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Sermon Outline - The Fiery Furnace, Daniel ch.3 v.25

Date28/12/2003
Time18:30
PreacherRev. Maurice Roberts, Inverness
Sermon TitleThe Fiery Furnace
TextDaniel ch.3 v.25
Sermon ID738

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Introduction

  1. The last sermon o f the Old Year
  2. A chapter here that we all love
  3. "Hero-worship" is right and good

  1. TO OBEY GOD WILL BRING TROUBLE AT TIMES

    1. See the condition of these 3 men - it could hardly have been worse to human eyes: in a fire!
    2. We need to see how they came to be there:
      1. the image of Nebuchadnezzar and the worship
      2. their courageous action and words
      3. Nebuchadnezzar's rage - seven times hotter!
    3. This is typical of false religion:
      1. it is fanatically cruel
      2. Exx: Molech - Druidism - Evolution and Genocide (Jews) - Humanism (Abortion).
      3. RC: the Inquisition - Wycliffe - the Martyrdom
      OBSERVE: Christianity is patient.
      ILLUSTRATION: Swiss Government letter
    4. Christ never said it would be easy: "deny himself...take up cross".
    5. These 3 men could easily have spared themselves all this: v.14-15.
    6. Here is the TEST: What will we do when it will be painful to follow God? Shall we be faithful, or not? (Their duty was clear: See Commandments 1 + 2).
      APPLICATION: If you suffer for your faith in God, do not be surprised.

  2. WHEN WE DO WHAT IS RIGHT, WE MAY DEPEND ON CHRIST TO BE WITH US

    1. here is the climax of this chapter. Let us take full notice of it: v.24-25. What a sight! What a glory! It is the Saviour Himself with them.
    2. There are other passages that fir this:
      1. Isaiah 43:1-2. So clear!
      2. Hebrews 11:32-34: "By faith"!
      3. Matthew 28:20: "I am with you alway".
      APPLICATION: See how all these things fit together perfectly: promise/fulfilment/courage/faith/sense of duty/good conscience
    3. This is a most inspiring theme - all throughout the whole Bible:
      1. Moses: before Pharaoh - miracles
      2. Joshua: the Fall of Jericho...
      3. David & Goliath: the giant!
      4. Peter in prison (Acts 12)
      APPLICATION: Is it not good for our faith?
      DOCTRINE: If we do what is right and suffer for it, we may depend on it that God will be with us in our fiery trial.
    4. What a faithful Saviour Christ is! See this picture here - wonderful presence: "the form of the fourth"!
      OBSERVE: Even Nebuchadnezzar knew it!
      APPLICATION: Are you "in the fire" for Christ's sake? Be not afraid. He will not fail you.

  3. IF YOU ARE COURAGEOUS FOR CHRIST BY DOING THE RIGHT THING, IT WILL IN THE END BRING GLORY TO GOD

    1. There is a "romance" about the Christian life. Look at this chapter + chapter 6. It is when people do God's will and live for His glory.
      APPLICATION: It is not easy - but it is glorious.
    2. How disappointing it would be if the 3 men had dome as all the rest.
      ILLUSTRATION: Picture the homes of Babylonians.
    3. But these 3 give glory to God
      1. The astonishment of Nebuchadnezzar
      2. Not just an angel - but Christ
      3. v.26: Their release and the comments
      4. v.28: The honour given to God
      5. v.29: The decree (Act of Parliament)
      6. v.30: Their own honour
      OBSERVE: It is always the same: God will test us - then reward us. :
    4. RELATE: The Anti-Christian spirit is growing worse year by year. Who knows what 2004 will bring? A law to forbid preaching Christ = the only Saviour/ the Bible the only Book?
      APPLICATION: Let us seek faith and courage from God to face the unknown future.

CONCLUSION

Do you have faith - or not?

This sermon outline has been downloaded from http://www.bible-sermons.org.uk