Daniel 3 Dare to be Devoted - Revision history

Wakefien: /* God will never leave the side of his devotees (24-25). */

2024-01-11T18:12:03Z

‎God will never leave the side of his devotees (24-25).

Wakefien: /* Devotion to God is contagious (24-30). */

2024-01-08T18:13:55Z

‎Devotion to God is contagious (24-30).

Wakefien: /* Devotion to God demands submission (16-23). */

2024-01-08T18:09:19Z

‎Devotion to God demands submission (16-23).

Wakefien: /* Devotion to God stands out (1-15) */

2024-01-08T18:09:07Z

‎Devotion to God stands out (1-15)

Wakefien: /* Image: An Old Miner */

2024-01-08T18:06:53Z

‎Image: An Old Miner

Wakefien at 18:06, 8 January 2024

2024-01-08T18:06:09Z

Wakefien: /* Devotion to God is contagious (24-30). */

2023-12-21T18:10:04Z

‎Devotion to God is contagious (24-30).

Wakefien: /* Devotion to God demands submission (16-23). */

2023-12-21T17:42:44Z

‎Devotion to God demands submission (16-23).

Wakefien: /* God alone is worthy of worship and some will not understand (13-15). */

2023-12-21T17:27:04Z

‎God alone is worthy of worship and some will not understand (13-15).

Wakefien: /* Devotion to God demands submission (16-23). */

2023-12-21T17:23:01Z

‎Devotion to God demands submission (16-23).

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 The entire narrative of verses 24-25 is written to convey great surprise and alarm. Nebuchadnezzar leaps to his feet. The question , “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?” is likely far less a question and more a statement of complete surprise. Things are not as expected, not as they should be. Three items are surprising. First, there are men walking around in the midst of the fire, that doesn't happen on a normal day. Second, 1+1+1=4 not 3, also not something that happens on a normal day. Finally, the fourth person looks different.
-Theologians have debated who this fourth person was with some thinking this is an instance of the reincarnate Christ making an appearance. This might be the case but it also might just be an angel, really it doesn't matter. What matters is the simple fact that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were not left alone by God. We serve a God who will never leave or forsake us. God has provided us with his indwelling Holy Spirit and we can be confident that the God never leaves our side.
+Theologians have debated who this fourth person was with some thinking this is an instance of the preincarnate Christ making an appearance. This might be the case but it also might just be an angel, really it doesn't matter. What matters is the simple fact that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were not left alone by God. We serve a God who will never leave or forsake us. God has provided us with his indwelling Holy Spirit and we can be confident that the God never leaves our side.
 ===God will receive glory through his devotees (26-30).===

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 ===MTR: Look at your life and identify areas where God is calling you to submit as you bring your requests before God.===
-==Devotion to God is contagious (24-30).==
+==Devotion to God is ''contagious'' (24-30).==
 Let's look at verses 24-30
 <blockquote>

@@ Line 77: / Line 77: @@
 The response that our three godly men give is nothing short of extraordinary. The response demonstrates they understood an important principle.
-==Devotion to God demands submission (16-23).==
+==Devotion to God demands ''submission'' (16-23).==
 Let's read through verses 16-23.

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 My first point from this text is that
-==Devotion to God stands out (1-15)==
+==Devotion to God ''stands'' ''out'' (1-15)==
 We all know that God is worthy of our worship. However, that does not mean there are not other opportunities to worship idols. You see,

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 </blockquote>
+This is what devotion looks like, this is what is means to really trust God.
 ==Setting the Stage:==

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 '''Homiletical Proposition/Application: Determine to worship God alone regardless of the cost.'''
-=Introduction:=
+=Introduction: Memory Verse - Daniel 2:18=
-==Image: ==
+<blockquote>

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 ==Devotion to God is contagious (24-30).==
 ===God will never leave the side of his devotees (24-25).===
 ===God will receive glory through his devotees (26-30).===
-===Image: ===
 ===MTR: Be on the lookout for God by your side and make sure to point Him out to others.===
 [[Category:Sermons]]

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 Let's read through verses 16-23.
 <blockquote>
-Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King 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 deliver us from it, and he will deliver us[c] from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
+Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King 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 deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
 Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual 20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. 22 The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, 23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.
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 The statement "we do not need to defend ourselves to you in this matter" is profound. Their confidence and their identity is completely in God. So much so that they do not even seek to defend themselves. Honestly, as I was writing out my thoughts I was struck here. I wish that my identity was so wrapped up in God that I felt no need to defend myself. So often when someone criticizes me or makes some comment about me I feel the need to defend myself. No! If what I did was from God then why do I even feel the need to defend myself? Instead we should allow God, should he choose, to defend us.
 ===Those who are devoted to God submit to God's protection (16-17).===

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 ===God alone is worthy of worship and some will not understand (13-15).===
-Nebuchadnezzar is furious in verse 13. He has been embarrassed in front of the kingdom. But at the same time, he seems to calm down really fast. I personally find the entire interaction in verses 13-15 to be hilarious. Nebuchadnezzar is furious, calms down and I can almost picture him calmly asking, is it true? Surely not, no one would be so foolish. Okay, you must be confused so let me spell this out to you.
+Nebuchadnezzar is furious in verse 13. He has been embarrassed in front of the kingdom. But at the same time, he seems to calm down really fast. I personally find the entire interaction in verses 13-15 to be hilarious. Nebuchadnezzar is furious, calms down and I can almost picture him calmly asking, is it true? Surely not, no one would be so foolish. Okay, you must be confused so let me spell this out to you. In the chapter Nebuchadnezzar is the only character who is not static, his emotions change and his stance changes
 The end of verse 15 is telling, "what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?" Nebuchadnezzar has now finally revealed his true perspective. Guys get in line and do what I told you, don't you realize that I am over everything including the gods. Really, what Nebuchadnezzar has done is challenge any god to a battle.  Nebuchadnezzar clearly does not understand.

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:23, 21 December 2023
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	==Devotion to God demands submission (16-23).==		==Devotion to God demands submission (16-23).==
		+
		+	Let's read through verses 16-23.
		+	<blockquote>
		+	16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King 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 deliver us from it, and he will deliver us[c] from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
		+
		+	19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual 20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. 22 The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, 23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.
		+	</blockquote>

	The statement "we do not need to defend ourselves to you in this matter" is profound. Their confidence and their identity is completely in God. So much so that they do not even seek to defend themselves. Honestly, as I was writing out my thoughts I was struck here. I wish that my identity was so wrapped up in God that I felt no need to defend myself. So often when someone criticizes me or makes some comment about me I feel the need to defend myself. No! If what I did was from God then why do I even feel the need to defend myself? Instead we should allow God, should he choose, to defend us.		The statement "we do not need to defend ourselves to you in this matter" is profound. Their confidence and their identity is completely in God. So much so that they do not even seek to defend themselves. Honestly, as I was writing out my thoughts I was struck here. I wish that my identity was so wrapped up in God that I felt no need to defend myself. So often when someone criticizes me or makes some comment about me I feel the need to defend myself. No! If what I did was from God then why do I even feel the need to defend myself? Instead we should allow God, should he choose, to defend us.