God with Us in Exile

Daniel 3:19-27

I. The courage to stand firm (verses 16-18).

    We must stand confident in god's power. 

    We must stand submissive to god's will. 

*“Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the scriptures or by clear reason (for I do not trust either the pope or in councils alone, since it well known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves), I am bound by the scriptures i have quoted, and my conscience is held captive to the word of god. I cannot and will not recant anything since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. Here i stand, i can do no other, may God help me. Amen.” 

-Martin Luther, the diet of worms of 1521*

II. The consequence of nonconformity (verses 19-23).

    Black liberation theology focuses on the liberation of the oppressed from bondage and injustice in this world. 

    The gospel focuses on the liberation of all people from their sin and death. 

III. The confidence of god’s presence (verses 24-27).

    Christophany - a physical appearance of Christ before his incarnation.