Centennial Park Baptist Church – Sunday September 27th, 2009 – 10:30am

 

IF YOU DON’T BOW…YOU WON’T BURN

 

Daniel Chapter 3

 

King Nebuchadnezzar’s Golden Image

 

It’s Prominence – 90 feet tall – vs. 1

 

It’s Purpose – To unite the Kingdom of Babylon religiously – vs. 2-7

 

 

1.         Choice # 1:  Choose FORGIVENESS or resentment – vs. 8-12

 

 

“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”  Ephesians 4:32

 

 

Daniel 3: 16-18 -  Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

 

 

2.         Choice # 2: Choose CONVICTION over convenience – vs. 13-18

 

           

The Biblical conviction of the 3 Hebrews came from Exodus 20: 4-5

 

           

Absolute COMMITMENT to God

 

 

            Absolute CONFIDENCE in God

 

 

            Absolute COURAGE from God

 

 

 

Daniel 3: 24-25 - Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, "Weren't there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?" They replied, "Certainly, O king." 25 He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods."

 

 

 

3.        Choice # 3 – Choose the PRESENCE of God over the promise of men – vs. 19-25

 

 

Isaiah 43:2 - When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;  and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;  the flames will not set you ablaze.

 

 

When we are in the hottest furnace of our trials, we are more conscious of the Lord’s presence than at any other time.

 

 

4.         Choice # 4 – Choose CHRIST above all

 

 

For to Me, To Live is Christ, and To Die is Gain – Philippians 1:21

 

 

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