In the Face of the Fiery Furnace!

 Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed- Nego -- four young men of uncompromising faith (  Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed- Nego -- four young men of uncompromising faith (Daniel 1:6-7)  What gave Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed- Nego the strength to defy a king and a fiery furnace (?  What gave Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed- Nego the strength to defy a king and a fiery furnace (Daniel 3)?

 We also live in a world where we are constantly encouraged to compromise....  How can we strengthen our faith to the point where we can consistently resist the temptation to surrender?

 They understood the seriousness of idolatry.  They had a healthy fear of the Lord.  They trusted in the Lord.  They had experienced previous victories over temptation.  It was worth it.

 They knew it would be wrong for them to bow down to ANY graven image.  They knew that God was a jealous god.

Exodus 20:3,4 “ You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth;

Exodus 20:5 “ You shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me.”

 They knew they would die if they disobeyed the king. They had to choose between life and death!

 Man will worship something (true or false).  Idolatry is the corruption of true worship (Exodus 20:3,4; Romans 1:18-25; Colossians 3:5)  Possessions, pleasure, power. people  Do you understand the seriousness of idolatry?  Are you an idolater?

 The three young men feared God – NOT the king (Daniel 3:12,16-18; Matthew 10:28).  They understood that God said what He meant and meant what He said!!  They were committed to Him, no matter what (Acts 4:17- 20; 5:28-32).

Deuteronomy 10:12 “And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul…

Deuteronomy 10:13 “ And to keep the commandments of the LORD and His statutes which I command you today for your good?”

Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Psalm 111:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.”

Ecclesiastes 12:13,14 “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.”

 We also need a healthy fear of God.  We need to make the same commitment the three Hebrew slaves made--serve the Lord no matter what (Psalm 37:5; 1 Peter 4:19).

 Those who compromise with evil demonstrate that they lack a healthy fear of the Lord (Job 28:28; Jeremiah 32:40).

Daniel 3:17-18 “ If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up."

 We KNOW that God will do what He has said (Romans 4:19-21; Acts 27:25; 2 Timothy 1:12; Galatians 1:6- 9).  Therefore, those who trust the Lord will remain pure (1 John 3:3; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 2 Peter 3:14).

 If we are not grounded in God’s word, we are unprepared to resist compromise (Romans 10:17; Hosea 4:6).

 They refused to defile themselves with the kings food; thus, God blessed them (Daniel 1:8-20).  Those who are faithful in little matters will be faithful in larger matters (Luke 16:10,11;19:17;Matthew 25:21).

 How can we face the big battles if I we don’t win the smaller ones? (Jeremiah 12:5)  Trials will come!! Young people need to develop a strong faith in God!

 Notice the results of their refusal to compromise (Daniel 3:24-30).  God saved them (24,25).  They convinced Nebuchadnezzar (26-29).  Nebuchadnezzar exalted them (30).

 The faithful will receive a crown of life (Revelation 2:10).  Like Paul, if we fight the good fight, finish the race, and keep the faith (2 Timothy 4:6-8).

 Eternal life if we patiently continue to do good and seek for glory, honor, and immortality (Romans 2:7)  There’s no such thing as accidental salvation (Matthew 7:13,14).

 Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego... Four young men of uncompromising faith and courage (Daniel 1:6- 7)

 Where did they get the strength to defy a king and the fiery furnace (Daniel 3)?

 We also live in a world that encourages compromise....  Can we consistently resist the temptation to surrender our faith?

 Understand the seriousness of idolatry.  Have a healthy fear of the Lord.  Trust in God.  Grow spiritually.  It WILL BE worth it.

When your fiery trial comes, will you have Uncompromising Faith?