Sunday Service (2)

Sunday Service: Under Pressure

(08-15-2021) Ptr. Lynard Molo

=Under Pressure=

*Daniel 3:1-6
"1 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, ninety feet high and nine feet wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.
2 He then summoned the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up.
3 So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it.
4 Then the herald loudly proclaimed, "This is what you are commanded to do, O peoples, nations and men of every language:
5 As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.

*Exodus 20:4-5
"4 "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.
5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,
6 Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace."

"They were faithful and loyal to God."

"They made the right choice even knowing the danger that will cause in their lives."

*Daniel 3:13-18
"13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king,
14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up?
15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?"

"Even with these threats and rage of their king, they remained faithful to God."

16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.
17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.

"They entrusted themselves into God's hands."

18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

*Daniel 3:24-25
"24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, "Weren't there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?" They replied, "Certainly, O king."
25 He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods."

"God was with them in their trials."

"God didn't let them go through it alone, But was there with them right in the fiery furnace, walking with them."

*Daniel 3:26-27b
"26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!" So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire,
27 and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.

"The fiery trials and even death have no power over them."

*Daniel 3:28
"28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God."

"God not only delivered them, His name was glorified and lifted high."

If you are under pressure:
1. Be faithful and loyal to God.
-make the right choice

*Galatians 6:9
"9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

2. Entrust yourself in God's hands.
-whether God delivers us from our trial or not, we know that God will take care of us and bless us.

3. Remember the God will never leave you.
*Isaiah 43:2
"2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."

4. In all circumstances give honor and glory to God.