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Inspiring Lessons from the Life of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego
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Jul 29, 2024
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego demonstrate the incredible power of trusting and having faith in God. In this video, join me as we dive into Daniel 3 and uncover the profound lessons from the lives of these courageous young men. Let's explore what it truly means to stand up for what is right and live a life that pleases God! ΞΞΞΞΞΞΞΞΞΞΞΞΞΞΞΞΞΞΞ 📌 Read the blog version of this video, " *Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego: 7 Powerful Lessons to Lear* " = https://becomingchristians.com/2024/07/30/shadrach-meshach-and-abednego-lessons/ ΞΞΞΞΞΞΞΞΞΞΞΞΞΞΞΞΞΞΞ *FREE MASTERCLASSES* ➡️ *What is the meaning of life?* ➤ https://stats.sender.net/forms/ax63rd/view ➡️ *How to increase your faith* ➤ https://stats.sender.net/forms/eppxNe/view ➡️ *How to study the Bible* ➤ https://stats.sender.net/forms/epvj1b/view ➡️ *How to build godly habits* ➤ https://stats.sender.net/forms/e1OOqb/view ➡️ *Best Bible stories ever told* (eBook) ➤ https://stats.sender.net/forms/bqqL2b/view #biblestudy #christianity
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Now, during our camp, we have the theme which is called to stand out, embracing your godly identity
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Now, if you look around us right now, brethren, there's a lot of people who stand out, right
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Some people stand out because they are talented, they are skilled, they are wealthy
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Some people stand out because they have special ability. that other people don't have
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If you are in your school or you are in your workplace, there's an award that is called Outstanding Award
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It means that if that person, a person who receives this award is someone who is out there standing out
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because he is different from the rest of the group. He has this special identity or unique attribute
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that makes him extraordinary. But sometimes brethren, Some people stand out for the wrong reasons
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Some people stand out because of the way they dress. Some people wear, elaborate, and exaggerated
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They have this fashion statement that is just out of the world. Some people have a lot of earrings, multiple earrings, that makes them stand out
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Some people design or have this very different hairstyle, and they have tattered clothing and so much more
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And so there's a way that some people stand out in a wrong way
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But for us Christians, we are all standing out because we embrace our godly identity
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Now, if you don't embrace your godly identity, you would be standing out in the wrong reason
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That's why, brethren, today, I would like us to revisit a story
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that happened thousands of years ago that would show us what it means to really stand out
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and embracing our identity. These stories found in Daniel chapter 3. Let's go there, brethren
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Daniel chapter 3. And I would like to show you how this story actually gives us
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an idea of the right way of standing out. So let's go here, Daniel 3, chapter 3, verse 1, he says
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Nebuchadnezzar, the king made an image of gold, whose height was 60 cubits, and it's with six cubits
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Now, if you, just a little bit of background, Nebuchadnezzar, this is actually Nebuchadnezzar II
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is considered to be the greatest king of Babylon. If you have heard about the hanging gardens of Babylon
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He's the one who initiated it. But he's also known as a brutal dictator
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He's very strict, and he has killed a lot of people who would go against his will
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So this is the background of Nebuchadisar. And look at this. He made an image of gold, which is 60 cubits
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Now, I look at this measurement, and it says that it is about, about
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90 feet, that is about 15 to 20 times of my height
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So you just can imagine times 20 probably of my height. That's how high this golden image
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So if you are living in that time, you would say that it is a spectacular sight to behold
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It is very huge. And it's not just made of ordinary wood or what
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but its outer layers made of gold. So it's really shiny. It's very, I would say, spectacular
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So, and in verse two, it says here that, and King Nebuchadnezzar sent word to gather together
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the satraps, the administrators, the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates
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and all the officials of the provinces to come to dedication of the image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up
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So you could see here that this is a very important event because everyone is invited
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This means that this is not just an ordinary event. This is actually a test of allegiance to King of Yucadnezzar
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So you would see who is really loyal to him because that golden image is not just simply
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it represents his kingdom, his power. and even himself. That's the kind of image it is
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So in verse three, Sadra, the administrators, et cetera, they came together
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to the dedication of this image. And in verse four, then a herald
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cried aloud, to you, it is commanded, O people's nations and languages
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that at the time you hear the sound of the horn, the flute
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the harp, the liar, and sultary, in symphony with all kinds of
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you shall fall down and worship the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up
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So you can see here, brethren, that for King Nebuchadnezzar or other of his officials, know the power of music
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Can you just imagine brethren Music is powerful Actually Satan is a musician Music can be used for good It can also use for bad
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So, you can just imagine how awesome the sight of this. And you are not just going to be seeing, but you're also being feeling and listening at this very big orchestra
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making it conducive for all to worship the, the, golden image. And then verse 6. And whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast immediately
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into the midst of a burning, fiery furnace. So there's a threat. Okay? There's a threat. King Nebuchadisar
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isn't just making a joke here. He doesn't just see this as a religious, religious activity. But whoever
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who does not worship this golden image is considered to be an act of treason
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Someone is worthy of death. So you can just imagine that this is something that
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he really wanted to do because everyone should have allegiance to him. So at verse 7
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so at the time when all the people heard the sound of the horn, the flute, harp and lyre
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in symphony of all kinds of music, all the people, nations and languages fell down
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and worship the gold image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. So everyone is doing it
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Right? He's saying that all the people. So everyone is worshipping the golden image
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What are they doing, brethren? They are blending in. Oh, everyone is doing it
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I don't want to stand out. I don't want to get punished. I don't want any trouble
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I would just go along. And that's what all people doing here. I remember a very nice quote
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It says that Every dead fish can swim down the stream But it takes
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A live fish To go against the stream Can you just imagine that
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Brethren? Are you a dead fish Or are you a live fish
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Because a dead fish could simply just go down Even if it's dead It could go down the stream
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But it takes a live fish To go against the stream So we see here
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in verse 8. Therefore, at that time, certain Chaldeans came forward and accused the Jews
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So you could just imagine everyone is bowing down. Everyone is compliant. They don't want to go
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against the rules. But there was this certain Jews who are not afraid to stand out
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So you can just imagine they are like, everyone is like a straight
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line of people bowing down and then all of a sudden you see who are those people they are not
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bowing down so they are like sort thumb sticking out so eventually they saw him and they saw them
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that there's people who are not going or um who are not uh bowing down if you are going to read the
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first two verses here at chapters of daniel actually these three friends of daniel has also been
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promoted in a higher rank So there could be a political agenda behind this
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that they were specifically accused of not bowing down. So you could see here, brethren
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that these friends have stand out in their work, and now they are standing out in their religious beliefs
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So this has made them a target. So verse 9, they spoke and said to King of Bacadnizar
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So they are basically informing the king that there's someone, there's people who are not worshipping the beast or the golden image
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And then verse 12 says, there are certain Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon
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Now look at this. They are now named in this verse. It says, Shadrach, Mesak, and Abednegut
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These men, O king, have not paid Jew regard to you. They do not serve your gods or worship the gold image which you have set up
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Now, I want you to notice this. We know, did you know that the names Shadrach, Mesak, and Abednego were not the real name
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Now, the our young people here are nodding. They knew that this is not their real name
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Actually, the real name, if you go back to today, Daniel chapter 1, we see here that the real name of Shadrach is Hananiya
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The real name of Mishak is Mishael and Abednego. The real name is Azaraya
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So why did they change their name? Did you know why, brethren
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Because they are trying to make them forget their godly identity. in the same manner we live here in this world ruled by Satan
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the society is trying to make us forget who we are do you know brethren the name
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I will include Daniel okay do you know that the name Daniel means
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God is my judge and his Babylonian name is Belta Jazar which means
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Bell or Marduk protect his life that is the Babylonian God about Tanayya His real name is God has favored me But his Babylonian name it means the Shadrach means
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commander of Aku, which is a moon god. Mishael, his name is who is like God, or who is as God
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But his name was turned to Meshach, which is who is like Shak, that is the goddess Ishtar or Venus
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And then Azariah, his name is Yahweh is my help. And his name was turned into Abednego, which means servant of Nego
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Can you just imagine, brethren, how just they are trying to indoctrinate these young men
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to accept the culture of idolatry. So in the same manner, brethren, we are also living in this place
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And unknowingly, we don't know that we are slowly being indoctrinated. And this world is trying to wash out our godly identity
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That's why we are reminding everyone to embrace your godly identity. And that's how you're going to stand out
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So you can see here, brethren, let's go back here in verse 13
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Then Nebuchadnezzar, enraged, galit, in fury, gave the command to bring Shadraq, Mesch, and Abednego
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So they brought these men before the king. king. Look at this. Nebuchad Nisar spoke saying to them, is it true? So, to the credit of
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Nebuchad Nizar, he didn't immediately believe the accusers. He wanted to interview these three
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Jewish people, young men. Actually, this is very young. Napakabata this. Some people
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says that they are just around their 20s or late teens. So these are actually brave young men
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Crabe, can you just imagine standing up before the greatest king of their empire
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So look at this. Is it true Shadrach, Meschak and Abednego that you do not serve my gods
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or worship the gold image which I have set up? So, this is actually
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a way for Nebuchadnezzar to give them a chance, a chance to change their mind
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to have a change of heart. You see, brethren, it's one thing to stand out
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but it's different to stick to what you have stood for. Remember, Peter
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He stood out for Yeshua, but he did not. He gave up in the middle
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Yahshua was not yet crucified, and yet he gave up very early
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Yes, he stood out, but he did not endure. So these young men are being given a chance to change their mind
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But look at this. In verse 15, King of Bikadnezzar was saying that, okay, so if you are ready, at that time, you hear the sound of the horn, the orchestra
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and you fall down and worship the image, which I have made. Good. All right
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Very good. I will give you a chance. Kalimuta that that. I will forget the accusers
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I will give you a chance. but if you do not worship
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you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fire furnace
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and who is the God who will deliver you from my heads
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actually Nebuchad de Sar does not believe any God the only God that he believes is in himself
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he believes that he is the God that these people are worshipping that he said he you're
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an ultimatum if you worship the image then good very good but no
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but if not I will be throwing you to the burning fire the fiery furnace
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verse 16 Shadjak Mesch and Abedigo answered and said to the king
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Now remember the king is very furious and very angry Galit so they are
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under pressure a lot of people are with this what will be what will be what will be here
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here in this at the third one. The high officials are there. The people are just
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oh, make up you just compromise. Do it. Just follow the king. But look at this
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brethren. Oh, Nebuchad de Tsar, we have no need to answer you in this matter
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I mean, we are guilty as charge. We don't have to think that, actually, sorry
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I'm really, actually, we didn't hear that, actually, we're not hearing that, now. Now, okay
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now, okay now, make bow down now, but what said, yeah, oh
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we don't need, we have no need to answer you in this matter. Say he, if that
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is the case, our God, whom we serve, is able to deliver us
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from the burning fire furnace. And he will deliver us from your hand, oh king
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So, the three friends are not just thinking that we will be delivered from the furnace
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but we could also be delivered from your hands. You're just my name, king. We will be delivered from you
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Okay? Sabine that, that is the testament of faith that you are showing before this king
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And verse 17. 18. But if not, if not, they are actually submitting to the will of God
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They don't assume that, sure, sure to. they are really we do deliver us nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up can just imagine brethren
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these young men this brave courageous men are standing up against this pagan god
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why? Because they know their godly identity it's easy to make excuses
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if other people are even people maybe actually You know, Shadrach, Sikinabekh Nebuchad
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Nassirn't, it's not trying to make us renounce our faith. He just want us to
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bow down. Sigelang, 10 minutes long, okay now. Compromise only we're still young
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We are still young. Are we going to die for this belief
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It's very easy to do that. Baca, say they'll, oh, maybe, everybody's doing it
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We are actually, we are actually, we're here, we're actually, We'll not time in
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promise land. Okay, no, there's no, there's not much God will understand
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Kaya, think you think you think we , we're going to make
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bow down. So, you could come up with different excuses. Now, this
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doesn't this , this, familiar to you, brethren, I'm sure that most
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of you have also experienced this. maybe in your school or if you will not
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because you know what the golden image does not have to be a physical statue
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it could be it could take the form of your career it could take the form of your school
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your education it could take the form of your friends your families your ambitions
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your dreams probably some of you you have faced your nebuchad of sir
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said you if you do not if you do not take this exam on the
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Sabbath, you will fail. Will you bow down? Will you bow down to your teacher
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If you're not going to report to me during the fifth days, you will lose your job
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Will you bow down to your boss? Will you bow down to the society
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and forget your godly identity? All right? So actually, this is showing us
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that following God is we need to make the decision every day of following God
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You don't have to wait for the big event to show you. Actually, these three friends that are not just simply faithful during this time
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They are actually faithful before those days. They already have made this habit of following God over and over again
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so that when the big test comes, they know exactly what to do
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And so what happened, brethren? So what happened in, they were actually, in verse 19, when Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury
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and the expression of his face changed toward Chadrach, Mesak, and Abedigo, he spoke and commanded
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that they hit the fairness seven times more than it was usually heated
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Grabe, sobrang gallant he. Imagine, you're, what, this, all of people that
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right now did not even let's get upo what did you see that
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there's another person and then they're they're making they're they're singing hymns
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that God is protecting them so this the uh nibikad Nisar is very astonish
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what is what he's seeing so he's called he adrak meshak a maniko tito
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and they were really surprised that they are not even the Even the amoe of their
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they not just make amoe apoi. So they are really delivered. And so
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in verse 28 Nevichadnezzar spoke saying Blessed be the God of Shadra
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Mesch and Abednego who sent his angel and delivered his servants who trusted in him
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and they have frustrated the king's word and yielded their bodies that they should not serve
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nor worship any God except their own God. would the same words be said to us
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would they be saying that blessed be the god of Gabriel the god of Denchio the god of grace
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would they be saying that because even if they are threatened that they would have failing grades
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they still stood up for what is right would that those words be said to us
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therefore I make a decree that any people nation or language which speaks anything
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am hiss against the God of Shadrach, Mesch, and the menigo shall be cut in pieces
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and their houses shall be made and ash heaped because there is no God who can deliver like this
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What a wonderful story, brethren. And so I want to ask you, when the tribulation, the trials in this life comes trying to make you forget your godly identity
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when the trials comes and make you forget or give up my question for you is this
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will you blend in or will you stand out