WEBVTT 00:00:00.220 --> 00:00:06.679 Thanks so much, Daisy, for reading. Well done with all those various names. It's a tricky one, isn't it? 00:00:07.040 --> 00:00:11.759 And please do keep that passage open in front of you. I think this is one of those classic Bible stories. 00:00:12.519 --> 00:00:18.940 Even if you're not familiar with church or if you kind of grew up in Sunday school, you might know about the fiery furnace. 00:00:19.240 --> 00:00:23.559 Daniel contains a couple of stories like this. We'll come to the lion's den in a few weeks' time. 00:00:23.620 --> 00:00:27.100 But this week, it's the furnace, and it's a belter of a story, isn't it? 00:00:28.100 --> 00:00:33.160 To get us to the heart of this story, I want to tell you about a friend of mine. It was his birthday just last week. 00:00:33.579 --> 00:00:37.900 And he's a bit of a Star Wars fan. His birthday is actually on the 4th of May. 00:00:38.480 --> 00:00:43.520 Most people get a happy birthday. Certainly, that's what I get. That's what people say to me on my birthday. 00:00:43.680 --> 00:00:46.780 But he always gets a May the 4th be with you. 00:00:47.540 --> 00:00:51.260 If you don't know Star Wars, that's a reference to something they often say in Star Wars. 00:00:51.320 --> 00:00:56.420 They say, may the 4th be with you. It's almost like a way of saying good luck in the Star Wars films. 00:00:56.420 --> 00:01:00.100 Sometimes there's this unseen power in those films called the force. 00:01:00.940 --> 00:01:05.960 And individuals can kind of harness the force to their benefit, whatever it is that they face. 00:01:06.540 --> 00:01:10.799 And though the force is always there, they wish one another luck like this. 00:01:10.879 --> 00:01:12.900 May the force be with you. 00:01:14.159 --> 00:01:19.420 Now, if you remember nothing else this morning from all of what I'm about to say, let it be this. 00:01:19.420 --> 00:01:25.460 Whatever it is that you face in life, may God be with you. 00:01:26.299 --> 00:01:32.400 As we approach this chapter of God's Word together, we're going to see how Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, 00:01:32.579 --> 00:01:34.480 they drew a line in the sand. 00:01:34.640 --> 00:01:37.299 They refused to conform to the culture around them. 00:01:37.340 --> 00:01:39.180 And so they faced that fiery furnace. 00:01:39.180 --> 00:01:44.860 And as they do that, they trusted not only that their God was powerful to save, 00:01:45.260 --> 00:01:47.520 but that he would be with them. 00:01:48.740 --> 00:01:53.020 And so that's where we're heading, towards trusting that our God is powerful to save. 00:01:53.080 --> 00:01:59.280 And that most wonderfully, that whatever we face, as we draw our lines in the sand by faith, 00:01:59.940 --> 00:02:05.000 that in every trial of life and ultimately as we face that final trial of death, 00:02:05.000 --> 00:02:10.360 we can be confident that our God is with us. 00:02:11.300 --> 00:02:14.319 So let me pray one more time to that end. 00:02:14.560 --> 00:02:15.099 Let's pray. 00:02:16.879 --> 00:02:22.659 Heavenly Father, I pray once more that you would give us ears this morning to hear what you would have to say to us. 00:02:23.599 --> 00:02:28.939 That you would be stirring our hearts by your Spirit and you would be helping us to see Jesus. 00:02:30.780 --> 00:02:34.039 God, would you be with us for your glory? 00:02:35.000 --> 00:02:35.439 Amen. 00:02:37.919 --> 00:02:43.039 Let's dive in then with our first point this morning, which is the pressure to conform. 00:02:43.180 --> 00:02:45.300 It's there in verses 1 to 7. 00:02:45.919 --> 00:02:49.159 And as we do that, I want you to think for a moment about Nazi Germany. 00:02:49.780 --> 00:02:52.860 I wonder if you can picture the scene of Nazi Germany. 00:02:53.039 --> 00:02:53.560 It's Berlin. 00:02:54.280 --> 00:02:59.639 In 1939, there are red, white and black flags everywhere, swastikas, eagles, 00:02:59.780 --> 00:03:01.840 and everyone is doing the Nazi salute. 00:03:01.840 --> 00:03:05.020 It's really a thinly veiled worship, isn't it? 00:03:05.120 --> 00:03:10.199 And of course, behind that worship is the systematic murder of Jews, 00:03:10.280 --> 00:03:13.819 as well as all sorts of other unwanted people groups. 00:03:14.640 --> 00:03:16.259 Can you take yourself there? 00:03:16.259 --> 00:03:25.439 And I wonder if you were an ordinary German living in Berlin in 1939, what would you do? 00:03:27.439 --> 00:03:30.259 Would you throw your lot in with the powers of the day? 00:03:30.259 --> 00:03:35.919 Maybe you'd keep your head down and go with the flow and salute the flag, 00:03:35.959 --> 00:03:39.379 even though you know deep down that you're unhappy with what's going on. 00:03:40.639 --> 00:03:46.780 Or maybe you'd have drawn a line there, maybe even at the cost of your own life. 00:03:46.780 --> 00:03:49.180 Just be honest with yourself. 00:03:49.259 --> 00:03:50.319 What would you have done? 00:03:51.919 --> 00:03:58.580 Here in Scotland today, the cultural injustices obviously aren't as bold as that. 00:03:58.840 --> 00:04:00.379 They aren't as in your face. 00:04:00.479 --> 00:04:04.879 But either way, there's no doubt, isn't there, that there are pressures to conform on all of us today. 00:04:06.319 --> 00:04:09.020 Last week, after Graham's sermon in chapter 2, 00:04:09.099 --> 00:04:13.379 we asked what cultural norms you felt most under pressure to conform to. 00:04:13.379 --> 00:04:18.879 Almost half of you said something about cultural views on sexuality and gender. 00:04:20.219 --> 00:04:25.120 Some of you talked about gossip and a culture of badmouthing other people, especially at work. 00:04:25.779 --> 00:04:31.819 Speaking of work, lots of you spoke about the relentless pursuit of wealth and success and approval. 00:04:33.279 --> 00:04:35.560 The truth is, it's different for all of us, 00:04:35.620 --> 00:04:40.920 but we all face, don't we, pressure to conform to culture in one way or another. 00:04:40.920 --> 00:04:44.220 And we're going to take a deeper dive into some of that this morning, 00:04:44.319 --> 00:04:46.840 but it's worth asking yourself that question as we go. 00:04:47.060 --> 00:04:50.980 And maybe particularly if you're a growth group this week, a good question to be asking, 00:04:51.920 --> 00:04:58.319 where am I under the most pressure to conform to culture in ways that would compromise my faith? 00:04:58.319 --> 00:05:02.680 Let's dive in at verse 1. 00:05:03.980 --> 00:05:06.040 See in verse 1, check out what Nebuchadnezzar... 00:05:06.040 --> 00:05:08.379 Actually, can we just agree to call him Neb? 00:05:08.620 --> 00:05:09.259 Would that be all right? 00:05:09.339 --> 00:05:10.099 Can we just call him Neb? 00:05:10.139 --> 00:05:10.899 It'd be much easier. 00:05:11.439 --> 00:05:12.620 Check out what Neb's doing. 00:05:13.000 --> 00:05:15.240 He's made this massive image of gold. 00:05:15.819 --> 00:05:16.920 It really is massive. 00:05:17.079 --> 00:05:19.319 I've got 60 cubits high in my Bible. 00:05:19.459 --> 00:05:21.779 Yours might have translated that into a modern measurement. 00:05:21.959 --> 00:05:24.839 It's about 90 feet, I think nearly 30 meters. 00:05:24.839 --> 00:05:31.439 And if you've ever seen the Angel of the North, if you've driven the M1, it's a bit bigger than that. 00:05:32.060 --> 00:05:33.579 It's an imposing thing. 00:05:34.899 --> 00:05:38.599 And notice, Neb, he sets it up on the plain of Jura. 00:05:38.799 --> 00:05:42.559 I guess that's just an empty space, giving it maximum visibility. 00:05:43.419 --> 00:05:46.079 And then in verse 2, he invites... 00:05:46.079 --> 00:05:47.539 In fact, he doesn't invite them, does he? 00:05:47.579 --> 00:05:53.500 He summons them, the satraps and prefects, governors, advisors, treasurers, judges, magistrates. 00:05:53.500 --> 00:05:56.100 In other words, all the important civil servants. 00:05:56.860 --> 00:05:59.939 And as if we hadn't got the picture, he continues, still in verse 2, 00:06:00.040 --> 00:06:02.060 and all the other provincial officials. 00:06:03.160 --> 00:06:10.480 Notice the power of Neb to summon everyone who's anyone to come and see this golden image. 00:06:11.500 --> 00:06:13.319 And in verse 3, he summons them. 00:06:13.860 --> 00:06:14.579 Notice the repetition. 00:06:14.579 --> 00:06:15.839 They all come. 00:06:16.719 --> 00:06:18.859 And not just to see it, but to participate. 00:06:19.120 --> 00:06:23.479 See at the end of verse 2, again in verse 3, to participate in its dedication. 00:06:24.439 --> 00:06:28.360 This image is specifically being set up to be worshipped. 00:06:29.120 --> 00:06:32.579 We get that even more strongly as we continue reading in verse 4. 00:06:32.579 --> 00:06:39.919 Therefore, the people are commanded, when they hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, pipe, and all kinds of music, 00:06:40.039 --> 00:06:44.860 they are commanded to fall down and worship this image. 00:06:45.939 --> 00:06:50.079 If there was any doubt as to what is going on here, it's clear, isn't it, 00:06:50.079 --> 00:06:53.079 that Neb has set this thing up to be worshipped. 00:06:54.199 --> 00:06:56.439 And if you're there, you don't have a choice. 00:06:57.060 --> 00:07:00.699 You've been summoned, and now you're commanded to do that. 00:07:00.699 --> 00:07:06.839 And what Neb is up to here, I actually think it should be quite a big surprise to us. 00:07:07.339 --> 00:07:12.219 If you were here last week, at the end of chapter 2, in verse 47 of chapter 2, 00:07:12.300 --> 00:07:15.599 if you want to look back at that, Neb makes this remarkable statement. 00:07:15.939 --> 00:07:16.120 It says, 00:07:16.120 --> 00:07:22.779 Daniel, surely your God is the God of gods, and the Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries. 00:07:23.259 --> 00:07:27.159 And so we get this at the end of chapter 2, and I guess we're thinking, brilliant, Neb's got it. 00:07:27.800 --> 00:07:29.779 He believes in the one true God. 00:07:29.779 --> 00:07:37.179 But clearly now in chapter 3, we can look back and see that he's experienced there in chapter 2, 00:07:37.559 --> 00:07:40.019 conviction without conversion. 00:07:41.939 --> 00:07:47.959 That is, he's recognized the truth, but he's not prepared to give himself to it exclusively. 00:07:49.319 --> 00:07:51.739 And I think that should be a big warning for us. 00:07:51.739 --> 00:07:53.939 And maybe especially if you're here and you're not a Christian, 00:07:54.139 --> 00:07:56.919 or you just, if you're honest, you just sort of dabble with it. 00:07:56.920 --> 00:08:00.920 Maybe you come along occasionally, but you felt that conviction. 00:08:02.259 --> 00:08:05.220 Maybe you even know in your heart of hearts that it's true. 00:08:06.540 --> 00:08:08.460 If you felt yourself to be a sinner, 00:08:08.459 --> 00:08:15.159 and you know that the mercy of this God, that Jesus is your only hope, that's conviction. 00:08:16.120 --> 00:08:19.479 But you need to know this morning that that's not the same as conversion. 00:08:19.480 --> 00:08:23.640 You must throw yourself on that mercy. 00:08:23.640 --> 00:08:26.400 Accept the grace that God offers you in Christ. 00:08:27.040 --> 00:08:32.120 Essentially trust in him and live exclusively for him. 00:08:33.240 --> 00:08:40.700 Don't be like Neb, making claims about God one minute and then setting up his own man-made God the next. 00:08:40.700 --> 00:08:43.200 You see, that's exactly what he's doing. 00:08:44.160 --> 00:08:47.560 Do you notice the repetition of that phrase, set up? 00:08:48.200 --> 00:08:55.940 It's there in verse 2, and then again in verse 3, and 5, and 7, 12, 14, 18. 00:08:56.120 --> 00:08:56.900 I might have missed some. 00:08:57.220 --> 00:09:00.140 It's just there all the time in this passage, set up, 00:09:00.180 --> 00:09:03.580 as if to underline that this image of gold, it might look impressive, 00:09:04.040 --> 00:09:05.860 but really it's just a man-made thing. 00:09:05.940 --> 00:09:08.400 It's been set up by Neb. 00:09:08.399 --> 00:09:12.399 And yet despite the fact that it's obviously man-made, 00:09:12.639 --> 00:09:16.379 he wants everyone to bow down to it, to worship it. 00:09:17.559 --> 00:09:23.319 And if they don't, verse 6, they'll be thrown into a blazing furnace. 00:09:24.879 --> 00:09:27.439 And suddenly the stakes are very high. 00:09:28.419 --> 00:09:31.779 It's life or death, bow or burn. 00:09:33.500 --> 00:09:36.519 And I guess we might be left with the question, what's the problem? 00:09:36.519 --> 00:09:40.460 Then, right, if it's life or death, why not just bow down to the golden image? 00:09:40.559 --> 00:09:45.059 Why can't we just do the God-behind-closed-doors thing and then bow in public? 00:09:45.179 --> 00:09:45.779 What's the problem? 00:09:47.500 --> 00:09:51.460 Well, the thing is, the God of the Bible demands exclusive loyalty. 00:09:52.899 --> 00:09:54.919 The first two of the Ten Commandments are, 00:09:54.919 --> 00:10:02.719 Why does God command that? 00:10:03.459 --> 00:10:04.899 It's not just arbitrary. 00:10:05.159 --> 00:10:09.099 It's because it's true, because he is the only God. 00:10:09.919 --> 00:10:12.500 And there is only one way to know the true God. 00:10:12.639 --> 00:10:14.799 We've seen this very recently in John's Gospel, 00:10:14.959 --> 00:10:15.620 where Jesus said, 00:10:15.620 --> 00:10:30.840 Everything else, just like the image in Daniel 3, 00:10:30.919 --> 00:10:33.980 it might seem easier to bow to other things in public, 00:10:34.179 --> 00:10:36.659 but they're just man-made, set-up things. 00:10:36.779 --> 00:10:38.259 They are no God. 00:10:38.259 --> 00:10:43.460 And it strikes me that that connects with us today in all sorts of ways, doesn't it? 00:10:43.460 --> 00:10:47.899 Because we live in a culture that is very happy for us to do what we want privately. 00:10:48.860 --> 00:10:51.659 Certainly, in my experience, people aren't that bothered that I'm a Christian. 00:10:51.779 --> 00:10:53.200 They might think I'm a bit strange, 00:10:53.200 --> 00:10:57.000 but I'm unlikely to face any real opposition to my faith, 00:10:57.620 --> 00:10:59.379 so long as I keep myself to myself 00:10:59.379 --> 00:11:02.360 and practice it behind closed doors. 00:11:02.360 --> 00:11:05.379 But of course, it's more than that, 00:11:05.440 --> 00:11:09.419 because yes, they're happy for me to worship God behind closed doors, 00:11:09.460 --> 00:11:14.680 but actually people are very upset when I don't bow to the gods of culture in public. 00:11:16.000 --> 00:11:17.620 And we can think about culture more widely, 00:11:17.940 --> 00:11:20.200 but really I think this is going to be different for each of us, 00:11:20.200 --> 00:11:25.340 because it depends on the culture of your school or group of friends or club or family or whatever. 00:11:26.060 --> 00:11:28.899 And as I said, we've got a great opportunity this week in our growth groups 00:11:28.899 --> 00:11:32.039 to talk about where the rubber hits the road for us. 00:11:32.360 --> 00:11:36.080 And maybe just a couple of scenarios, though, to prime those conversations, 00:11:36.259 --> 00:11:37.519 some hypotheticals. 00:11:38.100 --> 00:11:38.860 First, Johnny. 00:11:39.320 --> 00:11:41.100 Johnny became a Christian at university. 00:11:41.879 --> 00:11:44.680 Whenever he went home, he'd meet up with his friends from school. 00:11:44.779 --> 00:11:45.940 They'd go to the pub together. 00:11:46.399 --> 00:11:48.240 And Johnny didn't really have a problem with alcohol. 00:11:48.659 --> 00:11:51.039 He was happy to have a couple of pints of beer or whatever. 00:11:51.139 --> 00:11:53.720 But when his old friends were starting to order shots of tequila, 00:11:54.180 --> 00:11:58.560 some of the conversations they were having about some of the girls that they'd been at school with, 00:11:58.559 --> 00:12:02.439 just a massive pressure to conform to something that he had left behind. 00:12:03.519 --> 00:12:06.219 Would Johnny bow to the gods of drinking culture? 00:12:07.179 --> 00:12:07.659 Would you? 00:12:09.159 --> 00:12:09.959 Or Jessie? 00:12:10.059 --> 00:12:11.699 Jessie is a primary school teacher. 00:12:12.700 --> 00:12:16.379 And she knew that she was going to have to have a conversation with the head teacher. 00:12:17.460 --> 00:12:19.480 She was expected to teach later that year. 00:12:19.560 --> 00:12:22.980 She'd been given the curriculum that taught that a person could be born a boy 00:12:22.980 --> 00:12:24.920 and decide to become a girl. 00:12:25.720 --> 00:12:29.520 And she thought that was going to be unhelpful and confusing for the eight-year-olds in her class. 00:12:30.520 --> 00:12:33.740 Would Jessie bow down to the cultural gods of trans ideology? 00:12:33.740 --> 00:12:35.440 Would you? 00:12:36.919 --> 00:12:38.840 Or take Joel, our last example. 00:12:38.980 --> 00:12:41.980 Joel has refused more than once to take a promotion at work. 00:12:42.080 --> 00:12:43.639 It would be a significant pay rise. 00:12:43.860 --> 00:12:46.360 And to be honest, they could use the extra money. 00:12:47.060 --> 00:12:48.860 But he's got a big family at home. 00:12:48.940 --> 00:12:50.299 He's got commitments at church. 00:12:50.379 --> 00:12:54.039 And the promotion would mean far more responsibility, far more travel, 00:12:54.560 --> 00:12:58.180 far more time away from his family and a step back at church. 00:12:59.100 --> 00:13:02.740 Would Joel bow down to the gods of the rat race and worldly success? 00:13:03.740 --> 00:13:04.860 Would you? 00:13:06.899 --> 00:13:08.560 And I wonder what it is for you. 00:13:09.259 --> 00:13:13.039 I wonder what the cultures that you exist in would have you bow to. 00:13:14.340 --> 00:13:15.860 And can I just say, before we move on, 00:13:15.899 --> 00:13:18.100 if you don't think that this is a problem for you, 00:13:18.460 --> 00:13:20.919 if you don't think that you're under pressure to conform, 00:13:21.039 --> 00:13:23.740 then the chances are you've already compromised. 00:13:26.659 --> 00:13:29.940 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, on the other hand, in Daniel chapter 3, 00:13:30.019 --> 00:13:31.740 they refuse to compromise. 00:13:31.940 --> 00:13:33.180 And here's our second point. 00:13:34.639 --> 00:13:35.720 Their line in the sand. 00:13:35.860 --> 00:13:36.779 Verses 8 to 18. 00:13:36.860 --> 00:13:38.159 Have a look at verse 8 with me. 00:13:39.419 --> 00:13:42.759 At this time, some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews. 00:13:43.100 --> 00:13:44.680 Presumably, they're jealous of the way, 00:13:44.759 --> 00:13:48.700 if you remember, that Daniel and his friends have been promoted in Neb's court. 00:13:49.320 --> 00:13:50.019 Let's keep reading. 00:13:50.019 --> 00:13:52.639 They said to King Neb, may the king live forever. 00:13:53.240 --> 00:13:55.480 Your majesty has issued a decree. 00:13:55.860 --> 00:13:57.000 We know what the decree is. 00:13:57.079 --> 00:13:57.960 Bow or burn. 00:13:58.279 --> 00:13:59.679 And then down in verse 12. 00:14:00.419 --> 00:14:04.500 But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, 00:14:04.500 --> 00:14:09.519 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who pay no attention to you, your majesty. 00:14:09.519 --> 00:14:14.659 It's worth pausing there just for a second, because that's not really true, is it? 00:14:14.659 --> 00:14:19.659 We know from chapters 1 and 2 that these three Jewish men, alongside Daniel, 00:14:20.000 --> 00:14:21.639 have paid much attention to Neb. 00:14:22.319 --> 00:14:25.879 They've really genuinely sought the prosperity of his kingdom. 00:14:26.459 --> 00:14:30.159 They stayed up all night together to try and help him solve his dream problem. 00:14:30.159 --> 00:14:33.299 But here they draw the line. 00:14:33.899 --> 00:14:35.139 End of verse 12. 00:14:35.740 --> 00:14:40.339 They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up. 00:14:40.459 --> 00:14:42.559 These three men, they refuse to bow down. 00:14:42.659 --> 00:14:47.980 Despite the life or death, bow or burn situation, they draw a line in the sand here. 00:14:49.179 --> 00:14:53.779 And can I just say that as they do that, they are nevertheless excellent citizens of Babylon. 00:14:54.759 --> 00:14:59.079 We were reminded two weeks ago of what God had said through the prophet Jeremiah. 00:14:59.080 --> 00:15:01.900 Advice for exiles says this, 00:15:02.320 --> 00:15:06.420 Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. 00:15:07.300 --> 00:15:12.520 Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper. 00:15:13.400 --> 00:15:15.440 And that is exactly what they've done, right? 00:15:15.460 --> 00:15:17.480 They've attended the Babylonian University. 00:15:17.680 --> 00:15:20.780 They've helped King Neb, like I said, with his dream in chapter 2. 00:15:21.180 --> 00:15:24.259 But here in chapter 3, we see this is a vitally important point. 00:15:24.259 --> 00:15:29.000 Seeking the peace and prosperity of that city, being good exiles, 00:15:29.080 --> 00:15:32.940 does not rely on their bowing to the statue. 00:15:34.240 --> 00:15:36.280 We desperately need to know this today. 00:15:37.280 --> 00:15:41.580 For Johnny, as he draws the line in the sand, refuses the extra shot of tequila, 00:15:41.740 --> 00:15:46.139 refuses to talk about girls like that, he can nevertheless be an excellent friend. 00:15:47.500 --> 00:15:52.680 For Jesse, as she draws her line in the sand, has that difficult conversation with her head teacher, 00:15:52.679 --> 00:15:54.659 she is nevertheless an excellent teacher. 00:15:55.859 --> 00:15:59.859 For Joel, as he makes his family and his church family a priority, 00:16:00.359 --> 00:16:02.639 he is nevertheless an excellent employee. 00:16:04.679 --> 00:16:11.599 Refusing to bow down to the cultural gods around us is not the same thing as refusing to seek the peace and prosperity of our city. 00:16:11.600 --> 00:16:17.600 In fact, I take it we're to be excellent at doing that, even as we draw our lines in the sand. 00:16:19.440 --> 00:16:20.639 See what happens next. 00:16:20.779 --> 00:16:22.159 Neb, he summons them. 00:16:22.560 --> 00:16:25.200 Verse 13, he's furious with rage. 00:16:25.800 --> 00:16:27.600 And he asks them at the end of verse 15, 00:16:28.700 --> 00:16:31.600 what God will be able to rescue you from my hand? 00:16:32.460 --> 00:16:35.000 Keep that question in your back pocket for later. 00:16:35.000 --> 00:16:38.019 But see how these men answer the king. 00:16:38.460 --> 00:16:42.039 I think this is one of the most remarkable statements of faith in all of scripture. 00:16:43.360 --> 00:16:44.879 Verses 16 to 18. 00:16:46.340 --> 00:16:50.360 King Neb, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 00:16:50.960 --> 00:16:52.919 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, 00:16:53.759 --> 00:16:56.559 the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, 00:16:56.600 --> 00:16:59.080 and he will deliver us from your majesty's hand. 00:17:00.240 --> 00:17:02.100 But even if he does not, 00:17:02.100 --> 00:17:04.440 we want you to know, your majesty, 00:17:04.579 --> 00:17:08.940 that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up. 00:17:09.779 --> 00:17:11.839 Isn't that a remarkable statement of faith? 00:17:12.640 --> 00:17:14.860 See first their confidence in God's ability. 00:17:15.519 --> 00:17:17.799 They know that their God is the one true God. 00:17:17.900 --> 00:17:21.420 They know that he's able to deliver them from the hands of King Neb. 00:17:22.380 --> 00:17:25.319 I wonder, do we have the same confidence in God's ability 00:17:25.319 --> 00:17:27.940 as we face the golden images of our day, 00:17:28.059 --> 00:17:30.880 as we face the pressures to conform and to bow? 00:17:30.880 --> 00:17:34.880 Are we confident that if we decide to draw the line in the sand, 00:17:35.300 --> 00:17:39.540 then our God is powerful to deal with whatever we face because of that? 00:17:41.240 --> 00:17:43.740 But not only are they confident in God's ability, 00:17:44.360 --> 00:17:47.060 they are also accepting of God's decision. 00:17:47.760 --> 00:17:50.420 See those remarkable words at the start of verse 18. 00:17:50.420 --> 00:17:52.880 But even if he does not, 00:17:53.880 --> 00:17:58.400 they know that there's a very real chance that they might not survive the furnace. 00:17:59.560 --> 00:18:02.500 In fact, it would be a miracle, wouldn't it, if they did survive it? 00:18:03.320 --> 00:18:07.259 And yet, even if they don't survive, they will trust God. 00:18:08.380 --> 00:18:09.220 Do you see their trust? 00:18:09.300 --> 00:18:11.279 It goes beyond their current situation. 00:18:11.480 --> 00:18:13.440 Indeed, it goes beyond the grave. 00:18:13.440 --> 00:18:17.600 If they trust that even if God's decision is that they will die through this, 00:18:17.860 --> 00:18:23.000 his purposes will ultimately be good and that there is life beyond that for them. 00:18:24.940 --> 00:18:26.759 There's a lesson here for us, isn't there? 00:18:26.840 --> 00:18:29.259 In that confidence in God's ability to save, 00:18:29.360 --> 00:18:31.700 but also in an acceptance of his decision. 00:18:31.700 --> 00:18:34.259 I think that means that we can pray. 00:18:34.360 --> 00:18:35.680 We can pray like this. 00:18:36.259 --> 00:18:37.720 Lord, heal this sickness. 00:18:39.140 --> 00:18:40.019 But if not. 00:18:41.600 --> 00:18:45.480 Lord, help me to succeed at school or college or work or uni. 00:18:46.019 --> 00:18:47.059 But if not. 00:18:48.860 --> 00:18:50.759 Lord, bring peace to that situation. 00:18:52.100 --> 00:18:52.920 But if not. 00:18:54.380 --> 00:18:56.799 Bring salvation to this person. 00:18:56.799 --> 00:18:59.200 But if not. 00:18:59.639 --> 00:19:01.759 Still, I will trust you. 00:19:02.919 --> 00:19:06.240 As we determine to draw the line, wherever we will draw it, 00:19:06.339 --> 00:19:09.539 we can say, God, you are able to save. 00:19:09.680 --> 00:19:10.759 But if not. 00:19:12.379 --> 00:19:14.519 Still, I will trust you. 00:19:15.779 --> 00:19:20.119 And as we pray that prayer, where will you draw your line in the sand? 00:19:21.619 --> 00:19:23.500 And finally, our third point. 00:19:23.500 --> 00:19:27.019 The God who came to save. 00:19:28.319 --> 00:19:30.319 Neb is furious in verse 19. 00:19:30.500 --> 00:19:34.940 And so he orders the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than usual. 00:19:35.039 --> 00:19:37.559 That's probably just a way of saying as hot as possible. 00:19:38.299 --> 00:19:42.799 It's so hot, in fact, that the soldiers that Neb orders to tie them up and to throw them in, 00:19:43.079 --> 00:19:47.400 it's so hot, see in verse 22, that they themselves die in the process. 00:19:48.579 --> 00:19:51.319 This is being written to make one thing very clear. 00:19:51.319 --> 00:19:57.519 There is no way, no way that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego are going to survive this. 00:19:58.619 --> 00:20:00.939 But then comes the famous moment. 00:20:02.099 --> 00:20:05.200 As Neb notices, see in verse 24, he's amazed. 00:20:05.879 --> 00:20:07.439 He asks, weren't there three men in there? 00:20:08.139 --> 00:20:09.659 They all reply, certainly, your majesty. 00:20:10.960 --> 00:20:16.099 Well, look, I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed. 00:20:16.099 --> 00:20:19.799 And the fourth looks like the son of the gods. 00:20:21.679 --> 00:20:24.019 And so Neb, he has them taken out of the fire. 00:20:24.319 --> 00:20:30.279 And all those officials, the civil servants that we've already seen bowing like robots to this golden image, 00:20:30.359 --> 00:20:30.899 they're all there. 00:20:30.980 --> 00:20:35.139 They all see that the fire hasn't touched Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. 00:20:36.439 --> 00:20:37.619 How is that possible? 00:20:39.059 --> 00:20:42.480 A lot of ink has been spilled over who that fourth person was. 00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:43.920 Maybe it was an angel of the Lord. 00:20:44.599 --> 00:20:49.259 Maybe it was Jesus, the second person of the Trinity, a preview of what was to come. 00:20:50.339 --> 00:20:52.420 Whatever we think about that, one thing is clear. 00:20:52.539 --> 00:20:54.620 And in some ways, I think Neb himself gets it. 00:20:54.680 --> 00:20:56.920 You remember that question he asked in verse 15? 00:20:57.460 --> 00:21:00.440 What God will be able to rescue you from my hands? 00:21:01.319 --> 00:21:04.620 Well, he answers that question himself in verses 28 and 29. 00:21:04.619 --> 00:21:11.619 Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants. 00:21:12.339 --> 00:21:13.339 Verse 29. 00:21:13.619 --> 00:21:17.000 No other God could save in this way. 00:21:18.359 --> 00:21:19.459 Maybe it was an angel. 00:21:19.799 --> 00:21:21.199 That's what Neb seems to think. 00:21:21.500 --> 00:21:23.359 He probably isn't the most reliable source. 00:21:23.699 --> 00:21:29.919 Remember, he was the guy who went from praising God to commanding idol worship, furious punishment in the fire. 00:21:29.979 --> 00:21:31.279 I'm not sure we should trust Neb. 00:21:31.459 --> 00:21:33.019 But he does get one thing right. 00:21:33.019 --> 00:21:38.660 Whoever it is walking in the fire there with him, it's clear who's behind their rescue, isn't it? 00:21:39.299 --> 00:21:40.279 It was their God. 00:21:40.700 --> 00:21:43.660 The true God, true to his promise. 00:21:44.599 --> 00:21:45.559 This promise. 00:21:46.359 --> 00:21:50.579 Hear what God said to his people as he prepared them for exile through the prophet Isaiah. 00:21:50.700 --> 00:21:52.019 It's a wonderful promise. 00:21:52.559 --> 00:21:53.339 It says this. 00:21:53.579 --> 00:21:56.839 Do not fear, for I have redeemed you. 00:21:57.339 --> 00:21:58.759 I have summoned you by name. 00:21:58.819 --> 00:21:59.619 You are mine. 00:21:59.619 --> 00:22:03.500 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. 00:22:03.879 --> 00:22:07.179 And when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. 00:22:07.679 --> 00:22:10.919 When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned. 00:22:11.579 --> 00:22:13.679 The flames will not set you ablaze. 00:22:13.739 --> 00:22:18.419 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. 00:22:18.420 --> 00:22:34.019 Whoever it is walking in the fire with them, whether a representative of God or God himself or Jesus pre-incarnate, whatever it is, it is God who promised, I will be with you and you will not be burned. 00:22:34.019 --> 00:22:39.059 And how much clearer that is for us with the New Testament in our hands. 00:22:40.119 --> 00:22:48.099 You know, I wonder if the furnace in this passage was also the fire that was used to refine the gold that Neb used for his statue. 00:22:48.859 --> 00:22:59.059 Because the apostle Peter writes that God can use our fiery trials, that they won't burn us up, but that instead through them, our faith will be refined by them. 00:22:59.359 --> 00:23:01.119 Just like gold in a furnace. 00:23:01.119 --> 00:23:13.619 Peter goes on to say, dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you as though something strange were happening to you. 00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:20.419 I think it's true that one of the things that causes us to struggle under the pressure to bow is the surprise of it. 00:23:20.939 --> 00:23:25.279 Maybe we've been surprised before when we've drawn a line in the sand and been met with opposition. 00:23:25.599 --> 00:23:27.559 And so we're reluctant to go again. 00:23:28.059 --> 00:23:30.159 But Peter says, don't be surprised. 00:23:30.160 --> 00:23:34.160 Opposition to those lines in the sand, it isn't a strange thing. 00:23:35.300 --> 00:23:38.940 We saw this again in John's gospel just a couple of months ago, didn't we? 00:23:39.240 --> 00:23:42.300 Specifically, it's not strange because Jesus faced it too. 00:23:43.519 --> 00:23:47.980 Jesus said, if the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 00:23:49.440 --> 00:23:54.400 Living in the world as we do as exiles, with heaven as our true home, 00:23:54.400 --> 00:23:57.280 it means that we will face that fire. 00:23:58.200 --> 00:24:02.800 And of course, we will all face that final fiery trial that is death. 00:24:03.740 --> 00:24:12.019 But we can know that our God came down, entered the world that he had created and walked with his people in the person of Jesus. 00:24:12.019 --> 00:24:19.779 He died in our place facing that final fiery trial on our behalf so that we can face the furnace of death. 00:24:19.779 --> 00:24:27.680 And like him, the promise is that we will walk out the other side without being so much as singed by it. 00:24:27.680 --> 00:24:33.480 But more than that, and wonderfully, if you remember again in John's gospel, 00:24:34.560 --> 00:24:38.500 just after Jesus has warned them about the hatred of the world, he says this. 00:24:38.500 --> 00:24:58.359 That is because Jesus died and rose again, because he's made a way for us to do the same, 00:24:59.079 --> 00:25:02.579 he's also made a way to be present with his people in the meantime. 00:25:02.579 --> 00:25:08.699 Those who trust in him by faith, he is present with them by his Holy Spirit, wherever you are, 00:25:09.559 --> 00:25:11.359 whatever fire that you face. 00:25:12.939 --> 00:25:17.919 You know, I spent most of the last 10 days actually wrestling with how to apply the golden image stuff, 00:25:18.319 --> 00:25:21.639 working out what the cultural gods of our culture are today, 00:25:22.539 --> 00:25:26.279 asking that question, where are we as individuals and as a congregation? 00:25:26.539 --> 00:25:28.119 Where are we under pressure to bow? 00:25:28.119 --> 00:25:32.859 Well, last week I was actually chatting to Joe Carstairs about this. 00:25:33.099 --> 00:25:34.500 We were just batting it about together. 00:25:35.419 --> 00:25:39.479 And then a couple of days later, we were driving back from the prayer meeting on Sunday night last week, 00:25:39.519 --> 00:25:41.639 and Joe just came out with the most helpful line. 00:25:42.079 --> 00:25:43.039 He said this, 00:25:43.599 --> 00:25:47.199 You know, Daniel chapter 3, I don't think it's really about the golden image, 00:25:48.019 --> 00:25:51.599 so much as it is about the God who came to save. 00:25:53.000 --> 00:25:54.479 And I think that's just so helpful. 00:25:54.480 --> 00:25:58.519 We can all wrestle all we like with where we're going to draw the line. 00:25:58.960 --> 00:26:01.620 I think it's important that we resolve to draw it somewhere. 00:26:02.579 --> 00:26:05.200 But the key takeaway of this passage is this, 00:26:05.519 --> 00:26:10.240 we have a God who came to save as we do that. 00:26:11.680 --> 00:26:15.620 You know, throughout history, wherever Christians have been, 00:26:15.940 --> 00:26:17.799 even in Nazi Germany, 00:26:18.279 --> 00:26:22.860 there has been the pressure to bow to some cultural narrative that contradicts God's word. 00:26:22.859 --> 00:26:26.179 Some are more obviously horrific than others, 00:26:26.279 --> 00:26:27.379 but there's always something. 00:26:28.659 --> 00:26:30.759 And in every place where that has been true, 00:26:30.879 --> 00:26:35.399 there have been those Christians who have buckled under the pressure of it. 00:26:36.559 --> 00:26:40.419 But there have also been those who resolved to draw a line in the sand 00:26:40.419 --> 00:26:42.919 and who suffered for it. 00:26:43.619 --> 00:26:45.399 And, you know, as they did that, 00:26:46.039 --> 00:26:47.979 God was with them. 00:26:47.980 --> 00:26:53.019 And for those of us who draw a line in the sand today, 00:26:53.160 --> 00:26:54.559 God is with us too. 00:26:55.960 --> 00:26:57.839 Here in Daniel chapter 3 in the fire, 00:26:57.980 --> 00:26:59.299 God was with his people. 00:27:00.579 --> 00:27:01.960 At the parting of the sea, 00:27:02.099 --> 00:27:03.120 God was with his people. 00:27:03.240 --> 00:27:05.539 In Acts, where Stephen is stoned 00:27:05.539 --> 00:27:07.019 and where Paul is put on trial, 00:27:07.180 --> 00:27:08.799 God was with his people. 00:27:09.319 --> 00:27:10.279 During the Reformation, 00:27:10.480 --> 00:27:13.660 when faithful men and women were burned at the stake for their faith, 00:27:13.759 --> 00:27:14.900 God was with his people. 00:27:14.900 --> 00:27:18.720 Today, as 200,000 Christians in North Korea 00:27:18.720 --> 00:27:20.300 are held in prison camps, 00:27:20.380 --> 00:27:22.100 refusing to renounce their faith, 00:27:22.580 --> 00:27:23.700 God is with his people. 00:27:24.759 --> 00:27:26.800 And that means wherever you are tomorrow, 00:27:27.500 --> 00:27:30.000 at work or at uni or at school, 00:27:30.120 --> 00:27:31.640 whatever it is that you face, 00:27:32.820 --> 00:27:34.360 whatever trials you're going through, 00:27:34.480 --> 00:27:37.080 whatever the lines in the sand you're going to draw, 00:27:37.259 --> 00:27:38.940 God is with his people. 00:27:39.060 --> 00:27:40.400 God is with you. 00:27:40.400 --> 00:27:44.060 And so we can encourage one another this morning 00:27:44.060 --> 00:27:45.680 as we face the fires together. 00:27:46.300 --> 00:27:48.420 Not so much may the force be with you, 00:27:48.980 --> 00:27:51.160 but may God be with you 00:27:51.160 --> 00:27:53.920 and trust that indeed he is. 00:27:53.920 --> 00:27:58.300 Christ is a reason for love. 00:27:58.500 --> 00:27:59.620 Because the winds through this, 00:27:59.620 --> 00:28:00.940 and lost trust to the path 00:28:00.940 --> 00:28:01.600 is a thing that we can do 00:28:01.600 --> 00:28:03.380 in the姿 potential 00:28:03.460 --> 00:28:05.980 and the winds through the river 00:28:06.600 --> 00:28:08.560 your journey 00:28:09.140 --> 00:28:12.759 to the other people 00:28:12.840 --> 00:28:14.759 in habe it all 00:28:14.759 --> 00:28:15.680 that women, 00:28:15.680 --> 00:28:17.240 women, 00:28:17.620 --> 00:28:18.340 and the concludes 00:28:18.580 --> 00:28:19.680 through the river 00:28:19.880 --> 00:28:20.840 times 00:28:21.779 --> 00:28:23.240 ,…