Daniel 3:14-15 (NLT)
Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? 15 I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. 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?”
Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? 15 I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. 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 (NLT)
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.”
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.”
Daniel 3:19 (NLT)
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.
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.
Daniel 3:22 (NLT)
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,
Jeremiah 25:8 - 9, 11(NIV)
Therefore the Lord Almighty says this: “Because you have not listened to my words, 9I will summon all the peoples of the north and my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon,” declares the Lord, “and I will bring them against this land and its inhabitants and against all the surrounding nations … and these nations will serve the king of Babylon seventy years.
FAITH IN GOD IS NOT FAITH IN OUTCOMES
Daniel 3:16 - 18 (NLT)
… they 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. 18But 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.”
… they 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. 18But 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.”
FOUR LESSONS FROM THE FURNACE
1. THE FURNACE IS INEVITABLE
John 16:33 (NIV)
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
2. THE FURNACE REFINES US
The Triangle of Spiritual Transformation is Composed Of:
(a) The Action of the Holy Spirit
(b) The Fiery Furnaces’s of life.
(c)Your Response Through Spiritual Disciplines
ACTIVITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Philippians 2:13 (NLT)
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
Romans 8:10 (NLT)
. . . the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God.
. . . the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God.
ORDINARY EVENTS OF LIFE (FIERY FURNACES)
James 1:2 - 4 (NLT)
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
PLANNED DISCIPLINE (PUT ON THE NEW LIFE)
“A discipline is any activity within our power that we engage in to enable us to do what we cannot do by direct effort.” ~ Dallas Willard
Daniel 3:24 (NLT)
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.
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.
Daniel 3:25 (NLT)
“Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men …
“Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men …
YOU’RE NEVER ALONE IN THE FURNACE
Matthew 28:20 (NLT)
Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
THE FURNACE DOESN'T BURN YOU - IT BURNS OFF WHAT BOUND YOU
Daniel 3:25 (NLT)
“Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god.
“Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god.