06-15: The Power of Commitment (Part 2)
Audio Version
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Thank you for joining us for worship today! We're diving back into Daniel 3 as we continue to look at the power of committing ourselves to serving and worshipping the Lord God.
Resources:
: The Bible Project :: https://www.bibleproject.com
: YouVersion Bible App :: https://www.bible.com
Daniel 3:16-18
[16] Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. [17] If the God whom we serve exists, then He is able to deliver us from the blazing fiery furnace and from your hand, O king. [18] But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up.”
Notes:
*Notes are slides used on Sunday morning made available for your personal notes and study.
Subject: Every person at some point in his or her life commits to something. A commitment to something good or bad is still a commitment.
1. The influence of their parents.
2. The influence of friends.
3. The influence of the prophet Jeremiah.
1. Our Commitment Causes a Reaction:
Test # 1: Responding to jealously and false accusations.
Test # 2 Our motives are called into question.
Test # 3. Our commitment causes a reaction of anger and rejection.
Test # 4 When we face severe treatment.
2. Commitment Brings Resolve:
A. God is able to deliver us—Trusting God’s power.
B. God will deliver us—Trusting God’s sovereignty.
C. But if not—Trusting God’s faithfulness in a trial. God may choose not to deliver.
3. Commitment Produces Respect:
Nebuchadnezzar’s Testimony:
“Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who put their trust in Him, violating the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies so as not to serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore. I make a decree that any people, nation or tongue that speaks anything offensive against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego shall be torn limb from limb and their houses reduced to a rubbish heap, inasmuch as there is no other god who is able to deliver in this way” (3:28-29).
In chapter 4:34-37 Nebuchadnezzar wrote his personal testimony of his life changing experience with the God of Daniel and these three committed men!
“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways, just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride.”
APPLICATIONS
There are three phases of our trials:
1. The announcement or the time of anxiety of the execution—Jesus was not seen there.
2. The anticipation while the furnace was heated seven times hotter—Jesus did not appear then.
3. The adversity or fire of the trial—Jesus was with them. Jesus appears brightest when the test is at its worst.
