But If Not: The Unyielding Strength of True Faith
The discourse presented explores the profound significance encapsulated within a triad of pivotal words that have transcended temporal and spatial boundaries. These words, originating from the defiant proclamation of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego before King Nebuchadnezzar, serve as a testament to unwavering faith amidst insurmountable adversity. Their courageous declaration, "But if not," encapsulates an ethos of unconditional trust in divine providence, irrespective of immediate outcomes or circumstances. The speaker meticulously unravels the historical context of their defiance against the Babylonian edict, emphasizing the gravity of their conviction in the face of death by fire. This narrative is deftly interwoven with references to modern-day exemplars of such faith, including the indomitable spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who similarly espoused the concept of faith that is resilient, unwavering, and independent of circumstantial validation. The episode ultimately advocates for a profound introspection into the nature of one’s faith, encouraging listeners to adopt a stance that mirrors the resolute defiance embodied by these historical figures, thereby fostering a spiritual resilience that can withstand the trials of contemporary existence.
Takeaways:
- The phrase 'but if not' encapsulates a profound declaration of faith amidst uncertainty.
- Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego exemplified unwavering commitment to their beliefs despite dire consequences.
- True faith transcends conditional expectations, demonstrating trust in God regardless of outcomes.
- Dr. King emphasized that real faith does not hinge on favorable circumstances but on unwavering conviction.
- The narrative illustrates the importance of standing firm in one's beliefs against societal pressures.
- The podcast encourages listeners to cultivate a faith that endures trials and remains steadfast.
Transcript
There is power in the following three small words, Brothers and sisters, there are sermons that echo for a season, and then there are sermons that echo through the centuries.
Speaker A:Today we are dealing with three words that have traveled across time and space.
Speaker A:Three words that stood in the face of a furnace, three words that defined the faith of a people, three words that shook a king's throne.
Speaker A:Those words are.
Speaker A:But if not, let us feel the weight of these words.
Speaker A:They are not soft.
Speaker A:They are not casual.
Speaker A:They are not a polite response.
Speaker A:They are defiance.
Speaker A:They are courage.
Speaker A:They are faith, and they are surrender.
Speaker A:All rolled into three syllables.
Speaker A:These words were first spoken in the plains of Babylon where Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood before Nebuchadnezzar, the most powerful man on earth, a king who had decreed that every knee must bow before a golden idol.
Speaker A:But these three young men, foreigners, captives, nobodies in the world's eyes, stood up straight and said, o Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.
Speaker A:If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it.
Speaker A:And he will deliver us from your majesty's.
Speaker A:From your majesty's hand.
Speaker A:But if 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.
Speaker A:Daniel 3, verse 16 to 18 tells us about this narrative.
Speaker A:And centuries later, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Speaker A:Stood in the pulpit and declared again that true faith is not a bargaining chip with God.
Speaker A:True faith says, lord, I know you're able.
Speaker A:I know you will.
Speaker A:But if not, I will still trust you.
Speaker A:I will still serve you.
Speaker A:I will still stand for righteousness.
Speaker A:Today, brothers and sisters, we take another take on that timeless message for our moment.
Speaker A:Let's go back to the scene.
Speaker A:Babylon was the empire of empires.
Speaker A:Nebuchadnezzar had built a golden statue 90ft tall and commanded all nations to bow when the music played.
Speaker A:It wasn't a suggestion, it was a law.
Speaker A:To refuse meant death.
Speaker A:Not just any death, but being thrown alive into a furnace of fire.
Speaker A:But Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego didn't bend.
Speaker A:They didn't bow.
Speaker A:They didn't break.
Speaker A:And when the king gave them a second chance, they didn't even flinch.
Speaker A:They said, God is able.
Speaker A:God will.
Speaker A:But if not.
Speaker A:Now let's pause, because most of us love the first two parts of that confession.
Speaker A:God is able.
Speaker A:Yes, God will deliver us.
Speaker A:Hallelujah.
Speaker A:But when life enters the third phrase.
Speaker A:But if not, that's where many people stumble.
Speaker A:We love God's power, but can we accept his mystery?
Speaker A:We love God's miracles, but can we trust him in silence?
Speaker A:We love his blessings, but can we still worship him in the absence?
Speaker A:Brothers and sisters, that's real faith.
Speaker A:Dr. King reminded us that too many people have conditional faith.
Speaker A:They trust God if the job comes through, they trust him if healing happens, they trust him if the prayer is answered the way they want.
Speaker A:But the Hebrew boys had unconditional faith.
Speaker A:They said God is worthy no matter what.
Speaker A:Dr. King said.
Speaker A:There is what you may call an if faith.
Speaker A:If things go well, if I prosper, if my family is safe, then I'll follow God.
Speaker A:But there is also a though faith.
Speaker A:Though he slay me, yet will I trust Him?
Speaker A:Though the waters rise, I will not fear.
Speaker A:Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.
Speaker A:That's but if not faith, think of Job.
Speaker A:He lost his wealth, his children, his health.
Speaker A:His wife told him to curse God and die.
Speaker A:His friends accused him of hidden sin.
Speaker A:But Job said, though he slay me, yet will I hope in him.
Speaker A: Job: Speaker A:He prayed, father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me.
Speaker A:Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.
Speaker A: We read about it in Matthew: Speaker A:That's but if not faith, brothers and sisters, you may not face Nebuchadnezzar, but you do face furnaces.
Speaker A:The furnace of sickness, the furnace of financial hardship, the furnace of broken relationships, the furnace of injustice in society, the furnace of delayed dreams.
Speaker A:And the world's music is playing.
Speaker A:The culture is asking you to to bow.
Speaker A:To bow to money, to bow.
Speaker A:To compromise, to bow to pleasure.
Speaker A:To bow to the idol of self.
Speaker A:But God is calling for people who will stand and declare, I know my God is able.
Speaker A:I believe he will.
Speaker A:But if not, I will not bow.
Speaker A:I remember, brothers and sisters, moments in my own life when things didn't go the way I prayed.
Speaker A:Times when betrayal hurt deeper than any wound.
Speaker A:Times when opportunities closed.
Speaker A:Times when I said, lord, why?
Speaker A:And yet, looking back, those were the very furnaces that refined my faith.
Speaker A:Those were the but if not moments that proved God was God, not because he did what he wanted, but because he is who he says he is.
Speaker A:There is the threefold courage of but if not one, it is courage against fear.
Speaker A:The furnace was real.
Speaker A:The threat was real.
Speaker A:But their faith was greater than their fear.
Speaker A:It is courage against compromise.
Speaker A:Everybody Else bowed, but they stood alone.
Speaker A:And three men standing with God were stronger than thousands bowing without Him.
Speaker A:It is courage.
Speaker A:Against conditions.
Speaker A:They removed the if from their faith and declared that God is God.
Speaker A:Even when he doesn't meet their terms.
Speaker A:We live in a time of quick fixes, of instant gratification of a name it and claim it gospel.
Speaker A:But here, a sugar coated faith won't sustain you in the furnace.
Speaker A:Only a But if not faith will.
Speaker A:Young man, young woman.
Speaker A:When success doesn't come overnight, can you still trust him?
Speaker A:Husband, wife?
Speaker A:When the marriage is tested, can you still worship him?
Speaker A:Worker, student, with doors shut in your face, can you still say he is Lord?
Speaker A:That's the faith the world needs to see.
Speaker A:Not a fair weather faith, but a furnace tested faith.
Speaker A:Dr. King lived here his this faith.
Speaker A:He knew his life was in danger.
Speaker A:He knew every speech could be his last.
Speaker A:Yet he kept marching.
Speaker A:He kept preaching, he kept standing.
Speaker A:He said, longevity has its place.
Speaker A:But I'm not concerned about that now.
Speaker A:I just want to do God's will.
Speaker A:That's.
Speaker A:But if not faith.
Speaker A:And let's not forget the end of the story.
Speaker A:Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown into the furnace.
Speaker A:It was heated seven times hotter.
Speaker A:The gods who threw them in died from the flames.
Speaker A:But when the King looked inside, he saw not three men, but four walking unharmed in the fire.
Speaker A:Who was the fourth man?
Speaker A:Brothers and sisters?
Speaker A:It was none other than the son of God, Jesus Christ himself, standing in the flames with them.
Speaker A:That's the promise.
Speaker A:God may not keep you from the fire, but he will be with you in the fire.
Speaker A:Here are some questions we can reflect on.
Speaker A:What?
Speaker A:1.
Speaker A:What furnace in your life is asking you to bow down?
Speaker A:2.
Speaker A:Have you been walking with a conditional faith, Trusting God only if he performs?
Speaker A:And 3.
Speaker A:What would it look like for you to declare today?
Speaker A:But if not, I will still serve him.
Speaker A:Brothers and sisters, let us rise in the spirit of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.
Speaker A:Let us walk in the faith of Job.
Speaker A:Let us follow the examples of Jesus.
Speaker A:Let us live the courage of Dr. King.
Speaker A:The God we serve, the God we serve will deliver us.
Speaker A:The God we serve is able.
Speaker A:But if not, we must still trust him.
Speaker A:We still serve him.
Speaker A:We still praise him.
Speaker A:Let us pray.
Speaker A:Heavenly Father, we thank you that you are the God.
Speaker A:In every season, in every fire, in every trial, give us.
Speaker A:But if not faith, teach us to stand when others bow.
Speaker A:Teach us to trust when others give up.
Speaker A:Teach us to worship even when the answer is delayed.
Speaker A:Be with us in the fire, Lord, and may our lives testify that you alone are worthy.
Speaker A:In Jesus name, amen.
