Daniel: Thriving in a Modern-Day Babylon: Part 3 A Fiery Test

A Fiery Test
Daniel 3

Daniel 3:7 “So at the sound of the musical instruments, all the people, whatever their race or nation or
language, bowed to the ground and worshiped the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.”

1. Worship is war.
Exodus 20:3-4 “You must not have any other god but me. “You must not make for yourself an idol of any
kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to
them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection
for any other gods.”

Jon Piper “Anything that we come to rely on for some blessing, or help, or guidance in the place of a
wholehearted reliance on the true and living God.”

1 John 2:15-17 “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do
not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving
for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father,
but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But
anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.”

Daniel 3:8-12 “But some of the astrologers went to the king and informed on the Jews. They said to King
Nebuchadnezzar, “Long live the king! You issued a decree requiring all the people to bow down and
worship the gold statue when they hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other
musical instruments. That decree also states that those who refuse to obey must be thrown into a blazing
furnace. But there are some Jews—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—whom you have put in charge of
the province of Babylon. They pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They refuse to serve your gods and
do not worship the gold statue you have set up.”

Daniel 3:15 “But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what
god will be able to rescue you from my power?”

Daniel 3:16-18 “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 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. 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.”

2. Trust that God can, and expect that he will save you from the fire.
Matthew 6:25-30 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough
food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?
Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds
them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment
to your life? “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They
don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they
are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire
tomorrow, he will certainly care for you.”

3. Stay faithful, even if he doesn’t remove you from the flames.
Daniel 3:18 “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.”

Daniel 3:19-23 “Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face
became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual.
Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and
throw them into the blazing furnace. So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully dressed
in their pants, turbans, robes, and other garments. And because the king, in his anger, had demanded
such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in. So Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames.”

James 1:12 “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive
the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

4. If he’s not Lord of all, then he’s not Lord at all.
Revelation 19:19 “And if anyone removes any of the words from this book of prophecy, God will remove
that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book.”

Daniel 3:24-27 “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. “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire
unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!” Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door
of the flaming furnace and shouted: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God,
come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire. Then the high

officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched
them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell
of smoke!”

1 Peter 4:12-13 “Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something
strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in
his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the
world.”

Revelation 7:9-11 (NIV) “After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no-one could
count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the
Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out
in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” All the angels
were standing round the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on
their faces before the throne and worshipped God.”