BEING FAITHFUL IN THE FIRE

OPENING ILLUSTRATION:

Ancient warfare was harsh. It was a terrifying mixture of theater and tragedy. Get this. The Roman army was known to decorate their front-line ships to look like gods, goddesses, and mythical sea creatures. These vessels were like floating shrines, decorated with gems, gold, and expensive fabrics. Each ship was a piece of art. Now, imagine you are an enemy of Rome. A multicolored wall of gorgeous boats moves towards you at the speed of a dolphin on Red Bull. It almost looks like a parade on the water.

As the ships get closer, your eyes cannot comprehend what's in front of you. "Are their boats leaking?" you ask your fellow sailor. It appears as though the mouths of their goddess statues are spewing liquid. Before you can figure out what's happening, the surface of the ocean bursts into flames. These ships aren't leaking; they are spitting out flammable gas. These front-line ships are basically floating flame throwers. In a frenzy, your fleet retreats. Tragically, some of your best sailors were left behind in the inferno.

— TRANSITION —

• Since the beginning of humanity, fire has been used as an intimidation technique.

• Ancient armies loved using fire on the front lines.

• The early Aztecs launched fiery arrows.

• Fireworks were invented by Chinese soldiers to scare enemy soldiers.

• Folklore teaches that dragons could shoot flames from their nostrils.

• Fire strikes fear, which is why it was the go-to threat of ancient Kingdoms like Babylon.

• This is even evident in the story of Daniel.

• King Nebuchadnezzar tried to scare his subjects into obedience using a tactic as old as time — a furnace made of fire.

• Let’s take a look.

• At the beginning of Daniel 3, Nebuchadnezzar decides to order a custom-built statue.

• This thing was huge, measuring 90-feet high and nine feet wide.

• Most scholars believe this statue was actually an image of the king himself. Can you imagine the ego on this guy?

• This is like hanging up self-portraits around your house — only times a few million.

• As if the statue wasn't narcissistic enough, he mandated that everyone in the nation bow down before the newly-minted idol.

• The conflict between the men of Israel and the King of Babylon hit a tipping point in the third chapter of Daniel.

• If Daniel and his friends obeyed the king and worshipped the idol statue, they'd be betraying God.

• Do they disobey God to save their lives, or do they disobey the king to face execution in a furnace?

• Really put yourself into the moment of tension here. The statue was unveiled, the band played a melody, and the nation began to bow.

• Row after row, standing subjects took a knee before the 90-foot statue. It must have been a mesmerizing moment for the king.

• He gleefully gazed at thousands of people bowing before him— except for three people.

• Friends of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, refused to bow before the king's graven image.

• The other members of the court snitched to the king, saying, "there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up" (3:12).

• This made Nebuchadnezzar's blood boil.

• Who were these refugees that didn't fear him or respect him?

• Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego knew that failure to bow would send them into the fire.

• That didn't stop them from standing up for what they believed in, even if they were standing alone.

• They could have easily rationalized bowing down.

• They could have outwardly bowed while inwardly praying to God.

• They could have claimed, "God doesn't want me dead."

• They could have crossed their fingers the whole time.

• They didn't. They boldly stood their ground when everyone else was against them.

• Their boldness ended up landing them in the fiery furnace.

• After Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood up to the king, his red-hot rage led him to throw the three men into a fiery furnace.

• The three men fell to the floor, and the public watched in horror.

• The men stumbled and casually stood to their feet.

• While flames whipped around them, they looked calm and collected. How were they unharmed?

• The king demanded that they turn the heat all the way up.

• As the fire grew hotter, the men started to look more comfortable. It was as if the fire didn’t phase them in the slightest bit.

• The heat should have killed them on contact, but they looked like they were having a leisurely stroll through the flames.

• As he investigated the miracle before his eyes, he saw that there were actually four men inside the fire.

• God was with them in the fire.

• He protected them.

• He rescued them.

• This wildfire of a story gives us three keys to living boldly in the face of adversity.

ONE: Stand Up for What You Believe In

• Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood up for their faith even when it was difficult.

• Which brings us to an important question: What do you need to stand up for today?

• God may be calling you to speak out against the idolatry of our culture.

• God may be calling you to stand up for derogatory or prejudiced language at your school.

• God may be calling you to challenge the cultural current of objectification.

• God may be calling you to step up and share your faith, even if it frightens you.

• Just like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, live fearlessly.

• Stand up for what's right— even if you're standing alone.

TWO: Jesus Will Protect You — Even in the Fire

• When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into the fire, everyone expected them to die immediately.

• The Bible records that the flames were so hot that soldiers outside the furnace died from mere exposure.

• Just being near the blaze was enough to kill someone.

• Naturally, everyone assumed these rebellious Hebrews would be burned within seconds.

• Shock swept over the crowd when the fire didn't seem to phase these faithful men. They weren't in pain. They weren't falling to their knees.

• They were just walking around the furnace as if it was a stroll in the park in the middle of autumn.

• After the king threw his victims into the fire, he squinted his eyes at a perplexing sight.

• There were four people in the fire, not three.

• Not only did their party grow by one, but they all looked like supernatural figures in the flames.

• The presence and power of God protected them when the flames tried to consume them.

• Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced an impossible situation, but our God loves working through the impossible.

• The impossible is just an invitation for Him to show up and show off.

• Whenever your circumstances or feelings feel like fire, know that God is with you.

• He can do the impossible for you.

THREE: Faithfully Walk Through Fire

• These men dove headfirst into danger because they knew God was on their side.

• The same is true for you.

• With God's power within you, you can walk through the fires of life unharmed.

• I do not know what circumstances, feelings, or fears feel like fire for you right now.

• They could be disease in your family.

• The flames could look like a devastating breakup

• Your furnace could feel like an emotional disaster or even a year’s worth of disappointment.

• Whatever they are, trust God as you walk through the fire.

• He will be there with you.

• He will protect you.

• He will rescue you.

• People will notice, and God will be glorified.

• This is an important lesson. God could have easily just snapped His fingers and teleported these men to a beach in Bermuda before the king arrested them, but that's not what happened.

• God allowed them to face the punishment.

• God allowed them to feel the heat of the fire.

• God allowed them to walk into an impossible situation. Why?

• Because it allowed God to be glorified.

• When you faithfully walk into fire, people begin to notice.

• After pulling Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego out of the fire, the king patted the ash off of their cloaks and exclaimed, "Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants!" (Daniel 3:28).

• Their serenity in the face of calamity caused their attempted murderer to turn to God.

• How amazing is that?

Landing:

• The way we live in the face of adversity is often our most valuable testimony.

• When you get tragic news, pray for peace.

• When you walk into complicated circumstances, ask God for guidance.

• When everything seems dark, let your light shine.

• People will notice and God will be glorified.

• Let people witness you walk through fire in faith.

• The king saw that these men were willing to risk death because they trusted in God.

• When people see you trust God through challenging times, they will desire whatever brought you through the fire.

• Your response to pain can become your testimony without even sharing a word.

• When life feels like a fiery furnace, remain faithful. Jesus is with you.

• You will get through it. God will be glorified in the end.

TALK IT OUT 

Go through these questions with your circle. Be honest. Be open. Talk through the tough stuff.

Ice Breaker: Go around your circle and share this week’s highs and lows. What was the best part of your week and what was the lowest part of your week?

What’s one thing that stood out to you about tonight’s message?

What do you think made Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego so brave? How can we live with the same bravery?

Have you ever watched someone live through something tough with faith? What did that teach you?

How can we “walk faithfully through the fire” and glorify God even when life gets hard?

Application: What’s one thing that you want to stand up for this week because it’s the right thing to do? How can you do that?

READ THESE PASSAGES IN ORDER EVERY DAY

1 John 1:15

Hebrews 4:12

James 1:17

John 4:24

Matthew 6:26

Revelation 21:3

Psalm 116:5

Do the following with each passage: 

ASK– God to connect with you here. In prayer, start by slowing down and inviting God to be present. Begin with focus and openness to see what God has for you today.

READ– the selected section of Scripture slowly. Take note of the words and phrases that intrigue you, reading them a second time if necessary.

REFLECT– on what grabs you. How does this passage personally relate to your own life and experiences?

RESPOND– to the Scripture. Speak directly to God about what’s on your mind and heart. Look for ways to live out what you’ve uncovered.