WEBVTT

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 Good morning, Maranatha Baptist Church.

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 Good morning.

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 It is a privilege to worship with you and to have been worshiping now for two months.

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! If we haven't met yet, my name is Luke Fawcett.

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 My wife is Jana, and I guess it's your left back.

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 So talk to her and us after the service.

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 If we haven't met you guys, we'd love to do that.

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 I just graduated from Cedarville just literally three months ago

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 with my undergrad and my master's in Bible

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 and got the privilege to meet Andrew in October

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 and then come on as a pastoral intern just a couple months ago.

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 I've been serving in that capacity.

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 This morning we'll be continuing our study in Daniel chapter 3,

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 focusing on verses 19 to 30.

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 So if you have your Bibles, you can open to Daniel chapter 3, verses 19 to 30.

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 If you're using a Bible in the pew, that's page 740.

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 If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

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 Maybe you'd choose super strength or flying,

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 maybe invisibility or reading people's minds,

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 which is kind of weird.

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 I remember as a young boy being awed by Spider-Man.

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 I thought he was the coolest thing.

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 I had the Spider-Man sneakers that lit up,

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 and I wore the costume, his suit on Halloween.

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 When I put that suit on, I felt absolutely invincible,

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 like I could do anything.

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 Parents, you know what this is like

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 when your child has a little too much courage for their own good?

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 That was me.

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 We live in an age of superheroism.

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 Just consider the phenomenon of the Marvel Universe.

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 Many of you no doubt have watched these movies.

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 In fact, all three movies in the Avengers trilogy

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 are ranked in the top 10 highest grossing films in modern history.

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 They've made over $6 billion.

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 It's undeniable that we live in a culture that glorifies superheroes.

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 But what does a superhero do for us?

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 Why are we so fascinated by their powers and their mission?

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 I think we can't get enough of superheroes

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 because we know that we need saving.

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 We know deep down that there's something wrong in our lives.

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 The curse has had its way in different ways,

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 and we long for deliverance.

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 We want someone to take away the difficulties that we face,

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 the car needing constant repair,

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 the relational tensions that we feel,

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 the frustrations at our workplace,

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 the life-altering decisions,

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 the shape of our body,

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 the friendships that disappoint,

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 and on and on it goes.

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 Each of us longs for deliverance from something.

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 We long for deliverance from something.

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 So what is that for you?

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 What do you long for deliverance from?

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 See, the truth is that we will serve

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 whatever we believe will save us.

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 We will serve whatever we believe will save us,

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 whatever delivers us from the thing that we fear.

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 The message this morning is titled

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 that God alone can save.

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 God alone is our deliverer.

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 It functions something like a part two

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 to what Andrew preached last week as part one.

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 Part one focused on God's,

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 or God alone is worthy of worship.

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 The golden image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up

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 for all the peoples and nations and languages

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 to bow down to

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 set the stage for three Hebrew boys

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 who refuse him

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 and bring about a conflict.

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 And it's a conflict not primarily

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 between the three Hebrews and Nebuchadnezzar.

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 It's actually a conflict between Nebuchadnezzar

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 and the God of heaven.

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 This is a showdown of sovereigns.

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 Who is gonna come out on top?

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 Who is in power?

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 Who is in control?

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 And verse 15 sets the stage for our text.

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 Nebuchadnezzar asked in chapter three, verse 15,

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

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

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 We'll see that the singular message of chapter three,

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 because it really is one message for one chapter,

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 is that God alone deserves worship

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 because God alone can save.

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 God alone deserves worship

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 because God alone is our deliverer.

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 So the main idea for this morning

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 is serve God who alone can save.

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 Serve God who alone can save.

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 Now it's important to note up front

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 before we get into our passage

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 that each point of this message

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 is marked in our text with the transition word then.

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 So you can see this in verse 19,

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 verse 24, and verse 26.

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 And Daniel writes this in a way

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 that sets up three scenes for us,

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 three things that make us ask the question,

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 what happens next?

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 As the narrative kind of twists and turns,

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 as Nebuchadnezzar rises and falls,

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 Shadrach are in and out of the fire,

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 we're asking the question,

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 what is going to happen?

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 So point number one,

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 Nebuchadnezzar commands the Hebrews' death.

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 Nebuchadnezzar commands the Hebrews' death.

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 Follow along with me in verse 19 to verse 23.

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 Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury,

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 and the expression of his face

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 was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

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 He ordered the furnace heated

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 seven times more than it was usually heated.

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 He ordered some of the mighty men of his army

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 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,

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 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

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 and the furnace overheated,

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 the flame of the fire killed those men

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 who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

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 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego,

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 fell bound into the burning, fiery furnace.

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 After Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

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 are given a second chance to recant

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 and to worship this golden image,

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 the king's rage is fuming.

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 Notice the way it's described, though.

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 It says Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury,

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 and the expression of his face was changed.

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 We know from previous narratives

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 that this is the typical way that Nebuchadnezzar responds

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 when he doesn't get what he wants.

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 Look back to chapter two, verse 12.

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 Because of this,

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 that is the Chaldean's inability to tell him his dream,

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 the king was angry and very furious,

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 and he commanded that all the wise men of Babylon

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 be destroyed.

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 Or just a few verses ago in chapter three, verse 13,

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 that Nebuchadnezzar, in a furious rage,

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 commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought.

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 He's done trying to reason with these Hebrews.

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 Nebuchadnezzar will not tolerate rebellion,

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 and his face starts to show what's in his heart.

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 He embodies the kind of worldly anger

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 that James 4, 2 talks about,

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 that we desire and we do not have,

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 and so we murder.

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 Parents, maybe you've heard your child say

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 that you have the face,

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 or that glare.

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 It's the look that you give when your child rebels,

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 and they know that if they don't do something,

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 there's gonna be consequences.

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 Literally, the expression of your face changes.

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 The picture here actually reminds me

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 of something like the figure from,

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 or the figure anger from Inside Out.

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 Maybe some of you guys have watched this movie.

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 It's directed from a young girl's life,

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 and it's through her emotions

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 that we actually see the movie play out,

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 anger being one of them.

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 He's personified as this big, bright,

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 no-nonsense, stubby emotion

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 that always gets grumpy,

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 and he's just in for a fight.

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 And there's one scene where Riley, the girl,

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 comes home after a rough day of work

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 and starts to get into it with her dad,

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 and things start to heat up.

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 Anger, you can literally see him

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 clenching his fists,

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 and his teeth start to grit,

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 and his jaw gets harder,

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 and the other emotions are like

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 trying to calm him down

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 because he's gonna absolutely lose it.

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 But finally, he just explodes,

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 and fire comes out of his head,

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 and he takes control of the situation.

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 He's had it.

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 Like anger, Nebuchadnezzar in our story

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 is trying to take control of the situation

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 through his anger.

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 He's gonna show who's in charge.

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 He's gonna show whose will is final.

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 And first, we notice that he orders the furnace

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 to be heated seven times more than it was.

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 Now, at face value,

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 this just seems like Nebuchadnezzar

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 is just heating up the furnace, right?

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 He wants it to be hotter.

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 But in Scripture,

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 seven has a particular significance as a number.

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 It carries the idea of completion or fulfillment.

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 You might remember that God rested

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 on the seventh day of creation,

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 marking its completion.

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 Or Elisha telling Naaman

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 that he had to go wash in the Jordan

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 seven times in order to be completely healed.

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 Or Joshua and the Israelites

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 going around Jericho for seven days

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 and on the seventh time,

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 going around seven times,

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 marking the completion of its destruction.

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 This symbolic significance

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 is similar to how the number three

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 kind of functions in English.

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 Students, if you've taken speech or rhetoric,

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 you know that generally,

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 in a persuasive argument,

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 you have to have three points.

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 Why is that?

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 It's just because it's a number of completion.

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 It marks something that's memorable

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 and substantial.

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 So to heat up the furnace seven times hotter

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 is not just to make it hot,

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 but to make it as hot as possible.

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 It does not matter

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 whether or not it's seven times

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 or 70 times.

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 Nebuchadnezzar wants to incinerate these men.

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 But why does he increase the heat at all?

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 Think about this for a moment.

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 The furnace was literally built

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 to kill anyone

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 that didn't do what Nebuchadnezzar said.

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 He could have just thrown them into the furnace

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 and they would have died.

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 That's pretty simple.

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 But I think here's why.

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 Anger is power.

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 Anger is power.

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 We know this is true in our own lives.

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 When we raise our voice.

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 When we speak brutal,

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 cutting, divisive words.

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 When we use our hands to hurt people.

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 When we turn away in our bodies.

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 It communicates that I'll show you

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 how much I can hurt,

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 manipulate, and control you.

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 That's the heart of sinful anger.

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 And Nebuchadnezzar's actions

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 are revealing his heart.

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 That he is completely opposed

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 not only to the Hebrews,

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 but also to their God.

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 And we know from previous chapters

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 that Nebuchadnezzar

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 is basically opposed to God.

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 It may not seem as messy right now,

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 but it's still there.

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 In chapter one,

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 he took the temple vessels

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 and defiled them

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 by taking them into

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 his own house of worship.

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 And as the story progresses,

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 he's happy if God helps him.

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 Right?

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 He's happy if God gives him

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 wise, capable counselors.

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 Or if God reveals his dreams

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 that are troubling him.

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 And we might even be fooled

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 into thinking that

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 Nebuchadnezzar at this point

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 believes based on his blessing

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 from chapter two.

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 But faith or acceptance

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 is easy

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 when God is working for me.

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 When God serves me.

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 What about when God

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 is opposed to what I'm doing?

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 What about when God's commands

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 oppose my self-centered desires

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 and demands?

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 You see, faith is not tested

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 through what God offers me.

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 Who wouldn't want eternal life?

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 Who would not want joy and peace?

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 Faith is not tested

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 through what God offers me,

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 but through what I am willing

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 to submit to him.

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 If God doesn't own

00:14:01.439 --> 00:14:04.039
 every area of my life,

00:14:04.919 --> 00:14:07.439
 then I have not surrendered to him

00:14:07.439 --> 00:14:09.419
 as Lord in that way.

00:14:09.419 --> 00:14:12.099
 And I am still in the center.

00:14:13.679 --> 00:14:16.620
 And anger is often the way

00:14:16.620 --> 00:14:18.500
 that reveals and exposes

00:14:18.500 --> 00:14:21.159
 who is at the center of our lives.

00:14:23.860 --> 00:14:25.579
 The second way that Nebuchadnezzar

00:14:25.579 --> 00:14:26.799
 tries to show his power

00:14:26.799 --> 00:14:28.519
 is by ordering his personal guards

00:14:28.519 --> 00:14:31.099
 to bind and cast Shadrach, Meshach,

00:14:31.159 --> 00:14:32.620
 and Abednego into the furnace.

00:14:33.120 --> 00:14:35.419
 He orders the men to be thrown in.

00:14:35.419 --> 00:14:38.059
 Even though the Hebrews

00:14:38.059 --> 00:14:39.459
 have been compliant

00:14:39.459 --> 00:14:41.099
 and peaceful up to this point,

00:14:41.579 --> 00:14:43.939
 Nebuchadnezzar will not stand it.

00:14:44.399 --> 00:14:46.000
 He's going to treat them as rebels.

00:14:46.719 --> 00:14:48.219
 They've been faithful wise men,

00:14:48.339 --> 00:14:50.539
 but he treats them as criminals.

00:14:51.779 --> 00:14:52.979
 And the word that's actually

00:14:52.979 --> 00:14:54.759
 translated here in verse 20,

00:14:55.539 --> 00:14:56.319
 for mighty men,

00:14:56.419 --> 00:14:58.899
 he ordered some of the mighty men

00:14:58.899 --> 00:15:00.559
 of his army to bind them.

00:15:00.559 --> 00:15:03.319
 This word is also translated elsewhere

00:15:03.319 --> 00:15:04.819
 as most mighty men

00:15:04.819 --> 00:15:06.819
 in the KJV

00:15:06.819 --> 00:15:09.719
 or strongest soldiers in the NIV.

00:15:10.479 --> 00:15:11.979
 And I actually think the NASB,

00:15:12.179 --> 00:15:13.599
 the New American Standard Version,

00:15:14.319 --> 00:15:15.319
 seems to render it best

00:15:15.319 --> 00:15:16.879
 as valiant warriors.

00:15:17.539 --> 00:15:18.879
 This is actually significant

00:15:18.879 --> 00:15:21.379
 because it's the same word

00:15:21.379 --> 00:15:23.119
 that is used to describe

00:15:23.119 --> 00:15:24.679
 David's best soldiers.

00:15:25.299 --> 00:15:26.259
 King David, if you remember,

00:15:26.259 --> 00:15:28.500
 had soldiers like Abishai,

00:15:28.500 --> 00:15:31.620
 who killed 300 men in a day.

00:15:32.659 --> 00:15:33.600
 Or Benaiah,

00:15:33.879 --> 00:15:35.500
 who went into a snowy pit

00:15:35.500 --> 00:15:36.600
 to kill a lion.

00:15:37.720 --> 00:15:39.039
 These, in other words,

00:15:39.139 --> 00:15:40.039
 are the best,

00:15:40.620 --> 00:15:41.840
 the SEAL Team 6

00:15:41.840 --> 00:15:43.740
 of Nebuchadnezzar's army.

00:15:44.639 --> 00:15:45.700
 So when Nebuchadnezzar

00:15:45.700 --> 00:15:47.139
 commands his valiant warriors

00:15:47.139 --> 00:15:48.919
 to bind and throw these men

00:15:48.919 --> 00:15:49.919
 into the fiery furnace,

00:15:50.600 --> 00:15:52.000
 he's making a statement.

00:15:52.799 --> 00:15:55.659
 He's saying that I am on top.

00:15:56.259 --> 00:15:58.139
 He's doing everything he can

00:15:58.139 --> 00:16:00.100
 to demonstrate to the officials

00:16:00.100 --> 00:16:01.340
 and the nations

00:16:01.340 --> 00:16:02.939
 that he is stronger

00:16:02.939 --> 00:16:05.379
 than them and their God.

00:16:07.159 --> 00:16:08.460
 In fact, he's so aggressive

00:16:08.460 --> 00:16:09.240
 and demanding

00:16:09.240 --> 00:16:10.620
 that the soldiers

00:16:10.620 --> 00:16:11.980
 who take them into the fire

00:16:11.980 --> 00:16:14.480
 die at the hands of the fire.

00:16:15.480 --> 00:16:16.639
 Notice also the way

00:16:16.639 --> 00:16:17.840
 that Daniel describes them

00:16:17.840 --> 00:16:18.700
 being thrown in here.

00:16:19.879 --> 00:16:22.460
 Here the verb tense shifts

00:16:22.460 --> 00:16:23.819
 in verse 21

00:16:23.819 --> 00:16:25.439
 from active to passive.

00:16:25.440 --> 00:16:26.820
 Then these men

00:16:26.820 --> 00:16:27.860
 were bound.

00:16:29.360 --> 00:16:29.960
 And later,

00:16:30.340 --> 00:16:31.540
 they were thrown in.

00:16:32.240 --> 00:16:33.580
 Or also in verse 23.

00:16:34.560 --> 00:16:35.600
 And these three men,

00:16:35.960 --> 00:16:36.840
 Shadrach, Meshach,

00:16:36.900 --> 00:16:37.460
 and Abednego,

00:16:38.140 --> 00:16:39.100
 fell bound

00:16:39.100 --> 00:16:40.320
 into the burning,

00:16:40.560 --> 00:16:41.340
 fiery furnace.

00:16:42.740 --> 00:16:44.080
 These two verses

00:16:44.080 --> 00:16:45.620
 communicate the same idea.

00:16:46.180 --> 00:16:47.620
 Shadrach, Meshach,

00:16:47.720 --> 00:16:48.260
 and Abednego

00:16:48.260 --> 00:16:49.880
 had no power

00:16:49.880 --> 00:16:51.160
 to save themselves.

00:16:51.159 --> 00:16:54.319
 They were at the hands,

00:16:54.819 --> 00:16:55.659
 they were at the mercy

00:16:55.659 --> 00:16:57.500
 of Nebuchadnezzar.

00:16:58.039 --> 00:16:59.219
 And they are ready

00:16:59.219 --> 00:17:00.879
 to die for their faith.

00:17:03.259 --> 00:17:04.579
 It's important to note

00:17:04.579 --> 00:17:06.159
 that though they are confident

00:17:06.159 --> 00:17:08.259
 that God can save them,

00:17:09.079 --> 00:17:10.480
 they don't know

00:17:10.480 --> 00:17:11.420
 if he will.

00:17:12.460 --> 00:17:13.859
 Look back at verse 17.

00:17:13.859 --> 00:17:16.259
 They say,

00:17:16.379 --> 00:17:17.519
 If this be so,

00:17:18.240 --> 00:17:19.519
 our God,

00:17:19.659 --> 00:17:20.459
 whom we serve,

00:17:20.839 --> 00:17:22.219
 is able to deliver us

00:17:22.219 --> 00:17:22.779
 from the burning,

00:17:22.919 --> 00:17:23.519
 fiery furnace,

00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:25.579
 and he will deliver us

00:17:25.579 --> 00:17:26.619
 out of your hand,

00:17:26.719 --> 00:17:27.240
 O King.

00:17:28.119 --> 00:17:29.919
 But if not.

00:17:32.579 --> 00:17:33.819
 But if not.

00:17:33.819 --> 00:17:38.299
 This is their

00:17:38.299 --> 00:17:40.119
 but if not moment.

00:17:41.419 --> 00:17:42.559
 Can you think about

00:17:42.559 --> 00:17:43.740
 the gravity of this

00:17:43.740 --> 00:17:45.079
 in your own life?

00:17:47.220 --> 00:17:48.279
 Lord, I believe

00:17:48.279 --> 00:17:49.539
 that you can heal me

00:17:49.539 --> 00:17:50.619
 of this sickness,

00:17:51.579 --> 00:17:53.299
 but if not.

00:17:55.319 --> 00:17:56.659
 God, you can resolve

00:17:56.659 --> 00:17:57.740
 the financial crisis

00:17:57.740 --> 00:17:58.740
 I'm in right now,

00:17:59.460 --> 00:18:01.099
 but if not.

00:18:01.099 --> 00:18:03.980
 Father, you're able

00:18:03.980 --> 00:18:05.699
 to save my wandering child

00:18:05.699 --> 00:18:07.079
 from their sin,

00:18:07.879 --> 00:18:09.179
 but if not.

00:18:10.799 --> 00:18:12.199
 Jesus, you can save

00:18:12.199 --> 00:18:12.740
 my marriage

00:18:12.740 --> 00:18:13.319
 from the ruin

00:18:13.319 --> 00:18:14.019
 that I made it,

00:18:15.279 --> 00:18:16.439
 but if not.

00:18:17.919 --> 00:18:18.819
 Holy Spirit,

00:18:19.419 --> 00:18:20.299
 you can remove

00:18:20.299 --> 00:18:26.759
 the darkness

00:18:26.759 --> 00:18:27.480
 of my grief

00:18:27.480 --> 00:18:29.139
 and depression

00:18:29.139 --> 00:18:30.099
 and restore to me

00:18:30.099 --> 00:18:31.039
 the joy of salvation.

00:18:31.819 --> 00:18:32.519
 But if not.

00:18:34.659 --> 00:18:35.799
 What happens

00:18:35.799 --> 00:18:37.439
 if God chooses

00:18:37.439 --> 00:18:38.299
 not to save

00:18:38.299 --> 00:18:39.579
 Shadrach, Meshach,

00:18:39.759 --> 00:18:40.240
 and Abednego?

00:18:41.639 --> 00:18:42.819
 What happens

00:18:42.819 --> 00:18:44.059
 if God chooses

00:18:44.059 --> 00:18:45.279
 not to deliver you

00:18:45.279 --> 00:18:46.839
 in this moment?

00:18:48.839 --> 00:18:50.099
 For these men,

00:18:50.179 --> 00:18:51.319
 the point was not

00:18:51.319 --> 00:18:52.359
 their deliverance.

00:18:53.399 --> 00:18:54.579
 The point was

00:18:54.579 --> 00:18:55.339
 whether or not

00:18:55.339 --> 00:18:55.939
 their lives

00:18:55.939 --> 00:18:56.839
 demonstrated

00:18:56.839 --> 00:18:58.559
 that God alone

00:18:58.559 --> 00:18:59.619
 was worthy

00:18:59.619 --> 00:19:00.599
 of worship.

00:19:01.099 --> 00:19:02.399
 Listen to the rest

00:19:02.399 --> 00:19:03.019
 of their statement.

00:19:04.159 --> 00:19:05.099
 But if not,

00:19:05.240 --> 00:19:06.079
 verse 18,

00:19:07.579 --> 00:19:08.719
 be it known

00:19:08.719 --> 00:19:09.379
 to you,

00:19:09.519 --> 00:19:10.039
 O king,

00:19:10.439 --> 00:19:11.699
 that we will not

00:19:11.699 --> 00:19:12.559
 serve your gods

00:19:12.559 --> 00:19:13.559
 or worship

00:19:13.559 --> 00:19:14.719
 the golden image

00:19:14.719 --> 00:19:15.959
 that you have set up.

00:19:17.879 --> 00:19:18.859
 The point was

00:19:18.859 --> 00:19:19.599
 making known

00:19:19.599 --> 00:19:20.379
 to the world,

00:19:20.659 --> 00:19:21.439
 these nations

00:19:21.439 --> 00:19:22.000
 and officials

00:19:22.000 --> 00:19:23.000
 and this king,

00:19:23.439 --> 00:19:24.219
 that the God

00:19:24.219 --> 00:19:24.779
 in heaven

00:19:24.779 --> 00:19:25.919
 is deserving

00:19:25.919 --> 00:19:26.779
 of their worship

00:19:26.779 --> 00:19:28.240
 and their very

00:19:28.240 --> 00:19:29.000
 lives.

00:19:30.839 --> 00:19:32.160
 And there's a danger

00:19:32.160 --> 00:19:34.099
 in a sermon like this

00:19:34.099 --> 00:19:34.879
 on deliverance.

00:19:36.379 --> 00:19:37.539
 We can connect

00:19:37.539 --> 00:19:38.599
 faith and obedience

00:19:38.599 --> 00:19:41.000
 with God's deliverance

00:19:41.000 --> 00:19:41.859
 from the fire

00:19:41.859 --> 00:19:43.139
 in such a way

00:19:43.139 --> 00:19:44.799
 that salvation

00:19:44.799 --> 00:19:46.119
 becomes about prosperity

00:19:46.119 --> 00:19:46.940
 and longevity

00:19:46.940 --> 00:19:47.920
 and health

00:19:47.920 --> 00:19:49.519
 and not about

00:19:49.519 --> 00:19:50.220
 God's glory.

00:19:51.299 --> 00:19:52.079
 Let me say that again.

00:19:52.079 --> 00:19:54.119
 We can connect

00:19:54.119 --> 00:19:55.619
 faith and obedience

00:19:55.619 --> 00:19:57.759
 with God's deliverance

00:19:57.759 --> 00:19:58.399
 from the fire

00:19:58.399 --> 00:19:59.659
 in such a way

00:19:59.659 --> 00:20:00.359
 that we look

00:20:00.359 --> 00:20:01.059
 at salvation

00:20:01.059 --> 00:20:02.259
 as prosperity

00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:03.119
 and health

00:20:03.119 --> 00:20:04.519
 and deliverance

00:20:04.519 --> 00:20:05.220
 in that way

00:20:05.220 --> 00:20:06.359
 and not about

00:20:06.359 --> 00:20:07.179
 God's glory.

00:20:08.059 --> 00:20:09.019
 If you're faithful,

00:20:09.259 --> 00:20:10.059
 God will deliver you

00:20:10.059 --> 00:20:10.679
 from X.

00:20:10.899 --> 00:20:11.619
 That's the thing

00:20:11.619 --> 00:20:12.619
 that we could think about.

00:20:12.619 --> 00:20:15.219
 If we're not careful,

00:20:15.339 --> 00:20:16.500
 we can view Shadrach,

00:20:16.599 --> 00:20:17.000
 Meshach,

00:20:17.079 --> 00:20:17.579
 and Abednego

00:20:17.579 --> 00:20:19.179
 as a type for us

00:20:19.179 --> 00:20:20.699
 of what God will do

00:20:20.699 --> 00:20:21.359
 if his people

00:20:21.359 --> 00:20:21.959
 are faithful.

00:20:22.979 --> 00:20:23.739
 The philosophy

00:20:23.739 --> 00:20:24.459
 might go something

00:20:24.459 --> 00:20:25.099
 like this.

00:20:26.019 --> 00:20:26.599
 If you raise

00:20:26.599 --> 00:20:27.419
 your children right,

00:20:28.159 --> 00:20:28.859
 they'll always

00:20:28.859 --> 00:20:30.059
 follow after God.

00:20:31.379 --> 00:20:32.500
 But what if they aren't?

00:20:34.859 --> 00:20:36.419
 If you're giving faithfully,

00:20:36.979 --> 00:20:38.179
 you'll be good financially.

00:20:39.239 --> 00:20:40.719
 But what if you aren't?

00:20:40.720 --> 00:20:43.400
 If you work hard,

00:20:44.279 --> 00:20:45.319
 you'll accomplish

00:20:45.319 --> 00:20:47.000
 whatever you want.

00:20:47.559 --> 00:20:48.880
 But what if you don't?

00:20:49.900 --> 00:20:50.220
 You see,

00:20:50.279 --> 00:20:50.839
 my point here

00:20:50.839 --> 00:20:52.019
 is not to discourage

00:20:52.019 --> 00:20:52.900
 giving faithfully

00:20:52.900 --> 00:20:54.259
 or raising your children

00:20:54.259 --> 00:20:54.900
 in the Lord

00:20:54.900 --> 00:20:56.339
 or working hard.

00:20:56.440 --> 00:20:57.420
 I think that those

00:20:57.420 --> 00:20:58.299
 are good,

00:20:58.480 --> 00:20:59.079
 godly things

00:20:59.079 --> 00:20:59.920
 that God has called

00:20:59.920 --> 00:21:00.600
 all of us

00:21:00.600 --> 00:21:01.480
 as his people to.

00:21:02.860 --> 00:21:03.759
 And there are scriptures

00:21:03.759 --> 00:21:04.799
 that we could no doubt

00:21:04.799 --> 00:21:05.420
 point to

00:21:05.420 --> 00:21:06.039
 and demonstrate

00:21:06.039 --> 00:21:07.240
 that this is the way

00:21:07.240 --> 00:21:08.860
 that it normally works

00:21:08.860 --> 00:21:09.720
 in God's world.

00:21:09.720 --> 00:21:11.160
 that faithfulness

00:21:11.160 --> 00:21:12.079
 often produces

00:21:12.079 --> 00:21:12.680
 fruitfulness.

00:21:14.079 --> 00:21:14.839
 But underneath

00:21:14.839 --> 00:21:15.980
 our efforts

00:21:15.980 --> 00:21:17.860
 stands the sovereign

00:21:17.860 --> 00:21:19.620
 purposes of God

00:21:19.620 --> 00:21:20.720
 and his will

00:21:20.720 --> 00:21:22.259
 for his own glory.

00:21:23.460 --> 00:21:24.440
 It's actually

00:21:24.440 --> 00:21:25.360
 this truth

00:21:25.360 --> 00:21:26.140
 that is more

00:21:26.140 --> 00:21:27.259
 of a comfort to us

00:21:27.259 --> 00:21:28.539
 than setting our hope

00:21:28.539 --> 00:21:30.019
 on any kind of outcome

00:21:30.019 --> 00:21:31.200
 that we could achieve.

00:21:31.720 --> 00:21:32.779
 Because if our lives

00:21:32.779 --> 00:21:33.860
 are about his glory,

00:21:34.740 --> 00:21:36.039
 then deliverance

00:21:36.039 --> 00:21:37.420
 isn't our ultimate hope

00:21:37.420 --> 00:21:38.400
 in this world.

00:21:38.400 --> 00:21:40.140
 his glory is.

00:21:40.759 --> 00:21:42.220
 Because we have set

00:21:42.220 --> 00:21:42.700
 our hope

00:21:42.700 --> 00:21:44.320
 that he will deliver us

00:21:44.320 --> 00:21:45.220
 in the next.

00:21:47.060 --> 00:21:48.140
 So he may

00:21:48.140 --> 00:21:49.920
 or he may not save

00:21:49.920 --> 00:21:50.840
 our kids.

00:21:51.720 --> 00:21:53.259
 He may restore us

00:21:53.259 --> 00:21:55.240
 from this financial difficulty

00:21:55.240 --> 00:21:56.519
 or he may leave us

00:21:56.519 --> 00:21:57.440
 in the same condition.

00:21:57.440 --> 00:22:03.660
 either way,

00:22:04.420 --> 00:22:06.080
 God really is working

00:22:06.080 --> 00:22:07.299
 all things

00:22:07.299 --> 00:22:08.440
 for our good

00:22:08.440 --> 00:22:09.360
 and his glory.

00:22:09.840 --> 00:22:11.019
 That's where faith

00:22:11.019 --> 00:22:11.580
 comes in.

00:22:11.799 --> 00:22:12.480
 It gives us

00:22:12.480 --> 00:22:12.940
 sight

00:22:12.940 --> 00:22:14.539
 beyond what we can see

00:22:14.539 --> 00:22:15.680
 that God is doing

00:22:15.680 --> 00:22:16.779
 because we know

00:22:16.779 --> 00:22:18.320
 that he is up

00:22:18.320 --> 00:22:19.440
 to good for us.

00:22:20.380 --> 00:22:21.420
 In these moments

00:22:21.420 --> 00:22:22.140
 we learn to pray

00:22:22.140 --> 00:22:22.820
 like Jesus

00:22:22.820 --> 00:22:24.140
 who was tempted

00:22:24.140 --> 00:22:24.680
 and tried

00:22:24.680 --> 00:22:25.620
 in every respect

00:22:25.619 --> 00:22:26.319
 as we are.

00:22:27.079 --> 00:22:28.119
 Maybe you remember this,

00:22:28.419 --> 00:22:29.479
 how he was distressed

00:22:29.479 --> 00:22:30.419
 and he was troubled

00:22:30.419 --> 00:22:31.059
 in the garden

00:22:31.059 --> 00:22:31.839
 of Gethsemane.

00:22:32.699 --> 00:22:33.959
 He was abandoned

00:22:33.959 --> 00:22:35.359
 by all of his followers.

00:22:36.619 --> 00:22:37.679
 He was all alone,

00:22:38.479 --> 00:22:38.859
 betrayed

00:22:38.859 --> 00:22:40.959
 by one of his own.

00:22:42.859 --> 00:22:44.639
 In his hardest moment

00:22:44.639 --> 00:22:45.899
 he prayed like this.

00:22:45.900 --> 00:22:48.920
 Abba, Father,

00:22:50.040 --> 00:22:52.360
 all things are possible

00:22:52.360 --> 00:22:52.900
 for you.

00:22:54.800 --> 00:22:55.660
 Remove his cup

00:22:55.660 --> 00:22:56.160
 from me.

00:22:57.340 --> 00:22:58.660
 But if not,

00:22:59.519 --> 00:23:00.160
 or yet,

00:23:01.019 --> 00:23:02.440
 not what I will

00:23:02.440 --> 00:23:03.940
 but what you will.

00:23:05.440 --> 00:23:06.980
 Jesus said that prayer

00:23:06.980 --> 00:23:08.759
 over and over

00:23:08.759 --> 00:23:09.540
 and over

00:23:09.540 --> 00:23:11.400
 three separate times

00:23:11.400 --> 00:23:12.800
 until he was ready

00:23:12.800 --> 00:23:13.700
 to receive

00:23:13.700 --> 00:23:14.600
 God's will.

00:23:14.599 --> 00:23:17.219
 That is why

00:23:17.219 --> 00:23:17.980
 it's a good idea

00:23:17.980 --> 00:23:18.619
 I think for us

00:23:18.619 --> 00:23:19.659
 to pray habitually

00:23:19.659 --> 00:23:21.279
 how Jesus taught

00:23:21.279 --> 00:23:22.319
 his disciples to pray.

00:23:23.179 --> 00:23:23.779
 Our Father

00:23:23.779 --> 00:23:24.740
 who art in heaven,

00:23:25.719 --> 00:23:27.179
 hallowed be thy name.

00:23:28.000 --> 00:23:29.199
 Thy kingdom come,

00:23:29.980 --> 00:23:31.539
 thy will be done

00:23:31.539 --> 00:23:33.059
 on earth

00:23:33.059 --> 00:23:33.919
 as it is in heaven.

00:23:36.079 --> 00:23:37.139
 In our story,

00:23:37.240 --> 00:23:38.039
 God in his mercy

00:23:38.039 --> 00:23:39.019
 does in fact

00:23:39.019 --> 00:23:40.240
 rescue the Hebrews.

00:23:41.059 --> 00:23:42.139
 And he demonstrates

00:23:42.139 --> 00:23:42.899
 his power

00:23:42.899 --> 00:23:43.819
 over Nebuchadnezzar.

00:23:43.819 --> 00:23:45.039
 His urgency

00:23:45.039 --> 00:23:46.159
 to destroy them

00:23:46.159 --> 00:23:47.359
 turns to urgency

00:23:47.359 --> 00:23:48.539
 to see them.

00:23:49.079 --> 00:23:49.659
 Follow along

00:23:49.659 --> 00:23:51.279
 in verses 24 to 25.

00:23:52.619 --> 00:23:53.359
 It says,

00:23:53.359 --> 00:23:54.700
 Then Nebuchadnezzar

00:23:54.700 --> 00:23:56.279
 was astonished

00:23:56.279 --> 00:23:58.159
 and rose up in haste.

00:23:58.159 --> 00:23:58.879
 He declared

00:23:58.879 --> 00:23:59.659
 to his counselors,

00:24:00.559 --> 00:24:01.480
 Did we not cast

00:24:01.480 --> 00:24:02.119
 three men

00:24:02.119 --> 00:24:03.039
 bound into the fire?

00:24:03.599 --> 00:24:04.419
 They answered

00:24:04.419 --> 00:24:05.259
 and said to the king,

00:24:05.399 --> 00:24:06.079
 True, O king.

00:24:06.740 --> 00:24:07.599
 He answered

00:24:07.599 --> 00:24:08.059
 and said,

00:24:08.500 --> 00:24:09.319
 But I see

00:24:09.319 --> 00:24:10.099
 four men

00:24:10.099 --> 00:24:11.359
 unbound

00:24:11.359 --> 00:24:12.879
 walking in the midst

00:24:12.879 --> 00:24:13.479
 of the fire

00:24:13.479 --> 00:24:15.240
 and they are not hurt

00:24:15.240 --> 00:24:16.959
 and the appearance

00:24:16.959 --> 00:24:17.719
 of the fourth

00:24:17.719 --> 00:24:18.799
 is like the son

00:24:18.799 --> 00:24:19.759
 of the gods.

00:24:21.299 --> 00:24:22.359
 So point number two,

00:24:22.740 --> 00:24:23.359
 Nebuchadnezzar

00:24:23.359 --> 00:24:24.919
 observes the Hebrews' life.

00:24:25.299 --> 00:24:25.919
 Nebuchadnezzar

00:24:25.919 --> 00:24:26.539
 observes

00:24:26.539 --> 00:24:27.759
 the Hebrews' life.

00:24:29.500 --> 00:24:30.099
 Nebuchadnezzar

00:24:30.099 --> 00:24:31.240
 cannot believe

00:24:31.240 --> 00:24:31.839
 his eyes.

00:24:32.539 --> 00:24:33.779
 His fuming rage

00:24:33.779 --> 00:24:34.819
 turns into surprise

00:24:34.819 --> 00:24:35.899
 as he observes

00:24:35.899 --> 00:24:36.759
 five things.

00:24:36.759 --> 00:24:39.099
 There are four men

00:24:39.099 --> 00:24:40.220
 instead of three.

00:24:41.200 --> 00:24:42.220
 They are unbound

00:24:42.220 --> 00:24:43.180
 instead of bound.

00:24:43.839 --> 00:24:44.640
 They're walking

00:24:44.640 --> 00:24:45.879
 instead of fallen.

00:24:46.879 --> 00:24:47.759
 They're unharmed

00:24:47.759 --> 00:24:49.440
 instead of incinerated.

00:24:50.619 --> 00:24:51.379
 And there is

00:24:51.379 --> 00:24:52.660
 the presence of God

00:24:52.660 --> 00:24:54.519
 instead of the absence

00:24:54.519 --> 00:24:55.539
 in the fire.

00:24:56.579 --> 00:24:57.500
 So he confirms

00:24:57.500 --> 00:24:58.099
 what he commanded

00:24:58.099 --> 00:24:58.940
 with his advisors.

00:24:59.640 --> 00:25:01.119
 We cast three in, right?

00:25:02.700 --> 00:25:03.259
 Interestingly,

00:25:03.460 --> 00:25:04.440
 the detail that stands out

00:25:04.440 --> 00:25:05.160
 to Nebuchadnezzar

00:25:05.160 --> 00:25:06.460
 is not the fact

00:25:06.460 --> 00:25:07.300
 that they're unharmed.

00:25:07.920 --> 00:25:08.900
 It's not the fact

00:25:08.900 --> 00:25:09.600
 that they're walking

00:25:09.600 --> 00:25:10.680
 in a burning flame.

00:25:11.440 --> 00:25:12.580
 The detail that stands out

00:25:12.580 --> 00:25:12.940
 to him

00:25:12.940 --> 00:25:13.640
 is that there are

00:25:13.640 --> 00:25:14.519
 four people

00:25:14.519 --> 00:25:15.640
 in the fire.

00:25:17.120 --> 00:25:18.120
 So who is this

00:25:18.120 --> 00:25:18.820
 fourth person?

00:25:19.540 --> 00:25:20.380
 Is it an angel?

00:25:21.019 --> 00:25:21.720
 Is it the angel

00:25:21.720 --> 00:25:22.259
 of the Lord?

00:25:22.860 --> 00:25:24.180
 Is it a pre-incarnate

00:25:24.180 --> 00:25:25.800
 appearance of the son?

00:25:27.500 --> 00:25:28.500
 And the simple answer

00:25:28.500 --> 00:25:29.779
 is that I don't know.

00:25:30.620 --> 00:25:31.300
 And I don't think

00:25:31.300 --> 00:25:32.180
 the Bible tells us.

00:25:33.420 --> 00:25:34.259
 What we hear

00:25:34.259 --> 00:25:34.920
 is actually from

00:25:34.920 --> 00:25:36.039
 Nebuchadnezzar's perspective.

00:25:36.180 --> 00:25:37.560
 It's what he sees,

00:25:37.700 --> 00:25:38.440
 not necessarily

00:25:38.440 --> 00:25:40.620
 what the author says.

00:25:41.100 --> 00:25:42.220
 And I think you'll agree

00:25:42.220 --> 00:25:43.539
 that we don't want

00:25:43.539 --> 00:25:44.279
 to get our theology

00:25:44.279 --> 00:25:45.400
 from a pagan king

00:25:45.400 --> 00:25:46.460
 who hasn't yet

00:25:46.460 --> 00:25:47.320
 submitted to God.

00:25:48.720 --> 00:25:49.779
 There are other texts

00:25:49.779 --> 00:25:50.600
 that we can use

00:25:50.600 --> 00:25:52.180
 that use the same phrase,

00:25:52.279 --> 00:25:52.900
 son of the gods,

00:25:53.000 --> 00:25:54.180
 like Genesis 6-2

00:25:54.180 --> 00:25:56.720
 or even Job 1-6,

00:25:56.840 --> 00:25:57.400
 2-1,

00:25:57.660 --> 00:25:58.580
 and 38-7.

00:25:58.800 --> 00:25:59.980
 And these all seem

00:25:59.980 --> 00:26:00.860
 to refer to angels.

00:26:01.800 --> 00:26:03.360
 Even further along

00:26:03.359 --> 00:26:03.899
 in the passage,

00:26:04.019 --> 00:26:04.919
 Nebuchadnezzar refers

00:26:04.919 --> 00:26:06.599
 to this saying

00:26:06.599 --> 00:26:07.500
 that God sent

00:26:07.500 --> 00:26:08.240
 his angel

00:26:08.240 --> 00:26:09.699
 and delivered him.

00:26:09.939 --> 00:26:10.740
 But it's still

00:26:10.740 --> 00:26:11.779
 Nebuchadnezzar's words,

00:26:12.279 --> 00:26:13.299
 so we can't necessarily

00:26:13.299 --> 00:26:14.659
 take it on face value.

00:26:15.799 --> 00:26:17.179
 Whoever this fourth figure is,

00:26:17.519 --> 00:26:18.359
 I think it's important

00:26:18.359 --> 00:26:20.000
 to see that he bears

00:26:20.000 --> 00:26:21.579
 God's special presence.

00:26:22.099 --> 00:26:23.259
 That's what the author

00:26:23.259 --> 00:26:24.079
 wants us to know.

00:26:24.240 --> 00:26:27.139
 He bears God's special presence

00:26:27.139 --> 00:26:28.359
 in order to keep

00:26:28.359 --> 00:26:29.439
 these men from death.

00:26:29.440 --> 00:26:31.440
 But there's a question

00:26:31.440 --> 00:26:32.279
 that still remains.

00:26:32.840 --> 00:26:34.600
 Why have a fourth person

00:26:34.600 --> 00:26:35.420
 at all?

00:26:36.400 --> 00:26:37.559
 It's the same kind of thing

00:26:37.559 --> 00:26:38.680
 that we ask with Nebuchadnezzar.

00:26:38.900 --> 00:26:40.299
 Why heat up the fire

00:26:40.299 --> 00:26:41.140
 seven times

00:26:41.140 --> 00:26:42.460
 if it's already as hot

00:26:42.460 --> 00:26:45.080
 to kill the Hebrews?

00:26:46.120 --> 00:26:47.860
 Why send the fourth person?

00:26:48.080 --> 00:26:49.460
 God didn't have to do this.

00:26:50.080 --> 00:26:50.220
 Right?

00:26:50.279 --> 00:26:51.220
 If he's the creator,

00:26:51.779 --> 00:26:52.620
 he could have just

00:26:52.620 --> 00:26:54.100
 allowed their bodies

00:26:54.100 --> 00:26:54.759
 not to be burned

00:26:54.759 --> 00:26:55.360
 by the fire.

00:26:56.080 --> 00:26:56.740
 And actually,

00:26:56.860 --> 00:26:57.660
 in Daniel 6,

00:26:57.660 --> 00:26:58.880
 when Daniel's thrown

00:26:58.880 --> 00:26:59.940
 into the lion's den,

00:27:00.340 --> 00:27:01.140
 he doesn't send

00:27:01.140 --> 00:27:02.180
 an angel in there.

00:27:02.440 --> 00:27:03.540
 He just shuts the mouths

00:27:03.540 --> 00:27:04.360
 of the lions.

00:27:06.620 --> 00:27:08.440
 The reason why I think

00:27:08.440 --> 00:27:09.620
 God does this

00:27:09.620 --> 00:27:10.519
 is that by sending

00:27:10.519 --> 00:27:11.540
 the fourth person

00:27:11.540 --> 00:27:12.480
 into the fire,

00:27:13.360 --> 00:27:14.480
 Nebuchadnezzar knows

00:27:14.480 --> 00:27:15.680
 without a shadow

00:27:15.680 --> 00:27:16.340
 of a doubt

00:27:16.340 --> 00:27:18.540
 that God is the one

00:27:18.540 --> 00:27:19.600
 who delivered them.

00:27:20.360 --> 00:27:21.259
 God is the one

00:27:21.259 --> 00:27:22.060
 who delivered them.

00:27:22.620 --> 00:27:24.300
 He cannot get around it.

00:27:25.640 --> 00:27:26.779
 It's kind of the difference

00:27:26.779 --> 00:27:28.879
 between a speed limit sign

00:27:28.879 --> 00:27:30.160
 and a police officer.

00:27:30.899 --> 00:27:31.059
 Right?

00:27:31.200 --> 00:27:32.559
 Both represent

00:27:32.559 --> 00:27:33.160
 the enforcement

00:27:33.160 --> 00:27:34.720
 of law and justice.

00:27:35.579 --> 00:27:36.779
 With a speed limit sign,

00:27:36.859 --> 00:27:37.599
 you can see it

00:27:37.599 --> 00:27:38.440
 and you know

00:27:38.440 --> 00:27:39.480
 that there's the presence

00:27:39.480 --> 00:27:40.359
 of a legal boundary.

00:27:41.220 --> 00:27:42.160
 But you slow down

00:27:42.160 --> 00:27:43.000
 for the police officer.

00:27:45.399 --> 00:27:45.920
 Similarly,

00:27:46.539 --> 00:27:47.160
 Nebuchadnezzar

00:27:47.160 --> 00:27:48.180
 could have realized

00:27:48.180 --> 00:27:49.879
 that the presence of God,

00:27:50.819 --> 00:27:52.200
 he could have recognized

00:27:52.200 --> 00:27:52.940
 the presence of God

00:27:52.940 --> 00:27:53.980
 by seeing Shadrach,

00:27:54.059 --> 00:27:54.379
 Meshach,

00:27:54.460 --> 00:27:54.779
 and Abednego

00:27:54.779 --> 00:27:55.720
 come out of the fire

00:27:55.720 --> 00:27:56.180
 unharmed.

00:27:56.259 --> 00:27:57.299
 There's a shadow

00:27:57.299 --> 00:27:57.759
 of a doubt

00:27:57.759 --> 00:27:59.460
 that he could have done that.

00:28:00.319 --> 00:28:01.039
 But what caught

00:28:01.039 --> 00:28:01.799
 his attention

00:28:01.799 --> 00:28:03.940
 was the fourth person.

00:28:05.360 --> 00:28:07.980
 God was in this place

00:28:07.980 --> 00:28:10.019
 and God delivered

00:28:10.019 --> 00:28:11.019
 his servants.

00:28:13.039 --> 00:28:14.620
 Verse 26 moves us

00:28:14.620 --> 00:28:15.519
 to our final point.

00:28:16.360 --> 00:28:17.059
 Point number three,

00:28:17.500 --> 00:28:18.160
 Nebuchadnezzar

00:28:18.160 --> 00:28:20.140
 confesses God's deliverance.

00:28:21.640 --> 00:28:22.240
 Nebuchadnezzar

00:28:22.240 --> 00:28:24.740
 confesses God's deliverance.

00:28:26.079 --> 00:28:27.079
 Follow along with me

00:28:27.079 --> 00:28:28.120
 in verse 26

00:28:28.120 --> 00:28:29.200
 as we read

00:28:29.200 --> 00:28:30.079
 the rest of the passage.

00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:33.880
 Then Nebuchadnezzar

00:28:33.880 --> 00:28:35.019
 came near to the door

00:28:35.019 --> 00:28:36.259
 of the burning fiery furnace

00:28:36.259 --> 00:28:37.819
 and he declared,

00:28:38.240 --> 00:28:39.180
 Shadrach, Meshach,

00:28:39.259 --> 00:28:39.759
 and Abednego,

00:28:40.019 --> 00:28:41.940
 servants of the most high God,

00:28:42.400 --> 00:28:42.960
 come out

00:28:42.960 --> 00:28:43.779
 and come here.

00:28:44.620 --> 00:28:46.140
 Then Shadrach, Meshach,

00:28:46.200 --> 00:28:46.660
 and Abednego

00:28:46.660 --> 00:28:47.400
 came out

00:28:47.400 --> 00:28:48.140
 from the fire.

00:28:49.039 --> 00:28:50.019
 And the satraps

00:28:50.019 --> 00:28:50.860
 and the prefects

00:28:50.860 --> 00:28:51.400
 and the governors

00:28:51.400 --> 00:28:52.860
 and the king's counselors

00:28:52.859 --> 00:28:53.740
 gathered together

00:28:53.740 --> 00:28:55.500
 and saw that the fire

00:28:55.500 --> 00:28:57.419
 had not had any power

00:28:57.419 --> 00:28:58.479
 over the bodies

00:28:58.479 --> 00:28:59.259
 of those men.

00:29:00.139 --> 00:29:01.119
 The hair of their heads

00:29:01.119 --> 00:29:02.039
 was not singed,

00:29:02.519 --> 00:29:03.139
 their cloaks

00:29:03.139 --> 00:29:03.979
 were not harmed,

00:29:04.500 --> 00:29:05.779
 and no smell of fire

00:29:05.779 --> 00:29:06.699
 had come upon them.

00:29:08.039 --> 00:29:08.579
 Nebuchadnezzar

00:29:08.579 --> 00:29:09.319
 answered and said,

00:29:09.419 --> 00:29:10.539
 Blessed be the God

00:29:10.539 --> 00:29:11.719
 of Shadrach, Meshach,

00:29:11.779 --> 00:29:12.339
 and Abednego

00:29:12.339 --> 00:29:14.199
 who has sent his angel

00:29:14.199 --> 00:29:14.939
 and delivered

00:29:14.939 --> 00:29:16.079
 his servants

00:29:16.079 --> 00:29:17.639
 who trusted in him

00:29:17.639 --> 00:29:18.959
 and set aside

00:29:18.959 --> 00:29:19.719
 the king's command

00:29:19.720 --> 00:29:20.819
 and yielded up

00:29:20.819 --> 00:29:21.339
 their bodies

00:29:21.339 --> 00:29:22.279
 rather than served

00:29:22.279 --> 00:29:23.039
 and worshipped

00:29:23.039 --> 00:29:24.220
 any other God

00:29:24.220 --> 00:29:25.660
 except their own.

00:29:26.980 --> 00:29:27.360
 Therefore,

00:29:27.539 --> 00:29:28.480
 I make a decree.

00:29:29.000 --> 00:29:29.640
 Any people,

00:29:29.940 --> 00:29:30.220
 nation,

00:29:30.279 --> 00:29:30.740
 or language

00:29:30.740 --> 00:29:31.660
 that speaks anything

00:29:31.660 --> 00:29:32.500
 against the God

00:29:32.500 --> 00:29:33.120
 of Shadrach,

00:29:33.220 --> 00:29:33.579
 Meshach,

00:29:33.640 --> 00:29:34.160
 and Abednego

00:29:34.160 --> 00:29:35.460
 shall be torn

00:29:35.460 --> 00:29:36.360
 limb from limb

00:29:36.360 --> 00:29:37.440
 and their houses

00:29:37.440 --> 00:29:38.500
 laid in ruins.

00:29:39.660 --> 00:29:41.600
 For there is no other God

00:29:41.600 --> 00:29:43.019
 who is able to rescue

00:29:43.019 --> 00:29:44.120
 in this way.

00:29:45.579 --> 00:29:46.279
 Then the king

00:29:46.279 --> 00:29:47.360
 promoted Shadrach,

00:29:47.460 --> 00:29:47.839
 Meshach,

00:29:47.900 --> 00:29:48.420
 and Abednego

00:29:48.420 --> 00:29:49.700
 in the province

00:29:49.700 --> 00:29:50.840
 of Babylon.

00:29:53.700 --> 00:29:54.779
 At this point,

00:29:54.940 --> 00:29:55.600
 Nebuchadnezzar

00:29:55.600 --> 00:29:56.720
 has a different attitude.

00:29:57.860 --> 00:29:58.640
 Notice the title

00:29:58.640 --> 00:29:59.440
 that he uses

00:29:59.440 --> 00:30:00.340
 for God.

00:30:01.380 --> 00:30:02.300
 He calls them

00:30:02.300 --> 00:30:02.800
 servants

00:30:02.800 --> 00:30:05.560
 of the Most High God.

00:30:07.460 --> 00:30:09.560
 He cannot deny

00:30:09.560 --> 00:30:10.800
 that there is

00:30:10.800 --> 00:30:11.900
 a God in heaven

00:30:11.900 --> 00:30:13.180
 who is promised

00:30:13.180 --> 00:30:14.180
 in chapter 2

00:30:14.180 --> 00:30:15.600
 to build a kingdom

00:30:15.600 --> 00:30:17.000
 that will outlast him

00:30:17.000 --> 00:30:18.180
 and he will

00:30:18.180 --> 00:30:19.180
 accomplish it.

00:30:20.539 --> 00:30:21.319
 But think about

00:30:21.319 --> 00:30:22.440
 this title

00:30:22.440 --> 00:30:23.720
 in the chapter's context.

00:30:24.539 --> 00:30:25.059
 Nebuchadnezzar

00:30:25.059 --> 00:30:25.980
 has set up

00:30:25.980 --> 00:30:27.160
 a golden image

00:30:27.160 --> 00:30:28.500
 that all are supposed

00:30:28.500 --> 00:30:29.660
 to bow down to

00:30:29.660 --> 00:30:32.220
 and yet he recognizes

00:30:32.220 --> 00:30:33.819
 that there is a God

00:30:33.819 --> 00:30:34.420
 who reigns

00:30:34.420 --> 00:30:35.220
 even over

00:30:35.220 --> 00:30:36.180
 the idol,

00:30:36.480 --> 00:30:37.240
 even over

00:30:37.240 --> 00:30:38.180
 the king

00:30:38.180 --> 00:30:39.019
 of the universe

00:30:39.019 --> 00:30:41.240
 or of the known world

00:30:41.240 --> 00:30:41.960
 at that time.

00:30:41.960 --> 00:30:45.279
 I wonder

00:30:45.279 --> 00:30:47.360
 if our lives

00:30:47.360 --> 00:30:48.620
 reflect this kind

00:30:48.620 --> 00:30:49.240
 of understanding

00:30:49.240 --> 00:30:50.500
 of God's character,

00:30:51.220 --> 00:30:52.000
 that he is

00:30:52.000 --> 00:30:53.400
 the Most High God.

00:30:55.000 --> 00:30:56.200
 Do you see yourself

00:30:56.200 --> 00:30:56.680
 today

00:30:56.680 --> 00:30:57.880
 as a servant

00:30:57.880 --> 00:30:58.660
 of the king

00:30:58.660 --> 00:31:01.100
 or as a king

00:31:01.100 --> 00:31:02.140
 to be served?

00:31:02.140 --> 00:31:05.880
 I would commend

00:31:05.880 --> 00:31:06.200
 to us

00:31:06.200 --> 00:31:06.960
 Paul's mindset

00:31:06.960 --> 00:31:08.420
 in 2 Corinthians 5

00:31:08.420 --> 00:31:09.220
 14-15.

00:31:10.820 --> 00:31:11.560
 He says

00:31:11.560 --> 00:31:12.320
 that the love

00:31:12.320 --> 00:31:13.040
 of Christ

00:31:13.040 --> 00:31:14.200
 controls us

00:31:14.200 --> 00:31:15.560
 because we have

00:31:15.560 --> 00:31:16.500
 concluded this,

00:31:17.160 --> 00:31:18.200
 that one has died

00:31:18.200 --> 00:31:18.780
 for all,

00:31:19.040 --> 00:31:20.259
 therefore all have died.

00:31:21.100 --> 00:31:21.960
 And he died

00:31:21.960 --> 00:31:22.520
 for all

00:31:22.520 --> 00:31:23.259
 that those

00:31:23.259 --> 00:31:23.840
 who live

00:31:23.840 --> 00:31:25.040
 might no longer

00:31:25.040 --> 00:31:25.940
 live for themselves,

00:31:26.680 --> 00:31:27.480
 but for him

00:31:27.480 --> 00:31:28.400
 who for their sake

00:31:28.400 --> 00:31:29.680
 died and was raised.

00:31:29.680 --> 00:31:33.480
 So let me ask,

00:31:34.200 --> 00:31:36.440
 what controls you?

00:31:39.180 --> 00:31:40.680
 Who are you serving?

00:31:43.160 --> 00:31:44.320
 What determines

00:31:44.320 --> 00:31:45.100
 how you order

00:31:45.100 --> 00:31:45.700
 your time?

00:31:46.539 --> 00:31:47.860
 How you spend

00:31:47.860 --> 00:31:49.019
 or save your money?

00:31:49.860 --> 00:31:50.759
 What retirement

00:31:50.759 --> 00:31:51.380
 looks like?

00:31:52.320 --> 00:31:53.480
 What kind of spouse

00:31:53.480 --> 00:31:54.420
 that you're pursuing?

00:31:55.420 --> 00:31:56.200
 How you treat

00:31:56.200 --> 00:31:56.720
 your husband

00:31:56.720 --> 00:31:57.480
 or your wife

00:31:57.480 --> 00:31:58.840
 or your siblings

00:31:58.839 --> 00:31:59.899
 or your parent?

00:32:02.199 --> 00:32:03.159
 And why should

00:32:03.159 --> 00:32:03.779
 the love of Christ

00:32:03.779 --> 00:32:04.519
 control us?

00:32:04.679 --> 00:32:05.459
 I think Paul

00:32:05.459 --> 00:32:06.299
 gives the why.

00:32:06.740 --> 00:32:07.240
 He says

00:32:07.240 --> 00:32:07.980
 that one,

00:32:08.659 --> 00:32:10.000
 that is Jesus Christ,

00:32:10.480 --> 00:32:11.179
 has died

00:32:11.179 --> 00:32:11.959
 for all.

00:32:13.099 --> 00:32:14.000
 Why did he have

00:32:14.000 --> 00:32:14.839
 to die for all?

00:32:15.879 --> 00:32:16.159
 Well,

00:32:16.179 --> 00:32:16.919
 this is the gospel.

00:32:18.059 --> 00:32:18.939
 That we all

00:32:18.939 --> 00:32:19.799
 have sinned

00:32:19.799 --> 00:32:20.939
 and fallen short

00:32:20.939 --> 00:32:21.480
 of the glory

00:32:21.480 --> 00:32:22.119
 of God.

00:32:22.399 --> 00:32:23.539
 Romans 3-23.

00:32:24.480 --> 00:32:25.500
 And that the wages

00:32:25.500 --> 00:32:26.319
 of sin

00:32:26.319 --> 00:32:27.379
 is death.

00:32:27.380 --> 00:32:29.380
 Romans 6-23.

00:32:30.740 --> 00:32:32.000
 In other words,

00:32:32.080 --> 00:32:33.420
 we all earn death

00:32:33.420 --> 00:32:35.220
 by setting ourselves

00:32:35.220 --> 00:32:37.160
 up as our own gods,

00:32:38.020 --> 00:32:38.760
 calling attention

00:32:38.760 --> 00:32:39.660
 to ourselves

00:32:39.660 --> 00:32:41.860
 and making ourselves

00:32:41.860 --> 00:32:42.720
 out to be

00:32:42.720 --> 00:32:43.540
 the center.

00:32:45.380 --> 00:32:46.080
 And someone

00:32:46.080 --> 00:32:47.020
 has to die

00:32:47.020 --> 00:32:48.480
 because that's

00:32:48.480 --> 00:32:48.920
 the penalty

00:32:48.920 --> 00:32:49.700
 for sin.

00:32:50.860 --> 00:32:51.940
 But instead

00:32:51.940 --> 00:32:52.700
 of us,

00:32:53.220 --> 00:32:54.120
 Jesus Christ

00:32:54.120 --> 00:32:55.660
 stood as a substitute

00:32:55.660 --> 00:32:56.900
 in our place.

00:32:58.420 --> 00:32:59.400
 Instead of us

00:32:59.400 --> 00:33:00.680
 bearing the fire

00:33:00.680 --> 00:33:01.759
 of God's wrath,

00:33:02.500 --> 00:33:03.180
 Jesus stood

00:33:03.180 --> 00:33:04.000
 on a cross

00:33:04.000 --> 00:33:05.019
 and bore it

00:33:05.019 --> 00:33:05.940
 for us.

00:33:07.060 --> 00:33:08.320
 And by repenting

00:33:08.320 --> 00:33:09.080
 of our sins

00:33:09.080 --> 00:33:10.040
 and turning

00:33:10.040 --> 00:33:10.880
 to the God

00:33:10.880 --> 00:33:12.259
 who is most high,

00:33:12.360 --> 00:33:13.040
 who is Lord

00:33:13.040 --> 00:33:13.740
 and Savior,

00:33:14.759 --> 00:33:15.740
 we are united

00:33:15.740 --> 00:33:16.259
 to him.

00:33:16.320 --> 00:33:16.860
 This is what we

00:33:16.860 --> 00:33:17.300
 sang about

00:33:17.300 --> 00:33:18.140
 in the third song.

00:33:18.620 --> 00:33:19.279
 We receive

00:33:19.279 --> 00:33:20.000
 his righteousness

00:33:20.000 --> 00:33:21.700
 and he takes

00:33:21.700 --> 00:33:22.359
 our sin.

00:33:22.759 --> 00:33:23.059
 Gone.

00:33:24.220 --> 00:33:25.640
 As far as the east

00:33:25.640 --> 00:33:26.420
 is from the west,

00:33:26.740 --> 00:33:27.519
 so far

00:33:27.519 --> 00:33:29.039
 has he removed

00:33:29.039 --> 00:33:29.779
 the sin

00:33:29.779 --> 00:33:30.720
 of those

00:33:30.720 --> 00:33:31.259
 who love him.

00:33:31.259 --> 00:33:36.140
 the question

00:33:36.140 --> 00:33:36.680
 is not

00:33:36.680 --> 00:33:37.680
 do we need

00:33:37.680 --> 00:33:38.079
 saving?

00:33:39.319 --> 00:33:40.200
 The question

00:33:40.200 --> 00:33:41.099
 is who

00:33:41.099 --> 00:33:41.660
 do we turn

00:33:41.660 --> 00:33:42.240
 to for

00:33:42.240 --> 00:33:43.000
 deliverance?

00:33:44.660 --> 00:33:45.619
 Is it Jesus

00:33:45.619 --> 00:33:46.379
 or is it

00:33:46.379 --> 00:33:47.140
 something else?

00:33:48.480 --> 00:33:49.079
 Jesus gives

00:33:49.079 --> 00:33:49.500
 a warning

00:33:49.500 --> 00:33:50.119
 to those

00:33:50.119 --> 00:33:50.980
 who have not

00:33:50.980 --> 00:33:51.599
 yet turned

00:33:51.599 --> 00:33:52.339
 from their sin

00:33:52.339 --> 00:33:53.819
 in Matthew 13,

00:33:53.940 --> 00:33:55.240
 41 to 42.

00:33:56.759 --> 00:33:57.480
 He says

00:33:57.480 --> 00:33:58.019
 that the Son

00:33:58.019 --> 00:33:58.519
 of Man

00:33:58.519 --> 00:33:59.019
 will send

00:33:59.019 --> 00:33:59.660
 his angels

00:33:59.660 --> 00:34:00.519
 and they

00:34:00.519 --> 00:34:00.980
 will gather

00:34:00.980 --> 00:34:01.500
 out of his

00:34:01.500 --> 00:34:01.820
 kingdom

00:34:01.820 --> 00:34:02.860
 all causes

00:34:02.860 --> 00:34:03.600
 of sin

00:34:03.600 --> 00:34:04.940
 and lawbreakers

00:34:04.940 --> 00:34:06.200
 and throw

00:34:06.200 --> 00:34:07.220
 them into

00:34:07.220 --> 00:34:07.800
 the fiery

00:34:07.800 --> 00:34:08.340
 furnace.

00:34:09.820 --> 00:34:10.280
 In that

00:34:10.280 --> 00:34:10.720
 place

00:34:10.720 --> 00:34:11.559
 there will

00:34:11.559 --> 00:34:12.159
 be weeping

00:34:12.159 --> 00:34:13.059
 and gnashing

00:34:13.059 --> 00:34:14.159
 of teeth.

00:34:16.619 --> 00:34:17.460
 You see

00:34:17.460 --> 00:34:18.159
 in the end

00:34:18.159 --> 00:34:19.519
 it's ultimately

00:34:19.519 --> 00:34:20.599
 the unfaithful

00:34:20.599 --> 00:34:21.599
 who are in danger

00:34:21.599 --> 00:34:22.960
 not the faithful.

00:34:24.720 --> 00:34:25.300
 Shadrach,

00:34:25.400 --> 00:34:25.780
 Meshach

00:34:25.780 --> 00:34:26.420
 and Abednego

00:34:26.420 --> 00:34:27.360
 were ready

00:34:27.360 --> 00:34:28.280
 to go in the fire

00:34:28.280 --> 00:34:29.220
 because they

00:34:29.219 --> 00:34:29.959
 had already

00:34:29.959 --> 00:34:31.039
 been delivered.

00:34:32.099 --> 00:34:32.779
 It had no

00:34:32.779 --> 00:34:33.619
 danger for them.

00:34:34.059 --> 00:34:34.480
 They knew

00:34:34.480 --> 00:34:34.819
 where they

00:34:34.819 --> 00:34:35.339
 were going

00:34:35.339 --> 00:34:37.239
 but there

00:34:37.239 --> 00:34:37.839
 is a danger

00:34:37.839 --> 00:34:39.399
 for those

00:34:39.399 --> 00:34:40.159
 who remain

00:34:40.159 --> 00:34:40.719
 in their sin

00:34:40.719 --> 00:34:42.779
 and yet

00:34:42.779 --> 00:34:43.199
 for us

00:34:43.199 --> 00:34:43.719
 who believe

00:34:43.719 --> 00:34:44.619
 Colossians 3,

00:34:44.719 --> 00:34:45.659
 1, 13

00:34:45.659 --> 00:34:46.319
 or sorry

00:34:46.319 --> 00:34:47.459
 Colossians 1, 13

00:34:47.459 --> 00:34:48.799
 reminds us

00:34:48.799 --> 00:34:49.359
 that he

00:34:49.359 --> 00:34:50.219
 has delivered

00:34:50.219 --> 00:34:51.079
 us from

00:34:51.079 --> 00:34:51.519
 the domain

00:34:51.519 --> 00:34:52.039
 of darkness

00:34:52.039 --> 00:34:53.639
 and transferred

00:34:53.639 --> 00:34:54.279
 us into

00:34:54.279 --> 00:34:54.779
 the kingdom

00:34:54.779 --> 00:34:55.399
 of his

00:34:55.399 --> 00:34:55.799
 Son

00:34:55.800 --> 00:34:57.500
 in whom

00:34:57.500 --> 00:34:58.000
 we have

00:34:58.000 --> 00:34:58.460
 redemption

00:34:58.460 --> 00:34:59.440
 the forgiveness

00:34:59.440 --> 00:35:00.560
 of our sins.

00:35:01.300 --> 00:35:01.860
 That

00:35:01.860 --> 00:35:03.460
 is good news.

00:35:04.360 --> 00:35:05.200
 That's good news

00:35:05.200 --> 00:35:05.640
 for us.

00:35:07.140 --> 00:35:08.360
 The physical testimony

00:35:08.360 --> 00:35:09.080
 of the witnesses

00:35:09.080 --> 00:35:10.280
 who see God's power

00:35:10.280 --> 00:35:11.240
 in verse 27

00:35:11.240 --> 00:35:12.800
 draw our attention

00:35:12.800 --> 00:35:13.920
 to the fullness

00:35:13.920 --> 00:35:15.140
 of God's salvation.

00:35:15.920 --> 00:35:16.440
 Look at what

00:35:16.440 --> 00:35:17.120
 the king's court

00:35:17.120 --> 00:35:17.560
 sees

00:35:17.560 --> 00:35:19.100
 in verse 27.

00:35:19.099 --> 00:35:21.059
 The fire

00:35:21.059 --> 00:35:22.279
 had no

00:35:22.279 --> 00:35:23.039
 had not

00:35:23.039 --> 00:35:23.719
 had any

00:35:23.719 --> 00:35:24.319
 power

00:35:24.319 --> 00:35:25.239
 over the

00:35:25.239 --> 00:35:25.599
 bodies

00:35:25.599 --> 00:35:26.400
 of those

00:35:26.400 --> 00:35:26.699
 men.

00:35:29.319 --> 00:35:30.059
 Isn't that

00:35:30.059 --> 00:35:30.779
 an amazing

00:35:30.779 --> 00:35:31.579
 verse?

00:35:33.079 --> 00:35:33.819
 No power

00:35:33.819 --> 00:35:35.420
 because God

00:35:35.420 --> 00:35:36.039
 was with them.

00:35:37.179 --> 00:35:38.099
 The thing

00:35:38.099 --> 00:35:38.759
 that threatened

00:35:38.759 --> 00:35:39.679
 death for them

00:35:39.679 --> 00:35:41.759
 God was able

00:35:41.759 --> 00:35:42.420
 to deliver them

00:35:42.420 --> 00:35:42.739
 from.

00:35:43.920 --> 00:35:44.659
 So Nebuchadnezzar

00:35:44.659 --> 00:35:45.219
 has nothing

00:35:45.219 --> 00:35:45.839
 left to do

00:35:45.839 --> 00:35:46.440
 but to bless

00:35:46.440 --> 00:35:46.839
 God

00:35:46.839 --> 00:35:47.719
 and his

00:35:47.719 --> 00:35:48.380
 blessing here

00:35:48.380 --> 00:35:48.940
 is actually

00:35:48.940 --> 00:35:49.680
 the interpretation

00:35:49.680 --> 00:35:51.099
 of the whole

00:35:51.099 --> 00:35:51.700
 of the events

00:35:51.700 --> 00:35:52.220
 that we just

00:35:52.220 --> 00:35:52.500
 heard.

00:35:53.059 --> 00:35:53.740
 He answers

00:35:53.740 --> 00:35:54.380
 the question

00:35:54.380 --> 00:35:55.460
 who is the

00:35:55.460 --> 00:35:56.660
 God of Shadrach

00:35:56.660 --> 00:35:57.340
 Meshach

00:35:57.340 --> 00:35:58.000
 and Abednego?

00:35:59.480 --> 00:36:00.360
 And he says

00:36:00.360 --> 00:36:01.360
 he's the kind

00:36:01.360 --> 00:36:01.880
 of God

00:36:01.880 --> 00:36:03.019
 that can

00:36:03.019 --> 00:36:03.340
 deliver.

00:36:03.800 --> 00:36:04.519
 No other

00:36:04.519 --> 00:36:05.000
 God

00:36:05.000 --> 00:36:06.119
 can deliver

00:36:06.119 --> 00:36:07.380
 in this way.

00:36:09.380 --> 00:36:10.519
 God alone

00:36:10.519 --> 00:36:11.059
 can save

00:36:11.059 --> 00:36:11.400
 those

00:36:11.400 --> 00:36:12.059
 who trust

00:36:12.059 --> 00:36:12.440
 in him

00:36:12.440 --> 00:36:13.780
 and put away

00:36:13.780 --> 00:36:14.160
 sin

00:36:14.160 --> 00:36:16.780
 and serve

00:36:16.780 --> 00:36:17.059
 him.

00:36:17.059 --> 00:36:18.420
 so serve

00:36:18.420 --> 00:36:18.920
 God

00:36:18.920 --> 00:36:19.880
 who alone

00:36:19.880 --> 00:36:20.559
 can save.

00:36:21.279 --> 00:36:22.159
 Serve God

00:36:22.159 --> 00:36:22.739
 who alone

00:36:22.739 --> 00:36:23.519
 can save.

00:36:24.599 --> 00:36:25.420
 He alone

00:36:25.420 --> 00:36:26.500
 is worthy

00:36:26.500 --> 00:36:26.920
 of it.

00:36:29.519 --> 00:36:30.360
 I realize

00:36:30.360 --> 00:36:30.840
 now looking

00:36:30.840 --> 00:36:31.440
 back at my

00:36:31.440 --> 00:36:32.000
 five-year-old

00:36:32.000 --> 00:36:32.420
 self

00:36:32.420 --> 00:36:33.599
 that

00:36:33.599 --> 00:36:36.279
 my ambition

00:36:36.279 --> 00:36:36.759
 to save

00:36:36.759 --> 00:36:37.239
 the world

00:36:37.239 --> 00:36:38.119
 wasn't about

00:36:38.119 --> 00:36:38.619
 the world.

00:36:39.279 --> 00:36:40.179
 It was really

00:36:40.179 --> 00:36:40.659
 about me.

00:36:40.659 --> 00:36:43.219
 I wanted

00:36:43.219 --> 00:36:43.599
 to be

00:36:43.599 --> 00:36:44.179
 my own

00:36:44.179 --> 00:36:44.599
 savior

00:36:44.599 --> 00:36:45.940
 and everyone

00:36:45.940 --> 00:36:46.519
 else's.

00:36:47.839 --> 00:36:48.539
 I wanted

00:36:48.539 --> 00:36:49.059
 to be

00:36:49.059 --> 00:36:49.879
 the one

00:36:49.879 --> 00:36:50.420
 who rose

00:36:50.420 --> 00:36:51.019
 above the

00:36:51.019 --> 00:36:51.500
 mundane

00:36:51.500 --> 00:36:52.019
 messy

00:36:52.019 --> 00:36:52.599
 realities

00:36:52.599 --> 00:36:53.139
 of life

00:36:53.139 --> 00:36:53.639
 as a

00:36:53.639 --> 00:36:54.179
 five-year-old.

00:36:54.940 --> 00:36:55.279
 Sibling

00:36:55.279 --> 00:36:55.759
 fights

00:36:55.759 --> 00:36:56.299
 and desert

00:36:56.299 --> 00:36:56.839
 restrictions

00:36:56.839 --> 00:36:57.599
 and other

00:36:57.599 --> 00:36:58.039
 things like

00:36:58.039 --> 00:36:58.379
 that.

00:36:59.619 --> 00:36:59.980
 And in

00:36:59.980 --> 00:37:00.480
 some ways

00:37:00.480 --> 00:37:01.980
 not much

00:37:01.980 --> 00:37:02.539
 has changed.

00:37:03.819 --> 00:37:04.699
 I still

00:37:04.699 --> 00:37:05.099
 struggle

00:37:05.099 --> 00:37:06.179
 with the

00:37:06.179 --> 00:37:06.759
 desire to

00:37:06.759 --> 00:37:07.500
 rise above

00:37:07.500 --> 00:37:08.019
 the mundane

00:37:08.019 --> 00:37:08.719
 things of

00:37:08.719 --> 00:37:09.139
 life.

00:37:11.339 --> 00:37:12.019
 The

00:37:12.019 --> 00:37:12.339
 marital

00:37:12.339 --> 00:37:12.799
 needs,

00:37:13.279 --> 00:37:13.799
 the financial

00:37:13.799 --> 00:37:14.379
 questions,

00:37:15.019 --> 00:37:15.559
 the relational

00:37:15.559 --> 00:37:16.079
 tensions,

00:37:16.899 --> 00:37:17.399
 the house

00:37:17.399 --> 00:37:17.739
 chores,

00:37:17.959 --> 00:37:18.579
 the traffic

00:37:18.579 --> 00:37:19.579
 issues,

00:37:19.799 --> 00:37:20.299
 the spiritual

00:37:20.299 --> 00:37:20.939
 conflict

00:37:20.939 --> 00:37:21.359
 and the

00:37:21.359 --> 00:37:21.659
 like.

00:37:22.419 --> 00:37:23.000
 I'm

00:37:23.000 --> 00:37:23.339
 tempted

00:37:23.339 --> 00:37:24.599
 to look

00:37:24.599 --> 00:37:25.219
 to myself

00:37:25.219 --> 00:37:25.739
 as my

00:37:25.739 --> 00:37:26.379
 own savior

00:37:26.379 --> 00:37:28.119
 or to

00:37:28.119 --> 00:37:28.399
 look to

00:37:28.399 --> 00:37:28.639
 another

00:37:28.639 --> 00:37:29.079
 comfort

00:37:29.079 --> 00:37:29.619
 to deliver

00:37:29.619 --> 00:37:30.399
 me from

00:37:30.399 --> 00:37:30.799
 what only

00:37:30.799 --> 00:37:31.399
 God is

00:37:31.399 --> 00:37:31.839
 able to

00:37:31.839 --> 00:37:32.099
 do.

00:37:33.500 --> 00:37:34.039
 But

00:37:34.039 --> 00:37:34.859
 praise God

00:37:34.859 --> 00:37:36.299
 that Jesus

00:37:36.299 --> 00:37:37.339
 rescued that

00:37:37.339 --> 00:37:38.259
 self-centered

00:37:38.259 --> 00:37:38.699
 five-year-old

00:37:38.699 --> 00:37:39.519
 year-old at

00:37:39.519 --> 00:37:39.859
 the age of

00:37:39.859 --> 00:37:40.219
 twelve.

00:37:44.439 --> 00:37:45.399
 Praise God

00:37:45.399 --> 00:37:45.719
 that he

00:37:45.719 --> 00:37:46.379
 still rescues

00:37:46.379 --> 00:37:49.239
 me through

00:37:49.239 --> 00:37:49.799
 his word

00:37:49.799 --> 00:37:50.919
 and through

00:37:50.919 --> 00:37:51.439
 the ministry

00:37:51.439 --> 00:37:52.199
 of others.

00:37:53.960 --> 00:37:54.859
 So let's

00:37:54.859 --> 00:37:56.000
 continue to

00:37:56.000 --> 00:37:57.719
 seek the

00:37:57.719 --> 00:37:58.139
 God who

00:37:58.139 --> 00:37:58.879
 alone is

00:37:58.879 --> 00:37:59.339
 able to

00:37:59.339 --> 00:37:59.659
 deliver.

00:38:00.279 --> 00:38:00.639
 Let's

00:38:00.639 --> 00:38:00.839
 pray.

00:38:00.839 --> 00:38:00.839


00:38:00.839 --> 00:38:00.879
 pray.

00:38:00.880 --> 00:38:10.240
 Father,

00:38:10.380 --> 00:38:10.820
 thank you

00:38:10.820 --> 00:38:12.780
 that you

00:38:12.780 --> 00:38:13.099
 are a

00:38:13.099 --> 00:38:13.900
 God who

00:38:13.900 --> 00:38:14.180
 can

00:38:14.180 --> 00:38:14.500
 deliver

00:38:14.500 --> 00:38:14.880
 us.

00:38:16.840 --> 00:38:17.579
 Thank you

00:38:17.579 --> 00:38:19.320
 that you

00:38:19.320 --> 00:38:19.780
 have become

00:38:19.780 --> 00:38:20.220
 our Lord

00:38:20.220 --> 00:38:20.720
 and Savior

00:38:20.720 --> 00:38:21.599
 through the

00:38:21.599 --> 00:38:22.079
 death and

00:38:22.079 --> 00:38:22.539
 resurrection

00:38:22.539 --> 00:38:23.140
 of Jesus.

00:38:24.960 --> 00:38:25.480
 Lord,

00:38:25.539 --> 00:38:25.920
 we're still

00:38:25.920 --> 00:38:26.599
 tempted to

00:38:26.599 --> 00:38:27.039
 trust in

00:38:27.039 --> 00:38:27.460
 ourselves.

00:38:27.760 --> 00:38:28.119
 We're still

00:38:28.119 --> 00:38:28.840
 tempted to

00:38:28.840 --> 00:38:29.220
 turn to

00:38:29.219 --> 00:38:29.399
 other

00:38:29.399 --> 00:38:29.859
 things.

00:38:30.480 --> 00:38:31.179
 We still

00:38:31.179 --> 00:38:32.019
 struggle to

00:38:32.019 --> 00:38:33.399
 be our

00:38:33.399 --> 00:38:34.099
 own gods

00:38:34.099 --> 00:38:34.839
 and look to

00:38:34.839 --> 00:38:35.579
 ourselves as

00:38:35.579 --> 00:38:35.980
 the center.

00:38:37.779 --> 00:38:38.379
 But God,

00:38:38.480 --> 00:38:39.399
 you are able

00:38:39.399 --> 00:38:40.639
 to continue

00:38:40.639 --> 00:38:41.219
 to rescue

00:38:41.219 --> 00:38:42.119
 us and

00:38:42.119 --> 00:38:42.799
 keep us

00:38:42.799 --> 00:38:43.739
 and hold us

00:38:43.739 --> 00:38:44.379
 fast in

00:38:44.379 --> 00:38:44.739
 Christ.

00:38:45.819 --> 00:38:46.359
 And I

00:38:46.359 --> 00:38:46.779
 pray that as

00:38:46.779 --> 00:38:47.279
 we go from

00:38:47.279 --> 00:38:47.480
 here,

00:38:47.579 --> 00:38:47.779
 Lord,

00:38:48.339 --> 00:38:48.659
 you would

00:38:48.659 --> 00:38:49.099
 use your

00:38:49.099 --> 00:38:49.759
 word and

00:38:49.759 --> 00:38:50.159
 the ministry

00:38:50.159 --> 00:38:50.639
 of others

00:38:50.639 --> 00:38:51.199
 to continue

00:38:51.199 --> 00:38:51.519
 to do

00:38:51.519 --> 00:38:52.000
 that work.

00:38:52.719 --> 00:38:53.239
 Thank you

00:38:53.239 --> 00:38:54.159
 for your

00:38:54.159 --> 00:38:54.500
 word.

00:38:55.099 --> 00:38:55.500
 Thank you

00:38:55.500 --> 00:38:55.899
 for your

00:38:55.899 --> 00:38:56.259
 church.

00:38:56.819 --> 00:38:57.239
 In Jesus'

00:38:57.239 --> 00:38:57.619
 name,

00:38:57.619 --> 00:38:57.900
 Amen.

00:38:57.900 --> 00:38:57.960
 Amen.