Fire

Daniel 3:18-28 - But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury, and the expression of his face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it was usually heated. And he ordered some of the mighty men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Then these men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics, their hats, and their other garments, and they were thrown into the burning fiery furnace. Because the king's order was urgent and the furnace overheated, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the burning fiery furnace. Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.” Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace; he declared, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire. And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king's counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them. Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king's command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God.


Daniel 6:23 - Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

Job 13:15 - Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face.

Psalm 26:1 - Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.

Application:

· That the lions were ravenously hungry was no obstacle to the Lord’s rewarding Daniel’s faith by saving his life.
· Hope is to wait for something. Waiting may or may not be patient, and it may or may not be with a positive expectation
· A blameless life means moral integrity, not sinless perfection. Being godly means obeying and trusting. Am I obeying and trusting Him?
· Whether God decides to rescue me or not my faith should be fully resigned to His will. Is my faith fully resigned to His will?

All Scripture verses taken from ESV

Save

Daniel 3:13-18 - Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. So they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, “Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”


Psalm 27:1 - The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Jeremiah 1:8 - Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.”

Joshua 24:15 - And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Application:

· Have I learned to base my confidence on God’s ever-present protection?
· Do I fear men? Will God deliver me? Deliverance means there will be trouble.
· God has the power to save. His way may be unclear to me. He may decide to withhold His power. Either way I must strive for righteousness.
· Have I committed myself and my household to serving the Lord?

All Scripture verses taken from ESV

They Neither Serve Your Gods Nor Worship The Image

Daniel 3:10-12 - You, O king, have made a decree, that every man who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image. And whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into a burning fiery furnace. There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”


Exodus 20:3-6 - “You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.

Application:

· Do I obey the word of God above the word of those in authority over me?
· Do I have any real or imagined gods rivaling the one true God in my heart and life?
· Because God is spirit, any idol intended to resemble Him would be a sinful misrepresentation of Him
· Persistence in unbelief as enemies of God harms others besides the sinner himself

All Scripture verses taken from ESV

By No Human Hand

Daniel 2:32-34,44-45 - The head of this image was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its middle and thighs of bronze, its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. As you looked, a stone was cut out by no human hand, and it struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces…And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever, just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold. A great God has made known to the king what shall be after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.”


Zechariah 4:6 - Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.

Psalm 2:9 - You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.”

Application:

· God’s Word to Zerubbabel is a reminder that the obstacles I face will not be overcome by conventional resources but by an outpouring of the Holy Spirit
· The stone that will break in pieces all kingdoms is Christ, the One in whom God plans to unite all things in His glorious kingdom
· Christ will triumphantly rule and dash to pieces the nations

All Scripture verses taken from ESV

Wisdom

Daniel 2:23-33 - To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for you have made known to us the king's matter.” Therefore Daniel went in to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon. He went and said thus to him: “Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon; bring me in before the king, and I will show the king the interpretation.” Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste and said thus to him: “I have found among the exiles from Judah a man who will make known to the king the interpretation.” The king declared to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, “Are you able to make known to me the dream that I have seen and its interpretation?” Daniel answered the king and said, “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream and the visions of your head as you lay in bed are these: To you, O king, as you lay in bed came thoughts of what would be after this, and he who reveals mysteries made known to you what is to be. But as for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because of any wisdom that I have more than all the living, but in order that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your mind. “You saw, O king, and behold, a great image. This image, mighty and of exceeding brightness, stood before you, and its appearance was frightening. The head of this image was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its middle and thighs of bronze, its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay.


Daniel 1:17 - As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

Jeremiah 10:7 - Who would not fear you, O King of the nations? For this is your due; for among all the wise ones of the nations and in all their kingdoms there is none like you.

Application:

· Only by God’s special revelation was Daniel able to interpret correctly
· Do I revere the Lord? There is no one like Him! He is King over all!

All Scripture verses taken from ESV

Light Dwells With Him

Daniel 2:19-22 - Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.


Daniel 1:17 - As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

James 1:5 - If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

1 Corinthians 2:9-10 - But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”—these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.

Psalm 36:9 - For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.

Application:

· Only by God’s special revelation was Daniel able to interpret correctly
· Wisdom is a God-given and God-centered discernment regarding the practical issues in life. Wisdom comes from prayer for God’s help
· The Holy Spirit, within me, comprehends the depth of God’s nature and His plans of grace
· My experiences in life depend on God’s light illuminating the world for me

All Scripture verses taken from ESV

Mystery

Daniel 2:5-18 - The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, “The word from me is firm: if you do not make known to me the dream and its interpretation, you shall be torn limb from limb, and your houses shall be laid in ruins. But if you show the dream and its interpretation, you shall receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. Therefore show me the dream and its interpretation.” They answered a second time and said, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will show its interpretation.” The king answered and said, “I know with certainty that you are trying to gain time, because you see that the word from me is firm— if you do not make the dream known to me, there is but one sentence for you. You have agreed to speak lying and corrupt words before me till the times change. Therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that you can show me its interpretation.” The Chaldeans answered the king and said, “There is not a man on earth who can meet the king's demand, for no great and powerful king has asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or Chaldean. The thing that the king asks is difficult, and no one can show it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.” Because of this the king was angry and very furious, and commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be destroyed. So the decree went out, and the wise men were about to be killed; and they sought Daniel and his companions, to kill them. Then Daniel replied with prudence and discretion to Arioch, the captain of the king's guard, who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon. He declared to Arioch, the king's captain, “Why is the decree of the king so urgent?” Then Arioch made the matter known to Daniel. And Daniel went in and requested the king to appoint him a time, that he might show the interpretation to the king. Then Daniel went to his house and made the matter known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, and told them to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his companions might not be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.


Jonah 1:9 - And he said to them, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.”

Jeremiah 33:3 - Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.

Romans 11:25 - Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

Application:

· God of heaven refers to the universal and supreme God
· Hidden things are future things revealed as I call out for understanding. He gives me understanding of His word and His purpose in my life.
· The mystery in Romans is: presently the majority of Israel has been hardened and the full number of Gentiles is being saved; in the future God will save all Israel

All Scripture verses taken from ESV

Royal Food And Wine

Daniel 1:5-12 - The king assigned them a daily portion of the food that the king ate, and of the wine that he drank. They were to be educated for three years, and at the end of that time they were to stand before the king. Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah. And the chief of the eunuchs gave them names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego. But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs, and the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who assigned your food and your drink; for why should he see that you were in worse condition than the youths who are of your own age? So you would endanger my head with the king.” Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had assigned over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink.


Daniel 3:12 - There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

Application:

· Do I demonstrate the courage of my convictions?
· Do I obey the word of God above the word of those who rule over me?
· Do I use good judgment by offering alternatives instead of rebelling?

All Scripture verses taken from ESV

Language And Literature Of The Babylonians

Daniel 1:3-4,17 - Then the king commanded Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring some of the people of Israel, both of the royal family and of the nobility, youths without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, and competent to stand in the king's palace, and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans… As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.


Genesis 39:6 - So he left all that he had in Joseph's charge, and because of him he had no concern about anything but the food he ate. Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance.

Daniel 2:4 – Then the Chaldeans said to the king in Aramaic, “O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.”

Application:

· Joseph exercised authority without seeing this as an opportunity to betray or exploit others
· Do I build up those in the society in which I find myself? Do I remain true to God amid life’s pressures? Daniel did.
· Daniel was chosen to be taught Aramaic because he was good-looking, smart, well-informed, a quick learner and qualified. (sounds like me – except the Aramaic part – HA!)JJJ

All Scripture verses taken from ESV

god

Daniel 1:1-2 - In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the vessels of the house of God. And he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and placed the vessels in the treasury of his god.


Zechariah 5:8-9,11 - And he said, “This is Wickedness.” And he thrust her back into the basket, and thrust down the leaden weight on its opening. Then I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, two women coming forward! The wind was in their wings. They had wings like the wings of a stork, and they lifted up the basket between earth and heaven…He said to me, “To the land of Shinar, to build a house for it. And when this is prepared, they will set the basket down there on its base.”

Application:

· Judah was exiled to Babylonia because she disobeyed God’s Word regarding covenant-keeping, the Sabbath years and idolatry. How am I doing at obeying God’s Word?
· Wickedness exists under the power and authority of God
· The removal of wickedness would be the work of God alone
· Only after purging it of its evil would the promised land truly be the holy land

All Scripture verses taken from ESV

Leaders

Hebrews 13:17,20-25 – Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you… Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. I appeal to you, brothers, bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. You should know that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom I shall see you if he comes soon. Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who come from Italy send you greetings. Grace be with all of you.


Application:

· Am I exhorting and encouraging others?
· Am I submissive to my leaders? My soul will be cared for and there will be harmony and joy if I submit to my leaders.

All Scripture verses taken from ESV

Eternal Covenant

Hebrews 13:18-21 - Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner. Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.


Genesis 17:7 - And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you.

Isaiah 55:3 - Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.

Ezekiel 37:24,26 - “My servant David shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd. They shall walk in my rules and be careful to obey my statutes...I will make a covenant of peace with them. It shall be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will set them in their land and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in their midst forevermore.

John 10:11,14-15 - I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep…I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Jeremiah 31:31-32 - “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord.

Ezekiel 34:11,23 - “For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out…And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd.

Application:

· What Jeremiah describes as the new covenant he describes as everlasting
· God’s covenant is everlasting from His standpoint, but capable of being broken from my standpoint
· David had been promised an unending dynasty, one that would culminate in the Messiah
· Everlasting covenants were established with Noah, Abraham David and me
· A shepherd might risk danger but expect to live. Jesus said the good Shepherd will die for His sheep
· The new covenant is celebrated by the blood of Christ
· The Lord committed Himself to shepherd His flock
· A ruler like David and from his line will tender His flock
· The coming ruler is like a shepherd who cares for His flock
· The Shepherd and His sheep have deep mutual knowledge, like that of the Father and the Son,

All Scripture verses taken from ESV

Burned Outside The Camp

Hebrews 13:10-13 - We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured.


Hebrews 8:5 - They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.”

Leviticus 4:11-12 – But the skin of the bull and all its flesh, with its head, its legs, its entrails, and its dung—all the rest of the bull—he shall carry outside the camp to a clean place, to the ash heap, and shall burn it up on a fire of wood. On the ash heap it shall be burned up.

Luke 9:23 - And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Application:

· The earthly tabernacle was only a lesser copy of the heavenly pattern shown to Moses.
· Jesus was crucified outside Jerusalem just like the hide of the sin offering was taken outside the camp
· Going to Him outside the camp means leaving behind the love of this world and desire for its approval and embracing the reproach of Christ
· Am I willing to deny personal control over my life? Am I willing to make a commitment that may lead to reproach or death? Am I willing to follow the example and teachings of Jesus?

All Scripture verses taken from ESV

Yesterday

Hebrews 13:8-9 - Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them.


Hebrews 2:2-4 - For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

Hebrews 9:8-10 - By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.

Application:

· Jesus Christ is eternally trustworthy as son of God as He was active in creation (yesterday), as He offers salvation (today) and as He will reign in heaven (forever).
· Jesus first announced this salvation. Those who heard assured and confirmed it.
· Strange teachings of old were done away with at the cross and must not be revived
· I have been reformed. Following the Mosaic law cannot clear my conscience. I need Christ.

All Scripture verses taken from ESV

Leaders Who Spoke The Word Of God

Hebrews 13:6-7,17 - So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith…Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.


Hebrews 6:11-12 - And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Hebrews 2:2-4 - For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

Ephesians 5:1 - Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.

1 Thessalonians 1:6-7 – And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.

Application:

· Obedience to my leaders will benefit me since my soul will be cared for and it will create joy for my leaders
· Do I imitate the faith of my leaders?
· If the Mosaic law came with retribution for failure to obey, then surely the Lord’s salvation comes with more dangerous retribution if I neglect it
· Do I have a forgiving spirit? Do I act just as my Lord did?
· Suffering affliction is normal for those destined to be saved at the end.

All Scripture verses taken from ESV

Love Of Money

Hebrews 13:5 - Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”


Deuteronomy 31:6 - Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Joshua 1:5 - No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.

Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Application:

· Do I trust in the Lord and obey Him? If I do, I will be victorious despite many obstacles
· The Lord directs and sustains me. He will not leave me or forsake me.
· I can do everything pleasing to God if I am obedient to Him, serve Him and serve others

All Scripture verses taken from ESV

Remember Those In Prison And Those Who Are Mistreated

Hebrews 13:3-4 - Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the… immoral and adulterous.


Hebrews 10:32-33 - But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated.

1 Corinthians 12:26 - If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10

Application:

· Do I suffer loss and persecution unflinchingly? Am I deeply concerned for others?
· In the body of Christ, if one Christian suffers, all the Christians are affected
· People who engage in the practices of 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 are explicitly excluded from God’s kingdom

All Scripture verses taken from ESV

No Further Word Be Spoken To Them

Hebrews 12:17-21 - For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears. For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.”


Exodus 20:18-19 - Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.”

Deuteronomy 9:19 - For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure that the Lord bore against you, so that he was ready to destroy you. But the Lord listened to me that time also.

Application:

· Do I think of compromising my faith in order to gain relief from persecution? Am I willing to trade my spiritual birthright for temporary ease in this world?
· Jesus Christ is my Mediator who stands between God and me
· Israel survived because of Moses intercessory prayer

All Scripture verses taken from ESV