes, prefects, 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!
5. Moving In Higher Levels Will Manifest The Miraculous
• They did not escape being thrown in
• Sometimes God delivers us from the trial, Sometimes He delivers out of the trial
• When you move in the Higher Level, you will find divine intervention
James 4:7-10… So humble yourselves before God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, you hypocrites. 9 Let there be tears for the wrong things you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 10 When you bow down before the Lord and admit your dependence on him, he will lift you up and give you honor. NLT
If you want to see the miraculous, move in the Higher Level
28 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. 29 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 crushed into heaps of rubble. There is no other god who can rescue like this!" 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to even higher positions in the province of Babylon. NLT
6. Moving In Higher Levels Brings Higher Levels
• They were promoted because of the miraculous
2 Chron 16:9… The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.
• As a result God was exalted and so were Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego
Matt 23:12… But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. NLT
Moving in the Higher Level is not for us to look good, but always to see God exalted
CONCLUSION:
• There is a price to pay to move in the higher level
• It is not complicated but it is not easy
• It is a laying down our will for His
• Having a real relationship with God
• This is the reality of the Higher Level
