March 8-9, 2003               STAYING ON FIRE!  Daniel 3

FLAME RESISTANT!

*** John 16:33 “I've told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I've conquered the world." [The Message]

! NOTHING CAN PUT OUT OUR FIRE FOR GOD QUICKER

THAN THE FIRE OF TROUBLE!

*** Dan. 3:16-18 “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered, "Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves to you. If you throw us into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from the furnace. He will save us…. But even if God does not save us, we want you, O king, to know this: We will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up." [New Century Version]

*** Daniel 3:28-29 “Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Their God has sent his angel and saved his servants from the fire! These three men trusted their God and refused to obey my command. They were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god other than their own. So I now give this command: Anyone from any nation…who says anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego will be torn apart…. No other god can save his people like this." [NCV]

HOW TO BE FLAME RESISTANT!

1. BY LIVING COUNTER-CULTURAL!

*** Daniel 3:6-7 “Anyone who doesn't bow down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace." Now people…who spoke every language were there. When they heard the sound of the horns, flutes, lyres, zithers, pipes, and all the other musical instruments, they bowed down and worshiped the gold statue…..”

! THE EASIEST THING IN THE WORLD IS TO LIVE LIKE THE WORLD!

*** John 3:19 “This is the crisis we're in: God-light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness. They went for the darkness because they were not really interested in pleasing God.” [Msg]

2. BY KNOWING WE’LL FACE OPPOSITION!

*** Daniel 3:8-13 “Some Babylonians used this as a chance to accuse the Jews…. They said, "Your Majesty, we hope you live forever! You commanded everyone to bow down and worship the gold statue when the music played. And you said that anyone who did not bow down and worship it would be thrown into a flaming furnace. Three men to high positions…have disobeyed you. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, refuse to worship your gods and the statue you have set up." King Nebuchadnezzar was furious. So he sent for the three young men….” [CEV]

! IF ANYONE SAID THE CHRISTIAN LIFE WOULD BE EASY THEY LIED!

*** John 15:20 “So if people mistreat me, they will mistreat you.” [CEV]

*** 2 Tim. 3:12 “Anyone who belongs to Christ Jesus and wants to live right will have trouble from others.” [CEV]

*** James 1:2-4 “Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.” [NLT]

3. BY FACING THE CHALLENGE TO COMPROMISE!

*** Daniel 3:14-15 “Nebuchadnezzar said, "Is it true…that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue? I will give you one more chance. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. What god will be able to rescue you…then?" [NLT]

! DMD’S = Defining Moment Decisions

*** 2 Tim. 4:10 “Demas fell in love with this present world and has deserted me….”

! MAYBE IT’S MONEY! - 1 Tim. 6:10 “Some people want money so much that they have given up their faith and caused themselves a lot of pain.” [CEV]

! MAYBE IT’S RELATIONSHIPS! - 1 Cor. 15:33 “Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." [NIV]

*** Daniel 3:18 “Your Majesty can be sure that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up." [NLT]

4. BY BUILDING UNCOMMON BOLDNESS!

*** Daniel 3:16-18 "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn't, Your Majesty can be sure that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up." [NLT]

! BOLD FAITH IS BUILT BY EXERCISE!

*** 2 Tim. 1:12 “I am not ashamed, because I know Jesus, the One in whom I have believed. And I am sure he is able to protect what he has trusted me with until that day.” [NCV]

5. BY EMBRACING THE FOURTH MAN FACTOR!

*** Daniel 3:24-25 “Suddenly the king jumped up and shouted, "Weren't only three men tied up and thrown into the fire?" "Yes, Your Majesty," the people answered. "But I see four men walking around in the fire," the king replied. "None of them is tied up or harmed, and the fourth one looks like a god." [CEV]

! GOD NEVER SAYS WE WON’T GO INTO THE FURNACE

BUT HE DOES PROMISE WE WON’T GO IN ALONE!

*** Joshua 1:5 “No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life…. I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” [NIV]

*** Daniel 3:28-29 “Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king's command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. There is no other god who can rescue like this!" [NLT]