Faithfulness In Adversity

1
Faithfulness In Adversity

• Daniel 38-12

2
They Could Plead Authority

• Must render to Caesar the things that are
  Caesars. Matthew 2221
• Must obey God rather than men. Acts 418-20 cf.
  Exodus 115-17

3
They Could Plead Obligation

• Nebuchadnezzar was a friend and benefactor. cf.
  Daniel 312 117-19
• Moses made a choice. Hebrews 1124
• Friends, Relatives. Matthew 1034-38
• Husband, Wife. cf. Eph. 522 1 Pet. 31ff
• Children, Parents. Ephesians 61-2
• Family religion. Phil. 33ff Gal. 113-14
• Some make the wrong choice. Luke 1415-24
  Matthew 633

4
They Could Plead Universality Of Compliance

• Popular thing. Exodus 232
• People wanted a King. 1 Samuel 8
• Sauls explanation. 1 Samuel 15
• Elijah. 1 Kings 1910
• We are to be a peculiar people. Titus 214 1
  Pet. 29 cf. Rom. 122
• Never alone. Isa. 19 Mt. 713-14 Heb. 135

5
They Could Plead The Dreadfulness Of The Penalty

• Circumstances sometimes makes cowards out of us.
  cf. John 1242
• Compare our suffering with those who have gone
  before. 2 Corinthians 13ff 1123ff
• cf. 1 Peter 17-9 414-19

6
Assurances From Revelation

• God sees their tears. 717 214
• Their prayers rule the world. 83-4
• Their death is recognized as precious. 1413
  204
• Their final victory is assured. 152
• Their blood will be avenged. 69

7
Sometimes Things Are Not As Bad As They Seem

• Christ always the victor. (Book of Revelation)
• 118 28 59 62 1115 129ff 141,14
  152ff 1916 204 223
• Theme of the Book Rev 1714 These shall war
  against the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome
  them, for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings
  and they (also shall overcome) that are with him,
  called and chosen and faithful.

8
Sometimes Things Are Not As Bad As They Seem

• Seem filthy Robes washed with the blood of the
  lamb. 714
• Seem saints are killed They stand upon their
  feet. 1111
• Seem prayers are not heard. 610 Prayers heard
  and answered. 83-5
• Seem saints are defeated they reign and are
  victorious. 510 204

9
Consider What Their Trials Brought Them

• 1. A new sense of freedom!
• They entered bound, but were soon seen "loose,
  walking. Dan. 323-25
• The very thing presumed to destroy them, enabled
  them to walk freely!
• c. So our own trials can be used to set us truly
  free! James 1 2-4 Rom. 53-5 Rev. 225-27

10
Consider What Their Trials Brought Them

• 2. A new source of fellowship!
• a. Note There was a fourth person in the fire!
  Daniel 325
• b. So our trials can bring us closer to God
  Heb. 125-11 Rev. 312,21 713-17

11
Consider What Their Trials Brought Them

• 3. A new opportunity for service!
• a. They were promoted to even higher positions!
  Daniel 330
• b. Just as Joseph, who in his trials went 1)
  From slave to steward 2) From prisoner to
  Pharaoh's second hand man!
• c. So our faithfulness in trials will lead to
  greater things! Mt. 2521 Rev. 225-27

12
Conclusion

• WE WILL NOT Daniel 316ff
• God delivered them. Daniel 328-29
• God admires those who stand by their principles.
  Psalms 151-3