Chapter 3 of Daniel follows well the reality of Chapter 1. When you awaken to the reality that this world is not your home, the immediate result of that is that you will feel the heat. This is the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who stand firm under persecution. They refuse to worship a statue. (The crazy thing about our culture is we worship everything and anything. It really is like Paul wrote in Romans 1.) The Jews were singled out; targeted specifically because of their faith. The same is true today. Christians are often portrayed as mindless and ignorant, as well as cruel and judgmental people. Look at how Christians are portrayed in modern entertainment. We also see it in our everyday life. If you don't "go along" in order to "get along," you are ostracized. So how do you face the heat?

Not of This World: Daniel

Feeling the Heat

Daniel 3

Important Truth: There has always been a winnowing, and there will always be a remnant.

How do you stand the heat?

#1 Predecide to hold to truth.

(See v15)

2 Corinthians 10:5, "...take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

#2 Settle your allegiance.

(See v17)

Jesus to the Twelve, "Are you also going to leave?"

#3 Choose your response.

(See v 18)

BELIEF ← ACTION ← FEELINGS

BELIEF → ACTION → FEELINGS

#4 Trust Him, expectantly.

Deuteronomy 4:20, "Remember that the Lord rescued you from the iron-smelting furnace of Egypt in order to make you his very own people and his special possession, which is what you are today."

(See v25)

Takeaway:

God didn't save them FROM the fire. He saved them IN the fire.