It was hard for me to get up today. Just one of those days, you know? Typically, I would be going to Saturday service for church tonight, especially since I'm working tomorrow, but instead I decided to listen to a sermon I'd missed from a couple weekends ago. I'd been told it's a good one that can really get to ya.
I think I was told correctly.
I started taking notes like it was my job, so I decided I would share with the blogosphere whether you like it or not :-) I apologize for being so wordy.
P.S.-You can hear the whole thing here
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IMAGE OF JESUS
How we achieve being more like Jesus and the walls we'll hit along the way
Wall #1-Disillusionment
Daniel 3
Shadrach, Meshach, & Abednego
v.13 Nebakanezer "furious with rage..."
v15 "Then what God will be able to save you from my hands?"
S, M, & A had every right to be angry with God. It would easy for them to become disillusioned due to their faithfulness.
"What comes into our minds when we think about God, is the most important thing about us"--A.W. Tozer
They knew their God was sovereign and demanded uncompromising devotion.
v.16 "...we do not need to defend ourselves before you...the God we serve is able to save us from it..."
How did they know? They knew from all the stories they'd heard throughout their childhood from the OT of all the ways the LORD had delivered.
Do you know that God can save? Not just the God of the OT, but the God of today. Do you know?
**God saves--YES or NO (This is between you and God)
Perhaps you've heard it, but you don't really know! It's ok.
These guys knew.
v.18 "...but even if he does not..." In other words, they were telling Nebakanezer it's not his decision whether we die today. GOD IS IN CONTROL.
In the book of Acts, James and Peter are both arrested and imprisoned and people are praying for their release. Do you remember what happens?
Peter miraculously released. James beheaded. God was in control of both situations.
Wall #1-Disillusionment
Daniel 3
Shadrach, Meshach, & Abednego
v.13 Nebakanezer "furious with rage..."
v15 "Then what God will be able to save you from my hands?"
S, M, & A had every right to be angry with God. It would easy for them to become disillusioned due to their faithfulness.
"What comes into our minds when we think about God, is the most important thing about us"--A.W. Tozer
They knew their God was sovereign and demanded uncompromising devotion.
v.16 "...we do not need to defend ourselves before you...the God we serve is able to save us from it..."
How did they know? They knew from all the stories they'd heard throughout their childhood from the OT of all the ways the LORD had delivered.
Do you know that God can save? Not just the God of the OT, but the God of today. Do you know?
**God saves--YES or NO (This is between you and God)
Perhaps you've heard it, but you don't really know! It's ok.
These guys knew.
v.18 "...but even if he does not..." In other words, they were telling Nebakanezer it's not his decision whether we die today. GOD IS IN CONTROL.
In the book of Acts, James and Peter are both arrested and imprisoned and people are praying for their release. Do you remember what happens?
Peter miraculously released. James beheaded. God was in control of both situations.
God causes some things and allows some things, but He is in control of all things.
**God is in absolute control--YES or NO
In v.18 S, M, & A are saving even if He doesn't save us, we still won't bow because we know our God demands and deserves uncompromising devotion.
Hebrews 11:6 "Without faith it is impossible to please God."
Remember Abraham and Isaac?
Joseph thrown into prison? For all he knew he was going to rot in prison! He didn't know how the story was going to end.
David when he was running from Saul.
Mary when Gabriel told her of the situation, there was certainly a part of Mary that recognized the slander she would face.
THEY KNEW GOD DESERVES UNCOMPROMISING DEVOTION.
**God deserves uncompromising devotion--YES or NO
When we look at these 3 men, we think "WOW these guys have amazing faith!" Not necessarily so. Perhaps they had a little faith and a great God.These men knew the served a GREAT GOD!
God isn't looking for people with great faith, but for individuals ready to follow Him.
Revisit this often, especially if you marked 'no' anywhere because you're struggling with disillusionment Wrestle, struggle, and pray on this. "If you seek Me you will find Me".
Romans 8 "If God is for us, who can be against us?" If you wrote 'no' somewhere, God is for you.
The God of the universe is on your side.
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