WEBVTT

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 The scripture reading comes from Daniel, chapter 3.

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 Please follow along on the screen or the bulletin.

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 Starting in verse 1, we read,

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 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold,

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 whose height was 60 cubits and his breadth 6 cubits.

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 He set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.

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 Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent together the satraps, the prefects and the governors,

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 the counsellors, the treasurers, the justice, the magistrates and all the officials of the province

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 to come to the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.

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 Then the satraps, the prefects and the governors, the counsellors, the treasurers, the justices,

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 the magistrates and all the officials of the provinces gathered for the dedication of the image

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 that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

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 And the herald proclaimed aloud,

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 You are commanded, O peoples, nations and languages,

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 that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music,

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 you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.

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 And whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace.

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 Therefore, as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music,

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 all the peoples, nations and languages fell down and worshipped the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

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 Therefore, at that time, certain Chaldeans came forward and maliciously accused the jewels.

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 They declared King Nebuchadnezzar,

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 O king, live forever.

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 You, O king, have made a decree that every man who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe,

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 and every kind of music shall fall down and worship the golden image.

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 And whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into a burning fiery furnace.

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 There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

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 These men, O king, pay no attention to you.

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 They do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.

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 Then Nebuchadnezzar, in fierce rage, commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought.

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 So they brought these men before the king.

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 So they said,

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 And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?

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 They answered and said to the king,

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 O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.

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 If this be so, our god whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace,

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 and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.

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 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.

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 Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury, and the expression of his face was changed against them.

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 He ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it was usually heated.

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 Then he ordered some of the mighty men of his army to bind them and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.

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 Then these men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics, their hats, and their other garments,

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 and they were thrown into the burning fiery furnace.

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 Because the king's order was urgent and the furnace overheated,

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 the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

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 And these three men fell bound into the burning fiery furnace.

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 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste.

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 He declared to his counselors,

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 Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?

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 They answered and said to the king,

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 True, O king.

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 He answered and said,

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 But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt.

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 And the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.

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 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace.

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 He declared,

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 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out and come near.

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 Then they came out from the fire,

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 and the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king's counselors gathered together

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 and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men.

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 Their hair of their heads was not singed,

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 their cloaks were not harmed,

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 and no smell of fire had come upon them.

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 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said,

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 Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego,

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 who has sent his angel and delivered his servants,

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 who trusted in him and set aside the king's command,

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 and yield up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own god.

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 Therefore, I make a decree,

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 any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

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 shall be torn limb from limb,

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 and their houses lay in ruins,

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 for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way.

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 Then the king promoted them in the province of Babylon.

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 This is the word of God.

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 Great. Thank you, Soda and Echo.

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 Good morning, everybody.

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 It is great to see you,

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 and it's great to see so many faces we haven't seen for months and months.

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 It really is wonderful to see you again.

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 If you are new to Watermark this morning,

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 my name is Kevin,

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 and I'm one of the leaders here.

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 It's great to be with you this morning.

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 Let's pray briefly and ask God to come and speak to us from His word.

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 So, Heavenly Father, as we come before you this morning,

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 we come to your word, God,

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 because your word is living and active,

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 because the scriptures are not merely the invention of man.

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 They are your words which are breathed out by you, God.

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 They are given to us for our good,

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 that we may know you,

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 that we may live the life you've called us to live.

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 And so, God, we come to your word this morning

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 because we want to hear from you.

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 We haven't come just to hear the opinions of man.

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 We haven't come to hear a motivational talk.

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 We've come to hear from the living God.

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 And so, as we ponder and reflect on your word,

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 won't you speak to us?

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 Won't you encourage us?

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 God, won't you breathe courage into us this morning?

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 For those of us, God, who faith is faltering,

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 for those of us that are facing the challenges

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 of living in a broken world,

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 for those of us, God,

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 that are facing the temptation of compromise,

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 won't you breathe courage and conviction

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 into our hearts this morning, we pray.

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 We pray this in your glorious and your wonderful name.

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 Amen. Amen.

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 Sorry, again, if you're at the community center or at home,

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 welcome to you as well.

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 Now, we are working our way through the book of Daniel,

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 and we're about halfway through the series.

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 And the book of Daniel is all about, really,

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 the kingdoms of the world

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 and which kingdom is ultimately gonna last.

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 And last week, Chris shared Daniel 2 with us.

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 There's that amazing picture of the various statues.

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 And the big idea is that,

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 though there are lots of kingdoms in this world,

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 ultimately there is one king.

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 His kingdom is gonna last for all eternity.

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 That is the kingdom of God in the person of Jesus.

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 And so that's really what the book of Daniel is all about.

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 And then the book of Daniel asks us,

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 in light of that,

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 those of us that are followers of Jesus,

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 to live lives of faithfulness,

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 knowing that God is sovereign.

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 Remember the two main themes,

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 sovereignty and faithfulness?

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 God is sovereign, we are not.

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 God is faithful,

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 and therefore we can be faithful to him.

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 Now, up until this point in Daniel,

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 things have gone pretty well for Daniel

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 and for his friends,

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 for God's people.

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 They have gone to Babylon,

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 not their first choice,

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 but God took them there.

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 They've been enrolled in the king's college.

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 They had a kind of issue with the king's food,

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 but they got through that all right.

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 And then in chapter two,

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 Nebuchadnezzar, the king,

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 has this dream,

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 and his insecurity gets the better of him,

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 and so he makes this reckless decision.

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 He says,

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 all the wise men,

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 all the astrologers,

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 are to be eliminated,

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 destroyed.

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 And God, in his mercy,

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 gives Daniel and his friends insight.

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 God delivers them,

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 and they are saved,

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 and they come out,

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 and actually at the end of the story,

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 they are promoted to these

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 high-ranking positions in Israel.

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 And so up until now,

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 things have actually been going pretty all right.

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 Their faithfulness to God

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 has been good for them.

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 But that's about a change.

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 Because in chapter three,

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 their faithfulness to God

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 lands them in a bunch of trouble.

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 And so,

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 what we come to today

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 is actually what every follower of Jesus,

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 and those that are exploring the claims of Christ,

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 will come to at some point in their life.

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 And that is that following Jesus means

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 that inevitably,

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 we are going to face the fire.

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 That could be in your professional life,

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 it could be in your personal life,

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 it could be relationally.

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 Those that want to be faithful

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 to Christ,

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 will end up facing the fire.

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 And so the question

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 that Daniel 3 wants to ask us is,

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 how do we become the kind of people

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 that get the courage

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 and the conviction

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 to stand firm

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 in the midst of the fire?

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 And so that's really

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 the main point of Daniel 3.

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 This is what God wants us to see today.

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 That following God

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 will involve trouble.

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 It will often invite opposition.

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 But God's people are called

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 to have courage and conviction,

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 knowing that only God

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 can deliver those who trust Him.

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 And so let's dive in

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 and see what's going on here.

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 And so the story starts off

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 with Nebuchadnezzar building

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 this massive golden statue.

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 And the statue is probably

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 of the god Nebo,

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 the Babylonian god.

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 And Nebuchadnezzar does this

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 for a couple of reasons.

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 The one is that he's trying

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 to consolidate power

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 in his kingdom.

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 He's trying to unify

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 all the people in Babylon.

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 Remember, the Babylonian empire

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 was kind of the new

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 superpower of the world.

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 They had conquered

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 all sorts of nations,

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 Assyria, Israel,

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 the Medes, a whole bunch.

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 And so Babylon was actually

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 quite a diverse empire.

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 There were people

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 of all sorts of beliefs

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 and religions and backgrounds.

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 And that was okay.

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 But Nebuchadnezzar wants

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 to unify these around

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 one central image,

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 the image of his god Nebo.

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 Remember, Nebuchadnezzar

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 is named after Nebo.

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 Nebuchadnezzar is his name.

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 And so this is an act

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 of unification in the nation.

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 But the other reason

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 why he does this,

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 remember the dream

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 that he has in chapter 2

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 of this massive statue

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 and Daniel says,

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 you, O Nebuchadnezzar,

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 are the head of gold.

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 But after you,

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 there's going to come

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 another empire of silver

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 and bronze, etc., etc.

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 And Nebuchadnezzar hears this

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 and he's thinking,

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 wait, you're saying

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 that I'm only around

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 for a limited period of time

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 and then someone's going

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 to come and conquer

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 my empire?

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 Not if I've got anything

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 to do with it.

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 And so what he does

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 is he sets up the statue

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 where the whole thing

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 is gold.

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 Head, torso,

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 legs, body.

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 And what he's trying

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 to do is he's saying

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 my kingdom is going

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 to be an everlasting kingdom.

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 Daniel, you said

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 I'm only around

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 for 50 years, 70 years.

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 Forget that.

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 I'm here to stay.

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 In my Babylonian kingdom,

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 I'm here to last.

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 And so what he's trying

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 to do is build

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 this almost eternal monument

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 to his reign

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 that forever people

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 will know

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 Nebuchadnezzar was here.

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 He reigned

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 and his kingdom

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 lasts forever.

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 And so one of the things

00:13:02.920 --> 00:13:03.980
 that we're meant to see here

00:13:03.980 --> 00:13:05.740
 is this statue

00:13:05.740 --> 00:13:07.120
 that Nebuchadnezzar builds

00:13:07.120 --> 00:13:08.680
 is not just an example

00:13:08.680 --> 00:13:10.820
 of cultural mythology.

00:13:11.660 --> 00:13:12.920
 This is Nebuchadnezzar

00:13:12.919 --> 00:13:14.659
 trying to establish himself,

00:13:14.779 --> 00:13:16.159
 trying to set himself up

00:13:16.159 --> 00:13:17.919
 as almost a godlike figure.

00:13:18.519 --> 00:13:19.319
 He's trying to say

00:13:19.319 --> 00:13:20.120
 I am God.

00:13:20.759 --> 00:13:21.620
 He's trying to set up

00:13:21.620 --> 00:13:22.240
 this monument

00:13:22.240 --> 00:13:24.479
 to his glory.

00:13:25.240 --> 00:13:25.659
 Really.

00:13:26.360 --> 00:13:27.599
 And I don't know

00:13:27.599 --> 00:13:28.199
 if you remember this

00:13:28.199 --> 00:13:29.599
 in Daniel chapter 2

00:13:29.599 --> 00:13:30.719
 that Chris showed us

00:13:30.719 --> 00:13:31.319
 last week.

00:13:31.719 --> 00:13:32.679
 After Daniel

00:13:32.679 --> 00:13:33.299
 and his friends

00:13:33.299 --> 00:13:34.099
 they have this vision

00:13:34.099 --> 00:13:34.500
 in the night,

00:13:34.579 --> 00:13:35.240
 they understand

00:13:35.240 --> 00:13:36.159
 what the dream

00:13:36.159 --> 00:13:37.620
 that Nebuchadnezzar has means.

00:13:38.259 --> 00:13:38.899
 Daniel prays

00:13:38.899 --> 00:13:39.659
 this amazing prayer.

00:13:39.779 --> 00:13:40.500
 Look at what he says.

00:13:40.579 --> 00:13:41.159
 I think we've got it

00:13:41.159 --> 00:13:41.659
 on the screen

00:13:41.659 --> 00:13:42.899
 in verse 20.

00:13:42.919 --> 00:13:43.539
 He says this.

00:13:44.059 --> 00:13:45.019
 Blessed be the name

00:13:45.019 --> 00:13:46.259
 of God forever and ever.

00:13:47.000 --> 00:13:48.219
 God to whom belongs

00:13:48.219 --> 00:13:49.120
 wisdom and night.

00:13:49.819 --> 00:13:51.219
 He changes times

00:13:51.219 --> 00:13:51.759
 and season.

00:13:52.559 --> 00:13:53.740
 God removes kings

00:13:53.740 --> 00:13:54.879
 and sets up kings.

00:13:55.339 --> 00:13:55.919
 Okay, so Daniel

00:13:55.919 --> 00:13:56.539
 prays this prayer.

00:13:56.639 --> 00:13:57.079
 Chapter 2.

00:13:57.279 --> 00:13:57.899
 God is the one

00:13:57.899 --> 00:13:59.159
 who sets up kings

00:13:59.159 --> 00:14:00.539
 and removes kings.

00:14:01.539 --> 00:14:01.959
 Well, I don't know

00:14:01.959 --> 00:14:02.659
 if you picked up

00:14:02.659 --> 00:14:03.399
 in the passage

00:14:03.399 --> 00:14:04.299
 that Echo and Soda

00:14:04.299 --> 00:14:04.919
 read to us

00:14:04.919 --> 00:14:05.860
 how many times

00:14:05.860 --> 00:14:06.719
 it talks about

00:14:06.719 --> 00:14:07.919
 Nebuchadnezzar

00:14:07.919 --> 00:14:08.799
 setting up

00:14:08.799 --> 00:14:10.000
 this image of God.

00:14:10.319 --> 00:14:10.860
 I think we've got it

00:14:10.860 --> 00:14:11.500
 on the screen here.

00:14:12.039 --> 00:14:12.940
 In six times

00:14:12.940 --> 00:14:14.159
 in just the one paragraph

00:14:14.159 --> 00:14:15.159
 it talks about it.

00:14:15.200 --> 00:14:15.519
 He says,

00:14:16.019 --> 00:14:17.240
 Nebuchadnezzar made this image.

00:14:17.580 --> 00:14:18.399
 He set it up

00:14:18.399 --> 00:14:19.379
 on the plains of Dura.

00:14:19.840 --> 00:14:20.500
 At the dedication

00:14:20.500 --> 00:14:21.220
 of the image

00:14:21.220 --> 00:14:22.620
 that Nebuchadnezzar set up.

00:14:22.840 --> 00:14:23.620
 The image that

00:14:23.620 --> 00:14:24.399
 King Nebuchadnezzar

00:14:24.399 --> 00:14:25.059
 had set up.

00:14:25.059 --> 00:14:25.960
 They stood before

00:14:25.960 --> 00:14:26.419
 the image

00:14:26.419 --> 00:14:27.460
 that King Nebuchadnezzar

00:14:27.460 --> 00:14:28.120
 had set up.

00:14:28.379 --> 00:14:29.299
 They worshipped

00:14:29.299 --> 00:14:29.700
 the image

00:14:29.700 --> 00:14:30.659
 that King Nebuchadnezzar

00:14:30.659 --> 00:14:31.220
 had set up.

00:14:31.580 --> 00:14:32.539
 Again and again,

00:14:33.080 --> 00:14:34.500
 it's almost ironic,

00:14:34.679 --> 00:14:35.220
 it's almost meant

00:14:35.220 --> 00:14:36.240
 to be read satirically,

00:14:36.240 --> 00:14:37.919
 how often it tells us

00:14:37.919 --> 00:14:38.799
 that Nebuchadnezzar

00:14:38.799 --> 00:14:40.259
 has set up the statue

00:14:40.259 --> 00:14:41.580
 and what we meant

00:14:41.580 --> 00:14:42.060
 to remember

00:14:42.060 --> 00:14:43.120
 is in the chapter before

00:14:43.120 --> 00:14:43.899
 Daniel says,

00:14:44.279 --> 00:14:44.940
 actually there's only

00:14:44.940 --> 00:14:45.440
 one God

00:14:45.440 --> 00:14:46.860
 that really sets up kings

00:14:46.860 --> 00:14:47.820
 and that is

00:14:47.820 --> 00:14:48.680
 the eternal God.

00:14:49.460 --> 00:14:50.180
 And so what we meant

00:14:50.180 --> 00:14:50.659
 to see here

00:14:50.659 --> 00:14:51.680
 is Nebuchadnezzar

00:14:51.680 --> 00:14:53.100
 is trying to be like God.

00:14:53.620 --> 00:14:54.680
 He's trying to set himself

00:14:54.680 --> 00:14:55.600
 up on the throne

00:14:55.600 --> 00:14:56.560
 of the world.

00:14:56.639 --> 00:14:57.500
 He is the one

00:14:57.500 --> 00:14:57.960
 on the throne

00:14:57.960 --> 00:14:58.720
 of the superpower

00:14:58.720 --> 00:14:59.200
 of the world

00:14:59.200 --> 00:15:00.060
 and he's trying to say,

00:15:00.620 --> 00:15:01.659
 I am God.

00:15:01.659 --> 00:15:04.000
 And of course

00:15:04.000 --> 00:15:05.199
 that means

00:15:05.199 --> 00:15:06.259
 that not long,

00:15:06.360 --> 00:15:06.899
 it's not long

00:15:06.899 --> 00:15:08.199
 before these three

00:15:08.199 --> 00:15:09.939
 Jewish God-fearing men,

00:15:10.339 --> 00:15:11.159
 Shadrach, Meshach

00:15:11.159 --> 00:15:11.659
 and Abednego

00:15:11.659 --> 00:15:12.399
 are going to get

00:15:12.399 --> 00:15:12.899
 into trouble

00:15:12.899 --> 00:15:14.199
 because they do not

00:15:14.199 --> 00:15:14.860
 bow down to

00:15:14.860 --> 00:15:16.480
 Nebuchadnezzar's God.

00:15:16.639 --> 00:15:18.399
 And so some Babylonians

00:15:18.399 --> 00:15:19.179
 take some issue

00:15:19.179 --> 00:15:19.600
 with this

00:15:19.600 --> 00:15:20.839
 and they come before

00:15:20.839 --> 00:15:21.559
 Nebuchadnezzar

00:15:21.559 --> 00:15:22.179
 in verse 8

00:15:22.179 --> 00:15:23.199
 and they bring

00:15:23.199 --> 00:15:24.120
 this accusation.

00:15:24.279 --> 00:15:24.980
 And verse 8 says

00:15:24.980 --> 00:15:26.199
 that they maliciously

00:15:26.199 --> 00:15:27.839
 accused Shadrach,

00:15:27.919 --> 00:15:28.860
 Meshach and Abednego.

00:15:29.459 --> 00:15:30.120
 And verse 12

00:15:30.120 --> 00:15:30.939
 we are told that

00:15:30.940 --> 00:15:32.940
 they go to Nebuchadnezzar

00:15:32.940 --> 00:15:33.860
 and they say this,

00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:35.140
 that say these guys

00:15:35.140 --> 00:15:36.060
 that you have brought

00:15:36.060 --> 00:15:36.860
 from Israel,

00:15:37.160 --> 00:15:38.320
 they are a danger

00:15:38.320 --> 00:15:39.100
 to society.

00:15:39.780 --> 00:15:41.000
 They accuse them

00:15:41.000 --> 00:15:42.040
 of intolerance

00:15:42.040 --> 00:15:43.060
 and bigotry,

00:15:43.220 --> 00:15:43.940
 of undermining

00:15:43.940 --> 00:15:44.720
 the social good.

00:15:45.140 --> 00:15:46.240
 They say these guys

00:15:46.240 --> 00:15:47.060
 are a danger

00:15:47.060 --> 00:15:48.220
 to your kingship.

00:15:48.660 --> 00:15:49.240
 They're a danger

00:15:49.240 --> 00:15:50.500
 to our society.

00:15:50.820 --> 00:15:51.680
 They are espousing

00:15:51.680 --> 00:15:52.460
 views that we

00:15:52.460 --> 00:15:53.220
 don't agree with

00:15:53.220 --> 00:15:54.300
 and they bring

00:15:54.300 --> 00:15:55.260
 this accusation

00:15:55.260 --> 00:15:56.620
 against God's people.

00:15:57.540 --> 00:15:58.560
 And so look at

00:15:58.560 --> 00:15:59.080
 what happens

00:15:59.080 --> 00:16:00.280
 in verse 13.

00:16:00.940 --> 00:16:02.140
 Verse 13 says,

00:16:02.400 --> 00:16:03.180
 Then Nebuchadnezzar

00:16:03.180 --> 00:16:05.480
 in a furious rage,

00:16:06.100 --> 00:16:07.060
 he's mad

00:16:07.060 --> 00:16:08.500
 that these men

00:16:08.500 --> 00:16:09.860
 have dared

00:16:09.860 --> 00:16:10.720
 to defy him.

00:16:11.060 --> 00:16:11.860
 He commands

00:16:11.860 --> 00:16:12.620
 that Shadrach,

00:16:12.760 --> 00:16:13.800
 Meshach and Abednego

00:16:13.800 --> 00:16:14.760
 be brought in.

00:16:14.940 --> 00:16:15.440
 And of course

00:16:15.440 --> 00:16:16.100
 this sets up

00:16:16.100 --> 00:16:16.680
 the drama

00:16:16.680 --> 00:16:18.100
 of the passage.

00:16:19.740 --> 00:16:20.580
 One of the things

00:16:20.580 --> 00:16:21.520
 we may need to see here

00:16:21.520 --> 00:16:23.440
 is that favor

00:16:23.440 --> 00:16:24.300
 in Babylon

00:16:24.300 --> 00:16:26.120
 is always short-lived.

00:16:26.740 --> 00:16:28.020
 And you are not meant

00:16:28.020 --> 00:16:29.080
 to build your life on it

00:16:29.080 --> 00:16:30.400
 or bank your life on it.

00:16:31.040 --> 00:16:32.080
 When we get favor

00:16:32.080 --> 00:16:32.960
 with society,

00:16:33.040 --> 00:16:33.960
 that's not a bad thing.

00:16:34.040 --> 00:16:35.300
 We can thank God for it.

00:16:35.360 --> 00:16:35.580
 Remember,

00:16:35.759 --> 00:16:37.480
 Jesus grew in favor

00:16:37.480 --> 00:16:38.259
 with man

00:16:38.259 --> 00:16:38.960
 and with God.

00:16:39.400 --> 00:16:40.259
 It's not a bad thing.

00:16:40.320 --> 00:16:41.280
 But favor

00:16:41.280 --> 00:16:42.000
 with the world

00:16:42.000 --> 00:16:42.960
 is always fickle.

00:16:43.120 --> 00:16:44.040
 It's always superficial.

00:16:44.580 --> 00:16:45.420
 And Daniel

00:16:45.420 --> 00:16:46.080
 wants to show us

00:16:46.080 --> 00:16:46.580
 that we shouldn't

00:16:46.580 --> 00:16:47.400
 bank our life

00:16:47.400 --> 00:16:48.360
 on the favor

00:16:48.360 --> 00:16:48.879
 of the things

00:16:48.879 --> 00:16:49.480
 of this world.

00:16:50.320 --> 00:16:51.040
 And so Nebuchadnezzar

00:16:51.040 --> 00:16:52.040
 calls these guys in

00:16:52.040 --> 00:16:52.460
 and he says,

00:16:52.540 --> 00:16:52.720
 Listen,

00:16:52.800 --> 00:16:53.540
 I've got a proposition

00:16:53.540 --> 00:16:54.080
 for you.

00:16:54.080 --> 00:16:55.540
 If you will just

00:16:55.540 --> 00:16:56.820
 bow down to my idol

00:16:56.820 --> 00:16:57.540
 and my image,

00:16:57.900 --> 00:16:59.220
 all will be well and good.

00:16:59.300 --> 00:17:00.000
 We'll just forget

00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:01.660
 this whole unfortunate affair

00:17:01.660 --> 00:17:02.940
 and let's just go on

00:17:02.940 --> 00:17:03.420
 with life

00:17:03.420 --> 00:17:04.579
 as it is.

00:17:05.360 --> 00:17:06.480
 But if not,

00:17:07.299 --> 00:17:08.519
 the fiery furnace

00:17:08.519 --> 00:17:09.640
 awaits you.

00:17:12.440 --> 00:17:12.920
 Friends,

00:17:13.000 --> 00:17:13.539
 for those of us

00:17:13.539 --> 00:17:14.539
 that are followers

00:17:14.539 --> 00:17:15.000
 of Jesus

00:17:15.000 --> 00:17:16.079
 or maybe you're looking

00:17:16.079 --> 00:17:16.940
 into the claims

00:17:16.940 --> 00:17:17.680
 of Christianity,

00:17:17.880 --> 00:17:18.720
 maybe you're still

00:17:18.720 --> 00:17:19.840
 on a spiritual journey

00:17:19.840 --> 00:17:20.660
 towards faith,

00:17:20.660 --> 00:17:23.279
 we need to reckon

00:17:23.279 --> 00:17:24.680
 with the biblical teaching

00:17:24.680 --> 00:17:26.240
 that those of us

00:17:26.240 --> 00:17:26.740
 that are followers

00:17:26.740 --> 00:17:27.259
 of Jesus,

00:17:27.700 --> 00:17:28.240
 those of us

00:17:28.240 --> 00:17:28.900
 that are Christians,

00:17:29.920 --> 00:17:32.240
 Christ is supreme

00:17:32.240 --> 00:17:32.960
 in the heart

00:17:32.960 --> 00:17:33.820
 of followers of Jesus.

00:17:34.840 --> 00:17:36.540
 And part of what it means

00:17:36.540 --> 00:17:37.380
 to be a follower of Jesus

00:17:37.380 --> 00:17:39.200
 is that we don't join in

00:17:39.200 --> 00:17:40.279
 with the worship

00:17:40.279 --> 00:17:42.060
 that our world espouses.

00:17:43.580 --> 00:17:44.460
 That doesn't mean

00:17:44.460 --> 00:17:45.600
 that we don't love our city,

00:17:45.720 --> 00:17:47.000
 we don't serve our city.

00:17:47.600 --> 00:17:47.900
 Remember,

00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:49.000
 one of the points of Daniel

00:17:49.000 --> 00:17:49.900
 is that God calls

00:17:49.900 --> 00:17:50.620
 God's people

00:17:50.619 --> 00:17:51.419
 into Babylon

00:17:51.419 --> 00:17:52.599
 to put down their roots,

00:17:52.719 --> 00:17:54.259
 to love and serve the city.

00:17:54.759 --> 00:17:55.819
 So we should not be

00:17:55.819 --> 00:17:56.719
 those that withdraw

00:17:56.719 --> 00:17:57.579
 from Hong Kong

00:17:57.579 --> 00:17:58.719
 and are antagonistic

00:17:58.719 --> 00:17:59.799
 or always blaming

00:17:59.799 --> 00:18:00.519
 or accusing

00:18:00.519 --> 00:18:01.739
 or telling the government

00:18:01.739 --> 00:18:02.539
 how bad they are.

00:18:02.899 --> 00:18:03.119
 No, no,

00:18:03.139 --> 00:18:03.739
 we have to love

00:18:03.739 --> 00:18:04.679
 and serve our city.

00:18:05.439 --> 00:18:06.639
 But as followers of Jesus,

00:18:07.299 --> 00:18:08.899
 because Christ is first

00:18:08.899 --> 00:18:10.239
 and supreme in our hearts,

00:18:10.639 --> 00:18:12.439
 that means we won't worship

00:18:12.439 --> 00:18:13.000
 the things

00:18:13.000 --> 00:18:14.339
 that our city worships.

00:18:14.799 --> 00:18:15.819
 We won't join in

00:18:15.819 --> 00:18:17.719
 the worship of our city.

00:18:18.259 --> 00:18:19.119
 As Christians,

00:18:19.279 --> 00:18:19.679
 one of the ways

00:18:19.680 --> 00:18:20.779
 that we seek

00:18:20.779 --> 00:18:21.680
 the good of the city

00:18:21.680 --> 00:18:23.680
 is by not necessarily

00:18:23.680 --> 00:18:24.840
 seeking its favor

00:18:24.840 --> 00:18:26.000
 and its praise,

00:18:26.640 --> 00:18:27.960
 but by not joining

00:18:27.960 --> 00:18:28.960
 in the worship

00:18:28.960 --> 00:18:29.640
 of our city,

00:18:30.060 --> 00:18:31.360
 but by courageously

00:18:31.360 --> 00:18:32.000
 and faithfully

00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:33.080
 living for God

00:18:33.080 --> 00:18:33.840
 even in the midst

00:18:33.840 --> 00:18:34.400
 of the city.

00:18:35.259 --> 00:18:36.180
 And so one of the ways

00:18:36.180 --> 00:18:37.480
 that we actually serve

00:18:37.480 --> 00:18:38.400
 and seek the welfare

00:18:38.400 --> 00:18:39.060
 of our city

00:18:39.060 --> 00:18:41.740
 is not to blend in

00:18:41.740 --> 00:18:42.240
 with our city

00:18:42.240 --> 00:18:43.380
 and just go with the flow,

00:18:43.779 --> 00:18:45.440
 but to love our city

00:18:45.440 --> 00:18:46.380
 by being faithful

00:18:46.380 --> 00:18:47.820
 and standing firm

00:18:47.820 --> 00:18:48.260
 for him

00:18:48.260 --> 00:18:50.000
 as we serve our city

00:18:50.000 --> 00:18:51.260
 and seek its welfare.

00:18:52.100 --> 00:18:53.180
 And that necessarily

00:18:53.180 --> 00:18:54.340
 means that at times

00:18:54.340 --> 00:18:55.280
 followers of Jesus

00:18:55.280 --> 00:18:56.160
 will be misunderstood.

00:18:56.620 --> 00:18:57.700
 At times we'll be

00:18:57.700 --> 00:18:58.640
 accused of things.

00:18:59.540 --> 00:19:00.660
 There's this amazing verse

00:19:00.660 --> 00:19:02.660
 in 2 Timothy chapter 3.

00:19:03.140 --> 00:19:03.700
 This is a verse

00:19:03.700 --> 00:19:04.840
 that's worth memorizing

00:19:04.840 --> 00:19:06.380
 where Paul writes

00:19:06.380 --> 00:19:07.440
 to this young pastor

00:19:07.440 --> 00:19:08.340
 Timothy and he says,

00:19:08.339 --> 00:19:09.859
 all who desire

00:19:09.859 --> 00:19:11.299
 to live a godly life

00:19:11.299 --> 00:19:12.039
 in Christ

00:19:12.039 --> 00:19:13.480
 will be persecuted.

00:19:14.879 --> 00:19:15.720
 And that means

00:19:15.720 --> 00:19:16.939
 you just need to reckon

00:19:16.939 --> 00:19:17.539
 with the fact

00:19:17.539 --> 00:19:18.099
 that if you're going

00:19:18.099 --> 00:19:19.319
 to be faithful to Jesus

00:19:19.319 --> 00:19:20.279
 you will not always

00:19:20.279 --> 00:19:20.959
 be understood

00:19:20.959 --> 00:19:21.980
 or praised

00:19:21.980 --> 00:19:23.259
 or admired.

00:19:25.199 --> 00:19:26.699
 James chapter 4 says,

00:19:27.299 --> 00:19:27.859
 don't you know

00:19:27.859 --> 00:19:28.419
 that friendship

00:19:28.419 --> 00:19:29.039
 with the world

00:19:29.039 --> 00:19:30.659
 means enmity with God?

00:19:31.539 --> 00:19:32.439
 And James is not saying

00:19:32.439 --> 00:19:32.980
 that as Christians

00:19:32.980 --> 00:19:33.519
 we should always

00:19:33.519 --> 00:19:34.459
 pick a fight

00:19:34.459 --> 00:19:35.039
 with our world

00:19:35.039 --> 00:19:35.599
 and always try

00:19:35.599 --> 00:19:36.220
 and accuse it

00:19:36.220 --> 00:19:37.240
 of all sorts of things.

00:19:37.240 --> 00:19:38.559
 but he's saying

00:19:38.559 --> 00:19:39.519
 that you can't

00:19:39.519 --> 00:19:40.680
 serve the idols

00:19:40.680 --> 00:19:41.200
 of our city

00:19:41.200 --> 00:19:42.500
 and try and serve Jesus.

00:19:43.140 --> 00:19:44.519
 You can't love money

00:19:44.519 --> 00:19:45.859
 and love God.

00:19:46.339 --> 00:19:48.200
 You can't give yourself

00:19:48.200 --> 00:19:49.400
 to the sexual ethic

00:19:49.400 --> 00:19:50.200
 of our world

00:19:50.200 --> 00:19:51.160
 and give yourself

00:19:51.160 --> 00:19:51.680
 to Jesus.

00:19:51.799 --> 00:19:52.559
 Those two things

00:19:52.559 --> 00:19:53.620
 are incompatible.

00:19:54.480 --> 00:19:55.480
 But that's what

00:19:55.480 --> 00:19:56.519
 Nebuchadnezzar wants,

00:19:56.620 --> 00:19:56.839
 right?

00:19:57.599 --> 00:19:58.460
 Nebuchadnezzar nowhere

00:19:58.460 --> 00:19:59.539
 says to the Jews,

00:19:59.940 --> 00:20:00.160
 listen,

00:20:00.380 --> 00:20:01.740
 stop worshipping Yahweh,

00:20:01.900 --> 00:20:03.059
 you've got to worship me alone.

00:20:03.759 --> 00:20:04.859
 He nowhere tells them

00:20:04.859 --> 00:20:06.200
 that they can't be Jews.

00:20:06.319 --> 00:20:06.579
 He says,

00:20:06.620 --> 00:20:06.700
 no,

00:20:06.700 --> 00:20:08.059
 you can continue worshipping.

00:20:08.420 --> 00:20:09.240
 You can continue

00:20:09.240 --> 00:20:10.000
 praying to Yahweh.

00:20:10.059 --> 00:20:10.539
 That's fine.

00:20:10.819 --> 00:20:12.039
 Just as long as you

00:20:12.039 --> 00:20:13.240
 bow down to my statue

00:20:13.240 --> 00:20:13.860
 as well.

00:20:15.539 --> 00:20:16.600
 And if you think about it,

00:20:16.660 --> 00:20:18.120
 I wonder just how easy

00:20:18.120 --> 00:20:18.799
 it might have been

00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:20.200
 for these followers

00:20:20.200 --> 00:20:20.980
 of God's people

00:20:20.980 --> 00:20:22.960
 to justify it themselves.

00:20:23.920 --> 00:20:24.480
 They could have said

00:20:24.480 --> 00:20:24.980
 things like,

00:20:25.360 --> 00:20:25.700
 well, you know,

00:20:25.759 --> 00:20:26.400
 God has put us

00:20:26.400 --> 00:20:28.319
 in positions of influence.

00:20:28.440 --> 00:20:29.319
 Who else is going

00:20:29.319 --> 00:20:30.480
 to witness to Nebuchadnezzar

00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:31.799
 if we die in the furnace?

00:20:32.480 --> 00:20:32.720
 I mean,

00:20:32.720 --> 00:20:33.580
 God has put us here

00:20:33.580 --> 00:20:34.180
 for a reason.

00:20:35.059 --> 00:20:35.600
 They could have said,

00:20:35.599 --> 00:20:36.039
 listen,

00:20:36.139 --> 00:20:37.559
 if we don't bow down,

00:20:38.279 --> 00:20:39.319
 we're going to offend

00:20:39.319 --> 00:20:40.019
 the Babylonians

00:20:40.019 --> 00:20:40.899
 and then who's going

00:20:40.899 --> 00:20:41.399
 to tell them

00:20:41.399 --> 00:20:42.039
 about Yahweh?

00:20:42.459 --> 00:20:42.679
 I mean,

00:20:42.699 --> 00:20:42.859
 actually,

00:20:42.939 --> 00:20:43.899
 for the sake of witness,

00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:45.219
 we better just bow down

00:20:45.219 --> 00:20:46.240
 and not offend them.

00:20:47.659 --> 00:20:48.459
 If it was me,

00:20:48.500 --> 00:20:49.119
 I think I probably

00:20:49.119 --> 00:20:49.579
 would have said

00:20:49.579 --> 00:20:50.279
 something like,

00:20:50.740 --> 00:20:51.740
 I'll bow down

00:20:51.740 --> 00:20:52.699
 with my body,

00:20:52.899 --> 00:20:53.859
 but in my heart,

00:20:53.939 --> 00:20:55.399
 I'll really be standing up,

00:20:55.439 --> 00:20:55.779
 right?

00:20:57.719 --> 00:20:57.980
 No,

00:20:58.059 --> 00:20:58.359
 friends,

00:20:58.359 --> 00:21:00.319
 what these men do

00:21:00.319 --> 00:21:01.799
 is they somehow

00:21:01.799 --> 00:21:04.159
 find the courage

00:21:04.159 --> 00:21:05.039
 and the conviction

00:21:05.039 --> 00:21:07.799
 to go against the flow

00:21:07.799 --> 00:21:09.599
 and that means

00:21:09.599 --> 00:21:10.299
 that they are called

00:21:10.299 --> 00:21:11.279
 to face the fire.

00:21:12.339 --> 00:21:12.939
 And so once again,

00:21:13.000 --> 00:21:14.019
 we're faced with this question,

00:21:14.139 --> 00:21:15.319
 where do we find the courage?

00:21:15.399 --> 00:21:16.000
 Where do we find

00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:16.599
 the conviction

00:21:16.599 --> 00:21:18.359
 to become the men

00:21:18.359 --> 00:21:19.359
 and the women of God

00:21:19.359 --> 00:21:21.139
 that will not look

00:21:21.139 --> 00:21:21.740
 for a fight,

00:21:21.799 --> 00:21:23.139
 but stand in the face

00:21:23.139 --> 00:21:24.519
 of the fire?

00:21:24.519 --> 00:21:25.039
 Well,

00:21:25.779 --> 00:21:26.680
 look briefly

00:21:26.680 --> 00:21:28.900
 at the very last few verses

00:21:28.900 --> 00:21:30.160
 of Daniel chapter 3.

00:21:30.220 --> 00:21:31.839
 Look at verse 28 with me.

00:21:32.579 --> 00:21:33.339
 This is after

00:21:33.339 --> 00:21:33.839
 they've kind of

00:21:33.839 --> 00:21:34.740
 come through the fire

00:21:34.740 --> 00:21:35.440
 and Nebuchadnezzar

00:21:35.440 --> 00:21:36.639
 says this amazing thing.

00:21:37.160 --> 00:21:37.500
 He says,

00:21:37.839 --> 00:21:39.160
 Blessed be the God

00:21:39.160 --> 00:21:40.240
 of Shadrach, Meshach,

00:21:40.299 --> 00:21:40.859
 and Abednego,

00:21:41.420 --> 00:21:43.059
 for they trusted in Him.

00:21:43.160 --> 00:21:44.139
 That's the key word.

00:21:44.700 --> 00:21:46.920
 They trusted in Him

00:21:46.920 --> 00:21:47.839
 and set aside

00:21:47.839 --> 00:21:48.559
 the king's command.

00:21:48.660 --> 00:21:49.160
 It's amazing

00:21:49.160 --> 00:21:50.519
 that they are commended

00:21:50.519 --> 00:21:51.839
 by the king

00:21:51.839 --> 00:21:53.160
 for defying the king.

00:21:53.259 --> 00:21:54.500
 That's quite an amazing thing.

00:21:55.259 --> 00:21:56.339
 Yielding up their bodies

00:21:56.339 --> 00:21:57.519
 rather than serving

00:21:57.519 --> 00:21:58.960
 and worshipping my God.

00:21:59.879 --> 00:22:00.819
 One of the things

00:22:00.819 --> 00:22:01.339
 that I think

00:22:01.339 --> 00:22:02.460
 we're meant to see here

00:22:02.460 --> 00:22:03.980
 is that courage

00:22:03.980 --> 00:22:05.079
 and conviction

00:22:05.079 --> 00:22:06.480
 to face the fire

00:22:06.480 --> 00:22:08.079
 is not a matter

00:22:08.079 --> 00:22:09.400
 of personality

00:22:09.400 --> 00:22:11.480
 and it's not a matter

00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:13.299
 of natural bravery

00:22:13.299 --> 00:22:16.420
 but rather it's courage

00:22:16.420 --> 00:22:17.980
 that's born out of trust.

00:22:19.000 --> 00:22:20.259
 Notice that we know

00:22:20.259 --> 00:22:20.839
 very little

00:22:20.839 --> 00:22:21.740
 about these three men.

00:22:21.879 --> 00:22:22.660
 We know nothing

00:22:22.660 --> 00:22:23.619
 about their personality.

00:22:24.359 --> 00:22:25.299
 Were they introverts

00:22:25.299 --> 00:22:26.399
 or were they extroverts?

00:22:27.059 --> 00:22:28.139
 Were they go-getter

00:22:28.139 --> 00:22:29.159
 A-type leaders

00:22:29.159 --> 00:22:30.699
 or were they quiet followers?

00:22:31.599 --> 00:22:32.379
 In the book of Daniel

00:22:32.379 --> 00:22:33.259
 it seems that Daniel

00:22:33.259 --> 00:22:34.759
 really is the kind of

00:22:34.759 --> 00:22:35.399
 main character

00:22:35.399 --> 00:22:36.059
 and these guys are,

00:22:36.219 --> 00:22:37.479
 they follow his lead.

00:22:37.939 --> 00:22:38.939
 But we don't actually know

00:22:38.939 --> 00:22:39.699
 anything about

00:22:39.699 --> 00:22:41.099
 their personalities at all.

00:22:42.039 --> 00:22:42.839
 And I think what God

00:22:42.839 --> 00:22:43.779
 wants to show us here

00:22:43.779 --> 00:22:44.679
 is that courage

00:22:44.679 --> 00:22:45.219
 and conviction

00:22:45.219 --> 00:22:46.199
 is not a matter of

00:22:46.199 --> 00:22:47.000
 personality,

00:22:47.359 --> 00:22:47.739
 type,

00:22:47.740 --> 00:22:48.660
 or your upbringing.

00:22:49.319 --> 00:22:50.759
 It's born out of

00:22:50.759 --> 00:22:52.019
 a quiet confidence,

00:22:52.259 --> 00:22:54.680
 a trust in who God is

00:22:54.680 --> 00:22:57.259
 and what he's done for us.

00:23:00.559 --> 00:23:02.200
 Some of us may feel like

00:23:02.200 --> 00:23:03.299
 I'm never going to be

00:23:03.299 --> 00:23:04.420
 a bold leader,

00:23:05.000 --> 00:23:07.059
 someone who stirs things up

00:23:07.059 --> 00:23:08.500
 and makes a change in society.

00:23:08.620 --> 00:23:09.240
 That's okay.

00:23:10.180 --> 00:23:11.319
 But if you can find

00:23:11.319 --> 00:23:12.319
 the quiet confidence

00:23:12.319 --> 00:23:13.400
 that comes from knowing

00:23:13.400 --> 00:23:14.200
 who God is,

00:23:14.200 --> 00:23:15.279
 God can use you.

00:23:16.000 --> 00:23:17.480
 And you may face the fire

00:23:17.480 --> 00:23:18.960
 but God will give you

00:23:18.960 --> 00:23:20.240
 the courage to stand firm.

00:23:21.259 --> 00:23:22.559
 And so let's look at

00:23:22.559 --> 00:23:24.460
 verses 15 to 18.

00:23:24.559 --> 00:23:25.480
 We're going to focus on that

00:23:25.480 --> 00:23:25.940
 for a little bit.

00:23:25.960 --> 00:23:26.460
 We're going to find

00:23:26.460 --> 00:23:27.080
 three things,

00:23:27.120 --> 00:23:28.039
 of course three things.

00:23:28.640 --> 00:23:29.160
 You're only allowed

00:23:29.160 --> 00:23:30.180
 three points in a sermon.

00:23:30.299 --> 00:23:31.100
 And so three things

00:23:31.100 --> 00:23:33.080
 that these guys found

00:23:33.080 --> 00:23:34.400
 that gave them the courage

00:23:34.400 --> 00:23:35.519
 and the conviction to stand.

00:23:36.180 --> 00:23:37.259
 And so the first one is this,

00:23:37.319 --> 00:23:38.460
 they somehow knew

00:23:38.460 --> 00:23:39.940
 the power of God.

00:23:40.279 --> 00:23:43.059
 Look at verse 15 with me.

00:23:43.059 --> 00:23:44.859
 Nebuchadnezzar brings

00:23:44.859 --> 00:23:45.740
 these guys in

00:23:45.740 --> 00:23:47.659
 and he once again

00:23:47.659 --> 00:23:48.319
 tells them about

00:23:48.319 --> 00:23:49.500
 all the musical instruments

00:23:49.500 --> 00:23:50.819
 and he says,

00:23:51.139 --> 00:23:52.159
 if you will fall down

00:23:52.159 --> 00:23:53.220
 and worship the image

00:23:53.220 --> 00:23:53.879
 that I've made,

00:23:54.000 --> 00:23:54.579
 well and good.

00:23:54.799 --> 00:23:56.220
 We'll just put this

00:23:56.220 --> 00:23:59.859
 inconvenient situation

00:23:59.859 --> 00:24:00.359
 behind us.

00:24:00.379 --> 00:24:01.179
 We'll just pretend

00:24:01.179 --> 00:24:01.839
 it didn't happen.

00:24:02.639 --> 00:24:03.940
 But if you do not worship,

00:24:04.119 --> 00:24:04.899
 you shall immediately

00:24:04.899 --> 00:24:06.339
 be cast into a burning,

00:24:06.619 --> 00:24:07.279
 fiery furnace.

00:24:07.899 --> 00:24:09.279
 And who is the God

00:24:09.279 --> 00:24:10.319
 that will deliver you

00:24:10.319 --> 00:24:11.700
 out of my hands?

00:24:13.059 --> 00:24:13.899
 What Nebuchadnezzar

00:24:13.899 --> 00:24:15.139
 is really saying

00:24:15.139 --> 00:24:17.000
 is who is powerful enough

00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:19.159
 for you to deliver you

00:24:19.159 --> 00:24:20.879
 from my great power,

00:24:21.019 --> 00:24:21.720
 my authority?

00:24:23.179 --> 00:24:24.159
 And these three men

00:24:24.159 --> 00:24:25.700
 very simply just say,

00:24:25.859 --> 00:24:26.700
 well God is.

00:24:27.519 --> 00:24:28.440
 They answer him

00:24:28.440 --> 00:24:29.799
 very matter-of-factly.

00:24:30.159 --> 00:24:31.259
 Look at what they say

00:24:31.259 --> 00:24:32.019
 in verse 16.

00:24:32.519 --> 00:24:33.339
 Oh Nebuchadnezzar,

00:24:33.519 --> 00:24:34.480
 we have no need

00:24:34.480 --> 00:24:35.319
 to answer you

00:24:35.319 --> 00:24:36.059
 in this matter.

00:24:36.559 --> 00:24:37.460
 And what that means

00:24:37.460 --> 00:24:38.000
 really is

00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:38.859
 there's no discussion.

00:24:39.500 --> 00:24:40.319
 We don't even need

00:24:40.319 --> 00:24:41.119
 to debate it.

00:24:41.700 --> 00:24:42.539
 The simple matter

00:24:42.539 --> 00:24:43.139
 of the fact is

00:24:43.139 --> 00:24:44.539
 God is able to deliver us.

00:24:44.619 --> 00:24:45.460
 God is strong enough.

00:24:45.980 --> 00:24:47.339
 We know that you are powerful.

00:24:47.799 --> 00:24:49.079
 We know that in a human sense

00:24:49.079 --> 00:24:50.619
 you are the most powerful man

00:24:50.619 --> 00:24:51.539
 in the whole world.

00:24:52.000 --> 00:24:52.679
 We know that you have

00:24:52.679 --> 00:24:53.960
 supreme authority.

00:24:54.700 --> 00:24:55.879
 But you are not

00:24:55.879 --> 00:24:57.119
 the supreme authority

00:24:57.119 --> 00:24:58.339
 in the entire world.

00:24:58.480 --> 00:24:59.059
 God is.

00:24:59.720 --> 00:25:00.960
 And what these men know

00:25:00.960 --> 00:25:01.779
 is that though

00:25:01.779 --> 00:25:02.480
 Nebuchadnezzar

00:25:02.480 --> 00:25:04.179
 is supremely powerful

00:25:04.179 --> 00:25:05.899
 in one sense,

00:25:06.220 --> 00:25:07.539
 even his power

00:25:07.539 --> 00:25:08.299
 and his authority

00:25:08.299 --> 00:25:09.319
 has been granted

00:25:09.319 --> 00:25:10.099
 by him,

00:25:10.359 --> 00:25:11.299
 by God,

00:25:11.379 --> 00:25:12.000
 the one true

00:25:12.000 --> 00:25:14.240
 and supreme authority one.

00:25:14.879 --> 00:25:16.139
 What these men know

00:25:16.139 --> 00:25:18.139
 is that Nebuchadnezzar

00:25:18.139 --> 00:25:19.039
 is only there

00:25:19.039 --> 00:25:19.940
 because God

00:25:19.940 --> 00:25:21.000
 has put him on the throne.

00:25:21.639 --> 00:25:21.980
 Remember,

00:25:22.079 --> 00:25:23.480
 it's God who sets up kings.

00:25:23.599 --> 00:25:25.559
 It's God who sets up kingdoms.

00:25:26.240 --> 00:25:27.740
 It's God who gives life

00:25:27.740 --> 00:25:28.940
 and takes away life.

00:25:29.180 --> 00:25:30.379
 It's God's air

00:25:30.379 --> 00:25:31.319
 that they breathe.

00:25:31.619 --> 00:25:33.000
 It's God who upholds

00:25:33.000 --> 00:25:33.539
 the universe

00:25:33.539 --> 00:25:35.279
 by the word of his power.

00:25:35.879 --> 00:25:37.339
 The God that they serve

00:25:37.339 --> 00:25:38.099
 is the God

00:25:38.099 --> 00:25:38.819
 who has faithfully

00:25:38.819 --> 00:25:40.119
 looked after his people.

00:25:40.259 --> 00:25:41.720
 Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

00:25:41.839 --> 00:25:42.379
 The one who has

00:25:42.379 --> 00:25:43.559
 delivered his people

00:25:43.559 --> 00:25:44.519
 from Egypt

00:25:44.519 --> 00:25:46.199
 and from Pharaoh's grasp.

00:25:46.419 --> 00:25:47.279
 The one who delivered

00:25:47.279 --> 00:25:48.659
 his people through the Red Sea

00:25:48.659 --> 00:25:49.159
 and brought them

00:25:49.159 --> 00:25:49.919
 into Promised Land.

00:25:50.240 --> 00:25:51.339
 The God that they serve

00:25:51.339 --> 00:25:52.099
 is the God that has

00:25:52.099 --> 00:25:52.699
 brought them

00:25:52.699 --> 00:25:53.720
 out of Palestine

00:25:53.720 --> 00:25:54.859
 and into Babylon

00:25:54.859 --> 00:25:55.599
 at this time.

00:25:55.980 --> 00:25:57.019
 And God is supreme

00:25:57.019 --> 00:25:57.839
 and on the throne.

00:25:59.099 --> 00:25:59.819
 And so Nebuchadnezzar

00:25:59.819 --> 00:26:00.359
 looks at them

00:26:00.359 --> 00:26:00.579
 and says,

00:26:00.799 --> 00:26:02.000
 who is able to deliver you?

00:26:02.079 --> 00:26:03.119
 Who is as powerful

00:26:03.119 --> 00:26:03.799
 as I am?

00:26:03.819 --> 00:26:04.839
 And they simply say,

00:26:05.519 --> 00:26:06.339
 well, God is.

00:26:07.339 --> 00:26:08.519
 Well, God is.

00:26:11.220 --> 00:26:11.839
 And so friends,

00:26:11.899 --> 00:26:13.319
 the question for us is,

00:26:13.779 --> 00:26:15.399
 what do we think of God?

00:26:17.939 --> 00:26:19.199
 Maybe more importantly

00:26:19.199 --> 00:26:20.359
 is what do you feel

00:26:20.359 --> 00:26:21.059
 about God?

00:26:22.699 --> 00:26:24.359
 Do you know that God

00:26:24.359 --> 00:26:25.599
 really is the one

00:26:25.599 --> 00:26:26.879
 supreme authority

00:26:26.879 --> 00:26:27.799
 on the throne?

00:26:28.699 --> 00:26:29.299
 Do we know that

00:26:29.299 --> 00:26:30.240
 not just intellectually

00:26:30.240 --> 00:26:30.759
 in our heads

00:26:30.759 --> 00:26:31.659
 but in our hearts?

00:26:31.660 --> 00:26:34.660
 One of the secrets

00:26:34.660 --> 00:26:35.840
 of the Christian life

00:26:35.840 --> 00:26:36.480
 is to be able

00:26:36.480 --> 00:26:38.000
 to bring our theology,

00:26:38.200 --> 00:26:39.500
 what we believe about God,

00:26:39.600 --> 00:26:41.080
 to bear on the reality

00:26:41.080 --> 00:26:42.240
 of our lives

00:26:42.240 --> 00:26:43.560
 so that it actually

00:26:43.560 --> 00:26:44.640
 impacts our lives

00:26:44.640 --> 00:26:45.380
 in the day-to-day

00:26:45.380 --> 00:26:46.480
 reality of life.

00:26:47.160 --> 00:26:47.920
 Carl Johnson

00:26:47.920 --> 00:26:48.920
 points out that

00:26:48.920 --> 00:26:49.700
 one of the things

00:26:49.700 --> 00:26:51.060
 that these men do so well

00:26:51.060 --> 00:26:52.620
 is they compare

00:26:52.620 --> 00:26:53.380
 the thing that's

00:26:53.380 --> 00:26:54.360
 intimidating them,

00:26:54.420 --> 00:26:54.980
 in this case,

00:26:55.100 --> 00:26:55.740
 Nebuchadnezzar,

00:26:56.000 --> 00:26:57.160
 with who God is.

00:26:57.759 --> 00:26:58.600
 And they actually

00:26:58.600 --> 00:26:59.920
 do the mental exercise

00:26:59.920 --> 00:27:00.180
 and say,

00:27:00.240 --> 00:27:00.300
 well,

00:27:00.320 --> 00:27:01.300
 let's compare these two

00:27:01.300 --> 00:27:02.000
 and they come out

00:27:02.000 --> 00:27:02.779
 knowing God

00:27:02.779 --> 00:27:03.700
 is supremely

00:27:03.700 --> 00:27:04.779
 authoritative.

00:27:05.700 --> 00:27:06.240
 It's one thing

00:27:06.240 --> 00:27:07.180
 to know theoretically

00:27:07.180 --> 00:27:08.240
 that God is powerful,

00:27:08.380 --> 00:27:09.140
 that God created

00:27:09.140 --> 00:27:09.720
 the universe,

00:27:10.080 --> 00:27:11.400
 but courage and conviction

00:27:11.400 --> 00:27:12.320
 are not just born

00:27:12.320 --> 00:27:13.220
 out of what we know

00:27:13.220 --> 00:27:13.920
 theoretically

00:27:13.920 --> 00:27:15.120
 or theologically,

00:27:15.420 --> 00:27:16.420
 it's actually what we

00:27:16.420 --> 00:27:17.900
 believe deep in our hearts.

00:27:18.620 --> 00:27:19.340
 And so the secret

00:27:19.340 --> 00:27:20.100
 of the Christian life

00:27:20.100 --> 00:27:21.259
 is to bring that

00:27:21.259 --> 00:27:22.779
 to bear on our life.

00:27:24.019 --> 00:27:24.440
 And so friends,

00:27:24.500 --> 00:27:25.259
 maybe we can ask you

00:27:25.259 --> 00:27:25.800
 this morning,

00:27:25.920 --> 00:27:27.080
 what is it that you

00:27:27.080 --> 00:27:28.140
 find intimidating

00:27:28.140 --> 00:27:29.759
 or scary?

00:27:30.620 --> 00:27:31.500
 What person,

00:27:31.640 --> 00:27:32.539
 what circumstance,

00:27:33.180 --> 00:27:34.160
 what scenario

00:27:34.160 --> 00:27:35.120
 that you play out

00:27:35.120 --> 00:27:35.700
 in your mind,

00:27:35.779 --> 00:27:36.759
 what institution

00:27:36.759 --> 00:27:38.360
 intimidates you,

00:27:38.420 --> 00:27:39.440
 makes you feel afraid?

00:27:41.400 --> 00:27:41.759
 Friends,

00:27:41.840 --> 00:27:42.600
 God wants you to know

00:27:42.600 --> 00:27:43.420
 that those things

00:27:43.420 --> 00:27:44.200
 may be powerful,

00:27:44.360 --> 00:27:45.140
 but that your life

00:27:45.140 --> 00:27:46.140
 is not in their hands.

00:27:46.800 --> 00:27:47.700
 Your life is in the hands

00:27:47.700 --> 00:27:48.580
 of the sovereign God.

00:27:48.700 --> 00:27:49.519
 And so these men,

00:27:49.640 --> 00:27:50.800
 they know the power of God.

00:27:51.100 --> 00:27:52.019
 The second thing they know

00:27:52.019 --> 00:27:53.539
 is the sovereign wisdom

00:27:53.539 --> 00:27:54.039
 of God.

00:27:54.180 --> 00:27:54.320
 Now,

00:27:54.640 --> 00:27:56.660
 this is quite amazing.

00:27:56.759 --> 00:27:57.820
 Look at verse 18

00:27:57.820 --> 00:27:58.480
 with me.

00:27:58.480 --> 00:28:00.380
 Shadrach,

00:28:00.480 --> 00:28:00.860
 Meshach,

00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:01.579
 and Abednego

00:28:01.579 --> 00:28:02.519
 obviously have this

00:28:02.519 --> 00:28:03.360
 incredible trust

00:28:03.360 --> 00:28:04.779
 in God's power

00:28:04.779 --> 00:28:06.299
 for when Nebuchadnezzar

00:28:06.299 --> 00:28:06.579
 says,

00:28:06.740 --> 00:28:07.920
 who is powerful enough

00:28:07.920 --> 00:28:08.579
 to deliver you

00:28:08.579 --> 00:28:09.220
 out of my hands?

00:28:09.299 --> 00:28:09.660
 They say,

00:28:09.740 --> 00:28:09.980
 well,

00:28:10.079 --> 00:28:10.660
 God is.

00:28:11.299 --> 00:28:12.019
 And so look at how

00:28:12.019 --> 00:28:13.519
 they say it in verse 18.

00:28:13.740 --> 00:28:14.059
 They say,

00:28:14.059 --> 00:28:16.019
 our God whom we serve

00:28:16.019 --> 00:28:18.000
 is able to deliver us

00:28:18.000 --> 00:28:18.919
 from your hands.

00:28:19.940 --> 00:28:20.279
 Sorry,

00:28:20.379 --> 00:28:21.319
 from the fiery furnace.

00:28:21.480 --> 00:28:22.740
 And he will deliver us

00:28:22.740 --> 00:28:23.559
 out of your hands,

00:28:23.659 --> 00:28:24.099
 O king.

00:28:24.720 --> 00:28:26.240
 But then look at verse 18.

00:28:27.059 --> 00:28:28.440
 But if not,

00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:30.500
 be it known to you,

00:28:30.659 --> 00:28:31.559
 O Nebuchadnezzar,

00:28:31.899 --> 00:28:33.720
 we will not serve your gods

00:28:33.720 --> 00:28:35.700
 or worship the golden image

00:28:35.700 --> 00:28:37.099
 that you've set up.

00:28:37.619 --> 00:28:39.019
 So look at what they say here.

00:28:39.339 --> 00:28:40.319
 On the one hand,

00:28:40.359 --> 00:28:40.720
 they say,

00:28:40.720 --> 00:28:41.920
 we know that God

00:28:41.920 --> 00:28:43.019
 is able to save us.

00:28:43.360 --> 00:28:44.579
 We know that God

00:28:44.579 --> 00:28:45.680
 will deliver us

00:28:45.680 --> 00:28:46.480
 out of your hands.

00:28:47.400 --> 00:28:48.960
 But even if he doesn't,

00:28:49.460 --> 00:28:50.140
 that's okay.

00:28:50.279 --> 00:28:51.079
 We know that God

00:28:51.079 --> 00:28:52.180
 is still sovereign,

00:28:52.740 --> 00:28:53.460
 in charge,

00:28:53.799 --> 00:28:54.480
 and glorious

00:28:54.480 --> 00:28:55.319
 and on the throne.

00:28:55.860 --> 00:28:56.680
 In other words,

00:28:56.880 --> 00:28:57.799
 what they're saying is,

00:28:58.460 --> 00:29:00.680
 even more than God's power

00:29:00.680 --> 00:29:01.539
 and his ability,

00:29:02.360 --> 00:29:03.220
 even more than that,

00:29:03.299 --> 00:29:04.120
 their confidence

00:29:04.120 --> 00:29:05.860
 is born out of a faith

00:29:05.860 --> 00:29:08.140
 that in God's sovereign wisdom,

00:29:08.319 --> 00:29:09.700
 he knows what he's doing

00:29:09.700 --> 00:29:11.080
 even if the outcome

00:29:11.080 --> 00:29:12.259
 that God does

00:29:12.259 --> 00:29:13.460
 is not what they

00:29:13.460 --> 00:29:14.340
 would have chosen.

00:29:15.000 --> 00:29:15.580
 They're saying,

00:29:15.700 --> 00:29:16.259
 we know God

00:29:16.259 --> 00:29:17.340
 is able to deliver us.

00:29:17.640 --> 00:29:18.160
 We know God

00:29:18.160 --> 00:29:18.860
 will deliver us

00:29:18.860 --> 00:29:19.460
 from your hands.

00:29:19.700 --> 00:29:21.240
 But even if he doesn't,

00:29:21.480 --> 00:29:22.420
 we still know

00:29:22.420 --> 00:29:23.440
 that God is good,

00:29:23.960 --> 00:29:24.880
 that he's faithful,

00:29:25.259 --> 00:29:26.200
 that he's sovereign,

00:29:26.539 --> 00:29:27.480
 that he's on the throne,

00:29:27.720 --> 00:29:29.340
 and that he is trustworthy.

00:29:31.539 --> 00:29:31.980
 Friends,

00:29:32.039 --> 00:29:32.720
 they know that he's good.

00:29:33.380 --> 00:29:34.620
 They know that he's faithful.

00:29:35.259 --> 00:29:36.340
 They know that he's powerful.

00:29:36.339 --> 00:29:38.259
 But what they don't know

00:29:38.259 --> 00:29:39.379
 is how God

00:29:39.379 --> 00:29:40.659
 will choose to act

00:29:40.659 --> 00:29:43.179
 in this particular circumstance.

00:29:43.299 --> 00:29:43.839
 Do you see that?

00:29:44.679 --> 00:29:45.220
 And yet,

00:29:45.299 --> 00:29:46.439
 their faith is steadfast.

00:29:46.899 --> 00:29:47.859
 They do not waver

00:29:47.859 --> 00:29:48.519
 in unbelief.

00:29:49.159 --> 00:29:49.879
 And that means

00:29:49.879 --> 00:29:50.959
 that they're not tying

00:29:50.959 --> 00:29:51.740
 their view

00:29:51.740 --> 00:29:53.000
 to who God is,

00:29:53.399 --> 00:29:54.480
 nor they're tying

00:29:54.480 --> 00:29:55.599
 their faithfulness

00:29:55.599 --> 00:29:56.279
 to God

00:29:56.279 --> 00:29:58.459
 to any particular outcome.

00:29:59.419 --> 00:30:00.039
 Their faith

00:30:00.039 --> 00:30:00.759
 in who God is

00:30:00.759 --> 00:30:01.619
 rests simply

00:30:01.619 --> 00:30:02.679
 in who he is,

00:30:02.980 --> 00:30:03.740
 not in

00:30:03.740 --> 00:30:05.059
 a particular outcome

00:30:05.059 --> 00:30:05.779
 that they do

00:30:05.779 --> 00:30:06.659
 or do not want.

00:30:07.059 --> 00:30:07.819
 And that's really

00:30:07.819 --> 00:30:08.659
 what faith is.

00:30:09.339 --> 00:30:10.779
 Faith means trusting God

00:30:10.779 --> 00:30:11.639
 for being God,

00:30:12.019 --> 00:30:12.779
 not because

00:30:12.779 --> 00:30:14.119
 he will give us

00:30:14.119 --> 00:30:14.519
 an outcome

00:30:14.519 --> 00:30:15.339
 that we particularly

00:30:15.339 --> 00:30:16.319
 want or desire.

00:30:17.480 --> 00:30:18.139
 We actually see

00:30:18.139 --> 00:30:18.740
 the same thing

00:30:18.740 --> 00:30:19.899
 in Acts chapter 12.

00:30:20.000 --> 00:30:20.639
 In Acts chapter 12,

00:30:20.720 --> 00:30:22.919
 this amazing situation.

00:30:23.720 --> 00:30:24.359
 King Herod

00:30:24.359 --> 00:30:25.859
 is persecuting

00:30:25.859 --> 00:30:26.659
 the Christians,

00:30:26.779 --> 00:30:27.379
 because they're

00:30:27.379 --> 00:30:28.019
 causing trouble,

00:30:28.379 --> 00:30:28.859
 they're turning

00:30:28.859 --> 00:30:29.799
 the city upside down.

00:30:30.279 --> 00:30:31.220
 And so two apostles,

00:30:31.500 --> 00:30:32.339
 James and Peter,

00:30:32.500 --> 00:30:33.200
 are arrested

00:30:33.200 --> 00:30:34.159
 and thrown into jail.

00:30:34.160 --> 00:30:35.820
 And James

00:30:35.820 --> 00:30:36.960
 has his head

00:30:36.960 --> 00:30:37.620
 cut off.

00:30:38.200 --> 00:30:39.100
 He's beheaded,

00:30:39.259 --> 00:30:39.460
 right?

00:30:39.560 --> 00:30:40.420
 That's the end.

00:30:41.200 --> 00:30:41.800
 And it says that

00:30:41.800 --> 00:30:42.900
 when Herod saw

00:30:42.900 --> 00:30:43.779
 how the crowds

00:30:43.779 --> 00:30:44.600
 loved this,

00:30:44.800 --> 00:30:45.880
 he decided to do

00:30:45.880 --> 00:30:46.460
 the same thing

00:30:46.460 --> 00:30:46.920
 to Peter.

00:30:47.720 --> 00:30:48.620
 But miraculously,

00:30:48.800 --> 00:30:49.300
 that night,

00:30:49.380 --> 00:30:50.320
 an angel arrives

00:30:50.320 --> 00:30:50.820
 in the prison,

00:30:51.040 --> 00:30:52.300
 opens up the prison doors,

00:30:52.720 --> 00:30:53.620
 sets Peter free,

00:30:53.720 --> 00:30:55.080
 and Peter is a free man.

00:30:55.680 --> 00:30:56.759
 And the chapter

00:30:56.759 --> 00:30:58.040
 ends with Herod

00:30:58.040 --> 00:30:58.680
 dying

00:30:58.680 --> 00:30:59.980
 and Peter living.

00:31:00.500 --> 00:31:00.620
 Okay?

00:31:00.619 --> 00:31:02.119
 So it starts off,

00:31:02.239 --> 00:31:03.039
 James dies,

00:31:03.579 --> 00:31:04.299
 Peter's on the way

00:31:04.299 --> 00:31:04.799
 to dying,

00:31:05.519 --> 00:31:06.299
 Herod dies,

00:31:06.479 --> 00:31:07.139
 and Peter gets

00:31:07.139 --> 00:31:07.619
 set free.

00:31:08.500 --> 00:31:09.059
 You following?

00:31:09.819 --> 00:31:10.919
 Now here's the question.

00:31:11.539 --> 00:31:12.819
 Why does James die

00:31:12.819 --> 00:31:14.099
 and Peter lives?

00:31:15.559 --> 00:31:15.859
 I mean,

00:31:15.899 --> 00:31:16.659
 did James not have

00:31:16.659 --> 00:31:17.319
 enough faith?

00:31:17.959 --> 00:31:19.119
 Did he not pray enough?

00:31:19.500 --> 00:31:21.099
 Was he not courageous enough?

00:31:21.519 --> 00:31:22.939
 Did he not trust God enough?

00:31:23.739 --> 00:31:24.279
 No friends,

00:31:24.319 --> 00:31:25.000
 that's not the answer.

00:31:25.079 --> 00:31:25.859
 The answer is,

00:31:26.279 --> 00:31:28.039
 God in his sovereign wisdom

00:31:28.039 --> 00:31:29.679
 knew what he was doing.

00:31:29.680 --> 00:31:32.580
 And Shadrach,

00:31:32.680 --> 00:31:33.039
 Bishak,

00:31:33.140 --> 00:31:33.600
 and Abednego

00:31:33.600 --> 00:31:34.960
 know the same thing here.

00:31:35.720 --> 00:31:36.980
 They've got a desired outcome.

00:31:37.200 --> 00:31:38.259
 We hope we'll be delivered.

00:31:38.720 --> 00:31:39.680
 We know God is able

00:31:39.680 --> 00:31:40.320
 to deliver us.

00:31:40.700 --> 00:31:41.400
 We know that God

00:31:41.400 --> 00:31:42.140
 will deliver us

00:31:42.140 --> 00:31:42.960
 from your hands,

00:31:43.060 --> 00:31:43.759
 O Nebuchadnezzar.

00:31:43.860 --> 00:31:44.980
 That may happen through

00:31:44.980 --> 00:31:46.980
 saving us from the furnace.

00:31:47.539 --> 00:31:48.600
 It may happen by

00:31:48.600 --> 00:31:49.539
 dying in the furnace

00:31:49.539 --> 00:31:50.500
 and going to glory.

00:31:50.720 --> 00:31:51.779
 God will deliver us

00:31:51.779 --> 00:31:52.440
 from your hands.

00:31:52.940 --> 00:31:54.060
 But what we don't know

00:31:54.060 --> 00:31:55.080
 is how God will act

00:31:55.080 --> 00:31:56.160
 in this circumstance.

00:31:56.840 --> 00:31:58.299
 And yet we'll still trust him.

00:31:58.700 --> 00:31:59.580
 Because we know

00:31:59.579 --> 00:32:00.559
 that he is faithful.

00:32:02.240 --> 00:32:02.679
 Friends,

00:32:02.720 --> 00:32:03.720
 I wonder what you're facing

00:32:03.720 --> 00:32:04.659
 right now.

00:32:06.099 --> 00:32:06.779
 I wonder if you want

00:32:06.779 --> 00:32:07.679
 to just take a moment

00:32:07.679 --> 00:32:08.699
 to think about

00:32:08.699 --> 00:32:10.019
 what is the thing

00:32:10.019 --> 00:32:10.799
 that you're facing.

00:32:13.199 --> 00:32:14.279
 Will you trust him?

00:32:15.279 --> 00:32:15.939
 Will you commit

00:32:15.939 --> 00:32:16.699
 to trusting him

00:32:16.699 --> 00:32:17.639
 no matter the outcome?

00:32:18.480 --> 00:32:19.679
 Not just when things

00:32:19.679 --> 00:32:20.460
 work out the way

00:32:20.460 --> 00:32:21.199
 that we want,

00:32:21.759 --> 00:32:22.679
 but to trust him

00:32:22.679 --> 00:32:23.500
 for who he is.

00:32:23.500 --> 00:32:28.240
 He's faithful.

00:32:29.660 --> 00:32:30.519
 He's sovereign.

00:32:31.400 --> 00:32:32.579
 He's all-powerful.

00:32:33.380 --> 00:32:34.200
 He's loving

00:32:34.200 --> 00:32:34.880
 and he's gracious.

00:32:36.039 --> 00:32:37.059
 We can trust him.

00:32:37.960 --> 00:32:38.839
 We can trust him.

00:32:42.539 --> 00:32:44.680
 These men trust God's power

00:32:44.680 --> 00:32:45.839
 and they trust God's

00:32:45.839 --> 00:32:46.519
 sovereign wisdom.

00:32:47.519 --> 00:32:49.400
 But I want to put to us today

00:32:49.400 --> 00:32:50.900
 that these two things,

00:32:50.900 --> 00:32:52.400
 this knowing in our minds

00:32:52.400 --> 00:32:53.160
 God's power

00:32:53.160 --> 00:32:54.400
 and his sovereignty,

00:32:55.000 --> 00:32:57.080
 is not the main reason

00:32:57.080 --> 00:32:59.860
 why we make compromises

00:32:59.860 --> 00:33:02.740
 and why we struggle

00:33:02.740 --> 00:33:04.360
 for courage and conviction

00:33:04.360 --> 00:33:05.860
 in the face of the fire.

00:33:06.680 --> 00:33:07.860
 I don't know what kind of fire

00:33:07.860 --> 00:33:09.019
 you may be facing.

00:33:09.200 --> 00:33:09.759
 It may be,

00:33:11.540 --> 00:33:13.000
 or what kind of compromises

00:33:13.000 --> 00:33:14.200
 you may be tempted with.

00:33:14.980 --> 00:33:15.540
 For some of us,

00:33:15.600 --> 00:33:17.100
 maybe you're dating someone

00:33:17.099 --> 00:33:18.779
 and they want to pressurize you

00:33:18.779 --> 00:33:20.019
 to move in together

00:33:20.019 --> 00:33:21.519
 or to sleep together

00:33:21.519 --> 00:33:22.759
 before marriage.

00:33:23.519 --> 00:33:24.519
 And your boyfriend

00:33:24.519 --> 00:33:25.139
 or your girlfriend

00:33:25.139 --> 00:33:26.599
 is pressurizing you

00:33:26.599 --> 00:33:26.740
 and saying,

00:33:26.819 --> 00:33:28.059
 oh, if you really loved me,

00:33:28.539 --> 00:33:29.139
 what's going to give you

00:33:29.139 --> 00:33:30.319
 the courage to stand firm?

00:33:31.119 --> 00:33:32.279
 Maybe professionally,

00:33:32.439 --> 00:33:33.319
 your boss

00:33:33.319 --> 00:33:34.879
 is putting pressure on you

00:33:34.879 --> 00:33:36.339
 to make an unethical decision

00:33:36.339 --> 00:33:37.639
 or to compromise somehow.

00:33:38.419 --> 00:33:39.240
 And it seems like

00:33:39.240 --> 00:33:40.519
 if you stand up to your boss,

00:33:40.579 --> 00:33:41.559
 it's the end of your career.

00:33:41.699 --> 00:33:42.500
 What's going to give us,

00:33:42.980 --> 00:33:44.539
 what is the reason

00:33:44.539 --> 00:33:46.420
 why we are tempted

00:33:46.420 --> 00:33:47.319
 to compromise?

00:33:48.379 --> 00:33:49.779
 Many of us will know

00:33:49.779 --> 00:33:51.039
 that God is powerful.

00:33:51.159 --> 00:33:52.119
 We know that God is sovereign.

00:33:52.299 --> 00:33:53.519
 It's not our theology

00:33:53.519 --> 00:33:54.119
 that's the problem.

00:33:54.200 --> 00:33:55.220
 There's something else

00:33:55.220 --> 00:33:56.639
 going on in our lives

00:33:56.639 --> 00:33:58.180
 that leads us

00:33:58.180 --> 00:33:59.359
 to want to compromise

00:33:59.359 --> 00:34:01.500
 in the face of great pressure.

00:34:01.619 --> 00:34:02.779
 When the fire comes

00:34:02.779 --> 00:34:03.399
 and we are faced

00:34:03.399 --> 00:34:04.119
 with the furnace,

00:34:05.079 --> 00:34:06.180
 what is it that really

00:34:06.180 --> 00:34:08.480
 causes us to surrender?

00:34:10.579 --> 00:34:11.920
 Well, as we've heard

00:34:11.920 --> 00:34:12.699
 so many times,

00:34:12.800 --> 00:34:13.380
 our behavior

00:34:13.380 --> 00:34:14.139
 and our decisions

00:34:14.139 --> 00:34:15.440
 are far more shaped

00:34:15.440 --> 00:34:17.199
 by what our hearts love

00:34:17.199 --> 00:34:19.219
 than what our heads know.

00:34:20.239 --> 00:34:21.019
 And that means

00:34:21.019 --> 00:34:21.759
 that the reason

00:34:21.759 --> 00:34:22.819
 for our compromises

00:34:22.819 --> 00:34:23.779
 is not just that

00:34:23.779 --> 00:34:25.319
 we don't know enough theology,

00:34:26.059 --> 00:34:27.039
 it's that our hearts

00:34:27.039 --> 00:34:28.779
 long to feel secure,

00:34:28.980 --> 00:34:29.980
 to feel safe,

00:34:30.219 --> 00:34:31.799
 to feel affirmed,

00:34:32.460 --> 00:34:36.000
 to be praised by others.

00:34:36.819 --> 00:34:37.639
 And so the longing

00:34:37.639 --> 00:34:38.339
 of our hearts

00:34:38.339 --> 00:34:40.400
 actually often leads us

00:34:40.400 --> 00:34:41.059
 to decisions

00:34:41.059 --> 00:34:42.420
 more than the theology

00:34:42.420 --> 00:34:43.199
 of our heads.

00:34:44.139 --> 00:34:45.599
 The real reason

00:34:45.599 --> 00:34:46.519
 why we often fail

00:34:46.519 --> 00:34:47.299
 to do what's right,

00:34:47.400 --> 00:34:48.639
 to stand for what's true,

00:34:48.799 --> 00:34:50.500
 to confront what's wrong,

00:34:50.920 --> 00:34:52.299
 is because actually

00:34:52.299 --> 00:34:54.099
 there's more of Nebuchadnezzar

00:34:54.099 --> 00:34:54.879
 inside of us

00:34:54.879 --> 00:34:55.819
 than we acknowledge

00:34:55.819 --> 00:34:56.819
 or we like to admit.

00:34:58.859 --> 00:34:59.920
 I know that might sound

00:34:59.920 --> 00:35:00.639
 a little intense,

00:35:00.900 --> 00:35:02.059
 but just think about

00:35:02.059 --> 00:35:03.059
 how much money,

00:35:03.279 --> 00:35:04.239
 how much energy,

00:35:04.400 --> 00:35:05.500
 how much time,

00:35:06.019 --> 00:35:07.019
 how much attention

00:35:07.019 --> 00:35:08.019
 do we give,

00:35:08.079 --> 00:35:08.859
 or our city gives,

00:35:08.860 --> 00:35:11.099
 to cultivating our own image,

00:35:11.800 --> 00:35:14.079
 or to seeking the affirmation

00:35:14.079 --> 00:35:15.579
 and the approval of others?

00:35:16.320 --> 00:35:17.820
 How much effort and time

00:35:17.820 --> 00:35:19.099
 goes into cultivating

00:35:19.099 --> 00:35:20.420
 our image on social media,

00:35:20.500 --> 00:35:21.800
 or maybe our professional image,

00:35:21.860 --> 00:35:22.380
 our CV,

00:35:23.079 --> 00:35:24.019
 or our professional,

00:35:24.240 --> 00:35:25.140
 yeah,

00:35:25.240 --> 00:35:26.180
 image in the marketplace?

00:35:27.180 --> 00:35:27.980
 And so in many ways,

00:35:28.019 --> 00:35:28.800
 we actually can try

00:35:28.800 --> 00:35:30.240
 and build up this idol,

00:35:30.360 --> 00:35:30.880
 this image,

00:35:30.980 --> 00:35:32.320
 much like Nebuchadnezzar.

00:35:32.820 --> 00:35:33.440
 Or just,

00:35:33.539 --> 00:35:34.400
 I don't know if you noticed,

00:35:34.559 --> 00:35:35.160
 twice,

00:35:35.280 --> 00:35:35.980
 it talks about how

00:35:35.980 --> 00:35:36.800
 Nebuchadnezzar,

00:35:36.880 --> 00:35:38.700
 in furious rage,

00:35:39.079 --> 00:35:39.740
 is angry

00:35:39.740 --> 00:35:41.340
 because things don't go his way.

00:35:42.500 --> 00:35:42.780
 Friends,

00:35:42.820 --> 00:35:43.500
 do I need to ask

00:35:43.500 --> 00:35:44.340
 how many of us

00:35:44.340 --> 00:35:45.700
 have got angry recently

00:35:45.700 --> 00:35:46.820
 when things have not

00:35:46.820 --> 00:35:47.380
 gone our way?

00:35:47.480 --> 00:35:48.539
 When maybe a junior

00:35:48.539 --> 00:35:49.440
 or subordinate

00:35:49.440 --> 00:35:51.260
 has defied us?

00:35:51.720 --> 00:35:53.079
 Or maybe our children

00:35:53.079 --> 00:35:54.539
 have gone against us?

00:35:55.240 --> 00:35:56.039
 And if I'm honest,

00:35:56.119 --> 00:35:57.420
 there's more of Nebuchadnezzar

00:35:57.420 --> 00:35:58.220
 in my heart

00:35:58.220 --> 00:35:59.660
 than I like to admit.

00:36:00.300 --> 00:36:01.579
 As one pastor put it,

00:36:01.660 --> 00:36:02.360
 it's not just that

00:36:02.360 --> 00:36:03.320
 we live in a culture

00:36:03.320 --> 00:36:04.079
 of idolatry,

00:36:04.079 --> 00:36:04.739
 it's actually that

00:36:04.739 --> 00:36:06.719
 we are idolaters ourselves.

00:36:08.219 --> 00:36:09.279
 And so what that means,

00:36:09.360 --> 00:36:09.699
 really,

00:36:09.860 --> 00:36:10.319
 is that

00:36:10.319 --> 00:36:12.239
 we don't just need

00:36:12.239 --> 00:36:13.440
 to know the power of God

00:36:13.440 --> 00:36:14.759
 and the sovereignty of God

00:36:14.759 --> 00:36:16.539
 and the wisdom of God.

00:36:16.679 --> 00:36:17.079
 Ultimately,

00:36:17.279 --> 00:36:18.059
 we need to know

00:36:18.059 --> 00:36:19.179
 the man of God.

00:36:19.279 --> 00:36:20.099
 The man of God

00:36:20.099 --> 00:36:21.360
 who went into the fire

00:36:21.360 --> 00:36:22.059
 with us

00:36:22.059 --> 00:36:22.920
 and the man of God

00:36:22.920 --> 00:36:23.779
 who went into the fire

00:36:23.779 --> 00:36:25.039
 for us.

00:36:25.119 --> 00:36:26.199
 And so look at the third thing.

00:36:26.960 --> 00:36:27.699
 The power of God,

00:36:27.779 --> 00:36:28.480
 the wisdom of God,

00:36:28.559 --> 00:36:29.340
 the man of God.

00:36:29.420 --> 00:36:30.340
 And so look at what happens

00:36:30.340 --> 00:36:31.299
 in verse 24.

00:36:32.360 --> 00:36:32.759
 Nebuchadnezzar

00:36:32.760 --> 00:36:34.020
 has never experienced

00:36:34.020 --> 00:36:35.220
 such defiance before.

00:36:35.680 --> 00:36:36.820
 He's not used to people

00:36:36.820 --> 00:36:38.020
 speaking to him like this.

00:36:38.480 --> 00:36:39.120
 And so filled

00:36:39.120 --> 00:36:40.540
 with this furious rage,

00:36:40.900 --> 00:36:42.020
 he orders the furnace

00:36:42.020 --> 00:36:43.160
 to get heated up

00:36:43.160 --> 00:36:43.980
 to the max.

00:36:44.780 --> 00:36:45.880
 And Shadrach,

00:36:45.980 --> 00:36:46.300
 Meshach,

00:36:46.380 --> 00:36:46.880
 and Abednego

00:36:46.880 --> 00:36:48.040
 get what they ask for.

00:36:48.100 --> 00:36:49.300
 And so they are bound up

00:36:49.300 --> 00:36:49.860
 by rope,

00:36:50.100 --> 00:36:51.160
 they tied up,

00:36:51.220 --> 00:36:51.840
 and they are thrown

00:36:51.840 --> 00:36:52.800
 into the furnace.

00:36:53.640 --> 00:36:54.500
 And in verse 24,

00:36:54.600 --> 00:36:55.260
 look what happens.

00:36:55.920 --> 00:36:56.360
 Nebuchadnezzar

00:36:56.360 --> 00:36:57.480
 takes up his position

00:36:57.480 --> 00:36:59.099
 to see these suckers burn.

00:36:59.900 --> 00:37:01.699
 And to his great astonishment,

00:37:01.699 --> 00:37:03.000
 he sees them walking around

00:37:03.000 --> 00:37:03.679
 in the furnace,

00:37:04.340 --> 00:37:05.619
 unbound and unharmed.

00:37:06.300 --> 00:37:07.199
 And so look at what it says.

00:37:07.860 --> 00:37:08.699
 Then King Nebuchadnezzar

00:37:09.340 --> 00:37:10.099
 was astonished.

00:37:10.519 --> 00:37:11.699
 He rose up in haste.

00:37:12.420 --> 00:37:13.380
 He said to his counselors,

00:37:14.000 --> 00:37:15.940
 Did we not cast three men

00:37:15.940 --> 00:37:17.019
 bound into the fire?

00:37:17.519 --> 00:37:19.000
 They answered and said to the king,

00:37:19.099 --> 00:37:20.179
 That's true, O Lord,

00:37:20.219 --> 00:37:20.639
 we did.

00:37:21.280 --> 00:37:22.139
 He answered and said,

00:37:22.420 --> 00:37:23.619
 But I see four men

00:37:23.619 --> 00:37:24.659
 unbound,

00:37:24.820 --> 00:37:25.579
 walking in the midst

00:37:25.579 --> 00:37:26.159
 of the fire,

00:37:26.279 --> 00:37:27.279
 and they do not seem

00:37:27.279 --> 00:37:27.860
 to be hurt.

00:37:28.480 --> 00:37:29.319
 And the appearance

00:37:29.319 --> 00:37:30.000
 of the fourth

00:37:30.000 --> 00:37:31.900
 is like one of the sons

00:37:31.900 --> 00:37:33.019
 of the gods.

00:37:34.840 --> 00:37:35.920
 Having thrown these guys

00:37:35.920 --> 00:37:36.619
 into the furnace

00:37:36.619 --> 00:37:38.139
 to his amazement,

00:37:38.340 --> 00:37:39.179
 Nebuchadnezzar sees

00:37:39.179 --> 00:37:39.699
 that they are

00:37:39.699 --> 00:37:41.139
 not only not hurt,

00:37:41.319 --> 00:37:42.319
 they are not only alive

00:37:42.319 --> 00:37:42.799
 and well,

00:37:43.460 --> 00:37:44.980
 but there is some divine,

00:37:45.139 --> 00:37:46.599
 some angelic being

00:37:46.599 --> 00:37:47.559
 that is in the furnace

00:37:47.559 --> 00:37:48.099
 with them.

00:37:49.299 --> 00:37:50.179
 And Shadrach,

00:37:50.279 --> 00:37:50.679
 Neshach,

00:37:50.679 --> 00:37:51.480
 and Abednego

00:37:51.480 --> 00:37:52.960
 realize that

00:37:52.960 --> 00:37:55.199
 whoever this being is,

00:37:55.199 --> 00:37:56.500
 his presence

00:37:56.500 --> 00:37:57.339
 in the furnace

00:37:57.339 --> 00:37:58.279
 is the reason

00:37:58.279 --> 00:37:59.239
 why they are delivered.

00:38:00.159 --> 00:38:00.379
 In fact,

00:38:00.419 --> 00:38:01.619
 that's the conclusion

00:38:01.619 --> 00:38:02.279
 that Nebuchadnezzar

00:38:02.279 --> 00:38:02.699
 comes to.

00:38:02.779 --> 00:38:03.039
 Look at,

00:38:03.199 --> 00:38:04.259
 I think it's verse 28,

00:38:04.359 --> 00:38:04.659
 he says,

00:38:05.119 --> 00:38:06.439
 God sent his angel

00:38:06.439 --> 00:38:07.239
 and delivered

00:38:07.239 --> 00:38:08.519
 these servants

00:38:08.519 --> 00:38:09.719
 who trusted in him.

00:38:10.460 --> 00:38:11.480
 Nebuchadnezzar realizes

00:38:11.480 --> 00:38:13.359
 whoever this being is,

00:38:13.419 --> 00:38:14.379
 whoever this angel

00:38:14.379 --> 00:38:16.119
 or this divine being is,

00:38:16.439 --> 00:38:17.259
 his presence

00:38:17.259 --> 00:38:18.119
 in the furnace

00:38:18.119 --> 00:38:19.739
 has rescued them,

00:38:19.819 --> 00:38:20.659
 has saved them,

00:38:20.759 --> 00:38:22.099
 has delivered them.

00:38:23.099 --> 00:38:25.019
 God has sent a man

00:38:25.019 --> 00:38:26.619
 to save his people.

00:38:27.839 --> 00:38:28.299
 And friends,

00:38:28.360 --> 00:38:28.900
 that of course

00:38:28.900 --> 00:38:29.819
 is the message

00:38:29.819 --> 00:38:30.460
 of the Bible.

00:38:31.599 --> 00:38:32.940
 Because God

00:38:32.940 --> 00:38:34.199
 has sent a man,

00:38:34.380 --> 00:38:35.759
 the Lord Jesus Christ,

00:38:36.559 --> 00:38:38.279
 to save his people,

00:38:38.500 --> 00:38:39.940
 to rescue his people,

00:38:40.139 --> 00:38:41.960
 to deliver all those

00:38:41.960 --> 00:38:43.539
 who will trust in him.

00:38:45.159 --> 00:38:45.719
 Friends,

00:38:45.900 --> 00:38:47.019
 the Bible teaches us

00:38:47.019 --> 00:38:47.799
 that the way

00:38:47.799 --> 00:38:49.000
 that God would save us

00:38:49.000 --> 00:38:50.900
 is not just by sending

00:38:50.900 --> 00:38:52.219
 Jesus into the fire

00:38:52.219 --> 00:38:52.980
 with us,

00:38:53.440 --> 00:38:54.119
 but ultimately

00:38:54.119 --> 00:38:55.179
 sending Jesus

00:38:55.179 --> 00:38:55.900
 into the fire

00:38:55.900 --> 00:38:56.820
 for us.

00:38:57.739 --> 00:38:58.599
 Jesus Christ

00:38:58.599 --> 00:38:59.500
 went to the cross

00:38:59.500 --> 00:39:01.519
 clothed with our sin

00:39:01.519 --> 00:39:02.099
 and our shame,

00:39:02.179 --> 00:39:03.019
 with my sin

00:39:03.019 --> 00:39:04.159
 and with your shame.

00:39:04.380 --> 00:39:05.280
 Jesus was not just

00:39:05.280 --> 00:39:06.039
 bound with ropes,

00:39:06.139 --> 00:39:07.260
 he was nailed

00:39:07.260 --> 00:39:08.380
 to the very cross.

00:39:08.960 --> 00:39:09.840
 And Jesus there

00:39:09.840 --> 00:39:10.360
 on the cross

00:39:10.360 --> 00:39:12.639
 faced the full fury,

00:39:12.760 --> 00:39:13.420
 the furnace

00:39:13.420 --> 00:39:14.719
 of God's

00:39:14.719 --> 00:39:15.820
 righteous anger

00:39:15.820 --> 00:39:17.380
 and his just judgment.

00:39:17.380 --> 00:39:19.000
 for all the sins

00:39:19.000 --> 00:39:19.420
 of the world.

00:39:19.599 --> 00:39:20.680
 Jesus didn't just face

00:39:20.680 --> 00:39:22.119
 the fury of Nebuchadnezzar

00:39:22.119 --> 00:39:23.340
 or Herod

00:39:23.340 --> 00:39:24.780
 or Pontius Pilate

00:39:24.780 --> 00:39:26.099
 or Caesar Augustus.

00:39:26.579 --> 00:39:27.599
 Jesus faced

00:39:27.599 --> 00:39:28.400
 the wrath

00:39:28.400 --> 00:39:29.840
 of the righteous God

00:39:29.840 --> 00:39:31.440
 for our sins,

00:39:32.039 --> 00:39:32.700
 my sins

00:39:32.700 --> 00:39:33.440
 and your sins,

00:39:33.760 --> 00:39:35.099
 for my idolatry

00:39:35.099 --> 00:39:36.579
 and for your idolatry.

00:39:37.460 --> 00:39:37.720
 And friends,

00:39:37.780 --> 00:39:38.579
 the great problem

00:39:38.579 --> 00:39:39.400
 that we face

00:39:39.400 --> 00:39:40.220
 is not just

00:39:40.220 --> 00:39:40.840
 the opposition

00:39:40.840 --> 00:39:41.900
 and the persecution

00:39:41.900 --> 00:39:43.320
 from people

00:39:43.320 --> 00:39:44.320
 like Nebuchadnezzar

00:39:44.320 --> 00:39:45.180
 or your boss

00:39:45.180 --> 00:39:46.180
 or your parents

00:39:46.180 --> 00:39:47.059
 or your boyfriend,

00:39:47.380 --> 00:39:48.420
 the great problem

00:39:48.420 --> 00:39:49.019
 that we face

00:39:49.019 --> 00:39:49.700
 is not just

00:39:49.700 --> 00:39:50.400
 that we are facing

00:39:50.400 --> 00:39:51.059
 persecution

00:39:51.059 --> 00:39:52.019
 because we've stood up

00:39:52.019 --> 00:39:52.760
 to some tyrant,

00:39:52.960 --> 00:39:54.320
 because we have done

00:39:54.320 --> 00:39:54.960
 some good.

00:39:55.579 --> 00:39:56.500
 The great problem

00:39:56.500 --> 00:39:57.500
 that humanity faces

00:39:57.500 --> 00:39:58.280
 is that we have

00:39:58.280 --> 00:39:59.059
 turned our back

00:39:59.059 --> 00:39:59.599
 on God.

00:40:00.019 --> 00:40:00.840
 We have worshipped

00:40:00.840 --> 00:40:01.820
 created things

00:40:01.820 --> 00:40:02.519
 rather than

00:40:02.519 --> 00:40:03.360
 the creator himself.

00:40:04.820 --> 00:40:06.180
 We've rejected God

00:40:06.180 --> 00:40:07.480
 and now we are destined

00:40:07.480 --> 00:40:09.180
 for eternal hell

00:40:09.180 --> 00:40:09.700
 and judgment.

00:40:10.539 --> 00:40:11.920
 We've set ourselves up

00:40:11.920 --> 00:40:12.900
 like Nebuchadnezzar

00:40:12.900 --> 00:40:13.880
 as our own gods.

00:40:14.519 --> 00:40:15.380
 We have loved

00:40:15.380 --> 00:40:16.320
 rather than serving

00:40:16.320 --> 00:40:16.860
 and loving

00:40:16.860 --> 00:40:17.760
 the one true God.

00:40:17.860 --> 00:40:18.539
 And that means

00:40:18.539 --> 00:40:19.460
 that ultimately

00:40:19.460 --> 00:40:20.300
 all of us

00:40:20.300 --> 00:40:20.900
 should face

00:40:20.900 --> 00:40:21.380
 the fire

00:40:21.380 --> 00:40:22.100
 of God's wrath.

00:40:22.680 --> 00:40:23.500
 But of course

00:40:23.500 --> 00:40:24.340
 the whole point

00:40:24.340 --> 00:40:24.920
 of the Bible

00:40:24.920 --> 00:40:25.700
 is that God

00:40:25.700 --> 00:40:26.580
 sent a man.

00:40:27.340 --> 00:40:27.980
 God sent

00:40:27.980 --> 00:40:28.700
 not just

00:40:28.700 --> 00:40:29.740
 an angelic being,

00:40:29.900 --> 00:40:30.800
 not just one

00:40:30.800 --> 00:40:31.519
 like the sons

00:40:31.519 --> 00:40:32.080
 of the gods,

00:40:32.180 --> 00:40:33.519
 he sent his son himself,

00:40:34.039 --> 00:40:34.880
 Jesus Christ,

00:40:34.960 --> 00:40:35.720
 the righteous one,

00:40:35.980 --> 00:40:36.740
 to come

00:40:36.740 --> 00:40:37.660
 and to save

00:40:37.660 --> 00:40:38.340
 and to deliver

00:40:38.340 --> 00:40:39.660
 those who will

00:40:39.660 --> 00:40:40.400
 trust in him.

00:40:41.480 --> 00:40:42.260
 And so what that

00:40:42.260 --> 00:40:43.260
 means is that

00:40:43.260 --> 00:40:44.320
 now when we

00:40:44.320 --> 00:40:45.380
 face the fire,

00:40:45.600 --> 00:40:46.400
 when we face

00:40:46.400 --> 00:40:47.420
 the temptation,

00:40:47.580 --> 00:40:48.380
 when we are tempted

00:40:48.380 --> 00:40:49.120
 to compromise

00:40:49.120 --> 00:40:50.120
 and to,

00:40:50.559 --> 00:40:51.680
 when we are

00:40:51.680 --> 00:40:53.780
 tempted to

00:40:53.780 --> 00:40:54.760
 bow down

00:40:54.760 --> 00:40:55.460
 to the things

00:40:55.460 --> 00:40:56.380
 that when the

00:40:56.380 --> 00:40:57.180
 pressure is on,

00:40:57.559 --> 00:40:58.440
 what that means

00:40:58.440 --> 00:40:59.200
 is we can look

00:40:59.200 --> 00:40:59.700
 to the one

00:40:59.700 --> 00:41:00.180
 who's gone

00:41:00.180 --> 00:41:00.760
 to the fire

00:41:00.760 --> 00:41:01.420
 for us.

00:41:02.300 --> 00:41:03.160
 What it means

00:41:03.160 --> 00:41:03.780
 is that when God

00:41:03.780 --> 00:41:04.820
 does bring trials

00:41:04.820 --> 00:41:05.500
 into our life,

00:41:05.700 --> 00:41:06.640
 we know that

00:41:06.640 --> 00:41:07.420
 Jesus has gone

00:41:07.420 --> 00:41:07.800
 and faced

00:41:07.800 --> 00:41:08.640
 the ultimate fire.

00:41:09.440 --> 00:41:10.480
 And our confidence

00:41:10.480 --> 00:41:11.559
 to stand firm

00:41:11.559 --> 00:41:12.340
 in him

00:41:12.340 --> 00:41:13.440
 can give us

00:41:13.440 --> 00:41:14.139
 the confidence

00:41:14.139 --> 00:41:15.000
 to stand firm

00:41:15.000 --> 00:41:15.960
 and to stand up

00:41:15.960 --> 00:41:17.460
 to the temptations

00:41:17.460 --> 00:41:18.320
 of this world.

00:41:19.019 --> 00:41:19.460
 Friends,

00:41:19.539 --> 00:41:20.159
 we don't need

00:41:20.159 --> 00:41:21.159
 to preserve ourselves.

00:41:21.299 --> 00:41:21.860
 We don't need

00:41:21.860 --> 00:41:22.820
 to save ourselves.

00:41:23.079 --> 00:41:23.779
 We don't need

00:41:23.779 --> 00:41:24.440
 to get angry

00:41:24.440 --> 00:41:24.960
 or scared

00:41:24.960 --> 00:41:25.820
 or frustrated

00:41:25.820 --> 00:41:26.719
 when things

00:41:26.719 --> 00:41:27.500
 don't go our way,

00:41:27.559 --> 00:41:28.739
 when people refuse us.

00:41:29.039 --> 00:41:29.860
 We don't need

00:41:29.860 --> 00:41:30.400
 to establish

00:41:30.400 --> 00:41:31.559
 a name for ourselves

00:41:31.559 --> 00:41:32.139
 or establish

00:41:32.139 --> 00:41:33.179
 an image for ourselves

00:41:33.179 --> 00:41:34.659
 or build up our image

00:41:34.659 --> 00:41:35.799
 because our life

00:41:35.799 --> 00:41:36.759
 is not in our hands.

00:41:37.559 --> 00:41:38.019
 Our life

00:41:38.019 --> 00:41:39.039
 is in the hands

00:41:39.039 --> 00:41:39.539
 of the one

00:41:39.539 --> 00:41:40.500
 who has gone

00:41:40.500 --> 00:41:41.039
 to the fire

00:41:41.039 --> 00:41:41.699
 for us.

00:41:42.300 --> 00:41:42.659
 Friends,

00:41:42.719 --> 00:41:43.320
 because Jesus

00:41:43.320 --> 00:41:44.259
 went into the fire

00:41:44.259 --> 00:41:44.739
 for us,

00:41:44.820 --> 00:41:46.119
 he gives us a name.

00:41:46.699 --> 00:41:47.779
 He gives us a status.

00:41:48.579 --> 00:41:49.820
 He gives us an identity.

00:41:50.559 --> 00:41:51.980
 He gives us a favor

00:41:51.980 --> 00:41:54.599
 that no compromise

00:41:54.599 --> 00:41:55.300
 in this world

00:41:55.300 --> 00:41:56.119
 can ever give you.

00:41:56.679 --> 00:41:59.119
 That no compromise

00:41:59.119 --> 00:42:00.559
 with this world

00:42:00.559 --> 00:42:01.420
 will ever secure

00:42:01.420 --> 00:42:01.840
 for you.

00:42:02.279 --> 00:42:03.400
 That no concession

00:42:03.400 --> 00:42:04.139
 that we're tempted

00:42:04.139 --> 00:42:04.639
 to make

00:42:04.639 --> 00:42:05.659
 will ever give you.

00:42:06.179 --> 00:42:07.300
 Jesus gives that

00:42:07.300 --> 00:42:07.719
 to you

00:42:07.719 --> 00:42:08.460
 and that means

00:42:08.460 --> 00:42:09.240
 that we can stand

00:42:09.240 --> 00:42:10.940
 firm in the flame.

00:42:11.639 --> 00:42:11.940
 And so,

00:42:12.139 --> 00:42:12.960
 Julian read it

00:42:12.960 --> 00:42:13.579
 to us earlier

00:42:13.579 --> 00:42:14.260
 but look at what

00:42:14.260 --> 00:42:16.039
 Isaiah 43 says.

00:42:16.500 --> 00:42:17.159
 God says this,

00:42:17.240 --> 00:42:17.860
 Fear not

00:42:17.860 --> 00:42:20.019
 for I have redeemed you.

00:42:20.380 --> 00:42:21.659
 I have called you

00:42:21.659 --> 00:42:22.320
 by name

00:42:22.320 --> 00:42:23.220
 and you are mine.

00:42:23.699 --> 00:42:24.400
 When you pass

00:42:24.400 --> 00:42:24.960
 through the waters

00:42:24.960 --> 00:42:26.039
 I will be with you.

00:42:26.400 --> 00:42:27.119
 Through the rivers

00:42:27.119 --> 00:42:28.400
 they will not overwhelm you.

00:42:28.699 --> 00:42:29.480
 When you walk

00:42:29.480 --> 00:42:30.199
 through the fire

00:42:30.199 --> 00:42:31.420
 you will not be burnt.

00:42:31.960 --> 00:42:32.880
 When the flames

00:42:32.880 --> 00:42:33.720
 come around you

00:42:33.720 --> 00:42:35.019
 they will not consume you.

00:42:35.300 --> 00:42:36.159
 For I am

00:42:36.159 --> 00:42:37.079
 the Lord your God,

00:42:37.079 --> 00:42:38.960
 the Holy One of Israel,

00:42:39.559 --> 00:42:40.279
 your Savior.

00:42:41.199 --> 00:42:41.579
 Friends,

00:42:41.679 --> 00:42:42.279
 following Jesus

00:42:42.279 --> 00:42:43.179
 will necessarily

00:42:43.179 --> 00:42:44.619
 involve trouble.

00:42:45.460 --> 00:42:46.079
 It will at times

00:42:46.079 --> 00:42:47.159
 invite opposition

00:42:47.159 --> 00:42:48.199
 and persecution.

00:42:49.099 --> 00:42:49.920
 But God's people

00:42:49.920 --> 00:42:50.340
 are called

00:42:50.340 --> 00:42:51.199
 to have courage

00:42:51.199 --> 00:42:52.299
 and conviction.

00:42:53.179 --> 00:42:53.639
 God's people

00:42:53.639 --> 00:42:54.000
 are called

00:42:54.000 --> 00:42:54.900
 to stand firm

00:42:54.900 --> 00:42:56.960
 knowing and trusting

00:42:56.960 --> 00:42:58.739
 that only God

00:42:58.739 --> 00:43:00.219
 can deliver us

00:43:00.219 --> 00:43:01.599
 and save those

00:43:01.599 --> 00:43:02.559
 who trust in Him.

00:43:03.119 --> 00:43:04.099
 Let's pray together.

00:43:04.099 --> 00:43:08.759
 Lord Jesus Christ

00:43:08.759 --> 00:43:10.679
 we are so grateful

00:43:10.679 --> 00:43:11.420
 for you

00:43:11.420 --> 00:43:12.940
 the one who

00:43:12.940 --> 00:43:13.920
 delivers us

00:43:13.920 --> 00:43:15.179
 from the fire

00:43:15.179 --> 00:43:16.000
 and the furnace

00:43:16.000 --> 00:43:17.099
 of true affliction.

00:43:18.699 --> 00:43:19.299
 Jesus,

00:43:19.440 --> 00:43:20.299
 every one of us

00:43:20.299 --> 00:43:21.440
 here this morning

00:43:21.440 --> 00:43:23.079
 in many ways

00:43:23.079 --> 00:43:24.239
 are facing

00:43:24.239 --> 00:43:25.559
 our own temptations.

00:43:25.699 --> 00:43:25.819
 God,

00:43:25.900 --> 00:43:27.039
 we like Shadrach,

00:43:27.159 --> 00:43:28.039
 Meshach and Abednego

00:43:28.039 --> 00:43:30.099
 day in and day out.

00:43:30.179 --> 00:43:30.360
 God,

00:43:30.400 --> 00:43:31.099
 in the marketplace,

00:43:31.420 --> 00:43:32.000
 at work,

00:43:32.079 --> 00:43:32.860
 at home,

00:43:32.860 --> 00:43:34.200
 in relationships

00:43:34.200 --> 00:43:35.160
 and our finances

00:43:35.160 --> 00:43:35.980
 are tempted,

00:43:36.180 --> 00:43:36.360
 God,

00:43:36.539 --> 00:43:37.980
 to compromise

00:43:37.980 --> 00:43:39.240
 and to trust

00:43:39.240 --> 00:43:39.780
 the systems

00:43:39.780 --> 00:43:40.440
 of this world.

00:43:41.280 --> 00:43:41.840
 We tempted,

00:43:42.039 --> 00:43:42.220
 God,

00:43:42.300 --> 00:43:43.500
 to add

00:43:43.500 --> 00:43:44.280
 a little bit

00:43:44.280 --> 00:43:44.780
 of worship

00:43:44.780 --> 00:43:46.120
 of the things

00:43:46.120 --> 00:43:46.559
 of this world

00:43:46.559 --> 00:43:46.860
 to you.

00:43:46.920 --> 00:43:47.460
 But God,

00:43:47.579 --> 00:43:48.500
 we need you.

00:43:49.860 --> 00:43:50.280
 And so God,

00:43:50.340 --> 00:43:50.700
 I pray,

00:43:50.820 --> 00:43:52.000
 won't you build

00:43:52.000 --> 00:43:52.660
 our faith?

00:43:52.800 --> 00:43:52.920
 God,

00:43:52.980 --> 00:43:54.260
 won't you give us

00:43:54.260 --> 00:43:54.940
 the courage

00:43:54.940 --> 00:43:55.640
 and the conviction?

00:43:55.820 --> 00:43:56.599
 Won't you open

00:43:56.599 --> 00:43:57.220
 our eyes

00:43:57.220 --> 00:43:58.240
 to see you

00:43:58.240 --> 00:43:59.180
 for who you are?

00:44:00.960 --> 00:44:01.200
 God,

00:44:01.240 --> 00:44:01.840
 won't you help us

00:44:01.840 --> 00:44:03.760
 to see that you,

00:44:03.900 --> 00:44:04.220
 Jesus,

00:44:05.000 --> 00:44:06.059
 went to the fire

00:44:06.059 --> 00:44:06.860
 for us

00:44:06.860 --> 00:44:07.600
 and now promised

00:44:07.600 --> 00:44:09.000
 to walk through

00:44:09.000 --> 00:44:10.140
 the fire with us.

00:44:11.220 --> 00:44:11.700
 Jesus,

00:44:11.800 --> 00:44:13.840
 won't you help us

00:44:13.840 --> 00:44:15.500
 to see your supreme

00:44:15.500 --> 00:44:16.860
 power and authority?

00:44:17.120 --> 00:44:17.480
 And God,

00:44:17.559 --> 00:44:18.420
 I pray for those

00:44:18.420 --> 00:44:19.039
 of us here

00:44:19.039 --> 00:44:20.140
 this morning

00:44:20.140 --> 00:44:20.840
 that are struggling,

00:44:21.059 --> 00:44:22.220
 that are maybe

00:44:22.220 --> 00:44:24.079
 in the very midst

00:44:24.079 --> 00:44:26.420
 of grappling

00:44:26.420 --> 00:44:26.940
 with whether

00:44:26.940 --> 00:44:27.840
 to make these

00:44:27.840 --> 00:44:29.460
 compromises,

00:44:29.460 --> 00:44:30.380
 concessions.

00:44:31.820 --> 00:44:32.179
 Christ,

00:44:32.240 --> 00:44:32.699
 won't you come

00:44:32.699 --> 00:44:33.260
 and fill us

00:44:33.260 --> 00:44:33.900
 with your spirit

00:44:33.900 --> 00:44:34.579
 and help us

00:44:34.579 --> 00:44:36.059
 to see you

00:44:36.059 --> 00:44:37.039
 and know you

00:44:37.039 --> 00:44:37.599
 for who you

00:44:37.599 --> 00:44:38.159
 really are.

00:44:40.639 --> 00:44:41.039
 Jesus,

00:44:41.260 --> 00:44:42.380
 we desperately

00:44:42.380 --> 00:44:42.940
 need you

00:44:42.940 --> 00:44:43.400
 and we need

00:44:43.400 --> 00:44:44.099
 your Holy Spirit.

00:44:45.480 --> 00:44:46.079
 So come

00:44:46.079 --> 00:44:46.780
 and have your way

00:44:46.780 --> 00:44:48.539
 in our life

00:44:48.539 --> 00:44:49.099
 and in our hearts

00:44:49.099 --> 00:44:49.599
 we pray.

00:44:54.679 --> 00:44:55.039
 Friends,

00:44:55.119 --> 00:44:55.639
 maybe just

00:44:55.639 --> 00:44:57.019
 let's take a moment

00:44:57.019 --> 00:44:58.119
 and just ask

00:44:58.119 --> 00:44:58.900
 Christ to

00:44:58.900 --> 00:45:01.860
 come and give you

00:45:01.860 --> 00:45:03.079
 courage and conviction.

00:45:04.239 --> 00:45:04.820
 Come and give you

00:45:04.820 --> 00:45:05.739
 the faith that you

00:45:05.739 --> 00:45:07.119
 need to walk

00:45:07.119 --> 00:45:07.400
 with Him

00:45:07.400 --> 00:45:08.219
 through the challenges

00:45:08.219 --> 00:45:08.980
 that you face.

00:45:12.739 --> 00:45:13.500
 It's not just

00:45:13.500 --> 00:45:14.119
 the theology

00:45:14.119 --> 00:45:14.759
 that we need,

00:45:14.820 --> 00:45:15.440
 it's actually

00:45:15.440 --> 00:45:16.940
 the Spirit

00:45:16.940 --> 00:45:17.539
 doing a work

00:45:17.539 --> 00:45:18.280
 in our hearts.

00:45:25.159 --> 00:45:25.900
 Holy Spirit,

00:45:26.039 --> 00:45:26.679
 come with you.

00:45:27.019 --> 00:45:31.039
 come and help us

00:45:31.039 --> 00:45:31.539
 we pray.

00:45:31.539 --> 00:45:32.739
 Come and help us

00:45:32.739 --> 00:45:33.639
 we pray.