Even If

(11) That decree also states that those who refuse to obey must be thrown into a blazing furnace. (12) But there are some Jews—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—whom you have put in charge of the province of Babylon. They pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They refuse to serve your gods and do not worship the gold statue you have set up.”(13) Then Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and ordered that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought before him. When they were brought in, (14) Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? (15) I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?”(16) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. (17) If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. (18) But EVEN IF he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” (19) Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. (20) Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. (21) So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully dressed in their pants, turbans, robes, and other garments. (22) And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in. (23) So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames.

Faith flourishes in adversity. Faith flourishes in trials.

(6) So be truly glad there is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. (7) These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold, though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

1 Peter 1:6-7

(1) Faith is designed to flourish in a specific environment

Faith that can’t be tested, can’t be trusted.

(1) Faith is designed to flourish in a specific environment

     (a) Trials aren’t easy

     (b) Trials are temporary

(1) Faith is designed to flourish in a specific environment

     (a) Trials aren’t easy

     (b) Trials are temporary

     (c) Trials have purpose

(1) Faith is designed to flourish in a specific environment

     (a) Trials aren’t easy

     (b) Trials are temporary

     (c) Trials have purpose

(20) Jesus says, you don’t have enough faith. Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith, even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”

Oftentimes the strongest faith is the most active, not always the most loud.

(1) Faith is designed to flourish in a specific environment

     (a) Trials aren’t easy

     (b) Trials are temporary

     (c) Trials have purpose

(2) Faith has a particular way it behaves

– Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego –

Real faith is not dependent upon what God does, or does not do. Real faith is based upon God and God alone.

(1) Faith is designed to flourish in a specific environment

     (a) Trials aren’t easy

     (b) Trials are temporary

     (c) Trials have purpose

(2) Faith has a particular way it behaves

(3) The stronger my faith, the more I hear myself use a specific phrase

(24) But suddenly, King Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaims to his advisors, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?” “Yes, your majesty, we certainly did.” They replied. (25) “Look,” Nebuchadnezzar shouted, “I see four men unbound, walking around in the fire, unharmed, and the fourth looks like a God.” (26) Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the most high God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, stepped out of the fire. (27) Then the high officers, officials, governors and advisers crowded around them, and saw that the fire had not touched them.Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not even scorched.They didn’t even smell of smoke!