WEBVTT

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 chapter 3 looking at verses 16 to 18.

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 Let us read through these three verses again.

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 Well, I'm sure this is a chapter or part of it that we've heard and known from childhood.

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 Most of us know the story of Daniel.

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 We were brought up with these sort of passages in the Bible made very familiar to us.

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 And for most of us, we would turn perhaps to the end of the chapter more so than other parts of it,

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 where we find the incident of the burning fiery furnace,

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 where these three were cast in and where they were preserved by the power of God

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 and where Nebuchadnezzar then came to express his astonishment,

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 as he saw not just three figures, but four figures in that burning fiery furnace.

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 Anticipating the New Testament age,

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 anticipating the way in which the Lord is with his people in all the circumstances of their lives,

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 however much beyond themselves these circumstances may be.

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 Now, these events are repeated in the history of God's people,

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 in the history of the world, in the history of the church.

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 They're also very much relevant to our own day.

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 And in fact, this passage itself, verses 16 to 18, you might say,

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 is bristling with relevance for the circumstances today in which we find ourselves,

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 in our own nation and other places throughout the world.

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 Because they set out what is a very deliberate and arrogant challenge to the authority of God,

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 to the rule of God, to the way in which these three men represent

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 God as against the paganism represented by Nebuchadnezzar and his people.

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 And the passage sets out for us not only how that challenge came to these three men,

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 but also how they responded to it, the manner of their responding,

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 and also how they actually stated the matter for Nebuchadnezzar,

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 though he, of course, was such a tyrannical ruler himself.

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 But they didn't actually in any way feel intimidated by his presence,

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 because they knew that there was a presence with them much greater than he was.

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 So it tells us the challenge facing us, the challenge faced by the faithful.

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 These three, as they represent the faithful of God,

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 you might say down through all the generations, including our own day,

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 in Shedrach, Meshach, and Abednego, we find ourselves,

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 and we find ourselves facing the challenges of the age in which we live,

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 the challenges to our standing in the gospel, to our presenting of the gospel,

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 to our witness to the gospel, the standing of our insistence on the truth of God being relevant,

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 as we find it in the Bible, presented to the world of our day,

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 as it was in ages before us.

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 That's the first thing to look at, the challenge faced by the faithful.

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 And that's going to be taking account of the golden image that was set up,

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 but also the confidence of Nebuchadnezzar and those who governed with him,

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 their confidence in their own authority, in their own status, in their own power.

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 Second thing we'll look at is the positive response that the faithful of God gave to this challenge.

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 How did they face this challenge?

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 What was their response to it?

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 How do we find in their response to it matters which are relevant to our own place today?

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 Well, you can see the account, of course, of the golden image earlier in the chapter,

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 and there is undoubtedly a representation in that golden image.

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 It is emphasized a number of times that Nebuchadnezzar set it up.

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 He speaks of it as the image that I have set up, the image that I have created,

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 what I have actually set before the people, not just of his immediate environment,

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 but right, everybody over whom he at that time had sway in the Babylonian government.

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 He is emphasizing, this is the image that I have made,

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 and therefore you must bow down to it.

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 What did that image represent?

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 It wasn't just the arrogance and the grandeur of Nebuchadnezzar himself.

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 The image undoubtedly was intended to convey a sense of the power and authority of his rule

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 and of his government.

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 The image really, you might say, is a representation of supreme state authority,

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 or a state that seeks to have supreme authority over all its citizens.

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 That is what this image really represents.

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 Now, that can be either by a government such as Nebuchadnezzar had,

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 dictatorship, all of those types of government,

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 but it can also happen with a democracy that a government,

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 even elected by democratic means,

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 can still use oppressive ways by which to stem or seek to stem the truth of God,

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 and people living by that truth of God,

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 and that truth having an influence in society amongst human beings in that particular location.

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 And that is more likely the more you find the Bible put aside,

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 the more you find replacements for the teaching of the Bible in human philosophies,

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 in other religions,

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 whatever places are given to other ways of thinking,

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 of conclusions, of ways of looking at the world,

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 other than in the Christian faith.

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 The more you find the Christian faith put aside,

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 or not actually in any way given an influence in society,

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 the more that type of thing is going to actually be set up.

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 The more you're going to find the supremacy of state authority

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 coming to show itself more and more in the works of such governments.

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 Now you notice the size of this image.

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 We're told at the beginning of the chapter,

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 he made an image of gold,

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 whose height was 60 cubits,

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 and its breadth 6 cubits.

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 That was something like 90 feet high,

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 something like 30 meters high,

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 and around 3 meters wide.

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 We're not told that it was an image of a human figure.

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 Might have been different to that,

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 but others think that it would have been a human shape

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 or something similar to that.

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 But in any case, that was the size of it.

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 It was an enormous thing.

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 It was a massive construction.

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 And undoubtedly, that was intended to be very intimidating,

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 to represent the authority,

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 the supreme authority of Nebuchadnezzar,

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 and the government that he presided over,

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 and to represent that to the people,

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 so that as soon as they saw the image,

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 they would think,

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 this is such a massive authority.

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 We have to bow to this.

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 We have no option.

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 We've got to actually let this be our master.

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 And of course, you find that down through history.

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 You can still go to places like North Korea today,

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 and you'll find huge statues there,

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 according to photos at least you've seen.

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 You'll find huge statues of the present leader,

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 the former leader, the leader before that,

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 who are, of course, revered as gods.

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 And the gigantic proportions of these great statues

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 are intended just to keep people's minds focused

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 on their need to bow to the leader,

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 to actually give all due place to his authority,

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 the authority of his government, or else.

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 And or else is the case with Nebuchadnezzar's figure as well.

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 Because not only did he erect this gigantic edifice,

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 he accompanied it with laws

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 that really are pretty much to do with persecuting anybody

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 who refused to comply with his instructions.

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 Laws that are reinforced, you might say, with persecution.

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 Anybody who does not bow down to this image that I have built

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 shall be cast into a burning, fiery furnace.

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 That is the threat.

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 That is the intimidatory word and declaration

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 of the supreme leader.

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 You have got to do this, or if not, this will be the result.

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 And you'll note that in the list that are given there,

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 when he sent word out to gather,

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 the satraps, the prefects, the governors, the councillors,

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 a few times these various official figures are mentioned.

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 And the reason for that is that the political

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 and the judicial officers of the nation

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 of the empire are actually all there

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 so that they're all gathered here

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 so that everybody will understand

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 this is the official policy.

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 This is what all of these figures

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 are themselves vowing to uphold.

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 That is why they're chosen.

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 That's why they're there.

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 Now you can step from that into our present age.

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 And you might say, well, there's no gigantic figures like that

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 on the streets of London or in Glasgow or Edinburgh.

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 Yes, but remember, these are representations.

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 And the principle of this is really what you must take with you.

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 And you see it down through the ages.

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 You don't just look at this as something relevant

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 to Nebuchadnezzar's day.

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 And because there's no such giant figure

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 erected now in our particular society,

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 it doesn't mean these things are not relevant anymore.

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 State authority is still very much a thing

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 to be watched and to be feared

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 when it's used excessively.

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 And there are arguments and inducements,

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 as you very well know today,

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 to try and present the state's power to us

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 in a way that seeks that we comply with it.

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 In a way that would cast its shadow over us, if you like,

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 so that we would actually feel obliged

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 to bow to the authority of the state,

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 even when it means that we are required

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 or so-called required to do things

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 which we know are against our conscience

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 or against our Christian knowledge, particularly.

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 I'm not suggesting in any way

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 that our situation is really in any way

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 at the level of which it was here

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 or in North Korea or something like that.

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 We value the freedoms that we have.

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 We value the liberties that we still enjoy in our society.

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 We value the things that we very much take for granted

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 sadly every day, myself included,

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 but that have been bought for us at such great price.

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 Even people, as we remember recently,

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 going to war and giving their lives in war

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 to protect these freedoms.

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 However, there are very many inducements

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 and pressures brought to bear,

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 even by the state and by figures of the state

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 and by proclamations and laws of the government

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 that are themselves contrary to what you and I

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 as Christians believe in

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 and would want to see upheld

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 and would want to see as the policy of the government,

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 certainly on religious and moral issues,

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 particularly moral and spiritual matters.

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 Arguments such as, you know,

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 it's fine for people who want to follow their own religion.

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 The state will not bother with that.

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 If you want to keep your own religion,

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 you can actually do that as long as you do it in private.

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 But of course, the argument following on from that

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 is that you have to keep religion out of public life.

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 You have to keep the Christian religion,

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 especially out of public life,

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 the Christian faith,

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 even to the extent sometimes,

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 and it's happened on this island,

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 where people who are church officers,

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 by that I mean elders in the church particularly,

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 are really regarded as disqualified from public office

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 because they have that office in the church.

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 Now that has happened in recent times,

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 in our own locality.

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 And the argument being,

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 not only are you a Christian,

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 but you're an elder in the free church,

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 and the free church is against same-sex marriage,

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 seeking to uphold the teaching of the Bible,

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 which excludes that.

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 The free church is against many other aspects

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 of immoral lifestyles.

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 And therefore you,

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 because you're an elder or a minister in that church,

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 you shouldn't actually be given a place

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 in any council chamber

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 or in any organization

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 that wants to present things politically.

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 Thankfully, that's all too rare,

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 certainly in our own locality,

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 but let's not in any way imagine

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 that it can't occur again

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 and even more forcibly.

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 So state religion,

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 keep it out of public life,

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 keep it out of our education,

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 keep it out of schools,

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 keep it out of universities,

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 keep it out of all of those areas of public life,

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 keep it to yourself,

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 keep it private,

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 follow it by yourself,

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 whatever religion you have,

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 but don't let it actually in any way

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 appear in public life

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 or have to do with

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 how you carry out your public office.

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 That's the situation we're facing.

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 And I don't need to tell you

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 that state legislation has

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 and is continuing to propose

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 legislation,

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 which you and I know is very contrary

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 to the teachings of Scripture,

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 to the Christian ethic,

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 to our Christian standards

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 on which this nation,

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 this Christian state,

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 is largely founded.

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 And of course,

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 not only that,

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 but persecution

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 takes many different forms.

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 You don't actually have to have

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 a burning, fiery furnace

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 threatening you

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 before you can think of it

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 being persecuting.

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 Discrimination

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 is persecution.

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 Denial of justice

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 is persecution.

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 Laws that are enacted

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 contrary

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 to Christian liberty

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 is persecution.

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 Just last week,

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 a candidate for

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 Liberal Democrats

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 and constituency in England,

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 just last week,

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 he said that

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 he had faced

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 what he called

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 direct harassment

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 and hostility

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 from activists

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 in his own constituency party,

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 the Lib Dem constituency party

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 in that particular constituency.

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 Now,

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 he's a former BBC journalist,

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 a man called David Campanal,

00:16:17.539 --> 00:16:21.259
 and he has himself

00:16:21.259 --> 00:16:22.480
 reported from places

00:16:22.480 --> 00:16:24.139
 where there has been war

00:16:24.139 --> 00:16:25.919
 in Europe in recent times.

00:16:26.279 --> 00:16:27.079
 But he said that

00:16:27.079 --> 00:16:30.379
 in facing this direct harassment,

00:16:30.519 --> 00:16:31.699
 he's now facing

00:16:31.699 --> 00:16:33.240
 the very strong possibility

00:16:33.240 --> 00:16:34.120
 of removal

00:16:34.120 --> 00:16:36.959
 as a Liberal Democrat candidate

00:16:36.959 --> 00:16:38.939
 because of his Christian views.

00:16:40.099 --> 00:16:41.240
 We're supposed to be a country

00:16:41.240 --> 00:16:43.000
 of liberty of speech

00:16:43.000 --> 00:16:43.939
 and liberty of thought

00:16:43.939 --> 00:16:44.959
 and liberty of religion.

00:16:44.960 --> 00:16:46.400
 This is the reality.

00:16:47.560 --> 00:16:48.420
 This is what you get

00:16:48.420 --> 00:16:49.660
 when that is pushed aside.

00:16:50.400 --> 00:16:51.460
 And he went on to say

00:16:51.460 --> 00:16:53.639
 that there is a movement

00:16:53.639 --> 00:16:54.280
 in Britain

00:16:54.280 --> 00:16:56.340
 that wants to undermine

00:16:56.340 --> 00:16:57.820
 the Christian foundations

00:16:57.820 --> 00:16:59.620
 of our constitution,

00:17:00.340 --> 00:17:01.560
 that wants to remove

00:17:01.560 --> 00:17:02.600
 all references

00:17:02.600 --> 00:17:03.519
 to Christianity

00:17:03.519 --> 00:17:05.259
 from the way

00:17:05.259 --> 00:17:06.779
 in which our national life

00:17:06.779 --> 00:17:08.079
 is guided and built.

00:17:08.620 --> 00:17:10.340
 It's happening in education.

00:17:11.140 --> 00:17:11.720
 It's happening

00:17:11.720 --> 00:17:13.120
 in the council culture

00:17:13.120 --> 00:17:14.740
 at work in universities.

00:17:14.960 --> 00:17:16.480
 It's there in business.

00:17:16.880 --> 00:17:18.019
 It's in the law

00:17:18.019 --> 00:17:19.100
 and in schools.

00:17:19.799 --> 00:17:20.700
 So he said,

00:17:21.240 --> 00:17:23.319
 I want to rally all people.

00:17:24.220 --> 00:17:24.900
 Step up.

00:17:25.700 --> 00:17:26.920
 Now is the time

00:17:26.920 --> 00:17:28.460
 to engage.

00:17:29.779 --> 00:17:30.460
 Well, there's a man

00:17:30.460 --> 00:17:31.019
 who knows

00:17:31.019 --> 00:17:35.160
 the Nebuchadnezzar situation.

00:17:36.620 --> 00:17:37.460
 There's a man

00:17:37.460 --> 00:17:38.400
 who can actually relate

00:17:38.400 --> 00:17:39.900
 directly in his own experience

00:17:39.900 --> 00:17:42.079
 to verses 16 to 18

00:17:42.079 --> 00:17:43.100
 of Daniel 3.

00:17:43.099 --> 00:17:44.799
 There's a man

00:17:44.799 --> 00:17:45.779
 who doesn't look at that

00:17:45.779 --> 00:17:47.079
 as just a fact of history.

00:17:47.779 --> 00:17:48.459
 There's a man

00:17:48.459 --> 00:17:49.079
 who knows that

00:17:49.079 --> 00:17:51.480
 that opposition,

00:17:52.219 --> 00:17:52.980
 that attitude

00:17:52.980 --> 00:17:54.599
 is alive

00:17:54.599 --> 00:17:55.639
 and well

00:17:55.639 --> 00:17:57.699
 in our present society.

00:17:58.159 --> 00:17:59.579
 And he's calling on people

00:17:59.579 --> 00:18:01.019
 to stand up,

00:18:01.439 --> 00:18:02.539
 to get real,

00:18:03.039 --> 00:18:03.879
 to realize

00:18:03.879 --> 00:18:05.779
 that this is a movement

00:18:05.779 --> 00:18:06.699
 that's underway,

00:18:07.439 --> 00:18:08.139
 that has been underway

00:18:08.139 --> 00:18:09.019
 for some time.

00:18:09.019 --> 00:18:11.180
 And that if we don't

00:18:11.180 --> 00:18:12.339
 actually stand up

00:18:12.339 --> 00:18:13.559
 for our Christian values

00:18:13.559 --> 00:18:15.259
 and our Christian ethic

00:18:15.259 --> 00:18:16.759
 and our Christian principles,

00:18:17.660 --> 00:18:18.759
 then we're going to be swamped

00:18:18.759 --> 00:18:19.680
 one of these days

00:18:19.680 --> 00:18:21.019
 if this movement

00:18:21.839 --> 00:18:23.139
 and these similar movements

00:18:23.139 --> 00:18:24.359
 are allowed

00:18:24.359 --> 00:18:25.940
 to carry on.

00:18:25.940 --> 00:18:28.259
 So there's the challenge

00:18:28.259 --> 00:18:30.059
 facing the faithful.

00:18:31.420 --> 00:18:32.799
 Here is the command.

00:18:33.920 --> 00:18:34.900
 Fall into line

00:18:34.900 --> 00:18:36.740
 with these proposals.

00:18:37.860 --> 00:18:38.680
 Fall into line

00:18:38.680 --> 00:18:40.000
 with our view of marriage.

00:18:40.900 --> 00:18:41.500
 Fall into line

00:18:41.500 --> 00:18:42.039
 with our view

00:18:42.039 --> 00:18:43.279
 of the sanctity of life

00:18:43.279 --> 00:18:43.900
 or otherwise

00:18:43.900 --> 00:18:46.299
 abortion on demand.

00:18:47.299 --> 00:18:48.160
 Fall into life

00:18:48.160 --> 00:18:49.480
 with our policies

00:18:49.480 --> 00:18:50.380
 on whatever else

00:18:50.380 --> 00:18:52.200
 subjects they may be,

00:18:52.200 --> 00:18:53.860
 even if they're contrary

00:18:53.860 --> 00:18:56.380
 to our Christian understanding.

00:18:57.779 --> 00:18:58.860
 And if you don't,

00:18:58.900 --> 00:18:59.559
 then we'll make it

00:18:59.559 --> 00:19:02.480
 really difficult for you

00:19:02.480 --> 00:19:03.460
 and your work,

00:19:03.860 --> 00:19:04.500
 your employment,

00:19:05.100 --> 00:19:06.360
 your access to justice,

00:19:06.640 --> 00:19:08.039
 all of these things.

00:19:08.240 --> 00:19:09.360
 These are real things.

00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:11.940
 That is the real situation.

00:19:12.539 --> 00:19:14.080
 And I'm not using

00:19:14.080 --> 00:19:15.340
 this pulpit, God forbid,

00:19:15.799 --> 00:19:17.400
 as a political platform.

00:19:17.600 --> 00:19:18.059
 Far be it.

00:19:18.480 --> 00:19:19.640
 I have never taken

00:19:19.640 --> 00:19:20.920
 the view

00:19:20.920 --> 00:19:21.539
 that I should

00:19:21.539 --> 00:19:22.759
 in any way

00:19:22.759 --> 00:19:23.800
 align myself

00:19:23.800 --> 00:19:25.220
 with any political party,

00:19:25.380 --> 00:19:26.320
 even if there was

00:19:26.320 --> 00:19:27.220
 a political party

00:19:27.220 --> 00:19:28.019
 that I might be strongly

00:19:28.019 --> 00:19:28.900
 inclined to support,

00:19:28.980 --> 00:19:29.720
 which there isn't.

00:19:31.380 --> 00:19:32.100
 This is something

00:19:32.100 --> 00:19:32.700
 that the preaching

00:19:32.700 --> 00:19:33.360
 of the gospel

00:19:33.360 --> 00:19:35.019
 has always sought

00:19:35.019 --> 00:19:35.700
 to include

00:19:35.700 --> 00:19:37.940
 when injustices abound,

00:19:38.740 --> 00:19:39.600
 when there are threats

00:19:39.600 --> 00:19:40.860
 to liberty of conscience,

00:19:41.200 --> 00:19:42.220
 to liberty of speech.

00:19:42.420 --> 00:19:43.360
 That is part

00:19:43.360 --> 00:19:44.800
 of the gospel message

00:19:44.800 --> 00:19:47.560
 by which we counter that.

00:19:49.120 --> 00:19:49.920
 And you can see

00:19:49.920 --> 00:19:52.080
 the arrogant confidence

00:19:52.080 --> 00:19:55.660
 that's in Nebuchadnezzar's

00:19:55.660 --> 00:19:57.860
 insistence

00:19:57.860 --> 00:19:59.820
 on bowing to this image.

00:20:00.700 --> 00:20:01.519
 See the last part

00:20:01.519 --> 00:20:04.380
 of verse 15 there.

00:20:05.960 --> 00:20:08.140
 If you do not worship,

00:20:08.759 --> 00:20:09.700
 you shall immediately

00:20:09.700 --> 00:20:11.100
 be cast into a burning,

00:20:11.300 --> 00:20:11.980
 fiery furnace.

00:20:12.279 --> 00:20:12.840
 And then he says,

00:20:12.839 --> 00:20:14.959
 and who is the God

00:20:14.959 --> 00:20:16.759
 who will deliver you

00:20:16.759 --> 00:20:18.919
 out of my hands?

00:20:20.279 --> 00:20:21.539
 Who is the God

00:20:21.539 --> 00:20:22.939
 who will deliver you

00:20:22.939 --> 00:20:24.199
 out of my hands?

00:20:26.359 --> 00:20:27.439
 And that's the same,

00:20:27.859 --> 00:20:29.439
 pretty much the same feature

00:20:29.439 --> 00:20:30.079
 that you find

00:20:30.079 --> 00:20:32.199
 in anti-gospel movements

00:20:32.199 --> 00:20:32.459
 today,

00:20:32.579 --> 00:20:33.679
 especially when they gain

00:20:33.679 --> 00:20:34.779
 in political influence

00:20:34.779 --> 00:20:36.299
 and political power.

00:20:36.299 --> 00:20:38.119
 You see,

00:20:38.159 --> 00:20:38.940
 when you lose

00:20:38.940 --> 00:20:39.919
 things like

00:20:39.919 --> 00:20:41.139
 biblical humility

00:20:41.139 --> 00:20:43.359
 and a biblical attitude

00:20:43.359 --> 00:20:44.000
 to the views

00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:44.859
 of other people,

00:20:45.240 --> 00:20:46.159
 when you lose

00:20:46.159 --> 00:20:47.519
 that freedom

00:20:47.519 --> 00:20:48.220
 that's given

00:20:48.220 --> 00:20:49.759
 to people's choice

00:20:49.759 --> 00:20:51.079
 of who they follow

00:20:51.079 --> 00:20:52.299
 and what they believe,

00:20:53.039 --> 00:20:54.000
 not talking about

00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:54.980
 freedom just now

00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:56.159
 in terms of relationship

00:20:56.159 --> 00:20:56.740
 with God,

00:20:56.819 --> 00:20:57.519
 but freedom

00:20:57.519 --> 00:20:58.680
 in a free society,

00:21:00.220 --> 00:21:01.599
 once you lose these,

00:21:01.659 --> 00:21:02.339
 you don't set up

00:21:02.339 --> 00:21:02.899
 a vacuum.

00:21:02.900 --> 00:21:05.640
 You set up things

00:21:05.640 --> 00:21:07.300
 such as arrogance

00:21:07.300 --> 00:21:08.900
 and pride

00:21:08.900 --> 00:21:10.820
 and self-assertion

00:21:10.820 --> 00:21:12.660
 and even subversion.

00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:15.460
 And you'll find them all

00:21:15.460 --> 00:21:17.000
 in our society

00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:17.980
 around you today.

00:21:19.000 --> 00:21:19.920
 The threat,

00:21:20.019 --> 00:21:20.620
 the challenge

00:21:20.620 --> 00:21:22.980
 faced by the faithful.

00:21:24.040 --> 00:21:24.680
 And you don't have

00:21:24.680 --> 00:21:25.360
 to go very far

00:21:25.360 --> 00:21:25.980
 in the world

00:21:25.980 --> 00:21:28.220
 in our day and age

00:21:28.220 --> 00:21:29.280
 before you come across

00:21:29.280 --> 00:21:29.900
 that thing

00:21:29.900 --> 00:21:31.420
 challenging you

00:21:31.420 --> 00:21:32.780
 to your views.

00:21:33.440 --> 00:21:34.740
 Challenging you rights

00:21:34.740 --> 00:21:36.320
 as a Christian.

00:21:37.420 --> 00:21:38.500
 Challenging why it is

00:21:38.500 --> 00:21:39.620
 that you think

00:21:39.620 --> 00:21:40.259
 you're right

00:21:40.259 --> 00:21:41.840
 and not other people.

00:21:43.880 --> 00:21:44.800
 The challenge

00:21:44.800 --> 00:21:45.880
 faced by the faithful.

00:21:46.040 --> 00:21:46.420
 But look at,

00:21:46.500 --> 00:21:46.740
 secondly,

00:21:47.960 --> 00:21:49.920
 the positive response

00:21:49.920 --> 00:21:51.240
 of those faithful

00:21:51.240 --> 00:21:51.900
 to God.

00:21:52.300 --> 00:21:53.080
 Ch'adrach, Meshach,

00:21:53.140 --> 00:21:53.620
 and Abednego

00:21:53.620 --> 00:21:54.460
 answered and said,

00:21:55.480 --> 00:21:56.560
 O Nebuchadnezzar,

00:21:56.640 --> 00:21:57.580
 we have no need

00:21:57.580 --> 00:21:58.680
 to answer you

00:21:58.680 --> 00:21:59.280
 in this matter.

00:21:59.460 --> 00:22:00.000
 And it didn't mean

00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:00.900
 that they weren't

00:22:00.900 --> 00:22:01.680
 going to answer.

00:22:01.680 --> 00:22:02.700
 They were refusing

00:22:02.700 --> 00:22:03.220
 to answer.

00:22:03.360 --> 00:22:04.220
 These words really mean

00:22:04.220 --> 00:22:05.380
 that the matter

00:22:05.380 --> 00:22:06.299
 is plain enough.

00:22:06.380 --> 00:22:06.840
 They didn't need

00:22:06.840 --> 00:22:07.660
 to think too much

00:22:07.660 --> 00:22:08.279
 about it.

00:22:09.400 --> 00:22:10.000
 They didn't need

00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:10.640
 to really think

00:22:10.640 --> 00:22:11.560
 how they were going

00:22:11.560 --> 00:22:14.820
 to respond

00:22:14.820 --> 00:22:15.600
 to this.

00:22:15.820 --> 00:22:16.440
 It was actually

00:22:16.440 --> 00:22:17.060
 there already

00:22:17.060 --> 00:22:17.620
 in their minds.

00:22:17.740 --> 00:22:18.560
 They were so firmly

00:22:18.560 --> 00:22:21.519
 in their view

00:22:21.519 --> 00:22:22.920
 of their God

00:22:22.920 --> 00:22:24.019
 that that's what

00:22:24.019 --> 00:22:24.720
 really immediately

00:22:24.720 --> 00:22:25.560
 came to the fore.

00:22:25.559 --> 00:22:27.799
 So the first thing

00:22:27.799 --> 00:22:28.859
 you find here

00:22:28.859 --> 00:22:29.940
 on that part

00:22:29.940 --> 00:22:31.159
 is a deep

00:22:31.159 --> 00:22:32.259
 knowledge

00:22:32.259 --> 00:22:33.200
 of God.

00:22:33.799 --> 00:22:34.940
 How do you face

00:22:34.940 --> 00:22:36.399
 this movement

00:22:36.399 --> 00:22:37.220
 in our society?

00:22:37.279 --> 00:22:37.899
 How do you face

00:22:37.899 --> 00:22:38.679
 ungodliness?

00:22:39.159 --> 00:22:40.019
 How do you face

00:22:40.019 --> 00:22:41.319
 movements that seek

00:22:41.319 --> 00:22:42.119
 to usurp

00:22:42.119 --> 00:22:43.339
 the Christian principles

00:22:43.339 --> 00:22:44.740
 on which this nation

00:22:44.740 --> 00:22:45.460
 and our society

00:22:45.460 --> 00:22:46.079
 was founded?

00:22:46.539 --> 00:22:47.279
 How do you face

00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:47.819
 that arrogance?

00:22:48.019 --> 00:22:48.579
 How do you face

00:22:48.579 --> 00:22:49.240
 that pride,

00:22:49.639 --> 00:22:50.599
 that self-assertion,

00:22:50.700 --> 00:22:51.440
 that subversion,

00:22:52.200 --> 00:22:52.919
 that challenge

00:22:52.919 --> 00:22:54.000
 to authority itself?

00:22:54.000 --> 00:22:54.720
 How do you face

00:22:54.720 --> 00:22:54.859
 it?

00:22:55.200 --> 00:22:55.920
 First of all,

00:22:55.960 --> 00:22:56.519
 you face it

00:22:56.519 --> 00:22:57.359
 by a deep

00:22:57.359 --> 00:22:58.720
 knowledge of God.

00:22:59.099 --> 00:22:59.720
 These men

00:22:59.720 --> 00:23:00.339
 had a deep

00:23:00.339 --> 00:23:01.119
 knowledge of God.

00:23:01.420 --> 00:23:02.220
 You cannot go out

00:23:02.220 --> 00:23:03.359
 and face that world

00:23:03.359 --> 00:23:04.319
 without having

00:23:04.319 --> 00:23:05.059
 a deep knowledge

00:23:05.059 --> 00:23:05.539
 of God,

00:23:05.779 --> 00:23:06.500
 without seeking

00:23:06.500 --> 00:23:07.500
 that your depth

00:23:07.500 --> 00:23:08.299
 of understanding

00:23:08.299 --> 00:23:09.000
 of the Bible

00:23:09.000 --> 00:23:10.000
 is something you

00:23:10.000 --> 00:23:11.359
 add to day by day,

00:23:11.720 --> 00:23:12.380
 something that you

00:23:12.380 --> 00:23:13.059
 actually find

00:23:13.059 --> 00:23:14.380
 increasing day by day.

00:23:14.660 --> 00:23:15.259
 You don't actually

00:23:15.259 --> 00:23:16.759
 set out as a Christian

00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:17.700
 to face the things

00:23:17.700 --> 00:23:18.339
 in the world

00:23:18.339 --> 00:23:19.519
 without really thinking

00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:20.279
 too hard about

00:23:20.279 --> 00:23:21.000
 where you are

00:23:21.000 --> 00:23:21.799
 in your Christian

00:23:21.799 --> 00:23:22.299
 knowledge,

00:23:22.299 --> 00:23:22.920
 where you are

00:23:22.920 --> 00:23:23.640
 in your relationship

00:23:23.640 --> 00:23:24.280
 to God

00:23:24.280 --> 00:23:25.280
 or to Jesus.

00:23:26.240 --> 00:23:27.280
 The more you

00:23:27.280 --> 00:23:27.820
 and I are

00:23:27.820 --> 00:23:28.920
 schooled in the

00:23:28.920 --> 00:23:29.780
 things of God,

00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:31.200
 the more you

00:23:31.200 --> 00:23:31.620
 will actually

00:23:31.620 --> 00:23:32.680
 be then prepared

00:23:32.680 --> 00:23:33.759
 as these men

00:23:33.759 --> 00:23:34.540
 were to face

00:23:34.540 --> 00:23:36.140
 and to respond

00:23:36.140 --> 00:23:37.080
 to the challenges

00:23:37.080 --> 00:23:39.000
 that they faced

00:23:39.000 --> 00:23:39.640
 and we face

00:23:39.640 --> 00:23:40.860
 in our age.

00:23:42.120 --> 00:23:43.180
 And that's why

00:23:43.180 --> 00:23:46.560
 our place

00:23:46.560 --> 00:23:47.320
 in the church

00:23:47.320 --> 00:23:48.080
 is so important.

00:23:48.360 --> 00:23:49.940
 The value we place,

00:23:50.000 --> 00:23:50.500
 I should say,

00:23:50.880 --> 00:23:51.759
 on what the church

00:23:51.759 --> 00:23:52.279
 is to us,

00:23:52.339 --> 00:23:52.960
 what the teaching

00:23:52.960 --> 00:23:53.559
 of the Bible

00:23:53.559 --> 00:23:54.099
 is to us,

00:23:54.359 --> 00:23:54.900
 what Christian

00:23:54.900 --> 00:23:56.000
 fellowship is to us,

00:23:56.039 --> 00:23:57.319
 what worship is to us,

00:23:57.539 --> 00:23:58.220
 what the preaching

00:23:58.220 --> 00:23:59.660
 of the gospel is to us,

00:23:59.839 --> 00:24:01.059
 what sharing together

00:24:01.059 --> 00:24:02.160
 and understanding

00:24:02.160 --> 00:24:02.839
 and discussion

00:24:02.839 --> 00:24:03.799
 on the Bible

00:24:03.799 --> 00:24:04.660
 is to us.

00:24:04.819 --> 00:24:05.640
 All of that,

00:24:05.700 --> 00:24:05.960
 you see,

00:24:06.240 --> 00:24:08.019
 is part of the

00:24:08.019 --> 00:24:09.279
 strengthening program

00:24:09.279 --> 00:24:10.379
 by which God

00:24:10.379 --> 00:24:12.480
 deepens our understanding,

00:24:12.799 --> 00:24:13.900
 deepens our relationship

00:24:13.900 --> 00:24:14.559
 to himself,

00:24:15.019 --> 00:24:16.079
 deepens our relationship

00:24:16.079 --> 00:24:16.900
 to one another.

00:24:16.900 --> 00:24:18.060
 You couldn't put

00:24:18.060 --> 00:24:19.100
 a wedge

00:24:19.100 --> 00:24:20.380
 between Shadrach,

00:24:20.480 --> 00:24:21.700
 Meshach and Abednego

00:24:21.700 --> 00:24:23.300
 as three believers

00:24:23.300 --> 00:24:24.100
 in God.

00:24:25.540 --> 00:24:27.860
 They were bound

00:24:27.860 --> 00:24:28.980
 together closely

00:24:28.980 --> 00:24:29.960
 by the truth

00:24:29.960 --> 00:24:31.000
 which they believed,

00:24:31.180 --> 00:24:32.140
 by the God

00:24:32.140 --> 00:24:33.200
 in whom they believed.

00:24:34.720 --> 00:24:35.780
 Not only that,

00:24:35.840 --> 00:24:36.580
 but you couldn't put

00:24:36.580 --> 00:24:37.900
 a wedge between them

00:24:37.900 --> 00:24:38.940
 and their God either.

00:24:39.920 --> 00:24:41.100
 Because here they are

00:24:41.100 --> 00:24:42.560
 facing this great challenge.

00:24:43.180 --> 00:24:43.700
 Here they are

00:24:43.700 --> 00:24:45.560
 facing this intimidation.

00:24:45.559 --> 00:24:46.359
 Here they are facing

00:24:46.359 --> 00:24:47.099
 this threat,

00:24:47.700 --> 00:24:49.019
 this threat of persecution.

00:24:49.659 --> 00:24:50.159
 All the things

00:24:50.159 --> 00:24:50.839
 we've mentioned.

00:24:51.500 --> 00:24:52.279
 And what do they do?

00:24:52.399 --> 00:24:53.559
 They express,

00:24:53.720 --> 00:24:54.019
 firstly,

00:24:54.839 --> 00:24:56.019
 their knowledge of God.

00:24:56.099 --> 00:24:56.700
 They tell

00:24:56.700 --> 00:24:58.200
 this pagan,

00:24:58.919 --> 00:25:00.299
 authoritative king

00:25:00.299 --> 00:25:02.700
 about their God.

00:25:03.599 --> 00:25:04.119
 O king,

00:25:04.240 --> 00:25:05.019
 Nebuchadnezzar,

00:25:05.839 --> 00:25:06.940
 if this be so,

00:25:07.799 --> 00:25:08.679
 our God,

00:25:09.319 --> 00:25:10.339
 whom we serve,

00:25:10.419 --> 00:25:11.659
 is able to deliver us.

00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:13.200
 But if not,

00:25:13.799 --> 00:25:14.399
 O king,

00:25:14.400 --> 00:25:15.700
 we will not serve

00:25:15.700 --> 00:25:16.240
 your God.

00:25:16.340 --> 00:25:17.000
 So that's the first thing,

00:25:17.060 --> 00:25:17.740
 the deep knowledge

00:25:17.740 --> 00:25:18.840
 they have of God.

00:25:18.900 --> 00:25:20.060
 They have no doubts

00:25:20.060 --> 00:25:20.560
 whatsoever

00:25:20.560 --> 00:25:23.019
 about God's ability

00:25:23.019 --> 00:25:24.700
 to do the impossible.

00:25:25.040 --> 00:25:25.759
 What they would regard,

00:25:25.860 --> 00:25:26.040
 maybe,

00:25:26.460 --> 00:25:27.100
 or we would regard

00:25:27.100 --> 00:25:28.019
 as the impossible.

00:25:28.019 --> 00:25:29.700
 That is to deliver them

00:25:29.700 --> 00:25:30.560
 out of a burning,

00:25:30.780 --> 00:25:31.320
 fiery furnace

00:25:31.320 --> 00:25:32.500
 if it so happened

00:25:32.500 --> 00:25:33.220
 that they were thrown

00:25:33.220 --> 00:25:33.759
 into it.

00:25:34.040 --> 00:25:34.880
 We have no doubts

00:25:34.880 --> 00:25:35.340
 whatsoever

00:25:35.340 --> 00:25:36.900
 of God being able

00:25:36.900 --> 00:25:38.040
 to keep us,

00:25:38.100 --> 00:25:38.980
 to maintain us,

00:25:39.160 --> 00:25:40.220
 to protect us

00:25:40.220 --> 00:25:41.180
 in that environment.

00:25:41.440 --> 00:25:41.960
 We know

00:25:41.960 --> 00:25:43.019
 he can do that.

00:25:43.019 --> 00:25:43.900
 He's our God.

00:25:43.980 --> 00:25:44.220
 We know

00:25:44.220 --> 00:25:44.940
 what he's like.

00:25:47.740 --> 00:25:48.400
 But then,

00:25:48.460 --> 00:25:48.740
 you see,

00:25:48.839 --> 00:25:50.339
 they said,

00:25:50.460 --> 00:25:50.639
 well,

00:25:51.980 --> 00:25:54.039
 even if that is not

00:25:54.039 --> 00:25:54.579
 the case,

00:25:56.259 --> 00:25:56.960
 we are still

00:25:56.960 --> 00:25:57.900
 going to serve him.

00:25:59.400 --> 00:26:00.259
 And they make it

00:26:00.259 --> 00:26:00.779
 very clear

00:26:00.779 --> 00:26:01.799
 that whatever happens,

00:26:02.359 --> 00:26:03.200
 our God,

00:26:03.420 --> 00:26:05.119
 whom we serve,

00:26:05.839 --> 00:26:06.379
 is able

00:26:06.379 --> 00:26:07.279
 to deliver us

00:26:07.279 --> 00:26:08.779
 and to deliver us

00:26:08.779 --> 00:26:10.500
 from your hand

00:26:10.500 --> 00:26:11.519
 or out of your hand

00:26:11.519 --> 00:26:11.940
 also,

00:26:12.099 --> 00:26:12.440
 O King.

00:26:12.759 --> 00:26:13.839
 Not only do they have

00:26:13.839 --> 00:26:15.339
 this unashamed confidence

00:26:15.339 --> 00:26:16.079
 in God,

00:26:16.359 --> 00:26:17.599
 but they're carrying it

00:26:17.599 --> 00:26:17.940
 through

00:26:17.940 --> 00:26:19.759
 into facing

00:26:19.759 --> 00:26:20.319
 the threat

00:26:20.319 --> 00:26:21.480
 of Nebuchadnezzar

00:26:21.480 --> 00:26:22.500
 and facing

00:26:22.500 --> 00:26:23.139
 the authority

00:26:23.139 --> 00:26:24.200
 of Nebuchadnezzar.

00:26:24.299 --> 00:26:25.279
 They're really presenting

00:26:25.279 --> 00:26:26.960
 the authority

00:26:26.960 --> 00:26:27.839
 of their God

00:26:27.839 --> 00:26:30.059
 as vastly superior,

00:26:30.420 --> 00:26:30.839
 supreme,

00:26:30.960 --> 00:26:31.420
 in fact.

00:26:31.420 --> 00:26:34.100
 Now,

00:26:34.440 --> 00:26:36.380
 it is important

00:26:36.380 --> 00:26:36.880
 that we

00:26:36.880 --> 00:26:38.480
 regard

00:26:38.480 --> 00:26:39.080
 that they are

00:26:39.080 --> 00:26:39.500
 actually

00:26:39.500 --> 00:26:41.680
 respecting

00:26:41.680 --> 00:26:42.920
 the king

00:26:42.920 --> 00:26:44.120
 to a certain extent

00:26:44.120 --> 00:26:45.440
 as the king.

00:26:45.840 --> 00:26:46.680
 That itself

00:26:46.680 --> 00:26:47.920
 is rather

00:26:47.920 --> 00:26:49.759
 important,

00:26:49.880 --> 00:26:50.180
 I think,

00:26:50.220 --> 00:26:51.259
 in the context.

00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:54.720
 They actually

00:26:54.720 --> 00:26:55.840
 speak respectfully

00:26:55.840 --> 00:26:56.400
 to him

00:26:56.400 --> 00:26:58.440
 and

00:26:58.440 --> 00:27:02.019
 the old

00:27:02.019 --> 00:27:02.940
 Puritan commentator

00:27:02.940 --> 00:27:03.560
 Matthew Henry

00:27:03.560 --> 00:27:04.300
 has some very

00:27:04.300 --> 00:27:06.300
 significant words

00:27:06.300 --> 00:27:07.200
 to say on that.

00:27:07.259 --> 00:27:07.860
 I'll just read to

00:27:07.860 --> 00:27:09.000
 what you find

00:27:09.000 --> 00:27:09.660
 in his commentary

00:27:09.660 --> 00:27:10.500
 on Daniel.

00:27:10.640 --> 00:27:11.300
 This is what he says.

00:27:12.140 --> 00:27:13.300
 They did not speak

00:27:13.300 --> 00:27:14.640
 out into any

00:27:14.640 --> 00:27:15.860
 intemperate heat

00:27:15.860 --> 00:27:16.580
 or passion

00:27:16.580 --> 00:27:18.000
 against those

00:27:18.000 --> 00:27:18.860
 that did worship

00:27:18.860 --> 00:27:19.780
 the golden image.

00:27:20.540 --> 00:27:21.420
 They did not

00:27:21.420 --> 00:27:21.980
 insult

00:27:21.980 --> 00:27:22.980
 or affront

00:27:22.980 --> 00:27:23.320
 them,

00:27:24.000 --> 00:27:24.780
 nor did they

00:27:24.780 --> 00:27:25.340
 rashly

00:27:25.340 --> 00:27:26.220
 thrust themselves

00:27:26.220 --> 00:27:27.519
 upon the trial

00:27:27.519 --> 00:27:28.940
 or go out

00:27:28.940 --> 00:27:29.400
 of their way

00:27:29.400 --> 00:27:29.920
 to court

00:27:29.920 --> 00:27:30.579
 martyrdom.

00:27:31.079 --> 00:27:31.839
 But when they

00:27:31.839 --> 00:27:32.660
 were duly called

00:27:32.660 --> 00:27:33.680
 to the fiery trial,

00:27:34.299 --> 00:27:34.740
 they acquitted

00:27:34.740 --> 00:27:35.960
 themselves bravely

00:27:35.960 --> 00:27:37.380
 with a conduct

00:27:37.380 --> 00:27:38.100
 and courage

00:27:38.100 --> 00:27:39.180
 that became

00:27:39.180 --> 00:27:39.799
 sufferers

00:27:39.799 --> 00:27:40.539
 for so good

00:27:40.539 --> 00:27:41.120
 a cause.

00:27:41.579 --> 00:27:42.440
 They keep

00:27:42.440 --> 00:27:43.120
 their temper

00:27:43.120 --> 00:27:44.319
 admirably.

00:27:45.120 --> 00:27:45.660
 They do not

00:27:45.660 --> 00:27:46.380
 call the king

00:27:46.380 --> 00:27:47.059
 a tyrant

00:27:47.059 --> 00:27:48.640
 or an idolater.

00:27:49.559 --> 00:27:50.259
 The cause

00:27:50.259 --> 00:27:50.700
 of God

00:27:50.700 --> 00:27:51.220
 needs not

00:27:51.220 --> 00:27:51.600
 the wrath

00:27:51.600 --> 00:27:52.100
 of man,

00:27:52.640 --> 00:27:53.460
 but with

00:27:53.460 --> 00:27:54.259
 an exemplary

00:27:54.259 --> 00:27:55.140
 calmness

00:27:55.140 --> 00:27:56.840
 and sedatedness

00:27:56.840 --> 00:27:57.560
 of mind,

00:27:57.820 --> 00:27:58.740
 they deliberately

00:27:58.740 --> 00:27:59.580
 give in their

00:27:59.580 --> 00:28:00.060
 answer,

00:28:00.680 --> 00:28:01.680
 which they resolve

00:28:01.680 --> 00:28:02.480
 to abide

00:28:02.480 --> 00:28:03.220
 by.

00:28:03.960 --> 00:28:04.700
 And Matthew Henry

00:28:04.700 --> 00:28:05.580
 is reminding us

00:28:05.580 --> 00:28:07.180
 of whenever we

00:28:07.180 --> 00:28:08.600
 respond to

00:28:08.600 --> 00:28:09.680
 even such

00:28:09.680 --> 00:28:10.780
 arrogancy,

00:28:11.360 --> 00:28:11.660
 such

00:28:11.660 --> 00:28:14.720
 self-presentation

00:28:14.720 --> 00:28:15.400
 of grandeur

00:28:15.400 --> 00:28:15.960
 as you find

00:28:15.960 --> 00:28:16.620
 with Nebuchad

00:28:16.620 --> 00:28:17.020
 Neser

00:28:17.020 --> 00:28:17.780
 or others

00:28:17.780 --> 00:28:18.420
 in this world,

00:28:18.540 --> 00:28:19.020
 even when you

00:28:19.020 --> 00:28:21.040
 find self-confident

00:28:21.040 --> 00:28:21.640
 secular

00:28:21.640 --> 00:28:23.720
 pronouncements,

00:28:23.780 --> 00:28:24.080
 whether it's

00:28:24.080 --> 00:28:24.640
 from government

00:28:24.640 --> 00:28:25.200
 or whatever,

00:28:25.740 --> 00:28:26.220
 we don't

00:28:26.220 --> 00:28:27.200
 actually respond

00:28:27.200 --> 00:28:27.840
 in kind,

00:28:28.000 --> 00:28:28.540
 even if they

00:28:28.540 --> 00:28:29.220
 are unkind

00:28:29.220 --> 00:28:29.920
 to us.

00:28:31.759 --> 00:28:32.360
 What

00:28:32.360 --> 00:28:34.100
 Matthew Henry

00:28:34.100 --> 00:28:34.700
 was reminding

00:28:34.700 --> 00:28:35.180
 us of

00:28:35.180 --> 00:28:36.240
 is that

00:28:36.240 --> 00:28:37.160
 there is a

00:28:37.160 --> 00:28:37.640
 great need

00:28:37.640 --> 00:28:38.300
 to maintain

00:28:38.300 --> 00:28:39.180
 respect,

00:28:39.780 --> 00:28:40.420
 respectful

00:28:40.420 --> 00:28:41.120
 language,

00:28:42.140 --> 00:28:42.700
 temperate

00:28:42.700 --> 00:28:43.280
 language,

00:28:44.000 --> 00:28:44.560
 tactful

00:28:44.560 --> 00:28:45.160
 language,

00:28:45.860 --> 00:28:46.240
 loving

00:28:46.240 --> 00:28:46.940
 language,

00:28:46.940 --> 00:28:48.380
 all the

00:28:48.380 --> 00:28:48.779
 things that

00:28:48.779 --> 00:28:49.180
 will really

00:28:49.180 --> 00:28:49.539
 in many

00:28:49.539 --> 00:28:50.480
 ways disarm

00:28:50.480 --> 00:28:51.039
 the person

00:28:51.039 --> 00:28:51.860
 who really

00:28:51.860 --> 00:28:52.299
 wants to

00:28:52.299 --> 00:28:53.019
 be provocative,

00:28:53.519 --> 00:28:54.059
 who wants

00:28:54.059 --> 00:28:54.640
 you to be

00:28:54.640 --> 00:28:55.059
 provocative

00:28:55.059 --> 00:28:55.740
 back in

00:28:55.740 --> 00:28:56.320
 response,

00:28:56.700 --> 00:28:57.140
 who wants

00:28:57.140 --> 00:28:57.440
 you to

00:28:57.440 --> 00:28:58.240
 actually lose

00:28:58.240 --> 00:28:58.820
 the plot,

00:28:59.320 --> 00:28:59.660
 so they

00:28:59.660 --> 00:29:00.019
 can then

00:29:00.019 --> 00:29:00.200
 say,

00:29:00.320 --> 00:29:00.440
 well,

00:29:00.620 --> 00:29:01.039
 if that's

00:29:01.039 --> 00:29:01.180
 your

00:29:01.180 --> 00:29:01.640
 Christianity,

00:29:01.920 --> 00:29:02.160
 look at

00:29:02.160 --> 00:29:02.420
 what it's

00:29:02.420 --> 00:29:02.880
 doing to

00:29:02.880 --> 00:29:03.140
 you.

00:29:04.880 --> 00:29:05.340
 You have

00:29:05.340 --> 00:29:05.700
 to pray

00:29:05.700 --> 00:29:06.180
 that God

00:29:06.180 --> 00:29:07.799
 will keep

00:29:07.799 --> 00:29:09.240
 you calm,

00:29:09.440 --> 00:29:09.880
 keep you

00:29:09.880 --> 00:29:11.940
 in every

00:29:11.940 --> 00:29:13.460
 way as a

00:29:13.460 --> 00:29:14.080
 Christian should

00:29:14.080 --> 00:29:14.620
 be and

00:29:14.620 --> 00:29:14.920
 facing,

00:29:15.080 --> 00:29:15.500
 whether it's,

00:29:15.900 --> 00:29:16.299
 and I'm just

00:29:16.299 --> 00:29:16.820
 talking here,

00:29:16.819 --> 00:29:17.179
 of course,

00:29:17.279 --> 00:29:20.159
 about direct

00:29:20.159 --> 00:29:21.619
 speech between

00:29:21.619 --> 00:29:22.099
 us and

00:29:22.099 --> 00:29:22.599
 those who

00:29:22.599 --> 00:29:24.000
 are against

00:29:24.000 --> 00:29:24.579
 the gospel.

00:29:25.139 --> 00:29:25.720
 There was no

00:29:25.720 --> 00:29:26.399
 social media

00:29:26.399 --> 00:29:27.319
 in Nebuchadnezzar's

00:29:27.319 --> 00:29:27.599
 Day, of

00:29:27.599 --> 00:29:27.919
 course,

00:29:28.700 --> 00:29:29.240
 many, many

00:29:29.240 --> 00:29:29.779
 generations

00:29:29.779 --> 00:29:30.279
 afterwards.

00:29:30.659 --> 00:29:31.019
 There is

00:29:31.019 --> 00:29:31.419
 nowadays,

00:29:32.759 --> 00:29:33.279
 and it is

00:29:33.279 --> 00:29:34.619
 not against

00:29:34.619 --> 00:29:35.279
 social media

00:29:35.279 --> 00:29:35.919
 as such,

00:29:36.679 --> 00:29:38.980
 but its

00:29:38.980 --> 00:29:40.859
 misuse is

00:29:40.859 --> 00:29:41.819
 obvious to

00:29:41.819 --> 00:29:42.419
 us all,

00:29:43.220 --> 00:29:44.200
 and one of

00:29:44.200 --> 00:29:44.500
 the things

00:29:44.500 --> 00:29:44.919
 that very

00:29:44.919 --> 00:29:45.819
 much lends

00:29:45.819 --> 00:29:46.679
 itself to

00:29:46.680 --> 00:29:47.720
 is

00:29:47.720 --> 00:29:48.880
 disrespectful

00:29:48.880 --> 00:29:50.480
 language,

00:29:50.740 --> 00:29:51.500
 disrespect of

00:29:51.500 --> 00:29:52.080
 other people's

00:29:52.080 --> 00:29:52.660
 views,

00:29:53.400 --> 00:29:54.140
 talking people

00:29:54.140 --> 00:29:54.640
 down,

00:29:55.420 --> 00:29:55.900
 treating them

00:29:55.900 --> 00:29:56.779
 with contempt,

00:29:57.860 --> 00:29:58.680
 all kinds of

00:29:58.680 --> 00:30:00.080
 nasty language

00:30:00.080 --> 00:30:01.060
 presented to

00:30:01.060 --> 00:30:01.840
 them, and

00:30:01.840 --> 00:30:02.360
 sometimes you

00:30:02.360 --> 00:30:02.700
 don't even

00:30:02.700 --> 00:30:03.140
 know a face,

00:30:03.200 --> 00:30:03.600
 you don't even

00:30:03.600 --> 00:30:04.019
 know who's

00:30:04.019 --> 00:30:04.720
 doing it.

00:30:04.720 --> 00:30:05.720
 people's

00:30:05.720 --> 00:30:06.420
 people's

00:30:06.420 --> 00:30:06.779
 and we

00:30:06.779 --> 00:30:08.140
 have to be

00:30:08.140 --> 00:30:08.660
 careful with

00:30:08.660 --> 00:30:09.039
 all that,

00:30:09.100 --> 00:30:09.700
 especially our

00:30:09.700 --> 00:30:10.240
 young people,

00:30:10.339 --> 00:30:10.860
 we have to be

00:30:10.860 --> 00:30:11.860
 careful and

00:30:11.860 --> 00:30:12.279
 train them

00:30:12.279 --> 00:30:13.120
 into how

00:30:13.120 --> 00:30:14.160
 dangerous social

00:30:14.160 --> 00:30:14.920
 media can

00:30:14.920 --> 00:30:16.400
 be if we

00:30:16.400 --> 00:30:17.019
 allow it to

00:30:17.019 --> 00:30:17.680
 actually get on

00:30:17.680 --> 00:30:18.319
 top of us.

00:30:18.480 --> 00:30:18.680
 Anyway,

00:30:18.759 --> 00:30:19.259
 that's by the

00:30:19.259 --> 00:30:19.960
 way, but

00:30:19.960 --> 00:30:21.160
 hopefully not

00:30:21.160 --> 00:30:22.420
 an unimportant

00:30:22.420 --> 00:30:23.140
 by the way.

00:30:23.660 --> 00:30:24.120
 But of course,

00:30:24.480 --> 00:30:25.180
 Nebuchadnezzar,

00:30:25.240 --> 00:30:25.779
 they were facing

00:30:25.779 --> 00:30:26.799
 face to face,

00:30:26.799 --> 00:30:28.019
 and this is

00:30:28.019 --> 00:30:28.899
 nevertheless how

00:30:28.899 --> 00:30:29.940
 they actually

00:30:29.940 --> 00:30:30.940
 respected,

00:30:31.659 --> 00:30:32.519
 in one sense,

00:30:32.819 --> 00:30:33.980
 his own place

00:30:33.980 --> 00:30:34.460
 as king

00:30:34.460 --> 00:30:36.460
 over the

00:30:36.460 --> 00:30:37.359
 whole of

00:30:37.359 --> 00:30:37.899
 the empire.

00:30:39.159 --> 00:30:39.419
 So the

00:30:39.419 --> 00:30:39.980
 Shandarugan

00:30:39.980 --> 00:30:40.899
 confidence

00:30:40.899 --> 00:30:43.379
 met by a

00:30:43.379 --> 00:30:44.319
 deep response,

00:30:44.819 --> 00:30:45.180
 a deep

00:30:45.180 --> 00:30:46.599
 knowledge of

00:30:46.599 --> 00:30:47.059
 God.

00:30:48.019 --> 00:30:48.879
 But finally,

00:30:49.180 --> 00:30:49.960
 in the

00:30:49.960 --> 00:30:50.759
 positive response,

00:30:50.859 --> 00:30:51.960
 you find a

00:30:51.960 --> 00:30:52.460
 determined

00:30:52.460 --> 00:30:53.659
 commitment to

00:30:53.659 --> 00:30:54.839
 God in

00:30:54.839 --> 00:30:55.519
 verse 18.

00:30:55.519 --> 00:30:56.660
 You see,

00:30:56.720 --> 00:30:57.200
 this is really

00:30:57.200 --> 00:30:57.799
 so important,

00:30:57.920 --> 00:30:58.460
 so interesting,

00:30:58.900 --> 00:30:59.500
 how it's put

00:30:59.500 --> 00:30:59.900
 and how they

00:30:59.900 --> 00:31:00.319
 put it.

00:31:01.500 --> 00:31:02.200
 He's saying,

00:31:02.460 --> 00:31:03.339
 they're saying,

00:31:03.539 --> 00:31:04.859
 if this is so,

00:31:05.000 --> 00:31:06.339
 if our God,

00:31:06.980 --> 00:31:07.740
 whom we serve,

00:31:07.859 --> 00:31:08.599
 is able to

00:31:08.599 --> 00:31:09.180
 deliver us from

00:31:09.180 --> 00:31:09.619
 the burning,

00:31:09.819 --> 00:31:10.400
 fiery furnace,

00:31:11.200 --> 00:31:11.940
 and he will

00:31:11.940 --> 00:31:12.819
 deliver us out

00:31:12.819 --> 00:31:14.359
 of your hand,

00:31:14.480 --> 00:31:14.920
 O king.

00:31:16.019 --> 00:31:16.660
 That is something

00:31:16.660 --> 00:31:17.539
 we absolutely

00:31:17.539 --> 00:31:18.440
 believe in,

00:31:18.500 --> 00:31:18.859
 they're saying.

00:31:19.879 --> 00:31:21.599
 But if he

00:31:21.599 --> 00:31:22.180
 doesn't,

00:31:23.339 --> 00:31:24.400
 if he doesn't

00:31:24.400 --> 00:31:24.680
 believe,

00:31:24.839 --> 00:31:25.359
 if he doesn't

00:31:25.359 --> 00:31:26.699
 actually deliver

00:31:26.699 --> 00:31:27.359
 us from the

00:31:27.359 --> 00:31:27.959
 burning,

00:31:28.159 --> 00:31:28.819
 fiery furnace,

00:31:29.019 --> 00:31:29.779
 if he doesn't

00:31:29.779 --> 00:31:30.599
 deliver us out

00:31:30.599 --> 00:31:31.399
 of your hand,

00:31:31.740 --> 00:31:32.179
 and in his

00:31:32.179 --> 00:31:32.759
 wisdom and

00:31:32.759 --> 00:31:33.319
 providence,

00:31:33.379 --> 00:31:33.899
 I'm just adding

00:31:33.899 --> 00:31:34.359
 to the words,

00:31:34.459 --> 00:31:35.000
 but this is the

00:31:35.000 --> 00:31:35.579
 sense of them,

00:31:35.819 --> 00:31:36.459
 in his wisdom

00:31:36.459 --> 00:31:37.119
 and providence,

00:31:37.299 --> 00:31:38.519
 he does himself

00:31:38.519 --> 00:31:39.299
 allow this to

00:31:39.299 --> 00:31:39.839
 go ahead,

00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:40.479
 and we be

00:31:40.479 --> 00:31:41.039
 thrown into

00:31:41.039 --> 00:31:41.500
 the burning,

00:31:41.859 --> 00:31:42.439
 fiery furnace,

00:31:42.859 --> 00:31:44.119
 be it known

00:31:44.119 --> 00:31:44.699
 to you,

00:31:44.859 --> 00:31:45.159
 O king,

00:31:45.919 --> 00:31:46.619
 we still will

00:31:46.619 --> 00:31:47.159
 not serve

00:31:47.159 --> 00:31:47.859
 your gods

00:31:47.859 --> 00:31:49.439
 or worship

00:31:49.439 --> 00:31:49.740
 them,

00:31:49.959 --> 00:31:50.719
 the golden

00:31:50.719 --> 00:31:52.079
 image that

00:31:52.079 --> 00:31:52.579
 you have set

00:31:52.579 --> 00:31:52.759
 up.

00:31:52.759 --> 00:31:53.039
 In other

00:31:53.039 --> 00:31:53.259
 words,

00:31:53.759 --> 00:31:54.420
 they're taking

00:31:54.420 --> 00:31:55.359
 the worst

00:31:55.359 --> 00:31:56.480
 case scenario

00:31:56.480 --> 00:31:57.759
 and they're

00:31:57.759 --> 00:31:58.319
 saying about

00:31:58.319 --> 00:31:58.819
 the worst

00:31:58.819 --> 00:31:59.640
 case scenario,

00:32:00.059 --> 00:32:00.559
 they're saying

00:32:00.559 --> 00:32:01.619
 this is not

00:32:01.619 --> 00:32:02.119
 going to make

00:32:02.119 --> 00:32:03.400
 any difference

00:32:03.400 --> 00:32:03.859
 to our

00:32:03.859 --> 00:32:04.420
 allegiance,

00:32:05.180 --> 00:32:05.900
 it's not

00:32:05.900 --> 00:32:06.319
 going to make

00:32:06.319 --> 00:32:07.059
 any difference

00:32:07.059 --> 00:32:07.779
 whatsoever to

00:32:07.779 --> 00:32:08.579
 our view

00:32:08.579 --> 00:32:10.119
 of this image

00:32:10.119 --> 00:32:11.500
 or change

00:32:11.500 --> 00:32:12.000
 our view

00:32:12.000 --> 00:32:12.460
 of our

00:32:12.460 --> 00:32:13.039
 God.

00:32:13.700 --> 00:32:14.740
 We will do

00:32:14.740 --> 00:32:15.220
 what we've

00:32:15.220 --> 00:32:15.859
 always done,

00:32:16.500 --> 00:32:17.119
 we will

00:32:17.119 --> 00:32:17.519
 honour

00:32:17.519 --> 00:32:18.960
 our God.

00:32:18.960 --> 00:32:24.039
 it made

00:32:24.039 --> 00:32:24.620
 no difference

00:32:24.620 --> 00:32:25.059
 whatsoever

00:32:25.059 --> 00:32:25.579
 to them,

00:32:26.420 --> 00:32:26.799
 whatever

00:32:26.799 --> 00:32:27.519
 threats they

00:32:27.519 --> 00:32:27.960
 were faced

00:32:27.960 --> 00:32:28.279
 with,

00:32:29.160 --> 00:32:29.759
 and it

00:32:29.759 --> 00:32:30.319
 made no

00:32:30.319 --> 00:32:30.740
 difference

00:32:30.740 --> 00:32:31.160
 whatsoever

00:32:31.160 --> 00:32:32.519
 who was

00:32:32.519 --> 00:32:33.120
 making the

00:32:33.120 --> 00:32:33.380
 threats,

00:32:33.440 --> 00:32:34.140
 even king

00:32:34.140 --> 00:32:35.559
 Nebuchadnezzar.

00:32:36.120 --> 00:32:36.480
 They knew,

00:32:36.579 --> 00:32:36.759
 you see,

00:32:36.840 --> 00:32:37.579
 that the

00:32:37.579 --> 00:32:38.779
 king could

00:32:38.779 --> 00:32:39.299
 issue a

00:32:39.299 --> 00:32:40.299
 command there

00:32:40.299 --> 00:32:40.900
 and then

00:32:40.900 --> 00:32:41.740
 that their

00:32:41.740 --> 00:32:42.279
 life be

00:32:42.279 --> 00:32:42.920
 terminated.

00:32:42.920 --> 00:32:46.800
 but the

00:32:46.800 --> 00:32:47.200
 one thing

00:32:47.200 --> 00:32:47.480
 he could

00:32:47.480 --> 00:32:48.279
 not compel

00:32:48.279 --> 00:32:49.340
 them to

00:32:49.340 --> 00:32:49.759
 do was

00:32:49.759 --> 00:32:50.200
 to worship

00:32:50.200 --> 00:32:50.860
 the image.

00:32:52.259 --> 00:32:52.620
 He could

00:32:52.620 --> 00:32:52.980
 take their

00:32:52.980 --> 00:32:53.380
 life,

00:32:53.940 --> 00:32:54.259
 he could

00:32:54.259 --> 00:32:54.700
 not take

00:32:54.700 --> 00:32:54.860
 their

00:32:54.860 --> 00:32:55.300
 conscience.

00:32:56.560 --> 00:32:57.160
 He could

00:32:57.160 --> 00:32:57.539
 take their

00:32:57.539 --> 00:32:57.880
 life,

00:32:58.180 --> 00:32:58.519
 but he

00:32:58.519 --> 00:32:58.900
 could not

00:32:58.900 --> 00:32:59.320
 take their

00:32:59.320 --> 00:32:59.800
 allegiance

00:32:59.800 --> 00:33:00.400
 to their

00:33:00.400 --> 00:33:00.860
 God.

00:33:02.060 --> 00:33:02.400
 And that's

00:33:02.400 --> 00:33:02.720
 one of the

00:33:02.720 --> 00:33:03.300
 great lessons

00:33:03.300 --> 00:33:03.700
 of the

00:33:03.700 --> 00:33:04.080
 story.

00:33:04.920 --> 00:33:05.420
 Whatever

00:33:05.420 --> 00:33:06.500
 that world

00:33:06.500 --> 00:33:06.980
 out there

00:33:06.980 --> 00:33:07.580
 will do

00:33:07.580 --> 00:33:08.080
 to you,

00:33:08.440 --> 00:33:08.779
 whatever

00:33:08.779 --> 00:33:09.480
 it threatens

00:33:09.480 --> 00:33:10.140
 you with,

00:33:10.680 --> 00:33:11.019
 whatever

00:33:11.019 --> 00:33:11.840
 finally it

00:33:11.840 --> 00:33:12.460
 may actually

00:33:12.460 --> 00:33:13.720
 impose upon

00:33:13.720 --> 00:33:14.019
 you,

00:33:14.660 --> 00:33:15.180
 the one

00:33:15.180 --> 00:33:15.579
 thing it

00:33:15.579 --> 00:33:16.220
 cannot do

00:33:16.220 --> 00:33:16.960
 is remove

00:33:16.960 --> 00:33:18.279
 your Christ,

00:33:18.600 --> 00:33:19.180
 your Jesus,

00:33:20.279 --> 00:33:20.940
 your allegiance

00:33:20.940 --> 00:33:21.539
 to him

00:33:21.539 --> 00:33:23.900
 and his

00:33:23.900 --> 00:33:24.440
 care for

00:33:24.440 --> 00:33:24.740
 you.

00:33:28.299 --> 00:33:29.440
 The cost

00:33:29.440 --> 00:33:30.600
 of resistance

00:33:30.600 --> 00:33:33.480
 to oppression

00:33:33.480 --> 00:33:34.779
 and persecution

00:33:34.779 --> 00:33:37.220
 and ungodliness

00:33:37.220 --> 00:33:39.539
 is always

00:33:39.539 --> 00:33:40.900
 set fairly

00:33:40.900 --> 00:33:41.319
 high.

00:33:42.460 --> 00:33:43.559
 and the

00:33:43.559 --> 00:33:44.059
 more the

00:33:44.059 --> 00:33:44.600
 persecution

00:33:44.600 --> 00:33:45.759
 increases,

00:33:46.140 --> 00:33:47.100
 the greater

00:33:47.100 --> 00:33:47.680
 the cost

00:33:47.680 --> 00:33:48.259
 inevitably

00:33:48.259 --> 00:33:49.220
 is going

00:33:49.220 --> 00:33:49.740
 to be.

00:33:52.539 --> 00:33:53.579
 But denying

00:33:53.579 --> 00:33:54.759
 God is

00:33:54.759 --> 00:33:55.500
 catastrophic.

00:33:59.000 --> 00:33:59.600
 Denying

00:33:59.600 --> 00:34:00.340
 God is

00:34:00.340 --> 00:34:01.140
 catastrophic

00:34:01.140 --> 00:34:01.759
 to any

00:34:01.759 --> 00:34:02.360
 individual,

00:34:02.640 --> 00:34:03.279
 to any

00:34:03.279 --> 00:34:03.920
 society,

00:34:04.100 --> 00:34:04.380
 to any

00:34:04.380 --> 00:34:04.819
 group of

00:34:04.819 --> 00:34:05.160
 people,

00:34:05.480 --> 00:34:06.180
 to any

00:34:06.180 --> 00:34:06.559
 church

00:34:06.559 --> 00:34:06.860
 group,

00:34:06.960 --> 00:34:07.440
 whatever it

00:34:07.440 --> 00:34:08.039
 might be.

00:34:08.039 --> 00:34:09.420
 God

00:34:09.420 --> 00:34:10.619
 is

00:34:10.619 --> 00:34:11.179
 going to

00:34:11.179 --> 00:34:11.679
 be.

00:34:11.679 --> 00:34:12.800
 And all

00:34:12.800 --> 00:34:13.059
 the way

00:34:13.059 --> 00:34:15.259
 through the

00:34:15.259 --> 00:34:15.639
 days of

00:34:15.639 --> 00:34:16.259
 the apostles,

00:34:16.759 --> 00:34:17.360
 when they

00:34:17.360 --> 00:34:17.960
 were threatened

00:34:17.960 --> 00:34:18.820
 by the

00:34:18.820 --> 00:34:19.119
 religious

00:34:19.119 --> 00:34:19.920
 authorities of

00:34:19.920 --> 00:34:20.599
 that time,

00:34:21.039 --> 00:34:21.460
 and they

00:34:21.460 --> 00:34:22.059
 were told

00:34:22.059 --> 00:34:23.139
 not to

00:34:23.139 --> 00:34:23.779
 say anything

00:34:23.779 --> 00:34:24.320
 or preach

00:34:24.320 --> 00:34:24.759
 again in

00:34:24.759 --> 00:34:25.219
 the name

00:34:25.219 --> 00:34:25.820
 of Jesus.

00:34:27.579 --> 00:34:28.059
 They said

00:34:28.059 --> 00:34:28.340
 to them,

00:34:28.400 --> 00:34:28.920
 whatever is

00:34:28.920 --> 00:34:29.679
 right in

00:34:29.679 --> 00:34:30.340
 your eyes,

00:34:30.639 --> 00:34:31.619
 we cannot

00:34:31.619 --> 00:34:33.139
 but speak

00:34:33.139 --> 00:34:34.800
 the things

00:34:34.800 --> 00:34:35.159
 which we

00:34:35.159 --> 00:34:35.559
 have seen

00:34:35.559 --> 00:34:36.179
 and heard.

00:34:36.179 --> 00:34:38.559
 we are

00:34:38.559 --> 00:34:38.980
 not going

00:34:38.980 --> 00:34:40.019
 to be

00:34:40.019 --> 00:34:40.419
 untrue

00:34:40.419 --> 00:34:40.879
 to our

00:34:40.879 --> 00:34:41.399
 God,

00:34:42.639 --> 00:34:43.339
 despite

00:34:43.339 --> 00:34:43.839
 whatever,

00:34:44.399 --> 00:34:44.940
 despite what

00:34:44.940 --> 00:34:45.279
 you may

00:34:45.279 --> 00:34:45.639
 say to

00:34:45.639 --> 00:34:45.739
 us.

00:34:45.759 --> 00:34:46.039
 That was

00:34:46.039 --> 00:34:47.099
 their view

00:34:47.099 --> 00:34:47.440
 as well,

00:34:47.519 --> 00:34:47.899
 very much

00:34:47.899 --> 00:34:48.759
 the same

00:34:48.759 --> 00:34:49.279
 in principle

00:34:49.279 --> 00:34:50.779
 with Daniel's

00:34:50.779 --> 00:34:51.019
 views.

00:34:51.159 --> 00:34:51.299
 Now,

00:34:52.779 --> 00:34:55.159
 this really

00:34:55.159 --> 00:34:55.940
 is so

00:34:55.940 --> 00:34:57.719
 relevant and

00:34:57.719 --> 00:34:58.199
 significant,

00:34:58.339 --> 00:34:58.739
 as I said

00:34:58.739 --> 00:34:58.980
 at the

00:34:58.980 --> 00:34:59.239
 beginning

00:34:59.239 --> 00:34:59.699
 today,

00:35:00.379 --> 00:35:00.940
 tonight,

00:35:01.119 --> 00:35:01.619
 on this

00:35:01.619 --> 00:35:02.919
 particular

00:35:02.919 --> 00:35:03.579
 passage.

00:35:04.399 --> 00:35:04.899
 And as

00:35:04.899 --> 00:35:05.199
 you try

00:35:05.199 --> 00:35:06.099
 and bring

00:35:06.099 --> 00:35:06.839
 into your

00:35:06.839 --> 00:35:07.299
 own mind

00:35:07.299 --> 00:35:07.779
 the relevance

00:35:07.779 --> 00:35:08.299
 of this

00:35:08.299 --> 00:35:08.759
 for today,

00:35:08.819 --> 00:35:09.039
 it really

00:35:09.039 --> 00:35:09.940
 raises a

00:35:09.940 --> 00:35:10.199
 lot of

00:35:10.199 --> 00:35:10.559
 questions,

00:35:10.679 --> 00:35:11.039
 doesn't it?

00:35:11.039 --> 00:35:11.980
 How do

00:35:11.980 --> 00:35:12.799
 we respond

00:35:12.799 --> 00:35:14.099
 to any

00:35:14.099 --> 00:35:14.360
 threats?

00:35:14.380 --> 00:35:14.659
 And it's

00:35:14.659 --> 00:35:15.019
 not just

00:35:15.019 --> 00:35:15.380
 a matter

00:35:15.380 --> 00:35:15.739
 of our

00:35:15.739 --> 00:35:16.239
 own life

00:35:16.239 --> 00:35:16.799
 personally.

00:35:17.179 --> 00:35:17.579
 You may

00:35:17.579 --> 00:35:17.799
 never

00:35:17.799 --> 00:35:18.480
 personally

00:35:18.480 --> 00:35:19.400
 feel the

00:35:19.400 --> 00:35:19.900
 bite of

00:35:19.900 --> 00:35:20.339
 opposition

00:35:20.339 --> 00:35:20.860
 as others

00:35:20.860 --> 00:35:21.179
 do.

00:35:21.799 --> 00:35:22.259
 You may

00:35:22.259 --> 00:35:22.519
 never

00:35:22.519 --> 00:35:22.839
 actually

00:35:22.839 --> 00:35:23.360
 feel

00:35:23.360 --> 00:35:24.860
 what's

00:35:24.860 --> 00:35:25.219
 happening

00:35:25.219 --> 00:35:25.619
 in our

00:35:25.619 --> 00:35:26.179
 society

00:35:26.179 --> 00:35:27.219
 to other

00:35:27.219 --> 00:35:27.639
 Christians

00:35:27.639 --> 00:35:28.059
 elsewhere,

00:35:28.059 --> 00:35:28.559
 such as

00:35:28.559 --> 00:35:29.019
 this man

00:35:29.019 --> 00:35:29.360
 David

00:35:29.360 --> 00:35:30.219
 Campanel

00:35:30.219 --> 00:35:30.539
 that I

00:35:30.539 --> 00:35:30.940
 mentioned

00:35:30.940 --> 00:35:31.679
 that was

00:35:31.679 --> 00:35:31.960
 in the

00:35:31.960 --> 00:35:32.219
 Christian

00:35:32.219 --> 00:35:32.659
 Institute

00:35:32.659 --> 00:35:33.179
 reports

00:35:33.179 --> 00:35:33.839
 last week.

00:35:33.840 --> 00:35:34.860
 We may

00:35:34.860 --> 00:35:35.260
 never have

00:35:35.260 --> 00:35:36.120
 that personally

00:35:36.120 --> 00:35:36.800
 to stand

00:35:36.800 --> 00:35:37.160
 against.

00:35:37.579 --> 00:35:37.820
 We may

00:35:37.820 --> 00:35:38.140
 never have

00:35:38.140 --> 00:35:38.760
 to experience

00:35:38.760 --> 00:35:39.640
 that personally,

00:35:39.640 --> 00:35:41.559
 but we are

00:35:41.559 --> 00:35:42.460
 bound up

00:35:42.460 --> 00:35:43.180
 together as

00:35:43.180 --> 00:35:43.820
 Christians with

00:35:43.820 --> 00:35:44.300
 the Lord's

00:35:44.300 --> 00:35:46.280
 cause and

00:35:46.280 --> 00:35:46.780
 with such

00:35:46.780 --> 00:35:47.360
 people who

00:35:47.360 --> 00:35:48.320
 stand true

00:35:48.320 --> 00:35:48.720
 to the

00:35:48.720 --> 00:35:49.100
 Lord.

00:35:49.620 --> 00:35:50.000
 That's why we

00:35:50.000 --> 00:35:50.539
 pray for

00:35:50.539 --> 00:35:51.780
 them and

00:35:51.780 --> 00:35:52.360
 we remember

00:35:52.360 --> 00:35:53.880
 them and

00:35:53.880 --> 00:35:55.100
 even if

00:35:55.100 --> 00:35:56.120
 possible send

00:35:56.120 --> 00:35:56.820
 messages to

00:35:56.820 --> 00:35:57.240
 them for

00:35:57.240 --> 00:35:57.440
 their

00:35:57.440 --> 00:35:58.059
 encouragement.

00:35:58.059 --> 00:35:59.719
 all of

00:35:59.719 --> 00:36:00.860
 that is

00:36:00.860 --> 00:36:01.619
 so significant,

00:36:01.759 --> 00:36:02.420
 so important.

00:36:03.179 --> 00:36:03.759
 But the

00:36:03.759 --> 00:36:04.420
 principle is

00:36:04.420 --> 00:36:04.880
 this.

00:36:06.299 --> 00:36:06.900
 Whatever

00:36:06.900 --> 00:36:07.639
 happens in

00:36:07.639 --> 00:36:08.299
 our own

00:36:08.299 --> 00:36:09.480
 experience,

00:36:09.880 --> 00:36:10.119
 in our

00:36:10.119 --> 00:36:11.079
 own nation,

00:36:11.500 --> 00:36:11.860
 our own

00:36:11.860 --> 00:36:12.440
 society,

00:36:13.360 --> 00:36:14.139
 our own

00:36:14.139 --> 00:36:14.699
 locality,

00:36:15.619 --> 00:36:15.960
 the one

00:36:15.960 --> 00:36:16.340
 thing we

00:36:16.340 --> 00:36:18.440
 must never

00:36:18.440 --> 00:36:19.259
 ever even

00:36:19.259 --> 00:36:19.759
 think of

00:36:19.759 --> 00:36:20.219
 doing is

00:36:20.219 --> 00:36:20.820
 being untrue

00:36:20.820 --> 00:36:21.360
 to God.

00:36:22.840 --> 00:36:23.559
 How we

00:36:23.559 --> 00:36:24.320
 express that,

00:36:24.900 --> 00:36:25.400
 the language

00:36:25.400 --> 00:36:26.139
 we use,

00:36:26.559 --> 00:36:27.099
 all of that

00:36:27.099 --> 00:36:27.420
 is so

00:36:27.420 --> 00:36:27.920
 important.

00:36:29.019 --> 00:36:29.739
 But the

00:36:29.739 --> 00:36:30.440
 truth itself

00:36:30.440 --> 00:36:30.820
 is the

00:36:30.820 --> 00:36:31.500
 most important

00:36:31.500 --> 00:36:31.920
 thing of

00:36:31.920 --> 00:36:32.239
 all.

00:36:33.519 --> 00:36:34.179
 And as

00:36:34.179 --> 00:36:34.980
 we live

00:36:34.980 --> 00:36:35.440
 out the

00:36:35.440 --> 00:36:35.840
 truth,

00:36:36.779 --> 00:36:37.159
 and as

00:36:37.159 --> 00:36:37.500
 we seek

00:36:37.500 --> 00:36:38.340
 to promote

00:36:38.340 --> 00:36:38.980
 the truth,

00:36:39.699 --> 00:36:40.320
 as we

00:36:40.320 --> 00:36:40.779
 seek to

00:36:40.779 --> 00:36:41.559
 witness to

00:36:41.559 --> 00:36:42.299
 that truth,

00:36:43.519 --> 00:36:44.059
 may it be

00:36:44.059 --> 00:36:44.539
 so that

00:36:44.539 --> 00:36:45.079
 you and

00:36:45.079 --> 00:36:45.559
 I,

00:36:46.460 --> 00:36:47.119
 together and

00:36:47.119 --> 00:36:47.920
 as individuals,

00:36:48.179 --> 00:36:48.759
 will find

00:36:48.759 --> 00:36:49.940
 increasingly

00:36:49.940 --> 00:36:51.139
 that spirit

00:36:51.139 --> 00:36:51.940
 of Shedrach,

00:36:52.299 --> 00:36:52.820
 Meshach,

00:36:53.519 --> 00:36:54.480
 and Abednego,

00:36:55.480 --> 00:36:56.619
 who said,

00:36:56.719 --> 00:36:56.980
 in their

00:36:56.980 --> 00:36:57.400
 days we

00:36:57.400 --> 00:36:57.840
 must say

00:36:57.840 --> 00:36:58.380
 devourge.

00:36:59.700 --> 00:37:00.500
 Even if

00:37:00.500 --> 00:37:01.140
 it's the

00:37:01.140 --> 00:37:01.700
 case that

00:37:01.700 --> 00:37:03.019
 God will

00:37:03.019 --> 00:37:03.480
 not keep

00:37:03.480 --> 00:37:03.920
 us from

00:37:03.920 --> 00:37:04.620
 the persecution

00:37:04.620 --> 00:37:05.059
 from the

00:37:05.059 --> 00:37:05.820
 fiery furnace,

00:37:06.920 --> 00:37:07.280
 be it

00:37:07.280 --> 00:37:07.559
 known,

00:37:08.519 --> 00:37:09.460
 we will

00:37:09.460 --> 00:37:10.140
 not bow

00:37:10.140 --> 00:37:10.760
 down to

00:37:10.760 --> 00:37:11.579
 these images

00:37:11.579 --> 00:37:13.460
 or worship

00:37:13.460 --> 00:37:15.460
 your gods.

00:37:16.220 --> 00:37:16.780
 And that's

00:37:16.780 --> 00:37:18.280
 not being

00:37:18.280 --> 00:37:19.019
 legalistic,

00:37:20.019 --> 00:37:21.280
 that's not

00:37:21.280 --> 00:37:21.800
 just being

00:37:21.800 --> 00:37:22.300
 thrown

00:37:22.300 --> 00:37:24.000
 religiously,

00:37:24.000 --> 00:37:25.860
 simply

00:37:25.860 --> 00:37:26.179
 being

00:37:26.179 --> 00:37:26.699
 true to

00:37:26.699 --> 00:37:27.079
 God,

00:37:28.219 --> 00:37:28.579
 simply

00:37:28.579 --> 00:37:29.099
 standing

00:37:29.099 --> 00:37:30.320
 on the

00:37:30.320 --> 00:37:30.800
 foundation

00:37:30.800 --> 00:37:31.219
 he has

00:37:31.219 --> 00:37:31.460
 given

00:37:31.460 --> 00:37:31.840
 us,

00:37:32.539 --> 00:37:33.239
 his own

00:37:33.239 --> 00:37:34.019
 truth.

00:37:35.119 --> 00:37:35.599
 Because

00:37:35.599 --> 00:37:36.179
 when truth,

00:37:36.380 --> 00:37:36.880
 as Isaiah

00:37:36.880 --> 00:37:37.340
 puts it,

00:37:37.539 --> 00:37:38.139
 has fallen

00:37:38.139 --> 00:37:38.699
 in the

00:37:38.699 --> 00:37:39.059
 street,

00:37:40.059 --> 00:37:41.199
 somebody's

00:37:41.199 --> 00:37:41.579
 got to put

00:37:41.579 --> 00:37:41.960
 it back

00:37:41.960 --> 00:37:42.280
 on its

00:37:42.280 --> 00:37:42.599
 feet.

00:37:43.739 --> 00:37:44.340
 And if

00:37:44.340 --> 00:37:44.739
 you and I

00:37:44.739 --> 00:37:45.260
 don't do it

00:37:45.260 --> 00:37:45.820
 as Christians,

00:37:47.659 --> 00:37:48.260
 well,

00:37:48.860 --> 00:37:49.760
 we shouldn't

00:37:49.760 --> 00:37:50.340
 be surprised

00:37:50.340 --> 00:37:50.840
 if no one

00:37:50.840 --> 00:37:51.280
 else does

00:37:51.280 --> 00:37:51.539
 it.

00:37:52.800 --> 00:37:53.400
 So here's

00:37:53.400 --> 00:37:54.460
 the Bible's

00:37:54.460 --> 00:37:55.000
 appeal to

00:37:55.000 --> 00:37:55.559
 us tonight.

00:37:56.579 --> 00:37:57.240
 Know what's

00:37:57.240 --> 00:37:57.760
 going on

00:37:57.760 --> 00:37:58.320
 around you,

00:37:58.820 --> 00:37:59.300
 know what's

00:37:59.300 --> 00:37:59.880
 going on

00:37:59.880 --> 00:38:01.059
 in government

00:38:01.059 --> 00:38:01.880
 and proposals

00:38:01.880 --> 00:38:02.840
 for legislation,

00:38:03.440 --> 00:38:04.180
 know what's

00:38:04.180 --> 00:38:04.700
 going on

00:38:04.700 --> 00:38:05.200
 and the

00:38:05.200 --> 00:38:05.740
 events that

00:38:05.740 --> 00:38:06.240
 take place

00:38:06.240 --> 00:38:06.620
 in our

00:38:06.620 --> 00:38:07.019
 land,

00:38:07.620 --> 00:38:08.120
 check out

00:38:08.120 --> 00:38:08.460
 all the

00:38:08.460 --> 00:38:08.940
 websites,

00:38:09.100 --> 00:38:09.500
 the Christian

00:38:09.500 --> 00:38:10.100
 Institute,

00:38:10.680 --> 00:38:10.960
 Christian

00:38:10.960 --> 00:38:11.579
 Concern,

00:38:12.000 --> 00:38:12.360
 all of

00:38:12.360 --> 00:38:12.780
 those that

00:38:12.780 --> 00:38:13.140
 you give

00:38:13.140 --> 00:38:13.620
 where you

00:38:13.620 --> 00:38:14.160
 get access

00:38:14.160 --> 00:38:14.680
 to what's

00:38:14.680 --> 00:38:15.260
 going on

00:38:15.260 --> 00:38:15.980
 and good

00:38:15.980 --> 00:38:16.860
 advice and

00:38:16.860 --> 00:38:18.200
 all sorts

00:38:18.200 --> 00:38:18.519
 of things

00:38:18.519 --> 00:38:19.280
 that help

00:38:19.280 --> 00:38:19.680
 you as a

00:38:19.680 --> 00:38:20.180
 Christian to

00:38:20.179 --> 00:38:20.679
 face up

00:38:20.679 --> 00:38:21.299
 to the

00:38:21.299 --> 00:38:22.039
 reality of

00:38:22.039 --> 00:38:22.239
 what's

00:38:22.239 --> 00:38:22.619
 happening.

00:38:23.519 --> 00:38:23.759
 And as

00:38:23.759 --> 00:38:24.059
 you do

00:38:24.059 --> 00:38:24.379
 so,

00:38:25.099 --> 00:38:26.219
 be inspired

00:38:26.219 --> 00:38:28.779
 by these

00:38:28.779 --> 00:38:29.519
 three faithful

00:38:29.519 --> 00:38:31.279
 men and

00:38:31.279 --> 00:38:32.000
 be inspired

00:38:32.000 --> 00:38:33.599
 so that

00:38:33.599 --> 00:38:34.500
 their stand

00:38:34.500 --> 00:38:35.759
 will also

00:38:35.759 --> 00:38:36.419
 remain our

00:38:36.419 --> 00:38:38.019
 stand in

00:38:38.019 --> 00:38:38.659
 our day as

00:38:38.659 --> 00:38:38.859
 well.

00:38:38.940 --> 00:38:39.359
 Let's pray.

00:38:41.480 --> 00:38:42.039
 Lord,

00:38:42.079 --> 00:38:42.500
 we thank

00:38:42.500 --> 00:38:42.919
 you that

00:38:42.919 --> 00:38:43.500
 your word

00:38:43.500 --> 00:38:44.819
 has its

00:38:44.819 --> 00:38:45.559
 own way of

00:38:45.559 --> 00:38:46.039
 making an

00:38:46.039 --> 00:38:46.559
 appeal to

00:38:46.559 --> 00:38:48.139
 us to

00:38:48.139 --> 00:38:48.639
 be faithful

00:38:48.639 --> 00:38:49.379
 to you in

00:38:49.379 --> 00:38:50.000
 our day

00:38:50.000 --> 00:38:50.639
 as so

00:38:50.639 --> 00:38:50.880
 many

00:38:50.880 --> 00:38:51.980
 were in

00:38:51.980 --> 00:38:52.460
 days gone

00:38:52.460 --> 00:38:52.840
 by.

00:38:53.880 --> 00:38:54.360
 Lord,

00:38:54.440 --> 00:38:54.780
 we pray

00:38:54.780 --> 00:38:55.119
 that you

00:38:55.119 --> 00:38:55.840
 would empower

00:38:55.840 --> 00:38:56.320
 us and

00:38:56.320 --> 00:38:56.960
 equip us

00:38:56.960 --> 00:38:58.239
 with the

00:38:58.239 --> 00:38:58.980
 right knowledge,

00:38:59.239 --> 00:38:59.559
 with the

00:38:59.559 --> 00:39:00.840
 right spirit

00:39:00.840 --> 00:39:01.579
 and attitude,

00:39:02.539 --> 00:39:03.199
 but especially

00:39:03.199 --> 00:39:03.940
 with that

00:39:03.940 --> 00:39:04.780
 deep understanding

00:39:04.780 --> 00:39:05.139
 of your

00:39:05.139 --> 00:39:06.400
 word that

00:39:06.400 --> 00:39:06.840
 these three

00:39:06.840 --> 00:39:07.460
 men had in

00:39:07.460 --> 00:39:08.260
 their generation.

00:39:09.619 --> 00:39:09.940
 Lord,

00:39:10.019 --> 00:39:10.559
 we ask that

00:39:10.559 --> 00:39:11.099
 every effort

00:39:11.099 --> 00:39:11.719
 that we make

00:39:11.719 --> 00:39:13.039
 to stand

00:39:13.039 --> 00:39:13.500
 for your

00:39:13.500 --> 00:39:13.900
 truth,

00:39:14.420 --> 00:39:14.920
 to promote

00:39:14.920 --> 00:39:15.619
 your glory

00:39:15.619 --> 00:39:15.980
 and your

00:39:15.980 --> 00:39:16.719
 praise in

00:39:16.719 --> 00:39:17.440
 our society,

00:39:18.319 --> 00:39:18.519
 that you

00:39:18.519 --> 00:39:18.739
 would be

00:39:18.739 --> 00:39:19.199
 pleased to

00:39:19.199 --> 00:39:19.960
 accompany that

00:39:19.960 --> 00:39:20.299
 with your

00:39:20.299 --> 00:39:20.839
 power and

00:39:20.839 --> 00:39:21.179
 blessing.

00:39:21.880 --> 00:39:22.480
 We do

00:39:22.480 --> 00:39:23.000
 pray for

00:39:23.000 --> 00:39:23.420
 those in

00:39:23.420 --> 00:39:24.139
 authority over

00:39:24.139 --> 00:39:24.339
 us,

00:39:24.420 --> 00:39:24.559
 Lord.

00:39:24.639 --> 00:39:24.859
 You have

00:39:24.859 --> 00:39:25.359
 given us

00:39:25.359 --> 00:39:26.900
 that command

00:39:26.900 --> 00:39:27.599
 in your

00:39:27.599 --> 00:39:28.699
 word to

00:39:28.699 --> 00:39:29.139
 pray for

00:39:29.139 --> 00:39:29.500
 those who

00:39:29.500 --> 00:39:29.859
 are set

00:39:29.859 --> 00:39:30.359
 over us.

00:39:30.480 --> 00:39:30.719
 We would

00:39:30.719 --> 00:39:31.039
 want to

00:39:31.039 --> 00:39:31.319
 do it,

00:39:31.380 --> 00:39:31.719
 oh Lord,

00:39:32.420 --> 00:39:33.199
 not out of

00:39:33.199 --> 00:39:33.559
 a mere

00:39:33.559 --> 00:39:34.159
 sense of

00:39:34.159 --> 00:39:34.539
 duty,

00:39:35.139 --> 00:39:35.679
 just because

00:39:35.679 --> 00:39:36.299
 it's required

00:39:36.299 --> 00:39:36.719
 of us,

00:39:36.799 --> 00:39:37.199
 but out of

00:39:37.199 --> 00:39:37.779
 a true

00:39:37.780 --> 00:39:40.540
 and a

00:39:40.540 --> 00:39:40.960
 true and

00:39:40.960 --> 00:39:41.400
 spiritual

00:39:41.400 --> 00:39:43.040
 concern for

00:39:43.040 --> 00:39:43.320
 their

00:39:43.320 --> 00:39:43.880
 well-being,

00:39:44.740 --> 00:39:45.120
 for the

00:39:45.120 --> 00:39:45.680
 well-being of

00:39:45.680 --> 00:39:46.220
 your church

00:39:46.220 --> 00:39:46.540
 in our

00:39:46.540 --> 00:39:46.900
 land,

00:39:47.580 --> 00:39:47.900
 for the

00:39:47.900 --> 00:39:48.460
 well-being of

00:39:48.460 --> 00:39:48.860
 our fellow

00:39:48.860 --> 00:39:49.460
 citizens,

00:39:50.519 --> 00:39:51.160
 who may be

00:39:51.160 --> 00:39:51.720
 bowing down

00:39:51.720 --> 00:39:52.140
 to other

00:39:52.140 --> 00:39:53.440
 gods or

00:39:53.440 --> 00:39:53.860
 none at

00:39:53.860 --> 00:39:54.200
 all.

00:39:55.220 --> 00:39:55.620
 Grant these

00:39:55.620 --> 00:39:56.140
 mercies to

00:39:56.140 --> 00:39:56.420
 us, we

00:39:56.420 --> 00:39:56.960
 pray now.

00:39:57.640 --> 00:39:58.040
 Hear the

00:39:58.040 --> 00:39:58.540
 prayers of

00:39:58.540 --> 00:39:59.080
 your people,

00:39:59.880 --> 00:40:00.800
 hear silently

00:40:00.800 --> 00:40:01.820
 and also

00:40:01.820 --> 00:40:02.300
 spoken,

00:40:02.800 --> 00:40:03.380
 for Jesus

00:40:03.380 --> 00:40:03.860
 sake.

00:40:04.120 --> 00:40:04.400
 Amen.