2. Fearless Faith

3. Historical Background- Daniel 1 Historical Background- Daniel 1 – Nebuchadnezzar conquered Judah – Deported captives to Judah – Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego

4. Fearless Faith Faith Tested by Fire Faith Tested by Fire – Daniel 3:1-15 – Faced with a most difficult decision – The King was upset!

5. Fearless Faith Obey God’s Commands rather Than Human Expectations Obey God’s Commands rather Than Human Expectations – Daniel 3:16-23 – Have faith in spite of earthly facts. – A faith of “no matter what”.

6. Fearless Faith The Presence of Another The Presence of Another – Daniel 3:24-25 – Instead of pain… comfort – Instead of bound… loose – Instead of three… four

7. Fearless Faith Earthly Facts (1) The king said, “Bow down.” (2) They disobeyed. (3) The king was angry. (4) The furnace was very hot. (5) The king threatened to throw them into the furnace. (6) Anyone thrown into the furnace would die.

8. Fearless Faith Compromises (1) Pretend to worship (2) Just this once (3) Times are different (4) I am in an influential position (5) Everyone else is doing it (6) It’s not as bad as

9. Closing Are you willing to obey God no matter what? Are you willing to obey God no matter what? “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny one’s self and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” (Matthew 16:24-25)