But If Not, I'm Still Standing | Associate Pastor Chad Erickson

turning your bibles with me to daniel chapter 3 and bibles with me to daniel chapter 3 and bibles with me to daniel chapter 3 and verse number one verse number one verse number one if you will stand for the reading of the if you will stand for the reading of the if you will stand for the reading of the word this is word this is word this is uh this is something we do uh this is something we do uh this is something we do for honor of the word of god the text for honor of the word of god the text for honor of the word of god the text that is written the text that is read that is written the text that is read that is written the text that is read the text that is preached the text that is preached the text that is preached we stand in honor of the word we stand in honor of the word we stand in honor of the word i also want to second what sister i also want to second what sister i also want to second what sister erickson brother hammond said erickson brother hammond said erickson brother hammond said about brother stevens in his passing about brother stevens in his passing about brother stevens in his passing wow shocking matter of fact i was wow shocking matter of fact i was wow shocking matter of fact i was i was actually speaking i was preaching i was actually speaking i was preaching i was actually speaking i was preaching a funeral a funeral a funeral sister mary varnum little sister mary varnum little sister mary varnum little lady that uh attended church she was 87 lady that uh attended church she was 87 lady that uh attended church she was 87 years old years old years old and went on to be with the lord but she and went on to be with the lord but she and went on to be with the lord but she attended church here first apostolic as attended church here first apostolic as attended church here first apostolic as long long long as long as she could as long as her as long as she could as long as her as long as she could as long as her health allowed her to health allowed her to health allowed her to she had a funeral on tuesday and in the she had a funeral on tuesday and in the she had a funeral on tuesday and in the middle of that funeral i started getting middle of that funeral i started getting middle of that funeral i started getting texts texts texts that said brother stevens it doesn't that said brother stevens it doesn't that said brother stevens it doesn't seem like he has very long to live seem like he has very long to live seem like he has very long to live they're saying they're saying they're saying they're saying we're about to lose they're saying we're about to lose they're saying we're about to lose brother stevens and i i remember being brother stevens and i i remember being brother stevens and i i remember being there at the funeral and not not hardly there at the funeral and not not hardly there at the funeral and not not hardly believing and not wanting to believe believing and not wanting to believe believing and not wanting to believe what i was reading via text not i what i was reading via text not i what i was reading via text not i believe by the time believe by the time believe by the time the funeral was over by time i was the funeral was over by time i was the funeral was over by time i was leaving the funeral leaving the funeral leaving the funeral i was getting texts that we had lost i was getting texts that we had lost i was getting texts that we had lost brother stevens and i do also want to brother stevens and i do also want to brother stevens and i do also want to send my condolences to the send my condolences to the send my condolences to the family and tell you that i also am family and tell you that i also am family and tell you that i also am praying for you praying for you praying for you in thinking of you during this time amen in thinking of you during this time amen in thinking of you during this time amen i just believe the lord i just believe the lord i just believe the lord wants me to preach a word of wants me to preach a word of wants me to preach a word of encouragement to our church family i encouragement to our church family i encouragement to our church family i i believe you that are watching online i believe you that are watching online i believe you that are watching online you that are here in the sanctuary you that are here in the sanctuary you that are here in the sanctuary tonight tonight tonight um by way of of facebook posts um by way of of facebook posts um by way of of facebook posts by way of text messages by way by way of text messages by way by way of text messages by way of phone calls this week and this past of phone calls this week and this past of phone calls this week and this past week week week i think we've heard more concern over i think we've heard more concern over i think we've heard more concern over health and more concern over health and more concern over health and more concern over jobs and more concern over losing the jobs and more concern over losing the jobs and more concern over losing the life life life of loved ones i believe tonight my of loved ones i believe tonight my of loved ones i believe tonight my responsibility responsibility responsibility is to build the faith of the people of is to build the faith of the people of is to build the faith of the people of god god god so if you will turn with me in daniel 3 so if you will turn with me in daniel 3 so if you will turn with me in daniel 3 and 1 let's read and 1 let's read and 1 let's read says nebuchadnezzar the king made an says nebuchadnezzar the king made an says nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold image of gold image of gold whose height was three score cubits and whose height was three score cubits and whose height was three score cubits and the breadth are of the breadth are of the breadth are of six cubits he set it up in the plain of six cubits he set it up in the plain of six cubits he set it up in the plain of dura dura dura in the province of babylon then in the province of babylon then in the province of babylon then nebuchadnezzar the king nebuchadnezzar the king nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes the sent to gather together the princes the sent to gather together the princes the governors the captains governors the captains governors the captains the judges the treasurers the councilors the judges the treasurers the councilors the judges the treasurers the councilors the sheriffs the sheriffs the sheriffs and all the rulers of the provinces to and all the rulers of the provinces to and all the rulers of the provinces to come come come to the dedication of the image which to the dedication of the image which to the dedication of the image which nebuchadnezzar the king had nebuchadnezzar the king had nebuchadnezzar the king had set up look at verse 4 then set up look at verse 4 then set up look at verse 4 then in herald cried aloud to you in herald cried aloud to you in herald cried aloud to you it is commanded o people nations and it is commanded o people nations and it is commanded o people nations and languages languages languages that at the time did you hear the sound that at the time did you hear the sound that at the time did you hear the sound of the cornet of the cornet of the cornet the flute the heart the sacred the the flute the heart the sacred the the flute the heart the sacred the psaltery the dulcimer psaltery the dulcimer psaltery the dulcimer in all kinds of music ye in all kinds of music ye in all kinds of music ye fall down and worship the golden image fall down and worship the golden image fall down and worship the golden image that nebuchadnezzar the king that nebuchadnezzar the king that nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up and whoso hath set up and whoso hath set up and whoso falleth not down and worshipeth falleth not down and worshipeth falleth not down and worshipeth shall the same hour be cast shall the same hour be cast shall the same hour be cast into the midst of the burning into the midst of the burning into the midst of the burning fiery furnace and apparently fiery furnace and apparently fiery furnace and apparently there was a question if everyone would there was a question if everyone would there was a question if everyone would indeed worship and indeed worship and indeed worship and sure enough everyone did not worship sure enough everyone did not worship sure enough everyone did not worship matter of fact if you look at verse 17 matter of fact if you look at verse 17 matter of fact if you look at verse 17 we have we have we have shadrach meshach and abednego as they're shadrach meshach and abednego as they're shadrach meshach and abednego as they're talking to the king talking to the king talking to the king and they say if it be so our god whom we and they say if it be so our god whom we and they say if it be so our god whom we serve serve serve is able to deliver us from the burning is able to deliver us from the burning is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace and he will deliver us out fiery furnace and he will deliver us out fiery furnace and he will deliver us out of thine hand o king of thine hand o king of thine hand o king but if not this is what i want to focus but if not this is what i want to focus but if not this is what i want to focus on tonight on tonight on tonight being known unto thee o king that we being known unto thee o king that we being known unto thee o king that we will not will not will not serve thy gods nor worship the golden serve thy gods nor worship the golden serve thy gods nor worship the golden image which thou hast set image which thou hast set image which thou hast set up i'm going to take my sermon title up i'm going to take my sermon title up i'm going to take my sermon title from the first three words of verse 18 from the first three words of verse 18 from the first three words of verse 18 which simply says but if which simply says but if which simply says but if not but then i want to add three more not but then i want to add three more not but then i want to add three more words that kind of sum up the remainder words that kind of sum up the remainder words that kind of sum up the remainder of the verse of the verse of the verse and those next three words are i'm still and those next three words are i'm still and those next three words are i'm still standing my title is but if not standing my title is but if not standing my title is but if not i'm still standing you see i'm still standing you see i'm still standing you see if god doesn't show up when i think if god doesn't show up when i think if god doesn't show up when i think he's going to show up i'm still going to he's going to show up i'm still going to he's going to show up i'm still going to be standing be standing be standing if god doesn't come when i think he if god doesn't come when i think he if god doesn't come when i think he ought to come i'm still going to be ought to come i'm still going to be ought to come i'm still going to be if he doesn't deliver me like i think he if he doesn't deliver me like i think he if he doesn't deliver me like i think he ought to deliver me ought to deliver me ought to deliver me church family we gotta still stand and church family we gotta still stand and church family we gotta still stand and say i say i say i will not bow i will not give up i will will not bow i will not give up i will will not bow i will not give up i will not give in we used to sing a song that not give in we used to sing a song that not give in we used to sing a song that said this simply this he's an on-time said this simply this he's an on-time said this simply this he's an on-time god yes he is oh god yes he is oh god yes he is oh he's an on-time god yes he is he's an on-time god yes he is he's an on-time god yes he is job said he may not come when you want job said he may not come when you want job said he may not come when you want him him him but he'll be there right on time but he'll be there right on time but he'll be there right on time i tell you he's an on-time god yes he is i tell you he's an on-time god yes he is i tell you he's an on-time god yes he is come on let's pray together i believe come on let's pray together i believe come on let's pray together i believe tonight tonight tonight that somebody's gonna be encouraged by that somebody's gonna be encouraged by that somebody's gonna be encouraged by the word of the lord father we need you the word of the lord father we need you the word of the lord father we need you father we want you to speak into our father we want you to speak into our father we want you to speak into our lives father we want you lord god lives father we want you lord god lives father we want you lord god to make yourself known in a powerful way to make yourself known in a powerful way to make yourself known in a powerful way tonight lord there are families all tonight lord there are families all tonight lord there are families all across our counties oh god who are across our counties oh god who are across our counties oh god who are struggling lord god struggling lord god struggling lord god who are in trials right now trials of who are in trials right now trials of who are in trials right now trials of sickness sickness sickness lord trials of mourning lord they're in lord trials of mourning lord they're in lord trials of mourning lord they're in trials lord god of trials lord god of trials lord god of of loss of jobs and loss of pay and lord of loss of jobs and loss of pay and lord of loss of jobs and loss of pay and lord there's those that are quarantined that there's those that are quarantined that there's those that are quarantined that don't want to be quarantined lord don't want to be quarantined lord don't want to be quarantined lord we're out of the house we're out of the we're out of the house we're out of the we're out of the house we're out of the church house but oh god we want to be church house but oh god we want to be church house but oh god we want to be here here here lord there's so many things lord god lord there's so many things lord god lord there's so many things lord god that are troubling that are troubling that are troubling the people of god lord help us tonight the people of god lord help us tonight the people of god lord help us tonight lord to be encouraged by your word lord to be encouraged by your word lord to be encouraged by your word in jesus name i pray in jesus name i pray in jesus name i pray amen and amen and you may be seated amen and amen and you may be seated amen and amen and you may be seated amen and amen well i want to start off a amen and amen well i want to start off a amen and amen well i want to start off a little bit light little bit light little bit light tonight because it might get just a tonight because it might get just a tonight because it might get just a little bit heavy at times but i i've never been but i i've never been so much into western where so much into western where so much into western where i grew up i grew up in upstate new york i grew up i grew up in upstate new york i grew up i grew up in upstate new york and if you can imagine i probably never and if you can imagine i probably never and if you can imagine i probably never saw a cowboy hat or cowboy boots saw a cowboy hat or cowboy boots saw a cowboy hat or cowboy boots until i was probably 16 years old and i until i was probably 16 years old and i until i was probably 16 years old and i had moved had moved had moved down to a city in north carolina where down to a city in north carolina where down to a city in north carolina where the guys would wear the guys would wear the guys would wear spurs on their boots when they came to spurs on their boots when they came to spurs on their boots when they came to school school school i'm talking you would hear them i don't i'm talking you would hear them i don't i'm talking you would hear them i don't i don't know how it's even allowed i i don't know how it's even allowed i i don't know how it's even allowed i don't know what the difference between don't know what the difference between don't know what the difference between spurs and a knife are i don't know but spurs and a knife are i don't know but spurs and a knife are i don't know but you would hear them walking you would hear them walking you would hear them walking you'd hear them walking down the school you'd hear them walking down the school you'd hear them walking down the school hallway and you'd hear and they were as proud as can be and if and they were as proud as can be and if you wear spurs you wear spurs you wear spurs god bless you but they were his prophet god bless you but they were his prophet god bless you but they were his prophet but i was born in albuquerque in new but i was born in albuquerque in new but i was born in albuquerque in new mexico and mexico and mexico and and that's about as much as the west and that's about as much as the west and that's about as much as the west that i can claim but when i was four that i can claim but when i was four that i can claim but when i was four years old i moved to new york and years old i moved to new york and years old i moved to new york and and i've never worn coward boots i've and i've never worn coward boots i've and i've never worn coward boots i've never i've never worn i never i've never worn i never i've never worn i don't know what you would call it their don't know what you would call it their don't know what you would call it their scarf i don't even know i can't even scarf i don't even know i can't even scarf i don't even know i can't even explain to you explain to you explain to you what all they wear but i do know this what all they wear but i do know this what all they wear but i do know this when i was growing up when i was growing up when i was growing up i read a lot of louis lamour books i read a lot of louis lamour books i read a lot of louis lamour books and if you're under the age of 40 you and if you're under the age of 40 you and if you're under the age of 40 you have no idea what i'm talking about have no idea what i'm talking about have no idea what i'm talking about but to you that are my age and older but to you that are my age and older but to you that are my age and older especially if you didn't have a especially if you didn't have a especially if you didn't have a television when you're growing up you television when you're growing up you television when you're growing up you did a lot of reading did a lot of reading did a lot of reading and louis lamour had the very best and louis lamour had the very best and louis lamour had the very best western books he was the greatest western books he was the greatest western books he was the greatest author i believe of all time when it author i believe of all time when it author i believe of all time when it comes to western comes to western comes to western books and and i remember as even a child books and and i remember as even a child books and and i remember as even a child reading and and i can in my mind's eye reading and and i can in my mind's eye reading and and i can in my mind's eye i can see the breeze blowing through i can see the breeze blowing through i can see the breeze blowing through the tops of the pines i i could hear the the tops of the pines i i could hear the the tops of the pines i i could hear the crackling of the fire the crackling of the fire the crackling of the fire the the horses as they were tied down at the the horses as they were tied down at the the horses as they were tied down at the stable stable stable i could hear the sound of those boot i could hear the sound of those boot i could hear the sound of those boot spurs spurs spurs clanging on the boardwalks through the clanging on the boardwalks through the clanging on the boardwalks through the little towns and little towns and little towns and the doors of the saloon as you would you the doors of the saloon as you would you the doors of the saloon as you would you would hear them creak open and shut and would hear them creak open and shut and would hear them creak open and shut and as you would hear as you would hear as you would hear the gun fights in the dirt and the gun fights in the dirt and the gun fights in the dirt and dust-filled streets i could envision it dust-filled streets i could envision it dust-filled streets i could envision it all all all in my mind's eye and even today in my mind's eye and even today in my mind's eye and even today i still have some memories of those i still have some memories of those i still have some memories of those books and it makes me sometimes just get books and it makes me sometimes just get books and it makes me sometimes just get the feeling of i just want to go west i the feeling of i just want to go west i the feeling of i just want to go west i want to see those mountains i want to want to see those mountains i want to want to see those mountains i want to see those rocky mountains and see those rocky mountains and see those rocky mountains and and i want to go through montana and and i want to go through montana and and i want to go through montana and wyoming and and fault me for it i don't wyoming and and fault me for it i don't wyoming and and fault me for it i don't know if you want to but know if you want to but know if you want to but i've told my wife many times i said we i've told my wife many times i said we i've told my wife many times i said we just got to get us an rv and we got to just got to get us an rv and we got to just got to get us an rv and we got to just drive through those hills and just drive through those hills and just drive through those hills and and through those mountains and i want and through those mountains and i want and through those mountains and i want to see what it looks like i want to to see what it looks like i want to to see what it looks like i want to i want to see those pine trees i want to i want to see those pine trees i want to i want to see those pine trees i want to see those dust-covered roads see those dust-covered roads see those dust-covered roads but louis lamar wrote a book called the but louis lamar wrote a book called the but louis lamar wrote a book called the iron iron iron marshal and if i can this might be a marshal and if i can this might be a marshal and if i can this might be a slight spoiler alert in case you're slight spoiler alert in case you're slight spoiler alert in case you're going to read the book but going to read the book but going to read the book but this book called the iron marshal was this book called the iron marshal was this book called the iron marshal was simply about simply about simply about this marshall and i guess in today's this marshall and i guess in today's this marshall and i guess in today's vernacular i guess to our vernacular i guess to our vernacular i guess to our our students today and be a superhero our students today and be a superhero our students today and be a superhero what we would look at what we would look at what we would look at when you start watching these uh movies when you start watching these uh movies when you start watching these uh movies of these superheroes this was a of these superheroes this was a of these superheroes this was a superhero of the time he could do superhero of the time he could do superhero of the time he could do anything he was anything he was anything he was he could draw his guns faster he could he could draw his guns faster he could he could draw his guns faster he could he could shoot farther he was quicker he could shoot farther he was quicker he could shoot farther he was quicker he had it all together he was cool man he had it all together he was cool man he had it all together he was cool man he had his guns as they were low on his he had his guns as they were low on his he had his guns as they were low on his belt and he was just belt and he was just belt and he was just he was that one guy that every young man he was that one guy that every young man he was that one guy that every young man wanted to be like he was strong and wanted to be like he was strong and wanted to be like he was strong and tough tough tough and this marshall was on his way the and this marshall was on his way the and this marshall was on his way the whole the whole story was about the whole the whole story was about the whole the whole story was about the marshall and about how awesome he was it marshall and about how awesome he was it marshall and about how awesome he was it went from story to story of went from story to story of went from story to story of all he did in his hometown he found out all he did in his hometown he found out all he did in his hometown he found out the news came to him the news came to him the news came to him that there were cattle rustlers that had that there were cattle rustlers that had that there were cattle rustlers that had threatened threatened threatened to run their cattle through this little to run their cattle through this little to run their cattle through this little town his hometown town his hometown town his hometown and he was racing to get back to the and he was racing to get back to the and he was racing to get back to the town town town he was racing these cattle rustlers they he was racing these cattle rustlers they he was racing these cattle rustlers they were coming from one direction were coming from one direction were coming from one direction and he was coming from the other and he and he was coming from the other and he and he was coming from the other and he was driving his horse was driving his horse was driving his horse as fast as he could drive his horse and as fast as he could drive his horse and as fast as he could drive his horse and he was getting there but he was a little he was getting there but he was a little he was getting there but he was a little bit behind where they were coming in bit behind where they were coming in bit behind where they were coming in from the west from the west from the west and the story is all around the town's and the story is all around the town's and the story is all around the town's people people people as they hoped for their town their their as they hoped for their town their their as they hoped for their town their their town hero the marshal town hero the marshal town hero the marshal they were hoping he would get back into they were hoping he would get back into they were hoping he would get back into town in time town in time town in time but here's what they said and this is but here's what they said and this is but here's what they said and this is the line i remember reading it reminded the line i remember reading it reminded the line i remember reading it reminded me of the story me of the story me of the story that we're about to talk about today but that we're about to talk about today but that we're about to talk about today but the line the line the line simply was this the men of the town said simply was this the men of the town said simply was this the men of the town said we believe we believe we believe marshall will show up on time but if not marshall will show up on time but if not marshall will show up on time but if not being known we will not back down and we being known we will not back down and we being known we will not back down and we will fight will fight will fight to the end and i don't know i don't know to the end and i don't know i don't know to the end and i don't know i don't know where louis lamar got his inspiration where louis lamar got his inspiration where louis lamar got his inspiration for this particular for this particular for this particular book but i believe he could have been book but i believe he could have been book but i believe he could have been reading about the three reading about the three reading about the three hebrew boys that weren't captive in hebrew boys that weren't captive in hebrew boys that weren't captive in babylon babylon babylon because our god listen our god will because our god listen our god will because our god listen our god will always always always show up it may not be when we think he show up it may not be when we think he show up it may not be when we think he ought to show up ought to show up ought to show up but he'll always be right on but he'll always be right on but he'll always be right on time if you can imagine i don't want to time if you can imagine i don't want to time if you can imagine i don't want to totally give away the story but of totally give away the story but of totally give away the story but of course the marshall got there in time of course the marshall got there in time of course the marshall got there in time of course course course the marshall made sure that the town the marshall made sure that the town the marshall made sure that the town didn't fall apart didn't fall apart didn't fall apart with the cattle coming through but i with the cattle coming through but i with the cattle coming through but i want to talk about a different story want to talk about a different story want to talk about a different story that i believe that i believe that i believe is going to give us hope tonight and is going to give us hope tonight and is going to give us hope tonight and that's the beautiful story of four that's the beautiful story of four that's the beautiful story of four hebrew boys for the book of daniel hebrew boys for the book of daniel hebrew boys for the book of daniel begins begins begins with the story of these great boys with the story of these great boys with the story of these great boys abducted abducted abducted from judah to serve king nebuchadnezzar from judah to serve king nebuchadnezzar from judah to serve king nebuchadnezzar in babylon in babylon in babylon the king of babylon only took certain the king of babylon only took certain the king of babylon only took certain people captive he was looking for the people captive he was looking for the people captive he was looking for the good looking he was looking for the good looking he was looking for the good looking he was looking for the intelligent intelligent intelligent he was looking for the young he was he was looking for the young he was he was looking for the young he was looking for the visionaries and the looking for the visionaries and the looking for the visionaries and the dreamers the talented dreamers the talented dreamers the talented he was looking for those who could he was looking for those who could he was looking for those who could better his kingdom better his kingdom better his kingdom in these four hebrew boys these four in these four hebrew boys these four in these four hebrew boys these four names which they received at their names which they received at their names which they received at their circumcision circumcision circumcision all had something to do with their god all had something to do with their god all had something to do with their god jehovah daniel simply means god jehovah daniel simply means god jehovah daniel simply means god is my judge hananiah means the grace is my judge hananiah means the grace is my judge hananiah means the grace of the lord michelle means he that is of the lord michelle means he that is of the lord michelle means he that is strong god and azariah means the lord strong god and azariah means the lord strong god and azariah means the lord is a help these parents love these boys is a help these parents love these boys is a help these parents love these boys these parents raised these boys to these parents raised these boys to these parents raised these boys to understand who understand who understand who they were and what they believed but to they were and what they believed but to they were and what they believed but to make them forget make them forget make them forget about the god of their fathers the about the god of their fathers the about the god of their fathers the babylonians babylonians babylonians would very first the first thing they would very first the first thing they would very first the first thing they did was they would change did was they would change did was they would change the names and they promoted their the names and they promoted their the names and they promoted their beliefs and so as they promoted their beliefs and so as they promoted their beliefs and so as they promoted their beliefs they would change the names of beliefs they would change the names of beliefs they would change the names of these hebrews these hebrews these hebrews into names that would mean the chaldean into names that would mean the chaldean into names that would mean the chaldean idolatry gods daniel whose name idolatry gods daniel whose name idolatry gods daniel whose name belch hazar means the keeper of the belch hazar means the keeper of the belch hazar means the keeper of the hidden treasures of bell hidden treasures of bell hidden treasures of bell shadrach is the inspiration of the sun shadrach is the inspiration of the sun shadrach is the inspiration of the sun which the chaldeans worshiped which the chaldeans worshiped which the chaldeans worshiped misha act of the goddess shack misha act of the goddess shack misha act of the goddess shack under which name venus was worshiped and under which name venus was worshiped and under which name venus was worshiped and then you have a bendigo then you have a bendigo then you have a bendigo which is a servant of the shining fire which is a servant of the shining fire which is a servant of the shining fire which they worshipped which they worshipped which they worshipped also and so in studying nebuchadnezzar also and so in studying nebuchadnezzar also and so in studying nebuchadnezzar in this babylon in this babylon in this babylon empire i found out that for the first empire i found out that for the first empire i found out that for the first three years the babylonians did not three years the babylonians did not three years the babylonians did not push or force their religion upon push or force their religion upon push or force their religion upon foreigners however everything possible foreigners however everything possible foreigners however everything possible was done was done was done to wean the foreigners of their to wean the foreigners of their to wean the foreigners of their upbringing not just the hebrews upbringing not just the hebrews upbringing not just the hebrews but anybody they took captive they would but anybody they took captive they would but anybody they took captive they would they would wean them they would wean them they would wean them from their upbringing and from their from their upbringing and from their from their upbringing and from their identity and this name change was the identity and this name change was the identity and this name change was the very very very first order of business and let me tell first order of business and let me tell first order of business and let me tell you let me preach this for a moment the you let me preach this for a moment the you let me preach this for a moment the world world world is going to want to name us all kinds of is going to want to name us all kinds of is going to want to name us all kinds of different names i've been called a holy different names i've been called a holy different names i've been called a holy roller roller roller i've been called jesus only i've even i've been called jesus only i've even i've been called jesus only i've even been called a heretic been called a heretic been called a heretic but literally i've heard them all but but literally i've heard them all but but literally i've heard them all but let me tell you something the world can let me tell you something the world can let me tell you something the world can name name name us anything they want to name us but us anything they want to name us but us anything they want to name us but they they they don't define me they don't give me an don't define me they don't give me an don't define me they don't give me an identity identity identity the one who gives me the identity is the the one who gives me the identity is the the one who gives me the identity is the one who originally named me one who originally named me one who originally named me the god of my fathers i i'm still the god of my fathers i i'm still the god of my fathers i i'm still apostolic apostolic apostolic i'm pentecostal i believe in one i'm pentecostal i believe in one i'm pentecostal i believe in one god there's no god like my god god there's no god like my god god there's no god like my god i still believe in repentance i still i still believe in repentance i still i still believe in repentance i still believe that you've got to be baptized believe that you've got to be baptized believe that you've got to be baptized in the name of jesus christ in the name of jesus christ in the name of jesus christ for the remission of your sins i still for the remission of your sins i still for the remission of your sins i still believe that you must receive believe that you must receive believe that you must receive the gift of the holy ghost you've got to the gift of the holy ghost you've got to the gift of the holy ghost you've got to have the spirit of god inside of you have the spirit of god inside of you have the spirit of god inside of you how can you be like god without his how can you be like god without his how can you be like god without his spirit within you spirit within you spirit within you to be holy you must have the holy to be holy you must have the holy to be holy you must have the holy ghost and let me tell you something ghost and let me tell you something ghost and let me tell you something there's a lot of people there's a lot of people there's a lot of people there's a lot of apostolics that are there's a lot of apostolics that are there's a lot of apostolics that are almost apostolic they're almost apostolic they're almost apostolic they're apostolic-ish apostolic-ish apostolic-ish i've seen a lot of them posting on i've seen a lot of them posting on i've seen a lot of them posting on facebook facebook facebook i've seen a lot of them posted on i've seen a lot of them posted on i've seen a lot of them posted on instagram people i thought were instagram people i thought were instagram people i thought were apostolic apostolic apostolic but they're more apostolic-ish maybe a but they're more apostolic-ish maybe a but they're more apostolic-ish maybe a new word we could make up would be new word we could make up would be new word we could make up would be apple stylish kind of kind of sounds apple stylish kind of kind of sounds apple stylish kind of kind of sounds like abolish like abolish like abolish abolish means to to to end the abolish means to to to end the abolish means to to to end the observance observance observance of apostolis you know of apostolis you know of apostolis you know they kind of look like us they kind of they kind of look like us they kind of they kind of look like us they kind of talk like us they they kind of believe talk like us they they kind of believe talk like us they they kind of believe the same doctrine the same doctrine the same doctrine they kind of believe the same holiness they kind of believe the same holiness they kind of believe the same holiness that they kind of believe that they kind of believe that they kind of believe in a separate lifestyle but let me speak in a separate lifestyle but let me speak in a separate lifestyle but let me speak to my generation in the generations that to my generation in the generations that to my generation in the generations that are following are following are following we will not let the world define who we will not let the world define who we will not let the world define who we are i'm going to say it again we we are i'm going to say it again we we are i'm going to say it again we cannot cannot cannot allow the world to define who we are allow the world to define who we are allow the world to define who we are they can name us anything they want to they can name us anything they want to they can name us anything they want to name us they can call name us they can call name us they can call us anything they want to call us but us anything they want to call us but us anything they want to call us but they cannot change they cannot change they cannot change the identity because if we allow the the identity because if we allow the the identity because if we allow the world to define us world to define us world to define us that will desensitize us and soon we'll that will desensitize us and soon we'll that will desensitize us and soon we'll begin to believe the identity begin to believe the identity begin to believe the identity of our new name but i love how daniel never called look but i love how daniel never called look through the bible through the bible through the bible daniel never called his hebrew friends daniel never called his hebrew friends daniel never called his hebrew friends by their babylonian names by their babylonian names by their babylonian names it's odd to me that daniel is called by it's odd to me that daniel is called by it's odd to me that daniel is called by his hebrew name throughout the whole his hebrew name throughout the whole his hebrew name throughout the whole book book book but for some reason the writer used the but for some reason the writer used the but for some reason the writer used the babylonian names babylonian names babylonian names shadrach meshach and abednego all shadrach meshach and abednego all shadrach meshach and abednego all throughout the book i i really can't throughout the book i i really can't throughout the book i i really can't explain that but explain that but explain that but i do love how dead because i believe i do love how dead because i believe i do love how dead because i believe that daniel that daniel that daniel living with these three young hebrew living with these three young hebrew living with these three young hebrew boys was trying to make sure that they boys was trying to make sure that they boys was trying to make sure that they understood exactly who they were understood exactly who they were understood exactly who they were want to make sure i don't care what the want to make sure i don't care what the want to make sure i don't care what the world calls you i don't care how the world calls you i don't care how the world calls you i don't care how the world identifies you world identifies you world identifies you you're st oh i'm still gonna refer to you're st oh i'm still gonna refer to you're st oh i'm still gonna refer to you as your hebrew names you as your hebrew names you as your hebrew names the god jehovah your parents your godly the god jehovah your parents your godly the god jehovah your parents your godly parents what they named you parents what they named you parents what they named you and how they raised you thank god for and how they raised you thank god for and how they raised you thank god for daniel's daniel's daniel's in our lives it was the king's desire in our lives it was the king's desire in our lives it was the king's desire for these four hebrew boys to have it so for these four hebrew boys to have it so for these four hebrew boys to have it so good in his kingdom that they would good in his kingdom that they would good in his kingdom that they would forget all about forget all about forget all about their heritage he housed them in the their heritage he housed them in the their heritage he housed them in the palace palace palace he tried to feed them king's meat he tried to feed them king's meat he tried to feed them king's meat in king's wine but the bible says in king's wine but the bible says in king's wine but the bible says that daniel purposed in his heart i like that daniel purposed in his heart i like that daniel purposed in his heart i like that that that he made up in his mind not to eat of the he made up in his mind not to eat of the he made up in his mind not to eat of the king's meat king's meat king's meat or to drink of the king's wine he or to drink of the king's wine he or to drink of the king's wine he purposed in his heart to be purposed in his heart to be purposed in his heart to be separate he purposed in his heart i will separate he purposed in his heart i will separate he purposed in his heart i will not not not conform to worldly ways and worldly conform to worldly ways and worldly conform to worldly ways and worldly things things things even though it doesn't look like i'll even though it doesn't look like i'll even though it doesn't look like i'll ever be able to return back to my ever be able to return back to my ever be able to return back to my homeland homeland homeland it looks like i'm going to die in it looks like i'm going to die in it looks like i'm going to die in babylon babylon babylon but i refuse to become babylonian but i refuse to become babylonian but i refuse to become babylonian just because it's a life of ease just because it's a life of ease just because it's a life of ease that's why the people of god still hold that's why the people of god still hold that's why the people of god still hold a standard a standard a standard of separation if we live like the world of separation if we live like the world of separation if we live like the world will students start to believe will students start to believe will students start to believe like the world god's always called all like the world god's always called all like the world god's always called all throughout the bible all throughout the throughout the bible all throughout the throughout the bible all throughout the bible god has always called his people bible god has always called his people bible god has always called his people out of worldly living because it's quite out of worldly living because it's quite out of worldly living because it's quite simple people say what's the big deal simple people say what's the big deal simple people say what's the big deal come on come on come on why can't we it's is it really a big why can't we it's is it really a big why can't we it's is it really a big what you wear what you wear what you wear what you look like how you dress where what you look like how you dress where what you look like how you dress where you go does it really you go does it really you go does it really is it all that big of a deal well let me is it all that big of a deal well let me is it all that big of a deal well let me tell you it's quite simple tell you it's quite simple tell you it's quite simple we can't convince someone else to change we can't convince someone else to change we can't convince someone else to change their lifestyle their lifestyle their lifestyle if we're living the same lifestyle that if we're living the same lifestyle that if we're living the same lifestyle that they're living they're living they're living come on young person let me preach to come on young person let me preach to come on young person let me preach to our young people just for a moment our young people just for a moment our young people just for a moment come on think about it if you look like come on think about it if you look like come on think about it if you look like them how are you going to witness to them how are you going to witness to them how are you going to witness to them them them if you're standing next to them smoking if you're standing next to them smoking if you're standing next to them smoking the same cigarette they're smoking the same cigarette they're smoking the same cigarette they're smoking how are you going to tell them about a how are you going to tell them about a how are you going to tell them about a god who can deliver them if you're sitting on a bar stool if you're sitting on a bar stool drinking the same thing they're drinking drinking the same thing they're drinking drinking the same thing they're drinking going and watching the same thing going and watching the same thing going and watching the same thing they're watching talking the same thing they're watching talking the same thing they're watching talking the same thing the same way they're talking how can we the same way they're talking how can we the same way they're talking how can we bring bring bring a people of egypt out of bondage if a people of egypt out of bondage if a people of egypt out of bondage if we're living the same we're living the same we're living the same lifestyle they're living but oh my god i lifestyle they're living but oh my god i lifestyle they're living but oh my god i think think think oh i thank god for four hebrew boys who oh i thank god for four hebrew boys who oh i thank god for four hebrew boys who said i don't care what the rest of the said i don't care what the rest of the said i don't care what the rest of the world's doing world's doing world's doing i don't care how the rest of the world i don't care how the rest of the world i don't care how the rest of the world is living they can drink what they want is living they can drink what they want is living they can drink what they want to drink and eat what they want to eat to drink and eat what they want to eat to drink and eat what they want to eat and go where they want to go and act the and go where they want to go and act the and go where they want to go and act the way they want to act and worship what way they want to act and worship what way they want to act and worship what they want to worship they want to worship they want to worship but as for me and my brother and my but as for me and my brother and my but as for me and my brother and my other brother other brother other brother i'm going to serve the lord and i'm i'm going to serve the lord and i'm i'm going to serve the lord and i'm going to give god my life going to give god my life going to give god my life till i die but for the sake of time i till i die but for the sake of time i till i die but for the sake of time i i want to kind of skip into the good i want to kind of skip into the good i want to kind of skip into the good part is what i like to call it because part is what i like to call it because part is what i like to call it because the boys are doing good don't feel too the boys are doing good don't feel too the boys are doing good don't feel too sorry for sorry for sorry for them yet they're doing good they're them yet they're doing good they're them yet they're doing good they're holding on strong they're holding on strong they're holding on strong they're they're working their way up in the they're working their way up in the they're working their way up in the kingdom kingdom kingdom they're favored of god they're favored of god they're favored of god and people who live right tend to find and people who live right tend to find and people who live right tend to find favor with god i'm just going to throw favor with god i'm just going to throw favor with god i'm just going to throw that in there that in there that in there i heard it said the other day don't you i heard it said the other day don't you i heard it said the other day don't you just love just love just love the flavor of god's favor the flavor of god's favor the flavor of god's favor i know it sounds a little corny but it's i know it sounds a little corny but it's i know it sounds a little corny but it's true true true sure i love i love the favor of the lord sure i love i love the favor of the lord sure i love i love the favor of the lord i love knowing i love i love knowing i love i love knowing i love feeling like i'm at the right place at feeling like i'm at the right place at feeling like i'm at the right place at the right time and i'm doing the will of the right time and i'm doing the will of the right time and i'm doing the will of god and i mean god and i mean god and i mean i'm in god's perfect will for my life i'm in god's perfect will for my life i'm in god's perfect will for my life but on the other hand the story proves but on the other hand the story proves but on the other hand the story proves that even that even that even the holy favorite of god can go through the holy favorite of god can go through the holy favorite of god can go through a fiery furnace trial a fiery furnace trial a fiery furnace trial even people who are living right and even people who are living right and even people who are living right and this is what i want to get across this is what i want to get across this is what i want to get across tonight tonight tonight just because you're going through things just because you're going through things just because you're going through things in your life and in your life and in your life and first apostolic church family i've been first apostolic church family i've been first apostolic church family i've been getting the text messages i know what getting the text messages i know what getting the text messages i know what you're going through you're going through you're going through i wish that i could share it but i i i wish that i could share it but i i i wish that i could share it but i i wouldn't do that for for your privacy wouldn't do that for for your privacy wouldn't do that for for your privacy but i know what you're going through i but i know what you're going through i but i know what you're going through i know what you're facing i hear the fear know what you're facing i hear the fear know what you're facing i hear the fear i can hear the fear in your text message i can hear the fear in your text message i can hear the fear in your text message i can hear it i know i know i can hear it i know i know i can hear it i know i know the fear whether it's from a sickness or the fear whether it's from a sickness or the fear whether it's from a sickness or or maybe when your or maybe when your or maybe when your loved one is sick and you can't get loved one is sick and you can't get loved one is sick and you can't get ahold of the hospital and you can't get ahold of the hospital and you can't get ahold of the hospital and you can't get through them and you you can't through them and you you can't through them and you you can't communicate with them and you don't know communicate with them and you don't know communicate with them and you don't know what's going on from hour to hour what's going on from hour to hour what's going on from hour to hour and i feel i feel that fear and i feel i feel that fear and i feel i feel that fear but even people who are living right but even people who are living right but even people who are living right you're not exempt from you're not exempt from you're not exempt from trials and tribulation you're not exempt trials and tribulation you're not exempt trials and tribulation you're not exempt from going through from going through from going through issues and problems of life issues and problems of life issues and problems of life nebuchadnezzar he erects this huge nebuchadnezzar he erects this huge nebuchadnezzar he erects this huge image some 90 feet image some 90 feet image some 90 feet tall and nine foot in diameter he instructs everyone from every nation he instructs everyone from every nation and every tongue and every tongue and every tongue to bow in worship the music plays to bow in worship the music plays to bow in worship the music plays you know the story three boys daniel you know the story three boys daniel you know the story three boys daniel daniel must have been there he wasn't daniel must have been there he wasn't daniel must have been there he wasn't invited i don't know where daniel was invited i don't know where daniel was invited i don't know where daniel was he's not in the story but there was he's not in the story but there was he's not in the story but there was three three three shadrach meshach and abednego who had shadrach meshach and abednego who had shadrach meshach and abednego who had been invited been invited been invited to this worship and as they were to this worship and as they were to this worship and as they were dedicating this idol dedicating this idol dedicating this idol the music began to play and three boys the music began to play and three boys the music began to play and three boys stood start stood tall and would not stood start stood tall and would not stood start stood tall and would not bow to their knees three boys i can see bow to their knees three boys i can see bow to their knees three boys i can see them them them i can see them standing there as tall as i can see them standing there as tall as i can see them standing there as tall as they could because they didn't want they could because they didn't want they could because they didn't want anybody they didn't want anybody to anybody they didn't want anybody to anybody they didn't want anybody to mistake them mistake them mistake them for someone who fell down to their knees for someone who fell down to their knees for someone who fell down to their knees and so these three boys are brought to and so these three boys are brought to and so these three boys are brought to the king and now you've got to the king and now you've got to the king and now you've got to understand they're not drugged to the understand they're not drugged to the understand they're not drugged to the king they're not king they're not king they're not they're not some slaves wearing some they're not some slaves wearing some they're not some slaves wearing some sackcloth sackcloth sackcloth they're not wearing rags they're three they're not wearing rags they're three they're not wearing rags they're three young men who are high up in the young men who are high up in the young men who are high up in the government government government and they are led to the king and of and they are led to the king and of and they are led to the king and of course the king believes that there's course the king believes that there's course the king believes that there's been a misunderstanding the been a misunderstanding the been a misunderstanding the the king thinks maybe there's been a the king thinks maybe there's been a the king thinks maybe there's been a loss in loss in loss in in translation maybe maybe they didn't in translation maybe maybe they didn't in translation maybe maybe they didn't understand exactly understand exactly understand exactly what was told them the instructions that what was told them the instructions that what was told them the instructions that were given them were given them were given them so we pick up in daniel chapter 3 and so we pick up in daniel chapter 3 and so we pick up in daniel chapter 3 and verse 14 nebuchadnezzar verse 14 nebuchadnezzar verse 14 nebuchadnezzar he says to me says is it true oh he says to me says is it true oh he says to me says is it true oh shadrach meshach and abednego he knew shadrach meshach and abednego he knew shadrach meshach and abednego he knew these boys these these boys these these boys these these weren't some low life these these these weren't some low life these these these weren't some low life these these weren't some some low down in the weren't some some low down in the weren't some some low down in the government process somewhere government process somewhere government process somewhere in some outer outer court of the kingdom in some outer outer court of the kingdom in some outer outer court of the kingdom these were these were these were young men who were close in with with young men who were close in with with young men who were close in with with arab with the king oh shadrach meshach arab with the king oh shadrach meshach arab with the king oh shadrach meshach and abednego and abednego and abednego do not ye serve my gods nor worship the do not ye serve my gods nor worship the do not ye serve my gods nor worship the golden image which i've set up golden image which i've set up golden image which i've set up now if you be ready that at what time now if you be ready that at what time now if you be ready that at what time you hear the sound of the cornell i'm you hear the sound of the cornell i'm you hear the sound of the cornell i'm not going to go through all this but not going to go through all this but not going to go through all this but he's he's he's he's trying to explain to them maybe he's trying to explain to them maybe he's trying to explain to them maybe he's he's speaking slower and he's just he's he's speaking slower and he's just he's he's speaking slower and he's just saying saying saying when you hear these instruments when you hear these instruments when you hear these instruments i need you to fall down and worship with i need you to fall down and worship with i need you to fall down and worship with everyone else everyone else everyone else i i need you to work this is a i i need you to work this is a i i need you to work this is a dedication to this god dedication to this god dedication to this god it's very important that you fall and it's very important that you fall and it's very important that you fall and you worship you worship you worship and if you do it well or you've done and if you do it well or you've done and if you do it well or you've done well well well but if you worship not ye shall be cast but if you worship not ye shall be cast but if you worship not ye shall be cast the same the same the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery hour into the midst of a burning fiery hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace furnace furnace and who is that god that shall deliver and who is that god that shall deliver and who is that god that shall deliver you out of you out of you out of my hands and these three young men were my hands and these three young men were my hands and these three young men were given given given one more chance to bow someone who didn't have good morals someone who didn't have good morals could probably have came up with any could probably have came up with any could probably have came up with any number of excuses i'm sure number of excuses i'm sure number of excuses i'm sure someone with no integrity could have someone with no integrity could have someone with no integrity could have come up with some kind of excuse i'm come up with some kind of excuse i'm come up with some kind of excuse i'm sure someone sure someone sure someone who is apple stylish could have come up who is apple stylish could have come up who is apple stylish could have come up with an excuse with an excuse with an excuse i'm sure and maybe somebody who didn't i'm sure and maybe somebody who didn't i'm sure and maybe somebody who didn't trust their trust their trust their god could have came up with an excuse god could have came up with an excuse god could have came up with an excuse somebody might have said well we can bow somebody might have said well we can bow somebody might have said well we can bow but not actually worship the idol but not actually worship the idol but not actually worship the idol we we we may worship this one time we we we may worship this one time we we we may worship this one time but then we'll ask god to forgive us but then we'll ask god to forgive us but then we'll ask god to forgive us we'll go to church on sunday and we'll go to church on sunday and we'll go to church on sunday and and we'll ask god to forgive us for and we'll ask god to forgive us for and we'll ask god to forgive us for worshiping the idol this worshiping the idol this worshiping the idol this one time because because surely god one time because because surely god one time because because surely god would understand that would understand that would understand that that we've been employed by this kingdom that we've been employed by this kingdom that we've been employed by this kingdom we've been employed by this king and we've been employed by this king and we've been employed by this king and and we can't go against authority surely and we can't go against authority surely and we can't go against authority surely god would understand this one time if god would understand this one time if god would understand this one time if the government told us what to do and the government told us what to do and the government told us what to do and and we obeyed the government we obeyed and we obeyed the government we obeyed and we obeyed the government we obeyed the rule that was above us the rule that was above us the rule that was above us and believe me i'm all about obeying the and believe me i'm all about obeying the and believe me i'm all about obeying the government and obeying me that have the government and obeying me that have the government and obeying me that have the rule over me rule over me rule over me unless they tell me to worship someone unless they tell me to worship someone unless they tell me to worship someone other than my god other than my god other than my god because if anybody is worshiped other because if anybody is worshiped other because if anybody is worshiped other than my god than my god than my god my savior the lord the christ if anybody my savior the lord the christ if anybody my savior the lord the christ if anybody is worshipped besides him is worshipped besides him is worshipped besides him then that is what is called idolatry and then that is what is called idolatry and then that is what is called idolatry and that breaks the very first commandment that breaks the very first commandment that breaks the very first commandment of our god of our god of our god this says thou shalt worship no other this says thou shalt worship no other this says thou shalt worship no other gods you can't have any other gods gods you can't have any other gods gods you can't have any other gods before you before you before you i and i alone am your god but thank god for three young men but thank god for three young men who stood strong and had faith in who stood strong and had faith in who stood strong and had faith in their god because they told the king their god because they told the king their god because they told the king listen listen listen we are not careful verse 16 we are not we are not careful verse 16 we are not we are not careful verse 16 we are not careful careful careful to answer thee in this matter to answer thee in this matter to answer thee in this matter if it be so our god whom we serve is if it be so our god whom we serve is if it be so our god whom we serve is able to deliver us able to deliver us able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace and he from the burning fiery furnace and he from the burning fiery furnace and he will deliver us out of thine hand will deliver us out of thine hand will deliver us out of thine hand o king but if o king but if o king but if not be known unto thee o king that we not be known unto thee o king that we not be known unto thee o king that we will will will not serve thy gods nor worship the not serve thy gods nor worship the not serve thy gods nor worship the golden image what thou has set up golden image what thou has set up golden image what thou has set up then was nebuchadnezzar full of fury then was nebuchadnezzar full of fury then was nebuchadnezzar full of fury and the in the form of his visage was and the in the form of his visage was and the in the form of his visage was changed against changed against changed against shadrach meshach and abednego he went shadrach meshach and abednego he went shadrach meshach and abednego he went from being a loving fatherly like from being a loving fatherly like from being a loving fatherly like figure he changed his whole vicious the figure he changed his whole vicious the figure he changed his whole vicious the bible says bible says bible says and he became evil therefore he spake and he became evil therefore he spake and he became evil therefore he spake and commanded that they should heat the and commanded that they should heat the and commanded that they should heat the furnace furnace furnace one seven times more than it was to be one seven times more than it was to be one seven times more than it was to be heated heated heated and he commanded the most mighty men and he commanded the most mighty men and he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind that were in his army to bind that were in his army to bind shadrach meshach and abednego and to shadrach meshach and abednego and to shadrach meshach and abednego and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace cast them into the burning fiery furnace cast them into the burning fiery furnace then these men were bound in their coats then these men were bound in their coats then these men were bound in their coats and their hoses and their hoses and their hoses in their hats they they just bound in their hats they they just bound in their hats they they just bound everything they didn't take nothing all everything they didn't take nothing all everything they didn't take nothing all day day day they just tied ropes and bound them in they just tied ropes and bound them in they just tied ropes and bound them in all their garments all their garments all their garments and were cast in the midst of the and were cast in the midst of the and were cast in the midst of the burning fiery burning fiery burning fiery furnace therefore because the king's furnace therefore because the king's furnace therefore because the king's commandment was urgent commandment was urgent commandment was urgent and the furnace exceedingly hot the and the furnace exceedingly hot the and the furnace exceedingly hot the flames of the fire flames of the fire flames of the fire slew those men that took up shadrach slew those men that took up shadrach slew those men that took up shadrach meshach meshach meshach and abednego and history tells us and abednego and history tells us and abednego and history tells us i began to do research on this fiery i began to do research on this fiery i began to do research on this fiery furnace furnace furnace in history tells us that the flames in history tells us that the flames in history tells us that the flames leaping leaping leaping some 49 cubits above some 49 cubits above some 49 cubits above the furnace a cubit the furnace a cubit the furnace a cubit is close to two feet so around is close to two feet so around is close to two feet so around 95 feet of flame was shooting up 95 feet of flame was shooting up 95 feet of flame was shooting up from that furnace the statue from that furnace the statue from that furnace the statue the statue that they were commanded the statue that they were commanded the statue that they were commanded about was only 90 feet so about was only 90 feet so about was only 90 feet so just to give you a reference that flame just to give you a reference that flame just to give you a reference that flame is shooting up some is shooting up some is shooting up some our church steeple the very top of our our church steeple the very top of our our church steeple the very top of our church steeple is around 100 feet tall church steeple is around 100 feet tall church steeple is around 100 feet tall that flame was shooting up as high as that flame was shooting up as high as that flame was shooting up as high as our steeple is our steeple is our steeple is on the front of this church the flames on the front of this church the flames on the front of this church the flames listen the flames of punishment were listen the flames of punishment were listen the flames of punishment were taller than the statue of temptation taller than the statue of temptation taller than the statue of temptation but even when it looked like sure defeat but even when it looked like sure defeat but even when it looked like sure defeat the boys kept on standing the boys kept on standing the boys kept on standing they looked at a furnace that had flames they looked at a furnace that had flames they looked at a furnace that had flames that were going higher that were going higher that were going higher than the very statue that they were than the very statue that they were than the very statue that they were supposed to bow down to supposed to bow down to supposed to bow down to but they didn't care they didn't care but they didn't care they didn't care but they didn't care they didn't care how tall the flames were how tall the flames were how tall the flames were they didn't care how hot the fire was they didn't care how hot the fire was they didn't care how hot the fire was they had enough faith in their god they had enough faith in their god they had enough faith in their god that he was going to see them through that he was going to see them through that he was going to see them through this trial this trial this trial kept on standing verse 23 and these kept on standing verse 23 and these kept on standing verse 23 and these three men three men three men shadrach meshach and abednego fell down shadrach meshach and abednego fell down shadrach meshach and abednego fell down bound into the midst of the burning bound into the midst of the burning bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace fiery furnace fiery furnace i saw this today i saw this today i saw this today i saw this today i saw this today i saw this today when i was reading the story they when i was reading the story they when i was reading the story they refused to fall refused to fall refused to fall down before the idol to worship but down before the idol to worship but down before the idol to worship but don't you know there was a fourth man in don't you know there was a fourth man in don't you know there was a fourth man in the fire the fire the fire and when they went into the fire the and when they went into the fire the and when they went into the fire the bible clearly says that they bible clearly says that they bible clearly says that they fell down i believe they were more than fell down i believe they were more than fell down i believe they were more than happy happy happy to worship the fourth man in the fire to worship the fourth man in the fire to worship the fourth man in the fire they were more than happy to bow down they were more than happy to bow down they were more than happy to bow down and to fall down when they saw that god and to fall down when they saw that god and to fall down when they saw that god would never leave them alone in the fire would never leave them alone in the fire would never leave them alone in the fire nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished and he rose up in haste and spake and and he rose up in haste and spake and and he rose up in haste and spake and said said said unto his counselors did we cast three unto his counselors did we cast three unto his counselors did we cast three bound in the midst of fire bound in the midst of fire bound in the midst of fire they answered oh yes we did sir yes king they answered oh yes we did sir yes king they answered oh yes we did sir yes king true true true he answered and said lo i see four men he answered and said lo i see four men he answered and said lo i see four men loose walking in the midst of the fire loose walking in the midst of the fire loose walking in the midst of the fire they have no they have no they have no hurt in the form of the fourth is like hurt in the form of the fourth is like hurt in the form of the fourth is like the the the son of god listen i doubt that king son of god listen i doubt that king son of god listen i doubt that king nebuchadnezzar nebuchadnezzar nebuchadnezzar i doubt he understood of the god of the i doubt he understood of the god of the i doubt he understood of the god of the hebrews he didn't understand much about hebrews he didn't understand much about hebrews he didn't understand much about that god that god that god but one thing was for sure he understood but one thing was for sure he understood but one thing was for sure he understood that it wasn't any of his gods that it wasn't any of his gods that it wasn't any of his gods he had enough understanding to know it he had enough understanding to know it he had enough understanding to know it was the son of god was the son of god was the son of god or the body of god or the form of god or the body of god or the form of god or the body of god or the form of god he witnessed a theophany of god jehovah he witnessed a theophany of god jehovah he witnessed a theophany of god jehovah and he thought to himself if those boys and he thought to himself if those boys and he thought to himself if those boys can walk around can walk around can walk around loosen the fire that must be the god loosen the fire that must be the god loosen the fire that must be the god that i need to be servant and i can't that i need to be servant and i can't that i need to be servant and i can't wait to read the end of this story wait to read the end of this story wait to read the end of this story but before we get there there are three but before we get there there are three but before we get there there are three things i want to things i want to things i want to encourage you with tonight these three encourage you with tonight these three encourage you with tonight these three attributes that define the three hebrew attributes that define the three hebrew attributes that define the three hebrew boys boys boys it was boldness faith and commitment it was boldness faith and commitment it was boldness faith and commitment boldness faith and commitment i'm gonna boldness faith and commitment i'm gonna boldness faith and commitment i'm gonna go faster this i'm not gonna keep you go faster this i'm not gonna keep you go faster this i'm not gonna keep you very much longer very much longer very much longer but we have to be bold we cannot care but we have to be bold we cannot care but we have to be bold we cannot care we cannot care what the world thinks we cannot care what the world thinks we cannot care what the world thinks they said we are not careful they said we are not careful they said we are not careful to answer thee boldness means we're not to answer thee boldness means we're not to answer thee boldness means we're not ashamed of what we believe we aren't ashamed of what we believe we aren't ashamed of what we believe we aren't going to take a vote going to take a vote going to take a vote we don't have to find out what the we don't have to find out what the we don't have to find out what the democrats think or the republicans democrats think or the republicans democrats think or the republicans think we don't have to get on twitter think we don't have to get on twitter think we don't have to get on twitter and take some kind of paul and take some kind of paul and take some kind of paul boldness is taking a stand no matter boldness is taking a stand no matter boldness is taking a stand no matter what what what it costs we got to be bold we got to it costs we got to be bold we got to it costs we got to be bold we got to have have have faith faith in a god who's able faith faith in a god who's able faith faith in a god who's able to deliver i hope you can testify church to deliver i hope you can testify church to deliver i hope you can testify church family with me tonight family with me tonight family with me tonight we have a god that's able to deliver we have a god that's able to deliver we have a god that's able to deliver faith means that we know that our god is faith means that we know that our god is faith means that we know that our god is able able able oh listen it's not about if he will it's oh listen it's not about if he will it's oh listen it's not about if he will it's all about we believe all about we believe all about we believe he can and these boys were simply saying he can and these boys were simply saying he can and these boys were simply saying my god is able to do exceedingly my god is able to do exceedingly my god is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all he can do things abundantly above all he can do things abundantly above all he can do things that we can't even imagine that we can't even imagine that we can't even imagine these boys had no doubt they didn't care these boys had no doubt they didn't care these boys had no doubt they didn't care about the flames the fire about the flames the fire about the flames the fire the heat they knew their god was able to the heat they knew their god was able to the heat they knew their god was able to deliver them deliver them deliver them listen i refuse to have spiritual listen i refuse to have spiritual listen i refuse to have spiritual amnesia amnesia amnesia when it comes to faith i've got to when it comes to faith i've got to when it comes to faith i've got to remember back to what god has done for remember back to what god has done for remember back to what god has done for me yesteryear i've got to remember back me yesteryear i've got to remember back me yesteryear i've got to remember back what god has done for me the healings what god has done for me the healings what god has done for me the healings i've seen and witnessed i've seen and witnessed i've seen and witnessed the miracles that i've seen in witness the miracles that i've seen in witness the miracles that i've seen in witness the deliverance that i've seen in the deliverance that i've seen in the deliverance that i've seen in witness i've seen witness i've seen witness i've seen people who were bound by nicotine and people who were bound by nicotine and people who were bound by nicotine and were bound by drugs were bound by drugs were bound by drugs i've seen people who were bound by i've seen people who were bound by i've seen people who were bound by sexual addictions sexual addictions sexual addictions i've seen them loose i've seen healings i've seen them loose i've seen healings i've seen them loose i've seen healings i've been overseas i've been in other i've been overseas i've been in other i've been overseas i've been in other countries countries countries i've met people who have been healed of i've met people who have been healed of i've met people who have been healed of hiv aids hiv aids hiv aids i've met people that were blind i met i've met people that were blind i met i've met people that were blind i met them they tell me them they tell me them they tell me i used to be blind i couldn't see out of i used to be blind i couldn't see out of i used to be blind i couldn't see out of this eye right here this eye right here this eye right here but now i can see i i have perfect but now i can see i i have perfect but now i can see i i have perfect vision their vision's probably better vision their vision's probably better vision their vision's probably better than my than my than my vision i've seen too much i've seen vision i've seen too much i've seen vision i've seen too much i've seen too much i've witnessed too much to too much i've witnessed too much to too much i've witnessed too much to forget forget forget about the greatness of my god about the greatness of my god about the greatness of my god i love the song we sing he's still i love the song we sing he's still i love the song we sing he's still moving moving moving he's still proving just how he's still proving just how he's still proving just how great he is and then number three these great he is and then number three these great he is and then number three these boys were committed boys were committed boys were committed god give us the spirit of commitment god give us the spirit of commitment god give us the spirit of commitment they said but if not be it known they said but if not be it known they said but if not be it known we will take the consequences commitment we will take the consequences commitment we will take the consequences commitment means means means but if god chooses not to that doesn't but if god chooses not to that doesn't but if god chooses not to that doesn't affect my boldness and it doesn't affect affect my boldness and it doesn't affect affect my boldness and it doesn't affect my faith i'm preaching about commitment my faith i'm preaching about commitment my faith i'm preaching about commitment i'm i'm i'm i'm preaching about three boys who i'm preaching about three boys who i'm preaching about three boys who refused to give up refused to give up refused to give up and they said i'm gonna stand no matter and they said i'm gonna stand no matter and they said i'm gonna stand no matter what what what they said i won't bend i won't bow even they said i won't bend i won't bow even they said i won't bend i won't bow even if i have to if i have to if i have to burn i won't bend i want power burn i won't bend i want power burn i won't bend i want power even if my job closes down because of even if my job closes down because of even if my job closes down because of this crazy this crazy this crazy virus i won't bend i won't bow virus i won't bend i won't bow virus i won't bend i won't bow even if this virus gets into my body and even if this virus gets into my body and even if this virus gets into my body and i've got to go into quarantine i've got to go into quarantine i've got to go into quarantine or i've got to go into the hospital i or i've got to go into the hospital i or i've got to go into the hospital i refuse to power refuse to power refuse to power i won't bend even if fear tries to take i won't bend even if fear tries to take i won't bend even if fear tries to take over my mind over my mind over my mind because my husband or my wife is in the because my husband or my wife is in the because my husband or my wife is in the hospital hospital hospital and i can't even go and see them i can't and i can't even go and see them i can't and i can't even go and see them i can't visit them visit them visit them the doctors are giving bad reports and i the doctors are giving bad reports and i the doctors are giving bad reports and i can't even be can't even be can't even be with them and talk to them i won't bend with them and talk to them i won't bend with them and talk to them i won't bend and i won't bow and i won't bow and i won't bow even if i don't understand why i had to even if i don't understand why i had to even if i don't understand why i had to be my be my be my family member that had to die family member that had to die family member that had to die of this horrible disease of this horrible disease of this horrible disease come on we gotta have a mate of mine we come on we gotta have a mate of mine we come on we gotta have a mate of mine we gotta be committed gotta be committed gotta be committed to this gospel that no matter what come to this gospel that no matter what come to this gospel that no matter what come what may what may what may we're gonna give everything we have we're gonna give everything we have we're gonna give everything we have we're gonna live for god and have faith we're gonna live for god and have faith we're gonna live for god and have faith in god no matter what verse 26 in god no matter what verse 26 in god no matter what verse 26 is for you if you can relate to anything is for you if you can relate to anything is for you if you can relate to anything that i just preach about commitment that i just preach about commitment that i just preach about commitment verse 26 is for you verse 26 is for you verse 26 is for you because here they are in the midst of because here they are in the midst of because here they are in the midst of the fire the fire the fire yet they're still standing strong verse yet they're still standing strong verse yet they're still standing strong verse 26 then nebuchadnezzar came near to the 26 then nebuchadnezzar came near to the 26 then nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace mouth of the burning fiery furnace mouth of the burning fiery furnace and spake and said shadrach meshach and and spake and said shadrach meshach and and spake and said shadrach meshach and abednego abednego abednego he servants of the most high god he servants of the most high god he servants of the most high god come forth and come hither then shadrach come forth and come hither then shadrach come forth and come hither then shadrach meshach and abednego meshach and abednego meshach and abednego came forth of the midst of the fire came forth of the midst of the fire came forth of the midst of the fire but i've got a question for you tonight but i've got a question for you tonight but i've got a question for you tonight where where where is the fourth man he called the three is the fourth man he called the three is the fourth man he called the three out of the fire out of the fire out of the fire but i want you to know the fourth man is but i want you to know the fourth man is but i want you to know the fourth man is still there in the fire still there in the fire still there in the fire he's still right there in the middle of he's still right there in the middle of he's still right there in the middle of the trial the trial the trial he's still right there in the middle of he's still right there in the middle of he's still right there in the middle of tribulation tribulation tribulation listen he never promised at you and go listen he never promised at you and go listen he never promised at you and go through the furnace through the furnace through the furnace but he will hold your hand in the fire but he will hold your hand in the fire but he will hold your hand in the fire listen the boys were expecting god to listen the boys were expecting god to listen the boys were expecting god to keep them from the furnace i keep them from the furnace i keep them from the furnace i i gotta believe this shadrach meshach i gotta believe this shadrach meshach i gotta believe this shadrach meshach and abednego were being led down that and abednego were being led down that and abednego were being led down that plank into the furnace plank into the furnace plank into the furnace i just got to believe they were thinking i just got to believe they were thinking i just got to believe they were thinking any second now god's going to show up any second now god's going to show up any second now god's going to show up any second now we're going to get any second now we're going to get any second now we're going to get delivered i got to believe delivered i got to believe delivered i got to believe as they stepped into that fire somewhere as they stepped into that fire somewhere as they stepped into that fire somewhere there might have been a doubt somewhere there might have been a doubt somewhere there might have been a doubt somewhere they thought i thought he was going to they thought i thought he was going to they thought i thought he was going to deliver us of this deliver us of this deliver us of this but they never turned back but don't you but they never turned back but don't you but they never turned back but don't you know know know god was right where they needed him the god was right where they needed him the god was right where they needed him the most which was most which was most which was in the fire because unless you go in the fire because unless you go in the fire because unless you go through the test through the test through the test you'll never have a testimony unless you you'll never have a testimony unless you you'll never have a testimony unless you go through a trial go through a trial go through a trial you'll never be able to go look back one you'll never be able to go look back one you'll never be able to go look back one day and say day and say day and say god brought me through it you've got to god brought me through it you've got to god brought me through it you've got to go through go through go through something if you don't go through something if you don't go through something if you don't go through something you have no story something you have no story something you have no story to tell and if you have no story to tell to tell and if you have no story to tell to tell and if you have no story to tell there's nobody that you can help i thank there's nobody that you can help i thank there's nobody that you can help i thank god listen god listen god listen when i was in the trials when i was in when i was in the trials when i was in when i was in the trials when i was in oh the tribulations of a life oh the tribulations of a life oh the tribulations of a life whether it was losing babies before they whether it was losing babies before they whether it was losing babies before they were born were born were born whether it was going through things whether it was going through things whether it was going through things financially listen when i was financially listen when i was financially listen when i was in the middle of those trials it was the in the middle of those trials it was the in the middle of those trials it was the worst worst worst i wish to god at times that i prayed god i wish to god at times that i prayed god i wish to god at times that i prayed god why did you allow us to even go why did you allow us to even go why did you allow us to even go through this but i want you to know that through this but i want you to know that through this but i want you to know that we've been able to minister my wife has we've been able to minister my wife has we've been able to minister my wife has been able to minister to so many women been able to minister to so many women been able to minister to so many women who have gone through the same thing who have gone through the same thing who have gone through the same thing that she has gone through that she has gone through that she has gone through and she's being able to minister we've and she's being able to minister we've and she's being able to minister we've been able to minister to people that been able to minister to people that been able to minister to people that have gone through the same things have gone through the same things have gone through the same things that we've been through you've got to go that we've been through you've got to go that we've been through you've got to go through the test to have a testimony stand with me if you're in the audience stand with me if you're in the audience today i want my musicians and singers to today i want my musicians and singers to today i want my musicians and singers to make their way to help me don't make their way to help me don't make their way to help me don't fear trials and tribulations fear trials and tribulations fear trials and tribulations it's just a test god is looking for the it's just a test god is looking for the it's just a test god is looking for the bold he's looking for the faithful he's bold he's looking for the faithful he's bold he's looking for the faithful he's looking for the committed looking for the committed looking for the committed endure your furnace of affliction endure your furnace of affliction endure your furnace of affliction let me tell you something if you stand let me tell you something if you stand let me tell you something if you stand for god i promise you god will stand for for god i promise you god will stand for for god i promise you god will stand for you when the rest of the world bows when the rest of the world bows you got to just stand up straight no you got to just stand up straight no you got to just stand up straight no matter matter matter what and i'll end with this passage what and i'll end with this passage what and i'll end with this passage right here right here right here in daniel chapter 3 in verse 29 in daniel chapter 3 in verse 29 in daniel chapter 3 in verse 29 this is the end of the story right here this is the end of the story right here this is the end of the story right here it says therefore this is the king it says therefore this is the king it says therefore this is the king speaking he says i am going to make a speaking he says i am going to make a speaking he says i am going to make a decree decree decree that every people nation and language that every people nation and language that every people nation and language would speak anything amidst a miss would speak anything amidst a miss would speak anything amidst a miss against the god of shadrach meshach and against the god of shadrach meshach and against the god of shadrach meshach and abednego abednego abednego i'll cut you into pieces i'll cut you into pieces i'll cut you into pieces your houses will be made a dung hill your houses will be made a dung hill your houses will be made a dung hill we'll turn your house into the sewer we'll turn your house into the sewer we'll turn your house into the sewer system system system because there is no other god that can because there is no other god that can because there is no other god that can deliver deliver deliver after this then the king after this then the king after this then the king watch this then the king promoted watch this then the king promoted watch this then the king promoted shadrach meshach and abednego shadrach meshach and abednego shadrach meshach and abednego in the province of babylon church family right where you are church family right where you are tonight i want you to close your eyes i tonight i want you to close your eyes i tonight i want you to close your eyes i want you to bow your heads want you to bow your heads want you to bow your heads and whatever you're going through right and whatever you're going through right and whatever you're going through right now oh my god now oh my god now oh my god whatever you might be in a hospital bed whatever you might be in a hospital bed whatever you might be in a hospital bed right now right now right now oh sister yoko ah brother shannon wilson for the wally brother shannon wilson for the wally hannah hannah hannah if you are in the hospital you could be if you are in the hospital you could be if you are in the hospital you could be in the hospital bed right now in the hospital bed right now in the hospital bed right now i want you right now just to say god i want you right now just to say god i want you right now just to say god you're going to bring me through this if you're going to bring me through this if you're going to bring me through this if you are you are you are dealing with this covet virus if if dealing with this covet virus if if dealing with this covet virus if if you're trump if you're struggling with you're trump if you're struggling with you're trump if you're struggling with this this this sickness i want you just to pray this sickness i want you just to pray this sickness i want you just to pray this prayer and say god prayer and say god prayer and say god i believe you're going to bring me i believe you're going to bring me i believe you're going to bring me through this oh through this oh through this oh god i'm going to stand tall i'm not god i'm going to stand tall i'm not god i'm going to stand tall i'm not going to give up i'm not going to give going to give up i'm not going to give going to give up i'm not going to give in in in because the lord i know you'll bring me because the lord i know you'll bring me because the lord i know you'll bring me through the fire again some so many times i've questioned certain circumstances certain circumstances or things i could not understand many times in trials many times in trials weakness blurred my vision my frustrations they get so out of hand oh but it's then i oh but it's then i am reminded as i look back at all the victories as i look back at all the victories as i look back at all the victories the spirit rises up in me the spirit rises up in me the spirit rises up in me it is through the fire my weaknesses it is through the fire my weaknesses it is through the fire my weaknesses and he'd never promised that the cross and he'd never promised that the cross and he'd never promised that the cross would not would not would not get heavy and the hell would not be get heavy and the hell would not be get heavy and the hell would not be hard would always come in time would always come in time so just remember when you're standing so just remember when you're standing so just remember when you're standing in the valley of decision in the valley of decision in the valley of decision and the adversary and the adversary and the adversary take says through the fire again so many times i've questioned so many times i've questioned certain circumstances certain circumstances certain circumstances all the victories all the victories all the victories that the cross would not get heavy that the cross would not get heavy that the cross would not get heavy and the hill would not be hard to and the hill would not be hard to and the hill would not be hard to collide collide collide would always come in time to kill he will take you through the fire he will take you through the fire again but if i trust the hand of god but if i trust the hand of god but if i trust the hand of god that the cross would not get heavy that the cross would not get heavy and the hill would not be hard to cry and the hill would not be hard to cry and the hill would not be hard to cry so just remember when you're standing so just remember when you're standing so just remember when you're standing will just up and he will take you through the fire hallelujah yes he will hallelujah yes he will yes it will in jesus name yes it will in jesus name yes it will in jesus name hallelujah amen i hope you feel the holy hallelujah amen i hope you feel the holy hallelujah amen i hope you feel the holy ghost where you are ghost where you are ghost where you are i feel the holy ghost here and i feel i feel the holy ghost here and i feel i feel the holy ghost here and i feel that god is going to encourage you that god is going to encourage you that god is going to encourage you tonight tonight tonight in jesus name remember tomorrow night at in jesus name remember tomorrow night at in jesus name remember tomorrow night at seven o'clock seven o'clock seven o'clock pastor is going to be speaking to us and pastor is going to be speaking to us and pastor is going to be speaking to us and i'm looking forward to hearing once i'm looking forward to hearing once i'm looking forward to hearing once again the word of the lord again the word of the lord again the word of the lord god bless you in jesus name love you god bless you in jesus name love you god bless you in jesus name love you first apostolic first apostolic first apostolic amen god bless you and heal you in jesus amen god bless you and heal you in jesus amen god bless you and heal you in jesus name you