Summary: I want to begin by stating a well known fact...life is full of problems. In fact, Peter calls them fiery ordeals, which is something that I can personally relate to, as many of you can.

BUT IF NOT

1 PETER 4:12 16 DANIEL 3:16 17

Tonight I want to take a look at the topic of faith,. And I want to begin with a passage from 1 Peter 4:12-16...READ

I want to begin by stating a well known fact...life is full of problems. In fact, Peter calls them fiery ordeals, which is something that I can personally relate to, as many of you can.

Peter told the people that he addressed this letter to that the first step toward dealing with life is to stop thinking that difficulties are strange and unusual...in fact, Christians sometimes suffer simply for doing what is good and right. The only guarantee is that tough times will come.

I want to turn back to very familiar O.T. story and I hope it will help us learn something about character and the ways of God that many Christians today do not understand...and is the reason for a lot of instability in Christian lives.

I’m going to be looking at the book of Daniel where we find the story of three men who went through the most famous "fiery trial" of all time. I’m speaking, of course, about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.. but I think I’ll just refer to them as the "Righteous Brothers." (Not related to the singers) so I don’t have to keep using their names.

The Righteous brothers were 3 Jews who were living in Babylon, and in fact held government positions there. Now the king, Nebuchadnezzar, had become obsessed with a dream he had about a huge statue 90 ft. high and 9 ft. wide made of pure gold that would serve as a monument to his great exploits and world power.

Once it was completed he ordered all the citizens of the kingdom to worship it. Now this created a problem for the Jews, because if they would bow down to it, they would have to violate God’s commandment. The most notable violators were these 3 gov’t men.

When the king heard about their defiance he was outraged. He questioned them personally, and gave them one more opportunity to prove their loyalty to him, but the choice was clear...Bow or Burn!

And in verse 15, the king made a little challenge...READ 15b.

Now this set the stage for a mighty declaration of faith from the Righteous brothers...vs 16...in other words, they had considered exactly what it was they were doing...they knew the consequences...and they had not considered this whole situation lightly...(not just shooting from the hip)

Vs 17...But then we get to verse 18, to some of the greatest words of faith ever written...vs 18. Go ahead, light the fire, start the furnace...we will not bow.

Now the king got so mad he heated the furnace 7 times hotter than normal, and he commanded that these 3 Jews be cast into the furnace.

Now the point I want to make this morning is that these 3 Righteous brothers believed not only, as it says in their words, "Our God is able to deliver"...they also believed in the God who could keep his people in the midst of a fire.

"But even if he does not" is a wonderful declaration of faith...one that many are not prepared to make. And that is the reason that many fall by the wayside in this Christian life.

The Righteous brothers did not doubt God’s ability to deliver them. There was no question about this. OUR GOD IS ABLE! But the also accepted the divine, sovereign will of God! And they said, "But if not" ...if there is no deliverance out of the fire...there will be no difference in our commitment of faith.

We will not serve your gods even if you burn us alive...we will not bend our knee. You see, they had a faith in a God that delivers, but an even deeper faith that God is able to keep us even in the midst of fiery trials.

They had a concept of God that many people do not understand today... one that was not just based on escape or deliverance from their problems...but they believed in a God that can give strength and power to endure and remain steadfast and say as Job, "even though He slay me, yet will I serve Him."

They also were not offended by the fiery trial. Now this is something I want to focus on. This has to do with taking offense or being offended at the dealing and actions and the will of God in your behalf.

The righteous brothers did not object to the fact that they had to face the fire...nor did they even question the possibility that deliverance out of the furnace might not happen...they were not offended by it.

What does it mean to be offended? [Hurt, resentful, angry] also a further description...a transgression. Now we all know that we have offended God, by our sins...and that the only way to have that removed is through the blood of Christ.

But did you ever consider how we view God as having offended us? Let me explain. When we receive Christ, we have certain expectations of what He will do for us as a result of our having accepted Him. Besides the forgiveness of sins and eternal life, we often come to Christ because of certain needs in our life.

It may be for healing...a difficulty in your marriage...many other reasons...may just be in a desperate situation where you not only need forgiveness of your sins but need God to get you out of the mess you’ve gotten yourself in. Often it is these kind of things that are the motive or reasons why we come to Christ.

And there is nothing wrong with that whatsoever...The Lord meets us at the point of our need...that’s the beautiful part of salvation.

However, once you’ve become a Christian...and you look to Him to help you in the other areas of your life...and when God does not act or answer us in a manner or within a timetable that we find agreeable to our desires and our prayers...!we get offended at God.„Ç

It’s as if God broke some unwritten law that we have established. And we say, "God, here is the standard by which I want you and expect you to act on my behalf." And when God does not act or answer when we think He should, we often are offended at God.

And don’t anyone tell me you never get offended at God! All of us have gone through times and experiences where you may not have understood it as that, but you were offended at God. And some of you may be here this morning not realizing it...

But I pray that the Spirit will reveal to you that one of the reasons you are having such a battle and such a struggle is not only with the devil...but you’re having a battle with God because you have an offense toward God...but He can free you from that this morning. He can lift that from you if you’ll understand it.

And when we are offended at God it can breed resentment and hurts... and questions and doubts...yes even sin. The word offended is also translated throughout Scripture as stumbling block. 1 Peter 2:6... Christ is referred to as a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.

You see, some will react to Christ and His teachings in such a way as to use Him as an excuse or justification for sinning. Just go out on the streets and talk to people...and you’ll hear it.

I’ve talked to many who have said, "Lord, you did me wrong...you did me wrong by letting this or that happen to me...or you did not solve this problem for me...you offended me so now I feel justified in sinning against you because I think you’ve sinned against me. And Christ becomes their stumbling block...their reason for falling.

Surprisingly enough, one of those who was offended by Jesus was none other than John the Baptist. Matthew 11:2 6 (READ) KJV not offended.

Get the picture here...John is in Herod’s dungeon, and he’s wondering not so much about the works Christ was performing..but he was confused more by the works Jesus was not performing.

John was a thundering prophet denouncing sins, preaching repentance. His ministry gave way to the ministry of Jesus. Now he is in prison... and as he hears about Jesus he wonders where is the ax... where is the ax that must be laid to the root of sin...where is the fan that was to blow away the chaff..

It appeared the one one whose shoulder the dove came to rest had no ax in His hand...had no fan in His hand.

And John wonders, "where is the fiery spirit which he had foretold. But instead John hears of miracles...of healings...of the gospel of mercy being preached. It appears that Jesus is planting and nurturing, not denouncing and destroying barren trees.

And so John wonders if he might have been premature in recognizing or announcing Jesus as the one who would come. John says "Should we expect someone else?" And that really means should we expect someone different...someone who acts more like John...someone who preached more like John...someone who would denounce sin like John.

To him, there was something missing in Jesus’ preaching. This didn’t seem like the Messiah of the prophesies...the one who embodied what John had preached.

Now, let me ask you, "Are you like John"...offended at Jesus because you have expected a different outcome from His message. Some of you are people who have only "seen" the message of God’s grace. And all you wanted to hear is a message that will make you feel good...but now you find the message of God’s judgment as well.

And here is where the offense comes in. Maybe you are confused as to why sin isn’t brought to light in a certain situation...you may be impatient as to why judgment has not come down where you feel it should...others do not appear to regard the word of God as you do...

And like John, you stand ready with an ax in your hand, and you carry a fan ready to blow away the chaff...Thank God that He has revealed that to you. God is pleased that you feel His judgment against sin...

Maybe you’ve seen things in others, and maybe even shown it to them...

But be careful...because this is where you can get offended at God. And this can lead to resentment and wrong attitudes because it doesn’t appear that God is acting in situations as you feel He should.

We must never be offended by either God’s mercy...or His judgment!

But there is another offense that I want to mention...and that is the offense at not knowing what God is up to. Mark 10:32a...Jesus walked toward Jerusalem without explaining to the disciples what He was doing or why He was doing it.

And the disciples had just an inkling of what was going on...they didn’t know all of it, but they knew as they set foot on that road to Jerusalem that trouble was ahead. Jesus’ ministry was accepted in Galilee and other places but when He set out to Jerusalem they knew that it meant trouble for Him...and if it meant trouble for Him, it meant trouble for them.

Jesus led w/o communication or explanation and the disciples are behind saying to each other, "Where’s He going...What’s He up to?" Why doesn’t He tell us?" And they were offended and afraid.

READ v. 32b...and He keeps walking...and they walk behind Him in amazement and fear because they didn’t know how to interpret what Jesus was doing in going before them.

And let me tell you, I sometimes have the same problem with Jesus. He always seems to be going before me...and not telling me what He’s up to.

But He still wants me to follow Him. But to tell you the truth, sometimes I get frustrated because He doesn’t tell me. And especially when I know He’s going to "Jerusalem" and I know I am going to have to go through the fiery furnace with Him.

You see, at first, it was fun for the disciples to follow Jesus. And the reason why a lot of churches preach a fun gospel is because if you just preach the elementaries it is fun......The crowds followed Him as he performed miracles...

But if you go all the way with Jesus you will come to the point where you don’t know where He’s going...and you don’t know why He’s going... Isa. 54:8, ¡§For my thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor your ways My ways¡¨. and it’s at this point where it’s easy to question His ways.

There is an aspect of serving Jesus that chills the heart to the core and makes the whole spiritual life gasp for breath..."What are you doing Lord...and He says nothing but He just keeps on walking and says "FOLLOW ME"

And it is at this point that He is no longer our counselor...no longer our helper...He seems no longer to be our comforter...but instead He has taken up with leading me in a direction I know nothing about and I’m amazed at Him...And it’s at this point that so many get offended at Him that they check out and turn away from following Him.

If God is doing something in your life now that you don’t understand, don’t be offended. He will speak to you and He will let you know what is going on. God is worthy of your trust...no matter what.

Now, you can try to find your own solution to the situation you’re in. You can go around and get other people to give a little comfort and try to shed a little light on your situation...

But the Lord is saying to you that it’s not going to change anything.. because He is the one leading you down this road. And don’t be offended if you find out that God is the author of your darkness because when it is over you will come to the point of following Jesus with joy unspeakable and full of glory...Hallelujah!

God’s leading never makes sense at first...until you step into it. Then it makes sense. The Righteous brothers couldn’t make sense of having to go to the fire. Why should they have to go through this... they were faithful in the first place...they were obedient.

Maybe it was for the benefit of someone else! Maybe your furnace is facing the effects of your sin...even though they are forgiven, the consequences of some sins still remain.

What is it that you are facing today? I know there are lots of difficult situations out there among you...but one thing I want you to know. Our deliverance comes when we accept the truth that God never puts us in the fire unless He knows that we can abide the fire.

The Righteous brothers learned something that we need to learn...they fought fire with fire. There was a fire of love burning in their soul that gave them a vision of Jesus...a vision that gave them the faith to say, "Our God will deliver us...BUT IF NOT...we’re still not going to change our minds.

Have you come to the point in your life where you can say that? Many of you are facing difficult situations...but your stumbling blocks can be turned to stepping stones.

READ Psalm 91:11...

In other words, He doesn’t want anything that comes your way to be a stone of stumbling. And when you go through it he says the angels of the Lord will just come right along...

And instead of it being an unexpected thing that trips you up and causes you to stumble, He’ll lift you up...and you’ll step on that stone...Hallelujah...to greater heights in the Lord.