Even If He Doesn’t

Sermon Notes

[Daniel 3:1-6] King Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue ninety feet tall and nine feet wide and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. [2] Then he sent messages to the high officers, officials, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the provincial officials to come to the dedication of the statue he had set up. [3] So all these officials came and stood before the statue King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. [4] Then a herald shouted out, "People of all races and nations and languages, listen to the king's command! [5] When you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments, bow to the ground to worship King Nebuchadnezzar's gold statue. [6] Anyone who refuses to obey will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace."

Don't bow down to the IDOLS of this world.

[Daniel 3:16-18] Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. [17] If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. [18] But even if he doesn't, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up."

We may not know God's WILL, but we do know God's POWER.

We can still love God even if the MIRACLE doesn't come.

[Daniel 3:24-25] But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, "Didn't we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?" "Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did," they replied. [25] "Look!" Nebuchadnezzar shouted. "I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!"

Our faith should be in God's ABILITY not in our desired RESULT.

[Daniel 3:29] Therefore, I make this decree: If any people, whatever their race or nation or language, speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they will be torn limb from limb, and their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble. There is no other god who can rescue like this!" 

God is always with us in our STRUGGLES.

[John 16:33] I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."

God doesn't always DELIVER us from the fire but He will take us THROUGH it.

God will use your fiery furnace to bring FREEDOM.