STANDING FIRM IN THE FIRE

Daniel 3:1-30

King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of

gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide,

and set it up on the plain of Dura in the

province of Babylon. 2 He then summoned

the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers,

treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the

other provincial officials to come to the

dedication of the image he had set up.

Daniel 3:1-30

3 So the satraps, prefects, governors,

advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates

and all the other provincial officials

assembled for the dedication of the image

that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up,

and they stood before it. 4 Then the herald

loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples

of every language, this is what you are

Daniel 3:1-30

commanded to do: 5 As soon as you hear

the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre,

harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you

must fall down and worship the image of

gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set

up. 6 Whoever does not fall down and

worship will immediately be thrown into a

blazing furnace.”

Daniel 3:1-30

7 Therefore, as soon as they heard the

sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp

and all kinds of music, all the nations and

peoples of every language fell down and

worshiped the image of gold that King

Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 8 At this time

some astrologers came forward and

denounced the Jews.

Daniel 3:1-30

9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar,

“May the king live forever! 10 Your Majesty

has issued a decree that everyone who

hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither,

lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music

must fall down and worship the image of

gold, 11 and that whoever does not fall

down and worship will be thrown into a

Daniel 3:1-30

blazing furnace. 12 But there are some

Jews whom you have set over the affairs

of the province of Babylon—Shadrach,

Meshach and Abednego—who pay no

attention to you, Your Majesty. They

neither serve your gods nor worship the

image of gold you have set up.” 13 Furious

with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned

Daniel 3:1-30

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So

these men were brought before the king,14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it

true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego,

that you do not serve my gods or worship

the image of gold I have set up? 15 Now

when you hear the sound of the horn,

flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds

Daniel 3:1-30

of music, if you are ready to fall down and

worship the image I made, very good. But

if you do not worship it, you will be thrown

immediately into a blazing furnace. Then

what god will be able to rescue you from

my hand?” 16 Shadrach, Meshach and

Abednego replied to him, “King

Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to

Daniel 3:1-30

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

Daniel 3:1-30

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

Daniel 3:1-30

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.

Daniel 3:1-30

24 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, Your Majesty.” 25 He

said, “Look! I see four men walking

around in the fire, unbound and

unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son

Daniel 3:1-30

of the gods.” 26 Nebuchadnezzar then

approached the opening of the blazing

furnace and shouted, “Shadrach,

Meshach and Abednego, servants of the

Most High God, come out! Come here!”

So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego

came out of the fire, 27 and the satraps,

prefects, governors and royal advisers

Daniel 3:1-30

crowded around them. They saw that the

fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was

a hair of their heads singed; their robes

were not scorched, and there was no

smell of fire on them. 28 Then

Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the

God of Shadrach, Meshach and

Abednego, who has sent his angel and

Daniel 3:1-30

rescued his servants! They trusted in him

and defied the king’s command and were

willing to give up their lives rather than

serve or worship any god except their own

God. 29 Therefore I decree that the people

of any nation or language who say

anything against the God of Shadrach,

Meshach and Abednego be cut into

Daniel 3:1-30

pieces and their houses be turned into

piles of rubble, for no other god can save

in this way.” 30 Then the king promoted

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the

province of Babylon.

MANILA, Philippines - A woman jumped to her death

at SM Megamall on Monday morning, October 24,

after she posted a video of her kissing her girlfriend

on Facebook. The woman identified as Jessa Lojo,

18, and a freshman BS Physical Education student of

Rizal Technological University (RTU) died in just few

minutes after the mall opened today. Reports said that

she found sprawled on the mall's Upper Ground floor

after she allegedly jumped from the fifth floor of

Megamall's Building B in an apparent suicide.

The girl who suffered major injuries on her head was

rushed to the nearest hospital, Medical City, but was

declared dead on arrival, the Mandaluyong City police

chief Senior Superintendent Joaquin Alva told

Inquirer.

Based on the initial findings of the Mandaluyong City

police’s station investigation unit, they said that Lojo

committed suicide as she was reprimanded by her

aunt on Sunday due to posting of a video kissing her

minor girlfriend on Facebook.

The incident today was the second time a suicide was

committed at a popular mall in Mandaluyong this year.

On February 14, lesbian Madonna Guanzon, 48, fell

to her death near the Building B elevator after she

jumped from the fifth floor of the mall. Investigation

said the cause of her repugnant decision was

jealousy.

Jessa Lojo

MANILA, Philippines - The De La Salle University

(DLSU) has confirmed death of a student inside the

Taft campus on Tuesday, October 25. The official

student publication of DLSU, The LaSallian, posted on

Twitter the statement from the Office of Strategic

Communication executive director Johannes Badillo.

“De La Salle University would like to confirm an

incident involving a student inside the University

premises today, October 25, 2016. School officials are

currently cooperating with investigators and the

student’s family members on the matter. The

University would like to request for everyone to

respect the privacy of the family during this time.” In a

report from Manila Bulletin, the female accountancy

student died after falling from the 20th floor of the

Brother Andrew Gonzales Hall.

Separate reports said that the girl of still

undetermined identity and age either fell or was

pushed off to her death at the staircase. Some also

claimed that the girl committed suicide due to bad

grades. Citing reports from students who allegedly

witnessed the incident, “there were people fighting

then she took her shoes off before climbing the railing.

Midway to the fall, she tried grabbing onto the railing.

This caused her arm to get ripped off.”

On Tuesday, officers from the PNP Crime Laboratory

have arrived and were stationed outside the Fidel

Reyes entrance of Andrew Hall.

The LaSallian added: "Security officers and

STRATCOM are unable to comment on the matter as

of press time due to ongoing investigations."

1 Peter 1:7

These trials will show that your faith is

genuine. It is being tested as fire tests

and purifies gold--though your faith is far

more precious than mere gold. So when

your faith remains strong through many

trials, it will bring you much praise and

glory and honor on the day when Jesus

Christ is revealed to the whole world.

John 16:33

33 “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.”

A faith that’s tested is

a faith that can be trusted.

A faith that can be trusted is

a faith that is founded in Christ.

Shanghai, China

Shanghai, China

Trials come to everyone. It comes to

the believers so that they would come

to Jesus and be like Him. It also

comes to the non-believers so that

they would get to know Jesus.

Trials and tests are not God’s way of

judging us. They are God’s way of

showing His love and grace.

Trials and tests reveal

what is in our heart.

Deuteronomy 8:2

Remember how the LORD your God led

you all the way in the wilderness these

forty years, to humble and test you in

order to know what was in your heart,

whether or not you would keep his

commands.

Every time we undergo through trials,

we are being put to fire and every thing

that is not pleasing to Him will be

burned.

The biggest issue in our hearts

is the issue of IDOLATRY.

Daniel 3:19-20

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.

You know that it is your IDOL when you

can’t laugh about it, you get mad when

corrected, and you protect it to the

point of death.

God wants to get rid of all our IDOLS.

Idolatry has been reigning in our hearts

in many forms.

God doesn’t tests our faith so that He

can judge us, but so He could show

His love and grace.

Daniel 3:4-6

4 Then a herald shouted out, “People of all

races and nations and languages, listen

to the king’s command! 5 When you hear

the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre,

harp, pipes, and other musical

instruments, bow to the ground to

worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s gold

statue.

Daniel 3:4-6

6 Anyone who refuses to obey will

immediately be thrown into a blazing

furnace.”

Most of the time, we glorify our pain

instead of glorifying God.

THREE QUALITIES OF

STANDING IN FAITH

Faith obeys God instead of

following man.

Daniel 3:16

16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego

replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we

do not need to defend ourselves before

you in this matter.

When you stand firm to obey God,

you don’t have to defend or explain

yourself.

Obedience may cost you

inconvenience but in the end

it will all be worth it---even more.

If you’re committed to serving God

Satan will give you ample

opportunities to compromise your

commitment.

When you decide on the major

things, the minor things will follow.

Faith obeys God

instead of following man.

Faith believes in spite of what it

sees.

Daniel 3:17

17 If we are thrown into the blazingfurnace, the God whom we serve is ableto save us. He will rescue us from yourpower, Your Majesty

No matter what we see,

our faith says God is

willing and able!

Ephesians 3:14-21

14 For this reason I kneel before theFather, 15 from whom every family inheaven and on earth derives its name. 16 Ipray that out of his glorious riches he maystrengthen you with power through hisSpirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christmay dwell in your hearts through faith.And I pray that you, being rooted andestablished in love, 18 may have power,together with all the Lord’s holy people, to

Ephesians 3:14-21

grasp how wide and long and high anddeep is the love of Christ, 19 and to knowthis love that surpasses knowledge—thatyou may be filled to the measure of all thefullness of God. 20 Now to him who is ableto do immeasurably more than all we askor imagine, according to his power that isat work within us,

Willing and able to do exceedingly

and abundantly more!

Faith doesn’t have to see,

it only requires you to believe.

Every miracle is fueled by an

intense and unwavering faith.

But what if God doesn’t do what

I’m believing for him to do?

Daniel 3:17-18

17 If we are thrown into the blazingfurnace, the God whom we serve is ableto save us. He will rescue us from yourpower, Your Majesty 18 But even if [God]doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you,Your Majesty, that we will never serveyour gods or worship the gold statue youhave set up.”

Faith doesn’t mean you get what

you want, it means joyfully

accepting what God’s will is.

Every miracle is fueled by an

intense and unwavering faith.

Job 42:5

My ears had heard of you but now my eyes

have seen you.

Faithful obedience is our responsibility.

The outcome is God’s.

Daniel 3:18

18 But even if [God] 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.”

God requires a consistent and

faithful obedience no matter what

the results will be.

Daniel 3:24-25

24 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, Your Majesty.” 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.”

God reveals his power in many

places but you’ll know his

presence best in the fire!

Daniel 3:27

27 and the satraps, prefects, governors

and royal advisers crowded around them.

They saw that the fire had not harmed

their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads

singed; their robes were not scorched,

and there was no smell of fire on them.

You will never see any battle scar

on those people that went through

the fire with Jesus. That’s how

perfect His victory is.

Daniel 3:24-25

24 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, Your Majesty.” 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.”

Jesus stayed in the fire to

remind you that He will always

be with you as you go through

the fire.

28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be

to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and

Abednego, who has sent his angel and

rescued his servants! They trusted in him

and defied the king’s command and were

willing to give up their lives rather than

serve or worship any god except their own

God.

Dan 3:28 NIV

Don’t lose heart. Don’t give up.

People are looking at you as you go

through trials. Your testimony

might lead them to know Christ.

BABYLONIAN NAME MEANING

SHADRACH

Means "command of Aku" in

Akkadian, Aku being the name

of the Babylonian god of the

moon.

MESHACH

Means "who is what Aku is?" in

Akkadian, Aku being the name

of the Babylonian god of the

moon.

ABEDNEGOMeans "servant of Nebo" in

Akkadian, Nebo being the

Babylonian god of wisdom.

ORIGINAL NAME MEANING

HANANIAH Yahweh is gracious.

MISHAEL Who is like the Lord?

AZARIAH Yahweh has helped.

As we go through the fire, God will

always be gracious, He will always

be the Lord who is in control, and

He will always help.

Job 23:10

But he knows the way that I take; when he

has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

CONCLUSION

FAITHWORKS CHRISTIAN CHURCH GLOBAL

Presented By:

Pastor Alvin GutierrezFCC Main, Ampid 1, San Mateo, Rizal, PH

10am Morning Service

October 30, 2016

Website: faithworkschristianchurch.com

Facebook: Faithworks Christian Church Global

Twitter: @fccphilippines

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