Courageous: Courageous Friends Who Live By Faith - Daniel 3:1-30 (Billy Russell, 02/17/2019)

                                                  Courageous

                            “Courageous Friends Who Live by Faith”

                                                 (Daniel 3:1-30)

 

Daniel 3 demonstrates courageous faith in action. It pictures a definitive faith decision. It is by no means a cute children’s story. This Scripture teaches us to live like God can be trusted. Despite the very real threat of death, Daniel’s three courageous friends exercise an amazing faith in God!

 

Overview:

     The Book of Daniel is... the revelation of the sovereignty of God in

                                           action (on display)!

     Sovereignty is... the gracious rule/reign of God over His Kingdom, and

                                 in our lives.

     Courage is... acting on my belief in a sovereign, trustworthy, gracious   

                            God! (Courage = Devotion + Obedience)

 

                            Courageous Friends Who Live by Faith

 

Courage to stand- when everyone else bows.

       (3:1-12)             Humble confidence despite challenge.

 

 

Courage to speak- when everyone else is dutifully silent.

      (3:13-18)            Response deepens the drastic action of faith.                           

                                 Profession of faith clarifies faith’s practice.

                                 A steadfast trust in God regardless of the results.

                               

Courage to die (or live)- whether God graciously rescues (or not).

       (3:19-23)                    A singular devotion/obedience to honor God.

                                          Living by faith pleases God (Heb.11:6; 34!)

 

Who’s the 4th guy and why?  When Jesus shows up He saves the day!

       (3:24-30)    An angel (maybe Gabriel or Michael?)/ “son of the gods”?

                         A Christophany - a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ.

              Jesus appearing in the OT- times where God is “seen” refer to

              Jesus (e.g., Gen.18:1; 32:30; Josh.5:13-15; Is.6/Jn.12:41; et al).

              If Jesus, why now? Revelation of God on display! (Col.1:15)

              It’s just like Jesus to show up and save us! (Mt.1:21-22; Mk.10:45)