WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.679 Amen. Thank you, Youth Praise Band. To just get up here and do this in front of the youth is already scary to do in front of the entire church. 00:00:08.679 --> 00:00:13.240 There's just so much more, the courage you have to do this. Just good job, guys. 00:00:13.939 --> 00:00:18.380 Children, you may now go with Miss Savannah to Children's Church. 00:00:19.439 --> 00:00:29.600 And even though today is Graduation Sunday, I know that a few weeks ago Savannah had the opportunity to send off some of her fifth graders that will be coming to me. 00:00:29.739 --> 00:00:37.640 And as she said, I was the only one not upset that day because it was a great day for me as we get to have new students come in. 00:00:37.640 --> 00:00:45.980 And this is just one of the many things as a blessing to children and youth because we get to just see more and more and more come in as the years go on. 00:00:46.780 --> 00:00:52.859 And a quick reminder, because I didn't get to say anything that day, fifth grade parents as well as our senior parents, 00:00:52.939 --> 00:01:03.900 this is a great summer of transition that your students can try out both the fifth or the children's, the last of the children's events and the youth events this summer. 00:01:03.899 --> 00:01:10.260 As well as our 12th graders, you can do the rest of your youth events and then go to the college ministry on Sunday mornings. 00:01:10.439 --> 00:01:15.259 This is a great transition time for you to try a little bit of both, to dip your toe in the water. 00:01:15.519 --> 00:01:21.039 Because in August, I will say bye-bye to my seniors and welcome in my new coming sixth graders. 00:01:21.599 --> 00:01:24.859 So you are encouraged to go and try all the many different things. 00:01:25.039 --> 00:01:27.640 Dip your toe in the water, get used to it before the fall. 00:01:27.640 --> 00:01:31.719 Well, if I have not met you this morning, my name is Josh Lorenz. 00:01:31.780 --> 00:01:33.579 I'm a youth pastor here at First Baptist. 00:01:34.379 --> 00:01:40.819 And usually, the youth pastor gets to speak on graduation Sunday and then sometime in December. 00:01:41.379 --> 00:01:47.640 But if you remember, I just had a baby and I told Brett that I might not be awake in December to come and preach that day. 00:01:47.780 --> 00:01:50.540 And so Brett was totally fine with that. 00:01:50.540 --> 00:01:55.400 But now we are here and I'm so blessed to come and get to speak in front of our church this morning. 00:01:56.200 --> 00:01:59.740 About a year ago, I was welcomed to First Baptist Church. 00:02:00.020 --> 00:02:07.719 And Sarah and I's mindset coming in was to focus on sharing the gospel with all of our students to build relationships. 00:02:09.000 --> 00:02:15.379 But also, we had a heart in intentionally preparing our seniors for what is next to come. 00:02:15.379 --> 00:02:22.319 Both Sarah and I had the opportunity in youth ministry to experience this, to be prepared for what college may hold. 00:02:22.479 --> 00:02:25.479 And so we wanted to do the same for our seniors. 00:02:26.359 --> 00:02:29.699 Because senior year, if you remember from when you were a senior, 00:02:30.379 --> 00:02:39.859 is just a fast blur of tests and college applications and essays and ceremonies and award banquets and graduation parties 00:02:39.859 --> 00:02:41.699 and last-minute planning and packing. 00:02:41.699 --> 00:02:46.199 And then all it comes to the first day of freshman year and there you go. 00:02:46.339 --> 00:02:47.079 Senior year is over. 00:02:47.919 --> 00:02:50.959 And you wonder what happened to the last year of your life. 00:02:51.939 --> 00:02:56.799 So as we begin this morning, the thought for graduation Sunday is just simply this. 00:02:56.879 --> 00:03:03.620 What is one thing we can say to the seniors to encourage them as they go into the next stage of their life? 00:03:04.139 --> 00:03:08.620 So today we are going to read through the entire book of Proverbs to get our seniors ready. 00:03:08.839 --> 00:03:10.280 And that is a joke if you don't know. 00:03:10.280 --> 00:03:11.219 It's a book on wisdom. 00:03:12.800 --> 00:03:16.020 And instead, no, we're not going to go read the whole book. 00:03:16.140 --> 00:03:17.979 But seniors, I do encourage you to do so. 00:03:18.580 --> 00:03:21.879 But we are going to step away from Hebrews for just one week. 00:03:21.939 --> 00:03:25.900 And as Clay likes to mess with Brett, we're going to step away from our favorite character, 00:03:26.000 --> 00:03:27.680 Melchizedek, for just one week. 00:03:28.319 --> 00:03:32.420 And we are going to step into a story that most of us, if you grew up in church, 00:03:32.520 --> 00:03:35.180 or if you've even been around church for just a little bit, 00:03:35.620 --> 00:03:37.699 you would know this story. 00:03:37.699 --> 00:03:42.659 We are going to turn to the book of Daniel chapter 3. 00:03:43.639 --> 00:03:49.639 And if you don't know this story, this is the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 00:03:50.560 --> 00:03:54.599 This story tells the story of three men who were faithful to God, 00:03:54.879 --> 00:03:57.319 the king of Israel and of the Jews. 00:03:57.319 --> 00:04:02.959 This is the same God who had led Moses and the Israelites out of Egypt. 00:04:03.479 --> 00:04:07.680 This is the same God who rose up great men in the history of Israel, 00:04:07.799 --> 00:04:10.120 such as Joshua and David and Solomon. 00:04:10.599 --> 00:04:15.180 And now the Israelites find themselves in Babylon, a foreign land. 00:04:15.759 --> 00:04:21.459 And God continues to be the people of Israel, even in their exile. 00:04:21.459 --> 00:04:27.919 So as we go through this passage today, there's one big point that I want us to focus on, 00:04:28.019 --> 00:04:31.939 and it is this, the fire reveals what we truly believe. 00:04:32.959 --> 00:04:38.259 And through this point, we will learn how to be more like the three men who follow God 00:04:38.259 --> 00:04:42.519 through their circumstances, through what people will tell them to do, 00:04:43.199 --> 00:04:45.259 through what culture tries to convince them of, 00:04:45.299 --> 00:04:47.979 and focus our eyes truly on the Lord. 00:04:47.980 --> 00:04:54.120 And so what I like to do with our students is I love to hear about the context of the story, 00:04:54.220 --> 00:04:55.120 especially in the narrative. 00:04:55.439 --> 00:05:00.520 So in Daniel chapter 1 and 2, leading into what we're reading today, 00:05:01.060 --> 00:05:05.040 the people of Israel are in exile in this new land of Babylon. 00:05:05.400 --> 00:05:08.439 And there's a ruler by the name of King Nebuchadnezzar. 00:05:09.300 --> 00:05:13.200 And Nebuchadnezzar does not worship Yahweh, the God of Israel, 00:05:13.199 --> 00:05:18.199 though he is seen in chapter 2 of Daniel, this power through the servant Daniel. 00:05:19.439 --> 00:05:22.959 And Daniel does something that no one else could do in the land. 00:05:23.079 --> 00:05:26.500 He reveals to Nebuchadnezzar a dream that Nebuchadnezzar had, 00:05:27.079 --> 00:05:29.500 and identifies its interpretation. 00:05:30.639 --> 00:05:32.579 And in doing so, in hearing this dream, 00:05:32.699 --> 00:05:39.300 Nebuchadnezzar identifies that Yahweh is truly the God of gods and the Lord of kings. 00:05:39.300 --> 00:05:45.439 And in response, the king promotes Daniel to ruler over a province of Babylon, 00:05:45.660 --> 00:05:48.900 as well as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 00:05:50.240 --> 00:05:53.520 So we're going to read the entirety of chapter 3, 00:05:53.740 --> 00:05:56.519 and so we're going to break this into pieces as we go, 00:05:56.639 --> 00:06:00.800 but we're going to start with Daniel chapter 3, verse 1 through 7. 00:06:00.800 --> 00:06:30.780 And it says this, 00:06:30.800 --> 00:06:46.819 And the herald proclaimed aloud, 00:06:46.819 --> 00:07:16.819 00:07:16.819 --> 00:07:25.180 So as we read into the story, 00:07:25.379 --> 00:07:28.459 we're going to break this down into even further points. 00:07:28.560 --> 00:07:31.379 So the first thing that we learn from this passage is this, 00:07:31.439 --> 00:07:33.899 is that you mimic what you worship. 00:07:35.180 --> 00:07:36.879 In the previous chapter of Daniel, 00:07:37.000 --> 00:07:40.860 Nebuchadnezzar is approached by our main character of Daniel, 00:07:40.860 --> 00:07:42.920 and through God's power, 00:07:43.120 --> 00:07:45.160 Daniel tells the king of his dream 00:07:45.160 --> 00:07:49.639 that there is a large statue that will eventually be torn down. 00:07:50.379 --> 00:07:52.920 And the head of the statue is made of gold, 00:07:53.060 --> 00:07:56.060 and that represents King Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom, 00:07:56.620 --> 00:07:59.120 but there would be a day where this kingdom would fall. 00:07:59.120 --> 00:08:04.780 And you would think that the king who claims that God is the king of kings 00:08:04.780 --> 00:08:08.899 would listen to said imagery, to said interpretation, 00:08:08.899 --> 00:08:11.120 and probably not build a statue. 00:08:11.920 --> 00:08:13.780 And King Nebuchadnezzar, we would be wrong, 00:08:13.879 --> 00:08:16.379 does the exact thing that we don't think he should do. 00:08:16.459 --> 00:08:18.340 He builds a statue for himself. 00:08:18.339 --> 00:08:23.159 And this statue is listed as 90 feet tall. 00:08:24.479 --> 00:08:28.939 And it is something to obviously marvel at from all around the land. 00:08:29.719 --> 00:08:32.079 Now I think about when I go to different places, 00:08:32.079 --> 00:08:33.120 I love to travel, 00:08:33.500 --> 00:08:37.500 and one of the things I love to see is the history of the land that I'm in. 00:08:38.459 --> 00:08:40.559 We went to Boston this past year, 00:08:40.659 --> 00:08:43.959 and I know that we will start mentioning the Boston mission trip here soon. 00:08:44.480 --> 00:08:45.879 If you walk around Boston, 00:08:45.879 --> 00:08:49.080 sure enough, you will find statues of the founding fathers 00:08:49.080 --> 00:08:51.399 and other important figures of Boston. 00:08:52.240 --> 00:08:55.779 Same thing is I've gotten to go to Washington, D.C., 00:08:55.779 --> 00:08:57.539 and if you don't know, you walk around, 00:08:57.639 --> 00:09:00.519 you will see founding fathers' statues everywhere you go, 00:09:00.639 --> 00:09:04.360 especially Abraham Lincoln in the Lincoln Memorial. 00:09:05.039 --> 00:09:08.240 And I remember being a little freshman in college 00:09:08.240 --> 00:09:10.840 and looking at how big Abraham Lincoln was 00:09:10.840 --> 00:09:12.340 and obviously thinking, 00:09:12.340 --> 00:09:15.700 this guy means a lot to the people of the United States. 00:09:15.700 --> 00:09:16.860 This guy has a lot 00:09:16.860 --> 00:09:22.100 and is humongous in what we are supposed to be honoring him for. 00:09:22.840 --> 00:09:24.600 And so we see in Daniel 00:09:24.600 --> 00:09:28.440 that Nebuchadnezzar builds a statue 90 feet tall, 00:09:28.580 --> 00:09:30.900 and not only is it 90 feet tall, 00:09:31.000 --> 00:09:33.180 he overlays it with gold. 00:09:34.280 --> 00:09:36.860 And what this does is this is an image 00:09:36.860 --> 00:09:38.920 that would be seen for miles around, 00:09:39.340 --> 00:09:42.200 and the main goal of it is to show the power 00:09:42.200 --> 00:09:43.840 of the king of Babylon. 00:09:44.700 --> 00:09:47.200 And we see early on in Daniel 3 00:09:47.200 --> 00:09:49.780 that all the officials are gathered to look at 00:09:49.780 --> 00:09:51.200 and worship this statue. 00:09:51.840 --> 00:09:52.740 And in verse 4, 00:09:52.860 --> 00:09:55.320 it is demanded that when the music is to play, 00:09:55.680 --> 00:09:58.080 that you are to fall down and worship the statue 00:09:58.080 --> 00:09:59.379 that the king has made, 00:09:59.480 --> 00:10:00.560 and whoever does not 00:10:00.560 --> 00:10:03.220 will be thrown into the fiery furnace. 00:10:03.220 --> 00:10:06.800 And so we are told that there is something 00:10:06.800 --> 00:10:08.279 that needs to be worshipped, 00:10:08.379 --> 00:10:09.680 an idol of sorts, 00:10:09.740 --> 00:10:11.259 and for all of the Israelites 00:10:11.259 --> 00:10:13.340 who have been pulled into Babylon 00:10:13.340 --> 00:10:14.500 from their land, 00:10:14.860 --> 00:10:15.720 you would see, 00:10:15.980 --> 00:10:16.720 or you would hope, 00:10:16.820 --> 00:10:18.420 that they would identify this 00:10:18.420 --> 00:10:19.460 as an idol 00:10:19.460 --> 00:10:22.259 and something wrong in which to worship. 00:10:23.259 --> 00:10:25.060 Because the Israelites believe 00:10:25.060 --> 00:10:28.240 in the teachings of the Ten Commandments, 00:10:28.519 --> 00:10:29.540 and in Exodus 20, 00:10:29.639 --> 00:10:30.879 we are introduced to this, 00:10:30.879 --> 00:10:32.539 and the first two laws, 00:10:32.639 --> 00:10:33.639 the commandments are this, 00:10:33.980 --> 00:10:36.480 do not have any other gods before him, 00:10:37.139 --> 00:10:40.240 and do not make idols in your own image, 00:10:40.299 --> 00:10:42.039 nor should you worship these idols. 00:10:43.500 --> 00:10:47.059 And yet we see Israel fail time and time again 00:10:47.059 --> 00:10:49.179 to follow even the first two commandments, 00:10:50.019 --> 00:10:53.039 but people continue to do so 00:10:53.039 --> 00:10:54.460 even though it is against the law. 00:10:55.279 --> 00:10:57.860 And we see later that there are consequences 00:10:57.860 --> 00:11:01.360 to worshipping idols and gods other than Yahweh. 00:11:01.700 --> 00:11:03.580 And the people of Israel would know this 00:11:03.580 --> 00:11:04.740 as they would be taught this 00:11:04.740 --> 00:11:06.019 and held to this standard. 00:11:06.580 --> 00:11:09.320 And yet we see all of the land 00:11:09.320 --> 00:11:12.340 bowed down to worship the king of Babylon 00:11:12.340 --> 00:11:13.480 and his statue. 00:11:13.940 --> 00:11:15.700 And the question really is this, 00:11:15.779 --> 00:11:17.759 how would you react? 00:11:17.820 --> 00:11:20.000 If you were in the face of pressure, 00:11:20.940 --> 00:11:22.659 the face of culture looking to you 00:11:22.659 --> 00:11:24.340 to do the same as everybody else, 00:11:24.340 --> 00:11:25.620 what would you do? 00:11:26.860 --> 00:11:28.720 Culture loves to pressure us 00:11:28.720 --> 00:11:30.639 and put us into compromised positions 00:11:30.639 --> 00:11:32.440 where we must make a choice. 00:11:33.240 --> 00:11:34.580 And we have to make a choice 00:11:34.580 --> 00:11:37.300 of whether we are going to go against 00:11:37.300 --> 00:11:39.480 what we have been taught as right, 00:11:39.860 --> 00:11:41.480 or will we bow down 00:11:41.480 --> 00:11:43.200 to the authority of the world. 00:11:44.399 --> 00:11:45.980 And not only this, 00:11:46.100 --> 00:11:47.139 but as we learn, 00:11:47.280 --> 00:11:48.600 Shadrach, Neshach, and Abednego 00:11:48.600 --> 00:11:50.220 become the central characters 00:11:50.220 --> 00:11:51.100 of the story. 00:11:51.100 --> 00:11:53.340 And you think about this, 00:11:53.379 --> 00:11:55.320 that these men are not only facing 00:11:55.320 --> 00:11:56.680 just societal pressure, 00:11:57.180 --> 00:11:58.440 they are facing pressures 00:11:58.440 --> 00:11:59.659 from different directions. 00:12:00.080 --> 00:12:01.980 The first of which is political. 00:12:02.720 --> 00:12:05.420 These men are in a place of power 00:12:05.420 --> 00:12:07.920 over a province of Babylon. 00:12:08.480 --> 00:12:10.300 Everyone is looking to them 00:12:10.300 --> 00:12:11.940 and to what they are going to do. 00:12:12.800 --> 00:12:14.159 There are pressures religiously 00:12:14.159 --> 00:12:15.519 because this is a land 00:12:15.519 --> 00:12:16.600 where worshiping Yahweh 00:12:16.600 --> 00:12:19.279 is definitely not taken well. 00:12:19.279 --> 00:12:21.559 There are pressures socially 00:12:21.559 --> 00:12:22.799 because these men 00:12:22.799 --> 00:12:24.860 will eventually take a stand 00:12:24.860 --> 00:12:26.959 against what everyone else does. 00:12:27.399 --> 00:12:28.679 And then there is obviously 00:12:28.679 --> 00:12:30.419 the pressure physically 00:12:30.419 --> 00:12:32.059 because if you are caught standing, 00:12:32.459 --> 00:12:34.639 then you will die in a fiery furnace. 00:12:35.759 --> 00:12:37.000 And the question that these men 00:12:37.000 --> 00:12:37.860 must face is this, 00:12:37.959 --> 00:12:38.939 will they compromise 00:12:38.939 --> 00:12:40.959 and seek self-preservation? 00:12:41.439 --> 00:12:43.319 Or will they follow the commandments 00:12:43.319 --> 00:12:44.419 in which they have been given? 00:12:45.699 --> 00:12:47.759 And the question we must ask ourselves 00:12:47.759 --> 00:12:50.220 is this, so what would we worship? 00:12:51.460 --> 00:12:52.840 What do these men do? 00:12:52.960 --> 00:12:54.139 Well, we know the story, 00:12:54.240 --> 00:12:56.580 but let's continue in Daniel chapter 3, 00:12:56.759 --> 00:12:57.840 starting in verse 8. 00:12:58.220 --> 00:12:58.879 It says this, 00:12:58.879 --> 00:13:00.340 therefore at that time, 00:13:00.980 --> 00:13:02.379 certain Chaldeans came forward 00:13:02.379 --> 00:13:04.200 and maliciously accused the Jews. 00:13:05.059 --> 00:13:06.480 They declared to King Nebuchadnezzar, 00:13:06.580 --> 00:13:08.299 O king, live forever. 00:13:09.179 --> 00:13:10.720 You, O king, have made a decree 00:13:10.720 --> 00:13:12.039 that every man who hears 00:13:12.039 --> 00:13:13.100 the sound of the horn 00:13:13.100 --> 00:13:14.500 and the pipe and the lyre, 00:13:14.819 --> 00:13:16.939 the trigon, the harp, the bagpipe, 00:13:16.940 --> 00:13:18.000 and every kind of music 00:13:18.000 --> 00:13:19.120 shall fall down 00:13:19.120 --> 00:13:20.540 and worship the golden image. 00:13:21.120 --> 00:13:22.520 And whoever does not fall down 00:13:22.520 --> 00:13:23.760 and worship shall be cast 00:13:23.760 --> 00:13:25.540 into a burning, fiery furnace. 00:13:27.020 --> 00:13:28.300 There are certain Jews 00:13:28.300 --> 00:13:29.200 whom you have appointed 00:13:29.200 --> 00:13:30.040 over the affairs 00:13:30.040 --> 00:13:31.360 of the province of Babylon, 00:13:31.940 --> 00:13:33.820 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 00:13:34.560 --> 00:13:35.900 And these men, O king, 00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:37.400 pay no attention to you, 00:13:37.460 --> 00:13:39.080 and they do not serve your gods 00:13:39.080 --> 00:13:40.500 or worship the golden image 00:13:40.500 --> 00:13:41.680 that you have set up. 00:13:42.580 --> 00:13:43.900 So then Nebuchadnezzar, 00:13:43.980 --> 00:13:44.860 in a furious rage, 00:13:44.860 --> 00:13:46.539 commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, 00:13:46.600 --> 00:13:47.759 and Abednego be brought. 00:13:48.940 --> 00:13:50.039 And so they brought these men 00:13:50.039 --> 00:13:50.800 before the king, 00:13:50.940 --> 00:13:52.919 and Nebuchadnezzar answered 00:13:52.919 --> 00:13:54.039 and said to them this, 00:13:54.139 --> 00:13:56.039 Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, 00:13:56.100 --> 00:13:56.560 and Abednego, 00:13:57.159 --> 00:13:58.820 that you do not serve my gods 00:13:58.820 --> 00:13:59.960 or worship the golden image 00:13:59.960 --> 00:14:01.060 that I have set up? 00:14:01.700 --> 00:14:02.720 Now if you are ready 00:14:02.720 --> 00:14:03.740 when you hear the sound 00:14:03.740 --> 00:14:04.919 of the horn, the pipe, 00:14:05.039 --> 00:14:06.139 the lyre, the trigon, 00:14:06.539 --> 00:14:07.720 the harp, the bagpipe, 00:14:07.779 --> 00:14:08.800 and every kind of music 00:14:08.800 --> 00:14:09.700 to fall down 00:14:09.700 --> 00:14:10.680 and worship the image 00:14:10.680 --> 00:14:11.360 that I have made, 00:14:12.000 --> 00:14:12.560 well, and good. 00:14:12.559 --> 00:14:14.439 But if you do not worship, 00:14:14.579 --> 00:14:16.359 you shall be immediately cast 00:14:16.359 --> 00:14:17.959 into a burning, fiery furnace. 00:14:18.319 --> 00:14:19.519 And who is the God 00:14:19.519 --> 00:14:20.619 who will then deliver you 00:14:20.619 --> 00:14:21.559 out of my hands? 00:14:22.459 --> 00:14:23.539 So Shadrach, Meshach, 00:14:23.579 --> 00:14:24.399 and Abednego answered 00:14:24.399 --> 00:14:25.419 and said to the king, 00:14:25.539 --> 00:14:26.419 O Nebuchadnezzar, 00:14:26.459 --> 00:14:27.399 we have no need 00:14:27.399 --> 00:14:28.679 to answer you in this matter. 00:14:29.079 --> 00:14:30.059 If this be so, 00:14:30.179 --> 00:14:31.579 our God whom we serve 00:14:31.579 --> 00:14:32.839 is able to deliver us 00:14:32.839 --> 00:14:34.299 from the burning, fiery furnace, 00:14:34.639 --> 00:14:35.959 and he will deliver us 00:14:35.959 --> 00:14:37.659 out of your hand, O king. 00:14:38.239 --> 00:14:39.319 But if not, 00:14:39.419 --> 00:14:40.759 be it known to you, O king, 00:14:40.759 --> 00:14:42.379 that we will not serve your gods 00:14:42.379 --> 00:14:43.799 or worship the golden image 00:14:43.799 --> 00:14:45.480 that you have set up. 00:14:45.919 --> 00:14:46.819 The second point 00:14:46.819 --> 00:14:47.679 we can learn from this 00:14:47.679 --> 00:14:49.220 is that real faith stands 00:14:49.220 --> 00:14:51.000 even when it costs. 00:14:52.799 --> 00:14:54.080 So here are these men, 00:14:54.179 --> 00:14:55.340 these leaders in Babylon 00:14:55.340 --> 00:14:57.059 of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, 00:14:57.620 --> 00:14:59.200 and they do something 00:14:59.200 --> 00:15:00.639 that no one else does. 00:15:00.779 --> 00:15:02.299 They stand in refusal 00:15:02.299 --> 00:15:03.439 of the demand 00:15:03.439 --> 00:15:04.799 of King Nebuchadnezzar. 00:15:04.799 --> 00:15:07.419 And the king hears 00:15:07.419 --> 00:15:08.059 that these men 00:15:08.059 --> 00:15:09.379 refuse to bow down. 00:15:10.599 --> 00:15:11.359 And they've been told, 00:15:11.500 --> 00:15:12.500 and the king has been told this 00:15:12.500 --> 00:15:13.799 by different people 00:15:13.799 --> 00:15:14.539 from the kingdom, 00:15:14.779 --> 00:15:15.759 and whether these people 00:15:15.759 --> 00:15:18.439 had something against the Jews, 00:15:18.579 --> 00:15:19.559 we do not know. 00:15:20.279 --> 00:15:21.659 But they come to the king 00:15:21.659 --> 00:15:22.379 and they say this, 00:15:22.459 --> 00:15:24.059 those Jews that you appointed 00:15:24.059 --> 00:15:25.419 have ignored the king 00:15:25.419 --> 00:15:28.500 and instead stand against your word. 00:15:29.179 --> 00:15:30.659 So the king brings them 00:15:30.659 --> 00:15:31.379 into the kingdom, 00:15:32.000 --> 00:15:33.240 to the throne room, 00:15:33.240 --> 00:15:34.340 and looks at these men 00:15:34.340 --> 00:15:35.820 and asks this question. 00:15:36.399 --> 00:15:37.080 Is it true 00:15:37.080 --> 00:15:38.940 that you do not serve my gods 00:15:38.940 --> 00:15:40.259 or worship the gold statue 00:15:40.259 --> 00:15:41.200 that I have set up? 00:15:42.360 --> 00:15:42.960 He says this, 00:15:43.000 --> 00:15:44.659 so I can see with my own eyes. 00:15:45.240 --> 00:15:46.519 We'll have the music play. 00:15:46.620 --> 00:15:47.799 We'll play the music for you. 00:15:48.080 --> 00:15:49.399 And in front of me, 00:15:49.720 --> 00:15:50.960 bow down and worship, 00:15:51.279 --> 00:15:52.899 or you will be thrown 00:15:52.899 --> 00:15:54.279 into the fiery furnace. 00:15:55.860 --> 00:15:58.080 And I think how hard it must be 00:15:58.080 --> 00:15:59.720 for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego 00:15:59.720 --> 00:16:01.960 to stare at the face of the king, 00:16:01.960 --> 00:16:03.620 not just in their own home, 00:16:03.879 --> 00:16:05.060 not just publicly, 00:16:05.280 --> 00:16:07.080 but to stare at the face of the king 00:16:07.080 --> 00:16:09.060 who holds all the power of the land, 00:16:09.620 --> 00:16:12.960 and to still disobey his law. 00:16:14.480 --> 00:16:15.740 And in that moment, 00:16:15.860 --> 00:16:17.280 they have a choice. 00:16:17.420 --> 00:16:20.040 Do we bow to the king of Babylon, 00:16:20.480 --> 00:16:22.639 or do we stand and worship 00:16:22.639 --> 00:16:24.340 the king of all kings? 00:16:24.340 --> 00:16:28.060 And Nebuchadnezzar asks a question 00:16:28.060 --> 00:16:29.720 that sparks an incredible response. 00:16:29.840 --> 00:16:30.280 He asks this, 00:16:30.480 --> 00:16:32.500 who is the God who will rescue you 00:16:32.500 --> 00:16:33.300 from my power? 00:16:34.960 --> 00:16:36.680 And what Nebuchadnezzar is really 00:16:36.680 --> 00:16:38.860 giving them two situations, 00:16:39.100 --> 00:16:39.860 he says this, 00:16:40.120 --> 00:16:42.000 you can either do one, 00:16:42.300 --> 00:16:43.660 keep standing for a God 00:16:43.660 --> 00:16:45.360 whom I do not see, 00:16:45.960 --> 00:16:47.560 who cannot save you, 00:16:48.259 --> 00:16:49.519 and you will die in the furnace 00:16:49.519 --> 00:16:50.259 in response. 00:16:50.259 --> 00:16:51.580 Or, 00:16:52.259 --> 00:16:53.639 you can bow to me, 00:16:53.860 --> 00:16:55.399 the king who you can see, 00:16:55.580 --> 00:16:56.200 can hear, 00:16:56.319 --> 00:16:57.059 can touch, 00:16:58.340 --> 00:16:59.299 and who has the power 00:16:59.299 --> 00:17:01.059 to physically pull you 00:17:01.059 --> 00:17:02.179 from the fire, 00:17:02.360 --> 00:17:03.559 from the hands of the fire. 00:17:05.180 --> 00:17:05.660 Now, 00:17:05.720 --> 00:17:07.379 we have all been asked this question 00:17:07.379 --> 00:17:08.420 in one form or another, 00:17:08.599 --> 00:17:10.299 and maybe not in the chance 00:17:10.299 --> 00:17:11.119 of being thrown into 00:17:11.119 --> 00:17:12.400 an actual fiery furnace. 00:17:12.599 --> 00:17:13.359 If that is your story, 00:17:13.420 --> 00:17:14.359 I would love to hear it 00:17:14.359 --> 00:17:15.059 because that is 00:17:15.059 --> 00:17:16.119 what incredible testimony 00:17:16.119 --> 00:17:16.839 that would be. 00:17:16.839 --> 00:17:18.240 But instead, 00:17:18.339 --> 00:17:20.179 we stare in the mirror 00:17:20.179 --> 00:17:20.980 and we ask this, 00:17:21.079 --> 00:17:22.259 who is the God 00:17:22.259 --> 00:17:23.480 that we will serve? 00:17:23.980 --> 00:17:25.379 Who is the God 00:17:25.379 --> 00:17:27.359 that we will serve 00:17:27.359 --> 00:17:28.220 that will eventually 00:17:28.220 --> 00:17:29.500 save us? 00:17:31.220 --> 00:17:32.099 And obviously, 00:17:32.259 --> 00:17:33.099 if you read ahead 00:17:33.099 --> 00:17:33.839 into the Bible 00:17:33.839 --> 00:17:35.559 and to the whole theme 00:17:35.559 --> 00:17:36.399 of the text 00:17:36.399 --> 00:17:37.519 is that there is 00:17:37.519 --> 00:17:38.779 an obvious answer, 00:17:39.919 --> 00:17:40.679 but oftentimes, 00:17:41.119 --> 00:17:41.939 we look in the mirror 00:17:41.939 --> 00:17:44.019 and we think things 00:17:44.019 --> 00:17:44.720 such as this, 00:17:44.720 --> 00:17:44.980 well, 00:17:45.120 --> 00:17:46.319 I've lived quite a life 00:17:46.319 --> 00:17:46.920 by myself. 00:17:47.700 --> 00:17:48.920 I've lived a life 00:17:48.920 --> 00:17:49.579 where I've weighed 00:17:49.579 --> 00:17:50.700 the good and the bad, 00:17:50.759 --> 00:17:51.259 and I've made 00:17:51.259 --> 00:17:52.279 some pretty good choices. 00:17:52.940 --> 00:17:54.019 I have been able 00:17:54.019 --> 00:17:54.860 to get through 00:17:54.860 --> 00:17:56.059 some hard times 00:17:56.059 --> 00:17:56.980 by myself. 00:17:57.160 --> 00:17:58.880 Maybe I'll just bet on me. 00:17:59.579 --> 00:18:00.779 Maybe I'll just handle it 00:18:00.779 --> 00:18:01.559 by myself 00:18:01.559 --> 00:18:02.860 because there is no God 00:18:02.860 --> 00:18:04.299 that I can see or hear, 00:18:04.420 --> 00:18:05.299 so I will do it 00:18:05.299 --> 00:18:06.559 on my own. 00:18:08.200 --> 00:18:09.440 Others may look 00:18:09.440 --> 00:18:10.579 at the faces of culture 00:18:10.579 --> 00:18:11.559 and to people 00:18:11.559 --> 00:18:12.400 in our culture 00:18:12.400 --> 00:18:13.339 as seen as higher 00:18:13.339 --> 00:18:13.920 than others, 00:18:13.920 --> 00:18:15.080 and this might be 00:18:15.080 --> 00:18:15.500 a singer 00:18:15.500 --> 00:18:16.340 or an actor 00:18:16.340 --> 00:18:17.580 or a political figure, 00:18:17.580 --> 00:18:18.180 and they say, 00:18:18.279 --> 00:18:18.380 well, 00:18:18.440 --> 00:18:19.860 if I just follow them, 00:18:19.900 --> 00:18:20.740 I will find 00:18:20.740 --> 00:18:21.759 the same success 00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:22.900 that they do. 00:18:23.380 --> 00:18:25.940 So I will mimic them 00:18:25.940 --> 00:18:27.160 and then I will find 00:18:27.160 --> 00:18:28.640 that I will have 00:18:28.640 --> 00:18:29.539 the same success 00:18:29.539 --> 00:18:30.080 as them. 00:18:31.539 --> 00:18:32.519 Others of us 00:18:32.519 --> 00:18:33.880 look to our people 00:18:33.880 --> 00:18:34.840 in our church 00:18:34.840 --> 00:18:35.380 and we say, 00:18:35.539 --> 00:18:35.700 well, 00:18:35.860 --> 00:18:37.519 if we just mimic 00:18:37.519 --> 00:18:38.320 our lives 00:18:38.320 --> 00:18:39.360 around our pastor 00:18:39.360 --> 00:18:40.160 or around 00:18:40.160 --> 00:18:41.980 our small group leader 00:18:41.980 --> 00:18:43.160 or around this 00:18:43.160 --> 00:18:44.120 or that person 00:18:44.120 --> 00:18:44.940 in our church, 00:18:45.000 --> 00:18:45.779 then obviously 00:18:45.779 --> 00:18:47.400 they have it figured out, 00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:49.400 so I'll have it figured out. 00:18:50.740 --> 00:18:51.380 And now, 00:18:51.500 --> 00:18:52.319 as fun as it is 00:18:52.319 --> 00:18:53.099 to have a bunch 00:18:53.099 --> 00:18:53.799 of little pastors 00:18:53.799 --> 00:18:54.339 in the room, 00:18:54.440 --> 00:18:55.140 a bunch of little Bretts 00:18:55.140 --> 00:18:56.099 following Bret everywhere 00:18:56.099 --> 00:18:57.400 and doing what he does, 00:18:59.440 --> 00:19:00.460 humanity 00:19:00.460 --> 00:19:01.519 will eventually 00:19:01.519 --> 00:19:02.700 fail you. 00:19:03.279 --> 00:19:03.660 Following 00:19:03.660 --> 00:19:05.400 a human God 00:19:05.400 --> 00:19:06.140 will eventually 00:19:06.140 --> 00:19:07.220 fail you. 00:19:07.920 --> 00:19:08.700 That person 00:19:08.700 --> 00:19:09.500 you look to 00:19:09.500 --> 00:19:10.059 will eventually 00:19:10.059 --> 00:19:11.299 falter in something. 00:19:12.259 --> 00:19:13.059 They will eventually 00:19:13.059 --> 00:19:14.240 do something wrong 00:19:14.240 --> 00:19:14.980 that you see 00:19:14.980 --> 00:19:16.000 as such a big deal. 00:19:16.079 --> 00:19:16.619 They will eventually 00:19:16.619 --> 00:19:17.640 say something 00:19:17.640 --> 00:19:18.859 that you might take 00:19:18.859 --> 00:19:19.539 as hurtful 00:19:19.539 --> 00:19:20.460 in the end of the world 00:19:20.460 --> 00:19:23.160 and your whole belief 00:19:23.160 --> 00:19:23.960 will crumble. 00:19:25.140 --> 00:19:26.180 That they have it 00:19:26.180 --> 00:19:26.940 all figured out, 00:19:27.059 --> 00:19:27.880 so if I just do 00:19:27.880 --> 00:19:28.759 what they do, 00:19:29.099 --> 00:19:30.259 I'll have it figured out. 00:19:30.960 --> 00:19:32.359 And when they falter, 00:19:32.700 --> 00:19:33.480 you falter. 00:19:35.619 --> 00:19:36.460 But really, 00:19:36.660 --> 00:19:37.500 if you look to this, 00:19:37.599 --> 00:19:38.720 the God of the Bible, 00:19:38.720 --> 00:19:40.279 the one who has sent 00:19:40.279 --> 00:19:41.720 his son down across 00:19:41.720 --> 00:19:43.059 so we may forever 00:19:43.059 --> 00:19:44.180 look upon his face 00:19:44.180 --> 00:19:44.759 in eternity, 00:19:45.559 --> 00:19:46.860 the one who lives 00:19:46.860 --> 00:19:47.680 within us, 00:19:47.819 --> 00:19:48.420 guiding us 00:19:48.420 --> 00:19:49.440 to do right and wrong, 00:19:49.720 --> 00:19:51.200 only this God 00:19:51.200 --> 00:19:52.420 is the God 00:19:52.420 --> 00:19:53.440 worth worshiping. 00:19:54.279 --> 00:19:55.019 And so what do 00:19:55.019 --> 00:19:55.860 these men do? 00:19:55.960 --> 00:19:57.200 They give a response 00:19:57.200 --> 00:19:58.220 of all responses, 00:19:58.799 --> 00:19:59.779 which I don't think 00:19:59.779 --> 00:20:00.740 I would have the courage 00:20:00.740 --> 00:20:01.880 to say to a king 00:20:01.880 --> 00:20:02.839 who is about to throw me 00:20:02.839 --> 00:20:03.400 into a furnace. 00:20:04.360 --> 00:20:04.880 They say, 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:06.059 O Nebuchadnezzar, 00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:07.599 we have no need 00:20:07.599 --> 00:20:08.200 to answer you 00:20:08.200 --> 00:20:08.799 in this matter. 00:20:08.919 --> 00:20:10.019 If this be so, 00:20:10.019 --> 00:20:11.500 our God whom we serve 00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:12.859 is able to deliver us 00:20:12.859 --> 00:20:13.500 from the burning, 00:20:13.700 --> 00:20:14.200 fiery furnace, 00:20:14.599 --> 00:20:16.039 and he will deliver us 00:20:16.039 --> 00:20:17.000 out of your hand, 00:20:17.079 --> 00:20:17.539 O king. 00:20:18.079 --> 00:20:19.039 But if not, 00:20:19.099 --> 00:20:19.960 be it known to you, 00:20:20.019 --> 00:20:20.339 O king, 00:20:20.379 --> 00:20:21.019 that we will not 00:20:21.019 --> 00:20:21.940 serve your gods 00:20:21.940 --> 00:20:23.440 or worship the golden image 00:20:23.440 --> 00:20:24.700 that you have set up. 00:20:25.899 --> 00:20:27.240 They take a stand 00:20:27.240 --> 00:20:28.019 against the power 00:20:28.019 --> 00:20:28.539 in the room 00:20:28.539 --> 00:20:29.000 and say, 00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:30.079 you might be 00:20:30.079 --> 00:20:31.079 a powerful king, 00:20:31.200 --> 00:20:31.740 Nebuchadnezzar. 00:20:32.220 --> 00:20:33.299 You might have 00:20:33.299 --> 00:20:34.819 a glorious big statue 00:20:34.819 --> 00:20:36.039 overlaid with gold, 00:20:36.160 --> 00:20:37.119 but guess what? 00:20:37.319 --> 00:20:38.559 We serve a God 00:20:38.559 --> 00:20:39.240 much bigger, 00:20:39.339 --> 00:20:40.519 more powerful than you. 00:20:41.180 --> 00:20:42.359 We serve a God 00:20:42.359 --> 00:20:43.779 whose robe in Isaiah 00:20:43.779 --> 00:20:44.619 tells us that 00:20:44.619 --> 00:20:46.420 it fills a throne room. 00:20:47.220 --> 00:20:48.319 We serve a God 00:20:48.319 --> 00:20:49.539 who will strike down 00:20:49.539 --> 00:20:50.740 in literally the dream 00:20:50.740 --> 00:20:51.640 you just had 00:20:51.640 --> 00:20:53.359 every single kingdom 00:20:53.359 --> 00:20:54.799 that comes after yours 00:20:54.799 --> 00:20:56.519 and will provide us 00:20:56.519 --> 00:20:58.059 with an everlasting kingdom 00:20:58.059 --> 00:20:59.059 that we will live 00:20:59.059 --> 00:21:01.039 with him in forever. 00:21:01.379 --> 00:21:02.879 We will serve that God, 00:21:03.099 --> 00:21:03.819 not you. 00:21:04.159 --> 00:21:05.379 We refuse to bow 00:21:05.379 --> 00:21:06.339 because we would rather 00:21:06.339 --> 00:21:07.240 do anything 00:21:07.240 --> 00:21:08.759 but bow to you, 00:21:08.899 --> 00:21:09.679 O Nebuchadnezzar, 00:21:09.740 --> 00:21:10.839 and this is a picture 00:21:10.839 --> 00:21:11.740 of real faith. 00:21:12.960 --> 00:21:13.819 We as believers 00:21:13.819 --> 00:21:14.839 should look at this 00:21:14.839 --> 00:21:15.879 and turn to culture 00:21:15.879 --> 00:21:17.179 and repeat this. 00:21:17.940 --> 00:21:19.019 Yes, culture, 00:21:19.119 --> 00:21:19.960 you can mock me, 00:21:20.079 --> 00:21:20.299 people, 00:21:20.399 --> 00:21:21.200 you can scorn me, 00:21:21.299 --> 00:21:21.960 make fun of me, 00:21:22.099 --> 00:21:22.899 call me names, 00:21:23.119 --> 00:21:23.720 threaten me, 00:21:23.899 --> 00:21:24.539 scare me. 00:21:25.359 --> 00:21:25.679 Devil, 00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:27.000 you may throw everything 00:21:27.000 --> 00:21:27.779 in your arsenal 00:21:27.779 --> 00:21:28.279 at me, 00:21:28.359 --> 00:21:29.500 and yet I serve 00:21:29.500 --> 00:21:30.500 a bigger God 00:21:30.500 --> 00:21:31.099 than you 00:21:31.099 --> 00:21:32.359 who that one day 00:21:32.359 --> 00:21:33.319 in my text, 00:21:33.379 --> 00:21:34.000 in my Bible, 00:21:34.099 --> 00:21:34.879 says that he will 00:21:34.879 --> 00:21:36.420 defeat you forevermore 00:21:36.420 --> 00:21:38.000 and you will be nothing. 00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:40.019 And these men 00:21:40.019 --> 00:21:41.000 show us the key 00:21:41.000 --> 00:21:42.279 to a resilient faith. 00:21:43.259 --> 00:21:43.940 These men 00:21:43.940 --> 00:21:44.779 show us the key 00:21:44.779 --> 00:21:46.379 to true obedience 00:21:46.379 --> 00:21:47.399 to the Lord 00:21:47.399 --> 00:21:48.759 in the face of danger. 00:21:49.899 --> 00:21:50.660 These men 00:21:50.660 --> 00:21:51.899 show us what it looks like 00:21:51.899 --> 00:21:53.599 to live more like God 00:21:53.599 --> 00:21:55.539 in any situation. 00:21:55.539 --> 00:21:57.700 And so you're like, 00:21:57.740 --> 00:21:58.659 well, how's the story end? 00:21:58.720 --> 00:21:59.299 Well, if you grew up 00:21:59.299 --> 00:21:59.899 in church, you know, 00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:00.920 but let's continue 00:22:00.920 --> 00:22:02.319 in verse 19. 00:22:03.460 --> 00:22:04.259 It says this, 00:22:04.259 --> 00:22:04.940 and Nebuchadnezzar 00:22:04.940 --> 00:22:05.899 was filled with fury 00:22:05.899 --> 00:22:06.619 and the expression 00:22:06.619 --> 00:22:07.339 of his face 00:22:07.339 --> 00:22:08.220 was changed 00:22:08.220 --> 00:22:09.079 against Shadrach, 00:22:09.180 --> 00:22:09.539 Meshach, 00:22:09.619 --> 00:22:10.079 and Abednego. 00:22:10.819 --> 00:22:11.519 And he ordered 00:22:11.519 --> 00:22:12.379 the furnace heated 00:22:12.379 --> 00:22:13.579 seven times more 00:22:13.579 --> 00:22:14.980 than it was usually heated. 00:22:15.759 --> 00:22:16.420 And he ordered 00:22:16.420 --> 00:22:17.359 some of the mighty men 00:22:17.359 --> 00:22:17.879 of his army 00:22:17.879 --> 00:22:19.180 to bind Shadrach, 00:22:19.299 --> 00:22:19.720 Meshach, 00:22:19.819 --> 00:22:20.319 and Abednego 00:22:20.319 --> 00:22:21.779 and to cast them 00:22:21.779 --> 00:22:22.579 into the burning, 00:22:22.879 --> 00:22:23.519 fiery furnace. 00:22:24.639 --> 00:22:25.559 Then these men 00:22:25.559 --> 00:22:26.019 were bound 00:22:26.019 --> 00:22:26.700 in their cloaks 00:22:26.700 --> 00:22:27.439 and their tunics, 00:22:27.639 --> 00:22:28.119 their hats 00:22:28.119 --> 00:22:28.980 and their other garments, 00:22:29.339 --> 00:22:29.980 and they were thrown 00:22:29.980 --> 00:22:30.759 into the burning, 00:22:30.939 --> 00:22:31.599 fiery furnace. 00:22:32.480 --> 00:22:33.519 Because the king's order 00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:34.099 was urgent 00:22:34.099 --> 00:22:34.599 and the furnace 00:22:34.599 --> 00:22:35.480 was overheated, 00:22:35.559 --> 00:22:36.139 the flame, 00:22:36.259 --> 00:22:36.639 the fire, 00:22:36.759 --> 00:22:37.659 killed those men 00:22:37.659 --> 00:22:38.480 who took up 00:22:38.480 --> 00:22:39.039 Shadrach, 00:22:39.220 --> 00:22:39.700 Meshach, 00:22:39.799 --> 00:22:40.639 and Abednego. 00:22:41.419 --> 00:22:42.720 And these three men, 00:22:42.839 --> 00:22:43.220 Shadrach, 00:22:43.299 --> 00:22:43.659 Meshach, 00:22:43.700 --> 00:22:44.119 and Abednego, 00:22:44.240 --> 00:22:44.859 fell bound 00:22:44.859 --> 00:22:45.659 into the burning, 00:22:45.859 --> 00:22:46.379 fiery furnace. 00:22:46.380 --> 00:22:48.860 And then king Nebuchadnezzar 00:22:48.860 --> 00:22:49.640 was astonished 00:22:49.640 --> 00:22:51.520 and rose up in haste. 00:22:51.820 --> 00:22:52.140 He declared 00:22:52.140 --> 00:22:52.740 to his counselors, 00:22:52.920 --> 00:22:53.940 Did we not cast 00:22:53.940 --> 00:22:54.660 three men 00:22:54.660 --> 00:22:55.500 bound into the fire? 00:22:56.440 --> 00:22:56.840 They answered 00:22:56.840 --> 00:22:57.520 and said to the king, 00:22:57.600 --> 00:22:58.100 Oh, true. 00:22:59.040 --> 00:23:00.040 He answered and said this, 00:23:00.120 --> 00:23:01.120 But I see four men 00:23:01.120 --> 00:23:01.700 unbound, 00:23:01.960 --> 00:23:02.960 walking in the midst 00:23:02.960 --> 00:23:03.560 of the fire, 00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:04.660 and they are not hurt, 00:23:04.900 --> 00:23:05.580 and the appearance 00:23:05.580 --> 00:23:06.140 of the fourth 00:23:06.140 --> 00:23:07.040 is like a son 00:23:07.040 --> 00:23:08.080 of the gods. 00:23:09.560 --> 00:23:10.500 Then Nebuchadnezzar 00:23:10.500 --> 00:23:11.520 came near to the door 00:23:11.520 --> 00:23:12.020 of the burning, 00:23:12.240 --> 00:23:12.700 fiery furnace, 00:23:12.900 --> 00:23:13.600 and he declared, 00:23:13.800 --> 00:23:14.440 Shadrach, 00:23:14.660 --> 00:23:15.220 Meshach, 00:23:15.300 --> 00:23:15.760 Abednego, 00:23:15.759 --> 00:23:16.920 servants of the 00:23:16.920 --> 00:23:17.900 Most High God, 00:23:18.019 --> 00:23:18.640 come out 00:23:18.640 --> 00:23:19.519 and come here. 00:23:20.539 --> 00:23:21.279 Then Shadrach, 00:23:21.359 --> 00:23:21.700 Meshach, 00:23:21.740 --> 00:23:22.140 and Abednego 00:23:22.140 --> 00:23:23.039 came out 00:23:23.039 --> 00:23:24.079 from the fire. 00:23:24.660 --> 00:23:25.619 And the satraps 00:23:25.619 --> 00:23:26.420 and the prefects, 00:23:26.440 --> 00:23:26.920 the governors, 00:23:27.119 --> 00:23:27.920 and the king's counselors 00:23:27.920 --> 00:23:28.740 gathered together 00:23:28.740 --> 00:23:29.900 and saw that the fire 00:23:29.900 --> 00:23:31.339 had not had any power 00:23:31.339 --> 00:23:32.200 over the bodies 00:23:32.200 --> 00:23:32.960 of those men. 00:23:33.680 --> 00:23:34.519 The hair of their heads 00:23:34.519 --> 00:23:35.339 was not singed, 00:23:35.400 --> 00:23:35.859 their cloaks 00:23:35.859 --> 00:23:36.519 were not harmed, 00:23:36.619 --> 00:23:37.720 and no smell of fire 00:23:37.720 --> 00:23:38.980 had come upon them. 00:23:39.879 --> 00:23:40.519 And Nebuchadnezzar 00:23:40.519 --> 00:23:41.599 answered and said this, 00:23:41.680 --> 00:23:43.119 Blessed be the God 00:23:43.119 --> 00:23:43.759 of Shadrach, 00:23:43.839 --> 00:23:44.259 Meshach, 00:23:44.319 --> 00:23:44.799 and Abednego, 00:23:44.799 --> 00:23:46.419 who has sent his angel 00:23:46.419 --> 00:23:47.559 and delivered his servants 00:23:47.559 --> 00:23:48.639 who trusted him 00:23:48.639 --> 00:23:49.500 and set aside 00:23:49.500 --> 00:23:50.399 the king's command 00:23:50.399 --> 00:23:52.259 and yielded up their bodies 00:23:52.259 --> 00:23:53.200 rather than serve 00:23:53.200 --> 00:23:54.379 and worship any god 00:23:54.379 --> 00:23:55.480 except their own god. 00:23:56.279 --> 00:23:56.759 Therefore, 00:23:56.960 --> 00:23:57.819 I make a decree, 00:23:58.519 --> 00:23:59.240 any people, 00:23:59.399 --> 00:23:59.659 nation, 00:23:59.700 --> 00:24:00.139 or language 00:24:00.139 --> 00:24:01.139 that speaks anything 00:24:01.139 --> 00:24:02.319 against the God 00:24:02.319 --> 00:24:02.899 of Shadrach, 00:24:02.980 --> 00:24:03.339 Meshach, 00:24:03.399 --> 00:24:03.859 and Abednego 00:24:03.859 --> 00:24:04.839 shall be torn 00:24:04.839 --> 00:24:05.799 limb from limb 00:24:05.799 --> 00:24:06.399 and their houses 00:24:06.399 --> 00:24:07.279 laid in ruins, 00:24:07.279 --> 00:24:09.259 for there is no other god 00:24:09.259 --> 00:24:10.460 who is able to rescue 00:24:10.460 --> 00:24:11.519 in this way. 00:24:11.519 --> 00:24:13.139 And the king promoted 00:24:13.139 --> 00:24:13.660 Shadrach, 00:24:13.799 --> 00:24:14.160 Meshach, 00:24:14.240 --> 00:24:14.740 and Abednego 00:24:14.740 --> 00:24:15.700 in the province 00:24:15.700 --> 00:24:16.319 of Babylon. 00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:18.160 The third and final thing 00:24:18.160 --> 00:24:19.480 we see from the story 00:24:19.480 --> 00:24:20.619 is that God meets 00:24:20.619 --> 00:24:21.200 his people 00:24:21.200 --> 00:24:22.200 in the fire. 00:24:23.920 --> 00:24:25.160 So in response 00:24:25.160 --> 00:24:26.460 to them telling 00:24:26.460 --> 00:24:27.420 King Nebuchadnezzar 00:24:27.420 --> 00:24:28.220 that they will not 00:24:28.220 --> 00:24:29.379 bow down to him, 00:24:30.859 --> 00:24:32.160 he tells his guards, 00:24:32.240 --> 00:24:32.539 he says, 00:24:32.680 --> 00:24:33.500 make it hotter, 00:24:33.799 --> 00:24:34.299 turn it up, 00:24:34.400 --> 00:24:35.279 turn the flame 00:24:35.279 --> 00:24:37.220 seven times hotter. 00:24:37.220 --> 00:24:39.680 And you know what? 00:24:39.779 --> 00:24:40.740 Just for extra measure, 00:24:41.140 --> 00:24:41.940 tie them up. 00:24:42.220 --> 00:24:43.400 Make sure that they 00:24:43.400 --> 00:24:44.400 experience this 00:24:44.400 --> 00:24:45.319 to the full. 00:24:46.460 --> 00:24:48.000 And he throws them in 00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:49.039 and in doing so, 00:24:49.259 --> 00:24:51.500 sacrifices some of his own men 00:24:51.500 --> 00:24:52.680 in throwing Shadrach, 00:24:52.759 --> 00:24:53.160 Meshach, 00:24:53.220 --> 00:24:53.620 and Abednego 00:24:53.620 --> 00:24:54.700 into the flame. 00:24:55.960 --> 00:24:57.140 And what we see is this, 00:24:57.200 --> 00:24:58.480 is that King Nebuchadnezzar 00:24:58.480 --> 00:25:00.440 says what he is going to do, 00:25:00.740 --> 00:25:01.579 does what he says 00:25:01.579 --> 00:25:02.380 he is going to do. 00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:03.460 He throws these men 00:25:03.460 --> 00:25:04.240 into the fire 00:25:04.240 --> 00:25:05.460 and in doing so, 00:25:05.539 --> 00:25:05.720 church, 00:25:05.779 --> 00:25:06.799 we see a hard truth 00:25:06.799 --> 00:25:07.940 that we must face. 00:25:09.200 --> 00:25:11.079 Standing against Babylon, 00:25:11.480 --> 00:25:12.619 standing against the world 00:25:12.619 --> 00:25:13.980 that we live in 00:25:13.980 --> 00:25:16.379 might have earthly consequences. 00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:18.700 You might stand 00:25:18.700 --> 00:25:20.019 and find that the result 00:25:20.019 --> 00:25:21.539 is less than lovely. 00:25:22.619 --> 00:25:23.720 You might find 00:25:23.720 --> 00:25:24.639 that in defiance 00:25:24.639 --> 00:25:25.319 of the world 00:25:25.319 --> 00:25:26.759 that you get thrown down 00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:27.859 into your own 00:25:27.859 --> 00:25:29.000 fiery furnace. 00:25:30.539 --> 00:25:31.440 But there is something 00:25:31.440 --> 00:25:32.819 that is so great 00:25:32.819 --> 00:25:33.339 is this, 00:25:33.399 --> 00:25:33.940 that no matter 00:25:33.940 --> 00:25:34.659 what the world 00:25:34.659 --> 00:25:35.379 throws at you, 00:25:35.500 --> 00:25:36.419 no matter how hot 00:25:36.420 --> 00:25:37.840 the flames of culture are, 00:25:38.200 --> 00:25:39.740 nothing can separate us 00:25:39.740 --> 00:25:40.460 from the love 00:25:40.460 --> 00:25:41.600 and the power of God. 00:25:42.140 --> 00:25:43.259 Nothing can take away 00:25:43.259 --> 00:25:43.940 our faith 00:25:43.940 --> 00:25:44.759 in the almighty 00:25:44.759 --> 00:25:46.200 saving God. 00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:47.759 And what this fire does 00:25:47.759 --> 00:25:49.160 is it doesn't snuff out 00:25:49.160 --> 00:25:49.920 God's presence, 00:25:50.100 --> 00:25:51.820 it reveals God's presence 00:25:51.820 --> 00:25:52.600 in our lives 00:25:52.600 --> 00:25:53.940 and to all of those 00:25:53.940 --> 00:25:55.160 who may see it. 00:25:56.440 --> 00:25:58.140 Seniors in the room, 00:25:58.240 --> 00:26:00.420 you will have hard times. 00:26:01.180 --> 00:26:02.500 If you haven't heard 00:26:02.500 --> 00:26:03.279 from your parents 00:26:03.279 --> 00:26:04.420 or from any adult 00:26:04.420 --> 00:26:04.820 in the room, 00:26:04.900 --> 00:26:05.800 we can tell you 00:26:05.800 --> 00:26:07.539 hard times will come. 00:26:08.300 --> 00:26:09.320 You will face something 00:26:09.320 --> 00:26:11.180 that you are not prepared for. 00:26:12.300 --> 00:26:13.320 And oftentimes, 00:26:13.900 --> 00:26:15.400 people make this decision 00:26:15.400 --> 00:26:17.220 in the times of hardship. 00:26:18.279 --> 00:26:18.800 Obviously, 00:26:19.120 --> 00:26:20.279 because I am suffering, 00:26:20.480 --> 00:26:21.779 the Lord must not be present. 00:26:22.940 --> 00:26:24.660 The Lord must have left me. 00:26:24.800 --> 00:26:26.539 The suffering leads us 00:26:26.539 --> 00:26:27.900 to find this place 00:26:27.900 --> 00:26:28.539 of loneliness. 00:26:30.140 --> 00:26:31.200 And circumstances 00:26:31.200 --> 00:26:31.900 such as this, 00:26:31.900 --> 00:26:32.140 well, 00:26:32.340 --> 00:26:33.900 I just failed this big test. 00:26:34.000 --> 00:26:35.720 I must not be loved by God. 00:26:36.100 --> 00:26:37.140 You must not want me 00:26:37.140 --> 00:26:37.860 to succeed 00:26:37.860 --> 00:26:40.080 in this path. 00:26:41.120 --> 00:26:41.560 Lord, 00:26:41.620 --> 00:26:43.060 this relationship ended. 00:26:43.280 --> 00:26:43.400 Lord, 00:26:43.460 --> 00:26:44.600 you must not want me 00:26:44.600 --> 00:26:45.340 to be happy 00:26:45.340 --> 00:26:47.660 to find everlasting peace 00:26:47.660 --> 00:26:48.960 in a marriage. 00:26:50.680 --> 00:26:51.160 God, 00:26:51.220 --> 00:26:52.080 you took away 00:26:52.080 --> 00:26:53.460 this person in my life, 00:26:53.519 --> 00:26:54.580 this loved one, 00:26:54.660 --> 00:26:56.000 or this hardship 00:26:56.000 --> 00:26:56.680 is happening, 00:26:56.820 --> 00:26:57.280 a disease 00:26:57.280 --> 00:26:59.540 has taken root 00:26:59.540 --> 00:27:00.940 into one of my family members. 00:27:00.940 --> 00:27:01.500 God, 00:27:01.620 --> 00:27:02.920 you must want me 00:27:02.920 --> 00:27:03.799 to be miserable. 00:27:04.140 --> 00:27:04.860 And in response, 00:27:04.980 --> 00:27:05.180 God, 00:27:05.259 --> 00:27:06.340 you must not be there. 00:27:08.200 --> 00:27:08.640 You see, 00:27:08.799 --> 00:27:09.860 what Nebuchadnezzar 00:27:09.860 --> 00:27:10.360 was hoping 00:27:10.360 --> 00:27:11.299 is that this fire 00:27:11.299 --> 00:27:12.299 would destroy 00:27:12.299 --> 00:27:13.799 the believers in God. 00:27:13.920 --> 00:27:15.400 But what we just said 00:27:15.400 --> 00:27:15.779 is this, 00:27:15.840 --> 00:27:16.420 is that the fire 00:27:16.420 --> 00:27:17.279 does not do that. 00:27:17.740 --> 00:27:18.799 It instead reveals 00:27:18.799 --> 00:27:19.640 that God is present 00:27:19.640 --> 00:27:20.920 and is not just 00:27:20.920 --> 00:27:22.019 the Son of God, 00:27:22.140 --> 00:27:23.059 all lowercase 00:27:23.059 --> 00:27:24.460 as we see in Daniel, 00:27:24.720 --> 00:27:25.620 but is the God 00:27:25.620 --> 00:27:26.380 who stands with us 00:27:26.380 --> 00:27:26.860 in the fire, 00:27:27.000 --> 00:27:27.680 capital G. 00:27:27.680 --> 00:27:29.279 and these men 00:27:29.279 --> 00:27:30.220 were called out 00:27:30.220 --> 00:27:31.160 to you by the king 00:27:31.160 --> 00:27:32.259 and Nebuchadnezzar says, 00:27:32.720 --> 00:27:33.060 come out, 00:27:33.160 --> 00:27:33.360 men, 00:27:33.460 --> 00:27:34.960 I see you standing there. 00:27:35.380 --> 00:27:36.000 What do you do? 00:27:36.080 --> 00:27:37.240 Come out of the fire. 00:27:38.519 --> 00:27:39.360 And they come out 00:27:39.360 --> 00:27:40.080 and one of my favorite 00:27:40.080 --> 00:27:40.980 details is this, 00:27:41.039 --> 00:27:41.980 is that none of them 00:27:41.980 --> 00:27:43.160 smell like they've even 00:27:43.160 --> 00:27:44.019 been near a fire. 00:27:45.060 --> 00:27:45.420 Now, 00:27:46.180 --> 00:27:47.240 I've been on a lot 00:27:47.240 --> 00:27:48.340 of campouts growing up. 00:27:48.740 --> 00:27:50.580 I've been camping 00:27:50.580 --> 00:27:51.340 with my parents 00:27:51.340 --> 00:27:52.039 because that is 00:27:52.039 --> 00:27:53.100 what they love to do. 00:27:53.620 --> 00:27:54.960 I was also in the Cub Scouts 00:27:54.960 --> 00:27:55.799 and the Boy Scouts, 00:27:55.960 --> 00:27:56.799 so we went on 00:27:56.799 --> 00:27:58.039 playing campouts 00:27:58.039 --> 00:27:58.720 as well as 00:27:58.720 --> 00:28:01.180 I was in college 00:28:01.180 --> 00:28:02.180 and what do a bunch 00:28:02.180 --> 00:28:03.740 of Christian believers 00:28:03.740 --> 00:28:05.299 do when they have 00:28:05.299 --> 00:28:06.500 an afternoon off? 00:28:06.680 --> 00:28:08.259 They have a bonfire 00:28:08.259 --> 00:28:09.279 and a worship night. 00:28:09.880 --> 00:28:10.720 And so I've been 00:28:10.720 --> 00:28:11.900 around a fire 00:28:11.900 --> 00:28:13.019 and what I can tell you 00:28:13.019 --> 00:28:13.380 is this, 00:28:13.460 --> 00:28:14.299 everyone knows 00:28:14.299 --> 00:28:15.240 you've been near a fire. 00:28:15.840 --> 00:28:16.700 You smell it. 00:28:18.039 --> 00:28:18.220 Okay, 00:28:18.319 --> 00:28:19.900 these men are in flames 00:28:19.900 --> 00:28:21.340 that are so hot 00:28:21.340 --> 00:28:22.240 that they're killing 00:28:22.240 --> 00:28:22.940 not only, 00:28:23.059 --> 00:28:24.940 not only them, 00:28:24.960 --> 00:28:26.200 not only is it meant 00:28:26.200 --> 00:28:27.180 to kill these men, 00:28:27.259 --> 00:28:28.120 but it also kills 00:28:28.120 --> 00:28:29.759 the men of Nebuchadnezzar. 00:28:30.420 --> 00:28:31.860 And they walk out 00:28:31.860 --> 00:28:32.840 and their clothes 00:28:32.840 --> 00:28:33.900 are unsinged 00:28:33.900 --> 00:28:34.740 and they don't even 00:28:34.740 --> 00:28:36.200 smell of the fire. 00:28:38.180 --> 00:28:39.299 And Nebuchadnezzar 00:28:39.299 --> 00:28:40.160 in response 00:28:40.160 --> 00:28:40.940 says this, 00:28:41.019 --> 00:28:41.299 he says, 00:28:41.380 --> 00:28:42.779 to praise the angel 00:28:42.779 --> 00:28:43.840 that has saved them. 00:28:44.100 --> 00:28:45.000 And we all know 00:28:45.000 --> 00:28:45.559 who this is. 00:28:45.620 --> 00:28:47.420 This is the Son of God. 00:28:47.480 --> 00:28:48.220 This is Jesus 00:28:48.220 --> 00:28:49.420 who came to save 00:28:49.420 --> 00:28:49.980 these men 00:28:49.980 --> 00:28:51.380 from the fire. 00:28:51.660 --> 00:28:53.000 And what this really is 00:28:53.000 --> 00:28:53.680 is that this is 00:28:53.680 --> 00:28:54.620 a perfect picture 00:28:54.620 --> 00:28:55.779 of what he does 00:28:55.779 --> 00:28:56.700 on the cross. 00:28:58.180 --> 00:28:59.960 Not only does Jesus 00:28:59.960 --> 00:29:01.580 come to save, 00:29:02.799 --> 00:29:03.600 but he comes 00:29:03.600 --> 00:29:05.720 to save everyone. 00:29:06.720 --> 00:29:08.519 Not only does he save 00:29:08.519 --> 00:29:09.799 the one who stand 00:29:09.799 --> 00:29:10.480 in the fire, 00:29:10.560 --> 00:29:11.640 but he comes 00:29:11.640 --> 00:29:13.320 and he offers himself 00:29:13.320 --> 00:29:16.100 to all who may believe. 00:29:17.240 --> 00:29:18.620 He offers himself 00:29:18.620 --> 00:29:19.580 up to the ones 00:29:19.580 --> 00:29:20.600 who cursed him, 00:29:21.019 --> 00:29:22.360 who mocked him, 00:29:22.359 --> 00:29:23.159 who threatened 00:29:23.159 --> 00:29:24.159 to kill him, 00:29:24.379 --> 00:29:25.579 the ones who would 00:29:25.579 --> 00:29:27.000 worship anything else 00:29:27.000 --> 00:29:27.639 in a heartbeat, 00:29:27.819 --> 00:29:28.919 where a statue would be 00:29:28.919 --> 00:29:29.419 raised, 00:29:29.519 --> 00:29:30.659 they would bow down. 00:29:31.279 --> 00:29:33.059 Everyone he came 00:29:33.059 --> 00:29:33.839 to save 00:29:33.839 --> 00:29:34.779 and he offers 00:29:34.779 --> 00:29:35.379 his life 00:29:35.379 --> 00:29:36.119 to save 00:29:36.119 --> 00:29:37.279 all of us. 00:29:38.879 --> 00:29:40.000 Jesus dies 00:29:40.000 --> 00:29:40.659 this death 00:29:40.659 --> 00:29:41.319 of the sinner. 00:29:43.119 --> 00:29:44.199 He's thrown 00:29:44.199 --> 00:29:45.459 into the flames 00:29:45.459 --> 00:29:46.199 of judgment 00:29:46.199 --> 00:29:47.219 and he does this 00:29:47.219 --> 00:29:48.339 for a simple fact 00:29:48.339 --> 00:29:49.459 that we oftentimes 00:29:49.460 --> 00:29:50.240 overlook 00:29:50.240 --> 00:29:52.160 is that he loves 00:29:52.160 --> 00:29:53.660 us so much. 00:29:55.019 --> 00:29:55.980 He takes upon 00:29:55.980 --> 00:29:56.700 the wrath 00:29:56.700 --> 00:29:57.480 of death 00:29:57.480 --> 00:29:58.759 of sin 00:29:58.759 --> 00:29:59.759 and our place 00:29:59.759 --> 00:30:00.720 saves us 00:30:00.720 --> 00:30:02.100 so that one day 00:30:02.100 --> 00:30:03.220 we may be able 00:30:03.220 --> 00:30:04.160 to come out 00:30:04.160 --> 00:30:04.880 of the flame, 00:30:04.980 --> 00:30:05.980 out of the furnace, 00:30:06.559 --> 00:30:07.500 like these men, 00:30:07.680 --> 00:30:08.480 unharmed, 00:30:08.640 --> 00:30:09.259 not smelling 00:30:09.259 --> 00:30:10.039 like fire, 00:30:10.180 --> 00:30:11.279 just for the fact 00:30:11.279 --> 00:30:12.940 so we might find 00:30:12.940 --> 00:30:14.200 peace and love 00:30:14.200 --> 00:30:14.759 and eternity 00:30:14.759 --> 00:30:15.600 with him. 00:30:15.599 --> 00:30:17.319 he does all 00:30:17.319 --> 00:30:18.500 of these things 00:30:18.500 --> 00:30:20.079 for us. 00:30:22.199 --> 00:30:22.959 And students, 00:30:23.099 --> 00:30:23.659 this is 00:30:23.659 --> 00:30:25.039 the good news. 00:30:25.539 --> 00:30:26.500 This is the gospel 00:30:26.500 --> 00:30:28.819 and early on 00:30:28.819 --> 00:30:29.579 in the semester, 00:30:30.359 --> 00:30:30.779 Sarah and I 00:30:30.779 --> 00:30:31.539 opened our home 00:30:31.539 --> 00:30:32.259 to our seniors 00:30:32.259 --> 00:30:33.500 and we had a few 00:30:33.500 --> 00:30:35.480 come and in that time 00:30:35.480 --> 00:30:36.539 I told our seniors 00:30:36.539 --> 00:30:36.879 this, 00:30:36.959 --> 00:30:37.639 is that there are 00:30:37.639 --> 00:30:38.439 going to be people 00:30:38.439 --> 00:30:39.199 who will one day 00:30:39.199 --> 00:30:39.819 ask you, 00:30:39.980 --> 00:30:40.919 what do you believe in? 00:30:42.219 --> 00:30:43.019 Not just, 00:30:43.139 --> 00:30:43.799 are you a Christian, 00:30:43.939 --> 00:30:44.299 are you not, 00:30:44.419 --> 00:30:45.579 what do you believe in? 00:30:45.679 --> 00:30:46.720 Why do you believe 00:30:46.720 --> 00:30:47.579 in Jesus? 00:30:49.119 --> 00:30:50.119 Why do you believe 00:30:50.119 --> 00:30:51.519 in this Jesus figure 00:30:51.519 --> 00:30:52.599 in your life? 00:30:52.639 --> 00:30:53.359 And I had them 00:30:53.359 --> 00:30:54.519 write down a response. 00:30:54.659 --> 00:30:55.519 What would you say? 00:30:57.379 --> 00:30:58.480 Because if not 00:30:58.480 --> 00:30:59.579 ask the question, 00:30:59.960 --> 00:31:01.339 we are unprepared 00:31:01.339 --> 00:31:03.319 and so we should 00:31:03.319 --> 00:31:04.220 prepare ourselves 00:31:04.220 --> 00:31:05.839 for what is coming next 00:31:05.839 --> 00:31:06.960 to try and prepare 00:31:06.960 --> 00:31:07.899 ourselves to say, 00:31:08.319 --> 00:31:09.099 well I believe 00:31:09.099 --> 00:31:10.359 in a king 00:31:10.359 --> 00:31:11.240 who would stand 00:31:11.240 --> 00:31:11.899 in the fire, 00:31:12.019 --> 00:31:12.559 who would die 00:31:12.559 --> 00:31:13.119 on a cross 00:31:13.119 --> 00:31:13.960 so that I may 00:31:13.960 --> 00:31:14.919 one day be 00:31:14.920 --> 00:31:15.500 in eternity 00:31:15.500 --> 00:31:16.100 with him 00:31:16.100 --> 00:31:17.380 just because 00:31:17.380 --> 00:31:18.259 he loves me. 00:31:19.860 --> 00:31:20.860 That is why 00:31:20.860 --> 00:31:22.380 I believe in Jesus, 00:31:22.680 --> 00:31:23.740 the son of God. 00:31:25.460 --> 00:31:26.440 And today, 00:31:26.680 --> 00:31:27.860 Jesus is still 00:31:27.860 --> 00:31:29.360 wanting a relationship 00:31:29.360 --> 00:31:30.539 with us. 00:31:32.039 --> 00:31:32.840 Jesus wants it 00:31:32.840 --> 00:31:33.320 even though 00:31:33.320 --> 00:31:34.220 we may have 00:31:34.220 --> 00:31:35.080 our doubts, 00:31:35.600 --> 00:31:36.279 even though 00:31:36.279 --> 00:31:37.120 we may find 00:31:37.120 --> 00:31:37.940 ourselves in 00:31:37.940 --> 00:31:38.920 disobedience, 00:31:39.019 --> 00:31:39.900 we may find 00:31:39.900 --> 00:31:40.660 ourselves in the 00:31:40.660 --> 00:31:41.800 midst of a failure. 00:31:41.799 --> 00:31:43.059 everything we do 00:31:43.059 --> 00:31:43.839 against him, 00:31:43.919 --> 00:31:44.619 he still 00:31:44.619 --> 00:31:46.079 chooses us. 00:31:47.359 --> 00:31:48.440 And this is why 00:31:48.440 --> 00:31:49.299 we look at this 00:31:49.299 --> 00:31:49.980 as being what 00:31:49.980 --> 00:31:50.919 standing in the 00:31:50.919 --> 00:31:51.980 face of the fire 00:31:51.980 --> 00:31:53.539 truly teaches us 00:31:53.539 --> 00:31:54.339 is that God's 00:31:54.339 --> 00:31:55.319 presence is in us 00:31:55.319 --> 00:31:56.220 and can be seen 00:31:56.220 --> 00:31:57.700 for everyone. 00:31:59.740 --> 00:32:00.259 And seniors, 00:32:00.259 --> 00:32:01.519 this is what we want 00:32:01.519 --> 00:32:02.659 you to take away 00:32:02.659 --> 00:32:03.480 from this day. 00:32:04.379 --> 00:32:04.879 Church, 00:32:04.960 --> 00:32:05.579 this is applicable 00:32:05.579 --> 00:32:06.720 to all of us 00:32:06.720 --> 00:32:08.019 is that this, 00:32:08.079 --> 00:32:08.920 is that the fire 00:32:08.920 --> 00:32:10.200 truly reveals 00:32:10.200 --> 00:32:11.920 what you believe 00:32:11.920 --> 00:32:13.839 and in the fire 00:32:13.839 --> 00:32:14.960 God meets his 00:32:14.960 --> 00:32:15.960 people and 00:32:15.960 --> 00:32:17.100 stands with them 00:32:17.100 --> 00:32:18.519 especially when 00:32:18.519 --> 00:32:19.839 we stand for him. 00:32:20.720 --> 00:32:21.339 Let us pray. 00:32:22.259 --> 00:32:23.220 Lord, thank you 00:32:23.220 --> 00:32:24.819 for this day. 00:32:24.920 --> 00:32:25.440 Thank you for 00:32:25.440 --> 00:32:26.420 all that you do. 00:32:27.539 --> 00:32:28.319 God, we pray 00:32:28.319 --> 00:32:29.259 over our seniors 00:32:29.259 --> 00:32:30.400 on Senior Sunday 00:32:30.400 --> 00:32:31.380 Lord, that they 00:32:31.380 --> 00:32:32.140 would go out 00:32:32.140 --> 00:32:32.700 and they would 00:32:32.700 --> 00:32:33.860 hear this message 00:32:33.860 --> 00:32:35.180 that there is 00:32:35.180 --> 00:32:36.259 a fire burning 00:32:36.259 --> 00:32:37.000 and culture 00:32:37.000 --> 00:32:38.599 ready to consume 00:32:38.599 --> 00:32:39.319 us but Lord, 00:32:39.519 --> 00:32:40.559 you will stand 00:32:40.559 --> 00:32:41.099 in the fire 00:32:41.099 --> 00:32:41.700 with us. 00:32:42.279 --> 00:32:42.940 That you are 00:32:42.940 --> 00:32:44.099 bigger and stronger 00:32:44.099 --> 00:32:44.799 and mightier 00:32:44.799 --> 00:32:45.460 than anything 00:32:45.460 --> 00:32:46.079 that can be 00:32:46.079 --> 00:32:47.019 thrown our way. 00:32:49.440 --> 00:32:50.420 And God, we pray 00:32:50.420 --> 00:32:51.019 that we would 00:32:51.019 --> 00:32:52.240 turn and worship 00:32:52.240 --> 00:32:53.039 you. 00:32:54.460 --> 00:32:55.220 There are a bunch 00:32:55.220 --> 00:32:55.839 of idols, 00:32:55.980 --> 00:32:56.740 a bunch of statues 00:32:56.740 --> 00:32:57.740 that might rise up 00:32:57.740 --> 00:32:58.359 in our life 00:32:58.359 --> 00:32:59.200 and we might turn 00:32:59.200 --> 00:32:59.640 to those 00:32:59.640 --> 00:33:00.619 and we might look 00:33:00.619 --> 00:33:01.859 at that is the 00:33:01.859 --> 00:33:02.680 way that we are 00:33:02.680 --> 00:33:03.279 supposed to live 00:33:03.279 --> 00:33:03.879 our life. 00:33:03.880 --> 00:33:06.160 God, I pray 00:33:06.160 --> 00:33:06.720 that we would 00:33:06.720 --> 00:33:07.560 only look to 00:33:07.560 --> 00:33:07.800 you. 00:33:08.540 --> 00:33:09.200 We would only 00:33:09.200 --> 00:33:09.800 praise you. 00:33:09.900 --> 00:33:10.360 We would only 00:33:10.360 --> 00:33:11.380 worship you 00:33:11.380 --> 00:33:13.620 for all the 00:33:13.620 --> 00:33:14.660 days that we 00:33:14.660 --> 00:33:15.340 have to come. 00:33:17.540 --> 00:33:18.640 Lord, I thank 00:33:18.640 --> 00:33:19.380 you that we 00:33:19.380 --> 00:33:21.140 have your name. 00:33:21.280 --> 00:33:22.440 We have your 00:33:22.440 --> 00:33:23.400 kingdom to look 00:33:23.400 --> 00:33:24.020 forward to. 00:33:24.140 --> 00:33:24.660 We have the 00:33:24.660 --> 00:33:25.600 promise that you 00:33:25.600 --> 00:33:26.440 will stand with 00:33:26.440 --> 00:33:27.260 us in the fire. 00:33:28.980 --> 00:33:29.840 That you sent 00:33:29.840 --> 00:33:30.960 a son to die 00:33:30.960 --> 00:33:31.660 in our place 00:33:31.660 --> 00:33:32.160 so that we 00:33:32.160 --> 00:33:32.900 may one day 00:33:32.900 --> 00:33:33.920 be in right 00:33:33.920 --> 00:33:34.580 standing with 00:33:34.580 --> 00:33:34.860 you. 00:33:35.400 --> 00:33:35.820 And God, 00:33:36.259 --> 00:33:37.200 until that day 00:33:37.200 --> 00:33:38.360 you just desire 00:33:38.360 --> 00:33:38.980 one thing and 00:33:38.980 --> 00:33:39.279 that is a 00:33:39.279 --> 00:33:40.080 relationship with 00:33:40.080 --> 00:33:40.440 us. 00:33:42.400 --> 00:33:43.300 So God, I pray 00:33:43.300 --> 00:33:44.259 that our seniors, 00:33:44.480 --> 00:33:44.960 that everyone in 00:33:44.960 --> 00:33:45.480 our church, 00:33:45.820 --> 00:33:46.320 those who are 00:33:46.320 --> 00:33:46.759 struggling, 00:33:46.920 --> 00:33:47.620 those who find 00:33:47.620 --> 00:33:48.320 themselves in the 00:33:48.320 --> 00:33:49.060 midst of the fire, 00:33:49.140 --> 00:33:49.900 that we would 00:33:49.900 --> 00:33:51.060 turn to you. 00:33:51.160 --> 00:33:51.820 We would worship 00:33:51.820 --> 00:33:52.220 you. 00:33:52.300 --> 00:33:52.940 We would love 00:33:52.940 --> 00:33:54.000 you just as you 00:33:54.000 --> 00:33:55.480 have loved us. 00:33:57.500 --> 00:33:58.580 Let everyone go 00:33:58.580 --> 00:33:59.300 forward from this 00:33:59.300 --> 00:34:00.300 day and see the 00:34:00.299 --> 00:34:01.319 fire not that we 00:34:01.319 --> 00:34:01.960 are in, but the 00:34:01.960 --> 00:34:02.700 fire burning 00:34:02.700 --> 00:34:04.019 within us that 00:34:04.019 --> 00:34:04.980 shows the presence 00:34:04.980 --> 00:34:05.559 of you. 00:34:07.099 --> 00:34:07.659 It's in your 00:34:07.659 --> 00:34:08.420 name we pray. 00:34:08.699 --> 00:34:09.000 Amen. 00:34:10.320 --> 00:34:11.239 I want to invite 00:34:11.239 --> 00:34:11.779 you to stand 00:34:11.779 --> 00:34:12.420 during this time 00:34:12.420 --> 00:34:13.480 of invitation to 00:34:13.480 --> 00:34:14.619 sing a song as we 00:34:14.619 --> 00:34:15.400 respond to what 00:34:15.400 --> 00:34:16.179 God has put on 00:34:16.179 --> 00:34:17.000 our hearts this 00:34:17.000 --> 00:34:17.340 morning. 00:34:17.659 --> 00:34:18.519 Let us stand 00:34:18.519 --> 00:34:19.119 and sing.