LIFE Church Sermons

 Do Not be Afraid – 10

Subject – Dealing with Fear in the Fire

by Rick Welborne

Isaiah 43:1‑2 (NIV) 

1 But now, this is what the LORD says‑‑ he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 

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.  

–Tonight I want to share with you that now is not the time to fear what is coming but to understand our God can take us thru, even if He has to take us thru the waters or deliver us out of the fire.

–I personally believe we are entering a time of Daniel where everything we hold dear is going to be challenged but understand our God holds us in His hand and He will glorify His Name in the midst of great tribulation and persecution.

--Nebuchadnezzar has set up a golden image and says everyone has to bow when the call is put out to the people. Three Hebrew young men decided not to bow. They were faithful to God.

Daniel 3:13‑15 (NIV) 

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?" 

1. If you are unwilling to conform, the fire is waiting for you.

–Do not think that you are going to be given rite of passage without a fight...Satan is furious because his time is short and we are storming his gates.

--Nebuchadnezzar was furious with rage...have you noticed how angry people get when they speak of the religious right...all we want to do is love God and love people.

2. If you attempt to stand against principalities, powers, and rulers of darkness get ready for the fire.

Daniel 3:16‑19 (NIV) 

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. 

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." 

19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual

 

–O King, there is no need for us to answer you. Faith not fear is alive in these boys. Our God is able to deliver from you and the fire. Faith says whether God delivers us or not we will not bow or compromise.

–This kind of faith causes the enemy to turn up the fire seven times. Get ready! And give thanks to the Lord!

 Psalm 18:46‑49 (NKJV) 

46 The LORD lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let the God of my salvation be exalted. 

47 It is God who avenges me, And subdues the peoples under me; 

48 He delivers me from my enemies. You also lift me up above those who rise against me; You have delivered me from the violent man. 

49 Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the Gentiles, And sing praises to Your name. 

3. If you attempt to stand against the principalities, powers, and rulers get ready for the strong men.

Daniel 3:20‑22 (NIV) 

20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 

21 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. 

22 The king's command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, 

–Not everyone will be thrilled that you are going against the flow - going after God! The strong Pharisees and the worldly will lose control if the Holy Spirit takes over.

–They want to bind you up, shut you up, and throw you out. The fire will get them!

Psalm 30:1‑4 (NKJV) 

1 I will extol You, O LORD, for You have lifted me up, And have not let my foes rejoice over me. 

2 O LORD my God, I cried out to You, And You healed me. 

3 O LORD, You brought my soul up from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. 

4 Sing praise to the LORD, You saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. 

4.  When you are cast into the fire, trust God!

Daniel 3:23 (NIV) 

23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace. 

–These three fell down bound right in the middle of the fire. Humble yourself because you may be right where God wants you to be. You may not have chosen to be in the situation you are in... fall in His presence!

Psalm 145:14‑19 (NKJV) 

14 The LORD upholds all who fall, And raises up all who are bowed down. 

15 The eyes of all look expectantly to You, And You give them their food in due season. 

16 You open Your hand And satisfy the desire of every living thing. 

17 The LORD is righteous in all His ways, Gracious in all His works. 

18 The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. 

19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them. 

5.  If you are cast into the fire you may find yourself in a close encounter of the God kind. 

Daniel 3:24‑25 (NKJV) 

24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, "Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?" They answered and said to the king, "True, O king." 

25 "Look!" he answered, "I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God." 

–Your unwillingness to compromise may have set you up with a visitation from God. What may have seemed like your destruction may prove to be your deliverance.

–Your trust will cause God to be glorified as others see Him deliver you.

Psalm 97:9‑12 (NKJV) 

9 For You, LORD, are most high above all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods. 

10 You who love the LORD, hate evil! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked. 

11 Light is sown for the righteous, And gladness for the upright in heart. 

12 Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. 

6.  If you are cast into the fire, and you come out without even the smell of smoke...what a great testimony. 

Daniel 3:26‑29 (NIV) 

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. 

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. 

–People will acknowledge that we are servants of the Most High God. 

–People will be amazed at your deliverance and gather to see living testimonies. 

–People will see your sincerity and dedication and give God the glory. 

Psalm 106:1‑5 (NKJV) 

1 Praise the LORD! Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 

2 Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? Who can declare all His praise? 

3 Blessed are those who keep justice, And he who does righteousness at all times! 

4 Remember me, O LORD, with the favor You have toward Your people; Oh, visit me with Your salvation, 

5 That I may see the benefit of Your chosen ones, That I may rejoice in the gladness of Your nation, That I may glory with Your inheritance. 

7.   If you are cast into the fire and come out victorious you will see God glorified and His Kingdom expanded!  

Daniel 3:29‑30 (NIV) 

29 Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way." 

30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon. 

–God’s Name is exalted above all other names (authority). Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were promoted.

–Do not fear the fire because our God is a consuming fire.  He wants to baptize us in the Holy Ghost and fire.

Psalm 107:1‑9 (NKJV) 

1 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 

2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy, 

3 And gathered out of the lands, From the east and from the west, From the north and from the south. 

4 They wandered in the wilderness in a desolate way; They found no city to dwell in. 

5 Hungry and thirsty, Their soul fainted in them. 

6 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, And He delivered them out of their distresses. 

7 And He led them forth by the right way, That they might go to a city for a dwelling place. 

8 Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! 

9 For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness. 

–What if these guys would have died?

1 Corinthians 15:54‑58 (NKJV) 

54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." 

55 "O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?" 

56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 

57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.