WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.060 Daniel chapter 3 this morning, please. Daniel chapter 3. While you're turning there, thank you so much. 00:00:05.540 --> 00:00:09.939 ! I want to thank Pastor for allowing me to be here this morning. I want to thank you for showing up, even though you knew I'd be here. 00:00:11.460 --> 00:00:18.780 It is a joy to be back here again, and a joy to see so many familiar faces, and a joy to see faces I don't recognize. 00:00:19.420 --> 00:00:26.120 So, if you don't know me yet, count your blessings, and come up after service and introduce yourself. 00:00:26.120 --> 00:00:30.359 If I don't search you out, and I'd like to make some new friends, it's always good to make new friends. 00:00:30.800 --> 00:00:39.939 Always good. We are back here living in Lincoln. We moved back from eastern Iowa, just south of the University of Iowa, 00:00:40.140 --> 00:00:47.480 Boo Hawkeyes, to out here, back to Lincoln this last May, and it's kind of different. 00:00:48.000 --> 00:00:54.120 I mean, where it used to be a six-hour drive to come over and preach here, we now can make it in about five minutes. 00:00:54.119 --> 00:00:59.140 This is nice. And there's a Scooters along the way. 00:01:01.000 --> 00:01:03.219 Did you know you can get coffee at Scooters today? Anyway. 00:01:05.099 --> 00:01:11.599 And yes, we stopped at the Scooters on normal on the way here today, and so I am very, very caffeinated. 00:01:12.140 --> 00:01:15.599 So, I asked Brother Matt when I should be shooting to be done. He said 1025. 00:01:15.599 --> 00:01:21.000 I'm not sure, having this much caffeine in me, if the message will make it that long or not. 00:01:22.280 --> 00:01:23.599 Oh, it will. Yeah. 00:01:24.939 --> 00:01:30.079 Nevertheless, it is good to be here. Thank you so much for being in the house of the Lord this morning. 00:01:30.239 --> 00:01:35.519 If you found your place in Daniel chapter 3, and I certainly should have given you enough time by going on like that, 00:01:35.759 --> 00:01:38.679 would you stand with me, please, for the reading of God's Word this morning? 00:01:38.680 --> 00:01:41.320 I'm going to read just a few verses throughout the chapter. 00:01:42.140 --> 00:01:45.400 We're going to read Daniel chapter 3, verse number 1. 00:01:46.220 --> 00:01:46.700 The Bible says, 00:01:46.820 --> 00:01:53.920 Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was three score cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits. 00:01:54.380 --> 00:01:57.580 He set it up in the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 00:01:57.740 --> 00:01:59.160 Now drop down to verse number 4. 00:01:59.159 --> 00:02:27.060 Now drop down to verse number 12. 00:02:27.060 --> 00:02:33.020 There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon. 00:02:33.259 --> 00:02:39.800 This is men speaking to King Nebuchadnezzar and tattling, if you will, on other people. 00:02:40.120 --> 00:02:44.080 Set over the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 00:02:44.780 --> 00:02:47.159 These men, O king, have not regarded thee. 00:02:47.580 --> 00:02:52.099 They serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. 00:02:52.099 --> 00:02:58.479 Then Nebuchadnezzar, in his rage and fury, commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 00:02:59.039 --> 00:03:02.240 Then they brought these men before the king. 00:03:02.859 --> 00:03:04.120 Verse number 16. 00:03:05.000 --> 00:03:10.120 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered after the king was enraged at them and accused them, 00:03:10.219 --> 00:03:11.379 answered and said to the king, 00:03:11.500 --> 00:03:17.199 O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 00:03:17.199 --> 00:03:23.679 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, 00:03:23.780 --> 00:03:27.239 and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 00:03:28.199 --> 00:03:34.879 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, 00:03:35.179 --> 00:03:38.819 nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. 00:03:39.339 --> 00:03:40.439 We're going to pray. 00:03:40.439 --> 00:03:45.180 And after we pray, I'm going to bring a few thoughts on standing. 00:03:46.639 --> 00:03:47.000 Standing. 00:03:47.659 --> 00:03:48.340 Let's pray together. 00:03:48.439 --> 00:03:52.620 Father, we thank you so much for the beautiful, beautiful morning that you've given us. 00:03:52.719 --> 00:03:57.879 Lord, we thank you for the fellowship that we enjoy when we come to church with each other, 00:03:57.979 --> 00:04:00.699 the time that we can chat, the time that we can strengthen each other. 00:04:01.120 --> 00:04:06.219 Lord, we thank you for the song service and how we can join together and lift up our voices to you in praise. 00:04:07.000 --> 00:04:09.379 Now, Lord, I pray that you would bless the preaching of your word. 00:04:09.379 --> 00:04:14.039 Lord, Holy Spirit, that you would fill me, that you would guide my mind, that you would control my words, 00:04:14.439 --> 00:04:18.439 that I would say only those things that are said according to your will and in your power. 00:04:18.959 --> 00:04:23.040 I pray that you would move amongst the seats here this morning, that you would speak to people's hearts, 00:04:23.100 --> 00:04:27.939 that they would hear beyond my voice, to hear your still small voice speaking to their hearts. 00:04:28.600 --> 00:04:31.459 Lord, I pray that you would convict us, that you would encourage us, 00:04:31.819 --> 00:04:34.259 that you would strengthen us in you this morning. 00:04:34.560 --> 00:04:38.819 Father, we pray especially if there's anyone here who does not know you as their personal Savior, 00:04:38.819 --> 00:04:42.459 that today would be the day that they know the joy of sins forgiven. 00:04:42.939 --> 00:04:44.759 We pray these things in Jesus' name. 00:04:45.219 --> 00:04:45.540 Amen. 00:04:45.579 --> 00:04:46.180 You may be seated. 00:04:46.560 --> 00:04:50.099 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were in a bad situation. 00:04:51.079 --> 00:04:54.040 You've got to remember the context of what's going on here. 00:04:54.579 --> 00:04:59.019 We're used to living in a society where if we don't agree with something, 00:04:59.019 --> 00:05:02.319 we have options to go and to make protests. 00:05:02.439 --> 00:05:05.859 We have options to go and speak our minds at places. 00:05:06.039 --> 00:05:14.579 We have options to vote and change the people that we have elected to serve us. 00:05:15.000 --> 00:05:17.779 Because that's truly the way our government is set up. 00:05:17.839 --> 00:05:20.879 Our government is not set up to rule over us. 00:05:20.979 --> 00:05:22.199 Our government is set up. 00:05:22.680 --> 00:05:25.339 We elect people to go to represent us, 00:05:25.339 --> 00:05:27.679 and the government is actually supposed to serve us. 00:05:28.199 --> 00:05:30.739 Now, your opinions on how that may or may not be working 00:05:30.739 --> 00:05:34.739 is not necessarily applicable 00:05:34.739 --> 00:05:37.439 because that's the way it's supposed to be set up for us. 00:05:37.859 --> 00:05:41.399 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did not have that kind of situation. 00:05:42.319 --> 00:05:45.139 They were living under an absolute monarchy. 00:05:46.099 --> 00:05:49.159 Nebuchadnezzar was the supreme ruler, 00:05:49.160 --> 00:05:54.220 and he was set up so that whatever he said happened. 00:05:54.860 --> 00:05:55.960 There was no appeal. 00:05:56.100 --> 00:05:58.300 There was no court of going back and trying again. 00:05:58.420 --> 00:06:00.840 There was no right to speak your mind 00:06:00.840 --> 00:06:03.540 or to seek redress somewhere else. 00:06:04.520 --> 00:06:06.760 Whatever he said happened. 00:06:07.400 --> 00:06:10.840 In our story, he had set up a huge golden image, 00:06:11.280 --> 00:06:15.020 and he had commanded that worship was to be made toward that image 00:06:15.020 --> 00:06:17.540 as if it were worship to him and of him. 00:06:17.540 --> 00:06:20.720 In many of the pagan cultures that we read about in the Bible, 00:06:20.840 --> 00:06:23.500 the supreme rulers were considered as gods. 00:06:23.620 --> 00:06:24.680 This was true in Egypt. 00:06:24.819 --> 00:06:25.900 This was true in Babylon. 00:06:26.220 --> 00:06:27.360 This was true in Assyria. 00:06:27.439 --> 00:06:28.760 The people that were in charge, 00:06:29.100 --> 00:06:30.800 the absolute emperor and king, 00:06:31.120 --> 00:06:33.140 was not only considered a ruler, 00:06:33.280 --> 00:06:35.020 and he was an absolute ruler, 00:06:35.460 --> 00:06:36.439 and often a tyrant, 00:06:36.720 --> 00:06:37.939 and often very, very cruel, 00:06:38.600 --> 00:06:40.920 but he was also considered a god, 00:06:41.320 --> 00:06:43.420 and worship was made to that ruler. 00:06:43.420 --> 00:06:45.620 Well, this put Shadrach, 00:06:45.759 --> 00:06:47.140 these three Hebrews, 00:06:47.800 --> 00:06:49.340 into a very delicate position 00:06:49.340 --> 00:06:52.420 because they were in exile. 00:06:53.420 --> 00:06:54.240 You've got to remember, 00:06:54.780 --> 00:06:56.180 Babylon had come in, 00:06:56.280 --> 00:06:57.100 they had conquered, 00:06:57.300 --> 00:06:58.460 they had taken spoil, 00:06:58.580 --> 00:06:59.600 they had taken prisoners, 00:06:59.819 --> 00:07:02.939 and they had hauled them off to Babylon. 00:07:02.939 --> 00:07:03.100 Babylon. 00:07:05.000 --> 00:07:06.519 These were three young men 00:07:06.519 --> 00:07:10.339 who found themselves isolated in a foreign land. 00:07:11.120 --> 00:07:12.199 They were surrounded, 00:07:12.680 --> 00:07:13.959 not by familiar scenes, 00:07:14.120 --> 00:07:15.540 not by familiar places, 00:07:15.740 --> 00:07:16.800 not by familiar people, 00:07:16.879 --> 00:07:17.959 but they were surrounded 00:07:17.959 --> 00:07:20.399 by things entirely strange and different. 00:07:21.199 --> 00:07:22.259 They were surrounded by people 00:07:22.259 --> 00:07:23.399 of a different language. 00:07:24.420 --> 00:07:25.500 They were surrounded by people 00:07:25.500 --> 00:07:28.040 of different society. 00:07:28.040 --> 00:07:32.620 They were surrounded by sights and sounds 00:07:32.620 --> 00:07:34.240 and landscapes with which 00:07:34.240 --> 00:07:35.060 they were not familiar. 00:07:35.840 --> 00:07:37.140 And they were surrounded by people 00:07:37.140 --> 00:07:38.560 of a different religion. 00:07:39.720 --> 00:07:42.600 They found themselves very isolated. 00:07:43.500 --> 00:07:44.800 Now, they were not the only ones 00:07:44.800 --> 00:07:47.759 taken from Judah and from Israel 00:07:47.759 --> 00:07:50.100 into this captivity. 00:07:50.820 --> 00:07:52.500 Nevertheless, the number in comparison 00:07:52.500 --> 00:07:54.860 to the number of people living in Babylon, 00:07:55.020 --> 00:07:56.259 the number of those in exile, 00:07:56.540 --> 00:07:57.560 was very, very small. 00:07:57.560 --> 00:07:59.319 Babylon was a very, very large city. 00:08:00.939 --> 00:08:01.819 So you can imagine 00:08:01.819 --> 00:08:03.180 that they felt quite intimidated. 00:08:04.100 --> 00:08:05.139 You can imagine they felt 00:08:05.139 --> 00:08:06.040 very out of place, 00:08:06.199 --> 00:08:08.280 much a fish out of water. 00:08:08.660 --> 00:08:09.480 And you can imagine 00:08:09.480 --> 00:08:10.139 that the temptation 00:08:10.139 --> 00:08:11.899 was very, very strong 00:08:11.899 --> 00:08:14.000 to just go along to get along. 00:08:14.699 --> 00:08:15.680 Keep your head down. 00:08:15.980 --> 00:08:16.779 Don't make waves. 00:08:16.980 --> 00:08:17.800 Don't make trouble. 00:08:18.439 --> 00:08:19.379 Just keep quiet. 00:08:20.540 --> 00:08:22.100 Fly under the radar, as it were. 00:08:23.579 --> 00:08:25.840 But that's not the kind of thing 00:08:25.839 --> 00:08:27.560 that Shadrach and Meshach 00:08:27.560 --> 00:08:29.159 and Abednego were made out of. 00:08:30.099 --> 00:08:31.739 That was not their character. 00:08:33.000 --> 00:08:34.019 They were faced here 00:08:34.019 --> 00:08:35.299 with this tremendous decision 00:08:35.299 --> 00:08:36.959 because the decree had come down 00:08:36.959 --> 00:08:38.059 from Nebuchadnezzar. 00:08:38.620 --> 00:08:41.220 And to disobey was a sentence of death 00:08:41.220 --> 00:08:42.360 that you would be thrown 00:08:42.360 --> 00:08:43.699 into a burning, fiery furnace. 00:08:43.839 --> 00:08:44.899 And this was no metaphor. 00:08:45.600 --> 00:08:47.100 This was no illustration. 00:08:47.759 --> 00:08:48.419 This was no, 00:08:48.480 --> 00:08:49.419 well, it might happen 00:08:49.419 --> 00:08:51.139 after you make 14 different appeals 00:08:51.139 --> 00:08:51.860 in the courts. 00:08:51.860 --> 00:08:54.279 As we're familiar with the story, 00:08:54.399 --> 00:08:55.440 we know that this was something 00:08:55.440 --> 00:08:57.340 that was an immediate thing. 00:08:57.919 --> 00:08:58.840 You disobeyed. 00:08:59.000 --> 00:08:59.560 You died. 00:08:59.879 --> 00:09:00.600 So in the midst 00:09:00.600 --> 00:09:02.360 of being out of place, 00:09:02.500 --> 00:09:02.940 in the midst 00:09:02.940 --> 00:09:04.340 of being terribly intimidated, 00:09:04.659 --> 00:09:05.180 in the midst 00:09:05.180 --> 00:09:06.820 of being threatened 00:09:06.820 --> 00:09:08.279 in their very lives, 00:09:08.399 --> 00:09:09.600 we find that Shadrach, 00:09:09.700 --> 00:09:10.460 Meshach, and Abednego 00:09:10.460 --> 00:09:12.360 when faced with a crisis point, 00:09:13.259 --> 00:09:14.259 and oh so often 00:09:14.259 --> 00:09:14.960 when we're reading 00:09:14.960 --> 00:09:15.960 these stories in the Bible, 00:09:16.180 --> 00:09:17.560 we are reading about people 00:09:17.560 --> 00:09:19.360 who come to a crisis point 00:09:19.360 --> 00:09:20.200 in their lives. 00:09:20.200 --> 00:09:22.860 And sometimes multiple crisis points. 00:09:23.700 --> 00:09:25.100 Because that's the way life is, 00:09:25.120 --> 00:09:25.460 isn't it? 00:09:26.220 --> 00:09:27.379 You're living your life. 00:09:27.480 --> 00:09:28.740 You're going about your business. 00:09:28.920 --> 00:09:29.660 You're doing things 00:09:29.660 --> 00:09:30.480 you've normally done. 00:09:30.580 --> 00:09:31.379 And all of a sudden, 00:09:31.480 --> 00:09:32.620 sometimes we see it coming 00:09:32.620 --> 00:09:33.900 and sometimes it's upon us 00:09:33.900 --> 00:09:35.220 with no warning at all. 00:09:35.259 --> 00:09:35.680 All of a sudden, 00:09:35.759 --> 00:09:36.800 there is a crisis point 00:09:36.800 --> 00:09:37.480 in our lives. 00:09:38.280 --> 00:09:39.840 And we have to make a decision 00:09:39.840 --> 00:09:41.160 just like Shadrach, Meshach, 00:09:41.220 --> 00:09:41.660 and Abednego 00:09:41.660 --> 00:09:42.660 had to make a decision. 00:09:42.800 --> 00:09:43.860 We have to make a decision. 00:09:44.140 --> 00:09:45.840 How am I going to respond to this? 00:09:47.060 --> 00:09:49.640 What is my decision going to be 00:09:49.639 --> 00:09:50.980 when I am faced 00:09:50.980 --> 00:09:52.159 with this crisis point 00:09:52.159 --> 00:09:53.000 in my life? 00:09:53.779 --> 00:09:54.759 And when we look at 00:09:54.759 --> 00:09:55.580 Shadrach, Meshach, 00:09:55.659 --> 00:09:56.500 and Abednego, 00:09:56.659 --> 00:09:58.919 we find that they chose 00:09:58.919 --> 00:09:59.939 to stand. 00:10:01.360 --> 00:10:03.759 They chose to be different. 00:10:05.100 --> 00:10:07.879 They chose not to go along 00:10:07.879 --> 00:10:08.559 with the crowd, 00:10:08.799 --> 00:10:09.879 not to go along 00:10:09.879 --> 00:10:10.840 with their society, 00:10:11.100 --> 00:10:12.080 not to go along 00:10:12.080 --> 00:10:13.199 with what would be 00:10:13.199 --> 00:10:14.700 the obvious pressure 00:10:14.700 --> 00:10:16.120 and intense pressure 00:10:16.120 --> 00:10:17.259 upon them. 00:10:17.259 --> 00:10:18.879 But Shadrach, 00:10:18.960 --> 00:10:19.240 Meshach, 00:10:19.299 --> 00:10:19.799 and Abednego 00:10:19.799 --> 00:10:22.399 chose to stand. 00:10:23.159 --> 00:10:23.399 Say, 00:10:23.480 --> 00:10:24.279 why would they do 00:10:24.279 --> 00:10:25.059 something like that? 00:10:25.080 --> 00:10:25.840 The first thing I want you 00:10:25.840 --> 00:10:26.580 to notice is that 00:10:26.580 --> 00:10:28.600 standing is commanded. 00:10:30.019 --> 00:10:31.559 Standing is commanded. 00:10:31.720 --> 00:10:31.919 You see, 00:10:31.980 --> 00:10:32.819 there was a problem 00:10:32.819 --> 00:10:33.860 with these three 00:10:33.860 --> 00:10:34.519 young Hebrews. 00:10:35.700 --> 00:10:37.259 What Nebuchadnezzar 00:10:37.259 --> 00:10:38.720 was telling them to do 00:10:38.720 --> 00:10:40.879 was in direct opposition 00:10:40.879 --> 00:10:42.259 to what their God 00:10:42.259 --> 00:10:43.460 had told them to do. 00:10:44.039 --> 00:10:45.139 It was not something 00:10:45.139 --> 00:10:46.500 that they could just gloss over, 00:10:46.580 --> 00:10:47.360 they could pass by, 00:10:47.439 --> 00:10:48.460 but rather it was something 00:10:48.460 --> 00:10:50.259 that was in direct violation 00:10:50.259 --> 00:10:52.759 of what they had been taught, 00:10:52.899 --> 00:10:54.259 the way they had been brought up, 00:10:54.319 --> 00:10:55.720 and what God had revealed 00:10:55.720 --> 00:10:57.379 to His chosen people. 00:10:57.779 --> 00:10:59.039 In Exodus chapter 20, 00:10:59.120 --> 00:10:59.779 verse number 4, 00:10:59.840 --> 00:11:00.460 the Bible says, 00:11:00.600 --> 00:11:01.699 to the Hebrew people, 00:11:02.000 --> 00:11:02.980 to the Israelites, 00:11:03.139 --> 00:11:04.600 thou shalt not make 00:11:04.600 --> 00:11:06.519 unto thee any graven image 00:11:06.519 --> 00:11:08.199 or any likeness 00:11:08.199 --> 00:11:09.860 of anything that is 00:11:09.860 --> 00:11:10.799 in heaven above 00:11:10.799 --> 00:11:12.100 or that is in the earth beneath 00:11:12.100 --> 00:11:13.159 or that is in the water 00:11:13.159 --> 00:11:13.860 under the earth, 00:11:13.919 --> 00:11:16.100 thou shalt not bow down 00:11:16.100 --> 00:11:16.980 thyself to them 00:11:16.980 --> 00:11:17.839 nor serve them, 00:11:18.100 --> 00:11:19.600 for I, the Lord thy God, 00:11:19.639 --> 00:11:20.779 am a jealous God, 00:11:21.219 --> 00:11:22.259 visiting the iniquity 00:11:22.259 --> 00:11:22.799 of the fathers 00:11:22.799 --> 00:11:23.480 upon the children 00:11:23.480 --> 00:11:24.139 under the third 00:11:24.139 --> 00:11:25.019 and fourth generation 00:11:25.019 --> 00:11:26.100 of them that hate me. 00:11:26.559 --> 00:11:28.100 Again, in Ephesians chapter, 00:11:28.219 --> 00:11:28.699 excuse me, 00:11:29.719 --> 00:11:31.059 I started to jump ahead 00:11:31.059 --> 00:11:31.539 of myself. 00:11:31.740 --> 00:11:32.379 That's what caffeine 00:11:32.379 --> 00:11:33.039 will do to you. 00:11:34.879 --> 00:11:37.000 So these young Hebrews 00:11:37.000 --> 00:11:39.240 knew what God had commanded. 00:11:39.839 --> 00:11:41.079 They also knew 00:11:41.080 --> 00:11:42.460 what Nebuchadnezzar 00:11:42.460 --> 00:11:43.020 had commanded 00:11:43.020 --> 00:11:44.160 and the crisis point 00:11:44.160 --> 00:11:44.980 came when they had 00:11:44.980 --> 00:11:45.420 to decide, 00:11:45.540 --> 00:11:46.480 which direction do I turn? 00:11:48.400 --> 00:11:49.780 But they decided 00:11:49.780 --> 00:11:51.860 that I am going to stand 00:11:51.860 --> 00:11:53.300 for what God has told me. 00:11:53.660 --> 00:11:54.800 I am going to stand. 00:11:55.120 --> 00:11:56.920 Oh, it's as if the apostle, 00:11:57.160 --> 00:11:58.700 as the words of the apostles, 00:11:59.340 --> 00:11:59.780 it is better, 00:11:59.900 --> 00:12:00.840 we must obey God 00:12:00.840 --> 00:12:01.660 rather than man. 00:12:01.920 --> 00:12:03.020 So they stood 00:12:03.020 --> 00:12:04.000 before the king. 00:12:04.080 --> 00:12:04.300 We'll say, 00:12:04.400 --> 00:12:04.800 what that's, 00:12:04.940 --> 00:12:05.259 you know, 00:12:05.340 --> 00:12:06.780 that's Old Testament. 00:12:07.080 --> 00:12:07.220 Now, 00:12:07.600 --> 00:12:08.700 that still applies 00:12:08.700 --> 00:12:09.400 to us today. 00:12:09.399 --> 00:12:10.860 We're not to be involved 00:12:10.860 --> 00:12:11.620 in idolatry. 00:12:12.019 --> 00:12:13.120 We are not to bow down 00:12:13.120 --> 00:12:14.139 and worship other images. 00:12:14.899 --> 00:12:16.559 We are not to have anything. 00:12:16.699 --> 00:12:17.360 You thou shalt love 00:12:17.360 --> 00:12:18.360 the Lord thy God 00:12:18.360 --> 00:12:19.459 with all thy heart, 00:12:19.559 --> 00:12:20.039 with all thy soul, 00:12:20.100 --> 00:12:20.699 with all thy might. 00:12:20.919 --> 00:12:21.559 He is supposed to be 00:12:21.559 --> 00:12:22.480 first in our lives. 00:12:22.699 --> 00:12:23.459 Well, I don't have 00:12:23.459 --> 00:12:24.779 a statue in my apartment. 00:12:24.899 --> 00:12:26.360 I don't have an idol 00:12:26.360 --> 00:12:27.360 in my house. 00:12:27.439 --> 00:12:28.279 No, but some of us 00:12:28.279 --> 00:12:28.779 have idols 00:12:28.779 --> 00:12:30.199 that aren't necessarily 00:12:30.199 --> 00:12:31.079 graven images. 00:12:32.240 --> 00:12:33.419 Some of us have an idol 00:12:33.419 --> 00:12:34.120 of our career, 00:12:34.779 --> 00:12:35.579 of our job, 00:12:36.120 --> 00:12:37.059 of our income. 00:12:37.399 --> 00:12:38.559 Some of us have an idol 00:12:38.559 --> 00:12:39.639 of our leisure time, 00:12:40.279 --> 00:12:40.939 our recreation. 00:12:42.439 --> 00:12:43.739 Some of us have an idol 00:12:43.739 --> 00:12:44.879 of sports. 00:12:45.419 --> 00:12:46.639 Oh, I just got in trouble, 00:12:46.719 --> 00:12:46.819 right? 00:12:47.119 --> 00:12:48.659 Some of us have an idol 00:12:48.659 --> 00:12:49.479 of our car, 00:12:49.619 --> 00:12:50.179 believe it or not. 00:12:50.279 --> 00:12:50.919 I've known people 00:12:50.919 --> 00:12:52.419 who would not serve God 00:12:52.419 --> 00:12:54.339 because they had to take 00:12:54.339 --> 00:12:54.979 care of their car. 00:12:55.539 --> 00:12:56.779 Their possessions 00:12:56.779 --> 00:12:57.779 drove them. 00:12:58.159 --> 00:12:59.379 Their off time 00:12:59.379 --> 00:13:00.059 drove them. 00:13:00.359 --> 00:13:01.119 Their career 00:13:01.119 --> 00:13:01.739 drove them. 00:13:02.119 --> 00:13:03.000 And, friend, 00:13:03.119 --> 00:13:04.000 whatever we put 00:13:04.000 --> 00:13:04.699 before God 00:13:04.699 --> 00:13:05.479 in our life 00:13:05.479 --> 00:13:06.479 becomes an idol. 00:13:07.819 --> 00:13:08.639 Our relationship, 00:13:08.799 --> 00:13:09.239 our family, 00:13:09.339 --> 00:13:09.899 believe it or not, 00:13:09.939 --> 00:13:10.379 our relationship 00:13:10.379 --> 00:13:10.899 and our family, 00:13:11.019 --> 00:13:11.979 while very, very important 00:13:11.979 --> 00:13:13.239 and while something 00:13:13.239 --> 00:13:14.079 that God tells us 00:13:14.079 --> 00:13:14.979 we should treasure 00:13:14.979 --> 00:13:15.979 and God shows us 00:13:15.979 --> 00:13:16.579 how we should live, 00:13:16.819 --> 00:13:17.679 if we start putting 00:13:17.679 --> 00:13:18.399 our relationships 00:13:18.399 --> 00:13:19.139 and our families 00:13:19.139 --> 00:13:19.819 above God, 00:13:20.000 --> 00:13:20.639 our families 00:13:20.639 --> 00:13:21.559 just became an idol. 00:13:21.859 --> 00:13:22.699 We have to make sure 00:13:22.699 --> 00:13:23.799 that we're serving God first 00:13:23.799 --> 00:13:24.359 and that we're doing 00:13:24.359 --> 00:13:25.539 what God wants us to do 00:13:25.539 --> 00:13:26.679 in dealing with 00:13:26.679 --> 00:13:27.359 everything else 00:13:27.359 --> 00:13:28.039 in our lives. 00:13:28.619 --> 00:13:29.819 So we may not have 00:13:29.819 --> 00:13:31.199 the same graven image 00:13:31.199 --> 00:13:33.079 that they had 00:13:33.079 --> 00:13:34.000 to bow down to, 00:13:34.159 --> 00:13:35.179 but we do have 00:13:35.179 --> 00:13:35.719 the danger 00:13:35.720 --> 00:13:36.500 that we could 00:13:36.500 --> 00:13:37.200 make ourselves 00:13:37.200 --> 00:13:37.660 an idol. 00:13:38.480 --> 00:13:39.720 We could decide 00:13:39.720 --> 00:13:40.720 just like them 00:13:40.720 --> 00:13:43.100 that when we're faced 00:13:43.100 --> 00:13:43.960 with a crisis point 00:13:43.960 --> 00:13:45.040 just like them, 00:13:45.860 --> 00:13:46.560 we could make 00:13:46.560 --> 00:13:47.680 an opposite decision. 00:13:48.320 --> 00:13:49.379 We could decide 00:13:49.379 --> 00:13:50.340 that I'm not going 00:13:50.340 --> 00:13:51.100 to stand for God. 00:13:51.160 --> 00:13:51.960 I'm not going to do 00:13:51.960 --> 00:13:52.980 what God wants me to do. 00:13:53.139 --> 00:13:54.420 The world out there 00:13:54.420 --> 00:13:55.120 would like us 00:13:55.120 --> 00:13:56.220 to live a certain way. 00:13:56.460 --> 00:13:57.340 Society out there 00:13:57.340 --> 00:13:58.080 would like us 00:13:58.080 --> 00:13:59.240 to do exactly 00:13:59.240 --> 00:14:00.740 what they do. 00:14:00.820 --> 00:14:01.340 They would like us 00:14:01.340 --> 00:14:01.960 to fit in, 00:14:02.000 --> 00:14:02.779 to blend in, 00:14:02.779 --> 00:14:03.500 to go along 00:14:03.500 --> 00:14:04.240 with the crowd, 00:14:04.419 --> 00:14:06.439 to bend our opinions 00:14:06.439 --> 00:14:08.439 and our thoughts 00:14:08.439 --> 00:14:09.819 and our actions 00:14:09.819 --> 00:14:11.860 to the way society is 00:14:11.860 --> 00:14:13.000 and if we disagree, 00:14:13.439 --> 00:14:15.379 to keep our mouths shut. 00:14:16.639 --> 00:14:17.759 They would like that. 00:14:19.139 --> 00:14:20.240 And so we're faced 00:14:20.240 --> 00:14:21.240 with that crisis point. 00:14:22.279 --> 00:14:23.519 Are we going 00:14:23.519 --> 00:14:24.579 to just go along 00:14:24.579 --> 00:14:25.199 to get along? 00:14:26.419 --> 00:14:27.539 Are we going to bow 00:14:27.539 --> 00:14:28.779 to Nebuchadnezzar's idol? 00:14:28.779 --> 00:14:32.039 Or are we going 00:14:32.039 --> 00:14:32.879 to stand for God? 00:14:33.799 --> 00:14:34.480 Because standing 00:14:34.480 --> 00:14:35.500 is commanded to us 00:14:35.500 --> 00:14:36.159 just as much 00:14:36.159 --> 00:14:36.819 as it was commanded 00:14:36.819 --> 00:14:37.319 to them. 00:14:38.139 --> 00:14:39.240 In Ephesians chapter 6, 00:14:39.339 --> 00:14:39.899 the Bible says, 00:14:40.059 --> 00:14:40.220 Wherefore, 00:14:40.319 --> 00:14:40.720 take unto you 00:14:40.720 --> 00:14:41.939 the whole armor of God 00:14:41.939 --> 00:14:42.919 that ye may be able 00:14:42.919 --> 00:14:43.519 to withstand 00:14:43.519 --> 00:14:44.699 in the evil day 00:14:44.699 --> 00:14:46.179 and having done all 00:14:46.179 --> 00:14:48.279 to stand. 00:14:49.000 --> 00:14:50.259 1 Corinthians chapter 15, 00:14:50.339 --> 00:14:51.259 verse number 58, 00:14:51.419 --> 00:14:51.620 Therefore, 00:14:51.819 --> 00:14:52.639 my beloved brethren, 00:14:52.759 --> 00:14:54.059 be ye steadfast, 00:14:54.620 --> 00:14:55.819 unmovable, 00:14:56.720 --> 00:14:57.600 always abounding 00:14:57.600 --> 00:14:58.519 in the work of the Lord, 00:14:58.519 --> 00:14:59.500 for as much as you know 00:14:59.500 --> 00:15:00.120 that your labor 00:15:00.120 --> 00:15:01.319 is not in vain 00:15:01.319 --> 00:15:01.939 in the Lord. 00:15:02.819 --> 00:15:03.600 So we are faced 00:15:03.600 --> 00:15:05.500 with the same problem, 00:15:06.100 --> 00:15:07.259 the same crisis point, 00:15:07.319 --> 00:15:07.899 and we are faced 00:15:07.899 --> 00:15:09.299 with this multiple times. 00:15:10.199 --> 00:15:10.419 I mean, 00:15:10.460 --> 00:15:11.740 a person only has 00:15:11.740 --> 00:15:12.559 to turn on the news. 00:15:12.679 --> 00:15:13.699 A person only has 00:15:13.699 --> 00:15:14.879 to check out social media 00:15:14.879 --> 00:15:15.879 to find out. 00:15:15.960 --> 00:15:16.779 A person, really, 00:15:16.899 --> 00:15:17.639 you don't even have 00:15:17.639 --> 00:15:18.079 to do that. 00:15:18.139 --> 00:15:18.699 You could just live 00:15:18.699 --> 00:15:19.579 your life and go about 00:15:19.579 --> 00:15:20.179 to find out 00:15:20.179 --> 00:15:21.699 that society just wants, 00:15:21.840 --> 00:15:22.980 is going one direction, 00:15:23.179 --> 00:15:23.980 and that direction 00:15:23.980 --> 00:15:25.740 is not God's direction. 00:15:26.139 --> 00:15:26.539 And there is 00:15:26.539 --> 00:15:27.720 a tremendous pressure 00:15:27.720 --> 00:15:29.100 upon each and every 00:15:29.100 --> 00:15:30.240 single born-again person 00:15:30.240 --> 00:15:32.320 to just shut our mouths. 00:15:33.279 --> 00:15:34.240 Keep quiet. 00:15:35.800 --> 00:15:38.300 Go along with the society. 00:15:38.840 --> 00:15:39.940 Go with the flow. 00:15:41.340 --> 00:15:42.080 Not be different. 00:15:42.500 --> 00:15:44.639 Not point anything out 00:15:44.639 --> 00:15:45.259 that's wrong. 00:15:46.440 --> 00:15:47.120 Just, again, 00:15:47.360 --> 00:15:48.340 fly under the radar. 00:15:49.379 --> 00:15:50.019 And that temptation 00:15:50.019 --> 00:15:50.820 is pretty strong. 00:15:52.620 --> 00:15:53.560 Let's face it. 00:15:53.740 --> 00:15:54.560 There are a lot of folks 00:15:54.559 --> 00:15:56.219 that we could probably 00:15:56.219 --> 00:15:57.079 talk about, 00:15:57.179 --> 00:15:58.099 we could probably think, 00:15:58.179 --> 00:15:59.399 we might even be thinking 00:15:59.399 --> 00:16:00.019 about right now, 00:16:00.099 --> 00:16:01.139 and sometimes that person 00:16:01.139 --> 00:16:02.000 may be us 00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:03.879 who was faced 00:16:03.879 --> 00:16:04.799 with a crisis point 00:16:04.799 --> 00:16:05.719 and didn't stand. 00:16:05.979 --> 00:16:07.059 Not one of us is perfect. 00:16:07.959 --> 00:16:08.519 Not one of us 00:16:08.519 --> 00:16:09.119 should look down 00:16:09.119 --> 00:16:09.879 at somebody else 00:16:09.879 --> 00:16:10.719 because all of us 00:16:10.719 --> 00:16:11.259 are faced with 00:16:11.259 --> 00:16:12.000 these crisis points, 00:16:12.059 --> 00:16:13.099 and sometimes we succeed, 00:16:13.339 --> 00:16:14.519 and sometimes we fail 00:16:14.519 --> 00:16:15.859 because we're human, 00:16:16.299 --> 00:16:17.439 and we mess up. 00:16:17.440 --> 00:16:20.020 But we should look 00:16:20.020 --> 00:16:20.880 at these three Hebrews, 00:16:21.060 --> 00:16:22.660 and it should stir our hearts 00:16:22.660 --> 00:16:24.780 that we should also 00:16:24.780 --> 00:16:26.620 want to stand 00:16:26.620 --> 00:16:27.520 as they stood 00:16:27.520 --> 00:16:28.040 in the face 00:16:28.040 --> 00:16:29.520 of a dark generation, 00:16:29.720 --> 00:16:31.040 in the face of a world 00:16:31.040 --> 00:16:32.440 that is going against God, 00:16:32.500 --> 00:16:33.160 and quite frankly, 00:16:33.260 --> 00:16:33.860 always has. 00:16:33.920 --> 00:16:35.460 We think we face new things, 00:16:35.560 --> 00:16:36.740 but the truth of the matter is 00:16:36.740 --> 00:16:38.300 it's a recycled version 00:16:38.300 --> 00:16:38.900 of everything 00:16:38.900 --> 00:16:39.880 that every Christian 00:16:39.880 --> 00:16:40.680 and born-again believer 00:16:40.680 --> 00:16:41.820 has always faced. 00:16:42.020 --> 00:16:43.600 It may be more intense. 00:16:43.700 --> 00:16:45.380 It may be using new methods 00:16:45.379 --> 00:16:47.439 and ways of going about things, 00:16:47.559 --> 00:16:48.720 but it's the same thing 00:16:48.720 --> 00:16:49.279 that everybody 00:16:49.279 --> 00:16:50.379 has always faced, 00:16:50.460 --> 00:16:51.379 always a temptation 00:16:51.379 --> 00:16:52.179 to be quiet, 00:16:52.320 --> 00:16:53.159 always a temptation 00:16:53.159 --> 00:16:53.919 to sit down, 00:16:54.259 --> 00:16:55.159 always a temptation 00:16:55.159 --> 00:16:56.019 to go along, 00:16:56.179 --> 00:16:57.120 always a temptation 00:16:57.120 --> 00:16:58.659 to cave in 00:16:58.659 --> 00:16:59.799 and compromise. 00:17:01.860 --> 00:17:02.200 Nevertheless, 00:17:02.439 --> 00:17:03.220 we are commanded 00:17:03.220 --> 00:17:03.799 to stand 00:17:03.799 --> 00:17:04.640 and to stand for God. 00:17:04.700 --> 00:17:05.279 We are commanded. 00:17:05.680 --> 00:17:06.619 Jesus looked at us 00:17:06.619 --> 00:17:07.579 as it were, 00:17:07.680 --> 00:17:08.680 looked at His disciples, 00:17:09.299 --> 00:17:09.539 said, 00:17:09.640 --> 00:17:10.599 ye are the light 00:17:10.599 --> 00:17:11.099 of the world. 00:17:11.940 --> 00:17:12.559 That's what we're 00:17:12.559 --> 00:17:13.220 supposed to be. 00:17:14.019 --> 00:17:15.180 We're supposed to shine 00:17:15.180 --> 00:17:16.380 out the love of God 00:17:16.380 --> 00:17:17.640 to a lost and dying world. 00:17:17.960 --> 00:17:18.900 And if we are shining 00:17:18.900 --> 00:17:19.420 that light, 00:17:19.480 --> 00:17:20.420 there are going to be things 00:17:20.420 --> 00:17:21.340 that are scurry away 00:17:21.340 --> 00:17:21.960 in the darkness 00:17:21.960 --> 00:17:23.360 that do not want 00:17:23.360 --> 00:17:24.240 to see that light 00:17:24.240 --> 00:17:25.759 nor appreciate that light 00:17:25.759 --> 00:17:27.039 nor go to that light. 00:17:27.120 --> 00:17:27.400 Nevertheless, 00:17:27.660 --> 00:17:28.660 we are to shine out 00:17:28.660 --> 00:17:29.060 that light. 00:17:29.140 --> 00:17:29.900 But the temptation 00:17:29.900 --> 00:17:31.500 and what we're, 00:17:32.660 --> 00:17:34.539 I don't want to say forced, 00:17:34.660 --> 00:17:36.380 but threatened to do 00:17:36.380 --> 00:17:37.680 is to put our lights 00:17:37.680 --> 00:17:38.279 under a bushel. 00:17:39.779 --> 00:17:40.160 And of course, 00:17:40.220 --> 00:17:40.860 all the kids down 00:17:40.860 --> 00:17:41.620 at Junior Church 00:17:41.620 --> 00:17:42.240 know the song, 00:17:42.640 --> 00:17:43.320 This Little Am I, 00:17:43.380 --> 00:17:44.180 I'm going to let it shine. 00:17:44.279 --> 00:17:45.160 Hide it under a bushel, 00:17:45.560 --> 00:17:45.880 No. 00:17:47.560 --> 00:17:48.140 And that's easy, 00:17:48.300 --> 00:17:51.019 it's easier to sing that 00:17:51.019 --> 00:17:51.740 when you're a kid. 00:17:53.400 --> 00:17:54.540 It's a little bit harder 00:17:54.540 --> 00:17:55.320 when you're an adult 00:17:55.320 --> 00:17:55.840 and you're dealing 00:17:55.840 --> 00:17:56.320 with neighbors 00:17:56.320 --> 00:17:56.820 and you're dealing 00:17:56.820 --> 00:17:57.360 with family 00:17:57.360 --> 00:17:57.880 and you're dealing 00:17:57.880 --> 00:17:58.440 with work 00:17:58.440 --> 00:17:58.920 and you're dealing 00:17:58.920 --> 00:18:00.240 with society in general. 00:18:01.759 --> 00:18:02.120 Nevertheless, 00:18:02.360 --> 00:18:03.060 that's what we're called 00:18:03.060 --> 00:18:03.480 to do. 00:18:04.200 --> 00:18:05.180 We are called 00:18:05.180 --> 00:18:06.000 to be the light 00:18:06.000 --> 00:18:06.340 of the world 00:18:06.340 --> 00:18:07.880 and shine Jesus' light. 00:18:07.980 --> 00:18:08.380 We are called 00:18:08.380 --> 00:18:09.160 to stand, 00:18:09.400 --> 00:18:10.519 to stand for something, 00:18:10.620 --> 00:18:11.700 not to stand up 00:18:11.700 --> 00:18:11.980 and say, 00:18:12.120 --> 00:18:13.340 this is what I am 00:18:13.339 --> 00:18:14.339 or this is what I think, 00:18:14.379 --> 00:18:15.220 but rather to stand up 00:18:15.220 --> 00:18:15.519 and say, 00:18:15.599 --> 00:18:16.759 this is what God says 00:18:16.759 --> 00:18:17.779 and here I stand. 00:18:20.279 --> 00:18:21.799 So standing is commanded, 00:18:22.000 --> 00:18:22.619 not only that, 00:18:22.679 --> 00:18:24.779 but standing is conspicuous. 00:18:25.740 --> 00:18:27.319 Standing is conspicuous. 00:18:27.679 --> 00:18:28.000 You can, 00:18:30.159 --> 00:18:30.500 when I, 00:18:30.539 --> 00:18:31.159 I don't know about you, 00:18:31.160 --> 00:18:32.200 but when I read the Bible, 00:18:32.800 --> 00:18:33.980 when I read in general, 00:18:34.820 --> 00:18:35.800 my mind works 00:18:35.800 --> 00:18:37.160 by making it almost 00:18:37.160 --> 00:18:38.120 into a little video. 00:18:39.279 --> 00:18:40.500 I see the events 00:18:40.500 --> 00:18:41.240 as I'm reading. 00:18:41.640 --> 00:18:42.720 I see the events 00:18:42.720 --> 00:18:43.820 happening in my mind. 00:18:43.880 --> 00:18:45.180 It becomes less 00:18:45.180 --> 00:18:46.759 just cold black words 00:18:46.759 --> 00:18:47.660 on a white page. 00:18:47.960 --> 00:18:48.880 It becomes more 00:18:48.880 --> 00:18:50.880 of a video in my mind 00:18:50.880 --> 00:18:52.820 and it stirs my heart sometimes 00:18:52.820 --> 00:18:54.060 and it challenges me sometimes. 00:18:54.320 --> 00:18:56.420 I can see this scene 00:18:56.420 --> 00:18:57.380 as it's set forth 00:18:57.380 --> 00:18:57.840 in the Bible. 00:18:57.839 --> 00:19:00.519 I can see this huge idol 00:19:00.519 --> 00:19:01.439 set up in the middle 00:19:01.439 --> 00:19:02.079 of a plain 00:19:02.079 --> 00:19:02.639 because that's where 00:19:02.639 --> 00:19:03.259 it said it was. 00:19:03.339 --> 00:19:04.199 It's the middle of a plain 00:19:04.199 --> 00:19:04.899 and in the Midwest, 00:19:05.079 --> 00:19:06.000 we know what plains are, 00:19:06.059 --> 00:19:06.379 don't we? 00:19:07.359 --> 00:19:08.659 I can see this huge idol 00:19:08.659 --> 00:19:09.419 set up in the middle 00:19:09.419 --> 00:19:10.279 of this huge plain. 00:19:10.399 --> 00:19:11.220 I can see thousands 00:19:11.220 --> 00:19:12.519 and thousands of people 00:19:12.519 --> 00:19:14.279 surrounding this idol 00:19:14.279 --> 00:19:16.099 and they're milling 00:19:16.099 --> 00:19:16.799 and if you've ever been 00:19:16.799 --> 00:19:17.259 in the midst 00:19:17.259 --> 00:19:18.059 of a large crowd, 00:19:18.179 --> 00:19:19.079 you understand what I mean. 00:19:19.139 --> 00:19:19.659 They're milling 00:19:19.659 --> 00:19:20.319 and they're talking 00:19:20.319 --> 00:19:21.259 and there's just this, 00:19:21.259 --> 00:19:22.839 this constant hum 00:19:22.839 --> 00:19:23.559 and buzz 00:19:23.559 --> 00:19:24.299 of conversation 00:19:24.299 --> 00:19:25.379 that you have trouble 00:19:25.379 --> 00:19:25.959 making out 00:19:25.959 --> 00:19:27.240 any particular words 00:19:27.240 --> 00:19:28.640 because there's so many people 00:19:28.640 --> 00:19:30.000 and there's so many conversations 00:19:30.000 --> 00:19:31.279 and there's so much movement 00:19:31.279 --> 00:19:32.920 that everything just blurs 00:19:32.920 --> 00:19:34.559 into one continuous hum 00:19:34.559 --> 00:19:35.319 of activity 00:19:35.319 --> 00:19:36.400 and noise 00:19:36.400 --> 00:19:37.500 and then the music 00:19:37.500 --> 00:19:38.200 starts playing. 00:19:39.859 --> 00:19:40.279 I don't know 00:19:40.279 --> 00:19:41.339 if it came from a platform 00:19:41.339 --> 00:19:42.380 next to the idol, 00:19:42.660 --> 00:19:44.200 if it came from different stations 00:19:44.200 --> 00:19:45.200 around the outside, 00:19:45.319 --> 00:19:46.180 wherever it was, 00:19:46.480 --> 00:19:47.660 the music started playing 00:19:47.660 --> 00:19:49.359 and again, 00:19:49.359 --> 00:19:50.039 if you've ever been 00:19:50.039 --> 00:19:50.579 in a crowd 00:19:50.579 --> 00:19:52.200 that's gathered together 00:19:52.200 --> 00:19:53.299 for a specific reason, 00:19:53.380 --> 00:19:54.720 before things start, 00:19:55.039 --> 00:19:56.079 there's this constant hum, 00:19:56.200 --> 00:19:57.160 there's this constant activity, 00:19:57.240 --> 00:19:58.079 this constant rustle 00:19:58.079 --> 00:19:58.700 of conversation, 00:19:59.019 --> 00:20:00.400 but as things start, 00:20:01.079 --> 00:20:02.759 that dies down. 00:20:04.099 --> 00:20:05.500 It becomes quieter 00:20:05.500 --> 00:20:07.660 and in my mind, 00:20:07.759 --> 00:20:09.559 I see that movement 00:20:09.559 --> 00:20:11.839 of that huge crowd still 00:20:11.839 --> 00:20:14.859 and I see the conversation, 00:20:15.099 --> 00:20:16.839 the hum of thousands 00:20:16.839 --> 00:20:18.059 of people talking, 00:20:18.180 --> 00:20:19.559 I hear it quiet 00:20:19.559 --> 00:20:22.200 and in my mind's eye, 00:20:22.339 --> 00:20:23.420 I see starting 00:20:23.420 --> 00:20:24.859 maybe closest to the idol 00:20:24.859 --> 00:20:26.119 or maybe closest to wherever 00:20:26.119 --> 00:20:27.399 the music was coming from, 00:20:27.639 --> 00:20:29.419 I see row after row 00:20:29.419 --> 00:20:30.919 after row of people 00:20:30.919 --> 00:20:32.500 falling to their knees, 00:20:32.639 --> 00:20:33.599 facing this idol 00:20:33.599 --> 00:20:35.559 and falling to their knees. 00:20:36.879 --> 00:20:39.079 Just perhaps a wave 00:20:39.079 --> 00:20:39.919 moving outward 00:20:39.919 --> 00:20:40.919 from the idol. 00:20:42.079 --> 00:20:43.399 Thousands of people 00:20:43.399 --> 00:20:45.159 kneeling down, 00:20:45.399 --> 00:20:47.919 except for three. 00:20:48.240 --> 00:20:48.899 Can you imagine 00:20:48.899 --> 00:20:49.879 what it looked like? 00:20:49.880 --> 00:20:52.940 everybody's knelt down, 00:20:53.220 --> 00:20:55.080 all in the surrounding area 00:20:55.080 --> 00:20:55.600 and who knows 00:20:55.600 --> 00:20:57.100 how large this plane was 00:20:57.100 --> 00:20:58.340 or how many thousands 00:20:58.340 --> 00:20:59.680 of people may have been there 00:20:59.680 --> 00:21:00.580 and in the midst 00:21:00.580 --> 00:21:01.640 of all these people 00:21:01.640 --> 00:21:02.360 kneeling down 00:21:02.360 --> 00:21:04.780 stood three figures. 00:21:04.779 --> 00:21:06.000 You can imagine 00:21:06.000 --> 00:21:06.960 that they drew 00:21:06.960 --> 00:21:08.200 a lot of attention 00:21:08.200 --> 00:21:09.700 and a lot of attention 00:21:09.700 --> 00:21:10.639 immediately. 00:21:11.700 --> 00:21:13.579 They stood out. 00:21:14.399 --> 00:21:15.440 They stood up 00:21:15.440 --> 00:21:17.759 and they stood out. 00:21:18.579 --> 00:21:19.879 There was no hiding, 00:21:20.139 --> 00:21:21.279 there was no drawing back, 00:21:21.379 --> 00:21:22.339 there was no camouflage, 00:21:22.920 --> 00:21:23.920 there was no standing 00:21:23.920 --> 00:21:24.440 in the corner 00:21:24.440 --> 00:21:25.899 and hoping nobody noticed. 00:21:26.379 --> 00:21:29.059 They were on the spot. 00:21:29.920 --> 00:21:30.579 Now the funny thing 00:21:30.579 --> 00:21:31.160 about this is, 00:21:31.379 --> 00:21:32.299 as I mentioned earlier, 00:21:32.420 --> 00:21:33.779 they were not the only people 00:21:33.779 --> 00:21:34.799 taken into captivity. 00:21:34.960 --> 00:21:35.960 They were not the only Hebrews 00:21:35.960 --> 00:21:37.899 and I doubt very much, 00:21:37.940 --> 00:21:39.160 I have no way of proving this 00:21:39.160 --> 00:21:39.920 by the Bible, 00:21:40.180 --> 00:21:41.440 just my supposition, 00:21:41.579 --> 00:21:42.399 so if you want to disagree 00:21:42.399 --> 00:21:42.899 with me, 00:21:42.980 --> 00:21:45.319 you're perfectly welcome 00:21:45.319 --> 00:21:46.500 to disagree with me. 00:21:47.160 --> 00:21:48.399 But I've got to imagine 00:21:48.399 --> 00:21:49.680 that there were other Hebrews 00:21:49.680 --> 00:21:51.460 there in that huge crowd 00:21:51.460 --> 00:21:52.420 along with them, 00:21:53.299 --> 00:21:54.779 but there were only three 00:21:54.779 --> 00:21:55.299 that stood. 00:21:56.500 --> 00:21:57.839 There were other people there 00:21:57.839 --> 00:21:59.660 that were under the same command 00:21:59.660 --> 00:22:01.279 to stand as these three, 00:22:01.399 --> 00:22:03.240 but only these three stood. 00:22:03.779 --> 00:22:06.240 In my mind's eye, 00:22:06.359 --> 00:22:06.740 again, 00:22:06.859 --> 00:22:08.039 I imagine somebody 00:22:08.039 --> 00:22:08.980 who was maybe, 00:22:09.119 --> 00:22:10.519 before the music started playing, 00:22:10.619 --> 00:22:11.920 Shadrach and Meshach and Abednego 00:22:11.920 --> 00:22:13.579 were surrounded by other Jews 00:22:13.579 --> 00:22:15.940 because we tend to congregate together, 00:22:16.039 --> 00:22:16.460 don't we? 00:22:16.519 --> 00:22:17.680 With people of like faith, 00:22:17.799 --> 00:22:19.839 with people of like backgrounds, 00:22:20.059 --> 00:22:21.379 they came from the same place, 00:22:21.460 --> 00:22:22.619 they spoke the same language. 00:22:22.619 --> 00:22:23.279 You can imagine 00:22:23.279 --> 00:22:24.879 that they would congregate together 00:22:24.879 --> 00:22:26.180 even in the midst of a crowd. 00:22:26.519 --> 00:22:27.299 And these others 00:22:27.299 --> 00:22:28.660 knelt down. 00:22:28.660 --> 00:22:32.540 And these three stood. 00:22:33.820 --> 00:22:35.340 I can imagine in my mind's eye 00:22:35.340 --> 00:22:36.759 somebody kneeling down next to them 00:22:36.759 --> 00:22:37.380 and you'll forgive me, 00:22:37.420 --> 00:22:38.320 I'm not going to kneel down 00:22:38.320 --> 00:22:39.800 because once I kneel down, 00:22:39.900 --> 00:22:41.900 I may not get back up. 00:22:42.900 --> 00:22:43.960 But I can imagine 00:22:43.960 --> 00:22:45.220 that they knelt down 00:22:45.220 --> 00:22:46.060 and they looked up 00:22:46.060 --> 00:22:47.240 and there are those three standing 00:22:47.240 --> 00:22:47.660 and say, 00:22:47.960 --> 00:22:48.460 Shadrach! 00:22:49.580 --> 00:22:50.019 Shadrach, 00:22:50.120 --> 00:22:51.440 what is the matter with you, man? 00:22:52.400 --> 00:22:53.420 Can you not see 00:22:53.420 --> 00:22:54.160 what's going on here? 00:22:54.360 --> 00:22:55.040 Get down! 00:22:55.039 --> 00:22:58.099 This is not good. 00:22:58.159 --> 00:22:59.619 You are making the rest of us look bad. 00:23:01.319 --> 00:23:02.019 Do you know 00:23:02.019 --> 00:23:03.039 that King Nebuchadnezzar, 00:23:03.819 --> 00:23:05.180 he's going to throw you in the furnace? 00:23:05.319 --> 00:23:06.720 Do you not realize this? 00:23:07.859 --> 00:23:08.980 And if he wants to 00:23:08.980 --> 00:23:10.079 just because you're standing, 00:23:10.180 --> 00:23:10.559 did you know 00:23:10.559 --> 00:23:11.759 he might throw me in there too 00:23:11.759 --> 00:23:12.899 even though I'm not standing? 00:23:13.879 --> 00:23:14.960 What is wrong with you? 00:23:15.019 --> 00:23:17.099 Can't you just get down? 00:23:17.639 --> 00:23:19.019 Okay, don't kneel down all the way. 00:23:19.099 --> 00:23:19.920 Can you at least crouch? 00:23:21.399 --> 00:23:22.960 Can you at least go halfway? 00:23:23.980 --> 00:23:25.019 Okay, you don't have to go 00:23:25.019 --> 00:23:26.680 all the way to kneeling. 00:23:27.480 --> 00:23:28.359 But can you at least, 00:23:28.519 --> 00:23:28.680 you know, 00:23:28.759 --> 00:23:29.839 maybe bend at the waist? 00:23:30.299 --> 00:23:31.019 Do something. 00:23:31.920 --> 00:23:32.920 Help me out here. 00:23:34.160 --> 00:23:35.279 And I can imagine Shadrach 00:23:35.279 --> 00:23:36.299 looking at him and saying, 00:23:36.460 --> 00:23:37.420 what are you doing down there? 00:23:39.879 --> 00:23:41.079 Why aren't you up here with me? 00:23:41.279 --> 00:23:42.720 That's not where you're supposed to be. 00:23:44.039 --> 00:23:45.059 You're supposed to be here. 00:23:45.879 --> 00:23:47.460 You're supposed to be standing next to me. 00:23:48.819 --> 00:23:50.180 You're supposed to be standing for God 00:23:50.180 --> 00:23:50.799 just like me. 00:23:51.720 --> 00:23:52.720 Can you imagine the pressure? 00:23:52.720 --> 00:23:56.559 The pressure from knowing that what they were doing 00:23:56.559 --> 00:23:58.140 carried the death penalty? 00:23:58.880 --> 00:24:02.980 The pressure of knowing that everyone was looking at them? 00:24:03.819 --> 00:24:06.339 Because there was no hiding amidst that crowd. 00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:09.200 The pressure of knowing that other people 00:24:09.200 --> 00:24:10.759 who should have been supporting them 00:24:10.759 --> 00:24:12.240 and should have been standing with them 00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:13.039 weren't. 00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:15.759 That's a tremendous amount of pressure. 00:24:15.759 --> 00:24:18.500 And yet in the middle of all that pressure, 00:24:18.660 --> 00:24:20.319 in the middle of all that 00:24:20.319 --> 00:24:22.759 intimidation, 00:24:23.559 --> 00:24:26.059 these three men 00:24:26.059 --> 00:24:27.359 stood strong. 00:24:28.200 --> 00:24:29.359 You know, I've often heard 00:24:29.359 --> 00:24:30.839 through the years that I've been saved 00:24:30.839 --> 00:24:32.140 when people are talking about this, 00:24:32.400 --> 00:24:33.879 I've often heard them talking about 00:24:33.879 --> 00:24:35.000 the three Hebrew boys 00:24:35.000 --> 00:24:37.099 or the three Hebrew children. 00:24:37.940 --> 00:24:39.480 Can I share with you that I don't care 00:24:39.480 --> 00:24:41.539 what age these people happen to be? 00:24:41.839 --> 00:24:42.559 These were men. 00:24:42.559 --> 00:24:47.679 It takes someone of character 00:24:47.679 --> 00:24:50.720 to stand in the midst of that kind of pressure. 00:24:51.019 --> 00:24:53.240 It takes someone of extreme character 00:24:53.240 --> 00:24:55.779 to stand in the midst of intimidation. 00:24:56.019 --> 00:24:57.220 It takes somebody 00:24:57.220 --> 00:25:00.019 with a fervent love for God. 00:25:00.139 --> 00:25:02.259 It is so easy to say, 00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:03.299 I love God. 00:25:03.759 --> 00:25:04.980 Stand and show me. 00:25:07.980 --> 00:25:09.399 You can kneel and say, 00:25:09.519 --> 00:25:10.059 I love God. 00:25:10.159 --> 00:25:11.039 I don't believe you. 00:25:11.039 --> 00:25:12.460 Quite frankly, the other people 00:25:12.460 --> 00:25:13.420 kneeling next to you 00:25:13.420 --> 00:25:14.559 don't believe you either. 00:25:14.920 --> 00:25:15.639 There are times 00:25:15.639 --> 00:25:17.980 where if you are going to say something, 00:25:18.159 --> 00:25:19.759 you need to do something 00:25:19.759 --> 00:25:21.759 to back it up. 00:25:21.819 --> 00:25:22.279 It's time, 00:25:22.599 --> 00:25:23.220 there are times 00:25:23.220 --> 00:25:24.599 you have to put actions 00:25:24.599 --> 00:25:25.480 to your words. 00:25:26.299 --> 00:25:27.259 You know the old saying, 00:25:27.639 --> 00:25:28.319 your talk talks 00:25:28.319 --> 00:25:29.220 and your walk talks, 00:25:29.379 --> 00:25:30.440 but your walk talks louder 00:25:30.440 --> 00:25:31.339 than your talk talks? 00:25:31.779 --> 00:25:32.720 I hope I got that right. 00:25:32.960 --> 00:25:34.000 It's an old saying, 00:25:34.440 --> 00:25:35.599 but it's true. 00:25:35.940 --> 00:25:37.480 We often think of people probably 00:25:37.480 --> 00:25:39.639 whose walk does not match their talk. 00:25:39.640 --> 00:25:41.500 I was working in a factory one time. 00:25:41.940 --> 00:25:42.580 Years ago, 00:25:42.680 --> 00:25:43.560 I worked in a factory. 00:25:43.680 --> 00:25:44.840 I worked there for 15 years 00:25:44.840 --> 00:25:45.840 and I worked with a variety 00:25:45.840 --> 00:25:46.720 of different people. 00:25:48.380 --> 00:25:49.560 And there was one woman 00:25:49.560 --> 00:25:50.560 I was working with 00:25:50.560 --> 00:25:52.200 and she was a profane woman. 00:25:52.680 --> 00:25:53.240 She was, 00:25:54.120 --> 00:25:55.640 for lack of a better word, 00:25:55.700 --> 00:25:56.320 she was vile. 00:25:57.060 --> 00:25:57.680 I'm sorry, 00:25:57.740 --> 00:25:58.440 that sounds really, 00:25:58.580 --> 00:25:59.000 really harsh, 00:25:59.120 --> 00:26:00.480 but that's a good descriptive word. 00:26:01.240 --> 00:26:02.080 She was wicked 00:26:02.080 --> 00:26:04.320 and her mouth was wicked 00:26:04.320 --> 00:26:06.180 and her actions were wicked 00:26:06.180 --> 00:26:07.840 and her opinions were wicked. 00:26:07.839 --> 00:26:09.419 And I think you get the idea. 00:26:10.339 --> 00:26:11.259 Working in a factory, 00:26:11.359 --> 00:26:11.899 you can imagine, 00:26:11.980 --> 00:26:12.919 it got pretty bad. 00:26:13.899 --> 00:26:14.619 Well, one day, 00:26:14.720 --> 00:26:15.759 the door opened up 00:26:15.759 --> 00:26:17.399 and I was able to witness to her. 00:26:18.079 --> 00:26:19.319 You got to look for your opportunities, 00:26:19.519 --> 00:26:20.759 especially when you're at work 00:26:20.759 --> 00:26:23.039 because my time is being paid for 00:26:23.039 --> 00:26:23.839 by my employer. 00:26:24.779 --> 00:26:26.079 But I saw an opportunity 00:26:26.079 --> 00:26:27.099 and I took it. 00:26:27.699 --> 00:26:28.899 So I witnessed to her 00:26:28.899 --> 00:26:30.240 and she looked at me 00:26:30.240 --> 00:26:31.159 and she said, 00:26:31.240 --> 00:26:31.639 oh yeah, 00:26:31.740 --> 00:26:32.839 I accepted Jesus Christ 00:26:32.839 --> 00:26:33.799 as my personal savior 00:26:33.799 --> 00:26:34.779 when I was a child 00:26:34.779 --> 00:26:35.399 down in, 00:26:35.459 --> 00:26:36.419 I think she said Missouri. 00:26:36.420 --> 00:26:39.519 And I will tell you the truth, 00:26:39.700 --> 00:26:40.200 she had, 00:26:40.460 --> 00:26:41.660 I'm surprised she didn't get insulted 00:26:41.660 --> 00:26:42.779 because I stood there 00:26:42.779 --> 00:26:44.039 with my mouth hanging wide open. 00:26:44.300 --> 00:26:44.800 Do you believe her? 00:26:44.920 --> 00:26:46.960 It's not my place to judge her. 00:26:47.519 --> 00:26:48.279 It's really not. 00:26:49.160 --> 00:26:50.259 But can I tell you 00:26:50.259 --> 00:26:52.100 that the way she acted 00:26:52.100 --> 00:26:53.480 and what she told me 00:26:53.480 --> 00:26:55.080 didn't match. 00:26:56.980 --> 00:26:58.800 What we say we are 00:26:58.800 --> 00:27:00.300 should be evident 00:27:00.300 --> 00:27:01.500 by what we do. 00:27:01.500 --> 00:27:04.759 People should never be shocked 00:27:04.759 --> 00:27:06.579 to find out we're a Christian. 00:27:07.259 --> 00:27:08.960 People should never be shocked 00:27:08.960 --> 00:27:11.519 to find out that we love Jesus. 00:27:12.200 --> 00:27:13.940 Everything about us, 00:27:14.039 --> 00:27:14.779 the Bible calls it 00:27:14.779 --> 00:27:15.900 our conversation. 00:27:17.079 --> 00:27:18.180 When we think of conversation, 00:27:18.279 --> 00:27:19.380 we think of what we say. 00:27:19.740 --> 00:27:20.099 The Bible, 00:27:20.279 --> 00:27:21.460 when it uses the word conversation, 00:27:21.660 --> 00:27:23.559 means the entirety of our being. 00:27:24.359 --> 00:27:26.579 Everything about us that speaks. 00:27:27.539 --> 00:27:28.920 And our actions speak, 00:27:28.920 --> 00:27:29.539 as the saying, 00:27:29.600 --> 00:27:29.880 again, 00:27:30.000 --> 00:27:30.360 saying goes, 00:27:30.420 --> 00:27:31.860 our actions speak louder than words. 00:27:34.000 --> 00:27:34.900 They should never, 00:27:35.200 --> 00:27:36.700 people should never be surprised. 00:27:37.100 --> 00:27:37.860 Our actions, 00:27:38.220 --> 00:27:39.039 what we do, 00:27:39.140 --> 00:27:40.460 should always match up 00:27:40.460 --> 00:27:41.420 with what we say. 00:27:41.700 --> 00:27:42.580 If we do that though, 00:27:42.600 --> 00:27:43.880 we're going to be conspicuous. 00:27:44.320 --> 00:27:45.620 We're going to stand out. 00:27:46.160 --> 00:27:48.019 And we are going to have pressure 00:27:48.019 --> 00:27:50.039 and sometimes intimidation 00:27:50.039 --> 00:27:51.200 against us 00:27:51.200 --> 00:27:52.019 because standing 00:27:52.019 --> 00:27:53.860 can be a lonely thing. 00:27:54.920 --> 00:27:55.060 Being, 00:27:55.320 --> 00:27:56.320 nobody really likes 00:27:56.320 --> 00:27:57.160 to be conspicuous, 00:27:57.259 --> 00:27:57.620 do we? 00:27:57.619 --> 00:28:00.099 Nobody really likes 00:28:00.099 --> 00:28:01.639 to be the only one standing. 00:28:02.679 --> 00:28:04.179 But if we're going to stand for Christ, 00:28:04.279 --> 00:28:05.039 there are going to be times 00:28:05.039 --> 00:28:06.259 we are the only one standing. 00:28:07.719 --> 00:28:08.779 If we're going to do 00:28:08.779 --> 00:28:09.839 what God wants us to do, 00:28:09.939 --> 00:28:10.979 there are going to be times 00:28:10.979 --> 00:28:12.819 when we are conspicuous 00:28:12.819 --> 00:28:15.079 because nobody around us 00:28:15.079 --> 00:28:16.079 is going to stand with us. 00:28:16.919 --> 00:28:17.879 It's going to happen. 00:28:19.019 --> 00:28:20.159 Standing is conspicuous. 00:28:20.239 --> 00:28:20.919 Not only that, 00:28:20.979 --> 00:28:22.259 but standing is condemned 00:28:22.259 --> 00:28:23.159 by the world. 00:28:23.799 --> 00:28:24.699 Standing is condemned 00:28:24.699 --> 00:28:25.399 by the world. 00:28:25.699 --> 00:28:26.479 We already mentioned 00:28:26.480 --> 00:28:27.599 how these three Hebrews 00:28:27.599 --> 00:28:29.460 knew that they were going 00:28:29.460 --> 00:28:30.720 to be thrown into a fiery furnace 00:28:30.720 --> 00:28:31.620 if they stood. 00:28:31.759 --> 00:28:33.059 They knew the condemnation 00:28:33.059 --> 00:28:33.839 that they were facing. 00:28:34.259 --> 00:28:35.120 And as we go on 00:28:35.120 --> 00:28:35.640 with the story, 00:28:35.700 --> 00:28:36.500 which we won't read 00:28:36.500 --> 00:28:37.240 for time's sake, 00:28:37.279 --> 00:28:38.299 as we go on with the story, 00:28:38.519 --> 00:28:39.720 we find out that indeed 00:28:39.720 --> 00:28:40.420 it did happen. 00:28:40.519 --> 00:28:41.059 They were brought 00:28:41.059 --> 00:28:42.259 before Nebuchadnezzar. 00:28:42.360 --> 00:28:43.140 They were condemned 00:28:43.140 --> 00:28:44.120 and they were thrown 00:28:44.120 --> 00:28:44.880 into the furnace. 00:28:45.880 --> 00:28:47.079 They were condemned 00:28:47.079 --> 00:28:47.900 by the world. 00:28:48.019 --> 00:28:49.140 And if we stand, 00:28:49.240 --> 00:28:50.779 if we stand and say, 00:28:50.900 --> 00:28:51.319 nevertheless, 00:28:52.160 --> 00:28:53.059 we are not going 00:28:53.059 --> 00:28:53.720 to bow down. 00:28:53.860 --> 00:28:55.019 We are not going to do 00:28:55.019 --> 00:28:55.819 what you told us to do. 00:28:55.879 --> 00:28:57.019 We are going to obey God 00:28:57.019 --> 00:28:57.879 rather than man. 00:28:58.740 --> 00:28:59.480 There are times 00:28:59.480 --> 00:29:00.299 where the world 00:29:00.299 --> 00:29:01.139 is going to condemn us. 00:29:01.619 --> 00:29:02.379 The world is going 00:29:02.379 --> 00:29:03.420 to dislike us. 00:29:03.799 --> 00:29:04.879 We are going to hear 00:29:04.879 --> 00:29:05.599 harsh things. 00:29:05.700 --> 00:29:06.559 We are going to suffer 00:29:06.559 --> 00:29:08.299 unjust actions. 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:10.519 The events of the last 00:29:10.519 --> 00:29:11.119 couple of weeks 00:29:11.119 --> 00:29:12.359 should certainly show us 00:29:12.359 --> 00:29:13.400 that this is the truth. 00:29:14.839 --> 00:29:16.220 It doesn't take a great 00:29:16.220 --> 00:29:17.379 deal of memory, 00:29:17.519 --> 00:29:17.920 does it? 00:29:19.180 --> 00:29:21.000 We've had an illustration 00:29:21.000 --> 00:29:23.099 brought to our eyes 00:29:23.099 --> 00:29:24.240 within the last couple 00:29:24.240 --> 00:29:24.719 of weeks 00:29:24.719 --> 00:29:26.699 that just standing 00:29:26.699 --> 00:29:27.819 for what is right 00:29:27.819 --> 00:29:29.980 and being conspicuous. 00:29:31.199 --> 00:29:32.139 I don't think there's 00:29:32.139 --> 00:29:33.119 anyone that can doubt 00:29:33.119 --> 00:29:33.579 that the person 00:29:33.579 --> 00:29:34.179 I'm speaking of 00:29:34.179 --> 00:29:35.139 was a very conspicuous 00:29:35.139 --> 00:29:35.559 person. 00:29:37.339 --> 00:29:38.459 That very often 00:29:38.459 --> 00:29:40.159 when we do that, 00:29:40.279 --> 00:29:40.959 we are condemned 00:29:40.959 --> 00:29:41.599 by the world. 00:29:42.359 --> 00:29:43.339 We will be yelled at. 00:29:43.519 --> 00:29:45.099 We will be unjustly accused. 00:29:45.419 --> 00:29:46.279 We will be hated. 00:29:46.659 --> 00:29:47.240 And sometimes, 00:29:47.559 --> 00:29:49.299 sometimes it comes down 00:29:49.299 --> 00:29:50.319 to the ultimate price. 00:29:51.599 --> 00:29:52.619 Oh, this is America. 00:29:52.619 --> 00:29:53.559 It can't happen. 00:29:53.619 --> 00:29:54.979 It happened two weeks ago. 00:29:56.259 --> 00:29:57.159 Not only that, 00:29:57.199 --> 00:29:57.519 but yes, 00:29:57.599 --> 00:29:58.479 this is America. 00:29:58.799 --> 00:29:59.519 But I'm telling you 00:29:59.519 --> 00:30:00.019 right now, 00:30:00.119 --> 00:30:00.459 today, 00:30:00.579 --> 00:30:01.119 it is happening 00:30:01.119 --> 00:30:02.319 all over this world. 00:30:02.439 --> 00:30:03.179 Have you heard 00:30:03.179 --> 00:30:04.579 about the Christian villages 00:30:04.579 --> 00:30:06.019 being burnt down? 00:30:07.659 --> 00:30:08.359 Check it out. 00:30:08.419 --> 00:30:09.179 You're not going to find it 00:30:09.179 --> 00:30:09.639 on CNN. 00:30:10.919 --> 00:30:12.039 But check it out. 00:30:13.759 --> 00:30:14.939 There are people 00:30:14.939 --> 00:30:16.379 that are standing up 00:30:16.379 --> 00:30:16.939 for Christ 00:30:16.939 --> 00:30:17.979 that are suffering 00:30:17.979 --> 00:30:19.779 martyrdom today. 00:30:21.479 --> 00:30:22.119 Now as a boy, 00:30:22.619 --> 00:30:23.839 I had to drive a, 00:30:23.899 --> 00:30:24.319 drive. 00:30:24.799 --> 00:30:25.539 They didn't let 00:30:25.539 --> 00:30:26.639 junior high kids 00:30:26.639 --> 00:30:27.219 drive the bus. 00:30:27.839 --> 00:30:28.939 I had to ride 00:30:28.939 --> 00:30:29.559 a bus 00:30:29.559 --> 00:30:30.799 to school. 00:30:31.539 --> 00:30:32.599 And it just happened 00:30:32.599 --> 00:30:34.219 that on the way out 00:30:34.219 --> 00:30:35.339 and on the way back, 00:30:35.699 --> 00:30:36.479 there was a broadcast 00:30:36.479 --> 00:30:37.439 by a man named 00:30:37.439 --> 00:30:38.299 Paul Harvey. 00:30:38.419 --> 00:30:39.419 Who remembers Paul Harvey? 00:30:40.219 --> 00:30:40.519 Good, 00:30:40.579 --> 00:30:41.039 I'm not the only 00:30:41.039 --> 00:30:41.599 old one here. 00:30:42.179 --> 00:30:42.399 Okay. 00:30:42.759 --> 00:30:43.779 I just insulted 00:30:43.779 --> 00:30:44.599 half the congregation 00:30:44.599 --> 00:30:45.000 right there. 00:30:45.199 --> 00:30:45.799 What do you mean me? 00:30:45.899 --> 00:30:46.179 What? 00:30:46.319 --> 00:30:46.559 What? 00:30:46.559 --> 00:30:46.879 Okay, 00:30:49.099 --> 00:30:49.839 you get a pass. 00:30:51.019 --> 00:30:52.019 Paul Harvey was fun 00:30:52.019 --> 00:30:52.659 to listen to. 00:30:52.740 --> 00:30:53.079 He was, 00:30:53.099 --> 00:30:53.980 and he was interesting. 00:30:54.879 --> 00:30:55.799 But there was times 00:30:55.799 --> 00:30:57.119 where he had a commentary, 00:30:57.679 --> 00:30:58.859 and part of the commentary 00:30:58.859 --> 00:31:00.000 he used this phrase, 00:31:00.119 --> 00:31:02.319 it is not one world. 00:31:04.019 --> 00:31:04.679 Can I tell you 00:31:04.679 --> 00:31:05.659 that because we're Americans 00:31:05.659 --> 00:31:06.379 and we're used to 00:31:06.379 --> 00:31:07.299 the way things are here, 00:31:07.460 --> 00:31:08.259 that's not the way 00:31:08.259 --> 00:31:09.200 it is in all the world. 00:31:10.220 --> 00:31:11.720 It is not one world. 00:31:12.079 --> 00:31:12.839 Standing is condemned 00:31:12.839 --> 00:31:13.319 by the world, 00:31:13.419 --> 00:31:14.079 and standing for Christ. 00:31:14.159 --> 00:31:14.259 Well, 00:31:14.519 --> 00:31:15.819 how can standing for Christ 00:31:15.819 --> 00:31:16.720 be condemned by the world? 00:31:16.779 --> 00:31:17.279 We're just trying 00:31:17.279 --> 00:31:18.500 to show them God's love. 00:31:18.579 --> 00:31:19.099 We're just trying 00:31:19.099 --> 00:31:19.699 to show them 00:31:19.699 --> 00:31:20.500 that they can be saved. 00:31:20.579 --> 00:31:21.059 We're just trying 00:31:21.059 --> 00:31:22.019 to help them. 00:31:22.419 --> 00:31:22.819 Nevertheless, 00:31:23.139 --> 00:31:24.419 because the world 00:31:24.419 --> 00:31:25.720 hated our Lord, 00:31:26.000 --> 00:31:27.139 we shouldn't be surprised 00:31:27.139 --> 00:31:28.299 if they hate us 00:31:28.299 --> 00:31:29.980 just because we love 00:31:29.980 --> 00:31:30.539 our Lord. 00:31:30.919 --> 00:31:31.559 2 Timothy, 00:31:31.859 --> 00:31:33.779 in chapter 3, 00:31:33.919 --> 00:31:34.839 the apostle Paul writes, 00:31:34.960 --> 00:31:35.099 Yea, 00:31:35.220 --> 00:31:36.220 and all that will live 00:31:36.220 --> 00:31:37.419 godly in Christ Jesus 00:31:37.419 --> 00:31:39.240 shall suffer persecution. 00:31:39.699 --> 00:31:40.879 Just because we stand 00:31:40.879 --> 00:31:41.279 for God 00:31:41.279 --> 00:31:42.500 and we obey God, 00:31:42.759 --> 00:31:43.960 we shouldn't be surprised. 00:31:44.079 --> 00:31:44.359 As a matter of fact, 00:31:44.399 --> 00:31:45.359 we should expect 00:31:45.359 --> 00:31:47.559 that we will suffer persecution. 00:31:48.240 --> 00:31:49.319 Jesus himself said 00:31:49.319 --> 00:31:50.339 in the Gospel of John, 00:31:50.399 --> 00:31:51.419 If the world hate you, 00:31:51.539 --> 00:31:53.339 you know that it hated me 00:31:53.339 --> 00:31:54.819 before it hated you. 00:31:55.359 --> 00:31:56.619 If you are of the world, 00:31:56.699 --> 00:31:57.879 the world would love his own, 00:31:57.939 --> 00:31:58.919 but because you are not 00:31:58.919 --> 00:31:59.359 of the world, 00:31:59.419 --> 00:32:00.139 but I have chosen you 00:32:00.139 --> 00:32:00.919 out of the world, 00:32:01.279 --> 00:32:02.399 therefore the world 00:32:02.399 --> 00:32:03.720 hateth you. 00:32:04.279 --> 00:32:05.099 Remember the word 00:32:05.099 --> 00:32:06.319 that I said unto you, 00:32:06.539 --> 00:32:08.119 The servant is not greater 00:32:08.119 --> 00:32:08.899 than his Lord. 00:32:08.960 --> 00:32:10.619 If they have persecuted me, 00:32:11.220 --> 00:32:13.319 they will also persecute you. 00:32:13.319 --> 00:32:14.279 If they have kept 00:32:14.279 --> 00:32:16.059 my saying, 00:32:16.220 --> 00:32:17.679 they will keep yours also, 00:32:17.799 --> 00:32:18.579 but all these things 00:32:18.579 --> 00:32:19.439 they do unto you 00:32:19.439 --> 00:32:21.659 for my name's sake. 00:32:23.279 --> 00:32:24.639 Because they know not 00:32:24.639 --> 00:32:25.480 him that sent me. 00:32:27.059 --> 00:32:28.200 Standing for God 00:32:28.200 --> 00:32:30.259 is not appreciated out there. 00:32:31.439 --> 00:32:32.460 Standing up and saying, 00:32:32.559 --> 00:32:33.399 No, this is right, 00:32:33.779 --> 00:32:35.740 and no, this is wrong, 00:32:35.859 --> 00:32:36.759 because that's what 00:32:36.759 --> 00:32:37.599 this book says. 00:32:37.659 --> 00:32:38.500 Not because that's what 00:32:38.500 --> 00:32:39.359 society says. 00:32:39.359 --> 00:32:40.159 Not that's because 00:32:40.159 --> 00:32:41.500 what science falsely 00:32:41.500 --> 00:32:43.240 called says. 00:32:45.099 --> 00:32:46.259 But because this book 00:32:46.259 --> 00:32:46.639 says so, 00:32:46.679 --> 00:32:47.819 and because God says so, 00:32:48.000 --> 00:32:48.699 this is right, 00:32:48.779 --> 00:32:49.439 and this is wrong, 00:32:49.479 --> 00:32:50.479 because it says it in here. 00:32:50.559 --> 00:32:51.179 That is hated. 00:32:52.619 --> 00:32:52.979 Saying, 00:32:53.099 --> 00:32:54.179 No, I will not 00:32:54.179 --> 00:32:54.919 just go along. 00:32:55.019 --> 00:32:56.559 I will not be a sheep 00:32:56.559 --> 00:32:57.879 that is led by the world. 00:32:57.939 --> 00:32:58.699 I will be a sheep 00:32:58.699 --> 00:32:59.939 that is led by my Savior. 00:33:01.439 --> 00:33:02.319 That is condemned 00:33:02.319 --> 00:33:02.959 by the world. 00:33:03.079 --> 00:33:03.619 That is hated 00:33:03.619 --> 00:33:04.279 by the world. 00:33:04.899 --> 00:33:05.039 Say, 00:33:05.099 --> 00:33:05.459 Brother Scott, 00:33:05.519 --> 00:33:06.659 you are not encouraging me. 00:33:07.560 --> 00:33:08.140 So far, 00:33:08.200 --> 00:33:08.920 you've talked about 00:33:08.920 --> 00:33:10.040 being conspicuous 00:33:10.040 --> 00:33:10.860 and everybody knowing 00:33:10.860 --> 00:33:11.380 what we are. 00:33:11.480 --> 00:33:11.779 So far, 00:33:11.820 --> 00:33:12.420 you've talked about 00:33:12.420 --> 00:33:14.180 standing being commanded 00:33:14.180 --> 00:33:15.019 and that I'm supposed 00:33:15.019 --> 00:33:15.519 to obey God, 00:33:15.560 --> 00:33:16.100 but because of that, 00:33:16.140 --> 00:33:17.180 it's going to be conspicuous 00:33:17.180 --> 00:33:18.220 and I'm going to stand out 00:33:18.220 --> 00:33:19.120 and I'm going to be different 00:33:19.120 --> 00:33:20.500 and people are not going 00:33:20.500 --> 00:33:21.040 to appreciate it 00:33:21.040 --> 00:33:21.720 because it's condemned 00:33:21.720 --> 00:33:22.360 by the world 00:33:22.360 --> 00:33:23.900 and I may have to suffer 00:33:23.900 --> 00:33:24.980 for standing for God. 00:33:25.200 --> 00:33:25.560 Oh, 00:33:25.660 --> 00:33:26.720 that we could suffer 00:33:26.720 --> 00:33:27.360 for Jesus. 00:33:29.500 --> 00:33:30.900 I am so sorry, 00:33:30.900 --> 00:33:32.480 but we have lost 00:33:32.480 --> 00:33:34.340 the value of suffering 00:33:34.340 --> 00:33:35.320 as a church. 00:33:35.319 --> 00:33:36.939 We have lost 00:33:36.939 --> 00:33:38.039 the fact that 00:33:38.039 --> 00:33:39.419 suffering for Christ 00:33:39.419 --> 00:33:41.659 is one of the greatest things 00:33:41.659 --> 00:33:43.559 that we could possibly do. 00:33:45.079 --> 00:33:46.519 We think that God 00:33:46.519 --> 00:33:47.159 is out there 00:33:47.159 --> 00:33:48.639 to just shower down 00:33:48.639 --> 00:33:49.579 blessings upon us 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:51.119 and to make our lives easy 00:33:51.119 --> 00:33:52.639 and to make our path clear 00:33:52.639 --> 00:33:54.059 and to make the sun shine 00:33:54.059 --> 00:33:55.379 upon us every single day 00:33:55.379 --> 00:33:56.559 and let me ask you, 00:33:56.639 --> 00:33:58.539 what are we doing for Him? 00:34:00.079 --> 00:34:01.559 We want so much for Him 00:34:01.559 --> 00:34:01.919 and oh, 00:34:02.000 --> 00:34:02.740 He is so generous, 00:34:02.859 --> 00:34:03.179 isn't He? 00:34:03.180 --> 00:34:04.460 Oh, 00:34:04.519 --> 00:34:05.460 He is so loving. 00:34:06.360 --> 00:34:06.700 Oh, 00:34:06.759 --> 00:34:07.820 He is so much better 00:34:07.820 --> 00:34:08.340 to us 00:34:08.340 --> 00:34:10.159 than we ever could consider, 00:34:10.340 --> 00:34:11.740 than we could ever expect, 00:34:11.920 --> 00:34:13.460 that we could ever dream. 00:34:14.420 --> 00:34:15.460 He is so much better 00:34:15.460 --> 00:34:15.940 to us. 00:34:17.680 --> 00:34:18.880 And what do we return 00:34:18.880 --> 00:34:19.260 to Him? 00:34:19.619 --> 00:34:19.940 Brother Scott, 00:34:20.000 --> 00:34:20.420 I don't know why 00:34:20.420 --> 00:34:20.860 you're preaching 00:34:20.860 --> 00:34:21.920 to me that way. 00:34:22.159 --> 00:34:23.300 I'm in church Sunday morning. 00:34:23.360 --> 00:34:23.840 I'm giving up 00:34:23.840 --> 00:34:24.700 my Sunday morning. 00:34:25.220 --> 00:34:25.619 Congratulations. 00:34:26.260 --> 00:34:26.539 Say, 00:34:26.700 --> 00:34:27.320 what about you, 00:34:27.380 --> 00:34:27.760 Brother Scott? 00:34:27.820 --> 00:34:28.619 I'm in the same boat 00:34:28.619 --> 00:34:29.000 you're in. 00:34:29.340 --> 00:34:29.720 Believe me, 00:34:29.760 --> 00:34:30.780 before I preach this to you, 00:34:30.840 --> 00:34:31.539 I preach it to me. 00:34:31.539 --> 00:34:34.239 before I ask people 00:34:34.239 --> 00:34:35.239 to kneel down at the altar 00:34:35.239 --> 00:34:35.840 and get right, 00:34:35.940 --> 00:34:37.059 I have to get right myself. 00:34:37.500 --> 00:34:40.480 What has it cost you lately 00:34:40.480 --> 00:34:42.699 to stand for God? 00:34:44.139 --> 00:34:46.000 What has it cost me lately 00:34:46.000 --> 00:34:48.039 to stand for God? 00:34:48.079 --> 00:34:49.119 What has it ever cost me 00:34:49.119 --> 00:34:50.179 in my entire life 00:34:50.179 --> 00:34:51.759 to stand for God? 00:34:51.940 --> 00:34:52.900 Have I ever had somebody 00:34:52.900 --> 00:34:53.400 in my face 00:34:53.400 --> 00:34:54.400 because I stood for God? 00:34:54.519 --> 00:34:54.820 Yes. 00:34:55.179 --> 00:34:55.900 Cursed me out? 00:34:57.039 --> 00:34:57.840 Threatened my job? 00:34:58.179 --> 00:34:58.539 Yes. 00:34:58.539 --> 00:35:01.539 20 years ago. 00:35:03.239 --> 00:35:05.179 20 years ago. 00:35:05.420 --> 00:35:06.500 I am ashamed to say 00:35:06.500 --> 00:35:07.360 it's been that long. 00:35:08.480 --> 00:35:09.420 I don't enjoy 00:35:09.420 --> 00:35:10.219 somebody getting my face. 00:35:10.259 --> 00:35:10.940 I'm not talking about 00:35:10.940 --> 00:35:11.619 being irritating. 00:35:11.739 --> 00:35:12.300 I'm not talking about 00:35:12.300 --> 00:35:12.940 being a jerk. 00:35:13.380 --> 00:35:13.639 Okay? 00:35:13.940 --> 00:35:14.539 Please get me, 00:35:14.639 --> 00:35:16.400 don't think you gotta go out there 00:35:16.400 --> 00:35:17.980 and be that Christian 00:35:17.980 --> 00:35:18.840 that rubs everybody 00:35:18.840 --> 00:35:19.460 the wrong way. 00:35:21.199 --> 00:35:23.059 Just standing for God, 00:35:23.059 --> 00:35:25.360 vocally, 00:35:25.619 --> 00:35:26.199 publicly, 00:35:27.079 --> 00:35:28.179 living our lives 00:35:28.179 --> 00:35:28.900 righteously 00:35:28.900 --> 00:35:29.639 should be enough 00:35:29.639 --> 00:35:30.440 for somebody 00:35:30.440 --> 00:35:31.539 to get upset with us. 00:35:32.539 --> 00:35:32.980 Unjustly. 00:35:34.119 --> 00:35:34.559 Again, 00:35:34.639 --> 00:35:35.320 this is not a license 00:35:35.320 --> 00:35:35.940 to be a jerk. 00:35:36.219 --> 00:35:36.340 Say, 00:35:36.380 --> 00:35:36.739 Brother Scott, 00:35:36.820 --> 00:35:38.099 you are still not 00:35:38.099 --> 00:35:39.860 encouraging me. 00:35:40.960 --> 00:35:41.679 Last point. 00:35:42.719 --> 00:35:43.599 And all God's people 00:35:43.599 --> 00:35:44.039 said amen. 00:35:44.799 --> 00:35:45.860 Standing is not only 00:35:45.860 --> 00:35:46.980 condemned by the world, 00:35:47.659 --> 00:35:49.079 but standing is 00:35:49.079 --> 00:35:51.019 commended by God. 00:35:51.019 --> 00:35:53.219 I want you to notice, 00:35:53.400 --> 00:35:54.759 most of us who have been 00:35:54.759 --> 00:35:55.380 in church for a while, 00:35:55.440 --> 00:35:56.119 we know this story 00:35:56.119 --> 00:35:56.840 forwards and backwards. 00:35:57.820 --> 00:36:00.099 We know that the Hebrew men, 00:36:00.820 --> 00:36:01.780 these three Hebrews, 00:36:02.119 --> 00:36:03.039 stood for God. 00:36:03.139 --> 00:36:04.219 We know that they were 00:36:04.219 --> 00:36:05.099 condemned by the world. 00:36:05.199 --> 00:36:06.300 We know that they were 00:36:06.300 --> 00:36:07.940 thrown into the fiery furnace 00:36:07.940 --> 00:36:09.219 and we also know 00:36:09.219 --> 00:36:10.159 that they were delivered 00:36:10.159 --> 00:36:10.940 miraculously. 00:36:11.800 --> 00:36:13.059 That God was there 00:36:13.059 --> 00:36:14.320 in that furnace with them. 00:36:14.500 --> 00:36:15.539 That they came out 00:36:15.539 --> 00:36:16.300 of that furnace 00:36:16.300 --> 00:36:18.039 with their bonds 00:36:18.039 --> 00:36:19.139 burnt off 00:36:19.139 --> 00:36:20.539 and not even the smell 00:36:20.539 --> 00:36:21.960 of smoke upon them. 00:36:22.059 --> 00:36:22.940 If you have ever been 00:36:22.940 --> 00:36:24.059 outside to a bonfire, 00:36:24.199 --> 00:36:24.840 you know exactly 00:36:24.840 --> 00:36:25.820 how hard that is 00:36:25.820 --> 00:36:26.960 not to smell smoke. 00:36:27.860 --> 00:36:28.639 I don't know 00:36:28.639 --> 00:36:29.420 what it is about me, 00:36:29.480 --> 00:36:30.059 but I seem to be 00:36:30.059 --> 00:36:30.800 a smoke magnet. 00:36:31.800 --> 00:36:32.779 If I'm outside 00:36:32.779 --> 00:36:33.519 at a bonfire, 00:36:33.940 --> 00:36:34.980 if I sit on this, 00:36:35.079 --> 00:36:35.840 the bonfire's right here, 00:36:35.860 --> 00:36:36.699 if I sit on this side 00:36:36.699 --> 00:36:37.159 of the bonfire, 00:36:37.239 --> 00:36:38.420 the smoke goes this way. 00:36:39.179 --> 00:36:40.659 So because nobody enjoys 00:36:40.659 --> 00:36:42.000 having a face full of smoke, 00:36:42.519 --> 00:36:43.779 I get up and I move around 00:36:43.779 --> 00:36:44.980 to this side of the bonfire 00:36:44.980 --> 00:36:46.320 and guess what happens? 00:36:46.800 --> 00:36:48.139 The smoke goes this way. 00:36:48.360 --> 00:36:49.519 I don't understand it, 00:36:49.519 --> 00:36:50.179 but there it is. 00:36:51.380 --> 00:36:51.980 And if you've been 00:36:51.980 --> 00:36:52.860 around somebody, 00:36:52.880 --> 00:36:53.440 if you've ever been 00:36:53.440 --> 00:36:53.920 around somebody 00:36:53.920 --> 00:36:55.000 who smokes a lot, 00:36:56.039 --> 00:36:56.639 you know that it 00:36:56.639 --> 00:36:57.300 clings to you. 00:36:57.739 --> 00:36:58.780 That smoke from the bonfire 00:36:58.780 --> 00:36:59.360 will make you smell 00:36:59.360 --> 00:36:59.980 for a little bit. 00:37:00.300 --> 00:37:01.079 Smoke from somebody 00:37:01.079 --> 00:37:03.179 continuously smoking cigarettes 00:37:03.179 --> 00:37:04.280 clings to them. 00:37:04.360 --> 00:37:05.500 It gets into their pores. 00:37:06.679 --> 00:37:08.239 And yet these three men 00:37:08.239 --> 00:37:09.440 came out of that furnace 00:37:09.440 --> 00:37:11.099 and the smell of the smoke 00:37:11.099 --> 00:37:12.360 did not even cling unto them. 00:37:12.840 --> 00:37:13.420 Why is that? 00:37:13.500 --> 00:37:15.079 It's because God commended 00:37:15.079 --> 00:37:16.719 their standing for Him. 00:37:17.519 --> 00:37:18.699 They stood for God 00:37:18.699 --> 00:37:20.159 and God stood with them. 00:37:21.399 --> 00:37:22.319 We go through the Bible 00:37:22.319 --> 00:37:23.179 and we read time 00:37:23.179 --> 00:37:24.179 after time after time. 00:37:24.579 --> 00:37:26.000 In this very book, 00:37:26.099 --> 00:37:27.699 we read about Daniel 00:37:27.699 --> 00:37:29.019 standing for God 00:37:29.019 --> 00:37:30.359 and refusing to pray 00:37:30.359 --> 00:37:31.639 only to Nebuchadnezzar, 00:37:31.859 --> 00:37:33.739 but praying to God 00:37:33.739 --> 00:37:35.219 as He always had done 00:37:35.219 --> 00:37:36.079 and being thrown 00:37:36.079 --> 00:37:37.159 into a den of lions 00:37:37.159 --> 00:37:39.159 and God showed His commendation 00:37:39.159 --> 00:37:40.119 of Daniel standing, 00:37:40.179 --> 00:37:40.739 even though the world 00:37:40.739 --> 00:37:41.439 condemned Him 00:37:41.439 --> 00:37:42.119 and threw Him 00:37:42.119 --> 00:37:43.079 into the den of lions. 00:37:43.199 --> 00:37:44.639 God showed His commendation, 00:37:44.900 --> 00:37:45.639 His approval 00:37:45.639 --> 00:37:46.500 of what Daniel did 00:37:46.500 --> 00:37:47.819 by delivering Him 00:37:47.819 --> 00:37:48.779 from the lion's den. 00:37:48.840 --> 00:37:49.639 And all of us would say, 00:37:49.759 --> 00:37:51.380 oh, I want to have 00:37:51.380 --> 00:37:52.500 God's commendation 00:37:52.500 --> 00:37:53.179 on my life. 00:37:53.599 --> 00:37:54.579 If we want to have 00:37:54.579 --> 00:37:55.139 God's approval 00:37:55.139 --> 00:37:56.179 on our life like that, 00:37:56.219 --> 00:37:56.960 you've got to realize 00:37:56.960 --> 00:37:57.799 we're going to have to go 00:37:57.799 --> 00:38:00.039 through that condemnation first. 00:38:01.400 --> 00:38:02.639 You don't get delivered 00:38:02.639 --> 00:38:03.319 from a furnace 00:38:03.319 --> 00:38:04.139 you were never in. 00:38:05.519 --> 00:38:06.759 You don't get delivered 00:38:06.759 --> 00:38:07.739 from a den of lions 00:38:07.739 --> 00:38:09.059 that no one threw you into. 00:38:09.059 --> 00:38:12.179 We need to change 00:38:12.179 --> 00:38:14.980 our minds about condemnation 00:38:14.980 --> 00:38:15.799 and we need to change 00:38:15.799 --> 00:38:17.139 our minds about suffering 00:38:17.139 --> 00:38:17.980 and we need to change 00:38:17.980 --> 00:38:19.539 our minds about hardship 00:38:19.539 --> 00:38:22.679 and look at it like 00:38:22.679 --> 00:38:24.559 I am suffering for God. 00:38:25.259 --> 00:38:25.820 I'm not suffering 00:38:25.820 --> 00:38:27.019 because I did something stupid. 00:38:27.159 --> 00:38:27.699 I'm not suffering 00:38:27.699 --> 00:38:29.739 because I was difficult. 00:38:30.199 --> 00:38:31.900 If I can honestly say 00:38:31.900 --> 00:38:33.000 I'm suffering for Jesus, 00:38:33.199 --> 00:38:34.219 we should look at that 00:38:34.219 --> 00:38:35.299 as a commendation 00:38:35.299 --> 00:38:36.139 and look for God 00:38:36.139 --> 00:38:37.840 and what God is working 00:38:37.840 --> 00:38:39.340 in us and through us 00:38:39.340 --> 00:38:40.640 to do through that 00:38:40.640 --> 00:38:42.460 and look for a way 00:38:42.460 --> 00:38:43.180 that we can give 00:38:43.180 --> 00:38:44.460 a lasting testimony 00:38:44.460 --> 00:38:47.000 to how good God is. 00:38:47.280 --> 00:38:48.019 Say, Brother Scott, 00:38:48.260 --> 00:38:49.579 they were condemned, 00:38:49.700 --> 00:38:50.380 they were thrown in, 00:38:50.640 --> 00:38:51.380 they were delivered. 00:38:51.500 --> 00:38:52.240 That's a wonderful thing. 00:38:52.300 --> 00:38:52.960 I want to see that. 00:38:53.039 --> 00:38:54.039 Sometimes you're not delivered. 00:38:55.800 --> 00:38:57.039 Sometimes you're not delivered. 00:38:57.400 --> 00:38:58.360 Turn back real quick, 00:38:58.420 --> 00:38:58.680 if you will, 00:38:58.720 --> 00:38:59.800 to Acts chapter 7. 00:39:01.059 --> 00:39:02.200 Acts chapter 7. 00:39:02.440 --> 00:39:03.320 In Acts chapter 7, 00:39:03.400 --> 00:39:04.400 we have the story of Stephen 00:39:04.400 --> 00:39:06.340 in the early church. 00:39:06.340 --> 00:39:08.019 In Acts chapter 7, 00:39:08.360 --> 00:39:09.960 Stephen was hauled 00:39:09.960 --> 00:39:11.180 before the Jewish council, 00:39:11.280 --> 00:39:11.700 was hauled 00:39:11.700 --> 00:39:12.720 before the Sanhedrin, 00:39:13.460 --> 00:39:14.460 and he was condemned. 00:39:16.140 --> 00:39:18.340 He stood before them 00:39:18.340 --> 00:39:19.920 and he preached to them 00:39:19.920 --> 00:39:21.940 and he laid it down. 00:39:23.240 --> 00:39:24.440 He stood upright, 00:39:24.680 --> 00:39:25.620 he stood firm, 00:39:25.760 --> 00:39:27.320 and he glorified God. 00:39:28.200 --> 00:39:29.880 Say, what did that get him? 00:39:30.160 --> 00:39:31.300 Verse number 57. 00:39:31.539 --> 00:39:32.260 They cried out 00:39:32.260 --> 00:39:33.200 with a loud voice 00:39:33.199 --> 00:39:35.139 and stopped their ears 00:39:35.139 --> 00:39:36.019 and ran upon him 00:39:36.019 --> 00:39:36.739 with one accord 00:39:36.739 --> 00:39:37.839 and cast him out of the city 00:39:37.839 --> 00:39:38.699 and stoned him. 00:39:38.879 --> 00:39:39.639 That's what it got him. 00:39:39.879 --> 00:39:40.659 It did not get him 00:39:40.659 --> 00:39:41.980 a miraculous deliverance. 00:39:43.679 --> 00:39:44.859 It did not get him 00:39:44.859 --> 00:39:45.939 an instantaneous healing. 00:39:46.059 --> 00:39:47.239 It did not get him freedom. 00:39:48.039 --> 00:39:49.219 He stood for God 00:39:49.219 --> 00:39:50.899 and it got him stoned. 00:39:51.960 --> 00:39:52.960 Say again, Brother Scott, 00:39:53.019 --> 00:39:54.139 you're not encouraging me. 00:39:55.419 --> 00:39:56.500 I want you to consider 00:39:56.500 --> 00:39:57.419 three other verses 00:39:57.420 --> 00:40:00.340 before you tell me 00:40:00.340 --> 00:40:03.159 that Stephen wasted his life, 00:40:03.280 --> 00:40:04.000 before you tell me 00:40:04.000 --> 00:40:05.000 that Stephen was not 00:40:05.000 --> 00:40:06.019 commended by God, 00:40:06.159 --> 00:40:07.000 before you tell me 00:40:07.000 --> 00:40:08.300 that Stephen's suffering 00:40:08.300 --> 00:40:09.159 was for nothing. 00:40:10.119 --> 00:40:11.099 I want you to consider 00:40:11.099 --> 00:40:12.059 three other verses. 00:40:13.840 --> 00:40:14.720 Verse number 50, 00:40:15.139 --> 00:40:16.720 well, four verses. 00:40:16.860 --> 00:40:18.380 Look up at verse number 55. 00:40:19.240 --> 00:40:20.720 But he, that being Stephen, 00:40:21.659 --> 00:40:23.119 he, being full of the Holy Ghost, 00:40:23.240 --> 00:40:24.300 looked up steadfastly 00:40:24.300 --> 00:40:24.740 into heaven 00:40:24.740 --> 00:40:26.039 and saw the glory of God 00:40:26.039 --> 00:40:27.460 and Jesus standing 00:40:27.460 --> 00:40:28.679 on the right hand of God 00:40:28.679 --> 00:40:29.000 and said, 00:40:29.119 --> 00:40:31.059 behold, I see the heavens open 00:40:31.059 --> 00:40:31.800 and the Son of Man 00:40:31.800 --> 00:40:33.259 standing on the right hand of God. 00:40:34.840 --> 00:40:36.440 I would say that's a commendation. 00:40:37.960 --> 00:40:39.259 I would say that that's something 00:40:39.259 --> 00:40:40.440 I would long to have. 00:40:42.039 --> 00:40:43.500 I would say that that is 00:40:43.500 --> 00:40:45.599 Jesus Christ commending 00:40:45.599 --> 00:40:47.000 what Stephen has done 00:40:47.000 --> 00:40:49.659 and rewarding him 00:40:49.659 --> 00:40:50.719 beyond anything 00:40:50.719 --> 00:40:51.500 that most of us 00:40:51.500 --> 00:40:52.259 can ever expect 00:40:52.259 --> 00:40:53.320 to be rewarded with. 00:40:53.320 --> 00:40:55.660 But that's not 00:40:55.660 --> 00:40:57.200 the only commendation 00:40:57.200 --> 00:40:58.440 that God showed 00:40:58.440 --> 00:40:59.240 for Stephen. 00:41:00.019 --> 00:41:01.480 In Acts chapter 8, 00:41:02.180 --> 00:41:03.100 notice if you will 00:41:03.100 --> 00:41:04.019 in verse number 4, 00:41:05.080 --> 00:41:05.500 therefore, 00:41:06.420 --> 00:41:07.120 what's that therefore 00:41:07.120 --> 00:41:08.500 refer back to? 00:41:09.180 --> 00:41:10.300 The martyrdom of Stephen. 00:41:11.120 --> 00:41:12.019 Stephen being stoned. 00:41:12.220 --> 00:41:12.440 Therefore, 00:41:12.940 --> 00:41:14.500 they that were scattered abroad 00:41:14.500 --> 00:41:15.120 went everywhere 00:41:15.120 --> 00:41:16.200 preaching the word. 00:41:17.539 --> 00:41:17.840 See, 00:41:18.059 --> 00:41:18.760 at first, 00:41:18.900 --> 00:41:19.960 the church in Jerusalem 00:41:19.960 --> 00:41:21.320 stayed in Jerusalem. 00:41:21.320 --> 00:41:23.640 but that was not God's plan. 00:41:23.780 --> 00:41:25.140 God's plan was for Christianity 00:41:25.140 --> 00:41:26.340 to be spread out. 00:41:26.660 --> 00:41:27.940 They were supposed to go out 00:41:27.940 --> 00:41:29.320 into all the world 00:41:29.320 --> 00:41:30.220 and preach the gospel. 00:41:30.440 --> 00:41:32.180 But they huddled close together 00:41:32.180 --> 00:41:32.900 and so, 00:41:33.059 --> 00:41:34.340 through Stephen's persecution, 00:41:34.680 --> 00:41:36.059 they were sent out. 00:41:36.380 --> 00:41:37.460 They were scared 00:41:37.460 --> 00:41:38.240 and they ran, 00:41:38.340 --> 00:41:39.660 but as they ran, 00:41:39.960 --> 00:41:41.300 they preached the gospel. 00:41:41.480 --> 00:41:41.900 Turn now, 00:41:41.980 --> 00:41:42.320 if you will, 00:41:42.480 --> 00:41:43.740 to Acts chapter 11. 00:41:44.059 --> 00:41:44.220 Say, 00:41:44.260 --> 00:41:44.740 how do you know 00:41:44.740 --> 00:41:45.640 they preached the gospel 00:41:45.640 --> 00:41:46.559 because of Stephen? 00:41:46.960 --> 00:41:48.039 Acts chapter 11 00:41:48.039 --> 00:41:49.460 and verse number 19. 00:41:49.460 --> 00:41:52.260 Now they which were 00:41:52.260 --> 00:41:53.340 scattered abroad 00:41:53.340 --> 00:41:55.619 upon the persecution 00:41:55.619 --> 00:41:57.159 that arose about Stephen 00:41:57.159 --> 00:41:58.159 traveled as far as 00:41:58.159 --> 00:41:59.240 Phenis and Cyprus 00:41:59.240 --> 00:42:00.000 and Antioch 00:42:00.000 --> 00:42:01.599 preaching the word 00:42:01.599 --> 00:42:03.260 to none but unto the Jews only. 00:42:03.579 --> 00:42:04.320 And some of them 00:42:04.320 --> 00:42:05.179 were men of Cyprus 00:42:05.179 --> 00:42:05.800 and Cyrene 00:42:05.800 --> 00:42:06.659 which when they were 00:42:06.659 --> 00:42:07.599 come to Antioch 00:42:07.599 --> 00:42:09.460 spake unto the Grecians 00:42:09.460 --> 00:42:11.699 preaching the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:42:12.159 --> 00:42:13.460 Stephen died 00:42:13.460 --> 00:42:14.840 testifying and standing 00:42:14.840 --> 00:42:16.119 for the Lord Jesus Christ 00:42:16.119 --> 00:42:17.460 and God gave him 00:42:17.460 --> 00:42:18.760 that tremendous vision 00:42:18.760 --> 00:42:20.220 and that tremendous thing 00:42:20.220 --> 00:42:21.340 that he was able to see 00:42:21.340 --> 00:42:22.019 and the approval 00:42:22.019 --> 00:42:23.340 that he was able to see 00:42:23.340 --> 00:42:24.579 even before he died. 00:42:24.900 --> 00:42:25.960 But more than that, 00:42:26.179 --> 00:42:28.280 because Stephen stood for God, 00:42:28.420 --> 00:42:29.820 God used that 00:42:29.820 --> 00:42:31.980 to accomplish his purposes 00:42:31.980 --> 00:42:33.420 in the church 00:42:33.420 --> 00:42:36.300 to see the gospel preached 00:42:36.300 --> 00:42:37.800 far and wide. 00:42:38.800 --> 00:42:39.440 Why? 00:42:39.920 --> 00:42:41.199 Because one man stood. 00:42:41.199 --> 00:42:44.460 Because one man stood. 00:42:44.799 --> 00:42:45.039 Brethren, 00:42:45.139 --> 00:42:46.279 I just have one question 00:42:46.279 --> 00:42:47.599 for us this morning. 00:42:49.319 --> 00:42:50.559 And I do mean us. 00:42:51.839 --> 00:42:52.639 One question. 00:42:53.000 --> 00:42:53.699 Will you stand? 00:42:54.000 --> 00:42:54.819 Will we stand? 00:42:55.099 --> 00:42:55.779 Will I stand? 00:42:56.059 --> 00:42:56.299 You know, 00:42:56.339 --> 00:42:56.759 it's going to be 00:42:56.759 --> 00:42:57.519 a whole lot easier 00:42:57.519 --> 00:42:58.879 when you come to that crisis point 00:42:58.879 --> 00:42:59.819 to make the right decision 00:42:59.819 --> 00:43:01.399 if you make the right decision 00:43:01.399 --> 00:43:03.119 before you come to the crisis point. 00:43:04.179 --> 00:43:05.559 If you know what you're going to do 00:43:05.559 --> 00:43:06.739 before you get to that crisis, 00:43:06.859 --> 00:43:07.919 it makes it so much easier 00:43:07.919 --> 00:43:08.879 to make the decision 00:43:08.879 --> 00:43:09.779 during the crisis. 00:43:09.780 --> 00:43:12.440 So I ask you again. 00:43:13.980 --> 00:43:14.900 Will you stand? 00:43:15.220 --> 00:43:16.060 Normally, right now, 00:43:16.160 --> 00:43:16.800 I have everybody 00:43:16.800 --> 00:43:17.340 bow their heads, 00:43:17.440 --> 00:43:17.980 close their eyes. 00:43:18.620 --> 00:43:18.960 I do. 00:43:19.500 --> 00:43:20.040 Normally I do. 00:43:20.280 --> 00:43:20.720 Not today. 00:43:22.440 --> 00:43:23.180 Not today. 00:43:24.620 --> 00:43:25.620 If the Holy Spirit 00:43:25.620 --> 00:43:26.860 has moved in your heart 00:43:26.860 --> 00:43:29.100 and you say, 00:43:29.160 --> 00:43:29.680 Brother Scott, 00:43:29.820 --> 00:43:32.400 I will stand for Christ. 00:43:33.860 --> 00:43:34.640 Stand up. 00:43:34.780 --> 00:43:35.500 Don't look around. 00:43:35.580 --> 00:43:36.720 Don't see who's saying sat. 00:43:36.960 --> 00:43:37.280 Don't. 00:43:38.700 --> 00:43:39.680 It's none of your business. 00:43:39.779 --> 00:43:40.379 You worry about you. 00:43:40.699 --> 00:43:41.219 Praise God. 00:43:41.679 --> 00:43:42.319 Let's pray together. 00:43:42.319 --> 00:43:42.339 Let's pray together.