WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:13.480 In 1415, don't think any of you were around then were you? 600 years ago John Huff was burned alive at the stake. 00:00:14.700 --> 00:00:26.280 John had become a Christian after reading the Bible. He began to write and teach, encouraging other people of his day to turn to Christ and to read God's words. 00:00:26.280 --> 00:00:34.640 And having been told to stop his preaching and his writing, John defiantly refused. 00:00:36.299 --> 00:00:45.420 And because he wouldn't stop, John was bound by ropes, tied to a stake and burned alive. 00:00:46.719 --> 00:00:50.920 And as the flames engulfed him, he prayed this. 00:00:50.920 --> 00:00:59.300 Lord Jesus, it is for thee that I patiently endure this cruel death. 00:01:01.140 --> 00:01:11.379 In 2012, just two years ago, a church had been ordered to turn from following Christ or die. 00:01:11.379 --> 00:01:17.339 Refusing to deny their faith, they ran to their pastor's house for safety. 00:01:18.699 --> 00:01:27.500 But having been followed by their persecutors, the house was set on fire and 50 believers perished in the flames. 00:01:27.500 --> 00:01:33.099 Now what kind of God is this? 00:01:34.040 --> 00:01:41.060 That people would die for him rather than deny him and live. 00:01:43.560 --> 00:01:45.500 What kind of God is this? 00:01:45.560 --> 00:01:50.579 That people would literally go through the flames for him. 00:01:50.579 --> 00:01:55.620 Well, that's the situation we arrive at in Daniel chapter 3. 00:01:56.780 --> 00:02:02.679 Daniel's three friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, faced the fiery furnace, 00:02:03.480 --> 00:02:07.219 but they chose death instead of life. 00:02:07.900 --> 00:02:10.039 Look at the very end of verse 28. 00:02:10.039 --> 00:02:23.459 It says there they were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any God except their own God. 00:02:24.859 --> 00:02:31.840 What kind of God is this that is worth risking your life for and dying for? 00:02:33.120 --> 00:02:37.560 Well, we're going to meet this God through these events. 00:02:37.560 --> 00:02:43.520 First, we meet a God who is worthy of our worship. 00:02:44.099 --> 00:02:46.219 A God who is worthy of our worship. 00:02:47.319 --> 00:02:49.960 The king's demand is very clear, isn't it? 00:02:50.020 --> 00:02:51.080 Verse 5. 00:02:52.340 --> 00:02:58.920 As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, the flute, the zither, the lyre, the harp, the pipes and all kinds of music, 00:02:59.180 --> 00:03:03.300 when the band gets going and the conductor starts up at the orchestra, 00:03:03.300 --> 00:03:09.600 you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 00:03:10.040 --> 00:03:17.740 Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace. 00:03:19.280 --> 00:03:26.040 Now, given those two options, bow or burn, it might seem quite obvious which one you'd take. 00:03:26.039 --> 00:03:30.139 If you want to save your life, well, bow down and worship. 00:03:31.699 --> 00:03:32.939 But here's the problem. 00:03:34.599 --> 00:03:38.620 Nebuchadnezzar's image is not a real God. 00:03:39.439 --> 00:03:41.039 It's a substitute God. 00:03:41.039 --> 00:03:48.400 It's not too long ago, you'll remember from chapter 2, that Nebuchadnezzar had the dream. 00:03:48.519 --> 00:03:51.019 Do you remember his dream about the great big statue? 00:03:52.899 --> 00:04:00.840 Gold head, silver chest, bronze thighs, iron legs, feet made of iron and clay, 00:04:00.840 --> 00:04:06.080 and they all represented, the four different metals represented four different kingdoms. 00:04:07.439 --> 00:04:13.500 And the dream was interpreted for Nebuchadnezzar, and this is what was revealed to him. 00:04:13.840 --> 00:04:16.819 Look at chapter 2 at the very end of verse 38. 00:04:19.500 --> 00:04:21.819 Chapter 2, the very end of verse 38. 00:04:21.819 --> 00:04:26.339 As the dream is interpreted, he says, 00:04:27.620 --> 00:04:29.939 You are that head of gold, Nebuchadnezzar. 00:04:30.019 --> 00:04:33.599 You are that kingdom, the head of gold. 00:04:34.279 --> 00:04:35.800 But, verse 39, 00:04:36.839 --> 00:04:42.759 After you, another kingdom will rise, inferior to yours. 00:04:43.459 --> 00:04:47.920 Your kingdom, Nebuchadnezzar, will be crushed and destroyed. 00:04:48.579 --> 00:04:50.699 Another is going to take its place, 00:04:50.699 --> 00:04:54.860 And ultimately, down at verse 44, chapter 2, 00:04:55.779 --> 00:04:59.099 In the time of those kings, the God of heaven 00:04:59.099 --> 00:05:03.579 will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, 00:05:04.000 --> 00:05:06.519 nor will it be left to another people. 00:05:06.680 --> 00:05:09.379 It will crush all those kingdoms, 00:05:09.819 --> 00:05:11.439 and bring them to an end, 00:05:11.740 --> 00:05:14.620 but it itself, the kingdom of God, if you like, 00:05:14.719 --> 00:05:17.099 will endure forever. 00:05:17.100 --> 00:05:21.020 That was the dream that was interpreted to him. 00:05:21.580 --> 00:05:24.640 He's been introduced to the true God. 00:05:25.439 --> 00:05:28.680 But, rather than worship the true God, 00:05:29.620 --> 00:05:33.020 Nebuchadnezzar has set up a substitute God. 00:05:33.660 --> 00:05:34.939 Chapter 3, verse 1. 00:05:35.720 --> 00:05:39.360 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold. 00:05:39.360 --> 00:05:42.160 Perhaps he thought if it was all gold, 00:05:42.319 --> 00:05:44.240 then his kingdom wouldn't be broken down. 00:05:44.980 --> 00:05:46.220 Ninety feet high, 00:05:47.080 --> 00:05:48.879 and nine feet wide. 00:05:49.840 --> 00:05:51.960 And it's set up on the plain of Dura, 00:05:52.500 --> 00:05:54.280 in the province of Babylon, 00:05:54.520 --> 00:05:56.460 where everybody could see it. 00:05:56.459 --> 00:06:00.759 In an act of defiance, 00:06:02.019 --> 00:06:05.000 King Nebuchadnezzar rejects the true God, 00:06:05.699 --> 00:06:09.019 and he replaces it with his own God. 00:06:09.579 --> 00:06:13.179 This is the God that the nations must come and worship. 00:06:15.379 --> 00:06:18.899 Now, Ender Kenny mightn't have the resources 00:06:18.899 --> 00:06:21.639 to set up a gold statue for us. 00:06:21.639 --> 00:06:27.060 But every day, you and I must decide 00:06:27.060 --> 00:06:29.379 which God we're going to worship. 00:06:31.419 --> 00:06:33.680 Will it be the God of secularism? 00:06:36.259 --> 00:06:38.479 Listen to this quote from a book called 00:06:38.479 --> 00:06:40.419 No Gods But God. 00:06:41.419 --> 00:06:42.240 He says this, 00:06:42.300 --> 00:06:44.379 When we cease to worship God, 00:06:45.379 --> 00:06:47.419 we do not worship nothing, 00:06:48.419 --> 00:06:50.159 we worship anything. 00:06:50.160 --> 00:06:53.300 We do not just eliminate God, 00:06:53.660 --> 00:06:57.560 we erect God's substitutes in his place. 00:06:58.780 --> 00:07:01.020 He goes on to say that the biblical writers 00:07:01.020 --> 00:07:03.600 call these replacement gods idols, 00:07:04.040 --> 00:07:05.640 or in this case, it was a statue. 00:07:06.900 --> 00:07:10.080 An idol, he says, can be a physical object. 00:07:10.560 --> 00:07:12.480 It could be your iPhone. 00:07:13.620 --> 00:07:15.600 It could be a property, your house. 00:07:16.460 --> 00:07:17.940 It could be an activity, 00:07:17.939 --> 00:07:21.060 a sport, or music. 00:07:21.060 --> 00:07:24.160 It could be a role, the job that you have, 00:07:24.399 --> 00:07:27.300 an institution, the club or society 00:07:27.300 --> 00:07:28.480 that you're a member of, 00:07:28.699 --> 00:07:31.000 a hope, I wish I was married, 00:07:31.819 --> 00:07:34.579 a pleasure, food or drink, 00:07:34.879 --> 00:07:37.740 a hero, a sporting star, anything. 00:07:37.740 --> 00:07:43.000 We can take and push God out of the way 00:07:43.000 --> 00:07:45.980 and replace it with someone else 00:07:45.980 --> 00:07:47.699 or something else. 00:07:48.840 --> 00:07:50.740 And that's what we've really done. 00:07:51.540 --> 00:07:55.800 We've set up our own gods that demand our worship. 00:07:56.800 --> 00:08:00.079 Something or someone that we serve 00:08:00.079 --> 00:08:03.219 in return for, in the hope that they will 00:08:03.219 --> 00:08:05.039 somehow give us happiness, pleasure, 00:08:05.539 --> 00:08:07.959 success, security. 00:08:08.779 --> 00:08:10.719 And we live for our gods, 00:08:10.939 --> 00:08:12.959 in the hope that they will give to us 00:08:12.959 --> 00:08:14.479 everything that we want. 00:08:17.279 --> 00:08:19.139 Nebuchadnezzar was offering his god 00:08:19.139 --> 00:08:20.779 as a god of security. 00:08:21.819 --> 00:08:24.060 Worship this god and you will be safe, 00:08:24.180 --> 00:08:24.939 you will be well, 00:08:25.360 --> 00:08:27.539 you will be in a wonderful kingdom 00:08:27.540 --> 00:08:29.960 with a great king over you. 00:08:31.100 --> 00:08:32.500 But here's the problem. 00:08:33.860 --> 00:08:35.379 They're substitute gods. 00:08:36.200 --> 00:08:37.720 They're counterfeit gods. 00:08:37.840 --> 00:08:39.680 They're not the true gods. 00:08:42.220 --> 00:08:43.300 You see, it's ironic 00:08:43.300 --> 00:08:45.920 that the god they must worship 00:08:45.920 --> 00:08:48.220 is actually man-made. 00:08:48.360 --> 00:08:50.180 Did you see that back in verse 1, 00:08:50.879 --> 00:08:51.620 chapter 3? 00:08:53.060 --> 00:08:54.300 King Nebuchadnezzar 00:08:54.300 --> 00:08:57.139 made an image. 00:08:58.539 --> 00:08:59.719 Ninety feet high, 00:08:59.860 --> 00:09:00.819 nine feet wide, 00:09:01.179 --> 00:09:02.719 and set it up. 00:09:04.039 --> 00:09:05.459 And in case we can't see 00:09:05.459 --> 00:09:06.939 the contradiction of a god 00:09:06.939 --> 00:09:08.799 that has to be made by a person, 00:09:09.679 --> 00:09:11.679 the writer keeps on reminding us 00:09:11.679 --> 00:09:13.059 right the way through the passage. 00:09:13.199 --> 00:09:14.699 So look at the end of verse 3. 00:09:15.259 --> 00:09:16.159 We're told there that 00:09:16.159 --> 00:09:18.219 all the officials assembled 00:09:18.219 --> 00:09:20.120 for the dedication of the image 00:09:20.120 --> 00:09:22.659 that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, 00:09:23.019 --> 00:09:23.959 that he made. 00:09:23.960 --> 00:09:26.639 And they stood before it. 00:09:27.440 --> 00:09:28.700 End of verse 5. 00:09:30.340 --> 00:09:31.139 They were ordered 00:09:31.139 --> 00:09:32.840 that they must fall down 00:09:32.840 --> 00:09:34.300 and worship the image of gold 00:09:34.300 --> 00:09:35.480 that King Nebuchadnezzar 00:09:35.480 --> 00:09:36.120 has set up. 00:09:36.180 --> 00:09:37.460 You know that great big statue 00:09:37.460 --> 00:09:39.400 in the middle of the plain over there, 00:09:39.460 --> 00:09:40.139 the thing that he constructed 00:09:40.680 --> 00:09:42.320 with all the scaffolding around it? 00:09:42.879 --> 00:09:43.960 He set it up. 00:09:44.000 --> 00:09:44.820 He made it. 00:09:45.860 --> 00:09:46.840 End of verse 7. 00:09:47.840 --> 00:09:49.680 All the peoples, nations and men 00:09:49.680 --> 00:09:50.440 of every language 00:09:50.440 --> 00:09:51.300 fell down and worshipped 00:09:51.300 --> 00:09:52.019 the image of gold 00:09:52.019 --> 00:09:53.920 that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 00:09:54.340 --> 00:09:55.379 It's made. 00:09:56.920 --> 00:09:57.960 This is a god 00:09:57.960 --> 00:09:59.600 that's supposed to be real, 00:09:59.740 --> 00:10:00.639 but it's fake. 00:10:00.780 --> 00:10:02.019 It's counterfeit. 00:10:04.220 --> 00:10:05.540 Listen to the psalmist, 00:10:05.680 --> 00:10:06.840 Psalm 115, 00:10:07.980 --> 00:10:09.860 verses 2 to 8. 00:10:11.000 --> 00:10:12.420 What they say about 00:10:12.420 --> 00:10:14.240 our so-called gods. 00:10:14.240 --> 00:10:16.419 The question is raised, 00:10:17.120 --> 00:10:18.820 why do the nations say, 00:10:18.980 --> 00:10:20.779 where is your God? 00:10:22.279 --> 00:10:23.799 Our God is in heaven. 00:10:24.200 --> 00:10:26.379 He does whatever pleases him. 00:10:27.500 --> 00:10:28.659 But their idols 00:10:28.659 --> 00:10:30.379 are silver and gold, 00:10:31.039 --> 00:10:32.620 made by the hands of men. 00:10:32.720 --> 00:10:33.600 They have mouths, 00:10:33.740 --> 00:10:35.100 but they cannot speak. 00:10:35.259 --> 00:10:35.740 Eyes, 00:10:36.740 --> 00:10:37.840 but they cannot see. 00:10:38.000 --> 00:10:38.899 They have ears, 00:10:39.060 --> 00:10:39.919 but they cannot hear. 00:10:40.100 --> 00:10:40.480 Noses, 00:10:40.740 --> 00:10:41.980 but they cannot smell. 00:10:41.980 --> 00:10:43.580 They have hands, 00:10:43.659 --> 00:10:44.560 and they can't feel. 00:10:44.700 --> 00:10:45.039 Feet, 00:10:45.279 --> 00:10:46.539 but they cannot walk. 00:10:47.259 --> 00:10:49.159 Nor can they utter a sound 00:10:49.159 --> 00:10:50.460 from their throat. 00:10:51.440 --> 00:10:53.060 Those who make them 00:10:53.060 --> 00:10:55.620 will be like them, 00:10:57.720 --> 00:10:59.560 utterly lifeless and worthless. 00:11:00.700 --> 00:11:02.440 And so will all 00:11:02.440 --> 00:11:04.519 who trust in them. 00:11:04.519 --> 00:11:07.460 You see, 00:11:07.579 --> 00:11:09.039 just as the people of Babylon 00:11:09.039 --> 00:11:10.639 bowed down to this 00:11:10.639 --> 00:11:12.559 lifeless statue of gold 00:11:12.559 --> 00:11:13.799 to gain security, 00:11:14.120 --> 00:11:15.840 if you bow down to this statue, 00:11:16.179 --> 00:11:17.439 you're not going to die. 00:11:17.679 --> 00:11:18.779 I'll look after you. 00:11:19.000 --> 00:11:20.120 You'll have security. 00:11:20.399 --> 00:11:21.179 You'll be fine. 00:11:23.740 --> 00:11:25.179 So we bow down 00:11:25.179 --> 00:11:26.759 to our dead idols 00:11:26.759 --> 00:11:27.559 of work, 00:11:28.439 --> 00:11:29.319 of relationships, 00:11:29.699 --> 00:11:30.319 of sport, 00:11:30.439 --> 00:11:31.500 whatever it may be, 00:11:31.500 --> 00:11:33.340 to gain success, 00:11:34.179 --> 00:11:35.759 to gain satisfaction, 00:11:36.240 --> 00:11:36.960 in the hope 00:11:36.960 --> 00:11:37.899 that they will somehow 00:11:37.899 --> 00:11:38.519 fill us. 00:11:38.740 --> 00:11:39.720 But the point is 00:11:39.720 --> 00:11:41.480 they're all God's substitute. 00:11:41.980 --> 00:11:42.840 They can't give 00:11:42.840 --> 00:11:44.460 the eternal security 00:11:44.460 --> 00:11:45.860 that each one of us 00:11:45.860 --> 00:11:46.519 long for. 00:11:46.840 --> 00:11:48.440 They're not the real deal. 00:11:48.580 --> 00:11:49.460 They're dead. 00:11:53.039 --> 00:11:54.179 And that's why 00:11:54.179 --> 00:11:55.059 the three friends 00:11:55.059 --> 00:11:56.340 will not bow down 00:11:56.340 --> 00:11:57.120 and worship. 00:11:59.080 --> 00:12:00.320 Man-made gods 00:12:00.320 --> 00:12:01.300 are not worthy 00:12:01.300 --> 00:12:02.520 of our worship. 00:12:03.879 --> 00:12:05.080 The philosophies 00:12:05.080 --> 00:12:06.620 that our society 00:12:06.620 --> 00:12:07.560 throws at us. 00:12:07.920 --> 00:12:08.820 Forget God. 00:12:09.900 --> 00:12:11.220 Don't believe in God. 00:12:12.500 --> 00:12:13.440 Go your own way. 00:12:13.580 --> 00:12:14.580 Go with your feelings. 00:12:17.480 --> 00:12:18.440 Follow the God 00:12:18.440 --> 00:12:19.500 of secularism. 00:12:20.280 --> 00:12:20.920 Write him out 00:12:20.920 --> 00:12:21.640 of your lives. 00:12:22.120 --> 00:12:22.680 Don't listen 00:12:22.680 --> 00:12:23.800 to the word of God. 00:12:24.640 --> 00:12:25.800 Listen to your own word, 00:12:25.920 --> 00:12:26.800 to your own mind. 00:12:26.799 --> 00:12:26.979 God. 00:12:29.120 --> 00:12:30.339 But it's dead. 00:12:30.539 --> 00:12:31.519 It's lifeless. 00:12:31.939 --> 00:12:33.219 It's not a true God. 00:12:36.279 --> 00:12:36.839 So, 00:12:37.259 --> 00:12:38.799 we meet the God 00:12:38.799 --> 00:12:39.899 who is worthy 00:12:39.899 --> 00:12:40.539 of worship 00:12:40.539 --> 00:12:41.699 for he is 00:12:41.699 --> 00:12:43.079 the one and only 00:12:43.079 --> 00:12:43.919 true God. 00:12:44.979 --> 00:12:45.419 Second, 00:12:45.740 --> 00:12:46.579 we meet a God 00:12:46.579 --> 00:12:47.459 who is able 00:12:47.459 --> 00:12:48.279 to save. 00:12:49.899 --> 00:12:50.359 A God 00:12:50.359 --> 00:12:50.799 who's able 00:12:50.799 --> 00:12:51.199 to save. 00:12:51.259 --> 00:12:51.699 The pressure 00:12:51.699 --> 00:12:52.579 to bow down 00:12:52.579 --> 00:12:53.079 and worship 00:12:53.079 --> 00:12:53.799 continues, 00:12:53.939 --> 00:12:54.539 verse 12. 00:12:54.539 --> 00:12:57.500 You have 00:12:57.500 --> 00:12:58.199 the officials 00:12:58.199 --> 00:12:59.179 here who've 00:12:59.179 --> 00:13:00.399 been following 00:13:00.399 --> 00:13:01.459 the king's commands 00:13:01.459 --> 00:13:02.319 but they've noticed 00:13:02.319 --> 00:13:02.899 something. 00:13:04.019 --> 00:13:04.839 They tell us 00:13:04.839 --> 00:13:05.519 in verse 12, 00:13:05.639 --> 00:13:06.599 there's some Jews 00:13:06.599 --> 00:13:07.399 whom you've set 00:13:07.399 --> 00:13:08.319 over the affairs 00:13:08.319 --> 00:13:09.039 of the province 00:13:09.039 --> 00:13:09.659 of Babylon. 00:13:10.259 --> 00:13:10.799 You know those 00:13:10.799 --> 00:13:11.699 three characters, 00:13:11.879 --> 00:13:12.299 Shadrach, 00:13:12.439 --> 00:13:13.419 Meshach and Abednego, 00:13:13.759 --> 00:13:15.480 who pay no attention 00:13:15.480 --> 00:13:15.980 to you, 00:13:16.179 --> 00:13:16.379 O king. 00:13:17.240 --> 00:13:17.959 They neither 00:13:17.959 --> 00:13:19.139 serve your gods 00:13:19.139 --> 00:13:20.079 nor worship 00:13:20.079 --> 00:13:21.179 the image of gold 00:13:21.179 --> 00:13:22.319 you have set up. 00:13:22.320 --> 00:13:24.160 Perhaps they've 00:13:24.160 --> 00:13:25.040 become very jealous 00:13:25.040 --> 00:13:25.879 of these three 00:13:25.879 --> 00:13:26.800 outsiders because 00:13:26.800 --> 00:13:27.600 they've all risen 00:13:27.600 --> 00:13:28.440 to positions of 00:13:28.440 --> 00:13:29.460 power and they're 00:13:29.460 --> 00:13:30.400 not in the positions 00:13:30.400 --> 00:13:31.180 of power and they 00:13:31.180 --> 00:13:31.940 want them kind of 00:13:31.940 --> 00:13:32.720 removed. 00:13:33.900 --> 00:13:34.100 Well, 00:13:34.160 --> 00:13:35.020 whatever reason 00:13:35.020 --> 00:13:35.840 for them telling 00:13:35.840 --> 00:13:37.100 tales to the king, 00:13:37.400 --> 00:13:38.260 it puts them 00:13:38.260 --> 00:13:39.460 in further danger 00:13:39.460 --> 00:13:40.180 of the fire. 00:13:40.640 --> 00:13:41.420 Verse 14, 00:13:42.420 --> 00:13:43.300 Nebuchadnezzar 00:13:43.300 --> 00:13:43.860 said to them, 00:13:44.080 --> 00:13:44.980 Is it true, 00:13:45.180 --> 00:13:45.640 Shadrach, 00:13:45.760 --> 00:13:46.240 Meshach and 00:13:46.240 --> 00:13:46.720 Abednego, 00:13:47.080 --> 00:13:48.260 that you do not 00:13:48.260 --> 00:13:49.700 serve my gods 00:13:49.700 --> 00:13:50.500 or worship 00:13:50.500 --> 00:13:51.660 the image of gold 00:13:51.659 --> 00:13:52.980 I have set up? 00:13:54.039 --> 00:13:54.279 Now, 00:13:54.360 --> 00:13:54.860 when you hear 00:13:54.860 --> 00:13:55.500 the sound of 00:13:55.500 --> 00:13:55.939 the horn, 00:13:56.079 --> 00:13:56.459 the flute, 00:13:56.600 --> 00:13:56.879 the zither, 00:13:57.019 --> 00:13:57.360 the lyre, 00:13:57.439 --> 00:13:57.779 the harp, 00:13:57.879 --> 00:13:58.319 the pipes, 00:13:58.399 --> 00:13:59.120 of all kinds 00:13:59.120 --> 00:13:59.719 of music, 00:14:00.279 --> 00:14:01.240 if you are 00:14:01.240 --> 00:14:01.959 ready to fall 00:14:01.959 --> 00:14:02.419 down and 00:14:02.419 --> 00:14:02.899 worship the 00:14:02.899 --> 00:14:03.679 image I made, 00:14:04.279 --> 00:14:05.139 very good, 00:14:05.399 --> 00:14:06.120 you'll be safe, 00:14:06.199 --> 00:14:06.879 you'll be okay. 00:14:07.839 --> 00:14:08.939 But if you do 00:14:08.939 --> 00:14:09.980 not worship it, 00:14:10.879 --> 00:14:11.579 you will be 00:14:11.579 --> 00:14:12.799 thrown immediately 00:14:12.799 --> 00:14:14.240 into the 00:14:14.240 --> 00:14:15.120 blazing furnace. 00:14:15.120 --> 00:14:18.340 then what god 00:14:18.340 --> 00:14:19.560 will be able 00:14:19.560 --> 00:14:20.980 to save you 00:14:20.980 --> 00:14:22.360 from my hand? 00:14:23.200 --> 00:14:23.740 Come on, 00:14:24.220 --> 00:14:24.940 what god 00:14:24.940 --> 00:14:26.100 is so great 00:14:26.100 --> 00:14:27.539 that he is 00:14:27.539 --> 00:14:28.179 greater than 00:14:28.179 --> 00:14:28.620 me? 00:14:29.820 --> 00:14:30.360 Bow down 00:14:30.360 --> 00:14:31.580 to my god 00:14:31.580 --> 00:14:33.399 and I will 00:14:33.399 --> 00:14:34.340 save you 00:14:34.340 --> 00:14:35.279 from the fire. 00:14:38.120 --> 00:14:38.639 Well, 00:14:38.700 --> 00:14:39.299 at one level 00:14:39.299 --> 00:14:40.440 there's no doubt 00:14:40.440 --> 00:14:41.460 that Nebuchadnezzar 00:14:41.460 --> 00:14:42.519 could save them 00:14:42.519 --> 00:14:43.159 from the flames. 00:14:43.159 --> 00:14:43.719 he had the 00:14:43.719 --> 00:14:44.399 power to do 00:14:44.399 --> 00:14:44.740 that. 00:14:44.839 --> 00:14:45.259 That's what 00:14:45.259 --> 00:14:45.679 he's saying 00:14:45.679 --> 00:14:46.299 to them here. 00:14:47.179 --> 00:14:47.799 But that's 00:14:47.799 --> 00:14:48.319 not where 00:14:48.319 --> 00:14:49.019 these three 00:14:49.019 --> 00:14:49.699 guys put 00:14:49.699 --> 00:14:50.600 their faith. 00:14:51.839 --> 00:14:52.179 Look at 00:14:52.179 --> 00:14:52.959 verse 16. 00:14:54.419 --> 00:14:54.839 What an 00:14:54.839 --> 00:14:55.779 extraordinary 00:14:55.779 --> 00:14:56.659 answer to 00:14:56.659 --> 00:14:57.559 give when 00:14:57.559 --> 00:14:57.959 they're being 00:14:57.959 --> 00:14:58.879 threatened with 00:14:58.879 --> 00:14:59.740 death itself 00:14:59.740 --> 00:15:00.319 in such a 00:15:00.319 --> 00:15:01.059 brutal fashion. 00:15:01.459 --> 00:15:01.719 Look at 00:15:01.719 --> 00:15:02.079 what this 00:15:02.079 --> 00:15:02.519 says in 00:15:02.519 --> 00:15:03.240 verse 16. 00:15:03.899 --> 00:15:04.379 Shadrach, 00:15:04.500 --> 00:15:05.000 Meshach and 00:15:05.000 --> 00:15:05.439 Abednego 00:15:05.439 --> 00:15:06.159 replied to 00:15:06.159 --> 00:15:06.579 the king, 00:15:08.139 --> 00:15:08.360 O 00:15:08.360 --> 00:15:09.279 Nebuchadnezzar, 00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:11.199 we do not 00:15:11.199 --> 00:15:11.679 need to 00:15:11.679 --> 00:15:12.620 defend ourselves 00:15:12.620 --> 00:15:13.299 before you 00:15:13.299 --> 00:15:13.659 in this 00:15:13.659 --> 00:15:14.000 matter. 00:15:15.220 --> 00:15:16.039 We don't 00:15:16.039 --> 00:15:16.480 even need 00:15:16.480 --> 00:15:17.159 to answer 00:15:17.159 --> 00:15:17.560 you. 00:15:18.399 --> 00:15:18.899 We don't 00:15:18.899 --> 00:15:19.259 need to 00:15:19.259 --> 00:15:19.899 try and 00:15:19.899 --> 00:15:20.399 get out 00:15:20.399 --> 00:15:20.740 of this 00:15:20.740 --> 00:15:21.299 threat and 00:15:21.299 --> 00:15:21.700 try to 00:15:21.700 --> 00:15:22.860 explain why 00:15:22.860 --> 00:15:23.299 we're not 00:15:23.299 --> 00:15:24.080 bowing down. 00:15:24.820 --> 00:15:25.120 You see, 00:15:25.220 --> 00:15:25.840 our God is 00:15:25.840 --> 00:15:27.019 more powerful 00:15:27.019 --> 00:15:27.659 than you. 00:15:28.100 --> 00:15:28.860 Our God 00:15:28.860 --> 00:15:29.379 is a 00:15:29.379 --> 00:15:30.560 saving God. 00:15:30.940 --> 00:15:31.679 Verse 17, 00:15:32.179 --> 00:15:33.240 if we are 00:15:33.240 --> 00:15:33.899 thrown into 00:15:33.899 --> 00:15:34.480 the blazing 00:15:34.480 --> 00:15:35.060 furnace, 00:15:35.940 --> 00:15:36.620 the God 00:15:36.620 --> 00:15:37.580 we serve 00:15:37.580 --> 00:15:38.960 is able 00:15:38.960 --> 00:15:40.120 to save 00:15:40.120 --> 00:15:40.759 us from 00:15:40.759 --> 00:15:41.120 it. 00:15:42.639 --> 00:15:43.620 And he 00:15:43.620 --> 00:15:44.440 will rescue 00:15:44.440 --> 00:15:45.280 us from 00:15:45.280 --> 00:15:46.240 your hand, 00:15:46.920 --> 00:15:47.160 O king. 00:15:49.420 --> 00:15:50.200 Absolute 00:15:50.200 --> 00:15:50.980 confidence 00:15:50.980 --> 00:15:53.280 and assurance 00:15:53.280 --> 00:15:55.500 under such 00:15:55.500 --> 00:15:57.160 pressure in 00:15:57.160 --> 00:15:58.259 God's ability 00:15:58.259 --> 00:15:58.920 to save. 00:15:59.740 --> 00:16:00.500 You can 00:16:00.500 --> 00:16:01.000 throw us 00:16:01.000 --> 00:16:01.400 into the 00:16:01.400 --> 00:16:01.820 flames, 00:16:02.460 --> 00:16:03.160 that's 00:16:03.160 --> 00:16:03.560 okay, 00:16:03.559 --> 00:16:05.659 because 00:16:05.659 --> 00:16:06.639 our God 00:16:06.639 --> 00:16:07.559 is able 00:16:07.559 --> 00:16:08.159 to save. 00:16:09.719 --> 00:16:10.579 How could 00:16:10.579 --> 00:16:11.179 they be so 00:16:11.179 --> 00:16:11.799 confident 00:16:11.799 --> 00:16:13.419 of God's 00:16:13.419 --> 00:16:13.879 salvation? 00:16:15.459 --> 00:16:15.859 Well, 00:16:15.919 --> 00:16:16.239 for them 00:16:16.239 --> 00:16:16.979 history has 00:16:16.979 --> 00:16:17.839 proved it. 00:16:18.859 --> 00:16:19.259 God had 00:16:19.259 --> 00:16:19.939 saved his 00:16:19.939 --> 00:16:20.599 people from 00:16:20.599 --> 00:16:21.259 Egypt. 00:16:22.219 --> 00:16:22.859 God had 00:16:22.859 --> 00:16:23.599 saved his 00:16:23.599 --> 00:16:24.519 people time 00:16:24.519 --> 00:16:24.939 and time 00:16:24.939 --> 00:16:25.479 again through 00:16:25.479 --> 00:16:26.039 the judges 00:16:26.039 --> 00:16:26.979 like Samson 00:16:26.979 --> 00:16:27.679 and Gideon. 00:16:28.439 --> 00:16:29.139 God had 00:16:29.139 --> 00:16:29.919 saved his 00:16:29.919 --> 00:16:30.979 people through 00:16:30.979 --> 00:16:32.279 kings like 00:16:32.279 --> 00:16:33.199 David and 00:16:33.200 --> 00:16:33.800 Solomon. 00:16:34.520 --> 00:16:35.200 Their whole 00:16:35.200 --> 00:16:36.840 history is 00:16:36.840 --> 00:16:37.759 an experience 00:16:37.759 --> 00:16:39.120 of a God 00:16:39.120 --> 00:16:40.540 who intervenes 00:16:40.540 --> 00:16:41.480 and saves 00:16:41.480 --> 00:16:42.600 time and 00:16:42.600 --> 00:16:43.680 time again. 00:16:44.080 --> 00:16:44.860 That is 00:16:44.860 --> 00:16:45.740 what this 00:16:45.740 --> 00:16:47.040 God does. 00:16:50.379 --> 00:16:51.420 And that's 00:16:51.420 --> 00:16:52.020 the confidence 00:16:52.020 --> 00:16:52.759 that we can 00:16:52.759 --> 00:16:53.400 have too. 00:16:54.140 --> 00:16:55.060 Because God 00:16:55.060 --> 00:16:55.560 is a God 00:16:55.560 --> 00:16:56.280 who delights 00:16:56.280 --> 00:16:56.860 in saving 00:16:56.860 --> 00:16:57.480 his people. 00:16:57.820 --> 00:16:58.240 He's more 00:16:58.240 --> 00:16:59.140 powerful than 00:16:59.140 --> 00:17:00.040 anyone or 00:17:00.040 --> 00:17:00.480 anything. 00:17:00.920 --> 00:17:01.500 After all, 00:17:01.580 --> 00:17:01.980 God has 00:17:01.980 --> 00:17:02.780 proved it in 00:17:02.779 --> 00:17:04.099 history ultimately 00:17:04.099 --> 00:17:04.779 through his 00:17:04.779 --> 00:17:05.139 son, 00:17:05.299 --> 00:17:06.019 Jesus Christ, 00:17:06.139 --> 00:17:07.700 who died but 00:17:07.700 --> 00:17:08.779 rose again from 00:17:08.779 --> 00:17:09.359 the grave, 00:17:09.480 --> 00:17:10.480 defeating death. 00:17:10.759 --> 00:17:11.660 We have a 00:17:11.660 --> 00:17:12.559 God who 00:17:12.559 --> 00:17:13.539 saves. 00:17:14.539 --> 00:17:15.680 That is 00:17:15.680 --> 00:17:16.599 what he 00:17:16.599 --> 00:17:17.099 does. 00:17:19.899 --> 00:17:20.539 Now, 00:17:20.579 --> 00:17:21.059 because our 00:17:21.059 --> 00:17:21.660 God is a 00:17:21.660 --> 00:17:22.399 saving God, 00:17:23.460 --> 00:17:24.500 we can 00:17:24.500 --> 00:17:25.519 trust him 00:17:25.519 --> 00:17:26.700 with our 00:17:26.700 --> 00:17:27.220 life. 00:17:27.220 --> 00:17:28.420 verse 18. 00:17:31.420 --> 00:17:32.079 But even 00:17:32.079 --> 00:17:32.680 if he does 00:17:32.680 --> 00:17:34.500 not save 00:17:34.500 --> 00:17:34.940 us, 00:17:35.819 --> 00:17:36.539 we want 00:17:36.539 --> 00:17:36.900 you to 00:17:36.900 --> 00:17:37.279 know, 00:17:37.600 --> 00:17:38.059 O king, 00:17:38.880 --> 00:17:39.440 that we 00:17:39.440 --> 00:17:39.920 will not 00:17:39.920 --> 00:17:40.620 serve your 00:17:40.620 --> 00:17:42.100 gods or 00:17:42.100 --> 00:17:42.680 worship the 00:17:42.680 --> 00:17:43.140 image of 00:17:43.140 --> 00:17:43.660 gold you 00:17:43.660 --> 00:17:44.059 have set 00:17:44.059 --> 00:17:44.400 up. 00:17:45.960 --> 00:17:46.240 Now, 00:17:46.500 --> 00:17:47.180 hang on a 00:17:47.180 --> 00:17:47.299 minute, 00:17:47.480 --> 00:17:48.279 that just 00:17:48.279 --> 00:17:49.220 seems like a 00:17:49.220 --> 00:17:49.700 contradiction, 00:17:49.920 --> 00:17:50.360 doesn't it? 00:17:51.000 --> 00:17:51.779 I just 00:17:51.779 --> 00:17:52.160 thought you 00:17:52.160 --> 00:17:52.539 said that 00:17:52.539 --> 00:17:53.100 God is a 00:17:53.100 --> 00:17:53.839 saving God. 00:17:53.839 --> 00:17:54.939 and now 00:17:54.939 --> 00:17:55.339 he's saying, 00:17:55.480 --> 00:17:55.639 well, 00:17:55.699 --> 00:17:56.319 maybe if he 00:17:56.319 --> 00:17:56.980 doesn't save 00:17:56.980 --> 00:17:57.259 us, 00:17:57.399 --> 00:17:58.299 so does 00:17:58.299 --> 00:17:58.699 he save 00:17:58.699 --> 00:17:59.000 or does 00:17:59.000 --> 00:17:59.500 he not? 00:18:00.119 --> 00:18:00.359 Well, 00:18:00.399 --> 00:18:00.819 look back 00:18:00.819 --> 00:18:01.459 carefully at 00:18:01.459 --> 00:18:02.220 verse 17. 00:18:03.699 --> 00:18:04.419 Read verse 00:18:04.419 --> 00:18:05.199 17 again. 00:18:05.439 --> 00:18:06.039 If we are 00:18:06.039 --> 00:18:06.639 thrown into 00:18:06.639 --> 00:18:07.179 the blazing 00:18:07.179 --> 00:18:07.720 fire, 00:18:08.779 --> 00:18:09.179 the God 00:18:09.179 --> 00:18:09.799 we serve 00:18:09.799 --> 00:18:11.679 is able 00:18:11.679 --> 00:18:12.799 to save. 00:18:14.740 --> 00:18:15.500 They don't 00:18:15.500 --> 00:18:16.019 say God 00:18:16.019 --> 00:18:16.899 will save 00:18:16.899 --> 00:18:17.240 us, 00:18:18.399 --> 00:18:19.099 they say 00:18:19.099 --> 00:18:19.579 the God 00:18:19.579 --> 00:18:20.220 we serve 00:18:20.220 --> 00:18:21.299 is able 00:18:21.299 --> 00:18:22.439 to save 00:18:22.439 --> 00:18:22.799 us. 00:18:23.839 --> 00:18:25.000 He might 00:18:25.000 --> 00:18:25.899 not save 00:18:25.899 --> 00:18:26.419 us from 00:18:26.419 --> 00:18:27.199 the flames 00:18:27.199 --> 00:18:27.759 of the 00:18:27.759 --> 00:18:28.079 furnace. 00:18:29.279 --> 00:18:30.199 We might 00:18:30.199 --> 00:18:30.839 get thrown 00:18:30.839 --> 00:18:31.459 into the 00:18:31.459 --> 00:18:31.740 furnace, 00:18:32.139 --> 00:18:32.740 we might 00:18:32.740 --> 00:18:33.319 lose our 00:18:33.319 --> 00:18:33.679 life, 00:18:34.019 --> 00:18:34.579 we might 00:18:34.579 --> 00:18:35.220 die, 00:18:36.859 --> 00:18:37.199 but you 00:18:37.199 --> 00:18:37.699 know what? 00:18:39.039 --> 00:18:39.579 We know 00:18:39.579 --> 00:18:39.939 that our 00:18:39.939 --> 00:18:40.819 God even 00:18:40.819 --> 00:18:41.740 has power 00:18:41.740 --> 00:18:42.779 over death 00:18:42.779 --> 00:18:43.259 itself. 00:18:44.439 --> 00:18:44.799 And I 00:18:44.799 --> 00:18:45.619 think that's 00:18:45.619 --> 00:18:46.240 the message 00:18:46.240 --> 00:18:46.839 of verse 00:18:46.839 --> 00:18:47.599 18. 00:18:48.059 --> 00:18:48.419 They are 00:18:48.419 --> 00:18:48.679 saying, 00:18:48.740 --> 00:18:48.899 you know 00:18:48.899 --> 00:18:49.059 what, 00:18:49.099 --> 00:18:49.379 you can 00:18:49.379 --> 00:18:50.000 throw us 00:18:50.000 --> 00:18:50.419 into the 00:18:50.419 --> 00:18:50.839 flames, 00:18:51.480 --> 00:18:52.079 but we 00:18:52.079 --> 00:18:52.819 worship a 00:18:52.819 --> 00:18:53.220 God 00:18:53.220 --> 00:18:54.160 where even 00:18:54.160 --> 00:18:54.940 death 00:18:54.940 --> 00:18:56.420 is not 00:18:56.420 --> 00:18:57.180 an obstacle 00:18:57.180 --> 00:18:58.059 to him. 00:19:00.079 --> 00:19:00.660 Now let 00:19:00.660 --> 00:19:01.079 me ask 00:19:01.079 --> 00:19:01.640 you this, 00:19:02.740 --> 00:19:03.860 what God 00:19:03.860 --> 00:19:04.920 substitutes 00:19:04.920 --> 00:19:06.380 can save 00:19:06.380 --> 00:19:07.100 like this? 00:19:08.059 --> 00:19:08.779 We can 00:19:08.779 --> 00:19:09.279 serve the 00:19:09.279 --> 00:19:09.680 God of 00:19:09.680 --> 00:19:10.120 pleasure, 00:19:11.160 --> 00:19:12.019 we sacrifice 00:19:12.019 --> 00:19:13.059 our lives 00:19:13.059 --> 00:19:13.500 to the 00:19:13.500 --> 00:19:14.380 idols of 00:19:14.380 --> 00:19:14.819 work, 00:19:15.819 --> 00:19:16.900 but they 00:19:16.900 --> 00:19:17.779 can't save 00:19:17.779 --> 00:19:18.160 us. 00:19:18.160 --> 00:19:18.259 us. 00:19:19.460 --> 00:19:20.500 We obey 00:19:20.500 --> 00:19:21.420 the demands 00:19:21.420 --> 00:19:21.920 that our 00:19:21.920 --> 00:19:22.900 gods place 00:19:22.900 --> 00:19:23.560 on us, 00:19:24.340 --> 00:19:24.680 that we 00:19:24.680 --> 00:19:25.180 must do 00:19:25.180 --> 00:19:25.480 more, 00:19:25.600 --> 00:19:25.940 we must 00:19:25.940 --> 00:19:26.560 give more, 00:19:26.759 --> 00:19:27.200 but for 00:19:27.200 --> 00:19:28.040 what purpose? 00:19:29.180 --> 00:19:29.759 They have 00:19:29.759 --> 00:19:30.519 no power 00:19:30.519 --> 00:19:31.320 over life, 00:19:31.640 --> 00:19:31.980 they have 00:19:31.980 --> 00:19:32.700 no power 00:19:32.700 --> 00:19:33.460 over death, 00:19:33.720 --> 00:19:34.300 they can't 00:19:34.300 --> 00:19:35.000 rescue us, 00:19:35.080 --> 00:19:35.580 they can't 00:19:35.580 --> 00:19:36.560 deliver us. 00:19:38.580 --> 00:19:39.200 And so the 00:19:39.200 --> 00:19:40.080 three friends 00:19:40.080 --> 00:19:41.100 refuse to 00:19:41.100 --> 00:19:41.980 bow in 00:19:41.980 --> 00:19:42.360 worship, 00:19:42.359 --> 00:19:44.279 because they 00:19:44.279 --> 00:19:45.139 trust in a 00:19:45.139 --> 00:19:45.719 God who 00:19:45.719 --> 00:19:46.500 is worthy 00:19:46.500 --> 00:19:47.159 of worship 00:19:47.159 --> 00:19:48.939 and who 00:19:48.939 --> 00:19:49.519 is able 00:19:49.519 --> 00:19:50.240 to save. 00:19:53.199 --> 00:19:53.899 So we 00:19:53.899 --> 00:19:54.219 meet a 00:19:54.219 --> 00:19:54.699 God who 00:19:54.699 --> 00:19:55.199 is worthy 00:19:55.199 --> 00:19:55.919 of worship, 00:19:57.079 --> 00:19:57.500 a God 00:19:57.500 --> 00:19:57.939 who is able 00:19:57.939 --> 00:19:58.679 to save, 00:20:00.039 --> 00:20:01.059 and we 00:20:01.059 --> 00:20:01.799 also meet a 00:20:01.799 --> 00:20:02.219 God who 00:20:02.219 --> 00:20:02.639 is willing 00:20:02.639 --> 00:20:03.259 to die 00:20:03.259 --> 00:20:04.240 for us. 00:20:06.179 --> 00:20:07.019 These guys 00:20:07.019 --> 00:20:07.779 wouldn't bow, 00:20:08.979 --> 00:20:09.500 so the 00:20:09.500 --> 00:20:10.019 threat has 00:20:10.019 --> 00:20:10.599 been carried 00:20:10.599 --> 00:20:11.039 out, 00:20:11.039 --> 00:20:12.359 verse 22. 00:20:14.220 --> 00:20:15.180 The king's 00:20:15.180 --> 00:20:15.839 command was 00:20:15.839 --> 00:20:16.940 so urgent, 00:20:17.960 --> 00:20:18.579 and the 00:20:18.579 --> 00:20:19.440 furnace so 00:20:19.440 --> 00:20:19.879 hot, 00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:20.440 we're told 00:20:20.440 --> 00:20:20.899 back in 00:20:20.899 --> 00:20:21.659 verse 19, 00:20:21.759 --> 00:20:22.099 that it was 00:20:22.099 --> 00:20:22.920 heated seven 00:20:22.920 --> 00:20:23.599 times hotter 00:20:23.599 --> 00:20:24.220 than normal, 00:20:24.960 --> 00:20:25.559 it had become 00:20:25.559 --> 00:20:26.920 so hot that 00:20:26.920 --> 00:20:27.680 the flames of 00:20:27.680 --> 00:20:28.099 the fire 00:20:28.099 --> 00:20:28.659 killed the 00:20:28.659 --> 00:20:29.240 soldiers who 00:20:29.240 --> 00:20:29.759 took up 00:20:29.759 --> 00:20:30.240 Shadrach, 00:20:30.339 --> 00:20:30.659 Meshach, 00:20:30.740 --> 00:20:31.220 and Abednego 00:20:31.220 --> 00:20:31.680 to the 00:20:31.680 --> 00:20:32.279 entrance of 00:20:32.279 --> 00:20:32.819 the furnace. 00:20:33.680 --> 00:20:34.200 The flames 00:20:34.200 --> 00:20:35.059 just engulfed 00:20:35.059 --> 00:20:35.359 them and 00:20:35.359 --> 00:20:35.819 burnt them. 00:20:37.879 --> 00:20:38.740 And these 00:20:38.740 --> 00:20:39.319 three men, 00:20:39.399 --> 00:20:40.159 verse 23, 00:20:40.160 --> 00:20:42.100 firmly tied 00:20:42.100 --> 00:20:43.480 by ropes, 00:20:43.840 --> 00:20:44.519 fell into 00:20:44.519 --> 00:20:45.180 the blazing 00:20:45.180 --> 00:20:45.680 furnace. 00:20:48.220 --> 00:20:49.120 It seems 00:20:49.120 --> 00:20:49.620 like the 00:20:49.620 --> 00:20:50.180 God of 00:20:50.180 --> 00:20:50.700 these three 00:20:50.700 --> 00:20:52.540 friends is 00:20:52.540 --> 00:20:53.220 unable to 00:20:53.220 --> 00:20:53.620 save. 00:20:54.920 --> 00:20:55.759 Where is 00:20:55.759 --> 00:20:55.920 he? 00:20:57.600 --> 00:20:58.180 Well, 00:20:58.200 --> 00:20:58.500 God has 00:20:58.500 --> 00:20:59.080 not abandoned 00:20:59.080 --> 00:20:59.380 them. 00:21:00.279 --> 00:21:00.940 He's actually 00:21:00.940 --> 00:21:02.240 present with 00:21:02.240 --> 00:21:02.480 them. 00:21:03.279 --> 00:21:03.640 Look at 00:21:03.640 --> 00:21:04.440 verse 25. 00:21:04.440 --> 00:21:09.720 The three 00:21:09.720 --> 00:21:10.000 of them 00:21:10.000 --> 00:21:10.299 have been 00:21:10.299 --> 00:21:11.039 cast into 00:21:11.039 --> 00:21:11.820 this burning 00:21:11.820 --> 00:21:13.059 furnace, 00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:14.500 and King 00:21:14.500 --> 00:21:15.320 Nebuchadnezzar 00:21:15.320 --> 00:21:15.940 is peering, 00:21:16.120 --> 00:21:16.640 looking into 00:21:16.640 --> 00:21:17.240 the flames. 00:21:17.660 --> 00:21:18.380 Verse 25, 00:21:18.539 --> 00:21:18.860 he says, 00:21:18.940 --> 00:21:19.299 look, 00:21:20.500 --> 00:21:21.299 can you 00:21:21.299 --> 00:21:21.680 see? 00:21:21.840 --> 00:21:22.360 I see, 00:21:23.559 --> 00:21:24.039 it's not 00:21:24.039 --> 00:21:24.440 three, 00:21:24.660 --> 00:21:26.000 four men 00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:27.519 walking around 00:21:27.519 --> 00:21:28.519 in the fire. 00:21:29.059 --> 00:21:29.620 They're 00:21:29.620 --> 00:21:30.440 unbound 00:21:30.440 --> 00:21:32.259 and unharmed, 00:21:32.259 --> 00:21:33.819 and the 00:21:33.819 --> 00:21:34.519 fourth one, 00:21:34.759 --> 00:21:35.140 can you 00:21:35.140 --> 00:21:35.579 see it? 00:21:35.640 --> 00:21:36.140 It looks 00:21:36.140 --> 00:21:36.579 like a 00:21:36.579 --> 00:21:36.859 son of 00:21:36.859 --> 00:21:37.019 the 00:21:37.019 --> 00:21:37.519 gods. 00:21:40.900 --> 00:21:41.539 Nebuchadnezzar 00:21:41.539 --> 00:21:42.140 then approached 00:21:42.140 --> 00:21:42.680 the opening 00:21:42.680 --> 00:21:43.039 of the 00:21:43.039 --> 00:21:43.519 blazing 00:21:43.519 --> 00:21:44.220 furnace and 00:21:44.220 --> 00:21:44.500 shouted, 00:21:44.900 --> 00:21:45.519 Shadrach, 00:21:45.759 --> 00:21:46.259 Meshach, 00:21:46.359 --> 00:21:46.879 and Abednego, 00:21:47.279 --> 00:21:48.140 servants of the 00:21:48.140 --> 00:21:48.640 Most High 00:21:48.640 --> 00:21:48.980 God, 00:21:49.279 --> 00:21:50.079 come out, 00:21:50.319 --> 00:21:51.240 come here. 00:21:51.240 --> 00:21:55.720 So Shadrach, 00:21:55.880 --> 00:21:56.279 Meshach, 00:21:56.359 --> 00:21:56.920 and Abednego 00:21:56.920 --> 00:21:58.859 came out 00:21:58.859 --> 00:22:00.259 of the 00:22:00.259 --> 00:22:00.640 fire. 00:22:02.640 --> 00:22:03.000 Who, 00:22:03.180 --> 00:22:03.620 who was 00:22:03.620 --> 00:22:04.559 this fourth 00:22:04.559 --> 00:22:05.120 person 00:22:05.120 --> 00:22:07.759 that was 00:22:07.759 --> 00:22:08.539 walking around 00:22:08.539 --> 00:22:09.079 with them? 00:22:09.900 --> 00:22:10.099 Well, 00:22:10.180 --> 00:22:10.819 Nebuchadnezzar 00:22:10.819 --> 00:22:11.579 tells us in 00:22:11.579 --> 00:22:12.880 verse 28 00:22:12.880 --> 00:22:14.120 that it was 00:22:14.120 --> 00:22:14.819 an angel. 00:22:18.700 --> 00:22:19.380 Was it 00:22:19.380 --> 00:22:19.799 more than 00:22:19.799 --> 00:22:20.299 an angel? 00:22:22.200 --> 00:22:23.180 Writers tend 00:22:23.180 --> 00:22:24.000 to think that 00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:24.799 it was the 00:22:24.799 --> 00:22:25.559 angel of 00:22:25.559 --> 00:22:26.000 God, 00:22:27.079 --> 00:22:29.120 the pre-incarnate 00:22:29.120 --> 00:22:29.799 Christ, 00:22:30.620 --> 00:22:32.079 present with 00:22:32.079 --> 00:22:32.759 the people. 00:22:34.099 --> 00:22:34.500 Well, 00:22:34.539 --> 00:22:35.180 we can't say 00:22:35.180 --> 00:22:36.160 for sure, 00:22:37.519 --> 00:22:38.240 but what is 00:22:38.240 --> 00:22:39.220 without doubt, 00:22:40.500 --> 00:22:41.339 here is a 00:22:41.339 --> 00:22:42.299 God who not 00:22:42.299 --> 00:22:43.620 only saves, 00:22:44.519 --> 00:22:45.120 here is a 00:22:45.120 --> 00:22:45.720 God who is 00:22:45.720 --> 00:22:46.599 present with 00:22:46.599 --> 00:22:47.900 his people as 00:22:47.900 --> 00:22:49.220 they go through 00:22:49.220 --> 00:22:49.839 the fire. 00:22:49.839 --> 00:22:52.099 God didn't 00:22:52.099 --> 00:22:52.579 take the 00:22:52.579 --> 00:22:53.299 furnace away 00:22:53.299 --> 00:22:54.079 from them, 00:22:55.220 --> 00:22:56.039 but nor did 00:22:56.039 --> 00:22:56.899 he abandon 00:22:56.899 --> 00:22:58.039 them in it. 00:22:59.139 --> 00:22:59.720 And this is 00:22:59.720 --> 00:23:00.379 the kind of 00:23:00.379 --> 00:23:01.079 God that we 00:23:01.079 --> 00:23:01.480 have. 00:23:01.799 --> 00:23:02.119 He is 00:23:02.119 --> 00:23:03.059 committed and 00:23:03.059 --> 00:23:04.000 faithful to 00:23:04.000 --> 00:23:04.759 his people, 00:23:05.159 --> 00:23:05.599 to his 00:23:05.599 --> 00:23:05.980 servants. 00:23:06.539 --> 00:23:07.139 He doesn't 00:23:07.139 --> 00:23:08.220 always take 00:23:08.220 --> 00:23:08.859 us away, 00:23:09.199 --> 00:23:09.579 take the 00:23:09.579 --> 00:23:10.639 hardships away 00:23:10.639 --> 00:23:11.119 from us. 00:23:11.279 --> 00:23:11.799 He doesn't 00:23:11.799 --> 00:23:12.619 always remove 00:23:12.619 --> 00:23:13.419 the difficulties 00:23:13.419 --> 00:23:14.159 of life. 00:23:14.740 --> 00:23:15.579 Very often, 00:23:15.679 --> 00:23:16.579 and mostly the 00:23:16.579 --> 00:23:17.720 case is that 00:23:17.720 --> 00:23:18.359 he lets us 00:23:18.359 --> 00:23:19.000 walk through 00:23:19.000 --> 00:23:19.939 the fire of 00:23:19.939 --> 00:23:20.659 suffering, 00:23:21.500 --> 00:23:24.039 but he is 00:23:24.039 --> 00:23:24.919 always present 00:23:24.919 --> 00:23:26.059 with us in 00:23:26.059 --> 00:23:27.579 the midst of 00:23:27.579 --> 00:23:28.279 our suffering. 00:23:31.779 --> 00:23:32.819 Our God is 00:23:32.819 --> 00:23:33.299 not just 00:23:33.299 --> 00:23:34.139 present though, 00:23:34.879 --> 00:23:35.819 as God was 00:23:35.819 --> 00:23:36.279 with these 00:23:36.279 --> 00:23:37.019 three guys. 00:23:38.019 --> 00:23:38.859 He is 00:23:38.859 --> 00:23:40.559 willing to 00:23:40.559 --> 00:23:41.740 die for us. 00:23:43.460 --> 00:23:44.000 Look how 00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:44.599 these three 00:23:44.599 --> 00:23:45.619 friends emerged 00:23:45.619 --> 00:23:46.419 from the fire. 00:23:50.679 --> 00:23:51.439 Comes in the 00:23:51.439 --> 00:23:51.799 middle of 00:23:51.799 --> 00:23:52.779 verse 27. 00:23:54.239 --> 00:23:54.879 They've come 00:23:54.879 --> 00:23:55.339 out of the 00:23:55.339 --> 00:23:55.879 fire and 00:23:55.879 --> 00:23:56.399 they're looking 00:23:56.399 --> 00:23:56.919 at them, 00:23:57.479 --> 00:23:58.619 and look what 00:23:58.619 --> 00:23:59.179 they saw. 00:23:59.439 --> 00:24:00.339 They saw that 00:24:00.339 --> 00:24:01.319 the fire had 00:24:01.319 --> 00:24:02.459 not harmed 00:24:02.459 --> 00:24:03.399 their bodies, 00:24:05.659 --> 00:24:06.419 nor was 00:24:06.419 --> 00:24:06.819 there a 00:24:06.819 --> 00:24:08.699 hair of 00:24:08.699 --> 00:24:09.299 their heads 00:24:09.299 --> 00:24:10.199 singed, 00:24:11.339 --> 00:24:12.379 their robes 00:24:12.379 --> 00:24:12.719 or their 00:24:12.719 --> 00:24:13.339 clothes were 00:24:13.339 --> 00:24:14.519 not scorched, 00:24:14.519 --> 00:24:16.319 and there 00:24:16.319 --> 00:24:16.879 wasn't even 00:24:16.879 --> 00:24:17.740 a smell 00:24:17.740 --> 00:24:18.400 of fire 00:24:18.400 --> 00:24:19.119 on them. 00:24:20.759 --> 00:24:21.639 Now this 00:24:21.639 --> 00:24:22.400 smacks to 00:24:22.400 --> 00:24:23.819 me of 00:24:23.819 --> 00:24:24.599 complete 00:24:24.599 --> 00:24:25.500 and 00:24:25.500 --> 00:24:26.339 absolute 00:24:26.339 --> 00:24:27.400 salvation. 00:24:29.180 --> 00:24:30.119 There's no 00:24:30.119 --> 00:24:30.819 sense in 00:24:30.819 --> 00:24:31.440 anything at 00:24:31.440 --> 00:24:31.839 all that 00:24:31.839 --> 00:24:32.480 anything was 00:24:32.480 --> 00:24:32.879 lost. 00:24:33.339 --> 00:24:34.000 Complete 00:24:34.000 --> 00:24:35.160 and absolute 00:24:35.160 --> 00:24:35.879 salvation. 00:24:35.880 --> 00:24:35.940 salvation. 00:24:38.220 --> 00:24:39.020 Now that 00:24:39.020 --> 00:24:39.740 can be our 00:24:39.740 --> 00:24:41.220 experience too, 00:24:42.180 --> 00:24:42.860 but in a 00:24:42.860 --> 00:24:43.460 much deeper 00:24:43.460 --> 00:24:43.880 way. 00:24:45.380 --> 00:24:45.760 You see, 00:24:45.840 --> 00:24:46.340 the God 00:24:46.340 --> 00:24:47.400 who walked 00:24:47.400 --> 00:24:48.420 into the 00:24:48.420 --> 00:24:49.540 furnace with 00:24:49.540 --> 00:24:50.280 these three 00:24:50.280 --> 00:24:51.060 friends, 00:24:52.680 --> 00:24:53.120 is the 00:24:53.120 --> 00:24:53.820 same God 00:24:53.820 --> 00:24:54.560 who walked 00:24:54.560 --> 00:24:55.860 into the 00:24:55.860 --> 00:24:56.340 ultimate 00:24:56.340 --> 00:24:57.840 furnace for 00:24:57.840 --> 00:24:58.200 you and 00:24:58.200 --> 00:24:58.640 for me. 00:25:00.500 --> 00:25:01.080 Jesus 00:25:01.080 --> 00:25:01.680 Christ 00:25:01.680 --> 00:25:03.900 wasn't 00:25:03.900 --> 00:25:04.460 immune to 00:25:04.460 --> 00:25:05.020 the suffering 00:25:05.019 --> 00:25:05.440 of this 00:25:05.440 --> 00:25:05.779 world. 00:25:07.160 --> 00:25:07.680 But he 00:25:07.680 --> 00:25:08.700 entered into 00:25:08.700 --> 00:25:09.400 this world 00:25:09.400 --> 00:25:10.539 for you 00:25:10.539 --> 00:25:10.859 and for 00:25:10.859 --> 00:25:11.139 me, 00:25:12.279 --> 00:25:12.740 and went 00:25:12.740 --> 00:25:13.079 to the 00:25:13.079 --> 00:25:13.539 cross. 00:25:14.740 --> 00:25:15.379 But why? 00:25:15.579 --> 00:25:16.079 Why did 00:25:16.079 --> 00:25:16.559 he have to 00:25:16.559 --> 00:25:17.019 do it? 00:25:18.000 --> 00:25:18.420 Well, 00:25:18.460 --> 00:25:18.700 like 00:25:18.700 --> 00:25:19.579 Nebuchadnezzar, 00:25:20.400 --> 00:25:21.160 we've all 00:25:21.160 --> 00:25:21.900 rejected the 00:25:21.900 --> 00:25:22.639 true and 00:25:22.639 --> 00:25:23.359 living God. 00:25:24.660 --> 00:25:25.460 We've all 00:25:25.460 --> 00:25:26.220 from time to 00:25:26.220 --> 00:25:27.139 time replaced 00:25:27.139 --> 00:25:27.700 him with our 00:25:27.700 --> 00:25:28.619 own false 00:25:28.619 --> 00:25:29.059 gods, 00:25:29.259 --> 00:25:29.740 our dead 00:25:29.740 --> 00:25:30.259 gods. 00:25:30.859 --> 00:25:31.539 We've all 00:25:31.539 --> 00:25:32.160 broken the 00:25:32.160 --> 00:25:33.119 first commandment, 00:25:33.119 --> 00:25:33.159 gods, 00:25:33.419 --> 00:25:33.959 you shall 00:25:33.959 --> 00:25:34.759 have no 00:25:34.759 --> 00:25:35.619 other gods 00:25:35.619 --> 00:25:37.059 but me. 00:25:38.199 --> 00:25:38.879 We've all 00:25:38.879 --> 00:25:39.379 done it. 00:25:40.699 --> 00:25:41.339 And instead 00:25:41.339 --> 00:25:41.859 of giving 00:25:41.859 --> 00:25:42.419 God, 00:25:42.500 --> 00:25:42.919 the true 00:25:42.919 --> 00:25:43.339 God, 00:25:43.679 --> 00:25:44.279 the worship 00:25:44.279 --> 00:25:45.279 he deserves, 00:25:45.659 --> 00:25:46.399 we worship 00:25:46.399 --> 00:25:47.259 someone else 00:25:47.259 --> 00:25:47.839 or something 00:25:47.839 --> 00:25:48.279 else. 00:25:49.659 --> 00:25:50.439 We've looked 00:25:50.439 --> 00:25:50.859 to other 00:25:50.859 --> 00:25:51.519 things for 00:25:51.519 --> 00:25:52.539 security in 00:25:52.539 --> 00:25:53.059 our life. 00:25:54.699 --> 00:25:55.119 And God 00:25:55.119 --> 00:25:55.639 has made it 00:25:55.639 --> 00:25:56.259 very clear 00:25:56.259 --> 00:25:57.799 that all 00:25:57.799 --> 00:25:58.359 those who 00:25:58.359 --> 00:25:58.979 do not 00:25:58.979 --> 00:25:59.439 worship 00:25:59.439 --> 00:26:00.139 God 00:26:00.140 --> 00:26:01.880 will be 00:26:01.880 --> 00:26:02.400 judged 00:26:02.400 --> 00:26:04.100 and 00:26:04.100 --> 00:26:04.940 separated 00:26:04.940 --> 00:26:06.000 from God 00:26:06.000 --> 00:26:06.800 in hell 00:26:06.800 --> 00:26:07.780 for all 00:26:07.780 --> 00:26:08.340 eternity. 00:26:11.620 --> 00:26:12.380 That's 00:26:12.380 --> 00:26:12.880 what will 00:26:12.880 --> 00:26:13.340 happen. 00:26:14.680 --> 00:26:15.759 But Christ 00:26:15.759 --> 00:26:16.540 intervened 00:26:16.540 --> 00:26:17.040 into our 00:26:17.040 --> 00:26:17.460 world. 00:26:18.320 --> 00:26:19.000 He walks 00:26:19.000 --> 00:26:19.920 where we 00:26:19.920 --> 00:26:20.620 deserve to 00:26:20.620 --> 00:26:21.040 walk. 00:26:21.660 --> 00:26:22.180 In our 00:26:22.180 --> 00:26:22.660 place, 00:26:23.020 --> 00:26:23.740 Christ went 00:26:23.740 --> 00:26:24.320 into the 00:26:24.320 --> 00:26:25.259 fiery furnace 00:26:25.259 --> 00:26:25.920 of judgment 00:26:25.920 --> 00:26:26.700 for us. 00:26:27.040 --> 00:26:27.520 On the 00:26:27.520 --> 00:26:27.900 cross, 00:26:28.020 --> 00:26:28.320 Christ 00:26:28.320 --> 00:26:28.940 suffered the 00:26:28.940 --> 00:26:29.720 flames of 00:26:29.720 --> 00:26:30.299 God's 00:26:30.299 --> 00:26:30.600 wrath. 00:26:30.940 --> 00:26:31.460 He took 00:26:31.460 --> 00:26:32.120 my sin, 00:26:32.220 --> 00:26:32.759 your sin, 00:26:32.980 --> 00:26:33.860 on himself 00:26:33.860 --> 00:26:34.580 and the 00:26:34.580 --> 00:26:34.960 judgment 00:26:34.960 --> 00:26:35.840 fell on 00:26:35.840 --> 00:26:36.320 him. 00:26:37.100 --> 00:26:37.759 He went 00:26:37.759 --> 00:26:38.259 into the 00:26:38.259 --> 00:26:38.779 heart of 00:26:38.779 --> 00:26:39.279 the fire 00:26:39.279 --> 00:26:39.700 itself. 00:26:40.100 --> 00:26:40.900 He descended 00:26:40.900 --> 00:26:41.620 into hell 00:26:41.620 --> 00:26:42.400 for us 00:26:42.400 --> 00:26:43.120 so that 00:26:43.120 --> 00:26:43.660 we don't 00:26:43.660 --> 00:26:44.299 have to. 00:26:47.320 --> 00:26:48.180 And all 00:26:48.180 --> 00:26:48.900 those who 00:26:48.900 --> 00:26:49.740 trust in 00:26:49.740 --> 00:26:50.100 him, 00:26:50.460 --> 00:26:51.160 the fire 00:26:51.160 --> 00:26:52.059 of judgment 00:26:52.059 --> 00:26:53.220 will pass 00:26:53.220 --> 00:26:53.720 by. 00:26:54.880 --> 00:26:55.299 And it 00:26:55.299 --> 00:26:55.779 will be 00:26:55.779 --> 00:26:56.480 like the 00:26:56.480 --> 00:26:56.799 end of 00:26:56.799 --> 00:26:58.120 verse 27, 00:26:58.119 --> 00:27:00.819 where the 00:27:00.819 --> 00:27:01.299 fire had 00:27:01.299 --> 00:27:01.959 not harmed 00:27:01.959 --> 00:27:02.779 their bodies, 00:27:03.439 --> 00:27:04.099 nor was 00:27:04.099 --> 00:27:04.419 there a 00:27:04.419 --> 00:27:04.719 head of 00:27:04.719 --> 00:27:05.219 their head 00:27:05.219 --> 00:27:06.000 singed, 00:27:06.519 --> 00:27:07.239 their clothes 00:27:07.239 --> 00:27:08.379 not scorched, 00:27:08.939 --> 00:27:09.419 there was 00:27:09.419 --> 00:27:10.079 no smell 00:27:10.079 --> 00:27:10.599 of fire 00:27:10.599 --> 00:27:11.119 on them. 00:27:12.399 --> 00:27:12.619 There 00:27:12.619 --> 00:27:12.859 will be 00:27:12.859 --> 00:27:13.559 no judgment, 00:27:14.359 --> 00:27:14.679 there will 00:27:14.679 --> 00:27:15.079 be no 00:27:15.079 --> 00:27:15.959 condemnation, 00:27:16.739 --> 00:27:17.079 there will 00:27:17.079 --> 00:27:17.519 be no 00:27:17.519 --> 00:27:18.299 separation. 00:27:19.959 --> 00:27:20.399 Instead, 00:27:20.799 --> 00:27:21.799 complete and 00:27:21.799 --> 00:27:22.539 absolute 00:27:22.539 --> 00:27:23.479 salvation, 00:27:23.959 --> 00:27:24.500 eternal 00:27:24.500 --> 00:27:25.359 security, 00:27:25.359 --> 00:27:25.459 eternity, 00:27:26.179 --> 00:27:27.059 with God 00:27:27.059 --> 00:27:27.879 forever 00:27:27.879 --> 00:27:28.699 and ever. 00:27:29.859 --> 00:27:30.279 You see, 00:27:30.399 --> 00:27:30.939 here is the 00:27:30.939 --> 00:27:31.399 God who 00:27:31.399 --> 00:27:31.859 not only 00:27:31.859 --> 00:27:32.659 walks into 00:27:32.659 --> 00:27:33.240 the flames 00:27:33.240 --> 00:27:34.479 with us, 00:27:35.319 --> 00:27:36.240 but he 00:27:36.240 --> 00:27:36.899 walks into 00:27:36.899 --> 00:27:37.579 the flames 00:27:37.579 --> 00:27:38.399 to die 00:27:38.399 --> 00:27:39.500 for you 00:27:39.500 --> 00:27:40.099 and for me. 00:27:41.979 --> 00:27:42.539 Now, 00:27:42.599 --> 00:27:43.319 all of this 00:27:43.319 --> 00:27:44.619 explains 00:27:44.619 --> 00:27:45.519 why 00:27:45.519 --> 00:27:46.939 John 00:27:46.939 --> 00:27:47.379 Huss, 00:27:47.539 --> 00:27:48.379 600 years 00:27:48.379 --> 00:27:48.759 ago, 00:27:49.379 --> 00:27:49.879 and the 00:27:49.879 --> 00:27:50.519 50 members 00:27:50.519 --> 00:27:51.019 from that 00:27:51.019 --> 00:27:51.359 church 00:27:51.359 --> 00:27:51.979 two years 00:27:51.980 --> 00:27:52.360 ago, 00:27:53.319 --> 00:27:53.819 were willing 00:27:53.819 --> 00:27:54.660 to die 00:27:54.660 --> 00:27:56.079 rather than 00:27:56.079 --> 00:27:56.839 deny their 00:27:56.839 --> 00:27:57.279 God. 00:27:58.259 --> 00:27:59.380 Like Shadrach, 00:27:59.539 --> 00:28:00.059 Meshach and 00:28:00.059 --> 00:28:00.480 Abednego, 00:28:00.640 --> 00:28:00.920 look at 00:28:00.920 --> 00:28:01.740 verse 28, 00:28:02.539 --> 00:28:02.900 the end 00:28:02.900 --> 00:28:03.700 of verse 28, 00:28:04.259 --> 00:28:05.599 they trusted 00:28:05.599 --> 00:28:07.519 in him 00:28:07.519 --> 00:28:10.599 and defied 00:28:10.599 --> 00:28:11.360 the king's 00:28:11.360 --> 00:28:11.799 command 00:28:11.799 --> 00:28:14.079 and were 00:28:14.079 --> 00:28:14.860 willing to 00:28:14.860 --> 00:28:15.339 give up 00:28:15.339 --> 00:28:16.079 their lives 00:28:16.079 --> 00:28:17.039 rather than 00:28:17.039 --> 00:28:17.779 serve or 00:28:17.779 --> 00:28:18.579 worship any 00:28:18.579 --> 00:28:19.819 God except 00:28:19.819 --> 00:28:20.900 their own 00:28:20.900 --> 00:28:21.759 God. 00:28:21.980 --> 00:28:25.960 as 00:28:25.960 --> 00:28:26.799 Nebuchadnezzar 00:28:26.799 --> 00:28:27.519 himself would 00:28:27.519 --> 00:28:28.079 say at the 00:28:28.079 --> 00:28:28.420 end of 00:28:28.420 --> 00:28:29.279 verse 29, 00:28:30.339 --> 00:28:30.779 for no 00:28:30.779 --> 00:28:31.339 other God 00:28:31.339 --> 00:28:32.319 can save 00:28:32.319 --> 00:28:33.940 in this 00:28:33.940 --> 00:28:34.259 way. 00:28:36.440 --> 00:28:36.980 They 00:28:36.980 --> 00:28:37.579 worshipped a 00:28:37.579 --> 00:28:38.039 God who 00:28:38.039 --> 00:28:38.620 is not only 00:28:38.620 --> 00:28:39.079 able to 00:28:39.079 --> 00:28:39.740 save us, 00:28:40.900 --> 00:28:41.380 a God 00:28:41.380 --> 00:28:41.779 who is 00:28:41.779 --> 00:28:42.539 present with 00:28:42.539 --> 00:28:42.960 us, 00:28:43.860 --> 00:28:44.460 but a 00:28:44.460 --> 00:28:44.860 God who 00:28:44.860 --> 00:28:45.240 is willing 00:28:45.240 --> 00:28:45.880 to die. 00:28:47.360 --> 00:28:47.579 Now, 00:28:47.620 --> 00:28:48.079 let's just 00:28:48.079 --> 00:28:48.640 make it a 00:28:48.640 --> 00:28:49.000 little bit 00:28:49.000 --> 00:28:49.740 more personal. 00:28:50.960 --> 00:28:51.480 Is this 00:28:51.480 --> 00:28:51.940 a God 00:28:51.940 --> 00:28:52.420 you could 00:28:52.420 --> 00:28:52.980 die for? 00:28:55.279 --> 00:28:56.039 Is this 00:28:56.039 --> 00:28:56.500 a God 00:28:56.500 --> 00:28:57.900 I would 00:28:57.900 --> 00:28:58.480 die for? 00:29:00.000 --> 00:29:00.559 He's 00:29:00.559 --> 00:29:01.120 walked through 00:29:01.120 --> 00:29:01.819 the ultimate 00:29:01.819 --> 00:29:02.519 furnace for 00:29:02.519 --> 00:29:03.019 us so that 00:29:03.019 --> 00:29:03.839 we may gain 00:29:03.839 --> 00:29:04.720 eternal 00:29:04.720 --> 00:29:05.500 security, 00:29:05.740 --> 00:29:06.519 eternal life 00:29:06.519 --> 00:29:06.940 with him. 00:29:07.299 --> 00:29:08.140 That means 00:29:08.140 --> 00:29:09.120 you and I 00:29:09.120 --> 00:29:09.940 can face 00:29:09.940 --> 00:29:10.599 into the 00:29:10.599 --> 00:29:11.460 troubles of 00:29:11.460 --> 00:29:12.299 this life 00:29:12.299 --> 00:29:14.019 and know 00:29:14.019 --> 00:29:14.400 that he 00:29:14.400 --> 00:29:14.839 will never 00:29:14.839 --> 00:29:15.720 abandon us. 00:29:16.319 --> 00:29:17.339 Sometimes we 00:29:17.339 --> 00:29:18.039 may feel the 00:29:18.039 --> 00:29:18.620 flames are 00:29:18.620 --> 00:29:19.039 raging, 00:29:19.039 --> 00:29:19.960 but God 00:29:19.960 --> 00:29:20.619 is present 00:29:20.619 --> 00:29:21.139 with us. 00:29:21.399 --> 00:29:21.720 He will 00:29:21.720 --> 00:29:22.379 not leave 00:29:22.379 --> 00:29:22.579 you. 00:29:22.839 --> 00:29:23.139 He will 00:29:23.139 --> 00:29:23.779 walk with 00:29:23.779 --> 00:29:24.180 you through 00:29:24.180 --> 00:29:24.779 the fire 00:29:24.779 --> 00:29:25.059 of the 00:29:25.059 --> 00:29:25.639 troubles that 00:29:25.639 --> 00:29:26.039 you go 00:29:26.039 --> 00:29:26.359 through. 00:29:28.779 --> 00:29:29.619 It also 00:29:29.619 --> 00:29:31.960 means that 00:29:31.960 --> 00:29:32.579 you and I 00:29:32.579 --> 00:29:33.240 can face 00:29:33.240 --> 00:29:34.319 death itself 00:29:34.319 --> 00:29:35.839 and know 00:29:35.839 --> 00:29:36.359 that we are 00:29:36.359 --> 00:29:37.000 safe and 00:29:37.000 --> 00:29:37.399 secure. 00:29:39.039 --> 00:29:40.079 For people, 00:29:41.039 --> 00:29:41.639 for some, 00:29:42.220 --> 00:29:42.720 and maybe 00:29:42.720 --> 00:29:43.319 for somebody 00:29:43.319 --> 00:29:43.759 here, 00:29:44.740 --> 00:29:45.779 those flames 00:29:45.779 --> 00:29:46.279 will be 00:29:46.279 --> 00:29:46.899 actual, 00:29:47.180 --> 00:29:48.000 real flames. 00:29:49.039 --> 00:29:49.399 as you 00:29:49.399 --> 00:29:50.019 die for 00:29:50.019 --> 00:29:50.440 preaching 00:29:50.440 --> 00:29:51.079 Christ, 00:29:51.899 --> 00:29:52.299 where he 00:29:52.299 --> 00:29:53.039 is violently 00:29:53.039 --> 00:29:53.759 opposed, 00:29:54.399 --> 00:29:55.180 people face 00:29:55.180 --> 00:29:55.700 that kind 00:29:55.700 --> 00:29:56.159 of death. 00:29:57.599 --> 00:29:58.139 But for 00:29:58.139 --> 00:29:58.659 those who 00:29:58.659 --> 00:29:59.299 go through 00:29:59.299 --> 00:30:00.079 those flames, 00:30:00.899 --> 00:30:01.420 God will 00:30:01.420 --> 00:30:02.059 raise you 00:30:02.059 --> 00:30:03.460 up and 00:30:03.460 --> 00:30:04.000 take you 00:30:04.000 --> 00:30:04.599 to be with 00:30:04.599 --> 00:30:06.259 him forever. 00:30:09.879 --> 00:30:10.779 Whenever we 00:30:10.779 --> 00:30:11.500 face death, 00:30:12.759 --> 00:30:13.299 he is the 00:30:13.299 --> 00:30:13.859 one and 00:30:13.859 --> 00:30:14.700 sure place 00:30:14.700 --> 00:30:16.059 to have 00:30:16.059 --> 00:30:16.619 our faith. 00:30:16.619 --> 00:30:16.719 death, 00:30:17.579 --> 00:30:18.199 this is a 00:30:18.199 --> 00:30:18.659 God we 00:30:18.659 --> 00:30:19.099 can live 00:30:19.099 --> 00:30:19.379 for. 00:30:20.279 --> 00:30:21.459 This is a 00:30:21.459 --> 00:30:22.359 God we 00:30:22.359 --> 00:30:23.099 can even 00:30:23.099 --> 00:30:24.139 die for 00:30:24.139 --> 00:30:27.179 because he 00:30:27.179 --> 00:30:28.219 died for 00:30:28.219 --> 00:30:28.819 us. 00:30:30.099 --> 00:30:31.039 Let's pray 00:30:31.039 --> 00:30:31.719 together. 00:30:31.720 --> 00:30:48.839 listen to 00:30:48.839 --> 00:30:49.339 Jesus' 00:30:49.600 --> 00:30:50.019 words. 00:30:52.160 --> 00:30:52.759 Jesus 00:30:52.759 --> 00:30:53.380 called the 00:30:53.380 --> 00:30:53.920 crowd to 00:30:53.920 --> 00:30:54.440 him along 00:30:54.440 --> 00:30:54.860 with his 00:30:54.860 --> 00:30:55.680 disciples and 00:30:55.680 --> 00:30:56.059 said, 00:30:56.059 --> 00:30:58.480 if anyone 00:30:58.480 --> 00:30:59.220 would come 00:30:59.220 --> 00:30:59.919 after me, 00:31:01.119 --> 00:31:02.019 he must 00:31:02.019 --> 00:31:02.639 deny 00:31:02.639 --> 00:31:04.980 himself and 00:31:04.980 --> 00:31:05.539 take up 00:31:05.539 --> 00:31:06.179 his cross 00:31:06.179 --> 00:31:07.919 and follow 00:31:07.919 --> 00:31:08.259 me. 00:31:09.259 --> 00:31:10.119 For whoever 00:31:10.119 --> 00:31:10.759 wants to 00:31:10.759 --> 00:31:11.480 save his 00:31:11.480 --> 00:31:12.099 life will 00:31:12.099 --> 00:31:12.720 lose it, 00:31:13.720 --> 00:31:15.019 but whoever 00:31:15.019 --> 00:31:16.139 loses his 00:31:16.139 --> 00:31:17.059 life for me 00:31:17.059 --> 00:31:17.960 and for the 00:31:17.960 --> 00:31:19.720 gospel will 00:31:19.720 --> 00:31:20.519 save it. 00:31:20.519 --> 00:31:22.779 father, 00:31:22.920 --> 00:31:23.700 teach us 00:31:23.700 --> 00:31:25.799 to follow 00:31:25.799 --> 00:31:26.160 you. 00:31:27.700 --> 00:31:28.639 Teach us 00:31:28.639 --> 00:31:29.539 to pick up 00:31:29.539 --> 00:31:30.420 the cross 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:32.639 and walk 00:31:32.639 --> 00:31:33.160 the path 00:31:33.160 --> 00:31:33.500 that you 00:31:33.500 --> 00:31:33.980 walked 00:31:33.980 --> 00:31:36.579 in the 00:31:36.579 --> 00:31:37.160 knowledge that 00:31:37.160 --> 00:31:38.139 we are safe 00:31:38.139 --> 00:31:39.480 and secure 00:31:39.480 --> 00:31:40.859 for all 00:31:40.859 --> 00:31:41.420 eternity. 00:31:42.700 --> 00:31:43.619 Knowing that 00:31:43.619 --> 00:31:44.420 our God 00:31:44.420 --> 00:31:46.200 is able 00:31:46.200 --> 00:31:46.960 to save 00:31:46.960 --> 00:31:49.860 and even 00:31:49.860 --> 00:31:50.319 if we 00:31:50.319 --> 00:31:50.880 should enter 00:31:50.880 --> 00:31:51.640 into troubles 00:31:51.640 --> 00:31:52.460 or hardships, 00:31:53.220 --> 00:31:54.519 we know 00:31:54.519 --> 00:31:55.000 our God 00:31:55.000 --> 00:31:55.319 will be 00:31:55.319 --> 00:31:56.100 with us 00:31:56.100 --> 00:31:57.700 and our 00:31:57.700 --> 00:31:58.140 God will 00:31:58.140 --> 00:31:58.960 take us 00:31:58.960 --> 00:32:00.299 to his 00:32:00.299 --> 00:32:00.900 eternal 00:32:00.900 --> 00:32:01.380 kingdom 00:32:01.380 --> 00:32:02.779 forever 00:32:02.779 --> 00:32:03.759 and forever. 00:32:05.140 --> 00:32:05.900 Give us 00:32:05.900 --> 00:32:06.759 confidence to 00:32:06.759 --> 00:32:07.640 stand strong 00:32:07.640 --> 00:32:08.120 for you, 00:32:09.240 --> 00:32:09.740 that we 00:32:09.740 --> 00:32:10.160 would not 00:32:10.160 --> 00:32:10.900 bow down 00:32:10.900 --> 00:32:11.420 to the 00:32:11.420 --> 00:32:12.400 idols of 00:32:12.400 --> 00:32:13.100 this age, 00:32:14.100 --> 00:32:15.220 but worship 00:32:15.220 --> 00:32:16.319 you alone. 00:32:16.960 --> 00:32:18.940 we pray 00:32:18.940 --> 00:32:19.620 this for 00:32:19.620 --> 00:32:20.340 your glory 00:32:20.340 --> 00:32:21.440 and for 00:32:21.440 --> 00:32:21.980 your honour. 00:32:23.160 --> 00:32:23.579 Amen.