He Is Worthy of Our Faith & Faithfulness
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
T-shirt sayings...
A good t-shirt saying is simple sentence and appeals to at least some sub-section of society.
If I was going to simplify Christianity into a simple sentence it would be: Christianity is a call to faith in and faithfulness to Jesus.
We are called to believe that Jesus is the Savior that we all need because of our sin.
We are called to live faithfully to Jesus as His followers.
Scripture is full of incredible examples of what faith and faithfulness looks like. However, the examples are secondary to the greater truth:
God is worthy of our faith. And faithfulness to Him will result in a fulfilled life that will glorify Him.
That is the main point of today’s passage. The example is important, yet secondary.
Turn to Daniel 3
Exegesis
Exegesis
The Decree to Worship the Image (vv. 1-7)
Setting the scene...
Nebuchadnezzar erects a massive statue; 90 feet tall by 9 feet wide…likely on a pedestal
May have been of his god, Marduk…or may of been of himself after Daniel’s interpretation of his dream.
Likely overlaid with gold...
The people are commanded to worship this image.
Idolatry was widely practiced in the ancient world. Images were created that not only represented their various gods, but it was believed that the gods actually resided with the idols.
Refusal to comply would result in immediate death.
The fiery furnace was likely used to melt the gold and other materials used for constructing the image.
The melting point of gold is 1,948 degrees F…
The Jews are Accused of Non-Compliance (vv. 8-12)
These were the officials of Babylon who were passed over, partly because Daniel and his companions were ten times better than them, and partly because Daniel both told the king his dream and interpreted it.
They are no doubt jealous and seek to remove Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah from their exalted positions.
They are called by their Babylonian names from here on out…mainly because is part was written in Aramaic.
What about Daniel?
Probably was doing work in the capital…may have been elsewhere…or, he could have been perceived as too valuable to the king at this time.
The Jews are Threatened (vv. 13-15)
Nebuchadnezzar tests them for himself, giving them an ultimatum: literally turn or burn!
Key statement by Nebuchadnezzar: “…who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?”
A direct challenge to their faith and to God’s faithfulness.
Consider their options...
I know many modern people would believe the men were justified in complying, and would certainly comply in order to preserve their lives. Unfortunately, I’m quite certain many professed Christians would do the same.
They could have just bowed with their fingers cross…they could have apologized to God later…what’s the big deal, it’s a fake god anyway…would God really want them to die…what kind of a God would allow such a terrible situation to befall His people anyway...etc...
The road to spiritual ruin is paved with rationalizations and compromise.
The Jews Commit to Honor God (vv. 16-18)
This is truly one of the great statements of both faith and faithfulness you will find in Scripture.
Our God can save us = faith
But, even if He doesn’t = faithfulness
The Jews are Punished and Rescued (vv. 19-23)
Who knows how hot it actually was at this point, but the writer makes sure to point out that it was so hot the guards were killed.
Meaning, no one could come back later and saying, “Well, the fire wasn’t actually hot enough to kill them...”
The point: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego should have died.
The Jews are Vindicated (vv. 24-27)
Nebuchadnezzar suddenly sees four people in the fire, not three.
And, according to Nebuchadnezzar, the fourth man looks like an angel.
Was this an angel? Was it God Himself? Was it Jesus?
The popular answer for many Christians is that it was the pre-incarnate Jesus. That might be true, but the Bible doesn’t tell us that specifically, so don’t make it a test of faith.
The important point is this: God is divinely intervening on the part of these three men to deliver them from certain death.
J.M. Boice: “The Lord either saves us out of our troubles or He is with us in the troubles.”
When the men come out of the fire, there is no evidence that they were in the fire in the first place!
The Decree to Worship the One True God (vv. 28-30)
Nebuchadnezzar both praises the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and commands that no one speak against their God.
Don’t think this means that He’s converted to Judaism. He’s a polytheist. He’s now afraid of their God, but He’s not converted.
So What?
So What?
(Three truths & one challenge)
Trials and tribulations are not outside the purposes God has for our lives.
1 Peter 4:12-13 (ESV)
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,
God can be trusted to bring about His good purposes in all circumstances, regardless of how hopeless it might seem.
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
God often uses our times of greatest suffering to bring about far greater benefits in the long run.
Hebrews 11:32ff
Therefore, we must learn to respond to every circumstance of life with faith in God and faithfulness to His Word to us.
During times of crisis, the quality of our faith is revealed through our faithfulness to God despite our circumstances.
Truth be told, it’s easy to claim we would be faithful in times where the crisis isn’t upon us. But, we don’t always know how we will react when the crisis actually comes.
That’s why it is vital that we do three things:
Prepare ourselves spiritually in the times when we aren’t in crisis...
Foster healthy relationships with fellow believers who we can lean on during times of crisis...
Don’t compromise in the seemingly smaller matters...
Most of us will never face the choice of compromise or death. However, all of us face a much more dangerous and subtle influence.
That is to compromise to be comfortable, happy, well liked, accepted.
To get the better paying position, the bigger house, the newer car.
Your kids getting into right “right” social groups, the starting positions on the sports teams, and on we can go.
Today’s Christians can too often be defined by a willingness to compromise, not strong testimony that we are willing to be burnt up instead of compromise!
A faith-filled response: “…the God we serve is able to save us from it...”
I trust that God is able...
A faithful response: “But even is he does not…we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold...”
I will not sin, even if it costs me dearly...
What faith-filled responses do you need to make?
What faithful actions do you need to take?