Staying Cool When Things Get Hot

Notes: Staying Cool When Things Get Hot
Greg Laurie
End of Days
Sunday, April 29, 2018


Daniel 3:14-18 NLT
[14] Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? [15] I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?" [16] Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. [17] If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. [18] But even if he doesn't, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up."

It’s never good to challenge God to a fight. You will always lose.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, were kept being told to worship. They would never bow down because you will end up serving what you worship.

Luke 4:8 NLT
[8] Jesus replied, "The Scriptures say, 'You must worship the LORD your God and serve only him.'"

One decision can lead to a lifetime of regret.

A lifetime of service comes from a moment of worship. Be careful what altar you bow down to.

Many will start at the altar of marijuana. It starts small and always get big.

Be strong in the small things now so you have the strength for the big things later.

Better to burn on earth and bow in Heaven than to bow on earth and burn in hell.

Daniel 3:17-25 NLT
[17] If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. [18] But even if he doesn't, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up." [19] Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. [20] Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. [21] So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully dressed in their pants, turbans, robes, and other garments. [22] And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in. [23] So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames. [24] But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, "Didn't we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?" "Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did," they replied. [25] "Look!" Nebuchadnezzar shouted. "I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!"

I believe it was Jesus Christ walking in the furnace with them, it was a Christophiny 

Hebrews 13:5 NLT
[5] Don't love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, "I will never fail you. I will never abandon you."

James 1:2-4 NLT
[2] Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. [3] For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. [4] So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

Why does God allow trials? God allows trials in our lives so we will grow spiritually. Trials help us grow stronger.

Trials will provide strength that good times can not produce.

James 1:3 NLT
[3] For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.

If you want to grow spiritually then you have to get through trials. If you pray for a blessing sometimes God will give you a trial, which in the future can produce a blessing.

We will all be pressured to bow before some idol in life.

An idol is anything or anyone that takes the place of God in your life.

A statute, a car, a cell phone, a job, lots of things can be an idol.

As you stand up for God, He will stand up for you.

Hell or Heaven is a choice we make in this life. I believe I am going to Heaven one day, are you coming with me?

Do you have that hope?