WEBVTT

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 Amen. Well, please open up your Bibles to the book of Daniel.

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 We'll be in Daniel chapter 3 this morning.

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 We've made our way to Daniel chapter 3.

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 And so when you found that in your Bibles, let's stand for the reading of God's Word.

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 Daniel chapter 3.

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 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, whose height was 60 cubits and its breadth 6 cubits.

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 He set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.

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 Then king Nebuchadnezzar sent together the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image that king Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

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 Then the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces gathered for the dedication of the image that king Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

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 and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

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 And the herald proclaimed aloud,

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 You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages,

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 that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe,

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 and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image

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 that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.

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 And whoever does not fall down and worship

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 shall immediately be cast into a burning, fiery furnace.

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 Therefore, as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe,

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 and every kind of music,

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 all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the golden image

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 that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

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 Therefore, at that time, certain Chaldeans came forward and maliciously accused the Jews.

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 They declared to King Nebuchadnezzar,

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 O king, live forever.

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 You, king, have made a decree that every man who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe,

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 and every kind of music shall fall down and worship the golden image.

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 And whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into a burning, fiery furnace.

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 There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon,

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 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

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 These men, O king, pay no attention to you.

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 They do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.

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 Then Nebuchadnezzar, in a furious rage, commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought.

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 So they brought these men before the king.

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 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them,

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 Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up?

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 Now if you are ready, when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music,

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 to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good.

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 But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning, fiery furnace.

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 And who is the God who will deliver you out of my hands?

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 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king,

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 O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.

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 If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning, fiery furnace.

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 And he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.

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 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.

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 Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury, and the expression of his face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

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 He ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it was usually heated.

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 And he ordered some of the mighty men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

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 and to cast them into the burning, fiery furnace.

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 Then these men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics, their hats, and their other garments,

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 and they were thrown into the burning, fiery furnace.

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 Because the king's order was urgent and the furnace was overheated,

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 the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

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 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the burning, fiery furnace.

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 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste.

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 He declared to his counselors,

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 Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?

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 They answered and said to the king,

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 True, O king.

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 He answered and said,

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 But I see four men, unbound, walking in the midst of the fire,

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 and they are not hurt,

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 and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.

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 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning, fiery furnace,

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 and he declared,

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 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego,

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 servants of the Most High God, come out and come here.

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 Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire.

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 And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king's counselors gathered together

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 and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men.

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 The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed,

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 and no smell of fire had come upon them.

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 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said,

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 Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego,

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 who has sent his angel and delivered his servants who trusted in him

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 and set aside the king's command

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 and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own god.

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 Therefore I make a decree,

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 any people, nation, or language

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 that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

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 shall be torn limb from limb

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 and their houses laid in ruins

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 for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way.

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 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

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 in the province of Babylon.

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 This is the holy word of God.

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 If you would, let's pray once more.

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 Lord, we have read your word, we've opened it up,

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 and now we seek your help to understand it.

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 So we pray, Father, would you give us ears to hear

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 and hearts to receive your word this morning.

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 We pray in Christ's name.

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 Amen.

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 You may be seated.

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 Amen.

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 On April 18, 1521,

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 Martin Luther stood at the Diet of Worms

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 in front of Emperor Charles V

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 where he would have to answer two questions.

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 Question number one,

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 did he actually write the 25 pieces of literature

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 that they had assembled there together for their examination,

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 which according to them contained heretical teachings

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 against the church and her doctrine?

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 And if so, question number two,

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 would he recant?

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 Luther was already officially excommunicated from the church,

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 but now he faced an additional threat of the imperial ban,

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 which would come with it,

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 the threat against his life.

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 So Luther, wisely so,

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 requested a little bit of time to pray.

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 He retreated and prayed

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 and came back to face the emperor

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 and gave one of what I believe is

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 one of the most moving speeches

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 in all of Christian history.

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 He said the following,

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 Unless I am convinced by the testimony

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 of the Holy Scriptures

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 or by evident reason,

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 for I believe neither pope nor councils alone,

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 as it is clear that they have erred repeatedly

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 and contradicted themselves,

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 I consider myself convicted

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 by the testimony of the Holy Scriptures,

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 which is my basis.

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 My conscience is captive to the word of God.

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 Thus I cannot and will not recant,

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 because acting against one's own conscience

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 is neither safe nor sound.

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 Here I stand,

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 I can do no other.

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 God help me.

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 Amen.

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 Don't you love stories like this?

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 Stories like this from church history

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 of Christians taking a stand

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 at risk to their own life.

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 They move us.

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 We find encouragement from them

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 because while we may never

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 have to stand before the emperor,

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 if we belong to the kingdom of God,

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 we will face trials and temptations

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 and tribulations here in the kingdom of man.

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 The stories like Luther's

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 and like Daniel's

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 and like Shadrach's, Meshach's,

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 and Abednego here in Daniel chapter 3

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 this morning show us

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 what can we expect

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 as citizens of God's kingdom

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 living here in the kingdom of man.

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 The question that I want us to ask this morning

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 as we look at Daniel chapter 3

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 is simply what can we expect?

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 What can we expect

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 as citizens of God's kingdom

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 here in the kingdom of man?

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 What should you expect

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 if you are a follower of Christ

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 here in the kingdom of man?

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 I want to give us three expectations

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 from Daniel chapter 3.

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 Three expectations.

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 Number one, first,

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 God's people should expect

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 temptation and tension.

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 God's people should expect

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 temptation and tension.

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 Look there starting in verse 1

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 of chapter 3.

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 You remember last week in chapter 2

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 God gave Nebuchadnezzar a dream

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 of this great image.

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 You remember this dream?

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 And the head of the image

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 was made of gold.

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 And you remember this

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 represented Nebuchadnezzar

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 and it represented

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 the kingdom of Babylon.

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 But the rest of the image

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 it was composed of

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 these different materials

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 and these different materials

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 represented different kingdoms

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 that would come after Nebuchadnezzar.

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 This was God's revealed plan

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 for the future.

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 Well, it seems like

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 here in chapter 3

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 Nebuchadnezzar has his own plan.

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 He makes his own image.

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 This image,

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 if we follow the measurements,

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 it's about 90 feet tall

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 and about 9 feet wide

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 and it's not made up

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 of different composite parts.

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 What's it made up out of?

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 It's all made of gold.

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 As if to say,

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 as long as I can,

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 for as much as I can,

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 I'm going to rule over my kingdom

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 and I'm going to get the glory.

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 We need to understand this image

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 is an image of pride

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 and defiance.

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 Which is interesting

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 because Daniel tells us

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 that Nebuchadnezzar

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 builds this giant golden image

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 in the plain of Dura,

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 which is the exact place,

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 geographically,

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 where the Tower of Babel

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 was constructed.

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 All these years ago

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 in Genesis chapter 11,

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 you remember the Tower of Babel

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 where all the peoples of the earth,

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 all the nations of the earth

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 gathered together

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 in defiance

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 against God's command

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 to scatter

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 and spread the earth,

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 spread his glory

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 amongst the earth.

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 And they gathered together

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 to say,

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 let us make a name

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 for ourselves.

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 This was defiance

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 and pride.

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 History is repeating itself here.

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 See, there's this theme,

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 this thread

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 of pride

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 and defiance

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 and self-exaltation

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 that runs all the way

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 through human history

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 beginning with the Garden of Eden

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 and that will not be

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 finally done away with

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 until the return of Christ.

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 This is characteristic

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 of the kingdom of man.

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 So we see here,

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 this is a man-centered,

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 self-exalting worship service.

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 And Nebuchadnezzar sets up.

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 He gathers all the officials,

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 all his people,

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 and he makes a proclamation,

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 verse 4,

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 that you are commanded,

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 O peoples,

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 nations,

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 languages,

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 when you hear the sound

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 of all of these musical instruments

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 that I will not read again.

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 And every kind of music,

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 you are to fall down

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 and worship

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 the image

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 that King Nebuchadnezzar

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 has set up.

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 And whoever does not worship

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 and does not fall down

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 shall immediately

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 face judgment.

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 They'll be cast

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 into a burning,

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 fiery furnace.

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 Well, verse 7 says,

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 the music begins to play,

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 the worship service

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 has begun,

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 and all the people's,

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 nations,

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 languages fell down

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 and worshiped

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 worshiped

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 the golden image

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 that King Nebuchadnezzar

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 has set up,

00:12:26.259 --> 00:12:27.580
 all the peoples that is

00:12:27.580 --> 00:12:29.740
 except for three.

00:12:31.779 --> 00:12:32.899
 The Chaldeans,

00:12:33.399 --> 00:12:34.860
 they noticed

00:12:34.860 --> 00:12:37.460
 these men refusing

00:12:37.460 --> 00:12:38.340
 to bow down

00:12:38.340 --> 00:12:38.960
 to the image.

00:12:39.060 --> 00:12:40.039
 And so verse 8 tells us

00:12:40.039 --> 00:12:41.679
 that certain Chaldeans

00:12:41.679 --> 00:12:42.340
 came forward

00:12:42.340 --> 00:12:43.320
 and ratted them out.

00:12:43.440 --> 00:12:43.799
 They said,

00:12:44.179 --> 00:12:45.379
 these certain Jews,

00:12:45.560 --> 00:12:46.139
 Nebuchadnezzar,

00:12:46.220 --> 00:12:47.460
 who you appointed

00:12:47.460 --> 00:12:48.779
 over the affairs of Babylon,

00:12:49.019 --> 00:12:50.080
 sounds like a little bit

00:12:50.080 --> 00:12:51.480
 of jealousy there,

00:12:51.840 --> 00:12:52.340
 possibly.

00:12:53.160 --> 00:12:54.340
 They pay no attention

00:12:54.340 --> 00:12:54.960
 to you.

00:12:55.980 --> 00:12:57.160
 They don't serve your gods.

00:12:57.240 --> 00:12:57.860
 They don't worship

00:12:57.860 --> 00:12:58.500
 the golden image

00:12:58.500 --> 00:12:59.300
 that you set up.

00:12:59.420 --> 00:13:01.060
 And as you would expect,

00:13:01.259 --> 00:13:02.020
 Nebuchadnezzar

00:13:02.020 --> 00:13:03.879
 was furious about this.

00:13:04.680 --> 00:13:05.340
 And he brought the men

00:13:05.340 --> 00:13:05.940
 in before him.

00:13:05.980 --> 00:13:06.180
 He said,

00:13:06.280 --> 00:13:07.580
 is this true?

00:13:07.700 --> 00:13:08.600
 Do you really not

00:13:08.600 --> 00:13:09.800
 worship my gods?

00:13:09.900 --> 00:13:10.840
 Do you really

00:13:10.840 --> 00:13:12.340
 disregard my command?

00:13:12.500 --> 00:13:13.220
 Do you really not

00:13:13.220 --> 00:13:14.640
 bow down to this golden image

00:13:14.640 --> 00:13:15.700
 that I set up?

00:13:15.780 --> 00:13:16.100
 But he said,

00:13:16.160 --> 00:13:17.440
 here's one more shot.

00:13:18.320 --> 00:13:19.520
 I'll stand here and watch.

00:13:20.080 --> 00:13:21.580
 And when you hear the music,

00:13:21.580 --> 00:13:23.060
 if you will bow down

00:13:23.060 --> 00:13:23.720
 and worship,

00:13:23.920 --> 00:13:25.120
 then well and good.

00:13:25.200 --> 00:13:26.000
 But if you won't,

00:13:27.300 --> 00:13:27.900
 there's a burning,

00:13:28.139 --> 00:13:29.040
 fiery furnace

00:13:29.040 --> 00:13:30.460
 waiting for you.

00:13:30.520 --> 00:13:31.639
 And who is the God

00:13:31.639 --> 00:13:33.120
 who will deliver you

00:13:33.120 --> 00:13:35.020
 out of my hands?

00:13:35.080 --> 00:13:35.560
 And now,

00:13:35.680 --> 00:13:36.100
 finally,

00:13:36.400 --> 00:13:37.620
 we get to hear

00:13:37.620 --> 00:13:38.360
 from Shadrach,

00:13:38.460 --> 00:13:39.020
 Meshach,

00:13:39.520 --> 00:13:40.180
 and Abednego.

00:13:40.400 --> 00:13:41.060
 Verse 16.

00:13:41.180 --> 00:13:41.800
 Look there with me.

00:13:43.400 --> 00:13:44.820
 I love how they respond

00:13:44.820 --> 00:13:45.759
 to the king.

00:13:46.540 --> 00:13:46.940
 They say,

00:13:47.020 --> 00:13:47.879
 O Nebuchadnezzar,

00:13:47.879 --> 00:13:50.159
 we have no need

00:13:50.159 --> 00:13:51.139
 to answer you

00:13:51.139 --> 00:13:52.340
 in this matter.

00:13:53.460 --> 00:13:54.259
 If this be so,

00:13:54.340 --> 00:13:54.820
 our God,

00:13:54.879 --> 00:13:55.539
 whom we serve,

00:13:55.620 --> 00:13:56.879
 is able to deliver

00:13:56.879 --> 00:13:58.240
 from the fiery furnace.

00:13:58.480 --> 00:13:59.620
 And he will deliver us

00:13:59.620 --> 00:14:00.259
 out of your hand,

00:14:00.320 --> 00:14:00.679
 O king.

00:14:01.039 --> 00:14:02.200
 But if not,

00:14:02.259 --> 00:14:02.799
 do you hear that?

00:14:03.899 --> 00:14:05.100
 But even if not,

00:14:06.000 --> 00:14:07.000
 be it known to you,

00:14:07.059 --> 00:14:07.419
 O king,

00:14:07.460 --> 00:14:08.799
 that we will not

00:14:08.799 --> 00:14:10.320
 serve your gods

00:14:10.320 --> 00:14:12.159
 or worship the golden image

00:14:12.159 --> 00:14:12.820
 that you

00:14:12.820 --> 00:14:14.720
 have set up.

00:14:14.720 --> 00:14:16.379
 You know,

00:14:16.420 --> 00:14:17.720
 this is the only time

00:14:17.720 --> 00:14:18.500
 in all of scripture

00:14:18.500 --> 00:14:19.639
 that we hear Shadrach,

00:14:19.740 --> 00:14:20.100
 Meshach,

00:14:20.180 --> 00:14:21.120
 and Abednego speak.

00:14:21.879 --> 00:14:22.759
 And it's here

00:14:22.759 --> 00:14:24.779
 in this moving speech.

00:14:25.320 --> 00:14:26.120
 Now these three men,

00:14:26.160 --> 00:14:27.060
 they give us an example

00:14:27.060 --> 00:14:28.120
 of what it looks like

00:14:28.120 --> 00:14:30.519
 to refuse to bow the knee

00:14:30.519 --> 00:14:31.320
 to anyone

00:14:31.320 --> 00:14:32.639
 or anything

00:14:32.639 --> 00:14:33.980
 outside of the one

00:14:33.980 --> 00:14:35.500
 true God.

00:14:36.759 --> 00:14:37.560
 Now these three men,

00:14:37.639 --> 00:14:38.300
 they teach us

00:14:38.300 --> 00:14:39.759
 how to resist

00:14:39.759 --> 00:14:41.560
 the idols of our time

00:14:41.559 --> 00:14:43.259
 and how to live

00:14:43.259 --> 00:14:44.059
 in the tension

00:14:44.059 --> 00:14:45.019
 that we all feel

00:14:45.019 --> 00:14:45.839
 being a citizen

00:14:45.839 --> 00:14:46.779
 of God's kingdom

00:14:46.779 --> 00:14:48.079
 here in the kingdom

00:14:48.079 --> 00:14:48.739
 of man.

00:14:50.079 --> 00:14:51.119
 Now I'll never forget

00:14:51.119 --> 00:14:52.159
 when I was living

00:14:52.159 --> 00:14:52.639
 in Charlotte,

00:14:52.799 --> 00:14:53.439
 I walked,

00:14:53.699 --> 00:14:54.659
 I took a walk one day,

00:14:54.699 --> 00:14:55.399
 I lived down the road

00:14:55.399 --> 00:14:56.459
 from a Buddhist temple.

00:14:56.899 --> 00:14:57.699
 And I walked

00:14:57.699 --> 00:14:58.899
 down the road

00:14:58.899 --> 00:14:59.679
 and went into

00:14:59.679 --> 00:15:00.719
 this Buddhist temple

00:15:00.719 --> 00:15:01.639
 and I saw

00:15:01.639 --> 00:15:03.039
 lining the walls

00:15:03.039 --> 00:15:03.759
 were hundreds

00:15:03.759 --> 00:15:05.459
 of physical idols.

00:15:06.359 --> 00:15:08.079
 These man-made images,

00:15:08.339 --> 00:15:09.379
 these man-made gods

00:15:09.379 --> 00:15:09.959
 that somebody

00:15:09.960 --> 00:15:10.980
 had to craft

00:15:10.980 --> 00:15:11.759
 and piece together

00:15:11.759 --> 00:15:12.680
 with their own hands.

00:15:12.780 --> 00:15:13.400
 Somebody had to

00:15:13.400 --> 00:15:14.440
 pick them up

00:15:14.440 --> 00:15:14.980
 and put them

00:15:14.980 --> 00:15:15.700
 on the shelf.

00:15:16.180 --> 00:15:16.860
 From time to time,

00:15:16.940 --> 00:15:17.660
 somebody has to come by

00:15:17.660 --> 00:15:18.500
 and dust off

00:15:18.500 --> 00:15:19.580
 these dirty gods.

00:15:20.160 --> 00:15:20.800
 They've got to walk

00:15:20.800 --> 00:15:21.280
 carefully,

00:15:21.440 --> 00:15:21.900
 they don't want to

00:15:21.900 --> 00:15:22.720
 bump into the shelf

00:15:22.720 --> 00:15:23.400
 because if they do,

00:15:23.500 --> 00:15:24.280
 that god will fall

00:15:24.280 --> 00:15:24.820
 off the shelf

00:15:24.820 --> 00:15:26.420
 and shatter into pieces.

00:15:27.820 --> 00:15:28.980
 But I saw people

00:15:28.980 --> 00:15:30.639
 in there bowing down

00:15:30.639 --> 00:15:31.980
 and worshiping

00:15:31.980 --> 00:15:33.639
 these false images.

00:15:33.980 --> 00:15:34.379
 And to me,

00:15:34.420 --> 00:15:35.379
 it seems so obvious.

00:15:35.540 --> 00:15:37.660
 This is foolishness.

00:15:37.759 --> 00:15:38.700
 This is empty.

00:15:38.700 --> 00:15:40.740
 Why are they doing this?

00:15:40.879 --> 00:15:41.860
 But church,

00:15:41.940 --> 00:15:42.560
 we need to understand

00:15:42.560 --> 00:15:43.540
 the truth is that

00:15:43.540 --> 00:15:45.060
 all of us

00:15:45.060 --> 00:15:45.800
 are tempted

00:15:45.800 --> 00:15:46.980
 to worship idols.

00:15:48.200 --> 00:15:49.259
 All of us

00:15:49.259 --> 00:15:50.780
 worship idols.

00:15:50.879 --> 00:15:51.560
 We may never

00:15:51.560 --> 00:15:52.220
 bow down

00:15:52.220 --> 00:15:53.700
 to physical images,

00:15:53.920 --> 00:15:54.520
 physical idols

00:15:54.520 --> 00:15:55.020
 on a wall,

00:15:55.120 --> 00:15:56.320
 but I want to be clear

00:15:56.320 --> 00:15:57.080
 with you this morning.

00:15:57.280 --> 00:15:58.160
 All of us

00:15:58.160 --> 00:15:59.180
 are tempted

00:15:59.180 --> 00:16:00.740
 to idolatry.

00:16:01.980 --> 00:16:02.820
 Every one of us

00:16:02.820 --> 00:16:03.280
 is prone

00:16:03.280 --> 00:16:03.840
 to worship

00:16:03.840 --> 00:16:04.340
 and serve

00:16:04.340 --> 00:16:05.259
 created things

00:16:05.259 --> 00:16:05.940
 rather than

00:16:05.940 --> 00:16:06.580
 the creator.

00:16:06.680 --> 00:16:07.520
 That's idolatry.

00:16:07.519 --> 00:16:09.259
 Idolatry

00:16:09.259 --> 00:16:10.240
 isn't simply

00:16:10.240 --> 00:16:11.159
 bowing down

00:16:11.159 --> 00:16:12.620
 to a physical image

00:16:12.620 --> 00:16:13.340
 on a wall

00:16:13.340 --> 00:16:14.740
 or a golden statue

00:16:14.740 --> 00:16:16.039
 that's 90 feet tall.

00:16:16.539 --> 00:16:17.039
 Idolatry

00:16:17.039 --> 00:16:17.579
 is allowing

00:16:17.579 --> 00:16:18.199
 anyone

00:16:18.199 --> 00:16:19.500
 or anything

00:16:19.500 --> 00:16:20.519
 to take

00:16:20.519 --> 00:16:21.919
 God's rightful place

00:16:21.919 --> 00:16:22.579
 in our heart.

00:16:24.259 --> 00:16:25.299
 So we may never

00:16:25.299 --> 00:16:25.960
 bow down

00:16:25.960 --> 00:16:27.559
 to a golden statue,

00:16:27.779 --> 00:16:29.039
 but we may

00:16:29.039 --> 00:16:30.019
 worship our bank account.

00:16:30.019 --> 00:16:33.539
 we may

00:16:33.539 --> 00:16:34.759
 bow down

00:16:34.759 --> 00:16:35.379
 to the attention

00:16:35.379 --> 00:16:35.980
 of others.

00:16:37.299 --> 00:16:38.019
 We may

00:16:38.019 --> 00:16:38.939
 not ever

00:16:38.939 --> 00:16:39.299
 bow down

00:16:39.299 --> 00:16:40.039
 to golden statues,

00:16:40.199 --> 00:16:40.600
 but we may

00:16:40.600 --> 00:16:41.279
 make idols

00:16:41.279 --> 00:16:42.159
 of our spouse,

00:16:43.019 --> 00:16:43.799
 of our children,

00:16:43.939 --> 00:16:44.699
 of our grandchildren,

00:16:45.240 --> 00:16:46.360
 of our jobs.

00:16:47.179 --> 00:16:48.139
 We may be

00:16:48.139 --> 00:16:49.120
 drawn to adopt

00:16:49.120 --> 00:16:49.579
 the idols

00:16:49.579 --> 00:16:50.340
 of our culture.

00:16:50.460 --> 00:16:50.819
 You realize

00:16:50.819 --> 00:16:51.600
 our culture

00:16:51.600 --> 00:16:52.919
 idolizes sex,

00:16:54.120 --> 00:16:55.220
 self-determination,

00:16:56.480 --> 00:16:57.439
 social status,

00:16:57.620 --> 00:16:58.360
 social approval,

00:16:58.360 --> 00:16:58.980
 the accumulation

00:16:58.980 --> 00:17:00.419
 of stuff.

00:17:00.500 --> 00:17:01.200
 How much stuff

00:17:01.200 --> 00:17:01.720
 can I get?

00:17:01.779 --> 00:17:02.600
 The newest gadget,

00:17:02.720 --> 00:17:03.399
 the newest thing,

00:17:03.919 --> 00:17:04.720
 the nicer house,

00:17:04.819 --> 00:17:05.539
 the nicer car.

00:17:06.779 --> 00:17:07.059
 Church,

00:17:07.120 --> 00:17:08.360
 whatever it may be,

00:17:08.440 --> 00:17:09.559
 the kingdom of man

00:17:09.559 --> 00:17:10.920
 would love

00:17:10.920 --> 00:17:12.299
 to make anything

00:17:12.299 --> 00:17:12.960
 the center

00:17:12.960 --> 00:17:14.339
 of our heart's affection

00:17:14.339 --> 00:17:16.240
 besides the one person

00:17:16.240 --> 00:17:17.420
 who rightly deserves

00:17:17.420 --> 00:17:18.200
 to be there.

00:17:19.200 --> 00:17:19.900
 We have to

00:17:19.900 --> 00:17:21.039
 expect this

00:17:21.039 --> 00:17:22.860
 and resist it.

00:17:24.039 --> 00:17:24.779
 Not only this,

00:17:24.860 --> 00:17:25.880
 these three men

00:17:25.880 --> 00:17:26.539
 also teach us

00:17:26.539 --> 00:17:26.900
 how to live

00:17:26.900 --> 00:17:27.539
 in the tension

00:17:27.539 --> 00:17:28.579
 as citizens

00:17:28.579 --> 00:17:29.480
 of God's kingdom

00:17:29.480 --> 00:17:30.079
 living here

00:17:30.079 --> 00:17:30.960
 in the kingdom of man.

00:17:31.079 --> 00:17:32.440
 Do you ever feel

00:17:32.440 --> 00:17:32.899
 that tension?

00:17:34.659 --> 00:17:35.879
 If you're a Christian,

00:17:36.079 --> 00:17:36.259
 again,

00:17:36.379 --> 00:17:37.099
 your identity

00:17:37.099 --> 00:17:38.440
 is that you are

00:17:38.440 --> 00:17:39.019
 a citizen

00:17:39.019 --> 00:17:40.420
 of God's kingdom,

00:17:40.599 --> 00:17:41.079
 which means

00:17:41.079 --> 00:17:41.859
 the Lord

00:17:41.859 --> 00:17:43.359
 is your ultimate authority.

00:17:44.019 --> 00:17:44.879
 You bow the knee

00:17:44.879 --> 00:17:45.399
 ultimately

00:17:45.399 --> 00:17:46.539
 to Him.

00:17:47.079 --> 00:17:47.960
 But even so,

00:17:48.099 --> 00:17:48.879
 we live here

00:17:48.879 --> 00:17:49.559
 on earth,

00:17:49.839 --> 00:17:50.740
 here in all in all,

00:17:50.839 --> 00:17:51.559
 South Carolina,

00:17:51.740 --> 00:17:53.000
 here in America.

00:17:53.220 --> 00:17:54.339
 We are a citizen

00:17:54.339 --> 00:17:56.319
 of this physical place

00:17:56.319 --> 00:17:57.179
 and we live

00:17:57.179 --> 00:17:59.240
 under earthly authority.

00:18:00.519 --> 00:18:01.319
 So how do we handle

00:18:01.319 --> 00:18:02.359
 that tension?

00:18:03.559 --> 00:18:04.819
 Our statement of faith,

00:18:04.879 --> 00:18:05.599
 it has an article

00:18:05.599 --> 00:18:07.599
 concerning civil government

00:18:07.599 --> 00:18:08.439
 and it says this,

00:18:08.500 --> 00:18:08.779
 it says,

00:18:08.779 --> 00:18:09.960
 we believe

00:18:09.960 --> 00:18:11.059
 that civil government

00:18:11.059 --> 00:18:13.160
 has been divinely appointed

00:18:13.160 --> 00:18:14.420
 for the benefit

00:18:14.420 --> 00:18:15.279
 and good order

00:18:15.279 --> 00:18:16.379
 of human society

00:18:16.379 --> 00:18:18.279
 and that public officials

00:18:18.279 --> 00:18:19.759
 are to be prayed for,

00:18:20.500 --> 00:18:20.799
 honored,

00:18:21.460 --> 00:18:23.720
 and conscientiously obeyed,

00:18:23.720 --> 00:18:25.960
 except only in things

00:18:25.960 --> 00:18:27.460
 opposed to the will

00:18:27.460 --> 00:18:29.220
 of our Lord Jesus Christ,

00:18:29.720 --> 00:18:30.920
 who is the only Lord

00:18:30.920 --> 00:18:31.599
 of the conscience

00:18:31.599 --> 00:18:32.319
 and the prince

00:18:32.319 --> 00:18:33.319
 of the kings

00:18:33.319 --> 00:18:34.700
 of the earth.

00:18:34.700 --> 00:18:36.779
 So on the one hand,

00:18:37.819 --> 00:18:38.620
 we believe,

00:18:38.840 --> 00:18:39.500
 along with Paul

00:18:39.500 --> 00:18:40.360
 in Romans 13,

00:18:40.620 --> 00:18:41.200
 we believe

00:18:41.200 --> 00:18:42.279
 that we're called

00:18:42.279 --> 00:18:42.920
 to honor

00:18:42.920 --> 00:18:43.819
 and obey

00:18:43.819 --> 00:18:45.240
 our earthly authorities.

00:18:46.200 --> 00:18:46.840
 We believe

00:18:46.840 --> 00:18:47.819
 that they're appointed

00:18:47.819 --> 00:18:48.819
 by God Himself

00:18:48.819 --> 00:18:49.460
 and that means

00:18:49.460 --> 00:18:50.460
 whether or not

00:18:50.460 --> 00:18:51.400
 we like them,

00:18:52.440 --> 00:18:53.279
 whether or not

00:18:53.279 --> 00:18:55.019
 we voted for them,

00:18:55.140 --> 00:18:55.620
 whether or not

00:18:55.620 --> 00:18:56.059
 we believe

00:18:56.059 --> 00:18:57.340
 they have rightfully

00:18:57.340 --> 00:18:58.299
 taken that place

00:18:58.299 --> 00:18:58.880
 of authority,

00:18:59.480 --> 00:19:00.140
 we believe

00:19:00.140 --> 00:19:01.180
 that we are called

00:19:01.180 --> 00:19:02.160
 to pray for

00:19:02.160 --> 00:19:03.100
 and honor

00:19:03.100 --> 00:19:04.840
 those earthly authorities

00:19:04.840 --> 00:19:05.800
 that have been placed

00:19:05.800 --> 00:19:07.340
 over us.

00:19:07.680 --> 00:19:08.600
 But on the other hand,

00:19:09.660 --> 00:19:10.320
 we believe

00:19:10.320 --> 00:19:11.840
 that we must

00:19:11.840 --> 00:19:13.140
 disobey

00:19:13.140 --> 00:19:15.180
 any earthly authority

00:19:15.180 --> 00:19:16.840
 who would command us

00:19:16.840 --> 00:19:17.540
 to do anything

00:19:17.540 --> 00:19:18.680
 God forbids

00:19:18.680 --> 00:19:19.700
 or forbid us

00:19:19.700 --> 00:19:20.380
 to do anything

00:19:20.380 --> 00:19:21.240
 God commands.

00:19:22.180 --> 00:19:22.740
 You hear that?

00:19:23.380 --> 00:19:24.620
 We must

00:19:24.620 --> 00:19:25.840
 disobey

00:19:25.840 --> 00:19:27.740
 any earthly authority

00:19:27.740 --> 00:19:29.300
 who would command us

00:19:29.300 --> 00:19:30.480
 to do anything

00:19:30.480 --> 00:19:31.800
 God forbids

00:19:31.799 --> 00:19:33.379
 or would forbid us

00:19:33.379 --> 00:19:34.240
 to do anything

00:19:34.240 --> 00:19:35.839
 God commands.

00:19:36.059 --> 00:19:36.180
 Well,

00:19:36.299 --> 00:19:37.099
 clearly here,

00:19:37.159 --> 00:19:37.740
 Nebuchadnezzar

00:19:37.740 --> 00:19:38.460
 commands them

00:19:38.460 --> 00:19:39.099
 to do something

00:19:39.099 --> 00:19:40.000
 God forbids

00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:41.019
 and so they remember

00:19:41.019 --> 00:19:42.200
 who they truly serve

00:19:42.200 --> 00:19:42.659
 and church,

00:19:42.779 --> 00:19:44.240
 so must we.

00:19:46.119 --> 00:19:47.460
 We would be wise

00:19:47.460 --> 00:19:49.359
 to expect

00:19:49.359 --> 00:19:50.559
 temptation

00:19:50.559 --> 00:19:51.399
 and tension

00:19:51.399 --> 00:19:52.879
 here in the kingdom

00:19:52.879 --> 00:19:53.339
 of man.

00:19:53.819 --> 00:19:54.940
 If we're a citizen

00:19:54.940 --> 00:19:55.759
 of God's kingdom,

00:19:55.940 --> 00:19:57.259
 we should expect

00:19:57.259 --> 00:19:58.139
 temptation

00:19:58.139 --> 00:19:59.599
 and tension

00:19:59.599 --> 00:20:00.619
 and second,

00:20:00.619 --> 00:20:02.039
 we should expect

00:20:02.039 --> 00:20:02.719
 that when we

00:20:02.719 --> 00:20:04.159
 resist temptation

00:20:04.159 --> 00:20:06.239
 and when we resist

00:20:06.239 --> 00:20:08.019
 our earthly authorities

00:20:08.019 --> 00:20:09.439
 here in this world,

00:20:09.659 --> 00:20:10.719
 we should expect

00:20:10.719 --> 00:20:11.699
 that that will not

00:20:11.699 --> 00:20:12.839
 be well received.

00:20:14.059 --> 00:20:15.199
 The second expectation

00:20:15.199 --> 00:20:16.719
 here for God's people,

00:20:16.839 --> 00:20:17.319
 God's people

00:20:17.319 --> 00:20:18.559
 should expect

00:20:18.559 --> 00:20:20.979
 trials and tribulations

00:20:20.979 --> 00:20:21.959
 here in the kingdom

00:20:21.959 --> 00:20:22.419
 of man.

00:20:23.379 --> 00:20:24.000
 God's people

00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:24.939
 should expect

00:20:24.939 --> 00:20:25.659
 trials

00:20:25.659 --> 00:20:27.639
 and tribulations

00:20:27.640 --> 00:20:29.160
 here in the kingdom

00:20:29.160 --> 00:20:30.480
 of man.

00:20:32.200 --> 00:20:32.759
 You know,

00:20:32.800 --> 00:20:33.759
 there are some people

00:20:33.759 --> 00:20:35.220
 who think

00:20:35.220 --> 00:20:36.220
 that if you are

00:20:36.220 --> 00:20:37.240
 one of God's people

00:20:37.240 --> 00:20:38.280
 or maybe if you just

00:20:38.280 --> 00:20:39.120
 have enough faith

00:20:39.120 --> 00:20:41.040
 that you won't face

00:20:41.040 --> 00:20:41.920
 any hardship

00:20:41.920 --> 00:20:43.120
 in your life.

00:20:43.860 --> 00:20:44.680
 You won't face

00:20:44.680 --> 00:20:45.240
 any trial.

00:20:45.420 --> 00:20:45.920
 If you're right

00:20:45.920 --> 00:20:46.500
 in the center

00:20:46.500 --> 00:20:47.380
 of God's will,

00:20:47.720 --> 00:20:48.580
 all should go well

00:20:48.580 --> 00:20:48.860
 with you.

00:20:48.940 --> 00:20:49.460
 You won't face

00:20:49.460 --> 00:20:50.300
 any issue,

00:20:50.520 --> 00:20:51.480
 but I want to make

00:20:51.480 --> 00:20:52.640
 as clear as I possibly

00:20:52.640 --> 00:20:53.759
 can this morning

00:20:53.759 --> 00:20:55.339
 that's false.

00:20:57.279 --> 00:20:58.980
 Story after story

00:20:58.980 --> 00:20:59.740
 after story

00:20:59.740 --> 00:21:00.339
 after story

00:21:00.339 --> 00:21:01.359
 from God's word,

00:21:02.079 --> 00:21:03.200
 story after story

00:21:03.200 --> 00:21:03.799
 after story

00:21:03.799 --> 00:21:04.440
 after story

00:21:04.440 --> 00:21:05.660
 from the history

00:21:05.660 --> 00:21:06.640
 of God's people

00:21:06.640 --> 00:21:07.460
 and church history

00:21:07.460 --> 00:21:08.379
 tells us that

00:21:08.379 --> 00:21:09.559
 here in the kingdom

00:21:09.559 --> 00:21:10.059
 of man,

00:21:10.160 --> 00:21:10.819
 God's people

00:21:10.819 --> 00:21:12.240
 should expect

00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:14.680
 trials and tribulations.

00:21:14.920 --> 00:21:15.059
 You know,

00:21:15.519 --> 00:21:16.480
 about a month

00:21:16.480 --> 00:21:17.980
 after Luther's speech,

00:21:18.920 --> 00:21:19.500
 the emperor,

00:21:19.980 --> 00:21:20.599
 you can imagine,

00:21:20.740 --> 00:21:21.519
 did not receive

00:21:21.519 --> 00:21:22.140
 that well.

00:21:22.140 --> 00:21:24.240
 The emperor

00:21:24.240 --> 00:21:25.200
 condemned Luther

00:21:25.200 --> 00:21:26.940
 as a notorious heretic

00:21:26.940 --> 00:21:28.040
 and an enemy

00:21:28.040 --> 00:21:28.800
 of the state

00:21:28.800 --> 00:21:30.220
 and he forbid

00:21:30.220 --> 00:21:31.020
 the citizens

00:21:31.020 --> 00:21:31.620
 of the empire

00:21:31.620 --> 00:21:32.240
 from reading

00:21:32.240 --> 00:21:32.920
 or spreading

00:21:32.920 --> 00:21:33.940
 any of Luther's ideas

00:21:33.940 --> 00:21:34.840
 and he even

00:21:34.840 --> 00:21:35.640
 gave permission

00:21:35.640 --> 00:21:37.140
 for any citizen

00:21:37.140 --> 00:21:38.580
 to kill Martin Luther

00:21:38.580 --> 00:21:39.800
 without any consequence.

00:21:41.180 --> 00:21:41.860
 His resistance

00:21:41.860 --> 00:21:43.520
 was not well received.

00:21:44.820 --> 00:21:45.220
 And here,

00:21:45.520 --> 00:21:46.520
 after Shadrach

00:21:46.520 --> 00:21:47.160
 and Meshach

00:21:47.160 --> 00:21:47.700
 and Abednego

00:21:47.700 --> 00:21:48.740
 give their speech

00:21:48.740 --> 00:21:49.560
 in front of the king

00:21:49.560 --> 00:21:50.320
 in verse 19,

00:21:50.440 --> 00:21:51.759
 we see again

00:21:51.759 --> 00:21:52.440
 Nebuchadnezzar

00:21:52.440 --> 00:21:53.299
 is filled

00:21:53.299 --> 00:21:54.220
 with fury

00:21:54.220 --> 00:21:55.519
 and he orders

00:21:55.519 --> 00:21:56.000
 the furnace

00:21:56.000 --> 00:21:56.779
 to be heated

00:21:56.779 --> 00:21:57.879
 seven times more

00:21:57.879 --> 00:21:59.000
 than it was usually heated

00:21:59.000 --> 00:21:59.980
 and he orders

00:21:59.980 --> 00:22:01.039
 some of the strong men

00:22:01.039 --> 00:22:01.539
 of his army

00:22:01.539 --> 00:22:02.879
 to tie them up

00:22:02.879 --> 00:22:03.579
 and to cast them

00:22:03.579 --> 00:22:04.379
 into the fire

00:22:04.379 --> 00:22:04.859
 and in fact,

00:22:04.980 --> 00:22:05.519
 verse 22,

00:22:05.700 --> 00:22:05.980
 it says,

00:22:06.379 --> 00:22:08.180
 the fire was so overheated,

00:22:08.259 --> 00:22:09.640
 his order was so urgent

00:22:09.640 --> 00:22:10.660
 that the flame

00:22:10.660 --> 00:22:12.299
 killed those strong men

00:22:12.299 --> 00:22:13.000
 who took up

00:22:13.000 --> 00:22:13.539
 Shadrach,

00:22:13.660 --> 00:22:14.160
 Meshach,

00:22:14.660 --> 00:22:15.339
 and Abednego

00:22:15.339 --> 00:22:17.279
 and these three men

00:22:17.279 --> 00:22:18.299
 fell bound

00:22:18.299 --> 00:22:21.639
 into the fiery furnace.

00:22:21.879 --> 00:22:23.199
 They were persecuted

00:22:23.199 --> 00:22:25.179
 for their loyalty

00:22:25.179 --> 00:22:26.179
 to the Lord

00:22:26.179 --> 00:22:27.980
 and to his kingdom.

00:22:29.299 --> 00:22:29.699
 And of course,

00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:30.859
 we know how this story

00:22:30.859 --> 00:22:32.220
 eventually ends

00:22:32.220 --> 00:22:33.240
 and we'll get there,

00:22:33.299 --> 00:22:34.379
 but I'd like to point out

00:22:34.379 --> 00:22:35.659
 here in the second point

00:22:35.659 --> 00:22:37.500
 that if their story

00:22:37.500 --> 00:22:39.199
 ended right here,

00:22:40.199 --> 00:22:40.819
 with these men

00:22:40.819 --> 00:22:41.720
 being thrown

00:22:41.720 --> 00:22:43.199
 into the fiery furnace,

00:22:43.200 --> 00:22:44.559
 with these men

00:22:44.559 --> 00:22:45.559
 being punished

00:22:45.559 --> 00:22:46.299
 and persecuted

00:22:46.299 --> 00:22:47.220
 for bowing the knee

00:22:47.220 --> 00:22:47.759
 to the Lord,

00:22:47.799 --> 00:22:48.460
 if their story

00:22:48.460 --> 00:22:49.640
 ended right here,

00:22:50.059 --> 00:22:51.160
 it would be a fairly

00:22:51.160 --> 00:22:52.240
 common story

00:22:52.240 --> 00:22:53.059
 in church history.

00:22:54.380 --> 00:22:56.080
 The extraordinary part

00:22:56.080 --> 00:22:56.580
 of the story

00:22:56.580 --> 00:22:58.120
 is not the suffering.

00:22:58.960 --> 00:23:00.140
 It's the miraculous

00:23:00.140 --> 00:23:01.080
 deliverance

00:23:01.080 --> 00:23:02.500
 from the suffering

00:23:02.500 --> 00:23:03.279
 that's extraordinary.

00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:05.620
 But the suffering here,

00:23:05.680 --> 00:23:06.220
 the consequence

00:23:06.220 --> 00:23:07.220
 for being faithful

00:23:07.220 --> 00:23:08.440
 in the present evil age,

00:23:08.740 --> 00:23:10.319
 that is to be expected

00:23:10.319 --> 00:23:11.960
 for them and church,

00:23:12.180 --> 00:23:13.160
 for us.

00:23:13.200 --> 00:23:16.140
 1 Peter chapter 4

00:23:16.140 --> 00:23:16.759
 tells us,

00:23:16.920 --> 00:23:18.000
 do not be surprised

00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:19.860
 when the fiery trial

00:23:19.860 --> 00:23:20.799
 comes upon you

00:23:20.799 --> 00:23:22.279
 to test you

00:23:22.279 --> 00:23:23.740
 as though something

00:23:23.740 --> 00:23:25.080
 strange were happening

00:23:25.080 --> 00:23:25.759
 to you.

00:23:25.840 --> 00:23:26.600
 Don't be surprised

00:23:26.600 --> 00:23:27.160
 by it.

00:23:27.960 --> 00:23:28.840
 Expect it,

00:23:29.019 --> 00:23:29.860
 in other words.

00:23:31.819 --> 00:23:32.080
 You know,

00:23:32.100 --> 00:23:32.960
 this sounds strange

00:23:32.960 --> 00:23:34.299
 to our modern ears,

00:23:34.360 --> 00:23:34.779
 doesn't it?

00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:37.220
 Because here

00:23:37.220 --> 00:23:38.259
 in our current time

00:23:38.259 --> 00:23:39.039
 and our current place,

00:23:39.100 --> 00:23:39.660
 here in America

00:23:39.660 --> 00:23:40.700
 in 2024,

00:23:40.700 --> 00:23:42.779
 we have it pretty safe,

00:23:42.880 --> 00:23:43.200
 don't we?

00:23:44.500 --> 00:23:46.019
 It does seem strange

00:23:46.019 --> 00:23:47.059
 when a fiery trial

00:23:47.059 --> 00:23:48.000
 comes upon us,

00:23:48.039 --> 00:23:48.460
 doesn't it?

00:23:49.620 --> 00:23:51.140
 But we need to understand

00:23:51.140 --> 00:23:52.500
 that the comfort

00:23:52.500 --> 00:23:54.220
 that we enjoy here,

00:23:54.580 --> 00:23:55.120
 right now,

00:23:55.180 --> 00:23:56.420
 is not the norm

00:23:56.420 --> 00:23:57.220
 for the history

00:23:57.220 --> 00:23:58.160
 of the church,

00:23:58.640 --> 00:24:00.000
 and it's not the norm

00:24:00.000 --> 00:24:01.759
 for the global church,

00:24:01.759 --> 00:24:03.720
 of which we are

00:24:03.720 --> 00:24:04.740
 a small part.

00:24:06.480 --> 00:24:07.180
 Open Doors

00:24:07.180 --> 00:24:08.299
 released the results

00:24:08.299 --> 00:24:09.519
 of their 2024

00:24:09.519 --> 00:24:11.379
 World Watch List study.

00:24:11.539 --> 00:24:12.019
 It's a study

00:24:12.019 --> 00:24:12.700
 that analyzes

00:24:12.700 --> 00:24:13.619
 Christian persecution

00:24:13.619 --> 00:24:14.420
 throughout the world,

00:24:14.539 --> 00:24:15.960
 and their most recent

00:24:15.960 --> 00:24:16.660
 numbers show

00:24:16.660 --> 00:24:17.480
 that on average,

00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:19.079
 13 Christians

00:24:19.079 --> 00:24:19.779
 are killed

00:24:19.779 --> 00:24:20.779
 every day

00:24:20.779 --> 00:24:21.940
 for professing

00:24:21.940 --> 00:24:22.759
 faith in Christ.

00:24:22.759 --> 00:24:24.539
 That's about

00:24:24.539 --> 00:24:26.940
 one every two hours.

00:24:28.460 --> 00:24:28.700
 And so,

00:24:28.799 --> 00:24:29.160
 from the time

00:24:29.160 --> 00:24:29.660
 we gathered

00:24:29.660 --> 00:24:30.500
 for Sunday school

00:24:30.500 --> 00:24:31.019
 to the time

00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:32.059
 we go out here

00:24:32.059 --> 00:24:32.539
 to celebrate

00:24:32.539 --> 00:24:33.420
 and eat cookies,

00:24:33.879 --> 00:24:34.200
 church,

00:24:34.900 --> 00:24:35.819
 a brother or sister

00:24:35.819 --> 00:24:36.579
 has given their life

00:24:36.579 --> 00:24:37.119
 for professing

00:24:37.119 --> 00:24:37.940
 faith in Christ.

00:24:39.819 --> 00:24:40.980
 During their research

00:24:40.980 --> 00:24:41.799
 period,

00:24:42.220 --> 00:24:43.039
 they found that

00:24:43.039 --> 00:24:44.720
 over 4,000 Christians

00:24:44.720 --> 00:24:45.579
 were detained

00:24:45.579 --> 00:24:46.500
 without trial,

00:24:46.720 --> 00:24:47.099
 arrested,

00:24:47.400 --> 00:24:47.640
 sentenced,

00:24:47.859 --> 00:24:48.519
 or imprisoned.

00:24:49.640 --> 00:24:51.740
 3,900 believers

00:24:51.740 --> 00:24:52.740
 were abducted,

00:24:53.619 --> 00:24:54.900
 more than 46,000

00:24:54.900 --> 00:24:55.700
 Christians suffered

00:24:55.700 --> 00:24:56.940
 some sort of abuse,

00:24:57.839 --> 00:24:59.420
 nearly 300,000

00:24:59.420 --> 00:25:00.079
 Christians were

00:25:00.079 --> 00:25:00.879
 forced to leave

00:25:00.879 --> 00:25:01.480
 their homes,

00:25:01.619 --> 00:25:02.220
 go into hiding,

00:25:02.299 --> 00:25:02.819
 or flee their

00:25:02.819 --> 00:25:03.700
 country of origin,

00:25:04.059 --> 00:25:04.700
 and more than

00:25:04.700 --> 00:25:06.119
 14,000 churches,

00:25:06.460 --> 00:25:07.379
 Christian schools,

00:25:07.879 --> 00:25:08.379
 hospitals,

00:25:08.599 --> 00:25:09.500
 and other buildings

00:25:09.500 --> 00:25:10.119
 were targeted

00:25:10.119 --> 00:25:10.779
 last year,

00:25:10.859 --> 00:25:12.539
 which was a 700%

00:25:12.539 --> 00:25:13.740
 increase over

00:25:13.740 --> 00:25:14.539
 the previous year.

00:25:15.879 --> 00:25:16.960
 I don't share

00:25:16.960 --> 00:25:17.400
 all of that

00:25:17.400 --> 00:25:19.339
 to worry you

00:25:19.339 --> 00:25:20.220
 or to scare you,

00:25:20.299 --> 00:25:21.700
 but to tell you

00:25:21.700 --> 00:25:22.880
 that we ought

00:25:22.880 --> 00:25:23.779
 to expect

00:25:23.779 --> 00:25:24.779
 this sort of thing

00:25:24.779 --> 00:25:25.279
 here in the

00:25:25.279 --> 00:25:25.940
 kingdom of man.

00:25:27.519 --> 00:25:28.759
 And Jesus tells us

00:25:28.759 --> 00:25:29.559
 what to expect

00:25:29.559 --> 00:25:30.620
 in Luke chapter 21.

00:25:30.819 --> 00:25:31.720
 He told his disciples,

00:25:31.980 --> 00:25:33.340
 you will be hated

00:25:33.340 --> 00:25:34.720
 by all

00:25:34.720 --> 00:25:36.440
 for my name's sake,

00:25:37.279 --> 00:25:37.960
 but not a hair

00:25:37.960 --> 00:25:38.420
 of your head

00:25:38.420 --> 00:25:38.940
 will perish.

00:25:39.059 --> 00:25:39.880
 By your endurance

00:25:39.880 --> 00:25:40.740
 you will gain

00:25:40.740 --> 00:25:41.940
 your lives.

00:25:41.980 --> 00:25:42.200
 Church,

00:25:42.240 --> 00:25:42.980
 I just want to ask,

00:25:43.039 --> 00:25:43.539
 does that sound

00:25:43.539 --> 00:25:44.500
 strange to you?

00:25:44.500 --> 00:25:47.359
 I'll give you

00:25:47.359 --> 00:25:48.220
 another example,

00:25:48.299 --> 00:25:48.819
 another story,

00:25:48.900 --> 00:25:49.240
 this one from

00:25:49.240 --> 00:25:49.920
 the book of Acts,

00:25:50.000 --> 00:25:51.299
 where Paul comes

00:25:51.299 --> 00:25:51.859
 to Lystra,

00:25:52.059 --> 00:25:52.539
 and the Jews

00:25:52.539 --> 00:25:53.640
 come from Antioch

00:25:53.640 --> 00:25:54.480
 and from Iconium,

00:25:54.559 --> 00:25:54.980
 and they come

00:25:54.980 --> 00:25:56.019
 and they beat him

00:25:56.019 --> 00:25:56.759
 so badly

00:25:56.759 --> 00:25:57.500
 that they dragged

00:25:57.500 --> 00:25:58.240
 him out of the city

00:25:58.240 --> 00:25:58.700
 and they thought

00:25:58.700 --> 00:25:59.259
 he was dead.

00:25:59.359 --> 00:26:00.000
 You know this story?

00:26:01.579 --> 00:26:02.400
 But it says that

00:26:02.400 --> 00:26:03.420
 he gets up

00:26:03.420 --> 00:26:04.480
 and the very next day

00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:05.259
 he goes on

00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:06.339
 preaching the gospel,

00:26:06.819 --> 00:26:07.539
 and then when they

00:26:07.539 --> 00:26:08.599
 preached in that city

00:26:08.599 --> 00:26:09.640
 and made many disciples

00:26:09.640 --> 00:26:10.299
 in that city,

00:26:10.359 --> 00:26:11.059
 it says he went

00:26:11.059 --> 00:26:12.359
 back to Lystra

00:26:12.359 --> 00:26:14.799
 and back to Iconium

00:26:14.799 --> 00:26:16.639
 and back to Antioch,

00:26:16.740 --> 00:26:17.679
 right back where

00:26:17.679 --> 00:26:18.779
 he was just beaten

00:26:18.779 --> 00:26:19.899
 half to death,

00:26:20.339 --> 00:26:21.099
 right back where

00:26:21.099 --> 00:26:21.599
 his enemies

00:26:21.599 --> 00:26:22.979
 had just come from,

00:26:23.359 --> 00:26:23.859
 and it says

00:26:23.859 --> 00:26:24.599
 he strengthened

00:26:24.599 --> 00:26:25.939
 the souls of the disciples,

00:26:26.599 --> 00:26:27.519
 encouraging them

00:26:27.519 --> 00:26:28.939
 to continue in the faith

00:26:28.939 --> 00:26:29.859
 and saying that

00:26:29.859 --> 00:26:32.299
 through many tribulations

00:26:32.299 --> 00:26:33.479
 we must enter

00:26:33.479 --> 00:26:35.039
 the kingdom of God.

00:26:36.219 --> 00:26:36.959
 Y'all better believe

00:26:36.959 --> 00:26:37.479
 that's a sermon

00:26:37.479 --> 00:26:38.459
 they would not forget.

00:26:40.339 --> 00:26:40.859
 Church,

00:26:40.939 --> 00:26:41.939
 we will suffer

00:26:41.940 --> 00:26:42.820
 on the way

00:26:42.820 --> 00:26:43.519
 to glory.

00:26:44.240 --> 00:26:46.039
 We have to expect this.

00:26:47.120 --> 00:26:48.019
 And that may sound

00:26:48.019 --> 00:26:49.120
 intimidating,

00:26:49.500 --> 00:26:50.080
 it may sound

00:26:50.080 --> 00:26:51.440
 discouraging to you,

00:26:51.580 --> 00:26:52.960
 but we also

00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:53.920
 should take comfort,

00:26:54.120 --> 00:26:54.279
 church,

00:26:54.360 --> 00:26:55.059
 that for the children

00:26:55.059 --> 00:26:55.600
 of God

00:26:55.600 --> 00:26:56.480
 no trial

00:26:56.480 --> 00:26:57.980
 is wasted.

00:26:59.559 --> 00:27:01.019
 The very same fire

00:27:01.019 --> 00:27:01.539
 that the kingdom

00:27:01.539 --> 00:27:02.240
 of this world

00:27:02.240 --> 00:27:02.759
 would use

00:27:02.759 --> 00:27:03.920
 to destroy

00:27:03.920 --> 00:27:05.420
 the people

00:27:05.420 --> 00:27:06.259
 of God,

00:27:06.600 --> 00:27:07.779
 the Lord would use

00:27:07.779 --> 00:27:08.640
 to refine

00:27:08.640 --> 00:27:09.680
 the people

00:27:09.680 --> 00:27:10.759
 of God.

00:27:11.940 --> 00:27:12.640
 And we just sang

00:27:12.640 --> 00:27:13.660
 a few moments ago,

00:27:13.720 --> 00:27:14.039
 didn't we?

00:27:14.100 --> 00:27:15.740
 When through fiery trials

00:27:15.740 --> 00:27:17.160
 thy pathway should lie,

00:27:17.660 --> 00:27:19.279
 my grace all-sufficient

00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:20.779
 shall be thy supply.

00:27:21.580 --> 00:27:22.220
 The flame

00:27:22.220 --> 00:27:23.400
 shall not hurt thee,

00:27:23.460 --> 00:27:24.680
 I only design

00:27:24.680 --> 00:27:25.400
 your dross

00:27:25.400 --> 00:27:26.320
 to consume

00:27:26.320 --> 00:27:27.799
 and thy gold

00:27:27.799 --> 00:27:29.060
 to refine.

00:27:30.200 --> 00:27:30.500
 See,

00:27:30.560 --> 00:27:30.900
 the enemy,

00:27:31.019 --> 00:27:31.660
 he intends

00:27:31.660 --> 00:27:32.220
 the flame

00:27:32.220 --> 00:27:33.500
 to destroy us,

00:27:33.560 --> 00:27:34.200
 but the Lord

00:27:34.200 --> 00:27:35.820
 designs the flame

00:27:35.819 --> 00:27:37.740
 to purify us,

00:27:38.159 --> 00:27:39.279
 to burn away

00:27:39.279 --> 00:27:39.879
 the dross

00:27:39.879 --> 00:27:40.599
 and to purify

00:27:40.599 --> 00:27:41.279
 and refine

00:27:41.279 --> 00:27:42.279
 the gold.

00:27:42.399 --> 00:27:42.759
 I'll give you

00:27:42.759 --> 00:27:43.480
 one more story.

00:27:43.559 --> 00:27:43.899
 I told you

00:27:43.899 --> 00:27:44.759
 Martin Luther's story,

00:27:44.819 --> 00:27:45.419
 I'll share another.

00:27:46.139 --> 00:27:46.740
 This one from

00:27:46.740 --> 00:27:48.279
 the English Reformation.

00:27:48.439 --> 00:27:48.939
 It's a story

00:27:48.939 --> 00:27:50.059
 of Latimer

00:27:50.059 --> 00:27:50.799
 and Ridley.

00:27:50.919 --> 00:27:51.139
 Do you know

00:27:51.139 --> 00:27:51.619
 those names?

00:27:52.679 --> 00:27:53.460
 Maybe not.

00:27:54.659 --> 00:27:55.399
 Ridley was

00:27:55.399 --> 00:27:56.919
 an outspoken

00:27:56.919 --> 00:27:57.679
 critic of

00:27:57.679 --> 00:27:58.379
 Bloody Mary

00:27:58.379 --> 00:27:59.639
 who earned

00:27:59.639 --> 00:28:00.359
 that name,

00:28:00.419 --> 00:28:01.299
 if you don't know,

00:28:01.419 --> 00:28:02.399
 by burning

00:28:02.399 --> 00:28:03.119
 hundreds of

00:28:03.119 --> 00:28:03.639
 Protestants

00:28:03.639 --> 00:28:04.359
 at the stake.

00:28:04.359 --> 00:28:05.740
 And both

00:28:05.740 --> 00:28:06.240
 of these men

00:28:06.240 --> 00:28:06.919
 were arrested

00:28:06.919 --> 00:28:08.159
 and were tried.

00:28:08.299 --> 00:28:08.839
 They went to trial

00:28:08.839 --> 00:28:09.459
 for treason

00:28:09.459 --> 00:28:10.359
 and for heresy,

00:28:10.539 --> 00:28:11.240
 which under

00:28:11.240 --> 00:28:12.099
 Mary's new

00:28:12.099 --> 00:28:13.319
 reformed heresy

00:28:13.319 --> 00:28:14.179
 law came with

00:28:14.179 --> 00:28:14.779
 the punishment,

00:28:15.219 --> 00:28:15.639
 the sentence

00:28:15.639 --> 00:28:16.319
 of being burned

00:28:16.319 --> 00:28:17.000
 at the stake.

00:28:17.899 --> 00:28:18.199
 And so,

00:28:18.619 --> 00:28:18.959
 you know,

00:28:19.019 --> 00:28:19.819
 this might seem

00:28:19.819 --> 00:28:20.399
 like a good time

00:28:20.399 --> 00:28:21.199
 to walk it back.

00:28:22.219 --> 00:28:22.859
 It might seem

00:28:22.859 --> 00:28:23.379
 like a good time

00:28:23.379 --> 00:28:24.339
 to beg for mercy,

00:28:24.500 --> 00:28:24.959
 but instead

00:28:24.959 --> 00:28:25.699
 what we see

00:28:25.699 --> 00:28:26.939
 is they faced

00:28:26.939 --> 00:28:27.759
 this trial

00:28:27.759 --> 00:28:28.779
 with boldness

00:28:28.779 --> 00:28:29.639
 and confidence

00:28:29.639 --> 00:28:30.459
 in the Lord.

00:28:30.579 --> 00:28:30.939
 Apparently,

00:28:31.599 --> 00:28:32.159
 during the public

00:28:32.159 --> 00:28:32.539
 trial,

00:28:32.679 --> 00:28:33.319
 Ridley would put

00:28:33.319 --> 00:28:34.319
 a cap on his head

00:28:34.319 --> 00:28:35.159
 any time the Pope's

00:28:35.159 --> 00:28:35.759
 name was mentioned.

00:28:37.179 --> 00:28:37.720
 When they brought

00:28:37.720 --> 00:28:38.279
 up charges

00:28:38.279 --> 00:28:39.339
 that Ridley

00:28:39.339 --> 00:28:40.240
 denied the validity

00:28:40.240 --> 00:28:41.059
 of the Mass,

00:28:41.139 --> 00:28:41.919
 he simply said,

00:28:42.339 --> 00:28:43.019
 Christ made

00:28:43.019 --> 00:28:44.119
 one perfect

00:28:44.119 --> 00:28:44.700
 sacrifice

00:28:44.700 --> 00:28:45.599
 for the sins

00:28:45.599 --> 00:28:46.279
 of the world.

00:28:46.439 --> 00:28:46.980
 Neither can

00:28:46.980 --> 00:28:47.700
 any man

00:28:47.700 --> 00:28:48.439
 reiterate

00:28:48.439 --> 00:28:49.259
 that sacrifice

00:28:49.259 --> 00:28:49.799
 of his.

00:28:51.799 --> 00:28:52.619
 When the day

00:28:52.619 --> 00:28:53.220
 came for them

00:28:53.220 --> 00:28:53.779
 to die,

00:28:55.039 --> 00:28:55.399
 Latimer

00:28:55.399 --> 00:28:56.399
 walked slowly

00:28:56.399 --> 00:28:57.619
 up to the stake.

00:28:57.720 --> 00:28:58.259
 He was older

00:28:58.259 --> 00:28:58.839
 than Ridley,

00:28:58.939 --> 00:28:59.319
 but Ridley

00:28:59.319 --> 00:29:00.319
 walked straight up

00:29:00.319 --> 00:29:00.859
 as quickly

00:29:00.859 --> 00:29:01.799
 as he could.

00:29:02.779 --> 00:29:03.159
 And when they

00:29:03.159 --> 00:29:03.519
 gave him

00:29:03.519 --> 00:29:04.159
 the opportunity

00:29:04.159 --> 00:29:04.879
 to recant

00:29:04.879 --> 00:29:05.440
 his statements

00:29:05.440 --> 00:29:06.139
 against Mary

00:29:06.139 --> 00:29:06.559
 and against

00:29:06.559 --> 00:29:07.019
 the Catholic

00:29:07.019 --> 00:29:07.759
 Church in England,

00:29:07.879 --> 00:29:08.279
 he said,

00:29:08.379 --> 00:29:09.079
 so long

00:29:09.079 --> 00:29:10.000
 as the breath

00:29:10.000 --> 00:29:11.019
 is in my body,

00:29:11.079 --> 00:29:11.579
 I will never

00:29:11.579 --> 00:29:12.399
 deny my Lord

00:29:12.399 --> 00:29:12.879
 Christ

00:29:12.879 --> 00:29:14.180
 and his known

00:29:14.180 --> 00:29:14.680
 truth.

00:29:16.019 --> 00:29:16.500
 And they

00:29:16.500 --> 00:29:17.000
 chained these

00:29:17.000 --> 00:29:18.059
 men to the stake,

00:29:18.720 --> 00:29:19.519
 they placed a bag

00:29:19.519 --> 00:29:20.339
 of gunpowder

00:29:20.339 --> 00:29:21.000
 on their necks

00:29:21.000 --> 00:29:21.460
 and they lit

00:29:21.460 --> 00:29:21.799
 the wood

00:29:21.799 --> 00:29:22.599
 beneath their feet.

00:29:24.299 --> 00:29:25.059
 Fox's book

00:29:25.059 --> 00:29:25.940
 of martyrs

00:29:25.940 --> 00:29:26.319
 tells us

00:29:26.319 --> 00:29:26.980
 Latimer called

00:29:26.980 --> 00:29:27.700
 out to Ridley

00:29:27.700 --> 00:29:28.000
 and said,

00:29:28.079 --> 00:29:28.879
 be of good comfort,

00:29:28.880 --> 00:29:29.620
 Master Ridley

00:29:29.620 --> 00:29:30.480
 and play the man.

00:29:31.360 --> 00:29:32.240
 We shall this day

00:29:32.240 --> 00:29:33.380
 light such a candle

00:29:33.380 --> 00:29:34.320
 by God's grace

00:29:34.320 --> 00:29:34.800
 in England

00:29:34.800 --> 00:29:35.820
 as I trust

00:29:35.820 --> 00:29:36.400
 shall never

00:29:36.400 --> 00:29:37.540
 be put out.

00:29:39.640 --> 00:29:40.080
 Church,

00:29:40.120 --> 00:29:40.840
 how many stories

00:29:40.840 --> 00:29:41.540
 can we tell?

00:29:43.620 --> 00:29:44.060
 Now,

00:29:44.100 --> 00:29:44.700
 the day may never

00:29:44.700 --> 00:29:45.260
 come for you

00:29:45.260 --> 00:29:45.720
 to have to pay

00:29:45.720 --> 00:29:46.620
 a price like that.

00:29:46.680 --> 00:29:47.040
 It may.

00:29:48.700 --> 00:29:49.580
 But whatever form

00:29:49.580 --> 00:29:50.180
 it may take,

00:29:50.240 --> 00:29:51.040
 while we're here

00:29:51.040 --> 00:29:51.880
 in Babylon,

00:29:52.220 --> 00:29:52.460
 church,

00:29:52.540 --> 00:29:54.080
 we should expect

00:29:54.080 --> 00:29:54.980
 trials

00:29:54.980 --> 00:29:56.480
 and tribulations.

00:29:56.700 --> 00:29:57.200
 Are you ready?

00:29:58.880 --> 00:29:59.720
 Will you remain

00:29:59.720 --> 00:30:00.760
 faithful to your Lord?

00:30:02.300 --> 00:30:03.520
 We should expect

00:30:03.520 --> 00:30:05.340
 to suffer here

00:30:05.340 --> 00:30:05.800
 on the way

00:30:05.800 --> 00:30:06.380
 to glory.

00:30:06.540 --> 00:30:07.180
 But third,

00:30:07.700 --> 00:30:08.920
 we praise God

00:30:08.920 --> 00:30:10.320
 that God's people

00:30:10.320 --> 00:30:11.400
 should expect

00:30:11.400 --> 00:30:11.980
 third,

00:30:12.380 --> 00:30:14.060
 total deliverance

00:30:14.060 --> 00:30:14.860
 in the end.

00:30:16.720 --> 00:30:17.440
 God's people

00:30:17.440 --> 00:30:18.180
 should expect

00:30:18.180 --> 00:30:20.080
 total deliverance

00:30:20.080 --> 00:30:21.320
 in the end.

00:30:22.240 --> 00:30:22.440
 Now,

00:30:22.500 --> 00:30:23.120
 this was the hope

00:30:23.120 --> 00:30:23.760
 of Shadrach,

00:30:23.860 --> 00:30:24.220
 Meshach,

00:30:24.300 --> 00:30:24.660
 and Abednego.

00:30:24.780 --> 00:30:25.860
 Let me read it again.

00:30:25.940 --> 00:30:26.460
 Did you catch it?

00:30:26.500 --> 00:30:27.040
 Verse 17.

00:30:27.820 --> 00:30:28.060
 It said,

00:30:28.059 --> 00:30:28.659
 Our God

00:30:28.659 --> 00:30:29.419
 whom we serve

00:30:29.419 --> 00:30:30.919
 is able to deliver us

00:30:30.919 --> 00:30:31.519
 from the burning,

00:30:31.819 --> 00:30:32.440
 fiery furnace,

00:30:32.579 --> 00:30:34.059
 and He will deliver us

00:30:34.059 --> 00:30:34.960
 out of your hand.

00:30:35.539 --> 00:30:36.319
 Do you hear that confidence?

00:30:37.440 --> 00:30:39.000
 But even if not,

00:30:39.059 --> 00:30:40.240
 even if He doesn't save us

00:30:40.240 --> 00:30:41.539
 from this burning,

00:30:41.799 --> 00:30:42.440
 fiery furnace,

00:30:42.559 --> 00:30:43.559
 even if He doesn't spare

00:30:43.559 --> 00:30:44.119
 our life

00:30:44.119 --> 00:30:45.960
 from this present persecution,

00:30:46.339 --> 00:30:47.899
 we will not worship

00:30:47.899 --> 00:30:49.700
 your golden image.

00:30:49.799 --> 00:30:49.940
 See,

00:30:50.000 --> 00:30:50.819
 their ultimate hope

00:30:50.819 --> 00:30:51.779
 wasn't necessarily

00:30:51.779 --> 00:30:52.379
 that the Lord

00:30:52.379 --> 00:30:53.379
 would deliver them

00:30:53.379 --> 00:30:54.399
 from this trial,

00:30:54.500 --> 00:30:55.079
 although they knew

00:30:55.079 --> 00:30:55.859
 God was able.

00:30:55.859 --> 00:30:57.859
 their ultimate hope

00:30:57.859 --> 00:30:58.799
 was that in the end,

00:30:58.859 --> 00:30:59.819
 the Lord would deliver them

00:30:59.819 --> 00:31:01.159
 from every trial.

00:31:02.559 --> 00:31:03.839
 We believe He's able

00:31:03.839 --> 00:31:05.259
 and that He ultimately

00:31:05.259 --> 00:31:07.359
 will deliver us.

00:31:07.419 --> 00:31:08.079
 But even if not

00:31:08.079 --> 00:31:08.939
 from this trial,

00:31:09.059 --> 00:31:09.599
 Nebuchadnezzar,

00:31:09.659 --> 00:31:11.199
 we will never bow the knee

00:31:11.199 --> 00:31:12.979
 to any God

00:31:12.979 --> 00:31:14.439
 but the one true Lord.

00:31:15.819 --> 00:31:16.919
 And we see that God

00:31:16.919 --> 00:31:18.119
 does something extraordinary

00:31:18.119 --> 00:31:19.819
 here in verse 24.

00:31:19.979 --> 00:31:20.119
 It says,

00:31:20.279 --> 00:31:20.879
 King Nebuchadnezzar

00:31:20.880 --> 00:31:21.760
 was astonished

00:31:21.760 --> 00:31:23.400
 and he rose up in haste

00:31:23.400 --> 00:31:23.980
 and he declared,

00:31:24.100 --> 00:31:24.220
 Hey,

00:31:24.600 --> 00:31:25.840
 didn't we cast three men

00:31:25.840 --> 00:31:26.380
 into the fire?

00:31:27.180 --> 00:31:27.760
 And they said,

00:31:27.820 --> 00:31:27.920
 Yeah,

00:31:28.020 --> 00:31:28.500
 Shadrach,

00:31:28.620 --> 00:31:29.140
 Meshach,

00:31:29.680 --> 00:31:30.100
 Abednego,

00:31:30.300 --> 00:31:30.820
 that's three.

00:31:31.840 --> 00:31:32.780
 He answered and said,

00:31:32.840 --> 00:31:34.620
 But I see four men

00:31:34.620 --> 00:31:36.680
 and they're not tied up anymore.

00:31:36.780 --> 00:31:37.440
 They're unbound

00:31:37.440 --> 00:31:38.460
 and they're not suffering.

00:31:38.620 --> 00:31:39.620
 They're walking

00:31:39.620 --> 00:31:41.120
 in the midst of the fire

00:31:41.120 --> 00:31:42.120
 and they're not in pain.

00:31:42.300 --> 00:31:43.340
 They're not hurt

00:31:43.340 --> 00:31:44.000
 and the appearance

00:31:44.000 --> 00:31:44.880
 of the fourth guy

00:31:44.880 --> 00:31:45.360
 is different.

00:31:45.480 --> 00:31:46.760
 He's like a son of the gods.

00:31:46.759 --> 00:31:49.099
 And Nebuchadnezzar

00:31:49.099 --> 00:31:50.079
 came near to the door

00:31:50.079 --> 00:31:51.859
 of the burning fiery furnace

00:31:51.859 --> 00:31:52.599
 and he declared,

00:31:53.099 --> 00:31:53.599
 Shadrach,

00:31:53.700 --> 00:31:54.160
 Meshach,

00:31:54.220 --> 00:31:54.640
 Abednego,

00:31:54.920 --> 00:31:56.700
 servants of the Most High God,

00:31:56.799 --> 00:31:59.019
 come out and come here.

00:31:59.140 --> 00:32:00.480
 So they come out of the fire

00:32:00.480 --> 00:32:02.240
 and all the king's men

00:32:02.240 --> 00:32:03.099
 gathered together

00:32:03.099 --> 00:32:04.960
 and they see that fire,

00:32:05.319 --> 00:32:07.099
 that fire of persecution,

00:32:07.339 --> 00:32:09.660
 that fire of this world's punishment

00:32:09.660 --> 00:32:10.720
 of the people of God,

00:32:10.819 --> 00:32:12.559
 that fire of suffering

00:32:12.559 --> 00:32:13.839
 that the enemy would inflict

00:32:13.839 --> 00:32:15.480
 on those who remain faithful

00:32:15.480 --> 00:32:16.119
 to the Lord,

00:32:16.119 --> 00:32:18.759
 that fire had no power

00:32:18.759 --> 00:32:20.119
 over these men.

00:32:21.719 --> 00:32:23.319
 Their hair wasn't singed,

00:32:23.379 --> 00:32:24.799
 their cloaks weren't burnt,

00:32:25.039 --> 00:32:26.439
 they had no smell of fire.

00:32:28.239 --> 00:32:29.099
 And in verse 28,

00:32:29.179 --> 00:32:31.500
 Nebuchadnezzar was so impressed,

00:32:31.639 --> 00:32:33.399
 things flip completely

00:32:33.399 --> 00:32:34.379
 on their head,

00:32:34.439 --> 00:32:34.799
 don't they?

00:32:34.819 --> 00:32:35.199
 He said,

00:32:35.519 --> 00:32:36.199
 verse 28,

00:32:36.339 --> 00:32:37.659
 Blessed be the God

00:32:37.659 --> 00:32:38.459
 of Shadrach,

00:32:38.619 --> 00:32:39.179
 Meshach,

00:32:39.559 --> 00:32:40.139
 and Abednego,

00:32:40.939 --> 00:32:42.119
 who has sent his angel

00:32:42.119 --> 00:32:43.379
 and delivered his servants

00:32:43.379 --> 00:32:44.439
 who trusted in him

00:32:44.440 --> 00:32:46.299
 and set aside the king's command

00:32:46.299 --> 00:32:47.920
 and yielded up their bodies

00:32:47.920 --> 00:32:49.220
 rather than serve and worship

00:32:49.220 --> 00:32:52.000
 any God except their own.

00:32:52.960 --> 00:32:53.320
 Therefore,

00:32:53.500 --> 00:32:54.480
 I make a decree,

00:32:55.200 --> 00:32:56.059
 any people,

00:32:56.559 --> 00:32:57.019
 nation,

00:32:57.180 --> 00:32:58.019
 or language

00:32:58.019 --> 00:32:59.120
 that speaks anything

00:32:59.120 --> 00:32:59.880
 against the God

00:32:59.880 --> 00:33:00.559
 of Shadrach,

00:33:00.660 --> 00:33:01.059
 Meshach,

00:33:01.120 --> 00:33:01.580
 and Abednego

00:33:01.580 --> 00:33:03.200
 shall be torn limb from limb

00:33:03.200 --> 00:33:05.460
 and their houses laid in ruins

00:33:05.460 --> 00:33:07.660
 for there is no other God

00:33:07.660 --> 00:33:08.900
 who is able to rescue

00:33:08.900 --> 00:33:09.580
 in this way.

00:33:10.620 --> 00:33:12.059
 And the king promoted

00:33:12.059 --> 00:33:13.160
 Shadrach,

00:33:13.319 --> 00:33:13.799
 Meshach,

00:33:14.059 --> 00:33:14.740
 and Abednego

00:33:14.740 --> 00:33:16.039
 in the province of Babylon.

00:33:16.380 --> 00:33:18.140
 A complete reversal

00:33:18.140 --> 00:33:19.580
 has taken place.

00:33:19.620 --> 00:33:20.100
 Do you see it?

00:33:21.460 --> 00:33:22.980
 This is complete,

00:33:23.160 --> 00:33:23.819
 total,

00:33:23.980 --> 00:33:25.480
 miraculous deliverance,

00:33:25.559 --> 00:33:26.720
 not from the fire,

00:33:26.819 --> 00:33:28.180
 but through the fire.

00:33:29.400 --> 00:33:30.460
 God has brought

00:33:30.460 --> 00:33:32.360
 their ultimate expectation

00:33:32.360 --> 00:33:34.000
 of deliverance

00:33:34.000 --> 00:33:36.360
 into the present moment.

00:33:36.480 --> 00:33:37.079
 It was exactly

00:33:37.079 --> 00:33:37.920
 as God promised

00:33:37.920 --> 00:33:38.880
 in Isaiah 43.

00:33:40.100 --> 00:33:40.700
 When you pass

00:33:40.700 --> 00:33:41.360
 through the waters,

00:33:41.460 --> 00:33:42.279
 I will be with you.

00:33:43.100 --> 00:33:43.880
 Through the rivers,

00:33:44.000 --> 00:33:45.240
 they shall not overwhelm you.

00:33:46.059 --> 00:33:46.700
 When you walk

00:33:46.700 --> 00:33:47.360
 through the fire,

00:33:47.460 --> 00:33:48.519
 you shall not be burned

00:33:48.519 --> 00:33:49.140
 and the flame

00:33:49.140 --> 00:33:50.500
 shall not consume you.

00:33:50.700 --> 00:33:52.000
 For I am the Lord,

00:33:52.140 --> 00:33:52.940
 your God,

00:33:53.340 --> 00:33:54.680
 the Holy One of Israel,

00:33:55.240 --> 00:33:55.840
 your Savior.

00:33:57.240 --> 00:33:58.740
 What an incredible story.

00:33:58.740 --> 00:34:00.900
 It's incredible.

00:34:02.339 --> 00:34:03.160
 But what I want us

00:34:03.160 --> 00:34:03.720
 to understand

00:34:03.720 --> 00:34:05.319
 is that as incredible

00:34:05.319 --> 00:34:06.359
 as this act

00:34:06.359 --> 00:34:07.920
 of deliverance was,

00:34:08.079 --> 00:34:09.440
 this deliverance,

00:34:09.559 --> 00:34:10.739
 this salvation,

00:34:11.039 --> 00:34:11.880
 this redemption

00:34:11.880 --> 00:34:13.000
 from the fire

00:34:13.000 --> 00:34:16.019
 is just a small image

00:34:16.019 --> 00:34:18.400
 of the greater deliverance

00:34:18.400 --> 00:34:19.480
 yet to come

00:34:19.480 --> 00:34:20.360
 in the gospel

00:34:20.360 --> 00:34:21.360
 of Jesus Christ.

00:34:23.420 --> 00:34:25.039
 I wonder if you notice

00:34:25.039 --> 00:34:26.179
 here, church,

00:34:26.280 --> 00:34:27.360
 that the same cycle

00:34:27.360 --> 00:34:28.920
 has happened three times now

00:34:28.920 --> 00:34:29.640
 in the book of Daniel.

00:34:29.740 --> 00:34:30.700
 We're three chapters in.

00:34:30.740 --> 00:34:31.940
 It happened in chapter one,

00:34:32.300 --> 00:34:33.260
 in chapter two,

00:34:33.420 --> 00:34:34.360
 in chapter three.

00:34:34.440 --> 00:34:35.500
 They all tell

00:34:35.500 --> 00:34:37.440
 the same type of story.

00:34:37.539 --> 00:34:38.099
 Have you seen it?

00:34:38.900 --> 00:34:39.599
 It's not just

00:34:39.599 --> 00:34:41.120
 aimless repetition here.

00:34:42.079 --> 00:34:42.640
 God's people

00:34:42.640 --> 00:34:43.780
 are in exile.

00:34:43.940 --> 00:34:44.720
 They are tempted.

00:34:44.960 --> 00:34:45.680
 They are tested.

00:34:45.880 --> 00:34:46.800
 They are refined

00:34:46.800 --> 00:34:47.740
 through the fires

00:34:47.740 --> 00:34:48.420
 of suffering

00:34:48.420 --> 00:34:49.120
 and temptation,

00:34:49.320 --> 00:34:50.440
 but the faithful resist.

00:34:51.120 --> 00:34:52.039
 Even in the face

00:34:52.039 --> 00:34:52.680
 of death,

00:34:52.800 --> 00:34:54.400
 they cling to their identity

00:34:54.400 --> 00:34:55.000
 as citizens

00:34:55.000 --> 00:34:55.880
 of God's kingdom.

00:34:56.000 --> 00:34:56.780
 They put their trust

00:34:56.780 --> 00:34:57.420
 in the Lord

00:34:57.420 --> 00:34:59.179
 and despite the enemy's

00:34:59.179 --> 00:34:59.840
 best attempts

00:34:59.840 --> 00:35:01.099
 to snuff them out,

00:35:01.179 --> 00:35:02.079
 they are delivered,

00:35:02.599 --> 00:35:03.739
 they are exalted,

00:35:04.059 --> 00:35:05.300
 and God is praised.

00:35:06.219 --> 00:35:07.400
 Have you seen that cycle?

00:35:07.500 --> 00:35:08.199
 Have you caught on yet?

00:35:09.219 --> 00:35:09.699
 Exile,

00:35:10.500 --> 00:35:11.059
 temptation,

00:35:11.960 --> 00:35:12.420
 suffering,

00:35:13.179 --> 00:35:13.860
 salvation,

00:35:14.559 --> 00:35:15.400
 exaltation.

00:35:15.480 --> 00:35:16.300
 There's a pattern here.

00:35:18.059 --> 00:35:18.539
 Church,

00:35:18.659 --> 00:35:19.900
 this is the pattern

00:35:19.900 --> 00:35:21.860
 of every child of God

00:35:21.860 --> 00:35:23.120
 in every age

00:35:23.120 --> 00:35:25.180
 here in the kingdom of man.

00:35:26.320 --> 00:35:27.160
 But here's what I want you

00:35:27.160 --> 00:35:27.760
 to understand,

00:35:28.019 --> 00:35:28.340
 church.

00:35:29.380 --> 00:35:31.840
 This is our story

00:35:31.840 --> 00:35:32.880
 because ultimately

00:35:32.880 --> 00:35:35.620
 this is Christ's story.

00:35:36.680 --> 00:35:38.280
 This is our pattern

00:35:38.280 --> 00:35:39.920
 because ultimately

00:35:39.920 --> 00:35:42.280
 this is Jesus' pattern.

00:35:43.400 --> 00:35:45.000
 If anyone was a stranger

00:35:45.000 --> 00:35:45.920
 in enemy territory,

00:35:46.200 --> 00:35:46.660
 who was it?

00:35:46.660 --> 00:35:47.300
 It was Jesus

00:35:47.300 --> 00:35:49.019
 who was king

00:35:49.019 --> 00:35:49.860
 of another kingdom

00:35:49.860 --> 00:35:51.180
 and yet he stepped down

00:35:51.180 --> 00:35:53.019
 into our fallen world

00:35:53.019 --> 00:35:53.920
 willingly.

00:35:55.360 --> 00:35:56.620
 Was Jesus not tempted?

00:35:57.840 --> 00:35:58.519
 He was tempted

00:35:58.519 --> 00:35:59.160
 and tried

00:35:59.160 --> 00:35:59.720
 in every way

00:35:59.720 --> 00:36:00.320
 as we are

00:36:00.320 --> 00:36:01.880
 yet without sin.

00:36:01.980 --> 00:36:02.900
 He faced temptation

00:36:02.900 --> 00:36:03.840
 to worship

00:36:03.840 --> 00:36:05.360
 and serve every idol

00:36:05.360 --> 00:36:06.039
 here in the kingdom

00:36:06.039 --> 00:36:07.059
 of man that we are.

00:36:07.180 --> 00:36:08.180
 Satan brought him

00:36:08.180 --> 00:36:08.780
 up to the top

00:36:08.780 --> 00:36:09.220
 of the mountain

00:36:09.220 --> 00:36:09.720
 and showed him

00:36:09.720 --> 00:36:10.440
 all the kingdoms

00:36:10.440 --> 00:36:11.160
 of this world

00:36:11.160 --> 00:36:11.480
 and said,

00:36:11.800 --> 00:36:13.000
 all this can be mine

00:36:13.000 --> 00:36:14.360
 if you will bow down

00:36:14.360 --> 00:36:15.880
 and serve me.

00:36:15.980 --> 00:36:17.039
 All this can be yours

00:36:17.039 --> 00:36:17.980
 and yet Jesus

00:36:17.980 --> 00:36:19.960
 faithfully resisted

00:36:19.960 --> 00:36:21.119
 and for that church

00:36:21.119 --> 00:36:21.820
 he suffered

00:36:21.820 --> 00:36:23.840
 and eventually

00:36:23.840 --> 00:36:24.619
 he died

00:36:24.619 --> 00:36:26.320
 on the cross

00:36:26.320 --> 00:36:28.320
 in our place.

00:36:28.420 --> 00:36:29.059
 He would not just

00:36:29.059 --> 00:36:30.619
 walk beside us

00:36:30.619 --> 00:36:31.679
 in our suffering.

00:36:31.820 --> 00:36:32.360
 He would take

00:36:32.360 --> 00:36:33.219
 our place

00:36:33.219 --> 00:36:34.159
 and suffer the wrath

00:36:34.159 --> 00:36:34.559
 of God

00:36:34.559 --> 00:36:35.840
 that we deserved

00:36:35.840 --> 00:36:36.840
 in our place

00:36:36.840 --> 00:36:37.699
 as a substitute

00:36:37.699 --> 00:36:38.840
 in our place.

00:36:38.940 --> 00:36:40.139
 He bore our wrath,

00:36:40.679 --> 00:36:41.579
 our punishment.

00:36:42.659 --> 00:36:43.059
 But church,

00:36:43.179 --> 00:36:44.279
 death would not be

00:36:44.279 --> 00:36:45.279
 the end for him.

00:36:45.280 --> 00:36:46.120
 He would walk

00:36:46.120 --> 00:36:47.100
 out of the grave

00:36:47.100 --> 00:36:47.900
 resurrected,

00:36:48.460 --> 00:36:49.480
 raised to life,

00:36:49.840 --> 00:36:51.540
 vindicated and exalted

00:36:51.540 --> 00:36:53.240
 and in his exaltation

00:36:53.240 --> 00:36:54.940
 God is forever praised.

00:36:55.080 --> 00:36:55.960
 Do you see the pattern?

00:36:57.560 --> 00:36:59.120
 This story is ultimately

00:36:59.120 --> 00:37:00.040
 pointing us forward

00:37:00.040 --> 00:37:01.660
 to the story,

00:37:02.500 --> 00:37:03.240
 to Jesus

00:37:03.240 --> 00:37:05.280
 and to our life

00:37:05.280 --> 00:37:06.380
 in him.

00:37:06.500 --> 00:37:06.760
 Church,

00:37:06.940 --> 00:37:07.860
 our pattern

00:37:07.860 --> 00:37:09.560
 is Christ's pattern.

00:37:10.960 --> 00:37:12.040
 By faith in him

00:37:12.039 --> 00:37:13.539
 we are united

00:37:13.539 --> 00:37:15.579
 to Jesus Christ.

00:37:15.779 --> 00:37:16.420
 His life

00:37:16.420 --> 00:37:17.820
 is our life.

00:37:17.940 --> 00:37:18.719
 His righteousness

00:37:18.719 --> 00:37:20.639
 is our righteousness.

00:37:20.920 --> 00:37:21.659
 His glory

00:37:21.659 --> 00:37:22.900
 is our hope

00:37:22.900 --> 00:37:24.079
 and our glory.

00:37:24.259 --> 00:37:24.719
 So again,

00:37:24.860 --> 00:37:25.960
 1 Peter chapter 4,

00:37:27.440 --> 00:37:28.360
 we rejoice

00:37:28.360 --> 00:37:31.279
 insofar as you share

00:37:31.279 --> 00:37:33.039
 in Christ's sufferings

00:37:33.599 --> 00:37:35.759
 so that you may also

00:37:35.759 --> 00:37:37.000
 rejoice and be glad

00:37:37.000 --> 00:37:37.820
 when his glory

00:37:37.820 --> 00:37:39.039
 is revealed.

00:37:39.039 --> 00:37:40.699
 Or again,

00:37:40.739 --> 00:37:41.400
 as Paul says

00:37:41.400 --> 00:37:42.779
 in Romans chapter 8,

00:37:42.880 --> 00:37:43.719
 that we are heirs

00:37:43.719 --> 00:37:44.219
 of God

00:37:44.219 --> 00:37:45.119
 and fellow heirs

00:37:45.119 --> 00:37:45.960
 with Christ

00:37:45.960 --> 00:37:47.860
 provided we suffer

00:37:47.860 --> 00:37:48.559
 with him

00:37:48.559 --> 00:37:49.619
 that we may also

00:37:49.619 --> 00:37:50.860
 be glorified

00:37:50.860 --> 00:37:51.980
 with him.

00:37:53.159 --> 00:37:54.259
 This is what we ought

00:37:54.259 --> 00:37:55.059
 to expect

00:37:55.059 --> 00:37:57.199
 and hope for.

00:37:58.219 --> 00:37:58.739
 Church,

00:37:58.800 --> 00:37:59.840
 we can cling

00:37:59.840 --> 00:38:00.719
 to the promises

00:38:00.719 --> 00:38:01.500
 of God

00:38:01.500 --> 00:38:02.920
 in any suffering

00:38:02.920 --> 00:38:03.619
 in any trial

00:38:03.619 --> 00:38:04.279
 knowing that

00:38:04.279 --> 00:38:04.900
 if we have been

00:38:04.900 --> 00:38:05.679
 united with him

00:38:05.679 --> 00:38:06.860
 in a death like his

00:38:06.860 --> 00:38:08.380
 we shall certainly

00:38:08.380 --> 00:38:09.900
 be united with him

00:38:09.900 --> 00:38:11.000
 in a resurrection

00:38:11.000 --> 00:38:11.920
 like his.

00:38:13.579 --> 00:38:14.700
 We can expect

00:38:14.700 --> 00:38:16.640
 total deliverance

00:38:16.640 --> 00:38:17.780
 from every trial

00:38:17.780 --> 00:38:19.099
 because Christ

00:38:19.099 --> 00:38:20.000
 has defeated

00:38:20.000 --> 00:38:20.780
 all our enemies

00:38:20.780 --> 00:38:22.019
 and he is exalted

00:38:22.019 --> 00:38:23.960
 and we are one

00:38:23.960 --> 00:38:24.380
 with him

00:38:24.380 --> 00:38:25.059
 through faith.

00:38:27.500 --> 00:38:28.400
 I'll remind you again

00:38:28.400 --> 00:38:28.840
 of a quote

00:38:28.840 --> 00:38:29.360
 that I know

00:38:29.360 --> 00:38:30.220
 I've shared this before,

00:38:30.380 --> 00:38:31.420
 Charles Simeon.

00:38:31.539 --> 00:38:31.920
 He says,

00:38:32.559 --> 00:38:33.820
 we must not mind

00:38:33.820 --> 00:38:34.660
 a little suffering

00:38:34.659 --> 00:38:35.619
 for Christ's sake.

00:38:36.980 --> 00:38:37.719
 When I am getting

00:38:37.719 --> 00:38:38.619
 through a hedge

00:38:38.619 --> 00:38:39.379
 if my head

00:38:39.379 --> 00:38:40.059
 and my shoulders

00:38:40.059 --> 00:38:41.000
 are safely through

00:38:41.000 --> 00:38:41.619
 I can bear

00:38:41.619 --> 00:38:42.059
 the pricking

00:38:42.059 --> 00:38:42.859
 of my legs.

00:38:43.839 --> 00:38:44.759
 Let us rejoice

00:38:44.759 --> 00:38:45.879
 in the remembrance

00:38:45.879 --> 00:38:47.420
 that our holy head

00:38:47.420 --> 00:38:48.779
 has surmounted

00:38:48.779 --> 00:38:49.839
 all his suffering

00:38:49.839 --> 00:38:51.259
 and triumphed

00:38:51.259 --> 00:38:51.879
 over death.

00:38:51.980 --> 00:38:52.839
 Let us follow

00:38:52.839 --> 00:38:53.839
 him patiently.

00:38:54.420 --> 00:38:55.339
 We shall soon

00:38:55.339 --> 00:38:56.440
 be partakers

00:38:56.440 --> 00:38:57.679
 of his victory.

00:38:59.299 --> 00:39:00.719
 Do you believe this?

00:39:03.119 --> 00:39:03.679
 Church,

00:39:03.679 --> 00:39:04.799
 is this what sustains

00:39:04.799 --> 00:39:06.179
 you during your trials

00:39:06.179 --> 00:39:06.799
 and suffering

00:39:06.799 --> 00:39:07.719
 here in this age?

00:39:09.759 --> 00:39:10.199
 Nonbeliever,

00:39:10.339 --> 00:39:12.039
 is this your hope?

00:39:12.099 --> 00:39:12.879
 Is this what your hope

00:39:12.879 --> 00:39:13.299
 is in?

00:39:14.759 --> 00:39:15.859
 If you're hearing this

00:39:15.859 --> 00:39:17.099
 and you don't know

00:39:17.099 --> 00:39:18.199
 the Lord Jesus Christ,

00:39:18.299 --> 00:39:19.159
 I'm sure all of this

00:39:19.159 --> 00:39:20.279
 sounds very attractive

00:39:20.279 --> 00:39:20.839
 as a call

00:39:20.839 --> 00:39:21.940
 to follow Jesus, right?

00:39:22.039 --> 00:39:23.539
 This is really

00:39:23.539 --> 00:39:24.579
 appealing stuff

00:39:24.579 --> 00:39:25.339
 that you'll suffer

00:39:25.339 --> 00:39:26.679
 here in this life.

00:39:28.099 --> 00:39:28.539
 Church,

00:39:28.619 --> 00:39:29.579
 Jesus is worth it

00:39:29.579 --> 00:39:31.399
 and the end

00:39:31.399 --> 00:39:31.919
 is certain

00:39:31.920 --> 00:39:33.460
 and the king

00:39:33.460 --> 00:39:34.280
 commands you

00:39:34.280 --> 00:39:35.139
 this moment

00:39:35.139 --> 00:39:36.059
 to repent

00:39:36.059 --> 00:39:37.240
 and put your faith

00:39:37.240 --> 00:39:37.720
 in him.

00:39:38.300 --> 00:39:39.180
 He has paid

00:39:39.180 --> 00:39:39.820
 your price

00:39:39.820 --> 00:39:40.440
 and he has

00:39:40.440 --> 00:39:41.860
 victory over

00:39:41.860 --> 00:39:42.900
 all the powers

00:39:42.900 --> 00:39:43.460
 of darkness

00:39:43.460 --> 00:39:44.780
 and it's yours

00:39:44.780 --> 00:39:46.039
 by faith in the king.

00:39:47.760 --> 00:39:48.300
 If you have

00:39:48.300 --> 00:39:48.900
 put your faith

00:39:48.900 --> 00:39:49.240
 in him,

00:39:49.300 --> 00:39:49.579
 the church,

00:39:49.680 --> 00:39:50.400
 what do we have

00:39:50.400 --> 00:39:50.840
 to fear?

00:39:50.920 --> 00:39:51.460
 What can man

00:39:51.460 --> 00:39:52.000
 do to you?

00:39:52.000 --> 00:39:53.900
 What can

00:39:53.900 --> 00:39:54.740
 separate us

00:39:54.740 --> 00:39:55.619
 from the love

00:39:55.619 --> 00:39:56.119
 of God

00:39:56.119 --> 00:39:56.900
 and Christ Jesus

00:39:56.900 --> 00:39:57.500
 our Lord?

00:39:57.500 --> 00:39:58.380
 nothing.

00:40:00.679 --> 00:40:01.159
 Friend,

00:40:01.239 --> 00:40:01.719
 what are you

00:40:01.719 --> 00:40:02.579
 expecting life

00:40:02.579 --> 00:40:03.179
 to be like

00:40:03.179 --> 00:40:04.599
 here in the kingdom

00:40:04.599 --> 00:40:05.119
 of man?

00:40:06.760 --> 00:40:07.500
 I'd be willing

00:40:07.500 --> 00:40:08.079
 to bet that

00:40:08.079 --> 00:40:09.539
 when you

00:40:09.539 --> 00:40:10.719
 pack up

00:40:10.719 --> 00:40:11.300
 and you prepare

00:40:11.300 --> 00:40:12.360
 for a journey

00:40:12.360 --> 00:40:13.139
 far from home,

00:40:13.179 --> 00:40:13.559
 if you knew

00:40:13.559 --> 00:40:13.920
 you were going

00:40:13.920 --> 00:40:14.460
 to be away,

00:40:14.579 --> 00:40:15.019
 didn't know

00:40:15.019 --> 00:40:16.179
 maybe how long,

00:40:16.260 --> 00:40:16.679
 you would want

00:40:16.679 --> 00:40:17.460
 to be as prepared

00:40:17.460 --> 00:40:18.579
 as you possibly

00:40:18.579 --> 00:40:19.500
 could.

00:40:19.639 --> 00:40:20.260
 You would want

00:40:20.260 --> 00:40:20.900
 to know

00:40:20.900 --> 00:40:22.880
 what to expect.

00:40:24.460 --> 00:40:25.440
 Stories like this

00:40:25.440 --> 00:40:26.519
 are gifts

00:40:26.519 --> 00:40:27.280
 from a sovereign

00:40:27.280 --> 00:40:27.840
 God through

00:40:27.840 --> 00:40:28.300
 his word

00:40:28.300 --> 00:40:29.099
 to show us

00:40:29.099 --> 00:40:30.139
 what we can

00:40:30.139 --> 00:40:31.360
 expect in the

00:40:31.360 --> 00:40:32.159
 kingdom of man

00:40:32.159 --> 00:40:32.980
 until he brings

00:40:32.980 --> 00:40:33.440
 us home.

00:40:35.240 --> 00:40:35.820
 I'll share

00:40:35.820 --> 00:40:36.460
 one final

00:40:36.460 --> 00:40:37.960
 expectation

00:40:37.960 --> 00:40:38.720
 of all of

00:40:38.720 --> 00:40:39.260
 God's people

00:40:39.260 --> 00:40:39.760
 here as we

00:40:39.760 --> 00:40:40.099
 close.

00:40:40.200 --> 00:40:41.059
 This is our

00:40:41.059 --> 00:40:41.700
 great hope.

00:40:42.079 --> 00:40:42.559
 Ironically,

00:40:42.760 --> 00:40:44.019
 it's the exact

00:40:44.019 --> 00:40:45.139
 reverse of what

00:40:45.139 --> 00:40:45.920
 we see happen

00:40:45.920 --> 00:40:46.579
 here in Daniel

00:40:46.579 --> 00:40:47.300
 chapter 3.

00:40:47.460 --> 00:40:48.280
 These three

00:40:48.280 --> 00:40:49.340
 faithful men

00:40:49.340 --> 00:40:50.300
 refused to

00:40:50.300 --> 00:40:50.840
 bow to a

00:40:50.840 --> 00:40:51.480
 false God

00:40:51.480 --> 00:40:51.679
 and were

00:40:51.679 --> 00:40:52.480
 tried for it

00:40:52.480 --> 00:40:53.639
 and were

00:40:53.639 --> 00:40:54.380
 found guilty

00:40:54.380 --> 00:40:55.660
 and were

00:40:55.660 --> 00:40:56.160
 cast into

00:40:56.160 --> 00:40:56.720
 the fire.

00:40:56.880 --> 00:40:57.619
 But when

00:40:57.619 --> 00:40:58.440
 Jesus Christ

00:40:58.440 --> 00:40:59.119
 returns and

00:40:59.119 --> 00:40:59.780
 delivers his

00:40:59.780 --> 00:41:00.340
 people at

00:41:00.340 --> 00:41:00.720
 last,

00:41:01.240 --> 00:41:02.059
 all who

00:41:02.059 --> 00:41:02.920
 refuse to

00:41:02.920 --> 00:41:03.380
 bow the

00:41:03.380 --> 00:41:03.880
 knee to

00:41:03.880 --> 00:41:04.579
 King Jesus

00:41:04.579 --> 00:41:05.180
 will be

00:41:05.180 --> 00:41:06.800
 tried and

00:41:06.800 --> 00:41:07.320
 will be

00:41:07.320 --> 00:41:08.079
 found guilty

00:41:08.079 --> 00:41:09.380
 and will

00:41:09.380 --> 00:41:10.000
 be cast

00:41:10.000 --> 00:41:10.420
 into the

00:41:10.420 --> 00:41:10.820
 lake of

00:41:10.820 --> 00:41:11.180
 fire.

00:41:12.500 --> 00:41:12.860
 And instead

00:41:12.860 --> 00:41:14.039
 of gathering

00:41:14.039 --> 00:41:14.500
 to worship

00:41:14.500 --> 00:41:15.220
 the idols of

00:41:15.220 --> 00:41:15.760
 this world,

00:41:15.860 --> 00:41:16.340
 in the end,

00:41:16.440 --> 00:41:16.860
 Revelation

00:41:16.860 --> 00:41:17.660
 chapter 7

00:41:17.660 --> 00:41:18.340
 tells us

00:41:18.340 --> 00:41:19.420
 that all

00:41:19.420 --> 00:41:20.360
 of God's

00:41:20.360 --> 00:41:20.940
 people,

00:41:21.720 --> 00:41:22.220
 a great

00:41:22.220 --> 00:41:22.960
 multitude that

00:41:22.960 --> 00:41:23.640
 no one could

00:41:23.640 --> 00:41:23.980
 number,

00:41:23.980 --> 00:41:24.699
 from every

00:41:24.699 --> 00:41:25.300
 nation,

00:41:25.300 --> 00:41:26.099
 from all

00:41:26.099 --> 00:41:27.199
 tribes and

00:41:27.199 --> 00:41:28.219
 peoples and

00:41:28.219 --> 00:41:28.800
 languages,

00:41:29.139 --> 00:41:29.539
 will be

00:41:29.539 --> 00:41:30.440
 standing before

00:41:30.440 --> 00:41:31.159
 the throne and

00:41:31.159 --> 00:41:31.699
 before the

00:41:31.699 --> 00:41:32.000
 Lamb,

00:41:32.599 --> 00:41:33.280
 clothed in

00:41:33.280 --> 00:41:34.079
 white robes

00:41:34.079 --> 00:41:34.559
 with palm

00:41:34.559 --> 00:41:35.079
 branches in

00:41:35.079 --> 00:41:35.519
 their hands

00:41:35.519 --> 00:41:35.960
 and crying

00:41:35.960 --> 00:41:36.480
 out with a

00:41:36.480 --> 00:41:37.079
 loud voice,

00:41:37.420 --> 00:41:38.900
 salvation belongs

00:41:38.900 --> 00:41:39.920
 to our God

00:41:39.920 --> 00:41:41.079
 who sits on

00:41:41.079 --> 00:41:41.579
 the throne

00:41:41.579 --> 00:41:42.860
 and to the

00:41:42.860 --> 00:41:43.159
 Lamb.

00:41:44.500 --> 00:41:44.920
 Church,

00:41:45.000 --> 00:41:45.380
 that's our

00:41:45.380 --> 00:41:45.760
 hope.

00:41:47.219 --> 00:41:47.800
 That's our

00:41:47.800 --> 00:41:48.740
 expectation.

00:41:48.739 --> 00:41:48.839
 salvation.

00:41:51.059 --> 00:41:52.159
 Let's be a

00:41:52.159 --> 00:41:53.799
 church that

00:41:53.799 --> 00:41:55.279
 faithfully lives

00:41:55.279 --> 00:41:57.239
 each day here

00:41:57.239 --> 00:41:57.739
 in this

00:41:57.739 --> 00:41:58.899
 kingdom in

00:41:58.899 --> 00:42:00.199
 eager expectation

00:42:00.199 --> 00:42:01.679
 of that great

00:42:01.679 --> 00:42:02.839
 glorious day

00:42:02.839 --> 00:42:04.179
 in that kingdom

00:42:04.179 --> 00:42:05.319
 when it comes

00:42:05.319 --> 00:42:05.779
 in full.

00:42:06.199 --> 00:42:06.399
 Amen?

00:42:07.559 --> 00:42:08.379
 Let's pray.

00:42:08.599 --> 00:42:10.879
 Lord, we

00:42:10.879 --> 00:42:11.979
 thank you for

00:42:11.979 --> 00:42:12.679
 the gospel of

00:42:12.679 --> 00:42:13.359
 Christ, the

00:42:13.359 --> 00:42:14.879
 greatest deliverance

00:42:14.879 --> 00:42:15.579
 from our true

00:42:15.579 --> 00:42:16.559
 danger, our true

00:42:16.559 --> 00:42:16.919
 enemy.

00:42:16.920 --> 00:42:18.019
 Lord, our

00:42:18.019 --> 00:42:18.700
 greatest danger

00:42:18.700 --> 00:42:19.300
 that we face

00:42:19.300 --> 00:42:20.099
 is not physical.

00:42:20.420 --> 00:42:20.820
 Lord, it's our

00:42:20.820 --> 00:42:22.940
 own sin, our

00:42:22.940 --> 00:42:25.180
 own guilt, that

00:42:25.180 --> 00:42:26.119
 we are not

00:42:26.119 --> 00:42:27.240
 right with you,

00:42:27.360 --> 00:42:28.300
 that you stand

00:42:28.300 --> 00:42:29.579
 against us in

00:42:29.579 --> 00:42:30.039
 our sin.

00:42:30.119 --> 00:42:30.539
 That's our

00:42:30.539 --> 00:42:31.440
 greatest danger

00:42:31.440 --> 00:42:32.119
 and yet, Lord,

00:42:32.200 --> 00:42:33.139
 you've supplied

00:42:33.139 --> 00:42:33.720
 the greatest

00:42:33.720 --> 00:42:34.639
 escape by

00:42:34.639 --> 00:42:35.119
 sending your

00:42:35.119 --> 00:42:36.659
 own son in

00:42:36.659 --> 00:42:37.340
 the likeness of

00:42:37.340 --> 00:42:38.240
 sinful flesh and

00:42:38.240 --> 00:42:39.220
 for sin, Lord,

00:42:39.320 --> 00:42:40.920
 to pay the

00:42:40.920 --> 00:42:42.400
 price that we

00:42:42.400 --> 00:42:43.760
 have earned so

00:42:43.760 --> 00:42:44.480
 that any who

00:42:44.480 --> 00:42:45.139
 come to you in

00:42:45.139 --> 00:42:46.880
 faith might know

00:42:46.880 --> 00:42:49.059
 true life, might

00:42:49.059 --> 00:42:49.720
 belong to your

00:42:49.720 --> 00:42:50.119
 kingdom.

00:42:51.360 --> 00:42:52.039
 So, Father, we

00:42:52.039 --> 00:42:53.059
 pray that we

00:42:53.059 --> 00:42:53.820
 would live as

00:42:53.820 --> 00:42:54.720
 citizens of your

00:42:54.720 --> 00:42:56.019
 glorious kingdom

00:42:56.019 --> 00:42:56.700
 even while we

00:42:56.700 --> 00:42:57.300
 live here in the

00:42:57.300 --> 00:42:57.880
 kingdom of man.

00:42:57.940 --> 00:42:58.440
 We pray this in

00:42:58.440 --> 00:42:58.980
 Jesus' name.

00:43:00.099 --> 00:43:00.380
 Amen.