Refuse To Bow

Bethel Church Temple TX Podcast (Sermons)

Refuse to Bow
May 19, 2024 Elwyn Johnston

Daniel 3
Verse of the Week: “we do not lose heart and give up” 2 Cor. 4:16
1. God is looking for faithfulness
“For the eyes of the LORD search the whole earth to give strong support to those whose heart is completely His.” 2 Chronicles 16:9
“who can find a faithful man?” Proverbs 20:6
“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones.” Luke 16:10

2. Faithful to God, not to culture.
“They refuse to serve your gods and do not worship the gold statue you have set up.” Daniel 3:12
“Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods” Daniel 3:14
“what god is there who can deliver you out of my hands?” Dan. 3:15

3. Faithful in the fire
“Certainly, O King.” Daniel 3:24
“I see four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!” Daniel 3:25
“Therefore we do not lose heart and give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! We concentrate not on what is seen but on what is not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16 - 18

4. Faithful after the fire
“Then Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the midst of the fire.” Daniel 3:26
“Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, 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.” Daniel 3:28
“our God whom we serve is able to deliver us… and He will deliver us. But if not, we will not bow” Daniel 3:17 & 18
“Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation or tongue that speaks anything offensive against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego 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.” Daniel 3:29

“Be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10
“Cease striving and know that I am God”