Daniel 3:24-25 (ESV)

24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” 25 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 a son of the gods.”

Today, I will be taking my story out of the book of Daniel.  We will be looking at the specific posture of faith these men took that positioned them for God’s intervention.

Summarizing the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego:

• Jerusalem was taken captive by Babylon

• King Nebuchadnezzar wanted to educate their best youth in the literature and language of the Chaldeans (highly educated class of men who serve the king)

• Three of the youths we know as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego; who were later appointed over affairs of the province

• King Nebuchadnezzar decided to make a statue of gold for all in Babylon to worship

• Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to obey the king’s command

• The Chaldeans maliciously accused the Jews of being insubordanate to the king’s order

• The king was furious at this and threatened them 

• Nebuchadnezzar had the three Hebrews thrown into the fiery furnace

• He looked and saw four men walking around, unharmed

• Nebuchadnezzar declared the God of Shadrrach, Meshach and Abednego delivered his servants who trusted in Him

3 Faith Postures In My “Fiery Furnace” Experience

1. Faith Obeys God Even Under Pressure

Daniel 3:16-18

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow to the golden image, even though disobedience meant death in the fiery furnace.

Key truth: Biblical faith chooses obedience to God over cultural pressure, fear, or consequences.

Acts 5:29 (ESV)

“But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.”

Romans 12:2 (ESV)

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Cliche -”WWJD?” - But I find myself asking that often.

2. Faith Trusts God’s Power—But Submits to His Will

Daniel 3:17-18

“Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us… but if not, we will not serve your gods” 

Key truth: Faith believes God can act but also trusts Him even if He doesn’t act the way we hope.

Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

Matthew 26:39 (ESV)

“And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.’”

2 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV)

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

3. Faith Experiences God’s Presence in the Fire

Daniel 3:24-25

God didn’t keep them out of the fire—He met them in it. A fourth figure appeared with them, and they were unharmed.

Key truth:

Faith does not promise the absence of trials, but the presence of God in them.

Isaiah 43:2 (ESV)

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”

Psalm 66:10–12 (ESV)

“For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried.11 You brought us into the net; you laid a crushing burden on our backs; 12 you let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.”

Matthew 28:20 (ESV)

“And behold, I am with you always…”

Hebrews 11:11-12 (ESV)

11 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.

Mark 10:46-52 (ESV) And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.

This took place a week before Jesus’ death, being his last miracle. The beggar called out, “Son of David, have mercy on me,” indicating His royal origin Messianic title describing Jesus Christ as man, a savior of His people. This is who the beggar believed Jesus to be.

1. Isaiah 11:1-3a (NIV) “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
   The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord— and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.”

Jesus responds to my faith.

“There is a sound I love to hear It’s the sound of the Saviour’s robe As He walks into the room where people pray Where we hear praises He hears faith”

Jewish people believed illness and disability was a punishment from God because of personal sin committed. “Be silent”, was their response. In their opinion, he didn’t deserve to have Jesus listen to him.

• Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

• 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV) For we live by faith, not by sight.

• James 2:17 (NIRV) It is the same with faith. If it doesn’t cause us to do something, it’s dead.

Praise is an expression of our faith. Faith causes us to act on what we know, not on what is seen. Ill. Dylan jumping off a stump.

Jesus responds to my posture.

“Awake my soul and sing Sing His praise aloud sing His praise aloud Oh awake my soul and sing Sing His praise aloud sing His praise aloud. There is a sound that changes things The sound of His people on their knees Oh wake up you slumbering It’s time to worship Him”

Now why is it amazing that he throws off his cloak? Well, for most people living in first century Palestine, a person’s cloak was their most valuable possession. Cloaks were expensive, thick, heavy garments, and the average person could only afford one. They weren’t simply outer garments meant to be worn outdoors, nor were they fashion statements. Cloaks were functional, multipurpose garments. In addition to functioning as a coat in cold weather, they were also used as a blanket at nighttime. And, for a blind beggar like Bartimaeus, he most likely spread his cloak out in front of him during the daytime to collect any coins or loose change that passerbys might toss his way.

His cloak represented a way of life for him. He had learned to cope and survive in an existence devoid of intimacy, connection, kindness and care. He leaves his cloak on the ground, trusts

Jesus fully to heal him. The road is crowded and he is blind. He will be in dire straits if his cloak is kicked along or stolen.

My attention is drawn to the posture of Bartimaeus in two ways:

1.Heart Posture “Awake my soul and sing”

• Hebrews 13:15 (ESV) Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.

• Psalm 71:8 (ESV) My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day.

• Isaiah 25:1 (ESV) O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure.

• Psalm 103:1 (ESV) Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!

Physical Posture “The sound of His people on their knees”

Quote: “Your heart is caught up in the experience of the moment, which causes your body to respond outwardly. We were created as holistic beings with intellects, emotions, and bodies all working in concert with one another to express ourselves.”

• Kneeling Psalm 95:6 (ESV) Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!

• Lifting Up Hands Psalm 63:3-4 (ESV) Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as live;in your name I will lift up my hands.

• Dancing Psalm 149:3 (NIRV) Let them praise his name with dancing. Let them make music to him with harps and tambourines.

• Clapping Hands Psalm 47:1 (NIV) Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.

• Shouting Psalm 71:23 (NIRV) My lips will shout with joy when I sing praise to you. You have saved me.

• Praising In Tongues 1 Corinthains 14:1-2 (ESV) Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.

• Laying Prostrate Numbers 20:6 (ESV) Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the entrance of the tent of meeting and fell on their faces. And the glory of the Lord appeared to them Revelation 7:11 (ESV) And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God Matthew 26:39 (ESV) And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.”

We value the presence of God in this house. Why do you think we invite you to join us up front to worship?

Jesus responds to my request.

“And when He moves and when we pray Where stood a wall now stands a way Where every promise is amen (it is so) And when He moves make no mistake The bowels of hell begin to shake All hail the Lord all hail the King”

• Luke 18:40 “And when he came near, he asked him

Atmosphere/circumstances shift through worship inspired by our faith and posture.

• 1 Corinthians 24-5 (NIV) 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.

• Ephesians 3:20 (NIRV) God is able to do far more than we could ever ask for or imagine. He does everything by his power that is working in us.

• Hebrews 11:6 (ESV) And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

FAITH IS POWER!

Revelation 5:11-14 (NIRV) Then I looked and heard the voice of millions and millions of angels. They surrounded the throne. They surrounded the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying, “The Lamb, who was put to death, is worthy! He is worthy to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength! He is worthy to receive honor and glory and praise!” All creatures in heaven, on earth, under the earth, and on the sea were speaking. The whole creation was speaking. I heard all of them say, “Praise and honor belong to the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb! Glory and power belong to God for ever and ever!” The four living creatures said, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped.