Become a Creator today!Start creating today - Share your story with the world!
Start for free
00:00:00
00:00:01
Senior Sunday (Daniel 3)
21 Plays11 days ago
Sunday Message recorded 17 May 2026
by Associate Pastor Josh Shell
First Baptist Church - Columbus, TX, USA
1700 Milam St.
Columbus, TX, USA 78934
Recommended
Transcript
Opening and Invitation
00:00:06
Speaker
So if you want to open up your Bibles, if you have one, to Daniel chapter 3. If you don't have one, there are some Bibles in the back of the pews. so You can open those up as well to Daniel chapter 3. Um, but just a little side note, I'm just going to say this cause I can already feel it.
Personal Story and Prayer
00:00:22
Speaker
Um, this past weekend I got stung in the face by a yellow jacket.
00:00:26
Speaker
So it like swelled up and it's still swollen and I could feel It's like I'm chewing on like sunflower seeds. So if I like slur it all, that's why. Okay. Sound good. I just wanted to make a little subtle thing there so that were like, why does Josh sound weird? It's because of that. So yellow jackets, gotta love them.
00:00:45
Speaker
Right. Um, But I'm going to stop and pray real quick, and then we will continue on. So let me pray over this time. Father God, we come before you, and Lord, we just thank you so much for mornings like this where we get to stop and to reflect and to honor individuals like Kaya and Tyler who are who are crossing this milestone in life.
00:01:07
Speaker
And Lord, i know that Or we all know that. I mean, from the very beginning, you've had a plan for these two individuals and for Teresa as well on on the direction of life, what you have for them. And Lord, I do pray over them right now that as we go throughout this morning and as they go throughout their final weeks in high school, that you'll just bring peace that surpasses all and are understanding into their heart, into their mind, that they can truly trust in you and the sovereign plan in which you've placed over their life.
00:01:32
Speaker
Lord, I remember being a senior in high school, not knowing what will come next. And again, I never imagined that I would be able to to be in a place like this, sharing your word like this, Lord. I would have just completely ran the opposite way like Jonah, if you would have told me that. But Lord, you did a good work in me. And I know that there's so many testimonies and stories like that in this place today where you brought individuals from places of recklessness or of darkness or of chaos, and you brought them into a place of peace, and now you're using them for your kingdom.
00:02:03
Speaker
And so, Lord, just be with Tyler, be with Kaya, be with Teresa, allow them to feel your presence and trust in the fact that you do have a good and sovereign plan for their life. So, Lord, be with us this morning. May this word be edifying to our souls, and ultimately, may be your words that we hear and not mine.
00:02:20
Speaker
It's in Jesus' name we pray. Amen. But first thing, though, Tyler and Kaya, um I just want y'all to hear
Encouragement for Graduates
00:02:28
Speaker
this. As y'all begin to transition to this next season of life, stepping into your own faith, growing and maturing into who the Lord desires you to be and in and encountering and engaging the world in a way that you've never seen it before.
00:02:42
Speaker
i mean, because that's the reality of it. Now that you're stepping out, you're gonna experience things you've never experienced before. You're not goingnna have mom and dad there always to to kind of pull you out. um It is my prayer that you recall and you remember all the wisdom and the truth that has been passed down to you throughout this season of life.
00:03:01
Speaker
From the moment you were born into this world till now. you The Lord has been giving you guys wisdom and this and knowledge and truth by whether it's your parents.
00:03:11
Speaker
your peers, the different individuals or adults in your life. I mean, we can all testify to that, that we all have had mentors and disciples and people in our life that have given us wisdom and knowledge throughout our journeys that have equipped us and have spurred us on to walk faithfully. At least that's my prayer. And if you don't have those people, I pray that you will actually find those people and bring them into your life.
00:03:32
Speaker
But I pray that over you guys, that you guys... During this season, during these next of weeks that you guys wrap up high school, that you'll do that. You'll stop and reflect and recall all these things which the Lord has blessed you with along the journey.
00:03:46
Speaker
Because in a busy world that we live in, it's really hard to stop. It's really hard to stop and be quiet and to recall what the Lord has blessed us with. So that's my first charge to you.
00:03:58
Speaker
And I know that there have been many times where you know you've heard sermons or Bible studies or you've had conversations that may not have seemed impactful or or or important in the moment. But I do pray that each that as you do stop and recall that you will think back on your time in our youth group. That you will think back on your time in this building. That you think back on your time.
00:04:17
Speaker
ah with other fellow students and you'll just think about the different seeds that had been planted in your life that you thought like, man, this would never impact me in any way. i don't know why I'm even here. i don't even know why I'm listening. But the reality is, is that the Lord plants seeds in your life that you never expect.
00:04:35
Speaker
And when you allow them to nurture and to grow and to take root in your life, you'll see the Lord use those things in ways you never imagined. And again, i feel like we can have a testimonial time of everybody in this room come up and say share story after story where like, yeah, I never thought that you know going to this summer going to the summer camp would ever have an an impact my life.
00:04:58
Speaker
Or man, I never thought going to this youth group I would have relationships that i still have today. You know, like story after story, but yet that's just how life is. That's how the Lord grafts us in together into his family.
00:05:10
Speaker
And so I do pray that you remember these things.
Heroes of the Faith Series
00:05:12
Speaker
But another thing too is that as we begin to look at Daniel chapter three, I hope and pray that you will also stop and remember even recent studies that we've done in our youth group.
00:05:21
Speaker
I know if y'all remember on Wednesday night, what's the most recent study that we've done before the Psalm 23? Y'all remember? Yeah. Heroes of the faith. Kyle was listening. So that's good. i But the heroes of the faith, right?
00:05:34
Speaker
This whole series on Wednesday night was was dedicated to looking at different biblical figures who demonstrated their great faith despite, i don't know their heritage, despite their occupations, despite their social statuses, despite any hindrances.
00:05:50
Speaker
The Lord called different biblical figures to do massively great things for his kingdom. And they did it faithfully. And because of the fact that they remained faithful throughout the way, they were they were honored and they were blessed by God.
00:06:04
Speaker
Not because of anything that they did in the sense of, yes, they walked obediently, but it's because of their faith that the Lord blessed them. Not because they were worthy of it. And so...
00:06:15
Speaker
As we study this series, the the main challenge for us was to remember that it wasn't because of they were found worthy to be used by God, but rather because they stood the test of faith in light of their circumstances, that they are considered heroes of the faith.
00:06:30
Speaker
Right? And if you recall in Hebrews 11, 39, where it says all these, and all these, talking about the biblical figures of those who are in the hall of faith, right? So whether it was like Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, you even going to the New Testament, the disciples, right?
00:06:48
Speaker
um All these figures, that and all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised. If y'all remember, like with Abraham and with all these Old Testament figures, they were given this promise that one day that like through Abraham, through him would be this great nation, the nation of Israel, he'll be blessed and through, from this nation will come the Messiah.
00:07:11
Speaker
But did Abraham ever see that come to fruition? No, he died. He did what able to see the promise rewarded to him, but he remained faithful along the way. And because of his faithfulness, generations after him got to experience it.
00:07:26
Speaker
And so for you guys, I do pray that you guys will remain faithful in your walk with the Lord. As you make this transition, Tyler, that's a beautiful prayer you said, man. Pray that you will remain dedicated to the Lord despite what is coming next.
00:07:40
Speaker
That you will continue to grow in your faith and walk in Jesus. And I pray the same thing for you, Kai, that you guys will do that because the Lord has a plan for you to be beacons of light to those communities that you're going to uniquely.
00:07:51
Speaker
And I pray that you will feel that and that you'll honor that. another thing that Another challenge that was offered was this past Wednesday by Aaron and Alyssa Litzler out of Colossians 3, 23 and 24. where it says, whatever you do work heartily as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as a reward, for you are serving the Lord Christ.
00:08:14
Speaker
Right? So again, whatever you do, work heartily as for the Lord and not for men. And Alyssa and Aaron gave three incredible points that, man, if y'all weren't there, going to share them here in a minute, but it was powerful.
00:08:29
Speaker
um The first point in this show was that God cares about the small things. right He cares about the small things that you do in your life and how you walk faithfully with them. The second thing is that your efforts matter even when no one is noticing.
00:08:43
Speaker
Even when no one is noticing. So whether it's in you in the private life or if you're out in the public area and you're doing something and no one's noticing it, that's okay. Because you know who is noticing it? The Lord. And the Lord is going to honor that. And ah and a lot of these things in which Aaron and Alyssa hit on ultimately reflect the images and the and the figures that we talked about in the heroes of faith. This is why they were considered heroes of the faith, because they honored God and they cared about the small things in their life.
00:09:11
Speaker
and then they And despite no one noticing them, they honored their best effort, right? So your efforts matters even when no one's noticing. And the third thing is to seek God's approval and not man's.
00:09:24
Speaker
That's the biggest stumbling block in our world right now. is that we have a tendency of wanting to honor man's opinion and man's perspective of our own life and our accomplishments, whether it's how much money we make, the clothes we wear, our social status on social media, x y or Z, right?
00:09:41
Speaker
these these These views, these these tendencies ah impact how we choose to honor God. But we have to remember that our life is not is not a beacon for man.
00:09:53
Speaker
We were created and in the image and the likeness of God to be his beacon, to be his example, to be his hands and feet in this broken and sinful world as believers.
00:10:04
Speaker
So for those of you guys who have been transformed by the renewal of the gospel of Christ and the veil has been removed from your heart, then in the sin and that you recognize the sin in your life, as that is removed from you, you see that there's a higher calling that we are called to, and that is to please God.
00:10:20
Speaker
Even whether it's in the small things, when no one's noticing, or even in comparison to man.
Faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
00:10:27
Speaker
And this morning, i would like to look at one other account, as I've mentioned out of Daniel chapter 3, that I hope will speak truth and life into the seeds that have been planted in your life. And not only just you two, but all of us.
00:10:37
Speaker
Because again, I don't care how old you are in this room, there have been seeds planted in your life. Some of those seeds have been probably been dormanted for a very long time. And they ah need some special spiritual water to make those things bloom. When I pray today, that that it will be today. Okay?
00:10:53
Speaker
But that will speak truth in life to the seeds have been planted in your life. ah And in this account, you're going to see this account involving three young men who are ultimately who would ultimately be challenged in their faithfulness to God by the cultural pressures of their time.
00:11:09
Speaker
These names are Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, or as we often know them as, as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, right?
00:11:21
Speaker
Okay. These guys were known to be youth without blemish of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding, learning, and competent to stand in the king's palace.
00:11:34
Speaker
ah Though they had these characteristics and trace, as we read about in Daniel chapter 1, as they were brought out of the nation of Israel into exile to the Babylonians, they would ultimately still find themselves in a foreign land under a foreign king being forced to bow down and worship foreign gods.
00:11:51
Speaker
So I guess in a nutshell, what i'm trying to say here is that it doesn't matter how qualified or how how good you think you are right now, or how, how do I want to say this, how enriched you feel like you are with your relationship with God right now, as you step out, you're gonna experience things in ways you never experienced it before.
00:12:10
Speaker
And you're gonna experience challenges that are gonna bring you to probably some of the lowest places you've ever been before in your life. But just remember that as you get those low places,
00:12:21
Speaker
It is not too far low for God. God meets us even in the lowest parts of our lives. Here recently, i was i was watching a a study and I heard this way. You know, we always talk about the highs and lows of our lives as believers. And we always talk about how like the Christian life sometimes is like stairs where you like you take a step up and you go you plateau, take another step up, plateau. Right.
00:12:42
Speaker
Well, I've heard it this way is that it's almost like a coil. Right? So like you the spring, where it's ah it's a lateral spring, where you start at one point and you go to a high, and the next thing you know, you're at a low.
00:12:54
Speaker
The next thing you know, you're back at a high and back at low. it just constantly goes like this, but it all goes one direction. Where is that direction as believers? Christ. Sanctification. Leading to our glorification one day.
00:13:07
Speaker
And so I share that with you just to encourage you because that's exactly for these three guys that I feel like they were walking through. They had everything going for them. Again, if you go back and read the context of of of Daniel and and the history of the nation of Israel, they were of high status, whether they were a part of the royal family or they were in the royal court or they were wealthy. And then they get brought into this foreign land and now they're being forced to do things that they're uncomfortable with.
00:13:35
Speaker
But because of their faithfulness to the one true God, God blesses them. And he puts them in positions that ultimately... um are pretty unique considering that they're in a foreign land and they get put into high off or high official positions as Jews. It wasn't common, but they still are put in positions to where now the limelight's on them to where if they don't obey the governing authority over them, it's gonna come down on So again, they're go they're experiencing things in their life that they never thought they would have to experience.
00:14:11
Speaker
so But within this though, Through their faith, they refused to bow to the pressures of the world. And so that's where i want to that's how I want to spend the rest of our time, um by looking at Daniel chapter 3. And there's four things I want us to see within this chapter. One is I want to see how i want you to see how they confront the idols of this world.
00:14:32
Speaker
okay i want you to see how they confront the idols of this world. I want you to see how ah how courageous they were and how they had a courageous commitment to the Lord, regardless of the pressures Number three is how they were ultimately able to conquer and overcome the world.
00:14:49
Speaker
And then lastly, how through their courage and through overcoming the world, they were able to make conversions through the courage. Like that's the reality of the Christian life. We were called to persevere through this life as believers of Jesus. One, to be sanctified and to become more like Christ, but also what's the great commission?
00:15:08
Speaker
To go and what? disciples. Make disciples. Have these conversion experiences with others so that those who were once walking in darkness can now walk in the marvelous light of Jesus through your example.
00:15:20
Speaker
Like, that's what we're called to. It's a high calling as believers. um But to help get the context, I know this may, you may... This may be a little bit, but I'm going to read the entire chapter of chapter three, if that's okay, of Daniel chapter three. And because I really feel like it's going to set up the context and then we'll go from there.
00:15:38
Speaker
So if you guys don't mind, turn to your Bibles. And if you, again, if you don't have a Bible, you can pull it up on your phone if you'd like to. um But I will not have it up on the screen because it is such a long passage. But just listen intently, okay?
00:15:51
Speaker
So picking up at chapter three, verse one, it says, king nebuchanear made an image of gold whose height was sixty cubits and it breadth six cubits he set it up on the plain of dura in the province of babylon then king nebuchadnezzar sent to gather the sattraps the prefects the governors to counselors the treasurers the justices the magistrates and all the officials of the province to come to the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. In other words, he brought the entire governing officials to this region of all of Babylon. This is a massive, massive situation.
00:16:24
Speaker
Verse 3,
00:16:34
Speaker
and they stood before the image that nebuchanezzar had set up and the ah then i sorry and and the herald proclaimed aloud you are commanded o peoples nations and languages that when you hear the sound of the horn, the pipe, the lyre, the trigon, the harp, the bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
00:16:59
Speaker
And whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into um a burning, fiery furnace. Therefore, as soon as all people heard the sound of the horn, the the pipe, the lyre, the trigon, think that's how you say harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, all The peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
00:17:23
Speaker
Therefore, at that time, the certain Chaldeans came forward and maliciously accused the Jews. They declared to King Nebuchadnezzar, "'O king, live forever! You, O king, have made a decree that every man who hears the sound of the horn, the pipe, the lyre, the trigon, the harp, the bagpipe, and every kind of music shall fall down and worship the golden image.
00:17:45
Speaker
And whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into the fiery furnace.'" There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the provinces of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Man, these guys are calling them out by name, right?
00:18:01
Speaker
The men, O king, pay no attention to you. They do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you've set up. Then Nebuchadnezzar in a furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought.
00:18:15
Speaker
So they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you did not serve my gods or worship the golden image I have set up?
00:18:27
Speaker
Now, if you are ready, when you hear the sound of the horn, the pipe, the lyre, the trigon, the harp, the bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that have made, well and good.
00:18:38
Speaker
But... If you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into the burning, fiery furnace. And who is the God who will deliver you out of my hands?
00:18:50
Speaker
Man, get this, y'all ready? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered said to him, O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.
00:19:01
Speaker
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.
00:19:18
Speaker
Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury, and the expression of his face was challenge or was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And he ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it usually is heated.
00:19:30
Speaker
And he ordered some of the mighty men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and to cast them into the burning, fiery furnace." Then these men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics, their hats, and their garments, and they were thrown into the by burning, fiery furnace. Because the king's order was urgent and the furnace overheated, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
00:19:55
Speaker
And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the burning, fiery furnace. The king Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, did we not cast three men bound into the fire?
00:20:11
Speaker
They answered and said to the king, true, O king. He answered and said, but I see four men unbound walking in the midst of the fire and they are not hurt. And the appearance of the fourth is like the son of the gods.
00:20:26
Speaker
Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door the by of the burning fiery furnace. He declared, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out and come here. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire.
00:20:39
Speaker
And the satraps and the prefects and the governors and the king's counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over their bodies of those men. The hair of their heads were not singed. Their cloaks were not harmed. There was no smell of fire ah come ah upon them.
00:20:54
Speaker
Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants who trusted him and set aside the king's command and yielded up their bodies rather than to serve and worship my God except their own God.
00:21:12
Speaker
Therefore, I make a decree, any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb and their houses laid in ruins.
00:21:26
Speaker
For there is no other God who is able to rescue in this way. Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon. Now, I know that many of you guys have heard this story thousands of times.
00:21:43
Speaker
But this is a very profound story. This is, sorry, let me rephrase that. This is not a story. This account, this account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego is an incredible account because what we're seeing here is the witnessing and the testifying of faithfulness to the true God of the universe, of overall creation.
00:22:02
Speaker
You see, Tyler Kaya, with the remaining time, I know we got five minutes. going to my best to get this in. But... I want you to see these four things.
Lessons from Daniel 3
00:22:12
Speaker
In verses one through seven, regardless of what King Nebuchadnezzar tried to bring to, that was weird, ah tried to bring before and to force these gentlemen into the Jews specifically, because you got to remember, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and there was a fourth one named Daniel, right?
00:22:32
Speaker
Daniel's not mentioned in this account, but I would imagine that Daniel probably did not bow down either. And there's another time where he gets accused. And so because he is not abiding by the the rule or the law of the nation.
00:22:44
Speaker
But they confront the idols of this world. Rather than bowing down, they say, no, there's no other God before my God. I am not going to bow down to this God. I'm going to remain faithful and trust in what he has for me.
00:22:58
Speaker
regardless of their favor. and you know, this is the thing too, it's like, and they knew what was at stake. By them not bowing down, they knew that the favor that they had before King Nebuchadnezzar was going taken from them. They knew that they were, i mean, these were high officials in the province, but yet they knew that it was worth more standing on the truth of who God is rather than conforming to the image of the world.
00:23:19
Speaker
Because he is faithful and he is just to provide for them and to deliver them out of any chaos, out of any uncomfortable situation, out of any a hard time or trial.
00:23:31
Speaker
They understood that these false gods, they were not going to do anything. They were not capable. So they were able to confront the idols of this world because of their faith. The second thing is their courage.
00:23:42
Speaker
It's, you know, in this moment, they could have easily just been like, you know, no one's watching. I'm not in the nation of Israel anymore. I'm in a foreign land. I could easily just bow down real quick and my life will be saved. I'll still keep my position, all these things. But no, what do they do?
00:23:58
Speaker
they remain men of integrity. They remain men of integrity and they remain faithful to the one true God, as mentioned. and And you gotta remember too,
00:24:10
Speaker
there This is before Christ comes. So the hope that they have in God is based off of you know what they remember and recall of what God did for the nation of Israel, bringing them out, you know one, forming the nation of Israel. Then once they're enslaved in Egypt, they recall what how God delivers them. And then now here we are again with the nation of Israel who is now back in captivity under Babylon. And they're like, God, what are you doing?
00:24:34
Speaker
They could have easily turned their back on God. Because you know on this side, we have the pleasure of knowing Christ and Christ crucified. But they didn't know that back then. They were waiting for him, but they didn't have him.
00:24:46
Speaker
So they were putting their full trust in who God was as creator, as deliverer. And so rather than, again, giving into you know ah giving into the pressure and and and and not being a men of integrity, they remain faithful to God and God delivers them in a mighty, mighty way.
00:25:05
Speaker
Now, obviously it did not result, you know, just because they were made faithful to God, God didn't deliver them from the coming persecution or the coming trial that was promised, right? Because remember, the edict that King Nebuchadnezzar said, for anybody who did not bow down, what happened?
00:25:21
Speaker
They got thrown into a fiery furnace. Now, um listen. That would be hard for me, right? To know that if I didn't bow down, I was going to be thrown into giant brick oven.
00:25:32
Speaker
Like that's, that's, that's pretty severe. But yet they did not do that. They remained faithful. And because of that, they knew what was coming, but yet they did not waver.
00:25:44
Speaker
And King Nebuchadnezzar was a man of his word. He even gave them one more chance and they did not cower away. and But yet they remain confident. And because of that, because of their their their confidence and because of their courage, even in light of being thrown into the fitt thrown into the pit, not just any fiery furnace, but a fiery furnace that was heated seven times hotter, that's that engulfed the men who threw Shadrach. I mean, that's pretty crazy when you think about it, right?
00:26:14
Speaker
And so not only then, but they get thrown in and nothing happens to them. Can you imagine what the conversation was back, you know, during that moment with those three guys? Man, what did y'all do this? Stan. Oh my goodness.
00:26:32
Speaker
I think this is the Lord saying, I need to stop, man. I don't know. But um all I have to say though is they remain confident and and then the Lord delivers them from the furnace.
00:26:45
Speaker
In the midst of this time. And then did you notice what happened there in verse 25 when Nebuchadnezzar is consulting with his governing officials? He's like, did we not throw three men into this fire? And they're like, yeah yeah, you only threw three men.
00:27:00
Speaker
Well, then, I mean, you had your guards that got consumed, but they're consumed, right? He was like, well, why do I see not just three, but four men up and walking around in the fire?
00:27:12
Speaker
I mean, come on. This is a, you know, scholars believe that this is a this is an Old Testament figure of Christ. This the pre-incarnate Christ coming and delivering these three men from this fire.
00:27:23
Speaker
And not just deliver them, but deliver them in a very miraculous way. y'all remember how they were described? There was no, all their their hair on their hair was their hair on the head wasn't singed. Their clothes didn't smell like smoke. They had no injuries, nothing. They came walking out as if like nothing ever happened.
00:27:43
Speaker
All because they remained confident who Christ was and his his ability to deliver them from the circumstances. And so because of that, they were conquering. they They conquered this situation through through the Lord. And for us on this side, conquering through Christ.
00:28:00
Speaker
So again, Tyler, Kaya, when y'all think about this, walk faithfully, walk ah confidently in who and in who Christ is and what he's created to be. And if you trust him, he will deliver you in ways you never thought you would be delivered.
00:28:13
Speaker
Now, that doesn't mean that you're going to never experience hardship or trial because we actually see later in the book of James, you know, where it says, oh my goodness, I had it right here.
00:28:28
Speaker
Uh...
00:28:30
Speaker
I thought I had it. Anyway, so James talks about how we're going to be faced with trials of various kinds and that we're go to be tested by it. And we shouldn't be afraid of it, but rather we should welcome it because it's going to refine us. It's going to renew us. It's going to bring us into a position of holiness before the Lord.
00:28:45
Speaker
And so, and then lastly, because of how they faithfully did this, y'all remember how King Nebuchadnezzar responded? He acknowledges who God is. So through their witness, through their testimony, King Nebuchadnezzar, this Babylonian king, this Gentile king, comes and recognizes the Lord.
00:29:03
Speaker
Now, do we know how he lives out the rest of his days? Well, if you look later, he actually falls again. and He's cast out from his kingdom for a while. He's exiled. And then he's brought back in through so a redeeming factor. And then he finally acknowledges the Lord.
00:29:17
Speaker
But here in this moment, he at least acknowledges who God is because of the example that these three men played in this moment, despite the trials that were coming against them. So as we conclude this time, though, and as we wrap up, it's my prayer that, Kaya, Tyler, y'all feel empowered by the Holy Spirit to walk faithfully in light of the circumstances of the world.
Final Exhortation and Prayer
00:29:39
Speaker
Don't let the world hinder you from becoming who God has created you to be. And I pray that over each and every one of you in this room. Each and every one of us has a mission and a call from the Lord to fulfill his good plan here on this side of heaven.
00:29:54
Speaker
Do not let your circumstances or your family dynamic or your cultural dynamic or your history or your past, your addictions, whatever. Don't let those things identify you and hinder you from being who God has called you to be here right now.
00:30:11
Speaker
We all have different skills and different abilities and different gifts that the Lord has gifted us with to be able to go and just share his good news. So I pray that we will do that, that we will learn from Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. I know this is a story that we've heard thousands of times, I'm sure, whether it's in youth group or in Awanas or even in our own adult Bible studies.
00:30:31
Speaker
But I pray that every time you read the story, that you just feel the presence of the Holy Spirit just take over you. Because this is the promise assurance that we have in Christ, that regardless of what the world is throwing at us, he is going to deliver you. It's just a matter how you choose to remain faithful through it.
00:30:50
Speaker
And again, it doesn't mean that everything's gonna be grand and everything's gonna, that you're gonna be blessed beyond measure and when it comes to the worldly standard. But what that means is is that your spiritual demeanor, that your soul will be delivered forever. Because that is our eternal promise through Christ, is eternity.
00:31:10
Speaker
So just a few concluding verses. 1 Timothy 6, 12. Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life which you've called to which you were called and about which you made the good confession of the presence of the many witnesses.
00:31:24
Speaker
Matthew 28, 19 through 20. Go therefore, make disciples of all nations, baptizing the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I've commanded you. and behold, i am with you always to the very end of the age.
00:31:38
Speaker
You're not doing this alone. My favorite verse, Galatians 2.20, I have been crucified with Christ. It's no longer I who live, but Christ who lives within me. For the life that I now live by the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.
00:31:54
Speaker
See, all these verses speak to one thing, and it's no longer about you. It's about who Christ has created you to be, because it's Christ in you that does the work in the world right now through the Holy Spirit.
00:32:10
Speaker
We just have to remain faithful to him. So I pray that over our congregation. I pray that specifically over Tyler and Kaya. know Kaya came up because she's part of the worship team. But if you have never surrendered your life to Christ, if you've never experienced the the grace and the mercy and the release of the sin in your life, I pray that today you will do that.
00:32:32
Speaker
You know, the scripture tells us that for anyone who believes in their heart, and confesses with their mouth that Jesus is Lord, and that God raised him from the dead, that he shall be saved.
00:32:44
Speaker
That's how we are saved. It's not by works. It's not by ah by doing any ritualistic tend or things. It's about one thing, surrender. surrendering your life to the King of kings, to the Lord of lords, that is Jesus, our Messiah.
00:33:01
Speaker
By surrendering your life to him, you receive salvation. You are grafted into the family of God and you receive eternal life forevermore. Forevermore.
00:33:13
Speaker
And you can have peace that surpasses all understanding in your heart and your mind, as Paul talks about in Philippians chapter four. So that's you today and you are desiring peace in light of a broken and and crazy world.
00:33:27
Speaker
Trust Christ. He will deliver you from that. You know, Christianity is very unique in the fact that it's one of the world religions where in light of extreme persecution and disha or you know and hatred, it continues to flourish. And you wanna know why that is?
00:33:44
Speaker
It's because our God is not dead. Our God is alive and he dwells. He indwells in each and every person who believes and confesses that he is Lord. And he we are now his witnesses on this side of heaven.
00:33:58
Speaker
And you cannot deny that. So again, if you want to be a part of that, I would love to have a conversation with you. doesn't have to be down here at the altar. We can i mean we could schedule a time, have a conversation, whether it's me or a Victor. He's probably a little bit nicer than me. But...
00:34:14
Speaker
We would love to have that conversation. But for Tyler and Kaya and for Teresa, I hope you guys do feel loved and that you feel supported by this church, that you feel loved and supported by our youth group. I know that you have a band of brothers and sisters who are gonna be praying over you diligently, that you continue to walk faithfully to the Lord because he has a good and perfect plan for you.
00:34:33
Speaker
So let me pray over us and we'll go into this time of invitation. Father God, we come before you and on Lord, we just thank you for your word. We thank you for the numerous, numerous examples of men and women who walk faithfully to you and you delivered them from hardship and trials of various kinds.
00:34:51
Speaker
And Lord, you bless them. And Lord, yes, there's times when you bless us in ways that we can never imagine, whether it's physically or emotionally or spiritually, financially, whatever. But Lord, The greatest blessing that we'll ever receive is knowing that our soul has been saved from eternal damnation.
00:35:08
Speaker
and And that's what these men and women of of the scriptures testify to. So they acknowledge you as king, the true redeemer, the true reconciler. and And they walk faithfully to and because of that, you honored it and you rewarded them with the eternal reward of of salvation. And so, Lord, I pray that for Tyler, for Kaya and for Teresa, that they will walk faithfully with you, that they will trust you, that they will put their heart into you.
00:35:35
Speaker
that they will never turn away and follow any other false gods or false idols, that they'll stand firm like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. But Lord, I do pray though that there's anybody else in this room who's never surrendered their life to Christ, surrendered to you as the King of Kings, I pray that today that they'll do that.
00:35:52
Speaker
that they'll surrender to you, that they can walk faithfully and peacefully in you. But again, Lord, I thank you for your word. I thank you for the testimony, the living testimony that it is to us and how it continues to shape in us and mold us to become the men women you desire us to be.
00:36:06
Speaker
Lord, we love you, we praise you, we thank you God, and it's all God's people said, amen.
00:36:16
Speaker
This is a ministry of First Baptist Church located at 1700 Milam Street, Columbus, Texas.