Class Lesson November 8, 2015

GAME CHANGER:  

HOW TO IMPACT YOUR WORLD

Click Here to Watch


You can make an impact. Get in the game.

Because we are followers of Christ, we are to live by a different standard. To use a sports analogy, we play the game differently. Our lives point to Christ and that's a "Game Changer" not everyone is willing to accept. When we step into the culture with our prayers, stand against sin and for righteousness, and live a faithful life committed to Christ, we impact the world and the way "The Game" is played.

How To Impact Your World

1. Develop Conviction - Live your life with uncompromising conviction.
2. Pray Fervently - Our prayers connect us with God's plan.
3. Stand Courageously - Be ready and willing to stand for God.
4. Live Humbly - Pride leads to downfall, but God honors humility.
5. Confront Sin - Call sin what it is and point to what God says about it.
6. Act Faithfully - God is greater than those who oppose you.

For the next six weeks, we'll see how God used four Hebrews to witness, speak to, and impact a pagan culture. If God used Daniel and his friends in such a tremendous way, He will use us the same way to impact and change our world today. As we study the Book of Daniel, I pray that God will speak to us and encourage us to "Get in the Game" and to be "Game Changers."

STAND COURAGEOUSLY

Question #1  
When have you seen someone be courageous?

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE
 
Strange as it may seem, many people learned their first lessons about courage from the Cowardly Lion.

In The Wizard of Oz, the Cowardly Lion sang “If I Only Had the Nerve”—a song bemoaning his fear of rabbits and the fact that he was more of a “dandy-lion” than the king of the forest. Yet even though he was always afraid for himself, the lion never hesitated to do what was right.

That’s a picture of courage.

Mustering the courage to do the right thing isn’t always easy. After all, if it were easy, it’s wouldn’t take courage! But finding the courage to take a stand is often necessary when we follow Christ.

In the Book of Daniel, we find three men who were even willing to die rather than compromise their faith. Their courage inspires us to stand unwavering for God in a world that often pressures us to do just the opposite.

 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

Click Here to Watch

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?


Daniel 3:13-18,26-28 (ESV)
13Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. So they brought these men before the king.14Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, “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? 15Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?”

16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18But 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.”

26Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace; he declared, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire. 27And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them. 28Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God.”

Satraps (v. 27)—”Satraps” were the chief representatives of the king. They supervised large divisions of the Babylonian Empire.

Prefects (v. 27)—Political or possibly military officials who reported to the satraps.

Governors (v. 27)—Administrators of smaller regions within the empire.

Daniel 3:13-15
King Nebuchadnezzar wasn’t happy. He’d built a large, gold statue in his own honor, “sixty cubits and its breadth six cubits” (Dan. 3:1). Building such a statue to honor himself was bad enough, but Nebuchadnezzar ordered everyone else to bow down before it. When the Babylonian orchestra sounded, people were expected to fall down and worship—or face the fiery consequences.

But not everyone obeyed. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—three of the young Jewish men the king had brought into his service—stood their ground. They didn’t have to, of course. They could have rationalized their way into several seemingly acceptable reasons for bowing before the statue:

• ”Nebuchadnezzar is the king; we have to do what our boss says.”

• ”The statue is only a symbol, and Nebuchadnezzar isn’t a real god. The statue means nothing to us.”

• ”We can do more good if we’re alive than if we’re dead.”

Yet all three men had strong spiritual convictions. They knew and believed God’s Word: “You shall have no other gods before me” (Ex. 20:3). They would not bow.

That’s why Nebuchadnezzar was so upset. In fact, he was in a “furious rage” (v. 13). Beside himself with anger, the king taunted his young servants, asking, “who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?” (v. 15). Nebuchadnezzar was challenging God Himself. He was basically saying, “Your God may have been able to reveal my dream, but He is powerless to protect you from death.”

The challenge had been issued. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were in a tight spot with no immediate evidence of rescue. But even then, they were not alone.


Question #2 

What are some pressures followers of Jesus face in today's world?

Daniel 3:16-18
You can’t miss the conviction and courage of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They had no idea what God was going to do. Yet live or die, they knew He was on their side.

In their response to the king, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego gave an example we can follow. When people challenge our beliefs and convictions, we should:

1. Stay calm. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego neither begged, nor cried, nor shouted for mercy. They remained calm while answering the king.

2. Be committed. The young men said: “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” (v. 18). A true commitment to God must be present before we are challenged. Know what God’s Word teaches and decide what you will do before you are put to the test.

3. Make an open confession. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego unashamedly proclaimed their belief in God. Never miss an opportunity to confess the name of Jesus.

4. Be courageous. Stand firm in your faith. The Lord promised He will never leave you nor forsake you (see Heb. 13:5). Therefore, be strong.

5. Stand confident. All three men expressed their confidence in God “to deliver us” (v. 17). They didn’t know what God would do, but they knew He was infinitely more powerful than anything the king could throw at them.

In order to stand for God each day, we must place our faith and confidence in Him—not only in the furnace, but out.


Question #3

What is the connection between courage and faith?

Question #4

When is it necessary to take a public stand for our convictions?

Daniel 3:26-28
The confidence of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did nothing to soften Nebuchadnezzar’s rage. He ordered all three men to be tied up and thrown into the furnace. And that’s when the miracles started.

I love that God didn’t merely protect His servants from the effects of the fire; He was in the fire with them. This wasn’t lost on Nebuchadnezzar, who exclaimed, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods” (v. 25). Many people believe this person was either an angel sent by God or the pre-incarnate Christ. From a theological perspective, we have no hesitation in affirming that God Himself was in the furnace.

Nebuchadnezzar had earlier asked the question, “who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?” (v. 15). Now he saw the answer firsthand! He was forced to admit the truth, and even offered praise to God (see v. 28). Nebuchadnezzar never gave up his practice of worshiping other gods, but he did acknowledge the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego as the only true God. “For there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way” (v. 29).

Your faith in Christ will be challenged, yet you have no promise that God will step in and rescue you. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego experienced a divine, miraculous intervention from God—yet untold numbers of others have gone through their own fiery furnaces and died for their faith. Whatever the outcome of your circumstances, if you remain faithful before the fire, as these three men did, you will bear witness to the glory and goodness of God.


Question #5

How do we help one another be ready and willing to stand for God?

"Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are stiffened." 

- Billy Graham

The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego is a story of courage in the face of unjustified persecution. The three men refused to compromise their loyalty to God but placed their faith completely in Him. They refused to bow before the golden image because their hearts already were humbled before God.

A review of the experience of the three Hebrews challenges us to evaluate the depth of our own personal commitment to God. 

• Are we willing to refuse to bow down to the gods of culture and this world in order to stand for the Lord?
• Do we have the kind of faith-filled courage that would lead us to put our lives on the line?

We may answer boldly in the shelter of our homes, churches, and Bible study groups. How we will answer in the crucibles of life? That is the question.

LIVE IT OUT

Are you ready and willing to stand for God? Consider the following suggestions for taking some practical steps this week:

• Pray for others who are taking a stand. Identify Christians who are currently living under persecution in a specific region or culture. Commit to praying daily for God’s presence and provision in their lives.

• Be prepared. Now is the time to consider what you will do when your faith is challenged. Work to determine what resources and support (information, prayer partners, Bible verses, and so forth) will help you stand courageously—then take steps to begin putting those resources into place.

• Speak up. Be on the lookout for opportunities to proclaim the name of Jesus or respond to those who oppose Him. As you do so, remember the five attitudes mentioned on page 87 of this resource.

While the body of Christ is no place for cowards, there is no shame in feeling afraid. We all do at one point or another. Yet, like the Cowardly Lion, true followers of Jesus must never allow that fear to prevent them from doing what’s right. We must be ready and willing to stand for God.




Our Lesson Today:

Stand Courageously

Click Here to Watch

Where are you, men of courage??!!

(Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego)

What come to mind when you hear the word courage?

• Courage (definition): the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.
• “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” Nelson Mandela
• Courage is not the absence of fear but doing what we must do in spite of fear.

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE

• Many of us tend to move toward whatever is popular or trending at the moment.
• Not everything that is popular and trending, though, is good or right.
• In those moments, we must make a decision to stand apart from the crowd.
• In the Book of Daniel, three men faced just such a decision.
• Their willingness to die rather than disobey God is a model for how we can stand courageously.

The Setting:

• King Nebuchadnezzar, feeling the power of his position, commissioned a huge golden statue, some 90 feet tall.
• Upon its completion, he announced a dedication of the statue and required all the various government officials at different levels throughout the land to attend the dedication.
• There he commanded all in attendance to worship the statue.
• Disobedience was punishable by death.
• Even so, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow and worship.

In the Book of Daniel, we find three men who were even willing to die rather than compromise their faith. Their courage inspires us to stand unwavering for God in a world that often pressures us to do just the opposite. 
 


Lesson Point: “Be ready and willing to stand for God.”


I. A Clash of Commitments

Daniel 3:13-15 (ESV)

13Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. So they brought these men before the king.14Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, “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? 15Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?”

What are some pressures we face today as followers of Christ?

• “If you’re a Christian, stand up.” With those words, a God-hating gunman began a systematic killing at a community college in a rural Oregon logging town. By the time it was over, 10 people were dead, including the shooter, and nine others were horribly injured. According to reports from at least one of the survivors, the shooter ordered students to stand up and state if they were Christians. “And they would stand up, and he (the shooter) said, ‘Good. Because you’re a Christian, you’re going to see God in just about one second,” the victim’s father told a media outlet. Other reports said those who said they were Christians were shot in the head, and those who said no or did not respond were shot in the leg.
• The culture of intolerance and hate against Christians has been rising at an alarming rate across this nation. From the media, to the courts, to this current administration, there has been a flagrant, disturbing mockery of Christian values and beliefs.
• Those who adhere to the Bible’s definition of marriage, who uphold the sanctity of life and who confess loyalty to Jesus Christ as the only way to Heaven have become the objects of broad-scale ridicule and even persecution. Bakers in Oregon who refused to bake a cake for a lesbian wedding are convicted and fined a ludicrous amount of money by the state for standing by their sincerely held beliefs. A florist in Washington is pursued and fined by state officials for not providing services for a gay wedding. A Kentucky county clerk is sent to jail for refusing to give marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
• The world places all kinds of pressures on us to conform to their way/view.
• We may be tempted to conform, but we must stand with immovable faith.

When have you felt the pressure to conform?

• The world will expose you, express its desire to conform you, go to any expense to lure you, exert pressure to conform you, and evict you if you resist its pressure to conform.

Verse 13:

• Nebuchadnezzar, like most ancient monarchs, did not tolerate defiance.
• When he heard the news that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down to the statue (v8-12), he went into a “furious rage” and ordered them to appear before his throne.
• Imagine the calm determination of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.
• The three showed no indication of fear.
• They stood together for their Lord.

Verses 14-15:

• Nebuchadnezzar asked them if the accusation against them was “true.”
• If so, then he was offering them an opportunity to recant at the “sound of the horn, flute…and every kind of music” and “worship the statue.”
• In the event they still chose not to honor the king and worship the statue, Nebuchadnezzar made it clear they would be “thrown into a furnace of blazing fire.”
• The king asked, “who is the god who can rescue you from my power?”
• Nebuchadnezzar’s pride and arrogance must have affected his memory.
• Had he forgotten that when Daniel interpreted the mysterious dream he exclaimed to Daniel, “Your God is indeed the God of gods” (2:47).
• Vanity is a poison that dulls the memory regarding God’s goodness and power.

What are some ways Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego could have rationalized an acceptable bowing before the statue?

• ”Nebuchadnezzar is the king; we have to do what our boss says.”
• ”The statue is only a symbol, and Nebuchadnezzar isn’t a real god. The statue means nothing to us.”
• ”We can do more good if we’re alive than if we’re dead.”

Why did they not bow down to the statue?

• All three men had strong spiritual convictions. They knew and believed God’s Word: “You shall have no other gods before me” (Ex. 20:3). They would not bow.

What can we learn from these three Hebrews about compromising our faith?

• Make advance decisions on how you will respond to a crisis.

• When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were faced with the choice of bowing down to a heathen idol or of remaining loyal to their God, the decision had already been made. Earlier in their life they had made the nonnegotiable resolution that they would serve God no matter what. No matter where they were, at home or in a distant land. No matter who they were with, friends or enemies. No matter what the circumstances. No matter when they were challenged, young or old, their conviction had been made.

• Before we are thrust into the fiery furnace, it’s imperative that we decide in advance to remain faithful to God. The question is not if the hot times will come, but when. Failing to decide we will be like a leaf in the raging tornado tossed and blown at the whim of the environment.

Let’s read on and see what an immovable faith looks like…


II. An Immovable Faith

Daniel 3:16-18 (ESV)

16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18But 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.”
Verse 16:

• Courage knows that there is a moment to be quiet and remain silent and a moment to stand up and speak out.
• Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego knew the time was ripe to give voice to their faith.
• The three Hebrews did not sense a need to give the king an “answer to” his “question.”
• The kings command was not open to question.
• Their position was not flexible.
• They would not compromise with a false religion.
• Nebuchadnezzar was not considering the situation logically, but emotionally.

Verse 17:

• But Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did speak to the king.
• Their reply should not be interpreted as cavalier disrespect.
• The young men declared the supremacy of their God.
• They knew that God was more powerful than the fire or the king who controlled the fire.
• They knew that the Lord was able to “rescue” them even from the “furnace of blazing fire.”

What is the connection between courage and faith?

• Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Heb. 11:1). Courage is the ability to do something that frightens us.

There is a direct link between faith and courage. If our faith is strong, we'll be strong and courageous. But if our faith is weak, we'll lack the courage we need to stand strong as God's children.


 
1. Strong Faith: Not Afraid

The story of Jesus asleep on a boat when awakened by His disciples during a storm, shows us that fear can be the result of weak faith.
 

"When He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being covered with the waves; but Jesus Himself was asleep. And they came to Him and woke Him, saying, Save us, Lord; we are perishing!' He said to them, 'Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?' Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm. The men were amazed, and said, 'What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him'" (Matt. 8:23-27)? 
 

Observe the difference between Jesus and the disciples. Jesus was not afraid, but the disciples were so afraid, they thought they were perishing. Why were the disciples afraid? They had little faith. 
 

2. Strong Faith: Not Doubt  

On another occasion, the disciples were in a boat during a storm and Jesus passed by them while walking on the water. The disciples were afraid and Jesus commanded them to take courage.
 

"When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, 'It is a ghost!' And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid'" (Matt. 14:26-27). Then, Peter walked on the water with Jesus. Everything was fine until he was frightened by the wind, then he began to sink. "Peter said to Him, 'Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.' And He said, 'Come!' And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, 'Lord, save me!' Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, 'You of little faith, why did you doubt?' When they got into the boat, the wind stopped" (Matt. 14:28-32). 

Why did Peter doubt? Why did he begin to sink? He had little faith.

 

3. Strong Faith: Not Worry About Life 
 

During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus commands His disciples not to worry about the necessities of life. "'For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing'" (Matt. 6:25)? 
 

Rather than worrying about life, we seek first God's kingdom and His righteousness, and trust Him to supply us with everything we need. "'Do not worry then, saying, "What will we eat?" or "What will we drink?" or "What will we wear for clothing?" For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you'" (Matt. 6:31-33). 
 

But if, by chance, we are worried about life's necessities, it's because we have little faith. "'And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith'" (Matt. 6:28-30)!
 

Why do people worry about life? Why don't they put God first? They have little, or no, faith.
 

As Christians, God is first in our lives because of our strong faith based on God's word. And because of our faith, we are courageous. We're not afraid to obey God, we don't doubt the Lord, and we don't worry about life. 
 

What risks might we face in standing firm for our convictions?

• The three men did not presume upon God by claiming that He would deliver them.
• Only that, if He chose, He could do so.
• They trusted God fully.
• No matter what God chose to do, they would not worship the king’s statue.

Verse 18:

• The courage of the three young men was based on a confidence that whatever happened, God would still reign.
• The union of courage wed to faith relies on the grand truth that God directs the story.
• Courage merely to be defiant misses the point.
• Courage to depend on God despite the fire of tribulation is the point.

When do you think it is necessary to take a public stand for your convictions?

When we stand courageously and depend on God, what does this do to God?

• Remember that our tests test God. When we are thrown into the fiery furnace God’s reputation is as much at stake as is ours. God has promised to be with us, to protect us, to shield us, and to make a way for us through the difficulties of life. He has never promised that he would prevent the tests from coming our way, but he has declared that he would see us through them.

• Nebuchadnezzar was challenging God Himself. He was basically saying, “Your God may have been able to reveal my dream, but He is powerless to protect you from death.”

• This drama reveals that the tests and challenges and furnaces that we face, God faces, too. His reputation is on the line. His name is being challenged. His power is being called into question. Our tests test God. Our challenges are God’s challenges. Our fiery furnaces are God’s fiery furnaces.

Where is God when we are tested in life for our faith?

• God cannot be seen until we are in the flames. The three young Hebrew boys were looking for God. They looked for him when they refused to bow before the statute, but he was not seen. They looked for him as they stood in the presence of Nebuchadnezzar, but he was not noticed. They looked for God as they were being taken captive to the furnace, but he was not perceived. For these three loyal, obedient, and faithful God-followers, God was not visible until they were in the furnace. In the furnace a fourth being appeared. Can you imagine the surprise of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? In the midst of their crisis, thinking death was imminent; they looked up and saw God. Thinking they had figured out God’s plan and God’s timing, they realized that God could work when the door was locked and the flames the hottest. This mission impossible became a mission possible. What did they see? They looked into the face of God, and God smiled upon them.

• Nebuchadnezzar was surprised. He saw God, too. Nebuchadnezzar looked into the furnace and upon seeing the fourth man he, too, was amazed. He had witnessed a miracle. A spectacle he had never dreamed possible.

• God was seen, not only from the flames, but also in the flames. A reminder that if we want to see God, we should look for Him when life gets hot. The fire reveals not only something about God; it also reveals something about us, too.

Let’s read on to see what happens when we trust God with all our life…

III. With All Your Life

Daniel 3:26-28 (ESV)

26Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace; he declared, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire. 27And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them. 28Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God.”
Verse 26:

• The king’s response to this miracle was to acknowledge that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were “servants of the Most High God.”
• Nebuchadnezzar then called for the young men to “come out” of the furnace.
• He did not address the fourth figure or ask the divine presence to emerge.
• Nor did the king inquire as to His identity.

Verse 27:

• Not only did Nebuchadnezzar stare in jaw-dropping amazement, his officials likewise gathered around the three friends to carefully evaluate them.
• They noted that “not a hair on their heads was singed, their robes were unaffected, and there was no smell of fire on them.”
• No one could deny the miraculous intervention of God.

Verse 28:

• To Nebuchadnezzar’s credit, he exalted the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
• In addition, he underscored the courageous trust the three friends placed in God.
• He respectfully noted their refusal of his command and how the “risked their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.”
• The application of this truth in the lives of believers today is crucial.
• What kind of stand are we taking that would point clearly to God’s power in us?
• What risks do we run for His distinction?
• In a culture easily offended by biblical truth dare we defy the idols that surround us?
• There is a need to be missional and connect with unbelievers in a loving and cordial manner.
• Missional does not mean misrepresenting truth.
• We cannot advance the gospel by the use of methods that minimize the clear teaching of the NT.
• We can, however, serve the Lord faithfully and obey Him courageously in a culture of unbelief.

How can we encourage each other to stand courageously in the face of opposition?

• In a world where Christians face increasing opposition, it can be easy to become fearful.
• We need not fear.
• The courageous faith of the three young men served to point others to God.
• If we stand faithful in the face of fiery opposition, we will shine the light of Christ for everyone to see.

What does the fire or test we face reveal about our faith?

• The fire reveals the authenticity of our faith. Just as the iron ore goes through the refining fire and comes out clean and pure and genuine so does our faith. Actually, there may be something questionable about a faith that never walks through the fire. An army going through basic training is not yet ready for battle. Not until soldiers face the battle, and have been under fire, do they consider themselves proven, hardened, worthy. A ship’s builder cannot prove that the vessel is sturdily built as long as it stays in dry dock. Its hull must get wet; it must endure a storm to demonstrate genuine seaworthiness. The same is true of our faith. When we hold fast to belief in Christ in spite of the fiery furnace experiences of life, then we demonstrate the genuineness of our faith.

Close:

The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego is a story of courage in the face of unjustified persecution. The three men refused to compromise their loyalty to God but placed their faith completely in Him. They refused to bow before the golden image because their hearts already were humbled before God.
 

What is the depth of your own personal commitment to God?

Are you willing to refuse to bow down to the gods of this culture and this world in order to stand for the Lord?

Do you have the kind of faith-filled courage that would lead you to put your life on the line?

We may answer boldly in the shelter of our homes, churches, and Bible study groups. How we will answer in the crucibles of life? This is the real question.


The chief lesson from the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego is that: As Christians, we will never be able to bring the world to Christ by becoming like it!

Prayer of Commitment

May I, O Lord, be ready and willing to stand for You in ways that bear witness to the world about me that I love You more than life itself. Amen

Hope to see you this Sunday!


In His Love,


David & Susan