Title: The Choice of a life time, The Choice of Commitment
Theme: To show the importance of trusting in God no matter the circumstances.
Text: Daniel 3
Daniel 3:1“Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its width six cubits (90 feet tall & 9 feet wide). He set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. 2 And King Nebuchadnezzar sent word to gather together the satraps (princes), the administrators, the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.”
Verse “8 Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and accused the Jews. 9 They spoke and said to King Nebuchadnezzar, "O king, live forever! 10 "You, O king, have made a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the gold image; 11 "and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. 12 "There are certain Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed–Nego; these men, O king, have not paid due regard to you. They do not serve your gods or worship the gold image which you have set up."
Verse 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed–Nego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 "If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18 "But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up."”
Introduction
We read through this story so quickly. So many times have we heard it expounded and preached on. Not many preachers that I have met have not preached on this. It is so powerful so moving. But it is easy to think and miss what God is trying to say.
I want you to remember one thing from the time that the decree was made that all in the Babylonian kingdom must bow down to this golden image, Shadrach, Meshach, Abed-nego did not know what God would do. They did not know that he would deliver them from the fire. They did not know that the king would give a command that all of Babylonia had to now serve the true God they did not know.
I. The Temptation vs. 3-5
A. Give in to save their position-Compromise
These men held high and lofty positions in the Babylonian kingdom.
Da 2:49 “Also Daniel petitioned the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed–Nego over the affairs of the province of Babylon; but Daniel sat in the gate of the king.”
How easy it would be to just give in a little to hold this position. Oh how much it seemed they could do for returning Israel back to their homes.
How easy it would be to just kneel. God would know that they would not mean it in their heart but they were doing it for his cause.
B. They could have easily just given in and give up on God
Or how easy it would be to forsake God and just give in to the world. The king had recoginized them they were going places, they could really be somebody in this world. Paul tells us that this is what happened to Demas in 2 Tim 4:10
“for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica––Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia.”
But they realized it was more than just a thing that is done in the prayer closets of our lives. That being a servant of the most high God is living in this world and overcoming temptation.
C. Trust God
The third choice they had was to trust God.
II. Their Testimony vs. 16-18
“16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed–Nego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.
Modern Language “O Nebuchadnezzar we would not make any defense in this matter”
NIV “ O Nebuchadnezzar we do not need to defend ourselves in this matter”
Living Bible “O Nebuchadnezzar we are not worried about what will happen to us”
Daniel 3:17 "If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18 "But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up."”
A. Faith in the Power of God “If it be so, our God is able”
They had a faith and trust in God. They knew what their God can do. This is not built up overnight but it comes from constant fellowship with God. It comes from a relationship of commit to God and his work.
This was seen from the beginning of the book of Daniel. Speaking of Daniel as the leader of this group but I believe also representing the testimony of the four we read but Daniel, as their leader, purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself (Daniel 1:8a)
B. Submission to God’s will “but if not we will not”
They were committed to doing the will of the father no matter.
Job put it this way in Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him:
Peter and John expressed the same trust when they stood on trial for preaching Jesus.
Acts 4:19-20 “19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 "For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."
They had no choice but to be in this captivity. Because of the sin of the Israelites it had caused God to take off his protecting hand. But they did have a choice in the things they would do. They did have a choice in how they would conform to this kingdom.
Yes their name was changed.
From Hanniah “The Lord was gracious” to Shadrach “servant of Aku, the moon god”
From Mishael “who was equal to God” to Meshach “the shadow of the prince
From Azariah “The Lord helped” to Abed-nego “servant of nego, god of wisdom or the morning star”
And as we will see God was true to the names that was given to them. When God gives you a name and when you get saved he does. Revelation tells us that God gives us a name that no one knows but him. But when he does he will stand true to it.
Just the name Christian means to be a “servant of Christ”
Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
They did not know what would happen. They did not know if they would lose their life but they had to make a “life changing decision” or “a choice of a lifetime”. It would be easy to be fearful of the king but remember what Jesus said in
Mt 10:28 “"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
We must stand up for our relationship and our trust in God no matter what happens.
So what happens. True to his word the king casts them into the fiery furnace. But not before he heats it up seven times hotter than what it was. Their God may be able to deliver them from the furnace at it current heat but what about when it is seven times hotter?
III. Their Triumph
A. They were truly free
Whereas they went in bound by the things of this world. Whereas they went in bound by the rules and regulations of the world. Whereas the sin around them bounded them they came out free. Not only free but with not a smell.
Da 3:27 “And the satraps, administrators, governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together, and they saw these men on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them.”
John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
They knew what was right and they knew the true God. And He made them free
John 8:36 "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
Notice they were not saved from the fiery furnace but they were saved in it. It may not be that the Lord will take away our trials and tribulations but he will give us peace in them. And we can be under the assurance that he will not put too much on us that we cannot handle.
1Co 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
B. They had a new sense of Fellowship
If they had never made the decision to stand up. If they had never made the decision to rise up and take the challenge then they would have never met the master. They would have never had the opportunity to see Jesus. I believe that this is Jesus here. In the appearance of what we call a “theoaphany” Jesus came down and fellowshipped with these three. God could send an angel if he wanted to but I would not be surprised if he did not look down and say, “Hey they are standing for me against that king let me show them true fellowship”.
Just think about what they would have missed if they would not have stood. I believe if we had an opportunity to talk to the many who have been martyred for the Gospel they would all tell us, “It was worth it”. People like Paul and Stephen. Stephen as he lay being stoned looked up and saw Jesus sitting at the right had of the father. People like Bunyan, Rutherford, and many of the ones who suffered for the cause of Christ.
Oh church let me tell you it is worth it. Mt 5:11 "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.”
Mt 5:12 "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
2Ti 2:12 “If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.”
C. They were restored and promoted
Dan 3:30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed–Nego in the province of Babylon.”
Not only to they get back to the original position that they were in but they were promoted. They held new positions and did more for the kingdom of God than they had done before
They had a new cause and a new focus. Now they could see the cause of God in a new course. Now history would record how three men were thrown in the fire and when they were in there their God walked with them in their trials in the furnace. Not only did he deliver them but he walked with them.
Oh to walk with God. As Enoch who “walked with God and he was no more”. As the prophets of the OT. As the disciples of the New Testament. What a privilege. But how much greater do we have it not only to walk with God but to have him walk with us daily in our heart in our lives. Guiding us and directing our path. The Holy Spirit who is with us.
Tonight God is looking for some people who will stand for him. Tonight God is looking for some people who will stand up for him. Tonight God is looking for some people who will stand up and be counted for Christ.
Young people you have a wonderful opportunity to serve the Lord at your age. You could do something mighty for the kingdom of God but God wants you stand up tonight and be counted. Don’t let those around you influence you. Don’t be frightened for God is your comfort.
Conclusion
God is looking for a man or a woman who are image breakers. Who will stand up for this next generation. Surly there is another way out but look at all we loose. We lose our integrity. We lose an opportunity.
