EVEN IF OUR GOD DOES NOT DELIVER US, WE STILL WILL NOT BOW
DANIEL 3: 1 Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. 2 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. 3 Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 4 Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, 5 That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: 6 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. 7 Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of music, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. 8 Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews. 9 They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live forever. 10 Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image: 11 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. 12 There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. 13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king. 14 Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? 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 music, 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? 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 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. 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. 19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace seven times more than it was to be heated. 20 And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. 21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 22 Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flames of the fire killed those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. 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. 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire. 27 And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was any hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them. 28 Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God. 29 Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort. 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.
INTRO: EVEN IF GOD DOES NOT DELIVER US, WE STILL WILL NOT BOW. Teach/Preach
This Weekend, We Celebrate Memorial Day. 1st observed May 30, 1868 to honor those who died in the Civil War. On Memorial Day, we honor the memories of all those who have died in the military service of America. There have been hundreds of thousands of great soldiers in this country¡¦s history. US Civil War: Approximately 620,000 Americans died. World War I: 116,516 died. World War II: 405,399 Americans died. Korean War: 36,574 died. Vietnam Conflict: 58,220 Americans died. Operation Desert Storm: 293 died. Operation Iraqi Freedom: 4,422 died. Operation Enduring Freedom: 2,400 have died as of May 12, 2014. While we honor the war dead throughout America's history, I am reminded of those in God¡¦s Army who have died on the battlefields of faith ¡V like those mentioned in Hebrews 11 - Great men and women of God. One day, every person in this sanctuary will be a memory. What kind of legacy will you leave behind? Will people remember you as a soldier of the cross? As Paul neared the end of his life, he languished in a Roman prison. From there, he gave us the secret for becoming a good soldier in 2 Timothy 2:3-5: 3 Take your share of suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, just as I do; 4 and as Christ¡¦s soldier, do not let yourself become tied up in worldly affairs, for then you cannot satisfy the one who has enlisted you in his army. 5 Follow the Lord¡¦s rules for doing his work, just as an athlete either follows the rules or is disqualified and wins no prize. 5 Qualities Of A Good Soldier are mentioned. A good soldier is a Follower. Is Faithful. Is Familiar with his commander¡¦s voice, his weapons, his enemies, his friends. Is a Fighter. Is a Finisher. In Daniel 3, we are in Babylon that was also unfriendly toward God and 3 young men who would not bend or bow. Some Lessons From The Fiery Furnace.
BACKGROUND TO DANIEL AND THE 3 HEBREW BOYS
It Is 605 B.C. And The World Is In Chaos. The Egyptians attempted to invade Babylon. A young, mean, godless monarch named Nebuchadnezzar soundly defeated the Egyptians. He pursued the Egyptian army and along the way, conquered Jerusalem which was loyal to Pharaoh instead of trusting in God. God is allowing foreign nations to abuse his people as punishment for disobedience. The inhabitants of Jerusalem felt abandoned by God as they watched the Babylonian army march into the temple and take the vessels used to worship God. The ultimate blow came as the officers rounded up the best & brightest of young Jews and marched them out of Jerusalem to Babylon. The plan was to train these young men for 3 years and then give some of them positions in the royal court (Daniel 1:3-5). Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego were among the group. The 3 years of training was really an attempt to brainwash them. Nebuchadnezzar wanted Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and the others to become so indoctrinated in Babylonian culture that they would think and act like Babylonians. And so is the culture and times in which Christians live. 1 John 5:19: 19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world is under the power of the evil one.
1. He Sought To Change What They Spoke - Their Language - Daniel 1:4. In ancient Babylon, 3 languages were used - Aramaic for ordinary business & diplomacy; A Shemitic Tongue - the language of historic & legal documents; Accadian, the sacred tongue in which the bulk of magical formulae & rituals were written. It was most likely that this language that they were taught. Same today ¡V our speech hurts instead of healing.
2. He Sought To Change What They Read - Their Literature - Daniel 1:4: Nebuchadnezzar sought to fill their minds with Babylonian philosophy, science, astrology and religion. He would reeducate them and replace the things of God with the value system of Babylon. In our society, we see the exact same reeducation taking place through situational ethics, evolutionary hypotheses, redefinition of families, rewriting of history textbooks, etc.
3. He Sought To Change What They Did - Their Lifestyle - Daniel 1:5: Nebuchadnezzar appointed them to be given a portion of the royal diet of Babylon that he indulged in along with the wine, which he drank - wine that had been offered to idols. Same today ¡V drugs, alcohol, all kinds of chemically engineered food designed for economic purposes but harming us.
4. He Sought To Change What They Stood For - Their Loyalty - Daniel 1:7: The 4 young men had names which reflected their Hebrew heritage. Daniel = God is Judge. Hananiah = God is Gracious. Azariah = God is my Help. Mishael = Who is like God? He Changed Their Names To Gods Of Babylon: Belteshazzar - Bel will protect. Shadrach - inspired of Aku (the moon god). Abednego - servant of Nebo (Venus). Meshach - who is like Aku.
THERE WAS ONE PROBLEM THOUGH.
They Underestimated These 4 Teenagers. Living in a foreign land, 1500 miles away from family and anything familiar, these students stood out, stood together, and stood up for God. They provide us a shining example of no matter how young a person is God can use them to change the world. Standing for God does not just happen. You must plan and make a commitment for it to happen.
WHAT DID THEY DO AS REPRESENTED BY DANIEL IN DANIEL 1?
1. They Purposed In Their Heart Not To Defile Himself With The Royal Food And Wine. (Daniel 1:8) This was a decision made beforehand out of a strong conviction. The food was offered to idols. There was no way they were going to defile themselves before God.
2. They Proposed A Compromise. (Daniel 1:9-10) They approached the head official and politely explained that because of deeply held religious convictions they would not eat the royal food. While the official felt for Daniel and his friends, he was not willing to anger the king by changing their diet. So Daniel proposed a compromise: ¡§Give us vegetables for 10 days and then see how we look¡¨, and ¡§treat your servants according to what you see.¡¨
3. They Prospered Physically And Socially. (Daniel 1:15-20) While the rest of the boys were eating hamburgers and tilapia, the 4 Hebrew boys ate veggies and grains. In 10 days, they all looked good, but Daniel, Hanniah, Mishael & Azariah looked healthier. Not only did they prosper physically but God blessed them with wisdom 10 times greater than the others.
NOW SOME LESSONS FROM THE PASSAGE READ.
1. GOD¡¦S PEOPLE ARE A PERSECUTED PEOPLE (19-23): We are always being tested folks. We are being forced to bow just like they did ¡V on the job, in the society, in school, etc. Everyone else is bowing. The media and others see us as extremists. We are not blowing up people, but what we believe are in conflict with society¡¦s values. They hate us. Nebuchadnezzar reacts in anger to the stand taken by the 3 Hebrew boys and determined to destroy them. He orders them bound and cast into a furnace heated 7 times hotter - it slays the men who tossed them in. Why is all anger leveled at these boys? The reasons are given in Daniel 3:9-18.
ľ They Are Persecuted Because Of Their Standards (Daniel 3:8-12) Nebuchadnezzar set up an image of himself or his favorite god and the boys refused to bow to that image (1-7). Their faith in God would not allow them to stoop to a pagan god. What would you do?
ƒæ They Are Persecuted Because Of Their Savior (Daniel 3:13-15) Nebuchadnezzar gives them a 2nd chance. He knows why these boys are refusing to bow, and he mocks their God (15). He implies that he is more powerful than the God they serve. He demands that they bow to his will instead of God¡¦s. Note: Believers should walk in total submission to God¡¦s will.
ľ They Are Persecuted Because Of Their Stand (Daniel 3:6-18). Even when threatened with a horrible death, these boys refused to bow. They take a stand in spite of the personal cost. They are willing to lose privileged positions to please God.
2. GOD¡¦S PEOPLE ARE A PRESERVED PEOPLE (DANIEL 3:24-27): When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown in to the flames, they found that they were not alone. The God they had professed faith in met them in the fire - now there were 4 men loose and walking around! Even in a furnace in Babylon, God kept His promise to His people - Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. We have the same promise. When the flames rise around you, the Lord is in the fiery fire with you. Did You Observe Something About The Fire?
ľ They Were Free In The Fire: All the fire did was burn away the things that had them bound. God used the fire to loosen these men from ropes that held them. Note: When the fires of persecution and affliction come into your life, remember the Lord is merely freeing you from some of the things that have had you bound in your life.
ƒæ They Were Fine In The Fire: They had ¡§no hurt.¡¨ The fire did not kill them, it didn¡¦t even burn them! God allowed them to go through the fire, but He did not allow the fire to go through them. The furnace may be frightening, but you were not brought for destruction but growth. God did not allow it for your hurt, but your good (Romans 8:28).
ƒæ Jesus Is Still In The Furnace Waiting For Us: Only 3 men - Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego - were thrown into the fire. When Nebuchadnezzar looked into the furnace, he saw 4 men walking around. When Nebuchadnezzar called for the men to come out of the fire in verse 26, only 3 came out. What happened to the 4th man? He is still in the furnace! When you go there, you will find Him waiting for you. He will look at your flames and say ¡§Cool it!¡¨
ƒæ Preserved By An All Powerful God (27): When those boys came out of the furnace, they were inspected by Nebuchadnezzar and his men. No hair was singed, no soot on them and they didn¡¦t even smell like smoke! The power of God operated in this situation and overcame the furnace. You shall come out and the mark of the trial shall not be seeing on you. People will inspect you but will be surprised that you made it.
3. GOD¡¦S PEOPLE ARE A PROMOTED PEOPLE (28-30): What happened when Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were delivered from the furnace?
ƒæ God¡¦s Person Is Praised (29): Because of what he saw God do for His people in the furnace, Nebuchadnezzar sees thing differently. God used this horrible moment in the lives of believers to touch the hard heart of a lost, heathen king. Note: You never know what God will do with the afflictions in your life.
ƒæ God¡¦s People Are Promoted (30): Because they were faithful to the Lord, they passed through the furnace. They are promoted in the kingdom. God never really uses anyone in a great way until He first takes that person through the furnace of affliction. You cannot stand on Mt. Carmel in power until you reside by a dry brook. You cannot lead the nation of Israel, until you first watch someone else¡¦s sheep.
ƒæ God¡¦s People Are Envied By The World: (Daniel 3:8). When the music played, Chaldeans came forward and accused the Jews for not bowing down to the image, but only mentioned Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego. Since they accused the Jews for not bowing down to the golden image, how come only Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego were singled out for not bowing down? Daniel 3:12 There are certain Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not paid due regard to you. They do not serve your gods, or worship the golden image which you have set up. It was their positions of leadership in the government that ruffled the feathers of the Chaldeans who felt that they should be in charge. When you are being blessed and promoted by God, some people will become jealous of you and do anything possible to pull you down.
ƒæ God¡¦s People Did Not Follow The Crowd: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were persecuted because they did not follow the crowd. The crowd bowed to the golden image when they heard the music, but Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego did not. Psalm 100:3 Know ye that the Lord he is God; it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
ƒæ Our God Cannot Be Compared To Anyone Else. In basketball, compare LeBron James with Michael Jordan. In baseball, Barry Bonds with Sammy Sosa. In football, Pete Manning to Tom Brady. In Rap music, Tupac to JZ. In movies, Denzel Washington to Sylvester Stallone. In Comedy, Steve Harvey to Eddie Murphy. In politics, Bill Clinton to John F. Kennedy. But when it comes to God, you can¡¦t compare anybody with Him because He created the universe. He makes a cow eat green grass and produce white milk. He can make a donkey talk, make a sea dry, bring water out of a rock,, heal the sick, raise the dead, give sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, cast out demons, feed 5,000 with just 2 fishes & 5 loaves of bread. He is an Able.
LET ME TELL YOU THIS IN CLOSING.
1. The Fire Was Not Meant To Consume You, But To Refine You. Precious metals are put through the fire to be refined ¡V remove the impurities and unwanted materials. The fire you go through is not meant to destroy you. But it is meant to refine you. When the fire seemed like it was going to last forever, you found out they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up on wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint. The fire did not consume you but refined you.
2. The Fire Was Also Meant To Destroy That Which Held You Bound. There are 2 ways to get to the fire. First, to take yourself to the fire. Second, for others to take you to the fire. When they lay you off of your job that is when others take you to the fire. When folks lie on you that is when others take you to the fire. When Nebuchadnezzar¡¦s men took the 3 Hebrew boys to the fire, it killed the men and not the Hebrew boys. The fire burned off the ropes that had the boys bound. But When We Take Ourselves To The Fire God Is So Merciful That He Still Saves Us In The Fire. Jesus shows up in the fire. He shows up in our mess. Nebuchadnezzar saw a 4th man in the furnace. I don¡¦t know about you, but Jesus saved me while I was in my mess. He gave me hope when I was in a hopeless situation. That¡¦s why I don¡¦t look like what I¡¦ve been in.
3. Why Did The Fire Not Consume Them? They made Up Their Minds. They Acted Upon that Decision. They knew who they were. They had self-Esteem. Self-respect. Self-confidence. They lived for an audience of one ¡V God. They would not be distracted from their purpose. They had God¡¦s Word. They Had Each Other. They Had an Example ¡V Daniel. Most of All, They Had Faith.
CONCLUSION: LESSONS FROM THE EVENT
1. When You Stand For Something That¡¦s Right, You May Have To Stand Alone.
2. Jealousy Can Cause People To Do Some Pretty Mean Things.
3. No One Is Beyond Peer-Pressure. But It Takes A Real Man To Stand For What Is Right.
4. A Fiery Furnace Experience Teaches Us A Lot About Ourselves.
5. When You Stand For God In A Heathen Culture, It Is Not Always Popular.
6. God Can Use A Test In Your Life To Get The Attention Of A Lost World.
7. When You Walk With God, You Are Never Walking Alone.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Lord, Raise An Army Of Committed Believers.
2. Lord, Open Our Eyes To See The Relevance Of Our Faith.
3. Lord, Let Us Not Become Crowd Pleasers.
TOPIC NEXT: WHEN GOD SHOWS UP¡K
