Standing Against The Flow
Pastor Josh
November 3, 2020

“Standing Against the Flow”

Pastor Josh McPherson - November 1, 2020 - Text: Daniel 3:16-30

Choose This Day A King - Daniel 3:16-18

Observations:

1. If convenience is your highest value, compromise is your inevitable future.
Conviction will always require courage.
“Courage is not simply one of the virtues but the form of every virtue at the testing point, which means
at the point of highest reality. ” - C.S. Lewis

“Courage is reckoned the greatest of all virtues; because, unless a man has that virtue, he has no
security for preserving any other.” ~Samuel Johnson (Thanks, Frank Lynch)

“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important
than one’s fear.” ~Ambrose Redmoon (James Neil Hollingworth) (1933–1996), “No Peaceful
Warriors!,” 1991

“If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the Word of God except
precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not
confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Him. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of
the soldier is proved; and to be steady on all the battle front besides, is mere flight and disgrace if he
flinches at that point.” ~Martin Luther

2. The Spirit of God provides the power necessary to stand against the Spirit of
Babylon.

3. Their focus was not on deliverance, but obedience.

4. Settle the “bow-question” now; hesitation is not the mark of allegiance.

A Counterfeit Hell - Daniel 3:19-23

Observations:

1. We obey God, not to control His Will, but to discover His Will.

2. Suffering doesn’t always equate to holy obedience, but sometimes holy obedience
will result in temporary suffering.

Will The Real King Please Stand Up - Daniel 3:24-30

Observations:

[“Every person acting like they’re God, knows that they’re not.” - Pastor Josh]
1. When you fear the RIGHT King you have nothing to fear.
- “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” – 2 Tim. 1:7
- “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” – Psalm 94:19
- “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” –Psalm 23:4
- “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” – Psalm 56:3
- “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and
help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 40:10
2. The promise of the gospel is never deliverance from Fire, but deliverance from
Death.

3. Jesus doesn’t rescue you from the fire, Jesus rescues you through the fire.
Play the Man
Bishop Latimer’s last words to his friend Bishop Ridley at the stake were:
“Be of god cheer, Master Ridley, and play the man, for we shall this day light such a candle in England
as I trust by God’s grace shall never be put out.”

Following Jesus comes with a price, and I’m afraid that the cost could increase substantially in
the days to come. Are we ready for that?

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and
brothers and sisters, yes, even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own
cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:26-27
The confession that lies at the heart of Christianity is “Jesus Is Lord.”

Discussion Questions:

Getting to Know Me

1. What is the best example of courage you have seen or heard about in recent memory? Why did this example
stick out to you?

2. How do you see the effects of fear playing out in our culture today? What are the appropriate and inappropriate
responses you see to it?

Into the Bible

  1. Pastor Josh referenced many of the “fixed givens” God outlines in Genesis 1, 2 and 3 and the way the state
    attempts to supersede them with their own “divine prerogatives.” What are other “fixed givens” from scripture
    you can think that have been modified or left out completely in their application by the state in today’s culture?
  2. Verses 17 and 18 of Daniel 3 illustrate a posture of heart held by Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. From those
    verses, how did they understand the will of God, His ability and willingness to intervene and specifically answer
    their prayers and ultimately, maintain His glory?
  3. Why do you think King Nebuchadnezzar was so quick to give glory to God after Shadrach, Meshach and
    Abednego came out of the furnace unharmed?
  4. What are some things we can learn about God by the fact that there was a fourth person IN the furnace with
    Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego?
  5. What do we learn about how God is calling us to be people of courage and conviction from this story?
    Application
  6. What was your main takeaway from Pastor Josh’s sermon? How were you impacted/ encouraged? Did you have
    an “ah-ha” moment or realize something for the first time?
  7. What role does fear play in your life? How do you realize when it is guiding decision making and action?
  8. Can you pinpoint places in your life where convenience and comfort are your highest values? Why are those
    values so dangerous if left unchecked?
  9. What are the promises of Jesus that lead you to begin cultivating a spirit of courage? Where is God asking you
    to be more courageous in your own life? What “fire” or “fear” are you currently facing?
  10. Pastor Josh said that, “Courage is not the lack of fear, it is a conviction deeper and greater than the fear you are
    facing.” How does this idea help you in facing the fears and difficulties you face?
  11. What is one thing or one way of thinking you are going to change this week to hand your fear over to God and
    receive courage from His Holy Spirit?