When The Music Plays…

Daniel’s Dilemma

• When Culture Shifts… We stand

• When the World is Troubled… We speak truth

• When the Music Plays… We won’t bow

Main Text: Romans 12:2, Daniel 3

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2, ESV)

• syschēmatizomai – To take on the shape or form of something (external).

• metamorphoō – To become, to be changed into (internal).

You are being FORMED TODAY into the person you are BECOMING TOMORROW.

Daniel 3:1 (ESV)

“King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its breadth six cubits. He set it up on the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon…”

Three Key Hints:

a) “Image of gold”

Beware of making LEADERS INTO IDOLS.

b) “Height was sixty cubits” (90 feet)

Beware of looking for WHOLENESS FROM THE WORLD.

c) “The plain of Dura”

Beware of the FORCES THAT SURROUND YOU.

Daniel 3:4–6 (ESV)

“And the herald proclaimed aloud, ‘You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. And whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace.’”

What Forces Are FORMING YOU?

• The Stories You Believe

• The Habits You Create/Tolerate

• The Relationships In Your Life

Consider what Nebuchadnezzar is doing:

He’s set the environment, gathered all the key relationships, written a new story, and dictated a new habit. He is forcing the people to CONFORM.

There is always a DJ playing in the background!

Daniel 3:11–13 (ESV)

“There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. So they brought these men before the king.”

Radical Truth: Oftentimes, speaking up and standing out is as simple as refusing to fall down.

Remember… No one writes the story of the man or woman who simply falls in line.

Daniel 3:16–18 (ESV)

“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.’”

These three Hebrew men did not decide to stand when they faced the music; they had decided long ago not to defile themselves at the king’s table.

Radical Thought: Tomorrow’s Success Is Today’s Decision.

Daniel 3:19–22 (ESV)

“Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury, and the expression of his face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it was usually heated. And he ordered some of the mighty men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Then these men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics, their hats, and their other garments, and they were thrown into the burning fiery furnace. Because the king’s order was urgent and the furnace overheated, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.”

FIRES YOU WILL FACE

1. Persecution & Opposition

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Timothy 3:12, ESV)

2. Trials, Tests & Tribulations

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2–4, ESV)

3. Temptation

“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.” (James 1:14–15, ESV)

4. Disappointments

“Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!” (Matthew 18:7, NKJV)

Never forget in the fire:

• FIRE REVEALS US

• FIRE REVEALS JESUS

Daniel 3:24–25 (ESV)

“Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, ‘Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?’ They answered and said to the king, ‘True, O king.’ He answered and said, ‘But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.’”

When you face Persecution and Opposition:

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:10-12, ESV)

When You Face Trials and Tests:

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:6–8, ESV)

When You Face Temptation:

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13, ESV)

When You Are Disappointed or Offended:

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28, ESV)

Radical Thought: If it hasn’t been tested, it can’t be trusted.

Daniel 3:26–27 (ESV)

“Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace; he declared, ‘Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!’ Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire. And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them.”

When the music plays… FIND YOUR OWN ANTHEM.