WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.860 I hope you have a Bible with you this morning and that you'll take it and join me in Daniel chapter 3. 00:00:05.860 --> 00:00:05.860 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:37.240 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, 00:00:37.759 --> 00:00:42.460 Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly. 00:00:43.700 --> 00:00:48.659 And he said to him, Jesus said to the centurion, I will come and heal him. 00:00:49.519 --> 00:00:53.420 But the centurion replied, Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, 00:00:53.420 --> 00:00:57.679 but only say the word and my servant will be healed. 00:00:57.679 --> 00:01:01.200 For I too am a man under authority with soldiers under me. 00:01:01.259 --> 00:01:06.379 And I say to one, go and he goes and to another, come and he comes and to my servant, do this. 00:01:06.459 --> 00:01:07.739 And he does it. 00:01:08.659 --> 00:01:14.019 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, 00:01:14.700 --> 00:01:20.120 truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. 00:01:21.460 --> 00:01:26.260 I wonder what Jesus would say of our faith. 00:01:26.260 --> 00:01:32.700 Would he find it admirable or would he find it wanting? 00:01:34.439 --> 00:01:39.060 Some weeks ago, I told you that the book of Daniel has three major themes. 00:01:39.240 --> 00:01:43.780 Just to ensure that you're caught up, I'll remind you of them at the outset of our study today. 00:01:43.900 --> 00:01:47.520 They are, number one, the rise and fall of man. 00:01:47.840 --> 00:01:50.500 Man comes and he goes. 00:01:50.500 --> 00:01:55.819 Number two, the immovable sovereignty of God. 00:01:56.760 --> 00:02:02.760 And number three, the resilient faith of Daniel and his friends in a hostile culture. 00:02:03.819 --> 00:02:12.460 We're going to note all three of these themes in today's text with a particular focus on the resilient faith of Daniel's friends. 00:02:12.460 --> 00:02:22.480 It's Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah who were renamed, and as they're referred to in chapter three, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 00:02:23.819 --> 00:02:25.560 We will read the entirety of the chapter. 00:02:25.680 --> 00:02:31.700 And I'm going to stop and make some brief comments along the way just to get us caught up in the story of what's happening. 00:02:31.900 --> 00:02:33.860 And then we'll get to the outline of our text. 00:02:33.860 --> 00:02:40.340 So Daniel chapter three, beginning in verse one, let me remind you before I read, beloved, that this is God's word to us. 00:02:40.760 --> 00:02:43.400 It was written for his glory and our good. 00:02:44.140 --> 00:02:49.660 And so we would all do well to listen to it in order to believe its promises and to obey its commands. 00:02:50.620 --> 00:02:52.680 Daniel chapter three, verse one and following. 00:02:54.300 --> 00:03:02.240 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold whose height was 60 cubits and its breadth six cubits. 00:03:02.240 --> 00:03:08.100 He set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 00:03:08.680 --> 00:03:11.400 So we'll stop there just for a moment. 00:03:11.920 --> 00:03:19.500 Beyond the dimensions of this image of gold, which was approximately 90 feet tall and nine feet wide. 00:03:19.600 --> 00:03:20.620 It's massive. 00:03:20.760 --> 00:03:24.100 Nine stories, if you want to think in those terms. 00:03:24.520 --> 00:03:28.879 We do not know for sure what it was an image of, right? 00:03:28.879 --> 00:03:32.579 We get the general shape of it, but not otherwise. 00:03:33.379 --> 00:03:41.120 But I want to say to you that it is likely that we are meant to have Nebuchadnezzar's dream from chapter two in our minds, 00:03:41.159 --> 00:03:44.180 where he has a dream of an image. 00:03:45.000 --> 00:03:50.599 And this image that he dreams up, we can read about in chapter two, beginning in verse 31. 00:03:50.599 --> 00:03:53.359 As Daniel's telling the king his dream, he says, 00:03:53.419 --> 00:03:57.780 You saw, O king, and behold, a great image. 00:03:58.620 --> 00:04:03.280 This image, mighty and of exceeding brightness, stood before you, and its appearance was frightening. 00:04:04.180 --> 00:04:06.859 The head of this image was of fine gold. 00:04:07.439 --> 00:04:09.459 Its chest and arms of silver. 00:04:09.599 --> 00:04:11.280 Its middle and thighs of bronze. 00:04:11.379 --> 00:04:12.579 Its legs of iron. 00:04:13.079 --> 00:04:16.759 Its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. 00:04:16.759 --> 00:04:25.620 As you look, the stone was cut out by no human hand, and it struck the image on its feet of iron and clay and broke them in pieces. 00:04:25.939 --> 00:04:29.620 So as we looked extensively over the past couple of weeks, right? 00:04:29.680 --> 00:04:34.759 This was an image that represents different dynasties, different nation states, 00:04:35.420 --> 00:04:42.319 and how one day there would be a kingdom that would come and replace all of them. 00:04:43.240 --> 00:04:44.759 Daniel goes on in verse 36. 00:04:44.759 --> 00:04:45.519 Verse 36. 00:04:45.639 --> 00:04:46.639 This was the dream. 00:04:46.779 --> 00:04:48.959 Now we will tell the king its interpretation. 00:04:50.180 --> 00:04:55.920 You, O king, the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom the power and the might and the glory, 00:04:56.480 --> 00:05:01.920 and to whose hand he has given wherever they dwell, the children of man, the beasts of the field, and the birds of the heavens, 00:05:02.319 --> 00:05:07.860 making you rule over them are you are the head of gold. 00:05:07.860 --> 00:05:08.280 Right? 00:05:08.360 --> 00:05:16.740 So this represents Nebuchadnezzar's reign in Babylon, the head of gold of this image. 00:05:17.420 --> 00:05:20.400 And then we can read on down in verse 44 of chapter 2. 00:05:20.399 --> 00:05:27.259 And in those days of those kings, the kings that follow him, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, 00:05:27.579 --> 00:05:30.099 nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. 00:05:30.659 --> 00:05:36.759 It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever. 00:05:36.759 --> 00:05:46.620 Just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold. 00:05:47.439 --> 00:05:50.659 A great God has made known to the king what shall be after this. 00:05:51.039 --> 00:05:55.360 The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure. 00:05:55.360 --> 00:06:05.939 So this dream that's given to King Nebuchadnezzar, right, of this varied, materialed image, we don't know exactly what it is, this very material image, 00:06:06.160 --> 00:06:09.259 the head of it, being of gold, represents Nebuchadnezzar. 00:06:09.340 --> 00:06:12.960 And there's a kingdom that's going to come and replace him. 00:06:13.980 --> 00:06:20.360 And we saw all throughout the chapter, both the rise and fall of man, Nebuchadnezzar's not going to last forever, 00:06:20.360 --> 00:06:28.100 and the immovable sovereignty of God, this kingdom that is being set up by Christ. 00:06:28.840 --> 00:06:35.600 But it seems that, in chapter 3, in opposition to what Nebuchadnezzar should have learned from the dream, 00:06:36.080 --> 00:06:38.360 that he has become proud. 00:06:39.520 --> 00:06:44.500 I suggest to you that this image on the plain of Dura was Nebuchadnezzar's way of saying, 00:06:44.620 --> 00:06:49.160 not only am I the head of gold, but I am the whole image. 00:06:49.160 --> 00:06:52.700 And by my might, I will reign forever. 00:06:53.140 --> 00:06:55.960 I think this is a response to the dream. 00:06:56.080 --> 00:06:59.200 We don't know how much time has passed, but he seems to be saying, 00:06:59.439 --> 00:07:02.960 oh yeah, I will be the whole image, the gold image. 00:07:03.220 --> 00:07:07.780 And I will have anybody that's in any position of power in Babylon 00:07:07.780 --> 00:07:13.100 come and bow to it and recognize that I am Nebuchadnezzar. 00:07:13.100 --> 00:07:19.480 Now, we know, of course, Nebuchadnezzar reigns, his reign passes. 00:07:20.080 --> 00:07:23.560 His throne has long since been overthrown, right? 00:07:24.020 --> 00:07:30.180 Exactly what Daniel was shown this dream meant is what has come to pass. 00:07:30.320 --> 00:07:35.520 And we know there is a kingdom that will last forever that is being established. 00:07:35.519 --> 00:07:36.599 All right. 00:07:36.939 --> 00:07:37.439 Verse two. 00:07:37.439 --> 00:07:42.319 Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent together the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, 00:07:42.439 --> 00:07:46.219 the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, 00:07:46.399 --> 00:07:50.420 and all the officials of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image 00:07:50.420 --> 00:07:52.740 that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 00:07:52.800 --> 00:07:55.379 This is anybody in any position of power. 00:07:55.980 --> 00:07:56.639 Verse three. 00:07:56.639 --> 00:08:06.800 Then the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces gathered for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 00:08:07.300 --> 00:08:10.099 And they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 00:08:10.100 --> 00:08:26.879 And the herald proclaimed aloud, you are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 00:08:27.300 --> 00:08:32.420 And whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning, fiery furnace. 00:08:32.419 --> 00:08:47.879 Therefore, as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 00:08:48.759 --> 00:08:58.579 Remember at the end of chapter 2 that Daniel made a request of the king, and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were made governors of Babylon. 00:08:58.899 --> 00:09:01.779 So they were included in this number. 00:09:01.779 --> 00:09:09.179 They were gathered to this plain where a great number could gather to worship at this dedication. 00:09:10.220 --> 00:09:10.980 Verse 8. 00:09:11.759 --> 00:09:16.579 Therefore, at that time, certain Chaldeans came forward and maliciously accused the Jews. 00:09:17.220 --> 00:09:20.699 They declared to King Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live forever. 00:09:21.399 --> 00:09:30.319 You, O king, have made a decree that every man who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image. 00:09:30.320 --> 00:09:35.320 And whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into a burning, fiery furnace. 00:09:36.040 --> 00:09:42.980 There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 00:09:43.660 --> 00:09:46.000 These men, O king, pay no attention to you. 00:09:46.060 --> 00:09:51.560 They do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up. 00:09:51.559 --> 00:09:54.519 Now, we have to imagine the scene just a bit. 00:09:54.639 --> 00:09:59.859 But the typical illustration of this scene shows the image. 00:10:00.000 --> 00:10:04.519 And it shows Nebuchadnezzar on a pedestal on a throne next to the image. 00:10:04.519 --> 00:10:08.899 And it shows a fiery furnace there all in one setting. 00:10:09.000 --> 00:10:10.839 We don't know for sure if that's the case. 00:10:10.899 --> 00:10:13.459 But it very well may have been. 00:10:13.460 --> 00:10:18.960 Clearly, the command to do it and what would happen if you didn't do it was very clear. 00:10:19.060 --> 00:10:21.920 He had laid it right out for them. 00:10:22.379 --> 00:10:26.100 So just imagine just, I mean, thousands upon thousands of people. 00:10:26.379 --> 00:10:28.500 And there's this great ruckus of music. 00:10:28.620 --> 00:10:31.460 I can't imagine what that would have sounded like, all of those varied instruments. 00:10:32.360 --> 00:10:36.040 We know the bagpipes were in there, so it was a bit of a mess right away. 00:10:36.740 --> 00:10:38.600 I'm looking at Clay, who loves bagpipes. 00:10:38.600 --> 00:10:45.700 But when this happens, this sea of people falls down to the ground. 00:10:46.279 --> 00:10:48.600 Down to the ground. 00:10:49.480 --> 00:10:54.379 And standing in the middle of this crowd are these three men. 00:10:54.580 --> 00:10:58.500 Everybody else is prostrate, and they are standing up. 00:10:59.220 --> 00:11:04.720 And I wonder what the conversation preceding this dedication might have looked like. 00:11:04.720 --> 00:11:11.660 The command was given, these three men knew they were to be faithful to their God. 00:11:11.820 --> 00:11:13.259 And what might it have looked like? 00:11:13.279 --> 00:11:15.440 Are we going to bow down? 00:11:16.500 --> 00:11:19.620 And I have to just imagine that one of them said, of course not. 00:11:19.720 --> 00:11:23.220 Our names are, instead of the names that have been given to them, 00:11:23.779 --> 00:11:29.519 our names are Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 00:11:29.519 --> 00:11:35.179 Which mean, respectively, God has been gracious. 00:11:35.960 --> 00:11:38.960 Who is what God is? 00:11:39.480 --> 00:11:43.639 And God has helped. 00:11:44.500 --> 00:11:48.840 So they're determined not to bow the knee to a false god. 00:11:49.059 --> 00:11:52.740 To not obey the command of Nebuchadnezzar. 00:11:52.740 --> 00:11:54.919 So verse 13. 00:11:55.799 --> 00:12:02.460 Then Nebuchadnezzar, in furious rage, commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. 00:12:03.060 --> 00:12:05.060 So they brought these men before the king. 00:12:06.120 --> 00:12:07.659 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, 00:12:07.740 --> 00:12:09.860 Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, 00:12:10.220 --> 00:12:15.440 that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? 00:12:15.440 --> 00:12:20.620 Now if you are ready, when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, 00:12:20.680 --> 00:12:23.880 and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, 00:12:24.320 --> 00:12:26.040 well and good. 00:12:26.840 --> 00:12:28.140 But if you do not worship, 00:12:28.720 --> 00:12:33.640 you shall immediately be cast into a burning, fiery furnace. 00:12:34.360 --> 00:12:39.740 And who is the God who will deliver you out of my hands? 00:12:39.740 --> 00:12:46.779 Now I can appreciate, we talked about parenting a bit the last couple of weeks, 00:12:47.000 --> 00:12:47.580 Father's Day. 00:12:48.240 --> 00:12:52.779 I can appreciate that Nebuchadnezzar sets clear expectations and clear consequences. 00:12:53.580 --> 00:12:59.279 And we're going to see that he's going to be very consistent. 00:13:00.259 --> 00:13:02.480 But I just again want us to imagine, 00:13:02.680 --> 00:13:06.820 we don't experience this kind of audience. 00:13:06.820 --> 00:13:11.080 We're not drawn into the presence of a king, a sovereign, right? 00:13:11.440 --> 00:13:15.660 One who is judge, jury, executioner, right? 00:13:16.280 --> 00:13:19.020 Nebuchadnezzar is furious with rage, 00:13:19.060 --> 00:13:22.580 and he can do whatever he wants to do. 00:13:23.000 --> 00:13:26.120 I mean, the closest thing we may experience is being called before a judge. 00:13:26.180 --> 00:13:31.540 But even a judge has rules, regulations, laws that are placed over him or her 00:13:31.540 --> 00:13:33.280 to make their judgments. 00:13:33.420 --> 00:13:36.000 Not the case with Nebuchadnezzar. 00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:39.000 This would have been a fearful thing. 00:13:40.100 --> 00:13:42.539 And note the last part of verse 15, 00:13:43.179 --> 00:13:48.759 that King Nebuchadnezzar issues a direct challenge against the God of heaven, right? 00:13:48.799 --> 00:13:50.360 He is so prideful. 00:13:50.440 --> 00:13:54.240 He is so full of his own reign that he says, 00:13:54.379 --> 00:13:59.259 who is the God who would deliver you out of my hands, right? 00:13:59.259 --> 00:14:03.840 He is declaring himself more mighty than any God. 00:14:03.939 --> 00:14:07.220 Certainly of the one and only God. 00:14:08.000 --> 00:14:09.159 So now, verse 16. 00:14:09.259 --> 00:14:10.179 Listen to the response. 00:14:10.740 --> 00:14:13.759 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, 00:14:13.759 --> 00:14:17.939 O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 00:14:18.439 --> 00:14:19.799 If this be so, 00:14:20.299 --> 00:14:24.460 our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning, fiery furnace, 00:14:24.759 --> 00:14:28.319 and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 00:14:28.320 --> 00:14:32.440 But if not, be it known to you, O king, 00:14:32.560 --> 00:14:37.480 that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up. 00:14:39.020 --> 00:14:42.540 What faith to speak to a king, 00:14:42.580 --> 00:14:47.060 a king mighty like this Nebuchadnezzar in this way. 00:14:47.059 --> 00:14:52.239 Would we stand before the king with this kind of moxie, 00:14:52.319 --> 00:14:54.279 with this kind of nerve? 00:14:55.359 --> 00:15:00.839 I pray that the Lord would find me and would find you this faithful. 00:15:02.139 --> 00:15:03.099 Verse 19. 00:15:03.939 --> 00:15:06.639 The Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury, 00:15:06.919 --> 00:15:12.000 and the expression of his face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 00:15:12.279 --> 00:15:16.239 He ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it was usually. 00:15:17.059 --> 00:15:20.179 He did, and I think this is meant to show how furious he was. 00:15:20.239 --> 00:15:21.399 He was that angry. 00:15:22.219 --> 00:15:25.879 And he ordered some of the mighty men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego 00:15:25.879 --> 00:15:28.259 and to cast them into the burning, fiery furnace. 00:15:28.779 --> 00:15:32.919 Then these men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics, their hats, and their other garments, 00:15:33.000 --> 00:15:34.899 which I think is meant to picture haste. 00:15:34.979 --> 00:15:36.500 They just were bound and thrown. 00:15:36.599 --> 00:15:39.419 They were thrown into the burning, fiery furnace. 00:15:39.419 --> 00:15:43.359 Because the king's order was urgent and the furnace overheated, 00:15:43.360 --> 00:15:49.080 the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 00:15:49.680 --> 00:15:51.940 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, 00:15:52.100 --> 00:15:55.240 fell bound into the burning, fiery furnace. 00:15:56.180 --> 00:15:59.600 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. 00:15:59.680 --> 00:16:00.820 He declared to his counselors, 00:16:01.180 --> 00:16:03.360 Do we not cast three men bound into the fire? 00:16:03.779 --> 00:16:04.960 They answered and said to the king, 00:16:05.060 --> 00:16:05.860 True, O king. 00:16:05.860 --> 00:16:07.440 He answered and said, 00:16:07.639 --> 00:16:11.840 But I see four men unbound walking in the midst of the fire, 00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:13.279 and they are not hurt. 00:16:13.720 --> 00:16:17.720 And the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods. 00:16:17.860 --> 00:16:21.379 Now, a lot of people at this point make a lot of conjecture that this was Christ. 00:16:21.560 --> 00:16:22.860 We don't know. 00:16:23.879 --> 00:16:28.300 But a messenger from God certainly came and rescued them. 00:16:29.379 --> 00:16:32.399 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning, fiery furnace. 00:16:32.399 --> 00:16:37.240 He declared, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, 00:16:37.340 --> 00:16:38.860 come out and come here. 00:16:39.559 --> 00:16:42.179 Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire. 00:16:42.819 --> 00:16:45.819 And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king's counselors 00:16:45.819 --> 00:16:51.000 gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. 00:16:51.579 --> 00:16:53.240 The hair of their heads was not singed, 00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:54.779 their cloaks were not harmed, 00:16:54.899 --> 00:16:57.699 and no smell of fire had come upon them. 00:16:58.460 --> 00:16:59.899 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, 00:16:59.899 --> 00:17:03.120 Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, 00:17:03.439 --> 00:17:06.019 who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, 00:17:06.279 --> 00:17:07.920 who trusted in him, 00:17:08.259 --> 00:17:10.079 and set aside the king's command, 00:17:10.240 --> 00:17:11.400 and yielded up their bodies, 00:17:11.480 --> 00:17:15.379 rather than serve and worship any god except their own god. 00:17:16.119 --> 00:17:17.420 Therefore I make a decree, 00:17:17.940 --> 00:17:21.859 any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, 00:17:21.859 --> 00:17:22.660 and Abednego, 00:17:23.099 --> 00:17:24.579 shall be torn limb from limb, 00:17:24.839 --> 00:17:26.160 and their houses laid in ruins. 00:17:26.160 --> 00:17:30.740 For there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way. 00:17:31.560 --> 00:17:37.120 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon. 00:17:38.140 --> 00:17:41.560 So note again this theme of the rise and fall of man. 00:17:41.660 --> 00:17:42.920 You see at the end of chapter 2, 00:17:43.300 --> 00:17:44.060 they are promoted. 00:17:44.980 --> 00:17:47.040 Chapter 3, the major part of the body, 00:17:47.120 --> 00:17:48.080 they are disobedient, 00:17:48.200 --> 00:17:49.840 and therefore they are punished. 00:17:49.839 --> 00:17:52.659 And there again at the end of chapter 3, 00:17:53.119 --> 00:17:56.579 the rise once again of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 00:17:57.539 --> 00:17:59.199 So briefly this morning, 00:17:59.379 --> 00:18:02.500 I just want to make two observations from the text. 00:18:02.939 --> 00:18:07.799 Number one, the resilient faith to obey God's commands. 00:18:08.659 --> 00:18:14.000 And number two, the resilient faith to submit to God's will. 00:18:14.000 --> 00:18:17.819 So faith to obey and faith to submit. 00:18:18.859 --> 00:18:22.839 Number one, the resilient faith to obey God's commands. 00:18:23.440 --> 00:18:25.500 There is this striking statement, 00:18:25.619 --> 00:18:26.440 verse 17 and 18, 00:18:26.559 --> 00:18:27.339 but verse 17, 00:18:27.460 --> 00:18:28.519 if this be so, 00:18:29.440 --> 00:18:32.039 our God whom we serve will be able to deliver us 00:18:32.039 --> 00:18:33.839 from the burning, fiery furnace. 00:18:34.019 --> 00:18:36.720 And he will deliver us out of your hand, 00:18:37.319 --> 00:18:37.779 O king. 00:18:38.660 --> 00:18:41.299 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood before a king 00:18:41.299 --> 00:18:43.919 who tempted them to disobey God's law 00:18:43.919 --> 00:18:46.759 in order to obey the king's law. 00:18:47.500 --> 00:18:50.399 But Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego feared and loved God 00:18:50.399 --> 00:18:54.299 and knew the first and the second commandments. 00:18:54.740 --> 00:18:56.839 Exodus chapter 20, verse 3 and following, 00:18:56.960 --> 00:18:58.399 you shall have no other gods before me. 00:18:58.859 --> 00:19:00.720 You shall not make for yourself a carved image 00:19:00.720 --> 00:19:02.980 or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above 00:19:02.980 --> 00:19:04.539 or that is in the earth below 00:19:04.539 --> 00:19:06.619 or that is in the water under the earth. 00:19:07.079 --> 00:19:09.980 You shall not bow down to them or serve them. 00:19:09.980 --> 00:19:13.740 For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God. 00:19:13.759 --> 00:19:16.099 I have to imagine that first half of verse 5 00:19:16.099 --> 00:19:19.839 is in their minds as they stand on this plain of Dura. 00:19:19.960 --> 00:19:22.000 You shall not bow down to them or serve them. 00:19:22.079 --> 00:19:26.140 For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God. 00:19:27.079 --> 00:19:30.960 Their recorded response expresses no wavering, 00:19:31.339 --> 00:19:35.299 but I wonder how they may have been tempted to capitulate. 00:19:35.299 --> 00:19:40.259 Maybe they were tempted by situational ethics. 00:19:41.000 --> 00:19:43.799 If we do not bow down, we will be put to death. 00:19:44.799 --> 00:19:46.799 Certainly God wouldn't want us to die. 00:19:47.579 --> 00:19:49.259 God would be okay if we bow down. 00:19:49.339 --> 00:19:51.180 He wouldn't want us to die. 00:19:51.899 --> 00:19:54.680 Maybe they were tempted by an argument about the culture. 00:19:55.819 --> 00:19:58.440 The Babylonians will not understand the laws of our God 00:19:58.440 --> 00:20:01.080 and we do not want to offend them. 00:20:01.519 --> 00:20:05.740 We will bow now so that they will listen to us later. 00:20:07.000 --> 00:20:09.980 Maybe they were tempted by the forgiveness of God. 00:20:10.680 --> 00:20:12.700 Our God is a merciful God 00:20:12.700 --> 00:20:17.240 and is more understanding and forgiving than Nebuchadnezzar. 00:20:17.360 --> 00:20:20.759 They were tempted to presume upon God's kindness. 00:20:21.900 --> 00:20:24.519 Maybe they were tempted to make a silent protest. 00:20:24.519 --> 00:20:31.779 We can bow down on the outside, but in our hearts we will stand. 00:20:32.440 --> 00:20:35.279 Perhaps these are some of the ways the text doesn't tell us. 00:20:35.339 --> 00:20:37.180 They are just resilient. 00:20:39.299 --> 00:20:44.420 We will be tempted in some of these ways in days of adversity. 00:20:44.619 --> 00:20:46.480 Maybe we already have. 00:20:47.420 --> 00:20:49.259 Will we stand? 00:20:49.259 --> 00:20:55.019 Will we believe that God's commands are to be reverenced and obeyed? 00:20:55.539 --> 00:21:00.000 Will we have this kind of confidence in our God? 00:21:00.420 --> 00:21:02.160 They say, if this be so, 00:21:02.700 --> 00:21:04.900 we don't bow down and you throw us in the fire. 00:21:05.279 --> 00:21:07.920 Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us 00:21:07.920 --> 00:21:09.440 from the burning fiery furnace 00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:12.039 and he will deliver us out of your hand. 00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:13.940 Oh, King. 00:21:13.940 --> 00:21:20.519 Will we know God's commands when the day of adversity arrives? 00:21:20.600 --> 00:21:25.160 Will we know how we are to navigate those days? 00:21:26.420 --> 00:21:28.380 Beloved, the matter may not be as simple 00:21:28.380 --> 00:21:31.080 as whether or not we will bow to a giant image. 00:21:31.680 --> 00:21:35.440 It may not be this clear cut for us. 00:21:36.019 --> 00:21:38.440 If we are to discern the way of obedience, 00:21:38.920 --> 00:21:42.740 we will have to be steeped in God's word. 00:21:42.740 --> 00:21:46.079 Not just the parts of it that we like and enjoy, 00:21:46.259 --> 00:21:47.700 but the totality of it. 00:21:47.759 --> 00:21:52.099 We're going to have to know God's word. 00:21:52.920 --> 00:21:56.579 To this point, I've put a fairly extended quotation 00:21:56.579 --> 00:21:59.039 on the bulletin for you this morning. 00:21:59.539 --> 00:22:01.620 Just briefly, I want to cover over this. 00:22:01.740 --> 00:22:05.819 This is John Flavel, old, one of the great pastors. 00:22:06.480 --> 00:22:08.660 He said, if you want to discover God's will, 00:22:09.700 --> 00:22:11.519 govern your search by these rules. 00:22:11.519 --> 00:22:15.420 Number one, get the true fear of God upon your hearts. 00:22:15.539 --> 00:22:18.619 Be truly afraid of offending him. 00:22:19.779 --> 00:22:23.279 Number two, study the word more 00:22:23.279 --> 00:22:27.740 and the concerns and interests of the world less. 00:22:28.579 --> 00:22:31.000 So God has spoken to us by his word. 00:22:31.079 --> 00:22:33.200 So if we're concerned about what God would have us do, 00:22:33.400 --> 00:22:36.779 then we need to go to his word to find out. 00:22:36.779 --> 00:22:40.559 Number three, and the point of this is, 00:22:40.700 --> 00:22:42.879 don't just let this be a heady thing. 00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:45.879 He says, reduce what you know to practice 00:22:45.879 --> 00:22:49.079 and you shall know what is your duty to practice. 00:22:49.160 --> 00:22:51.000 Take those things that are true 00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:54.039 and see how they are to be lived in your life. 00:22:54.879 --> 00:22:57.639 Number four, pray for illumination and direction 00:22:57.639 --> 00:22:59.339 about the way you should go. 00:22:59.660 --> 00:23:01.980 Beg the Lord to guide you in straits 00:23:01.980 --> 00:23:05.099 and not to suffer you to fall into sin. 00:23:06.120 --> 00:23:07.400 And then number five, this being done, 00:23:07.519 --> 00:23:10.200 follow providence as far as it agrees 00:23:10.200 --> 00:23:14.920 with the word and no further. 00:23:15.680 --> 00:23:16.900 Now, a little story to this point. 00:23:16.980 --> 00:23:18.779 This has nothing to do with adversity at all. 00:23:18.779 --> 00:23:22.639 But we were at a big family event yesterday 00:23:22.639 --> 00:23:26.259 and one of the members of the family 00:23:26.259 --> 00:23:28.319 has a very nice sports car. 00:23:29.379 --> 00:23:30.740 And I just overheard him talking about 00:23:30.740 --> 00:23:32.000 how the car was a God thing. 00:23:32.980 --> 00:23:35.160 And because he was very interested in the car 00:23:35.160 --> 00:23:36.920 and the car was for sale, 00:23:37.200 --> 00:23:37.920 but he wasn't so sure. 00:23:38.539 --> 00:23:39.559 So he waited a month 00:23:39.559 --> 00:23:40.279 and a month later, 00:23:40.319 --> 00:23:41.480 it was still available and for sale. 00:23:41.819 --> 00:23:43.700 And this was his summary of it being a God thing. 00:23:43.980 --> 00:23:46.599 God had said he should purchase this particular vehicle. 00:23:46.859 --> 00:23:48.599 Now, maybe I don't want to catch any judgment. 00:23:48.599 --> 00:23:50.740 On the particular car and the particular man, 00:23:50.799 --> 00:23:51.579 the man who loves the Lord, 00:23:51.740 --> 00:23:52.359 that's all great. 00:23:52.480 --> 00:23:53.879 But this was his evidence 00:23:53.879 --> 00:23:58.559 for the purchase of this particular vehicle. 00:23:59.899 --> 00:24:02.619 The word is meant to be our guide, right? 00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:05.139 We ought to be able to make Bible cases 00:24:05.139 --> 00:24:08.859 for the decisions that we're making in our lives, right? 00:24:08.899 --> 00:24:10.819 We ought to know what it means 00:24:10.819 --> 00:24:12.819 to be obedient to the Lord. 00:24:14.399 --> 00:24:15.339 Second, note with me, 00:24:15.339 --> 00:24:19.019 the resilient faith to submit to God's will. 00:24:20.079 --> 00:24:22.199 So verse 18, they say to the king, 00:24:22.619 --> 00:24:23.679 but if not, 00:24:24.139 --> 00:24:26.799 if God does not deliver us out of your hand, 00:24:26.899 --> 00:24:27.480 that's what they're saying, 00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:28.179 but if not, 00:24:28.539 --> 00:24:29.579 be it known to you, 00:24:29.799 --> 00:24:30.419 O king, 00:24:30.819 --> 00:24:32.699 that we will not serve your gods 00:24:32.699 --> 00:24:34.099 or worship the golden image 00:24:34.099 --> 00:24:36.159 that you have set up. 00:24:36.160 --> 00:24:40.100 Some well-meaning people 00:24:40.100 --> 00:24:42.800 treat faith as a means 00:24:42.800 --> 00:24:45.240 for bending the will of God, 00:24:46.180 --> 00:24:47.420 saying things like, 00:24:47.500 --> 00:24:49.640 if you only have enough faith, 00:24:50.440 --> 00:24:53.640 such and such will come to pass. 00:24:54.920 --> 00:24:56.000 Those of you who don't know, 00:24:56.060 --> 00:24:56.940 Clay, I'm going to tell a story about you. 00:24:57.000 --> 00:24:58.700 Those of you who don't know Clay Naylor, 00:24:58.700 --> 00:25:01.340 Clay has cystic fibrosis. 00:25:01.620 --> 00:25:03.840 He now has had a double lung transplant. 00:25:03.980 --> 00:25:05.799 He's doing much better than he once was. 00:25:06.779 --> 00:25:08.440 But when he was in his college years, 00:25:08.539 --> 00:25:11.220 he had about 20% of his lung capacity. 00:25:11.380 --> 00:25:12.559 It left him winded, 00:25:12.640 --> 00:25:14.039 just crossing a room. 00:25:14.680 --> 00:25:15.440 Many times, 00:25:15.519 --> 00:25:16.580 Clay would lean on me 00:25:16.580 --> 00:25:18.220 to not pass out 00:25:18.220 --> 00:25:21.019 because he was so out of breath. 00:25:21.480 --> 00:25:24.039 And Clay had person after person after person 00:25:24.039 --> 00:25:26.380 tell him that if he just had enough faith, 00:25:26.819 --> 00:25:28.240 God would heal him. 00:25:29.460 --> 00:25:30.700 Starting in my early 20s, 00:25:30.720 --> 00:25:32.700 I've had a lot of chronic tendinitis pain. 00:25:32.819 --> 00:25:34.460 I don't mean to compare this at all 00:25:34.460 --> 00:25:35.600 to Clay cystic fibrosis, 00:25:35.759 --> 00:25:37.799 but the pain that I've experienced, 00:25:37.860 --> 00:25:39.880 and I've had people tell me that as well, right? 00:25:39.880 --> 00:25:41.880 If you just have enough faith, right, 00:25:41.980 --> 00:25:44.559 then God will heal you. 00:25:45.580 --> 00:25:47.980 Some of you may be aware in 2019, 00:25:48.460 --> 00:25:51.819 kind of a big kerfuffle in Bethel Church 00:25:51.819 --> 00:25:55.319 when a two-year-old named Olive passed away. 00:25:56.019 --> 00:25:57.340 They called their church 00:25:57.340 --> 00:25:58.600 and people and people and people 00:25:58.599 --> 00:26:00.339 nationwide into praying 00:26:00.339 --> 00:26:02.819 for the resurrection of this two-year-old. 00:26:03.559 --> 00:26:05.000 Her mother wrote online, 00:26:05.219 --> 00:26:07.439 we are asking for bold, unified prayers 00:26:07.439 --> 00:26:08.919 from the global church 00:26:08.919 --> 00:26:10.559 to stand with us in belief 00:26:10.559 --> 00:26:12.240 that he, being God, 00:26:12.279 --> 00:26:14.939 will raise this little girl back to life. 00:26:15.000 --> 00:26:16.919 I don't have a great problem with that statement. 00:26:17.039 --> 00:26:17.799 It's this next part. 00:26:17.939 --> 00:26:18.500 She says, 00:26:18.659 --> 00:26:22.159 her time here is not done. 00:26:22.160 --> 00:26:24.680 And it is our time to believe boldly 00:26:24.680 --> 00:26:25.480 and with confidence, 00:26:25.680 --> 00:26:27.540 wield what King Jesus paid for. 00:26:27.940 --> 00:26:31.560 It is time for her to come to life. 00:26:31.559 --> 00:26:34.500 And she wasn't raised. 00:26:35.500 --> 00:26:36.379 And the thing, 00:26:36.579 --> 00:26:38.399 I mean, all kinds of things about that situation 00:26:38.399 --> 00:26:39.139 saddened me. 00:26:40.179 --> 00:26:42.899 But where are these poor parents left? 00:26:43.179 --> 00:26:44.399 Who is their God? 00:26:44.619 --> 00:26:45.679 If they have done the thing 00:26:45.679 --> 00:26:47.059 they think they need to do, 00:26:47.480 --> 00:26:49.319 practice faith to bend His will, 00:26:49.399 --> 00:26:50.700 and He didn't do it. 00:26:50.700 --> 00:26:56.840 I don't know how their faith even exists any longer. 00:26:57.019 --> 00:26:58.140 And perhaps it doesn't. 00:26:58.180 --> 00:26:59.120 I don't know them. 00:27:00.319 --> 00:27:03.720 Our God is an immovable sovereign. 00:27:04.400 --> 00:27:06.259 He reigns over all things. 00:27:06.380 --> 00:27:09.100 And He is good. 00:27:09.600 --> 00:27:10.580 He does every bit of it 00:27:10.580 --> 00:27:11.660 for the good of His people 00:27:11.660 --> 00:27:14.860 and for His glory in the world. 00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:17.840 So we ought not use faith in this way. 00:27:17.840 --> 00:27:19.960 And we see this with Shadrach, Meshach, 00:27:19.960 --> 00:27:20.860 and Abednego. 00:27:21.140 --> 00:27:21.880 Not only do they know 00:27:21.880 --> 00:27:23.299 that God is able to deliver them, 00:27:23.480 --> 00:27:24.259 they believe that God 00:27:24.259 --> 00:27:25.460 is going to deliver them. 00:27:25.700 --> 00:27:26.360 But they say, 00:27:26.440 --> 00:27:27.600 but even if He doesn't, 00:27:28.120 --> 00:27:28.579 guess what? 00:27:28.860 --> 00:27:29.819 We'll remain faithful. 00:27:30.079 --> 00:27:34.319 We will still not bow to your image. 00:27:35.420 --> 00:27:36.480 So just as an exercise, 00:27:36.640 --> 00:27:37.960 I just want us to take a quiet moment, 00:27:38.220 --> 00:27:39.160 a brief pause. 00:27:40.000 --> 00:27:41.100 I'm going to land the plane soon, 00:27:41.220 --> 00:27:41.799 I promise. 00:27:44.220 --> 00:27:45.340 I want you in your mind, 00:27:45.340 --> 00:27:46.660 you may even want to write this down, 00:27:47.559 --> 00:27:49.059 to put the phrase out, 00:27:49.059 --> 00:27:51.059 our God whom we serve 00:27:51.059 --> 00:27:52.779 is able to. 00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:55.960 You see that phrase in verse 17. 00:27:56.119 --> 00:27:58.039 Our God whom we serve 00:27:58.039 --> 00:27:59.919 is able to. 00:28:00.759 --> 00:28:02.700 And complete that phrase 00:28:02.700 --> 00:28:04.759 with the grandest thing 00:28:04.759 --> 00:28:05.759 you think that God could do 00:28:05.759 --> 00:28:06.559 for your life. 00:28:09.240 --> 00:28:10.759 Our God whom we serve 00:28:10.759 --> 00:28:11.759 is able to. 00:28:23.339 --> 00:28:24.279 But if not, 00:28:24.799 --> 00:28:26.180 it's the rest of the sentence. 00:28:27.700 --> 00:28:28.700 But if not, 00:28:29.700 --> 00:28:32.619 I will remain faithful. 00:28:32.619 --> 00:28:34.619 I will believe 00:28:34.619 --> 00:28:35.659 that He's a good 00:28:35.659 --> 00:28:37.199 and a sovereign God. 00:28:37.299 --> 00:28:37.839 I will believe 00:28:37.839 --> 00:28:39.319 that He knows better 00:28:39.319 --> 00:28:40.239 what I need 00:28:40.239 --> 00:28:41.379 than I know. 00:28:41.699 --> 00:28:42.479 That the infinite 00:28:42.479 --> 00:28:44.039 has the right. 00:28:44.699 --> 00:28:45.759 He's the best 00:28:45.759 --> 00:28:47.019 being 00:28:47.019 --> 00:28:48.679 to speak into 00:28:48.679 --> 00:28:49.500 and to act 00:28:49.500 --> 00:28:50.559 for the 00:28:50.559 --> 00:28:51.779 finite. 00:28:52.779 --> 00:28:54.339 We too often think 00:28:54.339 --> 00:28:55.000 that we know 00:28:55.000 --> 00:28:56.059 what's best. 00:28:56.059 --> 00:28:57.919 I change my mind 00:28:57.919 --> 00:28:58.419 day to day 00:28:58.419 --> 00:28:59.679 about what may be best. 00:28:59.839 --> 00:29:00.700 Praise God 00:29:00.700 --> 00:29:02.259 that He knows 00:29:02.259 --> 00:29:03.700 what's best 00:29:03.700 --> 00:29:04.339 and He 00:29:04.339 --> 00:29:05.220 is in 00:29:05.220 --> 00:29:06.940 control. 00:29:08.299 --> 00:29:09.099 Our God whom we serve 00:29:09.099 --> 00:29:10.000 is able to 00:29:10.000 --> 00:29:11.619 do anything. 00:29:11.879 --> 00:29:12.099 Blank. 00:29:12.299 --> 00:29:12.819 Fill in the blank. 00:29:12.940 --> 00:29:13.480 He's able to. 00:29:13.599 --> 00:29:14.339 But if not, 00:29:15.019 --> 00:29:15.899 we must, 00:29:16.000 --> 00:29:16.639 God's people 00:29:16.639 --> 00:29:17.519 must remain 00:29:17.519 --> 00:29:19.059 faithful. 00:29:20.279 --> 00:29:21.079 Shadrach, Meshach, 00:29:21.159 --> 00:29:21.539 and Abednego 00:29:21.539 --> 00:29:22.859 are delivered 00:29:22.859 --> 00:29:23.919 from the furnace 00:29:23.919 --> 00:29:24.819 and they are 00:29:24.819 --> 00:29:26.039 promoted to a place 00:29:26.039 --> 00:29:26.919 of prominence 00:29:26.919 --> 00:29:28.399 once again. 00:29:29.219 --> 00:29:30.799 This may or may not 00:29:30.799 --> 00:29:31.719 be the case 00:29:31.719 --> 00:29:32.959 for us. 00:29:33.419 --> 00:29:34.939 In Hebrews chapter 11 00:29:34.939 --> 00:29:36.039 you see a great 00:29:36.039 --> 00:29:37.639 hall of faith 00:29:37.639 --> 00:29:38.459 as they call it. 00:29:38.859 --> 00:29:39.519 Many people 00:29:39.519 --> 00:29:40.659 who by faith 00:29:40.659 --> 00:29:41.599 were delivered. 00:29:41.759 --> 00:29:42.399 By faith 00:29:42.399 --> 00:29:43.599 were rescued. 00:29:44.479 --> 00:29:44.979 And then the author 00:29:44.979 --> 00:29:45.379 of Hebrews 00:29:45.379 --> 00:29:46.599 also gives us 00:29:46.599 --> 00:29:47.219 a list of people 00:29:47.219 --> 00:29:48.219 who by faith 00:29:48.219 --> 00:29:49.399 were tortured 00:29:49.399 --> 00:29:50.439 and beaten. 00:29:51.539 --> 00:29:52.639 Thrown into lion's dens. 00:29:53.859 --> 00:29:54.240 Etc. 00:29:56.039 --> 00:29:57.079 Shadrach, Meshach, 00:29:57.219 --> 00:29:57.719 and Abednego 00:29:57.719 --> 00:29:59.379 are the heroes 00:29:59.379 --> 00:30:01.000 of this episode 00:30:01.000 --> 00:30:02.939 but they are not 00:30:02.939 --> 00:30:03.459 the heroes 00:30:03.459 --> 00:30:05.559 of our faith. 00:30:06.039 --> 00:30:07.319 They are types 00:30:07.319 --> 00:30:08.139 of the one 00:30:08.139 --> 00:30:08.719 to come. 00:30:08.899 --> 00:30:09.740 They are meant 00:30:09.740 --> 00:30:10.619 to help us 00:30:10.619 --> 00:30:11.559 rightly consider 00:30:11.559 --> 00:30:13.419 the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:30:14.339 --> 00:30:14.859 Jesus Christ 00:30:14.859 --> 00:30:15.399 stood against 00:30:15.399 --> 00:30:15.959 the temptation 00:30:15.959 --> 00:30:17.319 of the devil. 00:30:17.419 --> 00:30:18.459 Matthew chapter 4 00:30:18.459 --> 00:30:18.779 verse 8 00:30:18.779 --> 00:30:19.679 and following records 00:30:19.679 --> 00:30:20.719 the devil took him 00:30:20.719 --> 00:30:21.759 to a very high mountain 00:30:21.759 --> 00:30:22.219 and showed him 00:30:22.220 --> 00:30:23.120 all the kingdoms 00:30:23.120 --> 00:30:23.720 of the world 00:30:23.720 --> 00:30:24.680 and their glory 00:30:24.680 --> 00:30:25.980 and he said to him 00:30:25.980 --> 00:30:26.980 all these I will 00:30:26.980 --> 00:30:27.620 give to you 00:30:27.620 --> 00:30:28.839 if you will fall down 00:30:28.839 --> 00:30:29.720 and worship 00:30:29.720 --> 00:30:31.160 me. 00:30:32.019 --> 00:30:33.140 Similar language 00:30:33.140 --> 00:30:33.680 there. 00:30:34.559 --> 00:30:35.559 Then Jesus said to him 00:30:35.559 --> 00:30:36.400 be gone Satan 00:30:36.400 --> 00:30:37.079 for it is written 00:30:37.079 --> 00:30:38.160 you shall worship 00:30:38.160 --> 00:30:38.960 the Lord your God 00:30:38.960 --> 00:30:39.839 and him only 00:30:39.839 --> 00:30:41.559 shall you serve. 00:30:42.559 --> 00:30:43.440 Jesus Christ 00:30:43.440 --> 00:30:44.240 in the face 00:30:44.240 --> 00:30:45.759 of certain death 00:30:45.759 --> 00:30:47.299 submitted himself 00:30:47.299 --> 00:30:47.980 to the will 00:30:47.980 --> 00:30:48.779 of his father 00:30:48.779 --> 00:30:49.500 as he prayed 00:30:49.500 --> 00:30:50.180 in the garden 00:30:50.180 --> 00:30:51.220 of Gethsemane 00:30:51.220 --> 00:30:52.440 Mark chapter 14 00:30:52.440 --> 00:30:54.299 verse 36 00:30:54.299 --> 00:30:56.079 Abba Father 00:30:56.079 --> 00:30:57.839 all things 00:30:57.839 --> 00:30:58.539 are possible 00:30:58.539 --> 00:30:59.839 for you 00:30:59.839 --> 00:31:01.620 remove this cup 00:31:01.620 --> 00:31:02.299 from me 00:31:02.299 --> 00:31:04.440 yet not 00:31:04.440 --> 00:31:05.140 what I 00:31:05.140 --> 00:31:05.720 will 00:31:05.720 --> 00:31:07.480 but what you 00:31:07.480 --> 00:31:09.019 will. 00:31:10.380 --> 00:31:11.500 And so we know 00:31:11.500 --> 00:31:12.019 at least I hope 00:31:12.019 --> 00:31:12.420 you know 00:31:12.420 --> 00:31:14.279 that Jesus 00:31:14.279 --> 00:31:16.300 despised the shame 00:31:16.300 --> 00:31:16.980 but for the joy 00:31:16.980 --> 00:31:17.720 set before him 00:31:17.720 --> 00:31:18.380 endured 00:31:18.380 --> 00:31:20.140 the cross 00:31:20.140 --> 00:31:21.759 believing that God 00:31:21.759 --> 00:31:23.100 knew what was 00:31:23.100 --> 00:31:24.180 best 00:31:24.180 --> 00:31:25.360 in that situation 00:31:25.360 --> 00:31:26.820 and because of 00:31:26.820 --> 00:31:27.360 his obedience 00:31:27.360 --> 00:31:29.360 Jesus has been 00:31:29.360 --> 00:31:29.940 promoted 00:31:29.940 --> 00:31:31.360 to an everlasting 00:31:31.360 --> 00:31:32.460 place 00:31:32.460 --> 00:31:34.140 of prominence. 00:31:34.740 --> 00:31:35.259 You see how the 00:31:35.259 --> 00:31:36.279 narrative drives us 00:31:36.279 --> 00:31:37.539 to Christ. 00:31:37.660 --> 00:31:38.100 Paul writes in 00:31:38.100 --> 00:31:38.940 Philippians chapter 2 00:31:38.940 --> 00:31:39.740 verse 8 and following 00:31:39.740 --> 00:31:40.480 being found in 00:31:40.480 --> 00:31:40.960 human form 00:31:40.960 --> 00:31:41.740 he humbled himself 00:31:41.740 --> 00:31:42.220 by becoming 00:31:42.220 --> 00:31:42.700 obedient 00:31:42.700 --> 00:31:43.680 to the point 00:31:43.680 --> 00:31:44.299 of death 00:31:44.299 --> 00:31:45.400 even death 00:31:45.400 --> 00:31:46.519 on a cross. 00:31:47.259 --> 00:31:47.740 Therefore God 00:31:47.740 --> 00:31:48.720 has highly exalted 00:31:48.720 --> 00:31:49.440 him and bestowed 00:31:49.440 --> 00:31:50.160 on him the name 00:31:50.160 --> 00:31:50.700 that is above 00:31:50.700 --> 00:31:51.359 every name 00:31:51.359 --> 00:31:51.980 so the name 00:31:51.980 --> 00:31:52.480 of Jesus 00:31:52.480 --> 00:31:53.000 every knee 00:31:53.000 --> 00:31:53.480 should bow 00:31:53.480 --> 00:31:54.359 in heaven 00:31:54.359 --> 00:31:55.460 and on earth 00:31:55.460 --> 00:31:56.579 and under 00:31:56.579 --> 00:31:57.460 the earth. 00:31:58.460 --> 00:31:59.400 Beloved Jesus 00:31:59.400 --> 00:32:00.720 is the hero 00:32:00.720 --> 00:32:01.920 of our faith. 00:32:02.900 --> 00:32:03.400 He is our 00:32:03.400 --> 00:32:04.200 great example 00:32:04.200 --> 00:32:05.220 of the resilient 00:32:05.220 --> 00:32:06.380 faith to obey 00:32:06.380 --> 00:32:07.200 God's commands 00:32:07.200 --> 00:32:08.700 and of the resilient 00:32:08.700 --> 00:32:09.720 faith to submit 00:32:09.720 --> 00:32:12.240 to God's will. 00:32:12.920 --> 00:32:14.420 And so as his 00:32:14.420 --> 00:32:14.960 people 00:32:14.960 --> 00:32:16.660 as his disciples 00:32:16.660 --> 00:32:18.000 his followers 00:32:18.000 --> 00:32:18.660 we should look 00:32:18.660 --> 00:32:19.160 to him 00:32:19.160 --> 00:32:20.039 who is the 00:32:20.039 --> 00:32:20.380 founder 00:32:20.380 --> 00:32:21.660 and the perfecter 00:32:21.660 --> 00:32:22.799 of our faith. 00:32:23.220 --> 00:32:23.940 Let's pray together.