Introduction

This morning we’re focusing on a theme that's as old as faith itself, yet as relevant as the morning news: Obeying God despite the consequences.

Our guide will be two Scriptures - one from Daniel, the other from Peter. Both passages remind us that the Kingdom of God isn't of this world.

Let's begin with Daniel 3:17-18: "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

And 1 Peter 4:12: "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you."

You see, these passages both present a question that has been asked throughout the ages: "If you were faced with the ultimate test of faith, what would you have said?"

A.W. Tozer once wrote, "The man who has God for his treasure has all things in One." That's the kind of perspective we're going to explore today.

Let's pray. Father, as we delve into Your Word today, open our hearts and minds. Help us to understand Your will and give us the courage to follow it, no matter the cost. We ask this in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Let's jump into it, shall we?

Obeying God

When we obey God despite the consequences, it means we’re living in unwavering obedience and faith in God. Yes, our circumstances can be challenging, and the consequences may seem dire. I’m not talking about blind obedience, but rather a deep-seated trust in God's wisdom and His plan for our lives.

The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the book of Daniel is a powerful illustration of this principle. These three young men were faced with a life-threatening situation because of their refusal to bow down to King Nebuchadnezzar's golden image. They chose to obey God, despite the immediate consequence of being thrown into a blazing furnace. Their response to the king's threat, as recorded in Daniel 3:17-18, is a testament to their unwavering faith. They acknowledged God's ability to deliver them, but also expressed their resolve to remain faithful even if God chose not to intervene. Their obedience was not contingent on their deliverance.

This story raises an important question for us today: Are we willing to obey God even when the consequences are severe? This is not a hypothetical question, but a real-life challenge that many Christians face around the world. Persecution, discrimination, and even death are realities for those who choose to stand firm in their faith.

The apostle Peter also addressed this issue in his first epistle. He encouraged the believers not to be surprised at the fiery trials they were experiencing, but to see them as tests of their faith. Peter's words remind us that trials and tribulations are not anomalies in the Christian life, but expected experiences. They are opportunities for us to demonstrate our faith and obedience to God.

Obeying God despite the consequences also means trusting in His sovereignty. God is in control of every situation, and He has the power to deliver us. However, His ways are not always our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts. Sometimes, God allows us to go through trials to refine our faith, just like gold is refined in the fire. Other times, He uses our struggles to bring glory to His name, just like in the case of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Furthermore, obeying God despite the consequences requires a shift in perspective. We need to see beyond the immediate circumstances and focus on the eternal. The apostle Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 4:17 that our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. When we view our trials in light of eternity, we realize that the consequences of obedience are not burdensome, but blessings in disguise.

Finally, obeying God despite the consequences is a call to courage. It takes courage to stand up for our faith when everyone else is bowing down to the idols of this world. It takes courage to trust in God's plan when everything around us seems to be falling apart. But as believers, we can take heart because our courage does not come from ourselves, but from God. He is our strength and our shield, and with Him, we can face any challenge that comes our way.

Not of This World

Here’s the truth: God’s kingdom isn’t of this world ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO