Trials Are God's Gym

Why do Christians have to go through hardship? Well, trials are like God’s gym. In them, we're broken down so we can be built up. Pastor Greg Laurie shares more in his message focused on Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Notes:

Focus verse - Daniel 3 / James 1
  
Jesus walking with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego through the fiery furnace.
 
Do not despair! You are not alone in your hardship!
 
1 Peter 4:12
Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through,
as if something strange were happening to you.
 
1 Peter 4:14
Be happy if you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God will come upon you.
 
There are different kinds of trials and testings in the life of the Christian.
The devil tempts us to destroy our faith, but God tests us to develop our faith.
 
A faith that cannot be tested is a faith that cannot be trusted.
This is clearly shown in the story before us of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego.
 
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego stood up for what was right, even at the risk of losing their own lives.
 
The stand you make today will determine what kind of stand you will make tomorrow.
 
The most important time of our life is the time of our youth.
It is when we set our course and habits are developed.
 
The evening of our life is determined by the morning of it,
the end from the beginning.
 
Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego made a stand in a small area.
This is why they had the character and strength to make their stand in a larger one.
 
Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego were captured along with Daniel and placed as counselors to the king.
 
One night King Nebuchadnezzar had a troubling dream.
When he awoke, he called in all the astrologers and magicians.
 
The prophet, Daniel, humbly gave glory to God, and told the king he had dreamed of a giant statue.
 
Daniel 2:47 (NLT)
The King said to Daniel, "Truly, your God is the God of gods, the Lord over kings, a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this secret."
 
As chapter 3 opens, around 16–20 years have passed.
King Nebuchadnezzar has a 90-foot-tall statue erected, covered in gold of himself!
 
The King ordered that everyone gather for a big celebration.
They had an orchestra in place and when they played you better bow, or else!
 
The Lord was very clear about that in the Ten Commandments.
 
Exodus 20:4–5
"Do not make idols of any kind; you must never worship or bow down to them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not share your affection with any.”
 
Thousands of Israelites apparently bowed, but not these three.
Someone estimated 300,000 people were present.
 
Read Daniel 3:14–18
 
King Nebuchadnezzar was choosing off God, when he asks,
“What god will be able to rescue you?”
 
Nebuchadnezzar had quickly forgotten the God who gave him a dream.
 
Because of his pride, Nebuchadnezzar would soon be brought to his knees.
 
Everybody is a worshipper.
 
The question is not if we worship or not.
It’s who we worship.
 
Because Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego worshipped God, they could not worship the statue.
 
You will end up serving who you worship.
 
Daniel 3:18
”Your Majesty can be sure that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up."
 
A moment at the altar of sexual experimentation can lead to a lifetime of regret.
 
Moments spent worshipping God can lead to a lifetime of service.
 
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were adamant, they were not going to bow.
 
This will happen in the life of every Christian.
Sooner or later, you too will be asked to bow before some idol.
 
These boys were facing peer pressure on an epic scale.
  
Despite the fact that everyone in Babylon bowed,
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego stood up straight.
 
They figured, "Better to burn on earth and bow in Heaven, than to bow on earth, and burn in Hell!”
 
One day, the Disciples came to Jesus, excited that they could cast out demons.
 
Luke 10:20 (NLT)
“But don't rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven."
 
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were not sure they would survive this, but they were sure of God’s promises.
Daniel 3:17–18
 
Either God would preserve them, or He would be waiting on the other side.
 
Upon hearing of this insubordination on the part of these three teens, the King flies into a rage.
 
Read Daniel 3:19–25
  
Nebuchadnezzar said the fourth man looked “like the Son of God!”
 
In this Christophany, Jesus walked with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego through this fiery furnace.
 
Isaiah 43:2 (NIV)
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
 
Jesus is there with you, each step of the way.
 
Jesus said, "Lo, I am with you, even until the end of the world."
 
James 1:2–4
When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives, my brothers, don't treat them as intruders but friends! Realize that they come to test your faith and to produce in you
 
the quality of endurance. But let the process go on, until that endurance is fully developed, and you will find you have become men of mature character, men of integrity with no weak spots.
 
Staying cool, when things get hot. How do you do that?
 
It’s similar to going to the gym and working out.
 
A lot of folks find themselves getting tired and lethargic and say, “I’m just getting old!”
Yes, and it maybe you are just out of shape too.
 
Maybe you need to get busy and do something with your faith.
 
Jesus said, “Give and it shall be given unto you.”
 
Trials take our faith from the realm of theory to reality.
 
James 1:3 (NKJV)
Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
 
Perseverance!  (Greek: Hypomonē)
 
We know about the suffering of Joseph.
 
Psalm 105:18 (NLT)
They bruised his feet with fetters and placed his neck in an iron collar.
 
“As he was laid in iron, iron entered his soul.”
 
The very thing you want out of your life may be the thing you need in your life.
 
If you want to grow spiritually, iron must enter your soul.
 
James 1:4 (NKJV)
Let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
 
We may pray, “Lord, use me for Your glory! Bless me, Lord!”
Then a trial comes.
 
James 1:2 (NKJV)
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,

No two experiences are alike.
 
How did they do this?
By the decisions and commitments they made years earlier.
 
An idol is anyone or anything that takes God’s place in our life.
 
1 John 5:21 (NKJV)
Little children, keep yourselves from idols.
 
One day another world leader will come along and demand worship.
The bible calls him Antichrist.
 
He too will erect an image and demand worship, placing the image in the temple.
 
Jesus promises to deliver us from this time of tribulation.
 
Revelation 3:10 (NKJV)
"Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.”
 
Revelation 3:11 (NKJV)
"Behold, I am coming quickly!
 
Jesus says, ”Behold, I am coming quickly!”
Revelation 3:11
 
Nebuchadnezzar saw God work.
 
Maybe God is trying to get your attention today!
 
Jesus died on the cross for your sin so you could know God.

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