Standing Firm: Facing Fire with Faith

Daniel 3:1-18

1. The King Demands Worship and Loyalties are Tested (verses 1-7)

a.  Nebuchadnezzar responds with Pride

b.  He verbally demanded and physically required worship.

c.  The people obeyed (vs 7)

2.  The Peers Demand Judgement (vs 8-12)

a.  Sin Disguised as Loyalty

b.  Loyalty Was Actually Self-Serving

3.  The King Feels Insulted (vs 13-15)

a.  Embracing sin leads to more sin

b.  Sin is rejection of God

1. The Faithful Refuse and Remain True (vs 16-18)

a.  Rejection yet Respectful

b.  Ownership not Excuses

i.  “We have no need to answer you in this matter…our God whom we serve” (vs 16-17)

ii.  They served God so the answer was simple, worship God alone.

c.  Faith in God, not circumstance

i.  Their faith was not limited to the belief in a miracle but included the faith in God’s sovereignty. “God…is able. But if not…” (vs 17-18)

5.  Conclusion

a.  The Nature of God Demands Our Worship

b.  The Nature of God Demands Our Loyalty