WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.220 Welcome to the Willow Ridge Sermons Podcast, where you can listen to audio from our most 00:00:09.220 --> 00:00:13.860 recent sermons and more. Thanks for listening, and be sure to add this show to your library 00:00:13.860 --> 00:00:16.820 if you'd like to automatically receive new episodes each week. 00:00:26.580 --> 00:00:32.800 Good morning. If you have your Bibles, and I hope you do, I want to invite you to join us in Daniel 00:00:32.800 --> 00:00:39.840 chapter 3. In Daniel chapter 3. If you're a first-time guest, I want to echo what Pastor Dave 00:00:39.840 --> 00:00:44.680 said. We are so blessed to have you here. We want to thank you for being here and for worshiping with 00:00:44.680 --> 00:00:50.280 us. At the end of the service, I will be back here to this table, back to my left. It's got a black 00:00:50.280 --> 00:00:54.580 tablecloth on it, along with my wife. We would love for you, on your way out the door, if you could 00:00:54.580 --> 00:00:58.820 just stop by for just a moment, so that we could speak to you, that we could thank you personally, 00:00:59.160 --> 00:01:03.680 maybe learn your name and get to know you a little bit. And if you had any questions about our church, 00:01:03.720 --> 00:01:09.100 we would love to answer those for you. And as we dive into God's Word, whether you're a visitor, 00:01:09.920 --> 00:01:14.040 you've been coming here for a couple weeks, or you're a member, if you do not have a Bible, 00:01:14.140 --> 00:01:18.600 we have some Bibles that are located on that table as well. We would love to give you one of those. If 00:01:18.600 --> 00:01:23.060 you don't have a Bible, our gift to you, one of the greatest gifts and greatest joys of my life is 00:01:23.060 --> 00:01:28.500 to be able to give you a copy of God's Word, where we find truth and we find a hope of who God is and 00:01:28.500 --> 00:01:34.500 God's desire and God's plan for our life. And so we would love for you to stop by there. At the end of 00:01:34.500 --> 00:01:40.420 the service, we do partake as a church together, the Lord's Supper, on the first Sunday of the month. 00:01:40.500 --> 00:01:45.620 And so at the end of the service, we will be doing that together. So if you did not get your elements as you 00:01:45.620 --> 00:01:51.560 came in, we have some that are on the table right here directly in the back. So at any point in time, you 00:01:51.560 --> 00:01:57.280 can get up and go and grab those. And that is for if you're a follower of Jesus Christ, whether you are a 00:01:57.280 --> 00:02:04.080 member here or not, we would love to have you partake in this with us. And we'll walk through some of those 00:02:04.080 --> 00:02:11.900 details at the very end of the service. We'll be in Daniel 3 today. We're going to cover all of Daniel 3 today. 00:02:12.240 --> 00:02:20.240 A very maybe common situation or story that we've heard of in the truth of God's Word from the Old 00:02:20.240 --> 00:02:25.400 Testament. And we will work all the way through that. But I want to read kind of a focus verse to draw our 00:02:25.400 --> 00:02:31.920 hearts and point toward what God's going to be doing here in Daniel 3 as we look at Deuteronomy 31 8. 00:02:32.180 --> 00:02:41.840 It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear 00:02:41.840 --> 00:02:48.960 or be dismayed. Would you pray with me? God, we thank you. What a wonderful privilege and opportunity 00:02:48.960 --> 00:02:56.220 it is to open your Word. God, to be here and to gather with your people. God, I pray that all that 00:02:56.220 --> 00:03:02.300 we do, that all that we say would bring glory and honor to your name. God, I pray that we would be 00:03:02.300 --> 00:03:07.660 faithful to your Word to not try to make it say what we want it to say, but through the power and the 00:03:07.660 --> 00:03:12.660 leading of your Holy Spirit. God, you would reveal the truth of your Word. You'd reveal the truth of 00:03:12.660 --> 00:03:19.600 who you are. And that, God, you would call us to repentance, that you would call us to obedience, 00:03:20.220 --> 00:03:27.500 and Lord, maybe even for some here to call us to salvation. So, God, be with us as we study your 00:03:27.500 --> 00:03:33.920 Word. May you be glorified in all that is said and all that is done. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 00:03:35.240 --> 00:03:42.080 Well, today we are going to look at the story of the fiery furnace. Now, I want to emphasize this as 00:03:42.080 --> 00:03:46.760 we get into these, because sometimes if you're new to studying God's Word, and let me kind of explain 00:03:46.760 --> 00:03:50.760 what we believe and what we understand as we read through this, we're going to see some miraculous 00:03:50.760 --> 00:03:56.520 works happen and take place in this, when we do not believe that there's not one word of this that 00:03:56.520 --> 00:04:01.440 is mythology, that there's not one word of this that's not true, that we believe that what is written 00:04:01.440 --> 00:04:07.960 here happens with actual historical people, that it is factual, and that we can hold this as true. 00:04:08.120 --> 00:04:13.760 It's not teaching us just some simplistic moral lesson, but it's teaching us the truth of who God is, 00:04:13.760 --> 00:04:20.400 and then how do we respond to this holy God, who's the holy God of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, 00:04:20.400 --> 00:04:25.920 and Abednego, and he's the God that is here today as well. And so, as we dive into this, it's the 00:04:25.920 --> 00:04:31.600 truth not of just what happened then, but it's the truth of what is happening today. And as we get into 00:04:31.600 --> 00:04:39.300 this, there's a theme that is going to infiltrate Daniel chapter 3, and it's this concept of idolatry, 00:04:39.760 --> 00:04:46.480 of idolatry. If you listen to, and we've talked through this series, and I hope you're enjoying 00:04:46.480 --> 00:04:51.600 studying through Daniel as much as I'm studying through Daniel, but one of the themes that we've 00:04:51.600 --> 00:05:00.640 been talking about is that we are called to be God's people in a culture that is godless. 00:05:02.880 --> 00:05:09.200 It's not that God isn't here, it's not that God isn't moving, but the heart, the attitude, the 00:05:09.200 --> 00:05:16.640 posturing of the culture, like we do not live in a culture that overly screams to, points to, 00:05:16.640 --> 00:05:25.520 and surrenders himself before God. But a phrase gets used that there's this concept that we are 00:05:25.520 --> 00:05:32.800 growing more and more in a non-religious state. And I actually don't believe that to be true. 00:05:34.160 --> 00:05:41.040 Because mankind at its core, mankind at his core, at her core, is very religious. 00:05:43.040 --> 00:05:52.640 We all have set within us this concept of worship. And in everyone, regardless of what culture we find 00:05:52.640 --> 00:05:59.360 ourselves in, regardless if we're a follower of Jesus or not, we're really good at worshiping. 00:06:03.360 --> 00:06:14.480 The Christian, the Muslim, the Hindu, the Buddhist, the atheist, the agnostic, we all worship. 00:06:15.440 --> 00:06:20.000 The question becomes, do we worship the true living God of the Bible, 00:06:21.280 --> 00:06:26.640 or do we worship some false substitution that we've created? 00:06:28.240 --> 00:06:33.920 And when we read through God's Word, we find that the common practices of the day then are the common 00:06:33.920 --> 00:06:40.560 practices of the day now. That when men and women turn from the true living God, 00:06:42.080 --> 00:06:49.280 they find themselves things from creation in the created world to worship. 00:06:50.720 --> 00:06:54.400 And that's what the Bible refers to as idolatry. 00:06:56.000 --> 00:07:07.840 And when we worship a false substitute of God, what we end up doing is we embrace and accept and 00:07:07.840 --> 00:07:16.800 elevate our sinfulness. That's the picture that we see. So when you look and you see polytheistic 00:07:16.800 --> 00:07:24.480 religions, right, at the core of them, when you study them and begin to understand them, the God who 00:07:24.480 --> 00:07:36.160 you're called to worship is the God that you desire based off the needs and wants of your circumstances 00:07:36.160 --> 00:07:45.440 in the moment. So you choose. You create. You're lacking money? Well, there's a God of money that you can 00:07:45.440 --> 00:07:51.760 worship. You're lacking family and you desire family? Well, there's a God of the family that you can worship. 00:07:51.760 --> 00:07:57.440 Oh, there's not a God that falls into your capacity, what you think, then create your own God. 00:07:58.400 --> 00:08:04.320 In an atheistic or agnostic worldview, those who follow that worship, 00:08:06.080 --> 00:08:12.560 what we understand in our mind, and what we've reasoned within ourselves, 00:08:14.720 --> 00:08:22.080 and so our knowledge, our ability, our lack of faith becomes what we set our heart and pursue. 00:08:22.560 --> 00:08:28.480 But when it comes to worshiping the living God of the Bible, you and I must face the reality, 00:08:28.480 --> 00:08:34.000 and this is what's difficult. This is what the world has such a hard time when it comes to Christianity. 00:08:35.280 --> 00:08:42.400 When the world, when it comes to Christianity, you and I, if we're going to worship the true living God of the Bible, 00:08:42.960 --> 00:08:47.440 then you and I have to embrace two things that we don't want to embrace. 00:08:48.720 --> 00:08:56.000 We have to embrace our inadequacy. Our inadequacy. Our inadequacy to understand, 00:08:56.880 --> 00:09:04.320 to save ourselves, to control our own lives and situations. Like, we have to come before God and 00:09:04.320 --> 00:09:11.200 say, "I'm inadequate." It's the surrender that we come before Him. I'm inadequate to save myself. I'm 00:09:11.200 --> 00:09:16.800 inadequate to control my life. I'm inadequate to understand. So I put my faith, my hope, and my trust 00:09:16.800 --> 00:09:23.840 in you because you, you are beyond adequate. You are sufficient for all that I need. 00:09:25.040 --> 00:09:31.520 So Christianity comes and says, "We have to embrace our inadequacies, but we also have to 00:09:32.240 --> 00:09:38.880 embrace the fact that we're sinful." That we're sinful. That every human being 00:09:39.600 --> 00:09:45.360 who has ever walked the face of this earth, other than Christ Jesus himself, is sinful. 00:09:46.960 --> 00:09:51.200 The Bible tells us there's not no one, not one who is good. 00:09:54.160 --> 00:10:02.480 So we've got to embrace this about ourselves. Now, when we talk about idolatry, while every world 00:10:02.480 --> 00:10:10.960 world religion or world view, does not require that you bow before a statue like we'll see today 00:10:12.000 --> 00:10:22.240 in Daniel 3. Every secular religion, every secular world view has its idols. 00:10:24.960 --> 00:10:34.480 And the call, whether it's a positioning of the heart, or a positioning of the mind, 00:10:35.760 --> 00:10:38.480 calls us to surrender to it. 00:10:40.480 --> 00:10:41.440 God hates idols. 00:10:42.800 --> 00:10:44.720 God hates idolatry. 00:10:45.920 --> 00:10:50.160 God hates idolatry. I had the opportunity to sit in this morning in the discipleship hour with our 00:10:50.160 --> 00:10:55.440 kids' ministry. And me and Dawn and Stephanie doing a great job of teaching these kids. And it was 00:10:55.440 --> 00:10:59.520 funny, and we were laughing together. And if you're one of the kids who was in there with us, I want 00:10:59.520 --> 00:11:04.320 you on the way home, I want you to tell your parents about some of the funny laws that happen all over 00:11:04.320 --> 00:11:08.800 the world that we learned about today and talked about today. Like, I did not know this until today. 00:11:08.800 --> 00:11:16.960 All right, you ready for this? In Missouri, there is a law that is written that you cannot wrestle 00:11:17.600 --> 00:11:23.040 a bear. Right? We learned that. It's part of what we had. And they were pulling to because we were 00:11:23.040 --> 00:11:28.560 going to talk about the Ten Commandments. And we looked at the first four commandments of our 00:11:28.560 --> 00:11:33.520 right relationship with God and what this looks like. And a beautiful time of watching these kids 00:11:33.520 --> 00:11:38.240 process and learn and understand of what this means and to have discussions about this 00:11:38.240 --> 00:11:42.800 in there. And parents, I'll tell you now, I'll tell you the question that was asked, 00:11:42.800 --> 00:11:48.560 but I will not violate the sacred moment that we had in the room. But the question was asked, 00:11:48.560 --> 00:11:53.120 of the rules that you have at home, which ones are difficult for you to follow? 00:11:54.960 --> 00:12:01.120 And I'm going to tell you, they started sharing their heart and confessing their sins. And it was 00:12:01.120 --> 00:12:05.840 really good. And I just wish some of our small groups might have the same transparency that I 00:12:05.840 --> 00:12:10.400 saw this morning, right? It was an openness and a willingness of what we're working there. But when 00:12:10.400 --> 00:12:17.520 we talk about idolatry, we see God's heart against idols and idolatry in the Ten Commandments. 00:12:18.960 --> 00:12:33.120 In fact, most civilizations, most civilizations throughout the course of the world, whether 00:12:33.120 --> 00:12:39.280 they're Christian or not, there's some aspects of these because it's embedded in us, because we're 00:12:39.280 --> 00:12:43.280 made in the image of God, that these are things that are wrong and we should not do them. 00:12:44.560 --> 00:12:53.440 So as big as these are, there's one commandment to do not murder. There's one commandment for do not 00:12:53.440 --> 00:12:59.520 commit adultery. There's one commandment for do not steal, right? We see these and you think like, 00:12:59.520 --> 00:13:06.880 these are important things, but God in his perfection says, I need to give one commandment and this is 00:13:06.880 --> 00:13:14.720 what we're gonna have and this is what this is gonna say. But concerning idolatry, it's so important to 00:13:14.720 --> 00:13:23.920 the heart of God, God gives us two. Two commandments. And not only that, he gives it commandment number one 00:13:23.920 --> 00:13:28.800 and commandment number two. Right at the very beginning, commandment number one, you shall have no other gods 00:13:28.800 --> 00:13:42.000 before me. None. None. Not a tiered list. I'm God. Okay, and then the second, he says you shall not make, 00:13:43.280 --> 00:13:52.560 he uses statues as the word, carved images, and then specifically gives examples 00:13:53.760 --> 00:14:04.880 from creation and then bow down and worship them. So God says, no other gods before me. And then he says, 00:14:04.880 --> 00:14:14.000 and in the created order, do not take anything that the creator has made and make it into an image 00:14:15.040 --> 00:14:23.360 so that you can worship. God hates idols and we should too. God hates idols and we should too. But the 00:14:23.360 --> 00:14:33.600 problem is, the world keeps making them. And the problem is, oftentimes we keep running to them. 00:14:35.280 --> 00:14:40.800 This isn't just a pagan world problem, but that we find that there are those who 00:14:42.000 --> 00:14:49.920 profess Christ as Lord and Savior, but yet we have a list of idols that we chase after and that we pursue. 00:14:51.520 --> 00:14:57.440 At one point in time in the history of the United States, Princeton University was one of the leading 00:14:57.440 --> 00:15:06.960 schools in the world for sound doctrine and theology. And during that time, there was a professor there by the 00:15:06.960 --> 00:15:16.640 name of Dr. Andrew Blackwood. He was a professor of religion at Princeton. He was a professor of religion 00:15:16.640 --> 00:15:27.600 at Princeton from 1930 to 1950. He served there for 20 years, a long, long time ago. I could not find the date 00:15:27.600 --> 00:15:35.360 of this quote, but if we look at when he served as professor, he stated this while he was professor. 00:15:35.360 --> 00:15:45.840 So at the earliest, this quote came 75 years ago about the culture that he lived in in America then. 00:15:47.360 --> 00:15:54.640 And I would say concerning idolatry, it is very prevalent. It is very relevant. It is very 00:15:54.640 --> 00:16:00.800 real to where we find ourselves today. Here's what he said. Dr. Andrew Blackwood, professor of religion. 00:16:02.320 --> 00:16:21.840 America has these following gods. Self, money, pleasure, romance, amusement, sports, and education. 00:16:30.640 --> 00:16:39.520 No later than 1950, if we did an assessment on the culture that we find ourselves today, 00:16:41.760 --> 00:16:52.160 it's a list of the same idols that people chase after. So let's look and see how we can stand firm 00:16:53.120 --> 00:17:02.720 and confident. When the world and everyone around us wants to pursue the idols of this world. 00:17:02.720 --> 00:17:10.720 What it looks like for us to stand firm, but also what it looks like for God to be faithful. 00:17:11.680 --> 00:17:14.640 So join me. We're going to read Daniel 3:1 through 7. 00:17:17.760 --> 00:17:20.240 It says, "King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, 00:17:21.360 --> 00:17:26.000 whose height was 60 cubits, and its breadth six cubits. 00:17:27.520 --> 00:17:30.480 He set it on the plain of Dura in the providence of Babylon. 00:17:31.280 --> 00:17:36.640 Then King Nebuchadnezzar went to gather the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the 00:17:36.640 --> 00:17:46.400 treasurers, and all the officials of the providence to come to the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 00:17:47.520 --> 00:17:52.240 Then the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, 00:17:52.240 --> 00:18:00.560 the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the providences gathered for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 00:18:02.080 --> 00:18:05.600 And they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:13.600 And the herald proclaimed aloud, "You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, 00:18:14.560 --> 00:18:16.560 that when you hear the sound of the horn, 00:18:17.680 --> 00:18:23.440 pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, 00:18:24.640 --> 00:18:30.080 you were to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 00:18:31.280 --> 00:18:39.680 And whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning, fiery furnace. 00:18:41.200 --> 00:18:45.680 Therefore, as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, 00:18:46.240 --> 00:18:53.360 harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down 00:18:53.920 --> 00:18:59.440 and worshiped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up." 00:19:00.000 --> 00:19:02.800 Let's talk a little bit about creating idols. 00:19:03.920 --> 00:19:05.600 Let's talk a little bit about creating idols. 00:19:06.320 --> 00:19:16.640 So Nebuchadnezzar builds and establishes for himself and for his people an idol. 00:19:16.640 --> 00:19:22.320 I think there's some things about idols that we have to agree upon if we're going to move 00:19:22.320 --> 00:19:27.200 forward about the understanding of the fact that we serve the all-powerful God. 00:19:28.400 --> 00:19:31.280 Number one is this, that idols don't make themselves. 00:19:33.520 --> 00:19:35.040 Idols do not make themselves. 00:19:36.160 --> 00:19:38.320 We make idols. 00:19:39.920 --> 00:19:42.560 We are very good at making idols. 00:19:43.840 --> 00:19:45.360 Journey through the Old Testament. 00:19:46.240 --> 00:19:50.720 You see, time and time again, we make the idols. 00:19:50.960 --> 00:19:55.440 Number two, idols are powerless unless we give them power. 00:19:57.360 --> 00:19:58.240 It's a statue. 00:20:00.400 --> 00:20:01.120 It's a rock. 00:20:02.480 --> 00:20:03.280 It's gold. 00:20:04.080 --> 00:20:05.120 It's a location. 00:20:05.840 --> 00:20:07.600 Where does its power come from? 00:20:08.000 --> 00:20:10.240 We give them power. 00:20:11.440 --> 00:20:17.600 Now, it's important to see that there is an aspect of self-glorification that we find in 00:20:17.600 --> 00:20:23.120 Nebuchadnezzar, but in reading his story, a biblical historian about this, that they believe that 00:20:23.120 --> 00:20:26.560 Nebuchadnezzar's goal in building this idol. 00:20:26.560 --> 00:20:31.920 Now, remember, Babylon is conquering people from all around them. 00:20:31.920 --> 00:20:34.560 It's the largest world power at the time. 00:20:34.560 --> 00:20:38.240 And it says that he called all peoples and all nations to come. 00:20:38.240 --> 00:20:45.120 And so what historians believe is that what Nebuchadnezzar is doing here in this is he's 00:20:45.120 --> 00:20:50.320 trying to to build this idol to establish national unity. 00:20:54.160 --> 00:20:55.680 So here's the third thing about idols. 00:20:57.440 --> 00:21:03.360 Oftentimes, idols are made for and from good things. 00:21:05.200 --> 00:21:05.760 What does he want? 00:21:05.760 --> 00:21:06.560 He wants unity. 00:21:07.680 --> 00:21:09.680 He wants unity to happen. 00:21:09.680 --> 00:21:16.240 He wants like peace and control, governmental institution to be able to leverage itself right 00:21:16.240 --> 00:21:17.040 here in the moment. 00:21:17.040 --> 00:21:20.640 Like if I were to say to you, like this country is unified, right? 00:21:20.640 --> 00:21:22.560 That's not a bad thing to think about. 00:21:22.560 --> 00:21:23.680 That's not a bad thing to have. 00:21:23.680 --> 00:21:25.280 That's not a bad thing to pursue. 00:21:25.280 --> 00:21:32.400 But within this, within doing it, oftentimes, idols are taken from good things and made idols. 00:21:35.840 --> 00:21:40.400 But also idols demand your allegiance. 00:21:41.760 --> 00:21:43.600 They demand your allegiance. 00:21:45.200 --> 00:21:48.400 Your idol does not want to be third on the list. 00:21:49.360 --> 00:21:52.320 Your idol does not want to be the backup plan for you. 00:21:53.200 --> 00:21:55.520 Idols demand allegiance. 00:21:55.520 --> 00:22:00.800 And in verse six, we see the allegiance of what's there. 00:22:00.800 --> 00:22:10.880 So it says, and whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning, fiery furnace. 00:22:14.320 --> 00:22:15.280 What does that demand? 00:22:17.120 --> 00:22:18.800 That's allegiance. 00:22:20.720 --> 00:22:23.760 Bow to me or die. 00:22:25.760 --> 00:22:26.960 Bow to me or die. 00:22:30.800 --> 00:22:31.600 So people bow. 00:22:33.440 --> 00:22:34.480 People bow is what we see. 00:22:36.160 --> 00:22:39.600 Whether they want to or not, they bow. 00:22:42.320 --> 00:22:48.920 The characters that we've seen so far from Judah, from God's people, are Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 00:22:49.920 --> 00:22:57.600 But they were not the only ones who were taken from Judah and brought to Babylon. 00:22:59.280 --> 00:23:06.720 There are many others who were there, so they believe that when it comes time to bow before the statue, 00:23:08.720 --> 00:23:18.680 that many of God's people, who know who God is, who understand God's expectations for them, 00:23:19.780 --> 00:23:29.000 because of the external circumstances and the external pressures and the sinfulness of their heart, 00:23:29.760 --> 00:23:31.440 they bow down before the statue. 00:23:32.480 --> 00:23:34.780 So let's keep reading verses eight through 15. 00:23:36.980 --> 00:23:43.900 Therefore, at that time, certain Chaldeans came forward and maliciously accused the Jews. 00:23:45.460 --> 00:23:47.480 They declared to King Nebuchadnezzar, 00:23:47.580 --> 00:23:49.440 O king, live forever. 00:23:50.980 --> 00:24:00.060 You, O king, have made a decree that every man who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music 00:24:00.060 --> 00:24:03.420 shall fall down and worship the golden image. 00:24:04.420 --> 00:24:09.440 And whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into a burning, fiery furnace. 00:24:10.360 --> 00:24:14.920 There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the providence of Babylon, 00:24:15.500 --> 00:24:17.060 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 00:24:18.020 --> 00:24:21.860 These men, O king, pay no attention to you. 00:24:23.120 --> 00:24:28.180 They do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up. 00:24:30.100 --> 00:24:37.040 Then Nebuchadnezzar, in furious rage, commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. 00:24:38.280 --> 00:24:40.040 So they brought these men before the king. 00:24:40.200 --> 00:24:41.780 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, 00:24:42.580 --> 00:24:50.400 Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? 00:24:51.660 --> 00:24:57.840 Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music 00:24:57.840 --> 00:25:01.400 to fall down and worship the image that I have made well and good. 00:25:01.400 --> 00:25:09.640 But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning, fiery furnace. 00:25:11.380 --> 00:25:12.580 Listen to these words. 00:25:15.040 --> 00:25:22.180 And who is the God who will deliver you out of my hands? 00:25:24.600 --> 00:25:25.880 Let's talk about taking a stand. 00:25:27.820 --> 00:25:29.160 The band plays. 00:25:30.820 --> 00:25:34.800 The music happens like clockwork. 00:25:36.560 --> 00:25:39.980 Everyone begins to fall down. 00:25:41.320 --> 00:25:42.320 Except three. 00:25:43.840 --> 00:25:44.500 Except three. 00:25:45.420 --> 00:25:48.880 If you are curious, by the way, where is Daniel during this? 00:25:50.240 --> 00:25:53.320 Was Daniel one of the ones who bowed and surrendered? 00:25:53.560 --> 00:25:53.860 No. 00:25:55.600 --> 00:25:58.060 We draw that conclusion from what we find. 00:25:58.140 --> 00:25:59.620 So where is Daniel within this? 00:25:59.660 --> 00:26:03.720 If you remember that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were put in the providence of Babylon, 00:26:03.920 --> 00:26:11.240 but the belief is that Daniel and his position would have been traveling all around the area of Babylon and beyond. 00:26:12.060 --> 00:26:16.440 And so the belief is that Daniel is not a part of this initial crowd of what we find. 00:26:17.100 --> 00:26:21.160 But fair to say, we know that Daniel's a man of godly character. 00:26:22.300 --> 00:26:24.060 And that if he would have been there, there would have been a fourth. 00:26:25.020 --> 00:26:27.260 But the band plays and everyone falls down. 00:26:28.040 --> 00:26:30.080 Except for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 00:26:30.080 --> 00:26:37.040 Now the Chaldeans, and you've heard that description be used so far several times in Daniel. 00:26:37.340 --> 00:26:43.920 These are Babylonian people from southern Babylon who for years have been major players in politics, 00:26:44.220 --> 00:26:48.360 dating all the way back to the establishment of the Babylonian Empire. 00:26:48.700 --> 00:26:51.320 So these are influential people. 00:26:51.660 --> 00:26:54.320 These are the makers and shakers of what's going on. 00:26:54.520 --> 00:26:59.800 And so they come and they say, listen, there's these three Jews who do not obey you, 00:26:59.900 --> 00:27:03.500 and they do not do what you said for them to do. 00:27:03.660 --> 00:27:07.600 Now you said if they don't do this, you'll kill them. 00:27:09.060 --> 00:27:09.880 You'll kill them. 00:27:10.720 --> 00:27:12.220 Now here's what idolatry does. 00:27:13.420 --> 00:27:15.040 Nebuchadnezzar knows these three men. 00:27:17.560 --> 00:27:20.980 Politically speaking, they're more than allies. 00:27:21.320 --> 00:27:23.140 There's a closeness of what's there. 00:27:23.400 --> 00:27:24.920 He understands of who they are. 00:27:25.220 --> 00:27:31.280 If you don't know, read Daniel 1, Daniel 2, and you'll begin to see the connection of what we had. 00:27:31.480 --> 00:27:32.580 He had trusted them. 00:27:32.800 --> 00:27:34.120 He had promoted them. 00:27:34.460 --> 00:27:38.260 He gives into his word of what he says. 00:27:38.440 --> 00:27:40.700 He gives into the pressure of others. 00:27:40.940 --> 00:27:44.400 And he calls them before and says, did you not do this? 00:27:44.540 --> 00:27:45.720 You better do this. 00:27:45.840 --> 00:27:49.420 Or here's what will happen. 00:27:49.760 --> 00:27:51.320 Here's what idolatry does. 00:27:51.320 --> 00:28:00.480 He says, you better succumb, not to your conviction, but to the pressure of the world. 00:28:01.480 --> 00:28:08.820 And when it comes to taking stands against idols, remember Blackwood's List. 00:28:09.620 --> 00:28:16.040 Self, money, pleasure, romance, amusement, sports, and education. 00:28:17.860 --> 00:28:20.340 There won't just be people who ridicule you. 00:28:22.180 --> 00:28:24.860 There'll be people who turn on you. 00:28:26.440 --> 00:28:28.040 There'll be people who hate you. 00:28:29.260 --> 00:28:31.200 There'll be people who slander your name. 00:28:32.460 --> 00:28:34.340 There'll be people who want to kill your reputation. 00:28:35.160 --> 00:28:47.140 And in parts of the world, still today, beyond what you and I could possibly imagine, bow to the idol or die. 00:28:48.380 --> 00:28:53.960 What happened then is still happening today. 00:28:55.480 --> 00:29:07.460 And in the forgetfulness of the world, the world who rallies in desperation oftentimes and says, we need something, we need God. 00:29:09.400 --> 00:29:25.260 Nebuchadnezzar, his question in verse 15, the ignorance, the forgetfulness, the arrogance, and who is the God who will deliver you out of my hands? 00:29:25.620 --> 00:29:28.140 Well, let me answer that for you, Nebuchadnezzar. 00:29:29.140 --> 00:29:47.400 The same God who told you, Nebuchadnezzar, the same God who interpreted your dream through a young Jewish boy in Daniel, that's the God who will deliver. 00:29:48.280 --> 00:29:50.720 That's the God who will be faithful. 00:29:50.900 --> 00:29:51.820 Do you remember him? 00:29:54.000 --> 00:29:55.140 You see, Nebuchadnezzar forgot. 00:29:56.740 --> 00:30:01.840 But praise the Lord, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did not. 00:30:03.440 --> 00:30:04.420 Let's look at verse 16. 00:30:08.300 --> 00:30:11.060 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, 00:30:13.120 --> 00:30:18.380 O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 00:30:20.540 --> 00:30:21.740 We'll talk about that in a second. 00:30:24.740 --> 00:30:40.480 If this be so, our God, whom we serve, is able to deliver us from the burning, fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 00:30:40.900 --> 00:30:42.140 But if not, 00:30:48.540 --> 00:30:55.700 Be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up. 00:30:57.880 --> 00:31:06.100 Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury, and the expression on his face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 00:31:06.400 --> 00:31:09.840 You see, I believe that he wanted them, not for just their sake. 00:31:11.260 --> 00:31:15.380 I believe that he desperately wanted them to want what he wanted. 00:31:17.000 --> 00:31:23.040 He was annoyed, he was aggravated, but now we see the expression on his face changed. 00:31:24.080 --> 00:31:30.040 And he ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it was usually heated. 00:31:31.360 --> 00:31:37.920 And he ordered some of the mighty men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, 00:31:38.500 --> 00:31:41.660 and to cast them into the burning, fiery furnace. 00:31:42.980 --> 00:31:49.300 Then these men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics, their hats, and other garments. 00:31:49.640 --> 00:31:52.580 They were thrown into the burning, fiery furnace. 00:31:52.760 --> 00:31:53.760 So let me pause right here. 00:31:53.940 --> 00:31:55.760 What he does is, like, go get all their clothes. 00:31:57.380 --> 00:31:58.580 Put it all on them. 00:31:59.780 --> 00:32:01.180 It's kindling for the fire. 00:32:04.020 --> 00:32:19.740 Because the king's order was so urgent, the furnace overheated, and the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 00:32:22.600 --> 00:32:30.160 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the burning, fiery furnace. 00:32:31.020 --> 00:32:36.120 Then Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. 00:32:36.300 --> 00:32:38.060 He declared to his counselors, 00:32:38.580 --> 00:32:42.040 Did we not cast three men bound into the fire? 00:32:42.400 --> 00:32:44.240 And they answered and said to the king, 00:32:44.600 --> 00:32:45.560 True, O king. 00:32:45.760 --> 00:32:47.080 And he answered and said, 00:32:47.320 --> 00:32:48.360 But I see four. 00:32:51.340 --> 00:32:53.420 I see four men unbound, 00:32:55.480 --> 00:32:57.480 walking in the midst of the fire, 00:32:58.160 --> 00:33:00.260 and they are not hurt. 00:33:01.860 --> 00:33:03.780 And the appearance of the fourth, 00:33:04.780 --> 00:33:05.540 get this, 00:33:06.740 --> 00:33:09.040 is like a son of the gods. 00:33:15.340 --> 00:33:17.300 If I don't get you, I don't know what does. 00:33:21.260 --> 00:33:22.740 Being courageous and confident. 00:33:25.460 --> 00:33:26.680 Two things I want to point out. 00:33:26.680 --> 00:33:30.780 Two examples of what we see with this. 00:33:30.860 --> 00:33:32.260 Look back, verse 16 and 18. 00:33:34.120 --> 00:33:37.240 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, 00:33:37.300 --> 00:33:37.980 O Nebuchadnezzar, 00:33:38.060 --> 00:33:40.680 We have no need to answer you in this matter. 00:33:43.800 --> 00:33:44.920 If this be so, 00:33:45.000 --> 00:33:48.700 our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning, fiery furnace, 00:33:49.000 --> 00:33:51.120 and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 00:33:51.200 --> 00:33:52.740 But if not, be it known to you, 00:33:52.740 --> 00:33:54.740 our king, that we serve. 00:33:55.640 --> 00:34:00.180 We will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up. 00:34:00.560 --> 00:34:01.420 Here's what they're saying. 00:34:02.200 --> 00:34:02.860 First thing, 00:34:03.420 --> 00:34:05.380 we don't need to give you an answer. 00:34:05.500 --> 00:34:06.960 We showed you what our answer is. 00:34:09.000 --> 00:34:10.780 Why would we not do this? 00:34:12.060 --> 00:34:14.220 Why would we not bow down to your idol? 00:34:15.160 --> 00:34:16.740 Because you know who we are. 00:34:18.060 --> 00:34:19.720 And that's not what we do. 00:34:19.720 --> 00:34:30.840 The second thing they say to the king is we believe and we hold that God is able to deliver us. 00:34:32.440 --> 00:34:36.700 God is able to save us. 00:34:37.700 --> 00:34:41.040 Understand this from a flame that's so hot 00:34:41.040 --> 00:34:46.560 that as those who are throwing them in approach it, 00:34:47.080 --> 00:34:48.140 they die. 00:34:50.140 --> 00:34:53.520 We believe that God can deliver us. 00:34:53.580 --> 00:34:56.380 We believe that God can save us. 00:34:57.220 --> 00:34:58.620 But then they say a third thing. 00:35:00.140 --> 00:35:01.200 But if he doesn't. 00:35:04.200 --> 00:35:05.240 If he doesn't. 00:35:06.280 --> 00:35:09.620 Because he, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego know that they don't control the hand of God. 00:35:12.420 --> 00:35:21.460 And even if he doesn't save us from the furnace, 00:35:22.280 --> 00:35:26.000 we know who he is. 00:35:26.400 --> 00:35:31.100 And we will not bow down to your idol. 00:35:32.060 --> 00:35:32.820 Folks, 00:35:33.960 --> 00:35:35.920 that's courage. 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:39.320 That's courage of faith. 00:35:40.080 --> 00:35:41.620 That's confidence in God. 00:35:44.440 --> 00:35:45.920 He is able. 00:35:47.120 --> 00:35:50.760 But even if he doesn't, 00:35:51.200 --> 00:35:53.720 we will obey him to our death. 00:35:59.220 --> 00:36:00.200 What would you do? 00:36:02.800 --> 00:36:03.680 What would you do? 00:36:06.540 --> 00:36:07.660 Thought a lot about that. 00:36:08.700 --> 00:36:10.000 For myself this week. 00:36:11.980 --> 00:36:13.940 Would I justify a compromise? 00:36:17.460 --> 00:36:18.540 What would I say? 00:36:18.680 --> 00:36:20.240 You know, while everyone else bows, 00:36:20.400 --> 00:36:21.940 I'll bow as well. 00:36:23.580 --> 00:36:25.020 But I'll pray to God. 00:36:27.860 --> 00:36:29.320 Would I say in the moment? 00:36:30.420 --> 00:36:34.800 My testimony of faithfulness is greater than beyond today. 00:36:35.800 --> 00:36:39.340 So I will choose to compromise in who I am 00:36:39.340 --> 00:36:42.420 so that I can live for the glory of God for tomorrow 00:36:42.420 --> 00:36:45.660 and the day after that and the week after that and the year after that. 00:36:45.660 --> 00:36:52.760 With being able to stand far from the furnace but feel the heat. 00:36:54.040 --> 00:36:55.460 Would I have the faith? 00:36:56.260 --> 00:36:58.340 Would I have the courage of faith? 00:36:58.600 --> 00:37:01.120 Would I have the confidence in God to say, 00:37:01.480 --> 00:37:02.340 I will not bow to your idol? 00:37:02.340 --> 00:37:03.020 I will not bow to your idol. 00:37:04.020 --> 00:37:05.840 I will walk with courage. 00:37:06.540 --> 00:37:09.880 I will put faith in God that he will deliver me. 00:37:10.100 --> 00:37:11.060 But the truth is, 00:37:11.260 --> 00:37:15.100 even if he doesn't deliver me through the cross of Jesus Christ 00:37:15.100 --> 00:37:16.780 and the fact that the tomb is empty, 00:37:17.040 --> 00:37:18.600 that he will deliver me. 00:37:19.740 --> 00:37:22.740 And that he will deliver me from this body and this place 00:37:22.740 --> 00:37:24.460 for all eternity with him. 00:37:24.940 --> 00:37:29.080 And eternity is greater than a thousand tomorrows on this earth. 00:37:32.020 --> 00:37:33.300 What does that look like? 00:37:36.300 --> 00:37:38.080 And then in verse 24 and 25, 00:37:40.180 --> 00:37:43.280 we see what theologians call, I believe, 00:37:44.480 --> 00:37:48.220 what we see is what's known as a Christophany. 00:37:49.280 --> 00:37:49.800 Christophany. 00:37:51.380 --> 00:37:52.140 Verse 24, 00:37:52.220 --> 00:37:55.180 The Nebuchadnezzar was astonished 00:37:55.180 --> 00:37:58.480 and rose up in haste. 00:37:58.620 --> 00:38:00.360 He declared to his counselors, 00:38:01.520 --> 00:38:05.620 did we not cast three men bound into the fire? 00:38:06.860 --> 00:38:08.920 Just put yourself there for just a moment. 00:38:09.960 --> 00:38:12.220 You're seeing your mighty men die. 00:38:13.860 --> 00:38:14.500 And you're like, 00:38:14.560 --> 00:38:15.060 all right, wait a minute. 00:38:15.480 --> 00:38:18.440 Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego. 00:38:18.800 --> 00:38:20.120 I know Daniel's with him, 00:38:20.120 --> 00:38:21.080 but they're not there. 00:38:21.160 --> 00:38:22.200 He's not here right now. 00:38:22.220 --> 00:38:25.240 There's four. 00:38:28.640 --> 00:38:30.640 And they answered and said to the king, 00:38:30.740 --> 00:38:31.520 O true king, 00:38:32.480 --> 00:38:33.360 and he answered and said, 00:38:33.420 --> 00:38:35.200 but I see four men unbound 00:38:35.200 --> 00:38:41.160 walking in the midst of the fire 00:38:41.160 --> 00:38:42.540 and they are not hurt. 00:38:42.540 --> 00:38:48.060 And the appearance of the fourth 00:38:48.060 --> 00:38:54.380 is like a son of the gods. 00:38:56.300 --> 00:38:59.960 What Christophany is when we see these in the Old Testament. 00:39:01.060 --> 00:39:01.620 Because you see, 00:39:02.000 --> 00:39:02.800 while Christ, 00:39:02.960 --> 00:39:04.040 as a man, 00:39:04.160 --> 00:39:05.580 was born, 00:39:06.580 --> 00:39:08.280 it's Christmas we celebrate, 00:39:09.480 --> 00:39:10.400 but as God, 00:39:10.520 --> 00:39:11.200 he's always been. 00:39:12.880 --> 00:39:13.960 He's God of creation. 00:39:15.560 --> 00:39:16.660 He's God who returned. 00:39:17.780 --> 00:39:18.420 He's on the throne. 00:39:18.540 --> 00:39:19.580 This is who he is. 00:39:21.200 --> 00:39:22.720 And several times in the Old Testament, 00:39:22.960 --> 00:39:24.380 we see this imagery. 00:39:26.060 --> 00:39:27.360 Sometimes it's described as 00:39:27.360 --> 00:39:28.920 like the son of man 00:39:28.920 --> 00:39:29.840 or like an angel. 00:39:31.920 --> 00:39:33.240 But I believe that it's Christ. 00:39:34.760 --> 00:39:35.640 I believe 00:39:35.640 --> 00:39:37.300 what we see 00:39:37.300 --> 00:39:39.140 is we see Jesus. 00:39:40.980 --> 00:39:42.320 And here's where I think 00:39:42.320 --> 00:39:43.380 it plays for you 00:39:43.380 --> 00:39:44.260 as you and I 00:39:44.260 --> 00:39:45.940 make the decisions 00:39:45.940 --> 00:39:46.720 about the idols 00:39:46.720 --> 00:39:47.580 and about the things 00:39:47.580 --> 00:39:48.920 that we face. 00:39:49.760 --> 00:39:50.780 I think it's important 00:39:50.780 --> 00:39:51.360 to notice 00:39:51.360 --> 00:39:52.660 and define right here 00:39:52.660 --> 00:39:57.180 that Jesus did not save them 00:39:57.180 --> 00:39:59.540 from the fire. 00:40:03.480 --> 00:40:04.200 One note, 00:40:04.500 --> 00:40:05.760 just bear with me for a second. 00:40:08.120 --> 00:40:09.400 They went into the fire. 00:40:11.600 --> 00:40:12.640 I imagine 00:40:12.640 --> 00:40:14.760 these men 00:40:14.760 --> 00:40:15.540 in the greatness 00:40:15.540 --> 00:40:16.600 of their faith 00:40:16.600 --> 00:40:20.540 and have the faith 00:40:20.540 --> 00:40:21.060 that they had 00:40:21.060 --> 00:40:22.580 and the greatness 00:40:22.580 --> 00:40:23.340 of the faith. 00:40:24.660 --> 00:40:25.440 I imagine 00:40:25.440 --> 00:40:25.900 those knees 00:40:25.900 --> 00:40:26.520 got a little weak 00:40:26.520 --> 00:40:28.020 the closer they got. 00:40:29.300 --> 00:40:29.820 I bet 00:40:29.820 --> 00:40:30.400 their knees 00:40:30.400 --> 00:40:31.020 got a little weak 00:40:31.020 --> 00:40:31.580 when they begin 00:40:31.580 --> 00:40:32.400 to see other people 00:40:32.400 --> 00:40:34.280 falling around them. 00:40:36.540 --> 00:40:37.320 I bet 00:40:37.320 --> 00:40:37.620 they would 00:40:37.620 --> 00:40:39.440 crying out to God, 00:40:40.300 --> 00:40:40.980 praising God, 00:40:41.080 --> 00:40:41.700 praying to God. 00:40:42.640 --> 00:40:43.820 And they went 00:40:43.820 --> 00:40:45.780 into the fire. 00:40:47.020 --> 00:40:48.340 Jesus didn't save them 00:40:48.340 --> 00:40:48.960 from the fire 00:40:48.960 --> 00:40:49.800 but what Jesus did 00:40:49.800 --> 00:40:50.480 is Jesus saved them 00:40:50.480 --> 00:40:51.060 through the fire. 00:40:52.540 --> 00:40:53.640 And he saved them 00:40:53.640 --> 00:40:54.400 through the fire. 00:40:54.540 --> 00:40:54.800 How? 00:40:55.760 --> 00:40:56.860 Because he 00:40:56.860 --> 00:40:58.140 was there 00:40:58.140 --> 00:40:59.260 with them. 00:41:00.540 --> 00:41:01.820 Here's how the world 00:41:01.820 --> 00:41:03.220 wants to get you 00:41:03.220 --> 00:41:04.280 and I 00:41:04.280 --> 00:41:05.260 to cling 00:41:05.260 --> 00:41:06.500 to the idols 00:41:06.500 --> 00:41:07.660 of this world. 00:41:08.020 --> 00:41:09.240 they appeal 00:41:09.240 --> 00:41:10.300 to the 00:41:10.300 --> 00:41:11.240 circumstances 00:41:11.240 --> 00:41:12.340 of where you 00:41:12.340 --> 00:41:13.360 find yourself in. 00:41:15.180 --> 00:41:15.920 And they say, 00:41:16.020 --> 00:41:16.140 see 00:41:16.140 --> 00:41:18.380 where's 00:41:18.380 --> 00:41:19.240 your 00:41:19.240 --> 00:41:20.440 God 00:41:20.440 --> 00:41:21.520 now? 00:41:22.780 --> 00:41:23.740 And folks 00:41:23.740 --> 00:41:24.980 let me tell you 00:41:24.980 --> 00:41:25.640 where he is. 00:41:26.360 --> 00:41:27.360 He's right 00:41:27.360 --> 00:41:28.600 there 00:41:28.600 --> 00:41:29.760 with you. 00:41:30.760 --> 00:41:31.600 Even when 00:41:31.600 --> 00:41:32.040 the fire 00:41:32.040 --> 00:41:32.500 is real. 00:41:33.780 --> 00:41:34.400 Even when 00:41:34.400 --> 00:41:34.860 the pressure 00:41:34.860 --> 00:41:35.460 is hot. 00:41:36.520 --> 00:41:36.960 He's 00:41:36.960 --> 00:41:37.960 right 00:41:37.960 --> 00:41:39.160 there 00:41:39.160 --> 00:41:40.260 with you. 00:41:42.100 --> 00:41:42.960 Let's close 00:41:42.960 --> 00:41:45.340 26 through 30. 00:41:46.360 --> 00:41:46.800 We got our 00:41:46.800 --> 00:41:46.940 third, 00:41:47.060 --> 00:41:47.200 fourth, 00:41:47.260 --> 00:41:47.460 and fifth 00:41:47.460 --> 00:41:48.080 graders in here 00:41:48.080 --> 00:41:48.280 kids. 00:41:48.360 --> 00:41:48.700 I appreciate 00:41:48.700 --> 00:41:49.120 you guys 00:41:49.120 --> 00:41:49.700 hanging with us. 00:41:49.740 --> 00:41:49.920 Alright? 00:41:50.480 --> 00:41:50.940 We'll close 00:41:50.940 --> 00:41:51.400 with this. 00:41:52.800 --> 00:41:53.700 Then Nebuchadnezzar 00:41:53.700 --> 00:41:55.340 came near to the 00:41:55.340 --> 00:41:55.720 door of the 00:41:55.720 --> 00:41:56.260 fiery furnace. 00:41:57.480 --> 00:41:58.260 He declared, 00:41:58.460 --> 00:41:59.000 Shadrach, 00:41:59.100 --> 00:41:59.660 Meshach, 00:41:59.740 --> 00:42:00.320 and Abednego, 00:42:01.600 --> 00:42:02.640 servants of the 00:42:02.640 --> 00:42:03.580 Most High God, 00:42:03.700 --> 00:42:04.400 come out and 00:42:04.400 --> 00:42:04.960 come here. 00:42:06.260 --> 00:42:07.200 Then Shadrach, 00:42:07.300 --> 00:42:07.760 Meshach, 00:42:07.820 --> 00:42:08.320 and Abednego 00:42:08.320 --> 00:42:09.160 came out from 00:42:09.160 --> 00:42:09.740 the fire, 00:42:10.740 --> 00:42:11.120 and the 00:42:11.120 --> 00:42:11.740 satraps and 00:42:11.740 --> 00:42:12.720 the prefects, 00:42:13.100 --> 00:42:13.720 the governors, 00:42:13.980 --> 00:42:14.500 and the king's 00:42:14.500 --> 00:42:15.360 counselors gathered 00:42:15.360 --> 00:42:16.460 together and 00:42:16.460 --> 00:42:17.020 saw that the 00:42:17.020 --> 00:42:18.360 fire had not 00:42:18.360 --> 00:42:19.620 any power over 00:42:19.620 --> 00:42:20.480 the bodies of 00:42:20.480 --> 00:42:21.040 those men. 00:42:21.500 --> 00:42:22.440 The hair on 00:42:22.440 --> 00:42:23.100 their heads 00:42:23.100 --> 00:42:24.240 was not singed, 00:42:24.480 --> 00:42:25.240 their cloaks 00:42:25.240 --> 00:42:26.220 were not harmed, 00:42:26.540 --> 00:42:27.640 and no smell 00:42:27.640 --> 00:42:28.560 of fire 00:42:28.560 --> 00:42:29.280 had come upon 00:42:29.280 --> 00:42:29.640 them. 00:42:32.720 --> 00:42:33.340 Nebuchadnezzar 00:42:33.340 --> 00:42:34.240 answered and 00:42:34.240 --> 00:42:34.700 said, 00:42:35.740 --> 00:42:36.520 Blessed be the 00:42:36.520 --> 00:42:37.120 God of 00:42:37.120 --> 00:42:37.720 Shadrach, 00:42:37.840 --> 00:42:38.360 Meshach, 00:42:38.420 --> 00:42:38.960 and Abednego, 00:42:39.880 --> 00:42:41.080 who has sent 00:42:41.080 --> 00:42:41.920 his angel and 00:42:41.920 --> 00:42:42.520 delivered his 00:42:42.520 --> 00:42:42.980 servants, 00:42:44.020 --> 00:42:44.900 who trusted 00:42:44.900 --> 00:42:46.520 him and set 00:42:46.520 --> 00:42:47.100 aside the 00:42:47.100 --> 00:42:47.820 king's command 00:42:47.820 --> 00:42:48.740 and yielded 00:42:48.740 --> 00:42:49.020 up their 00:42:49.020 --> 00:42:51.000 bodies rather 00:42:51.000 --> 00:42:51.760 than serve and 00:42:51.760 --> 00:42:52.360 worship any 00:42:52.360 --> 00:42:52.860 god except 00:42:52.860 --> 00:42:53.260 their own 00:42:53.260 --> 00:42:53.680 god. 00:42:54.680 --> 00:42:55.060 Therefore, 00:42:55.260 --> 00:42:55.800 I make a 00:42:55.800 --> 00:42:56.220 decree, 00:42:56.540 --> 00:42:58.060 any people, 00:42:58.340 --> 00:42:58.740 nation, 00:42:58.820 --> 00:42:59.400 or language 00:42:59.400 --> 00:43:00.340 that speaks 00:43:00.340 --> 00:43:01.560 anything against 00:43:01.560 --> 00:43:02.180 the god of 00:43:02.180 --> 00:43:02.720 Shadrach, 00:43:02.820 --> 00:43:03.240 Meshach, 00:43:03.300 --> 00:43:03.820 and Abednego 00:43:03.820 --> 00:43:05.540 shall be 00:43:05.540 --> 00:43:06.260 torn limb 00:43:06.260 --> 00:43:06.780 from limb 00:43:06.780 --> 00:43:08.460 and their 00:43:08.460 --> 00:43:09.260 houses laid 00:43:09.260 --> 00:43:09.740 to ruin, 00:43:10.740 --> 00:43:11.460 for there is 00:43:11.460 --> 00:43:12.220 no other 00:43:12.220 --> 00:43:13.260 god who is 00:43:13.260 --> 00:43:14.420 able to 00:43:14.420 --> 00:43:15.160 rescue in 00:43:15.160 --> 00:43:15.720 this way. 00:43:16.900 --> 00:43:17.660 Then the 00:43:17.660 --> 00:43:18.760 king promoted 00:43:18.760 --> 00:43:20.820 Shadrach, 00:43:20.940 --> 00:43:21.520 Meshach, 00:43:22.380 --> 00:43:23.080 and Abednego 00:43:23.080 --> 00:43:24.240 in the 00:43:24.240 --> 00:43:24.680 providence 00:43:24.680 --> 00:43:25.240 of Babylon. 00:43:27.100 --> 00:43:27.220 Let's 00:43:27.220 --> 00:43:27.540 close with 00:43:27.540 --> 00:43:27.860 this. 00:43:30.060 --> 00:43:30.540 Not 00:43:30.540 --> 00:43:30.800 another 00:43:30.800 --> 00:43:31.120 idol. 00:43:32.800 --> 00:43:33.340 Not 00:43:33.340 --> 00:43:33.580 another 00:43:33.580 --> 00:43:33.880 idol. 00:43:37.280 --> 00:43:37.920 Nebuchadnezzar 00:43:37.920 --> 00:43:38.640 is amazed. 00:43:40.320 --> 00:43:40.480 I mean, 00:43:40.520 --> 00:43:41.020 just imagine. 00:43:42.420 --> 00:43:43.060 Their 00:43:43.060 --> 00:43:43.620 hair's not 00:43:43.620 --> 00:43:43.940 burnt. 00:43:45.540 --> 00:43:45.840 Their 00:43:45.840 --> 00:43:46.520 cloaks 00:43:46.520 --> 00:43:48.100 aren't 00:43:48.100 --> 00:43:48.800 singed. 00:43:49.620 --> 00:43:50.300 They don't 00:43:50.300 --> 00:43:51.500 smell like 00:43:51.500 --> 00:43:52.140 smoke. 00:43:53.240 --> 00:43:53.920 This is a 00:43:53.920 --> 00:43:54.320 miracle. 00:43:56.160 --> 00:43:56.640 And he 00:43:56.640 --> 00:43:57.820 acknowledges that 00:43:57.820 --> 00:43:58.540 their god, 00:43:59.360 --> 00:44:00.440 the same god 00:44:00.440 --> 00:44:01.040 that interpreted 00:44:01.040 --> 00:44:01.860 his dreams, 00:44:02.680 --> 00:44:03.300 saved them. 00:44:05.800 --> 00:44:07.240 he blesses 00:44:07.240 --> 00:44:07.780 their god. 00:44:09.120 --> 00:44:10.020 He offers 00:44:10.020 --> 00:44:10.640 a blessing 00:44:10.640 --> 00:44:12.160 to their 00:44:12.160 --> 00:44:12.620 god. 00:44:13.420 --> 00:44:14.120 He makes 00:44:14.120 --> 00:44:15.220 a declaration 00:44:15.220 --> 00:44:16.540 about their 00:44:16.540 --> 00:44:16.960 god. 00:44:18.680 --> 00:44:19.320 We're 00:44:19.320 --> 00:44:19.720 heading in 00:44:19.720 --> 00:44:20.440 some positive 00:44:20.440 --> 00:44:21.040 direction 00:44:21.040 --> 00:44:21.380 here. 00:44:23.180 --> 00:44:23.360 But 00:44:23.360 --> 00:44:24.420 Nebuchadnezzar 00:44:24.420 --> 00:44:25.660 never 00:44:25.660 --> 00:44:26.600 surrenders to 00:44:26.600 --> 00:44:27.320 their god 00:44:27.320 --> 00:44:28.460 and continues 00:44:28.460 --> 00:44:29.660 to acknowledge 00:44:29.660 --> 00:44:30.580 the other 00:44:30.580 --> 00:44:31.100 gods. 00:44:32.520 --> 00:44:33.220 Here's what 00:44:33.220 --> 00:44:34.800 can be 00:44:34.800 --> 00:44:36.500 the positioning 00:44:36.500 --> 00:44:37.020 of the 00:44:37.020 --> 00:44:37.420 heart 00:44:37.420 --> 00:44:38.340 when it 00:44:38.340 --> 00:44:39.120 comes to 00:44:39.120 --> 00:44:40.040 idolatry. 00:44:40.280 --> 00:44:40.940 It's not 00:44:40.940 --> 00:44:42.260 God over 00:44:42.260 --> 00:44:43.160 these, 00:44:43.280 --> 00:44:44.320 it's God. 00:44:45.780 --> 00:44:46.480 It's not 00:44:46.480 --> 00:44:47.680 Jesus over 00:44:47.680 --> 00:44:48.320 these, 00:44:48.480 --> 00:44:49.560 it's Jesus. 00:44:51.740 --> 00:44:52.180 He doesn't 00:44:52.180 --> 00:44:52.440 want to be 00:44:52.440 --> 00:44:52.920 on a list, 00:44:53.000 --> 00:44:53.140 he doesn't 00:44:53.140 --> 00:44:53.360 want to be 00:44:53.360 --> 00:44:53.920 on a ranking, 00:44:54.040 --> 00:44:54.180 he doesn't 00:44:54.180 --> 00:44:54.400 want to be 00:44:54.400 --> 00:44:54.940 on an 00:44:54.940 --> 00:44:55.380 order. 00:44:56.860 --> 00:44:57.500 He 00:44:57.500 --> 00:44:59.020 is 00:44:59.020 --> 00:45:00.440 the focus 00:45:00.440 --> 00:45:01.640 of all 00:45:01.640 --> 00:45:02.340 that we 00:45:02.340 --> 00:45:02.740 are. 00:45:03.200 --> 00:45:03.520 Jesus 00:45:03.520 --> 00:45:04.620 demands 00:45:04.620 --> 00:45:06.040 all of 00:45:06.040 --> 00:45:06.240 you. 00:45:07.460 --> 00:45:07.680 Jesus 00:45:07.680 --> 00:45:08.420 demands 00:45:08.420 --> 00:45:09.120 all of 00:45:09.120 --> 00:45:09.400 me. 00:45:11.620 --> 00:45:12.140 Deuteronomy 00:45:12.140 --> 00:45:13.040 6, 5 00:45:13.040 --> 00:45:14.020 and Matthew 00:45:14.020 --> 00:45:15.200 22, 37 00:45:15.200 --> 00:45:15.700 love the 00:45:15.700 --> 00:45:16.040 Lord your 00:45:16.040 --> 00:45:16.360 God with 00:45:16.360 --> 00:45:16.680 all your 00:45:16.680 --> 00:45:17.340 heart, 00:45:18.380 --> 00:45:18.860 soul, 00:45:19.780 --> 00:45:20.260 mind, 00:45:20.740 --> 00:45:21.740 and strength 00:45:21.740 --> 00:45:23.160 with all 00:45:23.160 --> 00:45:24.520 of who 00:45:24.520 --> 00:45:25.800 you are. 00:45:34.440 --> 00:45:35.020 in Taiwan 00:45:35.020 --> 00:45:37.400 and in 00:45:37.400 --> 00:45:37.780 India, 00:45:38.900 --> 00:45:39.780 there are 00:45:39.780 --> 00:45:40.420 lands that 00:45:40.420 --> 00:45:40.960 are filled 00:45:40.960 --> 00:45:42.640 with idols, 00:45:43.940 --> 00:45:44.900 filled with 00:45:44.900 --> 00:45:45.340 gods. 00:45:47.420 --> 00:45:49.140 You need 00:45:49.140 --> 00:45:49.520 something? 00:45:50.360 --> 00:45:50.920 There's a 00:45:50.920 --> 00:45:51.400 God that you 00:45:51.400 --> 00:45:52.040 can pray to 00:45:52.040 --> 00:45:52.400 that they 00:45:52.400 --> 00:45:52.800 believe will 00:45:52.800 --> 00:45:53.140 give that 00:45:53.140 --> 00:45:53.500 to you. 00:45:54.500 --> 00:45:55.200 You need 00:45:55.200 --> 00:45:55.700 something and 00:45:55.700 --> 00:45:56.220 there's not a 00:45:56.220 --> 00:45:57.400 God to 00:45:57.400 --> 00:45:57.880 provide that? 00:45:57.960 --> 00:45:58.040 Well, 00:45:58.040 --> 00:45:58.340 then make 00:45:58.340 --> 00:45:58.740 your own. 00:46:00.660 --> 00:46:01.300 in Taiwan 00:46:01.300 --> 00:46:01.780 as they 00:46:01.780 --> 00:46:02.360 practice 00:46:02.360 --> 00:46:02.700 their 00:46:02.700 --> 00:46:03.780 idolatry, 00:46:03.860 --> 00:46:04.260 they also 00:46:04.260 --> 00:46:04.840 practice 00:46:04.840 --> 00:46:05.840 ancestry 00:46:05.840 --> 00:46:06.420 worship. 00:46:07.740 --> 00:46:08.460 So pray to 00:46:08.460 --> 00:46:08.980 your grandma 00:46:08.980 --> 00:46:10.660 if you need 00:46:10.660 --> 00:46:11.100 what grandma 00:46:11.100 --> 00:46:11.580 had. 00:46:12.900 --> 00:46:13.520 There's 00:46:13.520 --> 00:46:14.200 idols upon 00:46:14.200 --> 00:46:14.960 idols upon 00:46:14.960 --> 00:46:15.640 idols upon 00:46:15.640 --> 00:46:16.060 idols. 00:46:17.660 --> 00:46:18.740 And when you 00:46:18.740 --> 00:46:19.860 share Jesus 00:46:19.860 --> 00:46:20.620 with them, 00:46:21.620 --> 00:46:22.240 when you 00:46:22.240 --> 00:46:23.000 talk about 00:46:23.000 --> 00:46:23.620 Christ, 00:46:24.840 --> 00:46:25.680 it's not 00:46:25.680 --> 00:46:26.640 that he is 00:46:26.640 --> 00:46:27.500 a God 00:46:27.500 --> 00:46:28.200 that goes 00:46:28.200 --> 00:46:28.860 with all 00:46:28.860 --> 00:46:30.300 of the 00:46:30.300 --> 00:46:30.720 rest, 00:46:32.100 --> 00:46:32.680 it's that 00:46:32.680 --> 00:46:32.960 he is 00:46:32.960 --> 00:46:33.440 the God. 00:46:34.820 --> 00:46:35.640 The God. 00:46:38.560 --> 00:46:39.540 In Taiwan, 00:46:40.300 --> 00:46:41.880 when you 00:46:41.880 --> 00:46:42.580 profess Jesus 00:46:42.580 --> 00:46:43.180 Christ as 00:46:43.180 --> 00:46:43.560 your Lord 00:46:43.560 --> 00:46:44.040 and Savior, 00:46:45.320 --> 00:46:46.060 the next 00:46:46.060 --> 00:46:46.420 step is 00:46:46.420 --> 00:46:46.920 baptism. 00:46:49.560 --> 00:46:50.200 And the 00:46:50.200 --> 00:46:50.660 church in 00:46:50.660 --> 00:46:51.480 Taiwan will 00:46:51.480 --> 00:46:52.400 not baptize 00:46:52.400 --> 00:46:54.400 you until 00:46:54.400 --> 00:46:54.880 you go to 00:46:54.880 --> 00:46:55.500 your house, 00:46:56.760 --> 00:46:57.300 you clean 00:46:57.300 --> 00:46:57.720 up all your 00:46:57.720 --> 00:46:58.480 little statues, 00:46:59.400 --> 00:47:00.160 all your 00:47:00.160 --> 00:47:00.840 little idols, 00:47:01.740 --> 00:47:02.500 all your 00:47:02.500 --> 00:47:03.420 little trinkets 00:47:03.420 --> 00:47:04.660 of the 00:47:04.660 --> 00:47:05.100 things you 00:47:05.100 --> 00:47:05.640 worshiped 00:47:05.640 --> 00:47:06.020 before, 00:47:06.980 --> 00:47:07.760 put them 00:47:07.760 --> 00:47:08.160 out on a 00:47:08.160 --> 00:47:08.480 table, 00:47:09.680 --> 00:47:10.140 take a 00:47:10.140 --> 00:47:10.440 hammer, 00:47:11.520 --> 00:47:12.380 and literally 00:47:12.380 --> 00:47:13.700 crush them 00:47:13.700 --> 00:47:14.920 one after 00:47:14.920 --> 00:47:15.440 the next, 00:47:15.860 --> 00:47:16.500 one after 00:47:16.500 --> 00:47:17.020 the next, 00:47:17.400 --> 00:47:17.980 one after 00:47:17.980 --> 00:47:18.500 the next. 00:47:19.180 --> 00:47:20.140 Because if 00:47:20.140 --> 00:47:20.640 not, 00:47:22.080 --> 00:47:22.420 Jesus 00:47:22.420 --> 00:47:24.920 is just 00:47:24.920 --> 00:47:25.300 another 00:47:25.300 --> 00:47:25.760 idol 00:47:25.760 --> 00:47:27.600 to be 00:47:27.600 --> 00:47:27.880 put on 00:47:27.880 --> 00:47:28.020 the 00:47:28.020 --> 00:47:28.340 shelf. 00:47:30.580 --> 00:47:31.120 Here's 00:47:31.120 --> 00:47:31.360 what I 00:47:31.360 --> 00:47:31.740 think 00:47:31.740 --> 00:47:33.380 Nebuchadnezzar 00:47:33.380 --> 00:47:33.620 did. 00:47:35.200 --> 00:47:35.700 Well, 00:47:35.740 --> 00:47:35.900 I'll 00:47:35.900 --> 00:47:36.300 acknowledge 00:47:36.300 --> 00:47:36.940 your God 00:47:36.940 --> 00:47:38.360 and I'll 00:47:38.360 --> 00:47:38.700 bring him 00:47:38.700 --> 00:47:38.940 in with 00:47:38.940 --> 00:47:39.280 mine. 00:47:40.440 --> 00:47:40.880 That's 00:47:40.880 --> 00:47:41.220 crazy, 00:47:41.300 --> 00:47:41.520 right? 00:47:42.800 --> 00:47:43.340 That's 00:47:43.340 --> 00:47:43.700 crazy. 00:47:51.700 --> 00:47:53.300 You see, 00:47:53.440 --> 00:47:53.900 our idols 00:47:53.900 --> 00:47:56.000 here are 00:47:56.000 --> 00:47:56.600 not statues 00:47:56.600 --> 00:47:57.380 of elephants. 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:59.660 They're not 00:47:59.660 --> 00:48:00.780 golden towers. 00:48:03.780 --> 00:48:05.240 their self, 00:48:05.920 --> 00:48:07.700 money, 00:48:09.660 --> 00:48:10.080 pleasure, 00:48:12.000 --> 00:48:12.620 romance, 00:48:14.380 --> 00:48:14.780 amusement, 00:48:16.600 --> 00:48:17.100 sport, 00:48:18.420 --> 00:48:19.560 and education. 00:48:21.620 --> 00:48:22.760 Let me ask 00:48:22.760 --> 00:48:22.940 you, 00:48:23.780 --> 00:48:25.980 is Jesus 00:48:25.980 --> 00:48:28.240 just 00:48:28.240 --> 00:48:29.340 something 00:48:29.340 --> 00:48:30.400 else 00:48:30.400 --> 00:48:31.780 on your list? 00:48:31.780 --> 00:48:35.840 or is 00:48:35.840 --> 00:48:36.360 Jesus 00:48:36.360 --> 00:48:38.000 all? 00:48:40.140 --> 00:48:40.680 And from 00:48:40.680 --> 00:48:41.100 him, 00:48:42.140 --> 00:48:43.320 from him, 00:48:44.080 --> 00:48:44.920 I find 00:48:44.920 --> 00:48:45.340 who I 00:48:45.340 --> 00:48:45.700 am. 00:48:47.460 --> 00:48:47.920 From 00:48:47.920 --> 00:48:48.460 him, 00:48:49.140 --> 00:48:49.920 I receive 00:48:49.920 --> 00:48:50.600 the blessings 00:48:50.600 --> 00:48:51.080 so that I 00:48:51.080 --> 00:48:51.420 can give 00:48:51.420 --> 00:48:51.860 back to 00:48:51.860 --> 00:48:52.120 him. 00:48:53.420 --> 00:48:53.860 From 00:48:53.860 --> 00:48:54.300 him, 00:48:54.400 --> 00:48:54.720 I find 00:48:54.720 --> 00:48:55.320 my joy. 00:48:56.220 --> 00:48:56.420 From 00:48:56.420 --> 00:48:56.760 him, 00:48:56.860 --> 00:48:57.180 I find 00:48:57.180 --> 00:48:58.460 my peace. 00:48:59.520 --> 00:48:59.900 From 00:48:59.900 --> 00:49:00.280 him, 00:49:00.380 --> 00:49:00.740 I find 00:49:00.740 --> 00:49:01.500 my rest. 00:49:02.380 --> 00:49:02.860 From 00:49:02.860 --> 00:49:03.260 him, 00:49:03.380 --> 00:49:03.720 I find 00:49:03.720 --> 00:49:03.960 my 00:49:03.960 --> 00:49:04.560 contentment. 00:49:05.500 --> 00:49:05.740 You see, 00:49:05.800 --> 00:49:06.320 all of the 00:49:06.320 --> 00:49:06.800 things that 00:49:06.800 --> 00:49:07.380 I've tried 00:49:07.380 --> 00:49:07.780 to make 00:49:07.780 --> 00:49:08.240 idols, 00:49:08.400 --> 00:49:08.620 they are 00:49:08.620 --> 00:49:09.220 no longer 00:49:09.220 --> 00:49:09.680 idols 00:49:09.680 --> 00:49:11.760 because they 00:49:11.760 --> 00:49:12.340 come 00:49:12.340 --> 00:49:13.900 from the 00:49:13.900 --> 00:49:14.400 creator 00:49:14.400 --> 00:49:16.380 and it's 00:49:16.380 --> 00:49:16.740 him 00:49:16.740 --> 00:49:18.320 and him 00:49:18.320 --> 00:49:18.800 alone 00:49:18.800 --> 00:49:20.040 that I 00:49:20.040 --> 00:49:20.340 worship. 00:49:22.260 --> 00:49:22.780 Jesus 00:49:22.780 --> 00:49:23.300 demands 00:49:23.300 --> 00:49:23.660 all of 00:49:23.660 --> 00:49:23.900 you 00:49:23.900 --> 00:49:26.380 mind, 00:49:27.960 --> 00:49:28.320 soul, 00:49:29.580 --> 00:49:29.920 heart, 00:49:30.920 --> 00:49:31.380 and 00:49:31.380 --> 00:49:31.880 strength 00:49:31.880 --> 00:49:34.420 because he 00:49:34.420 --> 00:49:35.100 gave 00:49:35.100 --> 00:49:36.940 all of 00:49:36.940 --> 00:49:37.460 himself 00:49:37.460 --> 00:49:39.380 for you 00:49:39.380 --> 00:49:41.880 that you 00:49:41.880 --> 00:49:42.340 might be 00:49:42.340 --> 00:49:42.800 saved 00:49:42.800 --> 00:49:44.960 for 00:49:44.960 --> 00:49:45.480 eternity 00:49:45.480 --> 00:49:47.260 with him. 00:49:48.540 --> 00:49:49.080 In just a 00:49:49.080 --> 00:49:49.460 moment, the 00:49:49.460 --> 00:49:50.000 band's going to 00:49:50.000 --> 00:49:50.580 come back up 00:49:50.580 --> 00:49:51.200 on stage. 00:49:51.960 --> 00:49:52.480 We're going to 00:49:52.480 --> 00:49:52.940 go into a 00:49:52.940 --> 00:49:53.380 time of 00:49:53.380 --> 00:49:54.120 response and 00:49:54.120 --> 00:49:54.440 time to 00:49:54.440 --> 00:49:54.720 worship. 00:49:56.020 --> 00:49:56.520 We'll be 00:49:56.520 --> 00:49:57.160 preparing our 00:49:57.160 --> 00:49:57.700 hearts for 00:49:57.700 --> 00:49:58.420 partaking in 00:49:58.420 --> 00:49:58.920 the Lord's 00:49:58.920 --> 00:49:59.160 Supper 00:49:59.160 --> 00:50:00.080 together. 00:50:01.100 --> 00:50:02.200 I encourage 00:50:02.200 --> 00:50:03.840 you to 00:50:03.840 --> 00:50:04.280 take this 00:50:04.280 --> 00:50:04.980 time to 00:50:04.980 --> 00:50:06.300 worship and 00:50:06.300 --> 00:50:06.720 to praise 00:50:06.720 --> 00:50:07.020 him, 00:50:07.860 --> 00:50:08.980 to take 00:50:08.980 --> 00:50:09.720 this time to 00:50:09.720 --> 00:50:10.280 come before 00:50:10.280 --> 00:50:10.760 him and 00:50:10.760 --> 00:50:12.060 confess sin 00:50:12.060 --> 00:50:13.880 that you've 00:50:13.880 --> 00:50:14.200 stored, 00:50:14.320 --> 00:50:14.680 that you've 00:50:14.680 --> 00:50:15.380 held precious 00:50:15.380 --> 00:50:15.840 in your 00:50:15.840 --> 00:50:16.600 heart, 00:50:17.600 --> 00:50:18.800 time to do 00:50:18.800 --> 00:50:19.140 as he's 00:50:19.140 --> 00:50:19.640 commanded us 00:50:19.640 --> 00:50:20.080 to, to 00:50:20.080 --> 00:50:20.860 forgive others 00:50:20.860 --> 00:50:21.160 that have 00:50:21.160 --> 00:50:21.920 hurt us, 00:50:22.000 --> 00:50:22.280 that have 00:50:22.280 --> 00:50:23.060 wronged us, 00:50:23.780 --> 00:50:24.620 as we 00:50:24.620 --> 00:50:25.120 acknowledge 00:50:25.120 --> 00:50:25.480 what he 00:50:25.480 --> 00:50:27.080 did for 00:50:27.080 --> 00:50:29.280 a group of 00:50:29.280 --> 00:50:30.200 idol-worshiping 00:50:30.200 --> 00:50:30.560 rebels. 00:50:31.660 --> 00:50:32.640 He died on 00:50:32.640 --> 00:50:34.380 the cross so 00:50:34.380 --> 00:50:34.940 that we might 00:50:34.940 --> 00:50:35.480 be saved. 00:50:36.220 --> 00:50:36.480 Would you 00:50:36.480 --> 00:50:36.920 pray with me? 00:50:39.380 --> 00:50:40.380 God, what a 00:50:40.380 --> 00:50:44.420 joy it is to 00:50:44.420 --> 00:50:46.160 see, to be 00:50:46.160 --> 00:50:47.820 reminded of, and 00:50:47.820 --> 00:50:49.040 to experience the 00:50:49.040 --> 00:50:49.820 faithfulness, 00:50:50.560 --> 00:50:51.020 Lord, of who 00:50:51.020 --> 00:50:51.600 you are. 00:50:53.600 --> 00:50:54.580 God, I 00:50:54.580 --> 00:50:55.000 thank you. 00:50:56.600 --> 00:50:57.340 What we can 00:50:57.340 --> 00:50:57.960 begin to 00:50:57.960 --> 00:50:58.860 understand is 00:50:58.860 --> 00:50:59.220 that you're 00:50:59.220 --> 00:51:00.120 not just a 00:51:00.120 --> 00:51:02.760 God who 00:51:02.760 --> 00:51:03.520 saves from, 00:51:04.840 --> 00:51:05.740 but God, 00:51:05.820 --> 00:51:06.240 you're a God 00:51:06.240 --> 00:51:06.680 that saves 00:51:06.680 --> 00:51:07.020 through. 00:51:09.780 --> 00:51:10.080 You've got 00:51:10.080 --> 00:51:10.540 Shadrach, 00:51:10.640 --> 00:51:11.100 Meshach, 00:51:11.180 --> 00:51:11.760 and Abednego. 00:51:12.820 --> 00:51:13.540 They walked 00:51:13.540 --> 00:51:14.420 out of that 00:51:14.420 --> 00:51:17.640 furnace with 00:51:17.640 --> 00:51:18.300 a testimony, 00:51:19.440 --> 00:51:20.000 with a 00:51:20.000 --> 00:51:20.660 story, 00:51:21.680 --> 00:51:22.200 with a 00:51:22.200 --> 00:51:23.420 truth of 00:51:23.420 --> 00:51:23.840 of who 00:51:23.840 --> 00:51:24.540 you are 00:51:24.540 --> 00:51:27.920 and what 00:51:27.920 --> 00:51:28.240 you had 00:51:28.240 --> 00:51:28.620 done. 00:51:31.420 --> 00:51:32.060 They 00:51:32.060 --> 00:51:32.300 couldn't 00:51:32.300 --> 00:51:32.720 reason 00:51:32.720 --> 00:51:33.400 themselves 00:51:33.400 --> 00:51:34.640 from the 00:51:34.640 --> 00:51:35.060 flames. 00:51:36.060 --> 00:51:36.760 They 00:51:36.760 --> 00:51:37.560 couldn't hide 00:51:37.560 --> 00:51:38.160 themselves 00:51:38.160 --> 00:51:39.000 from the 00:51:39.000 --> 00:51:39.420 flames. 00:51:40.520 --> 00:51:41.260 They could 00:51:41.260 --> 00:51:41.940 not save 00:51:41.940 --> 00:51:42.520 themselves 00:51:42.520 --> 00:51:43.240 from the 00:51:43.240 --> 00:51:43.600 flame. 00:51:46.000 --> 00:51:46.620 So, 00:51:46.680 --> 00:51:46.860 Jesus, 00:51:47.020 --> 00:51:48.000 you came 00:51:48.000 --> 00:51:49.540 and you 00:51:49.540 --> 00:51:50.020 stepped 00:51:50.020 --> 00:51:50.580 into 00:51:50.580 --> 00:51:52.420 their world, 00:51:53.420 --> 00:51:55.200 into that 00:51:55.200 --> 00:51:55.720 fire, 00:51:56.560 --> 00:51:58.380 and you 00:51:58.380 --> 00:51:59.220 walked with 00:51:59.220 --> 00:51:59.540 them, 00:52:00.120 --> 00:52:01.580 and you 00:52:01.580 --> 00:52:02.360 encouraged 00:52:02.360 --> 00:52:02.760 them, 00:52:03.760 --> 00:52:04.540 and you 00:52:04.540 --> 00:52:05.440 spoke with 00:52:05.440 --> 00:52:05.780 them, 00:52:06.340 --> 00:52:07.540 and you 00:52:07.540 --> 00:52:08.480 saved them. 00:52:13.280 --> 00:52:14.320 and now 00:52:14.320 --> 00:52:15.140 their story 00:52:15.140 --> 00:52:17.880 is not 00:52:17.880 --> 00:52:18.560 a story 00:52:18.560 --> 00:52:18.760 of 00:52:18.760 --> 00:52:19.560 Nebuchadnezzar. 00:52:21.100 --> 00:52:21.740 It's not 00:52:21.740 --> 00:52:22.640 a story 00:52:22.640 --> 00:52:24.140 about 00:52:24.140 --> 00:52:25.020 Shadrach, 00:52:25.400 --> 00:52:26.240 about 00:52:26.240 --> 00:52:27.080 Meshach, 00:52:28.120 --> 00:52:28.440 about 00:52:28.440 --> 00:52:28.980 Abednego, 00:52:29.980 --> 00:52:30.840 but it's 00:52:30.840 --> 00:52:31.680 a story 00:52:31.680 --> 00:52:34.240 of you. 00:52:36.800 --> 00:52:37.380 You 00:52:37.380 --> 00:52:38.360 are a 00:52:38.360 --> 00:52:38.760 God 00:52:38.760 --> 00:52:39.480 who 00:52:39.480 --> 00:52:39.940 saves. 00:52:41.820 --> 00:52:42.300 And you 00:52:42.300 --> 00:52:42.800 came, 00:52:43.880 --> 00:52:44.220 and you 00:52:44.220 --> 00:52:44.720 gave your 00:52:44.720 --> 00:52:45.180 body 00:52:45.180 --> 00:52:46.340 on a 00:52:46.340 --> 00:52:46.800 cross, 00:52:47.480 --> 00:52:48.240 and took 00:52:48.240 --> 00:52:48.960 the punishment 00:52:48.960 --> 00:52:49.900 that we 00:52:49.900 --> 00:52:50.460 deserve. 00:52:52.560 --> 00:52:53.100 And through 00:52:53.100 --> 00:52:53.640 the spilling 00:52:53.640 --> 00:52:53.980 of your 00:52:53.980 --> 00:52:54.500 blood, 00:52:55.700 --> 00:52:56.260 those who 00:52:56.260 --> 00:52:56.520 put our 00:52:56.520 --> 00:52:56.960 faith and 00:52:56.960 --> 00:52:57.320 hope and 00:52:57.320 --> 00:52:57.820 trust in 00:52:57.820 --> 00:52:58.060 you, 00:52:58.840 --> 00:52:59.640 our sins 00:52:59.640 --> 00:53:00.320 are forgiven, 00:53:01.220 --> 00:53:01.660 and we're 00:53:01.660 --> 00:53:02.460 made clean, 00:53:02.960 --> 00:53:03.340 and we're 00:53:03.340 --> 00:53:04.060 made new, 00:53:04.600 --> 00:53:05.080 and we're 00:53:05.080 --> 00:53:06.020 saved, 00:53:06.460 --> 00:53:07.540 not just 00:53:07.540 --> 00:53:08.380 for a 00:53:08.380 --> 00:53:08.800 moment, 00:53:09.440 --> 00:53:10.260 but for 00:53:10.260 --> 00:53:10.800 eternity. 00:53:16.120 --> 00:53:16.720 Lord, 00:53:16.840 --> 00:53:17.240 do in 00:53:17.240 --> 00:53:17.680 us 00:53:17.680 --> 00:53:19.340 what only 00:53:19.340 --> 00:53:19.760 you could 00:53:19.760 --> 00:53:20.020 do. 00:53:21.360 --> 00:53:21.880 May we 00:53:21.880 --> 00:53:22.340 glorify 00:53:22.340 --> 00:53:22.740 you. 00:53:24.400 --> 00:53:24.760 It's in 00:53:24.760 --> 00:53:25.200 Jesus' name 00:53:25.200 --> 00:53:25.540 I pray. 00:53:27.120 --> 00:53:27.480 Amen. 00:53:30.640 --> 00:53:31.380 That's it 00:53:31.380 --> 00:53:31.740 for this 00:53:31.740 --> 00:53:32.080 week's 00:53:32.080 --> 00:53:32.500 message. 00:53:33.040 --> 00:53:33.300 Be sure 00:53:33.300 --> 00:53:33.620 to check 00:53:33.620 --> 00:53:34.220 back next 00:53:34.220 --> 00:53:34.620 week for 00:53:34.620 --> 00:53:34.880 a new 00:53:34.880 --> 00:53:35.300 episode. 00:53:35.920 --> 00:53:36.080 And in 00:53:36.080 --> 00:53:36.640 the meantime, 00:53:36.900 --> 00:53:37.140 you can 00:53:37.140 --> 00:53:37.580 visit us 00:53:37.580 --> 00:53:38.440 online at 00:53:38.440 --> 00:53:40.080 willowridgechurch.org 00:53:40.080 --> 00:53:40.860 or by 00:53:40.860 --> 00:53:41.380 searching for 00:53:41.380 --> 00:53:41.800 Willow Ridge 00:53:41.800 --> 00:53:42.480 Church on 00:53:42.480 --> 00:53:42.940 Facebook, 00:53:43.280 --> 00:53:43.720 Instagram, 00:53:44.020 --> 00:53:44.500 and YouTube. 00:53:44.960 --> 00:53:45.460 Thanks again 00:53:45.460 --> 00:53:45.900 for listening.