We'll Burn Before We'll Bow

This sermon is from one of the most well-known and oft-told stories of the Bible, the account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego's great deliverance out of Nebuchadnezzar's burning fiery furnace. There are some great lessons from this account to apply to such a time as we are living, beginning with a lesson about the spiritual power of music, and continuing with the following points:

1. OVERCOMING FAITH IS NOT A FUNCTION OF HUMAN ADULTHOOD. Even children can be heroes of faith in the face of great persecution, and can even decide to burn before they'll bow.

2. THE GREATEST VICTORIES ALWAYS COME OUT OF THE WORST CIRCUMSTANCES. While this is one of the greatest stories in the Bible, we must remember that if Israel had not gone into captivity we would not have this great story of a great victory.

3. WE ARE TO SUBMIT TO EARTHLY RULERS ONLY TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY SUBMIT TO GOD. When civil rulers disobey God, we must disobey civil rulers.

4. GOD'S CHILDREN NEVER FIGHT ALONE. God has called us to battle - but has also promised to go through that battle with us, just as he went into the fiery furnace with these young men.