STANDING IN A BOWING WORLD
Daniel 3:1-30
INTRODUCTION
A. HUMOR: Who’s Really Smarter?
1. A young boy entered a barber shop and the barber whispered to his customer, “This is the dumbest kid in the world. Watch while I prove it to you.”
2. The barber puts a dollar bill in one hand and two quarters in the other, then called the boy over and asked, “Jimmy, which do you want?” Jimmy took the quarters and left the dollar. “What did I tell you?” said the barber. “That kid never learns!”
3. Later, when the customer left, he saw Jimmy coming out of the ice cream store. “Hey Jimmy! I know you know how much money is worth, so why did you take the quarters instead of the dollar bill?”
4. Jimmy licked his cone and replied, “Because the day I take the dollar, the game is over!”
B. EVENTS OF LAST WEEK
1. Last Tuesday, the Christian landscape of America was altered. The public policy of our country has long mirrored the Christian worldview, but a significant shift took place. A majority of voters in our country voted to dismantle several Christian positions that had never been challenged. We found our views on the losing side of the culture war.
2. EXAMPLES:
a. Same-Sex Marriage. Four states – Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, and Washington – voted in same-sex marriage. This overturned the traditional interpretation of marriage. This had never happened before through the will of the people.
b. Abortion. This year the Democrat National Convention, which had previously been pro-abortion, went a step further in removing language from their platform that limited the scope of abortions -- "safe, legal, and rare." Why would someone not want abortions “safe, legal, and rare?” This development in the party that won the presidency is cause for grave concern.
c. Legalization of Marijuana. Colorado and Washington states both legalized Marijuana for recreational use. Other states had legalized it before for medical use, but a doctor’s prescription was necessary. Not so any longer. Studies have shown Marijuana blunts ambition. It’s users become docile.
3. Many of us can remember when gambling was illegal in all the states except Nevada. Now it is probably in most states. Once the door is opened to a vice, rarely can the door be shut until its run its deadly course.
4. Should we throw up our hands and say, “If the society wants it, then let them have it! I’m tired of fighting!” No, because our children and grand children are in the balance. We will stand and fight, wherever we are, against the evils of society!
5. We’re going to look at a very similar situation in the Book of Daniel.
C. TEXT
3 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, ninety feet high and nine feet wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2 He then summoned the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up. 4 Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “This is what you are commanded to do, O peoples, nations and men of every language: 5 As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6 Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.” 13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, 14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? 15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and
worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?” 16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” 19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual 20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. 22 The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, 23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.
24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?” They replied, “Certainly, O king.” 25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” 26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, 27 and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them. 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
D. THESIS
1. We’re going to see this morning at how 3 young men, when faced with the strongest kind of peer influence, maintained their convictions and, instead of losing their positions and futures, were actually promoted by God to higher positions.
2. The title of this morning’s message is, “Standing in a Bowing World.”
I. NEBUCHADNEZZAR'S "BRIGHT" IDEA
A. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN BONEHEADS BECOME POLITICIANS
1. You have to wonder were Nebuchadnezzar got this "bright" idea. What could have been the inspiration for it?
2. Nebuchadnezzar was probably a huge guy -- a fighter, a jock, a wrestler. He was the type who would say, "My dog’s bigger than your dog," and "If you don't laugh when I tell a joke, I'm going to beat you up."
3. He was probably bored and needed a cause. There were no kingdoms to whip at the moment. Thinking of his vision recorded in chapter 2 of Daniel, he found his cause.
B. THE "BRIGHT" IDEA
1. With the mindset of a thickheaded linebacker, he devises the "bright" idea of building the biggest idol in the world (that’ll make it the best).
2. NOT the Type to Get Bogged Down On Details -- he didn't build it to specs.
a. 1 to 10, instead of 1 to 6 (human body) ratio -- he wanted the biggest!
b. Not just head of Gold, but ALL Gold.
3. AMAZING THING -- SINCERE about this.
a. This idol is worth worshiping (a lot of people worship wealth like a that).
b. So assembles huge orchestra.
c. Calls all government leaders together to worship or face death.
4. And this is where we take up the story.
II. WHEN THE HEAT IS ON
A. THE TEST COMES
1. Among the Vast Crowd -- 3 Jews of peculiar character. The same 3 who:
a. Refused to eat the King’s food because it was unclean and offered to idols.
b. Same three who’d fasted and prayed until Daniel interpreted the dream.
c. You see, this wasn’t their first test, but it was for sure their hardest test! Nobody wants to stand out in a large crowd.
2. As This Vast Crowd Stood Before Golden Statue, the Announcer gave the instructions, "When you hear the music, bow and worship, or burn!"
B. A DECISION MUST BE MADE
1. We are all going to be tested.
2. What are you like under pressure, or when everything goes wrong? Do you give in? Or do you turn to God?
3. Character is what you do/are when the pressure’s on.
4. If YOU had been out in that crowd, faced with those alternatives, would you --
a. Have Bowed?
b. Remained Standing?
c. Tried to find some other way out?
C. COURAGE
1. We tend to think that courage is only for -- firefighters, soldiers, police, extreme sports, etc. We think of courage as something extraordinary, demonstrated only in life-threatening situations. We view our lives as having regular qualities like honesty, integrity, and faithfulness, but nothing more. We just don't see "courage" coming into play very often. But that view is mistaken. Courage is not just for extreme situations; it’s basic to the exercise of every other virtue.
2. Take honesty, for example. Why do people lie? to evade, to make excuses, to cover up? Why don't we just state the truth, clearly and completely? Often, it's because we fear the consequences. We're afraid of what people might think. Or we're afraid of losing something -- money, a promotion, our reputation, our mate’s trust. We fail to be completely honest because we lack courage.
3. Or take generosity. Why is real generosity rare? It's because people are afraid of not having enough for themselves. A lack of DILIGENCE could be due to a fear of
failure. An unwillingness to WITNESS can result from a fear of rejection. A refusal to serve others may stem from a fear of being taken advantage of or exploited.
D. APPLICATION
1. The Devil has an idol he wants you to bow down to -- it may be:
a. Popularity c. Materialism e. Pride
b. Selfishness d. Acceptance f. Sensuality
2. ARE YOU BOWING TO THESE IDOLS?
3. The world doesn't like you NOT bowing to its idols.
4. Your devotion to God WILL be tested (if you refuse to compromise, you will face the fire).
III. PRESSURE TO CONFORM
A. PEER PRESSURE
1. JOKE: A lady celebrating her 102nd birthday was asked what she enjoyed most about her advanced age. Her answer? "The lack of peer pressure." Almost no matter what your age, peer pressure is a problem. THINK HOW TOUGH:
2. Other Jews were there; they bowed (verse 12). Just because other Christians do it, doesn't make it right!
3. "EVERYBODY ELSE IS DOING IT: MUST I BE AN ODDBALL?" Jesus told us, "Only a few will be saved" (Matthew 7:14). If you want to get around obeying God, the enemy will always have plenty of suggestions.
4. FOUR COMPROMISES:
a. "We'll fall down, but not actually worship the idol."
b. "We'll worship just this once, then ask God to forgive."
c. “We're not hurting anyone."
d. If we get ourselves killed, pagans will take our high positions. They won't help our people in exile, so it's better we keep our positions.
5. I know it's not easy to stand when all your peers are pulling on you and pressure is against you. THAT’S WHEN YOU LEARN TO GROW UP WITH GOD! -- either you become men or women of God, or you wimp out for the devil.
B. DECISION: NO COMPROMISE
1.Dannecker was one of the greatest sculptors Germany ever produced. He made many beautiful sculptures for his country. But then he became a Christian.
2. His great talent was employed to produce a statue of Christ. For eight long years he patiently toiled, much of it on the face of Christ.
3. When he finished, he gave the world a work which almost equaled his Subject. The face he created revealed to strong love and tender compassion of the divine Man of Sorrows.
4. Later, some of his countrymen wanted him to carve a statue of Venus. But he replied, "I can never make a Venus after I have looked upon the face of Christ."
5. Winston Churchill, speaking before British Parliament, tore into England's Prime Minister, Ramsay McDonald, whom Churchill regarded as spineless and weak. Churchill growled, "I remember when I was a child being taken to the celebrated Barnum circus which contained an exhibition of freaks and monstrosities. The exhibit I most desired to see was the one described as "The Boneless Wonder." My parents judged that the spectacle would be too revolting and demoralizing for my youthful eyes. I have waited 50 years to see the "Boneless Wonder" only to find him sitting in the Prime Minister's chair!"
6. TO “STAND” IS DEFINED AS “To remain on one’s feet. To take up or maintain a specified position, attitude, or course. To resist successfully; to withstand, as in a battle.” The main difference between standing and bowing is BENDING! One bends to the world’s pressure; the other refuses to bend. "We are not trying to please men, but God, who tests our hearts" (1 Thessalonians 2:4).
7. Verse 16: "We are not careful to answer." They had no decision to make; they made it long before. Like the Moravian Missionaries who went to the Fiji Islands in the 1700s. The captain exclaimed, "Don't you know that those islands are inhabited by cannibals? They will kill you!" The Moravians answered, "We died before we came here!"
8. As the old expression is, "It's not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the flight in the dog." If you give all to Jesus, there's nothing left to give to the devil.
IV. FACING THE FIRE
A. THE TRIAL
1. Fire 7X hotter. Nebuchadnezzar furious!
2. Description of Clothes (vs. 21) emphasizes the flammable nature of the clothing.
3. The soldiers were killed; this is proof of the fierceness of the heat.
4. Vs. 23 -- "into the midst" -- no possibility of escape from the fire.
5. Nebuchadnezzar's surprise – the LXX says he heard them singing praises... then noticed they were alive!
B. THE SAVIOR IN THE FIRE
1. God Did Not Keep Them From The Furnace;
a. But God went with them into it.
b. And God protected them through it.
2. Isaiah 43:2. God is with his people in their trials.
Emmanuel -- "God is with us"
Jesus = Savior
3. WHO’S THAT FOURTH MAN?
V. OBEDIENCE BROUGHT REVERSAL
A. JEHOVAH IS VINDICATED
Shown to be the true God.
B. THE 3 HEBREWS RECOGNIZED AS OUTSTANDING
1. Righteous- God himself delivered them.
2. As deep- seeing beyond pomp.
3. Loyalty, integrity.
4. Promoted them -- verse 30.
C. CHANGE IN ROYAL DECREE
Instead of Bel-Marduk, Jehovah was honored(vs.29).
CONCLUSION
The three Hebrews wouldn't Bend, Bow, or Burn!
A. ILLUSTRATION
1. During the terrible Boxer Rebellion in China, the insurgents captured a mission station with about 100 students. They blocked all the gates but one, and before this gate they placed a cross, flat on the ground. They announced, "Any of the students who trampled the cross underfoot would be permitted their freedom and life. But any that refused to trampled the cross would be shot to death."
2. Terribly frightened, the first seven students trampled the cross under their feet and were allowed to go free. But the eighth student, a young girl, refused to commit the sacrilegious act. Kneeling beside the cross in prayer for strength, she arose and moved carefully around the cross and went out to face the firing squad.
3. Strengthened by her example, every one of the remaining 92 students follow her to death. Will you set the standard by your life?
B. HOPE IN THIS DARK HOUR
1. When WW2 was at its darkest, Great Britain watched as Europe was – country by country – crushed under the Nazi boot. Englishmen lived under the fear of invasion and overthrow. Only 4 miles across the English Channel German forces gathered for an invasion. In that dark hour, Winston Churchill stepped forward with his fighting spirit;
2. “We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, and if, which I do not for a moment believe, this island … were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas… would carry on the struggle, until, in God's good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old.”
3. But you say, “Pastor, we don’t have New World to look to for rescue.” Ah, but we have a Savior who has a Kingdom that shall never end, Who has all the forces of heaven behind Him. He IS coming! And ‘When My King Returns, He won't be riding a Donkey or an Elephant – He’ll be riding on a white horse, “conquering and to conquer.”
4. “When you see all these things happen, then look up, lift up your head, for your redemption draws nigh/ near!”
