Key Scripture: Daniel 3:14-23

Key Thought: Christians must navigate life with a conviction that God is able to deliver us from all manner of trials, however ultimately the Christian life must be built not on a foundation that Christ will deliver us from trials, but on a commitment to worship him even if he doesn’t.

Introduction

An Alternate Ending

And as Shadrech, Misheck and Abednego were thrown into the fire, instantly their bodies went up in flames. Their flesh was consumed by the intense heat. So intense was the fire that even their bones were turned to ashes only a few teeth were found in the furnace thereafter. Nebuchadnezzars fury was abated. He issues a decree that said: Any people, Nation or Language that does not bow down to me, that does serve my gods or does not worship the golden image that I have set up will burnt to a cinder and his memory blotted out. This is the decree of Nebuchadnezzar king of kings. I am Nebuchadnezzar and I don’t play.

Meanwhile, Daniel mourned his three friends.

This didn’t happen yet we must understand that ultimate endings are possible!

The essence of the Christian life is manifested not at the place of deliverance and victory but rather at the place of “even if”. Therefore our key thought today is that

Christians must navigate life with a conviction that God is able to deliver us from all manner of trials, however ultimately the Christian life must be built not on a foundation that Christ will deliver us from trials, but on a commitment to worship him even if he doesn’t.

What makes these three Hebrew children remarkable is not the promotions that they obtained or what they accomplished in their professional life but what they were willing to give up. Their willingness to say even if God doesn’t deliver us from the trials and the tests of this life we will still trust in him.

Today we would like to address the subject of what we must do to become “Even If” Christians. But before we do that there are two observations we want to make about trials and tests. 

Observation 1-Trials and Tests Are Opportunities To Declare Our Trust And Allegiance  

In this instance it was a clear case where they were explicitly being asked to worship an idol. Yet in other cases trials don’t always come labeled as clearly. Yet ultimately every trial and every test is an opportunity to declare the one in whom we trust and the one in whom our allegiance is due.

Observation 2-Trials And Tests Are A Normal And Repeating Part Of The Christian Life. Trials Are Normal and They Repeat.

Peter writes to a group of believers under persecution:

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ.

the book of Daniel we see multiple tests. They were tested with the Kings food, they were tested with the fiery furnace later on Daniel was tested in the lion’s den. Multiple times they were tested. God uses tests to reveal what is in the inside of us. He uses them to strengthen us.

What Must We Do to Become Even If Christians?

Becoming this kind of Christian requires that we be rooted. The three Hebrew children were not casual people. These were people that had some foundation in their lives. Likewise, we have to be rooted in something that is bigger that ourselves. We must be established in something that is stable and enduring. We must be rooted!

Rooted in What?

1. We Must Be Rooted in The Reality of The Power of God
2. We Must Be Rooted in The Reality of The Sovereignty of God
3. We Must Be Rooted in The Reality of The Love of God

Conclusion

Becoming an “Even If” Christian is not optional it is the only way to truly live the Christian life. As you worship him make a declaration in your heart that you will worship and love Yahweh above all.