This week we start our VBS. We are very thankful that a group from Faith Baptist, Rock Rapids IA, is here to help us serve our community for the Glory of God. One of the stories during our VBS, is the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. So, yesterday morning I preached from Daniel 3 in helping prepare our people for VBS, and our big BBQ next Sunday, when we invite neighbors, friends, and family. Here is the outline of the sermon.
What would faith like S, M, and A, look like today?
What was it, that gave them the guts, to respond to the king the way they did?
“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."
(Dan 3:16-18)
The best way to understand this OT story, and all the OT stories, is to turn to the NT. So, turn with me to Hebrews 11.
The author of Hebrews for 10 chapters is building a case that Jesus is better, more superior, more valuable, than anything in the OT, and universe. He is more superior, than any man, any Law, any sacrifice, any prophet, any king, and any priest. He is the best thing in the universe! Then here in chapter 11 he begins by saying that “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen”. He then begins reminding the reader, that by faith, all these OT saints did crazy, wild things. He speaks of Abel, Enoch, Abraham, Isaac, Moses, Rahab and many more who all lived by faith. They all lived, and did these crazy things by faith- or by “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen”. In verse 34, he mentions that they “quenched the power of fire”. Sounds like Daniel 3 to me. What was their conviction in unseen things? What was S, M, and A hoping for? What was their conviction in? S, M, and A, along with all the saints, had the hope, and conviction, and faith, that Christ was their reward! That whatever happened, good or bad, Christ was still their reward! Therefore, they could live lives that were radically risky for the glory of God!
Now back to my question. What would this kind of faith look like today for us?
Outside there is no fiery furnace. There is no government threatening your life because of your faith. How do you then live like S, M, and A. The same way they did. You life trusting, believing, that Christ is the greatest reward! This frees your life from the bondage of the “outcome”. You can say with S, M, and A, “no matter what happens, good or bad” we will live for the reward of Christ!
This week, we will work and strive for the Glory of God! If God chooses to send 1 kid, or 500 kids, we will work knowing that the reward is not how many kids come, but Christ is the reward!
The author of Hebrews then tells us in chapter 12, how this works.
1. Let us “throw off sin”
2. Let us “run the race”
3. Let us “be grateful” in the kingdom that cannot be shaken
4. Let us “offer worship, and awe for our God is a consuming fire”
S, M, and A were thrown into a fire, because they refused to worship the king’s idol. They knew, the truth, that the author of Hebrews reveals to us so wonderfully in chapters 11 and 12, the true God, He is a consuming fire!
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