“...Thou shalt have no other gods before me...” (Exodus 20:1-4 KJV). “...Thou shalt not make
unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth
beneath, or that is in the water under the earth...” (Exodus
20:1-4 KJV).
“...Is it true, O
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the
golden image which I have set up? Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear
the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all
kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well:
but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast
the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God
that shall deliver you out of my hands?...” (Daniel 3:13-19 KJV).
“...Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the
king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it
be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery
furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto
thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast
set up...” (Daniel
3:13-19 KJV).
“... Then Nebuchadnezzar came
[again]… near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said,
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither.
Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire. And
the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being
gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the
fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither
were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.
Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego, who
hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him,
and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not
serve nor worship any god, except their own God. Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and
language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses
shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort… Then the king
PROMOTED Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon…”
(DANIEL 3).
*
SCRIPTURE(S): “...Thou shalt have no
other gods before me...” (Exodus 20:1-4 KJV). “...Thou
shalt not make unto thee any graven image,
or any likeness of any thing that
is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water
under the earth...” (Exodus 20:1-4 KJV).“... Then Nebuchadnezzar came [again]… near
to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither....Blessed be the God of Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego, who
hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him,
and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not
serve nor worship any god, except their own God. Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and
language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses
shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort… Then the king
PROMOTED Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon…”
(DANIEL 3).
PURPOSE OR GOAL
OF LESSON: TO
LEARN THAT THE COVENANT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD IS UNBREAKABLE ON GOD’S PART AND
HIS COMMITMENT TO YOU AND THE PROMISES HE’S MADE IS FOREVER.
APPLICATION OF
LESSON: TO APPLY
GOD’S COVENANT, UNCHANGING FAITHFULNESS TO YOUR CURRENT STORMY SITUATION.
RECOGNIZING YOU MAY CHANGE, BUT GOD “NEVER” DOES.
TOPIC DISCUSSION: DISCUSS HOW YOU CAN BE REFRESHED TO
STANDING FOR GOD’S WORD, EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE IN THE MIDST OF A STORMY SITUATION
THAT IS UTTERLY CHALLENGING YOUR FAITH. Why did the Hebrew boys find themselves
in a STORM of LIFE? They CHOSE to OBEY God’s Holy
Word no matter what. “...Thou shalt have no
other gods before me...” (Exodus 20:1-4 KJV). “...Thou
shalt not make unto thee any graven image,
or any likeness of any thing that
is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water
under the earth...” (Exodus 20:1-4 KJV). What HAPPENED because they
decided to OBEY God’s Word? They were threatened, by the KING and his ARMY, to
be THROWN into a FIERY FURNACE. “...Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury
commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men
before the king. Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden
image which I have set up? Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the
sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all
kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well:
but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast
the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God
that shall deliver you out of my hands?...” (Daniel 3:13-19 KJV).Were
the Hebrew Boys willing to FACE the cost and consequence for standing upon
God’s Word? YES. “...Shadrach, Meshach,
and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not
careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able
to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver
us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto
thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast
set up...” (Daniel
3:13-19 KJV). What
REAL STORM did the Hebrew Boys EXPERIENCE? They were actually thrown into a
fiery furnace. Why? “BECAUSE” they did not and would not worship “the Golden
image.” “… [King] …Nebuchadnezzar
... commanded
the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery
furnace. Then these men were bound in their coats,
their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the
burning fiery furnace ...these
three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell
down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace…” (DANIEL 3). “...In the world ye shall have tribulation...” (John 16:33 KJV). God’s GLORY
(his presence, his goodness, and his power) is WITNESSED in the Hebrew Boys
obedience. His presence is
WITNESSED because his indwelling Holy
Spirit WORKS “in” and “through” his people. “…God ...does the work IN and THROUGH all of us who
are his. …… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…The HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power THROUGH each of us …… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…”
(John 14:10 KJV). His goodness is
WITNESSED through the spiritual FRUIT the
Holy Spirit produces “in” and “through” their lives. “…God ...does the work IN and THROUGH all of us who
are his. …… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…The HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power THROUGH each of us …… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…”
(John 14:10 KJV). “... The [invisible]...Holy Spirit
produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
and self-control. …”
(Galatians 5 NLT). His
power is WITNESSED through the STRENGHTH he supplies, to his people, “in”
and “through” his Holy Spirit. “…God ...does the work IN and THROUGH all of us who are his. …… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…The HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power THROUGH each of us …… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…”
(John 14:10 KJV). “… [God, the Holy
Spirit] grant[s]… [his people]… to be strengthened with might (POWER) by his [holy] ... Spirit in the inner man…” (Ephesians 3:16 KJV). “…[God’s people]... can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth [them]…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). The Hebrew Boys TEACH that true OBEDIENCE leaves absolutely NO ROOM
for compromise. “... [They]... yielded
their bodies, that they might not serve
nor worship any god, except their own God. …”
(DANIEL 3). Many of God’s people willingly and voluntarily, COMPROMISE
God’s instructions in a heartbeat or a blink of an eye. “…Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men ...Woe unto you, scribes and
Pharisees, hypocrites!
for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence
make long prayer ...Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make
him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. Woe unto you, ye blind guides
...Ye fools and blind
...Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier
matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith ...Woe unto you, scribes and
Pharisees, hypocrites! for
ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are
full of extortion and excess ...Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for
ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward,
but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even
so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men,
but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Woe
unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the
righteous...Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers,
how can ye escape the damnation of hell?” (Matthew 23:13-33
KJV). “…He
answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This
people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is
far from me...”
(Mark 7:6 KJV). When it comes to
STANDING for GOD’s TRUTH many of God’s people will make ADJUSTMENTS to FIT INTO
the STATUS QUO even if it CONFLICTS with or totally OPPOSES their Christian
principles. “…my
people ...kept
doing whatever they wanted, following
the stubborn desires of their evil hearts...” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT). “…This
people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me”
(Mark 7:6 KJV). “…for thy heart is not right in the sight of God…” (Acts 8:21 KJV). ALL
people have weaknesses, faults, fears, and the NEED to fit in. Some of God’s
people BELIEVE God on the inside, but FAIL to demonstrate they BELIEVE him on
the outside.“…If someone claims,
“I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s
commandments, that
person IS A LIAR and is not living in the truth…” (1 John 2:4
NLT). For some, who claim to be God’s
people, the DESIRE to be LIKED and ACCEPTED, by the status quo, is GREATER than their desire to OBEY God. “…If we “SAY”
that we have fellowship with him, and WALK IN DARKNESS (compromising the truth), WE LIE, and DO NOT THE TRUTH…” (1 John 1:6
KJV). Many, who claim to be God’s people, will SACRIFICE or SELL-OUT their
STAND for God’s TRUTH and RIGHTEOUSNESS whether than RISK any part of their
lives or risk being REJECTED by the status quo. “…They …serve ….their
OWN belly (self)…”
(Romans 16:18 KJV). “...We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our
own evil desires...” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT). When those, who claim to be
God’s people, SACRIFICE or SELL-OUT their STAND for God’s TRUTH and righteousness,
they end up misrepresenting themselves and God,
the Holy Spirit. The bible talks about
particular deeds that insult and offend God,
the Holy Spirit. “... The person who does anything defiantly, whether he (she)
is native or an alien, that one is blaspheming the Lord; and that person shall be cut off from among his
people. Because he (she) has despised the word of the Lord and has broken His commandment, that
person shall be completely cut off; his guilt will be on him...’” (Numbers 15:30-31 NASB). “... Those who brazenly violate the Lord’s will, whether
native-born Israelites or foreigners, have blasphemed the Lord, and they must be cut off from the community. Since
they have treated the Lord’s word with contempt (disrespect)
and deliberately disobeyed his command, they must be
completely cut off and suffer the punishment for their guilt...”
(Number 15:30-31 NLT).
If you DON’T believe in sex outside of marriage, but you pretend you CONDONE it
in the present of others, are you compromising God’s truth in exchange for
fitting in or being accepted by the world? “…They …serve ….their
OWN belly (self)…”
(Romans 16:18 KJV). “...We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our
own evil desires...” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT). There is a term in psychology
called “cognitive dissonance,” which describes this kind of compromise.
Cognitive dissonance is when what you BELIEVE, in your heart, CONFLICTS or
OPPOSES what you actually do behavioral-wise. .“…If
someone claims,
“I know God,” but doesn’t obey (follow)
God’s commandments, that person IS A LIAR and is not living in the
truth…”
(1 John 2:4 NLT). “...We will continue to
live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires...”
(JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT).
THE HEBREW BOYS AND THE FIERY
FURNACE
1. WHAT STORM OR
TRIBULATION DID THE HEBREWS BOYS EXPERIENCE? THEY WERE THREATENED
WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF BEING THROWN IN A FIERY FURNACE IF THE DIDN’T SERVE
ANOTHER GOD, OTHER THAN THEIR OWN, OR WORSHIP THE “GOLDEN IMAGE.” “...Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury
commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men
before the king. Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the
golden image which I have set up? Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear
the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all
kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well:
but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast
the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God
that shall deliver you out of my hands?...” (Daniel 3:13-19 KJV). WHAT DID THE HEBREW
BOYS DO INSTEAD OF WORSHIPPING THE GOLDEN IMAGE? THE CHOOSE TO FOLLOW
GOD’S COMMANDMENTS THAT FORBID THEM TO WORSHIP ANY OTHER GOD OR GRAVEN IMAGE. “...Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth
beneath, or that is in the water under the earth...” (Exodus
20:1-4 KJV). WHAT HAPPENED
TO THEM WHEN THEY DECIDED TO OBEY GOD? SOME OF THE SOLDIERS BOUGHT THEM TO THE KING WHO ATTEMPTED TO MAKE
THEM WORSHIP THE GOLDEN IMAGE. “...Then they brought these men before the king.
Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have
set up? Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet,
flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall
down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast
the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God
that shall deliver you out of my hands?...” (Daniel 3:13-19 KJV). DID THE HEBREW BOYS
CAVE-IN TO THE KING’S COMMANDS? NO. WHAT DID THEY DO? THEY “STILL” REFUSED TO
BOW DOWN TO THE GOLDEN IMAGE. “...Shadrach, Meshach,
and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not
careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able
to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver
us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto
thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast
set up...” (Daniel
3:13-19 KJV).
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. WHY DID THE
HEBREW BOYS’ DECISION BECOME A STORM OR TRIBULATIONS FOR THEM? BECAUSE THE DID NOT AND WOULD NOT WORSHIP “THE GOLDEN IMAGE”
LIKE THEY WERE TOLD BY A HUMAN TO DO. “… [King] …Nebuchadnezzar ... commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning
fiery furnace. Then these men were bound in their coats,
their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the
burning fiery furnace ...these
three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell
down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace…” (DANIEL 3). “...In the world ye shall have tribulation...” (John 16:33 KJV). GOD’S GLORY IS SAID TO BE WITNESSED
THROUGH HIS PRESENCE, HIS GOODNESS, AND THE WORKING POWER OF HIS SPIRIT. HOW IS
GOD’S PRESENCE WITNESSED “IN” OR “THROUGH” THE HEBREW BOYS? GOD’S EMPOWERING PRESENCE IS WITNESSED THROUGH THE STRENGTH AND
FAITHFULNESS OF THEIR STAND FOR GOD’S COMMANDMENTS. “…God ...does the work IN and THROUGH all of us who
are his. …… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…The HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power THROUGH each of us …… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…”
(John 14:10 KJV). “... The [invisible]...Holy Spirit
produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
and self-control. …”
(Galatians 5 NLT). HOW
IS GOD’S GOODNESS WITNESSED THROUGH THE HEBREW BOYS? GOD
WAS WITH THEM. GOD DIDN’T ALLOW THE FIRE TO AFFECT OR TOUCH ANY PART OF THEM.
“…God ...does the work IN and THROUGH all of us who
are his. …… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…The HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power THROUGH each of us …… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…”
(John 14:10 KJV). “… Thou
are GOOD
and doest GOOD…” (Psalm 119:68 KJV). “...The lord is GOOD…there is none good but one, that is, God” (Nahum 1:7 & Mark 10:18 KJV). “...O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is GOOD...” (1 Chronicles16:34 KJV). KJV).
“...And the princes, governors, and
captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men
(THE HEBREW BOYS), upon whose bodies the fire had no
power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their
coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them. …”
(DANIEL 3). HOW
IS GOD’S POWER WITNESSED THROUGH THE HEBREW BOYS? HE
STRENGTHENED THEM TO ENDURE THE FIERY FURNACE UNTIL THEIR DELIVERANCE. “…God ...does the work IN and THROUGH all of us who
are his. …… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…The HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power THROUGH each of us …… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…”
(John 14:10 KJV). “… [God, the Holy
Spirit] grant[s]… [his people]… to be strengthened with might by his [holy] ... Spirit in the inner man…” (Ephesians 3:16 KJV). “…[God’s people]... can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth [them]…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). “...Then Nebuchadnezzar spake,
and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego, who
hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him…”
(DANIEL 3).
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3.
LIKE THE HEBREW BOYS, ARE ALL OF GOD’S PEOPLE MEANT
TO GIVE HIM GLORY UPON THE EARTH? YES, THEY WERE SENT
TO GIVE GLORY TO GOD BY BECOMING WITNESSES OF HIS PRESENCE, HIS GOODNESS, AND
HIS WORKING POWER.
“…
The God of peace … that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip[s] [his
people]... with everything good for doing his will,
and …work[s] in [them]… what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ,
to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…NOW UNTO [GOD, the HOLY SPIRIT]... THAT IS “ABLE” TO DO… according to the [HOLY WORKING]...
POWER that worketh in [his people]…”
(Ephesians 3:20 KJV). “……It is …God who does
the work IN and THROUGH all of us (his people) who are his. …
(1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “ …We have this treasure “in” earthen vessels…” (2 Corinthians 4:6-7 KJV).
DID THE HEBREW BOYS HAVE
EVERYTHING THEY NEEDED TO OBEY GOD, GO THROUGH THE STORM OF THE FIERY FURNACE,
AND ON TO VICTORY? YES. HOW DO KNOW USING
SCRIPTURE? THE SCRIPTURE SAYS GOD’S PEOPLE HAVE
EVERYTHING THEY NEED TO “DO” HIS WILL. “… The God of
peace … that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip[s] [his people]... with everything good for doing his will…”
(Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV).
“…God will supply all [you need to be his WITNESSES]…” (Philippians
4:19 NASB). “…my cup runneth over (with God’s GLORY upon my
life)…” (Psalms 23:5 KJV). “…God will generously PROVIDE (his GLORY) ...all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to “SHARE” WITH OTHERS…”
(2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT). WHEN
GOD’S PEOPLE, LIKE THE HEBREW BOYS, ALLOW GOD TO WORK “IN” AND “THROUGH” THEM,
WHAT WILL IT PROVE? IT WILL PROVE THEY ARE “HIS”
DISCIPLES. “…God ...does the work IN and THROUGH all of us who
are his. …… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…The HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power THROUGH each of us …… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…”
(John 14:10 KJV). “… [God’s true disciples will]… bear much fruit, and
…PROVE to be
[God’s]… disciples…”
(John 15:8 NIV). “…The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in
...[their]... lives: love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…” (Galatians 5:22 NLT). “...Give
to the Lord the glory he deserves!...” (1
Chronicles 16:29 NIV).
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. WHAT IS ONE OF
THE THINGS THAT GLORIFIES GOD UPON EARTH? WHEN “HIS”
PEOPLE BEAR SPIRITUAL FRUIT. “… [God’s true disciples will]… bear much fruit, and
…PROVE to be
[God’s]… disciples…”
(John 15:8 NIV). “…The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in
...[their]... lives: love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…” (Galatians 5:22 NLT). “...Herein is (how) my Father
...[is]...glorified..” (John 15:1-10 KJV). PLANTS NEED PRUNING IN
ORDER TO BEAR MORE FRUIT. GOD OFTEN USES STORMY SITUATION TO DO WHAT TO HIS
PEOPLE? PURGE THEM, SO THEY TOO MAY BEAR MORE FRUIT. “...Every branch (Child of God)... that
beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye (People of God)
are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you....” (John
15:1-10 KJV). WHAT DOES GOD WANT FROM HIS PEOPLE’S LIVES WHEN HE PURGES THEM? SANCTIFICATION. “...the will of
God (his heart’s desire.), [is]…your SANCTIFICATION …” (1
Thessalonians 4:3 NASB). “…God Himself SANCTIFY you entirely…”
(1 Thessalonians 5:23 NASB). “...You [people of God]... were washed (cleansed),
you were sanctified, you were justified (made right with God again) by the
[indwelling Holy] Spirit of our God ...” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 NIV). SANCTIFICATION
IS ALWAYS A PROCESS. THE PROCESS OFTEN COMES IN THE FORM OF A STORMY SITUATION
AND THE EXPERIENCES ARE NOT “ALL” GOOD. HOWEVER, WHAT WILL GOD DO WITH
EVERYTHING WE GO THROUGH; GOOD OR BAD? HE WILL CAUSE
THEM TO WORK TOGETHER “FOR” GOOD.
“…all
things work together for GOOD to
them that LOVE
GOD (and keep his commandments), to them who are THE CALLED (chosen) to his
purpose”
(Romans 8:28 KJV). “…The plans [God has]…for you…. [are]…plans to prosper you and not to
harm you, plans
to give you HOPE and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV). “For
I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord,
thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11 KJV).
“ ... in the PROCESS of TIME “IT” CAME TO PASS…” (Genesis
4:3 KJV). WHILE IN A STORMY
SITUATION, HOW DO YOU SURRENDER TO GOD’S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE? BY WILLFULLY AND VOLUNTARILY CHOOSING TO TRUST AND DEPEND
UPON GOD THROUGH IT ALL. “...Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and
said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this
matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able
to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver
us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto
thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast
set up...” (Daniel
3:13-19 KJV). “…Father …not My will, but Yours be done…" (Luke 22:42-43
NIV). “…I do nothing of myself…” (John 8:28 KJV).“…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV). “...He gave Himself over to Him (God, the Holy Spirit.) ...” (1
Peter 2:23 KJV).
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. WILL YOU GET
WEARY IN YOUR STORMY SITUATIONS? YES. WHAT DOES
THE BIBLE SAY TO DO WHEN YOU GET WEARY? THE BIBLE TELLS
YOU NOT TO GIVE UP. “…Let
us NOT become weary in doing good, for
at the PROPER
TIME WE WILL REAP A HARVEST
if we do not give up”
(Galatians 6:9 NIV). “... the faithful followers of the Lord ...keep their promises
[to God]... even when it hurts...”
(Psalms 15:4 NLT). WHEN YOU ARE ON THE BRINK OF DESPAIR, IN YOUR STORMY SITUATIONS, WHAT
DOES THE PSALMIST ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONTINUE TO BELIEVE? TO CONTINUE TO BELIEVE
YOU WILL “SEE” THE GOODNESS OF GOD. “...I [would
have]... fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living...” (Psalm
27:13-14 KJV). WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT EXPERIENCING STORMY SITUATIONS? THE BIBLE SAYS GOD’S
PEOPLE, LIKE EVERYONE ELSE, WILL HAVE TRIBULATIONS. “...In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world...” (John 16:33 KJV). “... Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world..." (John 16:44 NLT). “...we must [go]...through much tribulation [to]...enter into the kingdom of God...” (Acts 14:22 KJV).WHAT ATTITUDE SHOULD GOD’S PEOPLE HAVE
WHILE GOING THROUGH STORMY SITUATIONS? THEY SHOULD NOT LET THEIR HEARTS BECOME TROUBLED AND THEY SHOULD
WAIT ON GOD. “...Let not your heart be troubled, neither let
it be afraid...” (John 14:27 KJV). “...Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord....” (Psalm
27:13-14 KJV).
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. WhILE IN A STORMY
SITUATION WHAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MAKE PEOPLE WANT TO GIVE UP AND STOP
WAITING ON GOD? IT OFTEN SEEMS god is taking a long
time to do something about wickedness. It also seems LIKE THE UNRIGHTEOUS ARE
GETTING AWAY WITH EVIL AND THE RIGHTEOUS ARE SUFFERING WHILE DOING THE RIGHT
THING. “…Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily (the unrighteous
“seem” to be getting away with doing wrong, but are not. They are, however,
being given an opportunity to get right with God)
…[nonetheless]...the HEART of the sons
of men (the wicked) is fully set in them to do evil [instead of repenting]….” (Ecclesiastes 8:11 KJV). GOD IS A GOOD GOD. HE IS MERCIFUL TO ALL, BUT HOW IS
HE ESPECIALLY MERCIFUL TO “HIS” PEOPLE? HE SURROUNDS
THEM WITH FAVOR AS WITH A SHIELD.“…He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the
unrighteous…” (Matthew 5:45 NASB). “…You (God, the Holy Spirit, particularly) surround
[your people] WITH FAVOR (GLORY) as with a shield…” (Psalms 5:12 NASB).
GOD CHOSE THE HEBREW BOYS. OUT OF
ALL THE PEOPLE, UPON EARTH, DID GOD CHOOSE “YOU” AS ONE OF WITNESSES OF HIS
GLORY AT HIS PARTICULAR TIME AND PLACE? YES, HE DID. "…You did not choose me but I chose
you…” (John 15:16 ASV). “…ye are a
chosen generation…” (1 Peter 2:9 KJV). “...For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God
hath chosen thee to be
a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth...”
(Deuteronomy 7:6). “...you are a chosen people…” (1 Peter 2:9 NIV). “…The
God of our fathers hath chosen thee…” (Acts 22:14 KJV). "…[the Hebrew boys]... did not choose (God, the Holy Spirit]...” (John 15:16 ASV). "… I (god, the holy spirit) chose
...[the Hebrew boys]….” (John 15:16 ASV). "… I have chosen you….” (John 15:16 KJV). WHY
DID HE CHOOSE YOU? TO BEAR SPIRITUAL FRUIT. "... I
(God, the Holy Spirit) chose ...[the
Hebrew boys], and appointed ...[them]... that ...[they]...
should go and bear
fruit...” (John 15:16 ASV).
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7. WHEN GOD SENT THE
HEBREW BOYS AND “YOU” TO EARTH TO GIVE HIM GLORY, WHAT ARE YOU CALLED? WITNESSES. “...you
will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere (through speech and CONDUCT)...” (ACTS 1:8 NLT). “... the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control...”
(Galatians 5:22-23). “…The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives (the lives of the
CHOSEN)…”
(Galatians 5 NLT). “…Ye shall know them by their fruits…” (Matthew
7:16 KJV).“...you
(chosen ones) will be my witnesses...” (ACTS 1:8 NLT). GOD CHOSE YOU. HOW DO YOU DEMONSTRATE YOU
HAVE ALSO CHOSEN HIM? BY
SERVING HIM. “…Choose you this day whom ye
will serve (obey)….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). WHEN YOU
CHOOSE HIM, BY SERVING HIM, WHAT ELSE DO YOU DEMONSTRATE? THAT YOU LOVE HIM. “…If you love me, you will keep (cooperate with) my commandments…” (John 14:15). HOW DID THE HEBREW BOYS
DEMONSTRATE THEY LOVED GOD? THEY CHOOSE TO KEEP HIM
COMMANDMENTS.
“...Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the
king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it
be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery
furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto
thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast
set up...” (Daniel
3:13-19 KJV). WHO EMPOWERED THE HEBREW BOYS TO DO GOD’S WILL? THE HOLY SPIRIT
EMPOWERED THEM.“God [the Holy Spirit] … worketh in
[the Hebrew Boys]…”
(Philippians 2:13 KJV). “…the Father [the
Holy Spirit] ...that dwelleth in… [the Hebrew Boys], he doeth the works (displaying HIS GLORY
“in” and “through” them)…”
(John 14:10 KJV). “…God [the Holy Spirit DID] ...the work IN AND THROUGH [the
Hebrew Boys]… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). WHAT DOES THE HOLY SPIRIT PRODUCE
“IN” AND “THROUGH” YOU LIFE? THE HOLY SPIRIT PRODUCES
SPIRITUAL FRUIT “IN” AND “THROUGH.”
“…The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, gentleness, goodness,
faith, Meekness, temperance…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). "....The [indwelling]...Holy Spirit produces
this kind of fruit in
[their]...lives …” (Galatians 5 NLT) “…The Holy Spirit gives birth to SPIRITUAL LIFE
(in ALL PEOPLE)…” (John 3:6 NLT). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). WHAT KIND OF LIFE DOES THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVE TO YOU? SPIRITUAL LIFE.
“...God (the Holy Spirit IS THE ONE) who ... gives life (spiritual life)
and breath (existence) to everything...” (Acts
17:24-25 NLT).“...[God’s] …Holy Spirit …is the SOURCE [of it ALL]…” (1 Corinthians
12:4-11 NLT). HOW DOES HE GIVE
YOU SPIRITUAL LIFE? HE COMES TO DWELL WITHIN YOU. “…The Spirit of God dwell[s]… in
you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV).
“…Jesus Christ is IN YOU…” (2 Corinthians 13:5
KJV). “…[You] CAN
DO all things (produce fruit, display God’s presence, goodness, & power,
keep his commandments, and do his righteous works) THROUGH Christ which
strengtheneth [you]…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). CAN YOU HAVE SPIRITUAL LIFE
WITHOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT? NO. “….Apart from [the Holy Spirit]…
[you cannot]..do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV). “...you are not free to carry out your good intentions …”
(Galatians 5 NLT). “…I
want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…If
you love me, you will keep (cooperate with) my commandments…” (John 14:15).
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
8. WHEN YOU DON’T ALLOW GOD TO WORK “IN” AND
“THROUGH” YOU, WILL YOU BE USEFUL OR
USELESS TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD? USELESS. “…if a field bears thorns and thistles, it is useless.
The farmer will soon condemn that field and burn it…” (Hebrews 6:4-8 NLT). “... Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he (the Holy Spirit)
taketh away ...If a man abide not in me, he
is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are
burned....” (John 15:1-10 KJV). WHY CAN’T HUMAN EFFORTS GIVE GLORY TO GOD? NO, HUMAN EFFORTS ARE HUMAN EFFORTS, BUT
SPIRITUAL EFFORTS ARE EMPOWERED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT."…That which is born of the flesh is flesh…”
(John 3:6 KJV). “...the flesh profits nothing…” (John 6:63 NASB). “...
Now the deeds of the flesh are evident...[to
God] ...I forewarn you, just
as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of
God...” (Galatians 5:19-21 NASB). HOW DID THE HOLY
SPIRIT HELP AND EMPOWER THE HEBREW BOYS? THE HOLY SPIRIT GAVE
THEM SPIRITUAL LIFE THAT PRODUCED SPIRITUAL FRUIT THAT EMPOWERED THEM TO DO
GOD’S WILL. “…The Holy Spirit ...[gave]... birth
to..[their]... SPIRITUAL LIFE …” (John 3:6 NLT). “... The Holy Spirit produce[d]... this kind of
fruit in ...[their]... lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness,
and self-control. …” (Galatians 5 NLT).
DID THE HEBREW BEAR SPIRITUAL
FRUIT? YES.
"…[God, the Holy Spirit]... is
glorified by this, that ... [“the HEBREW BOYS” bore]... much fruit...”
(John 15:8 NIV). “…Ye shall know [those who are glorifying God]… by their
fruits…” (Matthew 7:16 KJV). “…He who ABIDES in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit
… ” (John
15:1-11 NASB). “…The fruit of the Spirit
is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). "…My Father is glorified by this, that “YOU” bear much fruit, and so PROVE to be My
disciples” (John 15:8 NIV). WHY DOES GOD’S PEOPLE KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS? BECAUSE THEY LOVE HIM. “…If you love [GOD], you will keep (cooperate with) [HIS] ... commandments …” (John 14:15). HOW IS GOD GLORIFIED? HE IS GLORIFIED WHEN HIS PEOPLE BEAR SPIRITUAL FRUIT. "…My Father is glorified by this...” (John 15:8 NIV). "… that
“YOU” bear
much fruit...” (John 15:8 NIV)."…[Then you]... PROVE to be My disciples” (John 15:8 NIV).
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
THE HEBREW BOYS’ VICTORY
9.
WHAT DID THE HEBREW BOYS
REFUSE TO COMPROMISE ON? THEIR OBEDIENCE TO GOD’S
COMMANDMENTS.
“... [They]... yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any
god, except their own God. …”
(DANIEL 3). WHAT
IS A PERSON CALLED THAT APPEAR TO SERVE GOD ON THE OUTSIDE, BUT DOESN’T KEEP
HIS COMMANDMENTS ON THE INSIDE? A HYPOCRITE. “…Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men ...Woe unto you, scribes and
Pharisees, hypocrites!
for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence
make long prayer ...Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make
him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. Woe unto you, ye blind guides
...Ye fools and blind
...Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier
matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith ...Woe unto you, scribes and
Pharisees, hypocrites! for
ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are
full of extortion and excess ...Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for
ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward,
but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even
so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men,
but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Woe
unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the
righteous...Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers,
how can ye escape the damnation of hell?” (Matthew 23:13-33
KJV). “…He
answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This
people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is
far from me...”
(Mark 7:6 KJV). WHEN IT COMES TO
“KEEPING GOD’S COMMANDMENTS” AND YOU FOLLOW YOUR OWN DESIRES IS THAT
DISOBEDIENCE? YES. IS IT DISOBEDIENCE IF YOU
HAVE A GOOD REASON TO DISOBEY? IT IS STILL DISOBEDIENCE. “…my people ...kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil
hearts...”
(Jeremiah 7:24 NLT). “…This
people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me”
(Mark 7:6 KJV). “…for thy heart is not right in the sight of God…” (Acts 8:21 KJV). GOD’S PEOPLE HAVE WEAKNESSES, FAULTS, FEARS, AND
OTHER FLAWS, BUT IF THEY CLAIM TO KNOW GOD, BUT DON’T CHOOSE TO OBEY HIS
COMMANDMENTS, WHAT DOES THE SAY ABOUT THEM? THEY ARE
LIARS. “…If someone claims,
“I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s
commandments, that
person IS A LIAR and is not living in the truth…” (1 John 2:4 NLT).
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
10. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TELL YOU ABOUT PEOPLE WHO “SAY” THEY ARE
FELLOWSHIPING WITH GOD, BUT “STILL” WALK IN DARKNESS? THE
BIBLE SAYS THERE ARE LYING AND ARE NOT WALKING IN TRUTH.
“…If we “SAY”
that we have fellowship with him, and WALK IN DARKNESS (compromising the truth), WE LIE, and DO NOT THE TRUTH…” (1 John 1:6
KJV). WHEN GOD’S PEOPLE DO AS “THEY” PLEASE WHETHER THAN
PLEASING GOD, WHO ARE THEY SERVING? THEY ARE SERVING
THEMSELVES. “…They
…serve ….their OWN belly (self)…”
(Romans 16:18 KJV). “...We
will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil
desires...” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT). WHAT “ACTIONS” OR
DEEDS CAN GOD’S PEOPLE “DO” THAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED BLASPHEMY AGAINST GOD? ACTIONS OR DEEDS OF REBELLION THAT INSULT, OFFEND, AND
DISRESPECT GOD, THE “HOLY” SPIRIT. “... The person who does anything defiantly, whether he (she) is native or an alien, that one is blaspheming the Lord; and that person shall be cut off from among his people. Because he (she) has despised the word of the Lord and has broken His commandment, that person shall be completely cut off;
his guilt will be on him...’” (Numbers 15:30-31 NASB). “... Those who brazenly violate the Lord’s will, whether native-born Israelites or foreigners, have blasphemed the Lord, and they must be cut off from the community. Since they have treated the Lord’s word with contempt (disrespect) and deliberately disobeyed his
command, they must be
completely cut off and suffer the punishment
for their guilt...”
(Number 15:30-31 NLT).
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
11.
THE DESIRE TO STAND FOR TRUTH AND RIGHTEOUSNESS IS
PERSONAL, WILL GOD HELP HIS PEOPLE? YES. If he
doesn’t help them, why can’t they depend upon their own flesh? Because the sinful flesh won’t obey god, so it can’t help
them. “… The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness…” (Romans 8:26 NLT). “...[The
SINFUL NATURE]... never did obey
God’s (HOLY) laws,
and it never will…” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).“…The
sinful nature wants to do evil,
which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants ...so
you are not free to carry out your good intentions. …
…” (Galatians 5 NLT). “….“…I
want to do what is right, but I
can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).“… The
Sovereign Lord helps
me…” (Isaiah 50:7 NLT). “…He helps me…”
(Psalms 28:7 NLT). “…Blessed are those
who wait for his help…” (Isaiah 30:18 NLT). “…You are my helper and my savior…” (Psalms 40:17 NLT). “…He helps me…”
(Psalms 28:7 NLT). ALL OF GOD’S PEOPLE ARE CONSIDERED NEW_____________ WHAT? NEW CREATIONS. WHAT MAKES THEM NEW CREATIONS? GOD’S INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT. “…. if any man (woman) be in
Christ, he (she) is a NEW creature: old
things are passed away; behold, ALL things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17
KJV). “…Christ liveth in [you]…”
(Galatians 2:20 KJV). “... It is God
(the indwelling Holy Spirit) which worketh in you both to
will and to do of his
good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). “… the God of peace… that great
Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in [you,
through the indwelling Holy Spirit]… what is pleasing to him, through
Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). EVEN IF YOUR
INTENTIONS ARE RIGHT, WHAT IS THE PROBLEM TRUSTING IN AND DEPENDING UPON THE
SINFUL NATURE? THE SINFUL NATURE WANTS TO DO THE
OPPOSITE OF WHAT THE HOLY SPIRIT WANTS TO DO.“…The
sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the [Holy]
Spirit wants. And the [Holy]
Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature
desires. These TWO FORCES are
constantly fighting each other, so you are not FREE to carry out your good intentions…
…” (Galatians 5 NLT). EVEN IF GOD’S PEOPLE WANT TO BE
LIKE JESUS, WILL THEY BE ABLE TO? NO. WHY OR WHY
NOT? THE SINFUL NATURE CAN’T HELP THEM DO WHAT’S RIGHT
OR DO WHAT’S GOOD IN GOD’S SIGHT.
“…be
conformed to the image of His Son…” (Romans 8:29 KJV). “…
Be transformed by the renewing of your mind ….”
(Romans 12:2 KJV). “…In this world we are
LIKE JESUS…” (1 John 4:17 NIV). “…“…I
want to do what is right, but I
can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…Who will free me from this life that is
dominated by sin?” (Romans
7:14-25 NLT). “…The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…If the Son
therefore shall make you free, you SHALL
be free indeed…” (John 8:36 KJV). But, “….Apart from [the indwelling spirit]... [you]… can
do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).
THEREFORE, “Trust
in the Lord with all your heart, and do
not rely
on your own insight (human understanding). In all your ways
acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths”
(Proverbs 3:5-6).
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
12. DID THE HEBREW BOYS PROFESSION OF FAITH LINE-UP WITH THEIR ACTIONS? YES. What did they say and do? They spoke about god’s commandments that told him not to serve other gods
or graven images and they “kept” those commandments. “...Thou shalt have no other gods before me...” (Exodus 20:1-4 KJV). “...Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image,
or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth
beneath, or that is in the water under the earth...” (Exodus 20:1-4
KJV). “...our
God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if
not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor
worship the golden image which thou hast set up...” (Daniel 3:13-19 KJV). WHO
STOOD AGAINST THE HEBREW BOYS? THE
KING, THE KING’S ARMY, AND THE WHOLE NATION.
WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN TO THE HEBREW BOYS FOR STANDING UP FOR THEIR FAITH? THEY WOULD BE THROWN INTO A FIERY FURNACE. “... the king. Nebuchadnezzar spake and said
unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my
gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? Now if ye be ready that
at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery,
and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which
I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery
furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?..” (Daniel 3:13-19 KJV). WHAT
DID THE HEBREW BOYS CHOOSE; OBEDIENCE OR DISOBEDIENCE? OBEDIENCE. WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM? THEY WERE THROWN INTO THE FIERY FURNACE. “...the king. Nebuchadnezzar spake
and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye
serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? Now if ye be
ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut,
psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the
image which I have made; well: but if ye
worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery
furnace...” (Daniel 3:13-19
KJV).
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
- THE HEBREW BOYS WERE THROWN INTO THE FIERY FURNACE, BUT WHO WENT WITH THEM? THE HOLY SPIRIT. WHY DID GOD GO WITH THEM? GOD PROMISES “NEVER” TO LEAVE HIS PEOPLE. “…Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flames of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace…“…Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, DID NOT WE CAST THREE MEN BOUND INTO THE MIDST OF THE FIRE? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. He answered and said, LO, I SEE FOUR MEN LOOSE, WALKING IN THE MIDST OF THE FIRE, AND THEY HAVE NO HURT; AND THE FORM OF THE FOURTH IS LIKE THE SON OF GOD...” (DANIEL 3). “…God has said “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you…” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV). “…Behold, I am with… [you] and will keep… [you] whithersoever [you]… goest…I will not leave [you]…." (Genesis 28:15 ASV). WHAT DID THE TWO COMMANDMENTS, THE HEBREWS KEPT, SAY? YOU SHOULD HAVE NO OTHER gods BEFORE THE LIVING GOD. YOU SHOULD NOT MAKE ANY GRAVEN IMAGES OR LIKENESSES. “... God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth...” (Exodus 20:1-4 KJV). WHAT IMAGE ARE GOD’S PEOPLE TO BE CONFORMED INTO? THE IMAGE OF HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST. “…be conformed to the image of His Son…” (Romans 8:29 KJV). “… Be transformed by the renewing of your mind ….” (Romans 12:2 KJV). “…In this world we are LIKE JESUS…” (1 John 4:17 NIV). THE FIERY FURNACE HAD NO AFFECT UPON THE HEBREW BOYS, BUT WHAT DID THE FIRE DO TO SOME OF THE KING’S ARMY? IT SLEW SOME OF THEM. “… [King] …Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated. And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flames of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace…” (DANIEL 3).
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- WHAT PROMISE OF GOD DO YOU SEE WORKING FOR THE HEBREW BOYS WHILE IN THE FURNACE? GOD PROMISES NEVER TO LEAVE HIS PEOPLE ALONE AND HE IS WITH THE HEBREW BOYS IN THE FIREY FURNANCE. “...Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, DID NOT WE CAST THREE MEN BOUND INTO THE MIDST OF THE FIRE? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. He answered and said, LO, I SEE FOUR MEN LOOSE, WALKING IN THE MIDST OF THE FIRE, AND THEY HAVE NO HURT; AND THE FORM OF THE FOURTH IS LIKE THE SON OF GOD...” (DANIEL 3). “…God has said “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you…” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV). “…Behold, I am with… [you] and will keep… [you] whithersoever [you]… goest…I will not leave [you]…." (Genesis 28:15 ASV). GOD SAYS NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST, HIS PEOPLE, WILL PROSPER. HE SAYS WHEN THEY TRUST IN AND DEPEND UPON HIM THEY WON’T BE DISAPPOINTED. HE ENCOURAGES THEM TO TRUST HIM WITH ALL THEIR HEART AND UNDERSTANDING. HE SAID HE WOULD TAKE CARE OF THE THINGS THAT CONCERNS HIS PEOPLE. HOW DID GOD KEEP THOSE PROMISES TO THE HEBREW BOYS WHILE THEY WERE IN THE FIREY FURNACE? WHILE IN THE FIREY FURANCE, THE FIRE HAD NO POWER OVER THEM. THEIR HAIR AND CLOTHES DIDN’T BURN AND THEY DIDN’T EVEN SMELL OF SMOKE. “…No weapon that is formed against [YOU]… shall prosper…” (Isaiah 54:17 KJV). “…WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED…" (ROMANS 10:11 NASB). “…TRUST in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV). “…The LORD will accomplish (take care of)…that which concerns [you]…” (John 14:31 NASB). “... Then Nebuchadnezzar came [again]… near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire. And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them. …” (DANIEL 3). WERE THE HEBREW BOYS WITNESSES FOR GOD? YES. HOW? THE KING “SAW,” WITH HIS OWN EYES, THAT GOD WAS WITH THEM. “…LET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE before men, that they may see your good works…” (Matthew 5:16 KJV), “…Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven…” (Matthew 5:16 KJV). “...you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere (through your BODY or TEMPLE)...” (ACTS 1:8 NLT). “...you (earthen vessels) will be my witnesses...” (ACTS 1:8 NLT). “..Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, DID NOT WE CAST THREE MEN BOUND INTO THE MIDST OF THE FIRE? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. He answered and said, LO, I SEE FOUR MEN LOOSE, WALKING IN THE MIDST OF THE FIRE, AND THEY HAVE NO HURT; AND THE FORM OF THE FOURTH IS LIKE THE SON OF GOD...” (DANIEL 3). ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
- EVEN WHEN THE HEBREW BOYS CAME FACE TO FACE WITH THE KING DID THEY COMPROMISE THEIR FAITH? NO. WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME OF THEIR ACTIONS? THEY CHANGED THE KING INSTEAD AND THE WHOLE COUNTRY. THEY ALSO RECEIVED A PROMOTION. “...Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded ...if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, ... be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up...” (Daniel 3:13-19 KJV). “...Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God. Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort… Then the king PROMOTED Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon…” (DANIEL 3). ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURES, WHAT TWO THINGS SHOULD YOU DO WHEN INSIDE THE STORMS OF LIFE? PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD AND STAND YOUR GROUND.“...Therefore [INSIDE the STORMS]... put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm...” (Ephesians 6:13-14 NIV).“... Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil...” (Ephesians 6:11 NLT). WHAT WILL GOD BE DOING WHILE YOU TRUST AND DEPEND HIM BY STANDING YOUR GROUND? HE WILL KEEP YOU STRONG. HE WON’T LET YOU DOWN OR LEAVE YOU. HE’LL BE WITH YOU THE WHOLE TIME. HE WON’T LET ANY WEAPON AFFECT YOU. HE’LL FIGHT BATTLE, HIMSELF, WHILE YOU STAND “STILL” IN FAITH. HE’LL LET YOU “WATCH” THE VICTORY! “…HE (the indwelling Holy Spirit) “WILL” KEEP YOU STRONG to the end…” (1 Corinthians 1:8 NLT). “…God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can boldly quote, God is there, ready to help...” (Hebrews 13:5 MSG).“…He said, … Do not be afraid or discouraged ...the Lord is with you!” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT). “…No weapon that is formed against [YOU]… shall prosper…” (Isaiah 54:17 KJV). “…the battle is not yours, but God’s. …...” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT). “…you will not even need to fight...” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).“…Take your positions; then stand still..” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).“…watch the Lord’s victory...” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).
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- WHILE IN THE FIREY FURNACE WHAT EVIDENCE SHOWS THAT GOD’S FAVOR SURROUNDED THE HEBREW BOYS LIKE A SHIELD? THE FIRE HAD “NO” POWER OVER THEM. “…You surround … [YOUR PEOPLE] … WITH FAVOR as with a shield…” (Psalms 5:12 NASB). “... Then Nebuchadnezzar came [again]… near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire. And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them…” (DANIEL 3). WHAT DID KING NEBUCHAZZAR SAY ABOUT THE HEBREW BOYS’ GOD? THAT THEIR GOD WAS BLESSED BECAUSE HE DELIVERED, HIS SERVANTS, THAT TRUSTED IN HIM. “...Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, ...Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God. …” (DANIEL 3). HOW DID THE WITNESS OF THE HEBREW BOYS AFFECT THE KING? THE KING MADE A NEW DECREE FAVORING THE GOD OF THE HEBREW BOYS. HE ALSO PROMOTED THEM. “...Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort …” (DANIEL 3). “...Then the king PROMOTED Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon…” (DANIEL 3). ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURES WHAT CAN BE SAY OF THE HEBREW BOYS’ AND OUR GOD? HE DOES MARVELLOUS WORKS AND HE GIVES HIS PEOPLE OVERWHELMING VICTORY. “...he (God, the Holy Spirit)...hath done marvellous things…” ( Psalms 98:1 KJV). “… Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done …” (Psalms 40:5 KJV). “...overwhelming victory is ours ...” (Romans 8:37 NLT). HAS GOD CHANGED? NO. WILL HE DO THE SAME FOR YOU? YES, HE WILL. “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV). “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV). “...overwhelming victory is ...[Yours] ...” (Romans 8:37 NLT).
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