When Being A Servant of God Conflicts With Being A Citizen
Daniel 3:8-18
Introduction
This past Wed, July 4, our nation celebrated 236 yr anniv of our independ Grt Brt
I rd th Dec.of Indep, list of grievances of colonists agnst King George
Being an Amer colonist conflicted with being citizen of Grt Britain
Led to War of Independence and eventually independence
This AM discss wht happns whn being a servant of God conflicts w being a citizn
What happens when what God requires of us as His servants conflicts w
what our country requires of us as it’s citizens
Fortunately in US, there have been few situations to date for most Christians
How should believers be as citizens? Ro 13:1-7; Titus 3:1; 1 Pt2:13,14; but when
Christian doctrine and practice conflict with being a citizen
EXPOSITION – when being a servant of God conflicts with being a citizen...
- The Conflict 3:1-7
Nebuchadnezzar
Built a 90 X 9’ image of Gold
Brought all his officials to the image
Ordered them to bow down and worship the image
or be thrown into burning fiery furnace
All but three complied with the order
Jews: Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego because 2nd command Ex20:5
Servants of God commanded by government to disobey God
Conflicts Believers may face
Not speak the gospel – Ac4:17,18; 5:40
Limit speech –Mt 14:4
Any pressure to disobey the Bible: at school, work, home
- ...You May Have Accusers 8 -12
At that time certain Chaldeans came forward 8
Accusd [literally ‘ate the pieces of’ – chewed them out] th Jews, pssib antisemitic
Not paid due regard to you; not serve your gods; not worship the image Resentment, jealousy, coworkers slander, gossip
- ...You MayHave To Stand BeforeOfficials 13 -15
Nebuchadnezzar in rage and fury – very angry, known for his bad temper, single
out the three – eyes of all on them
1st Q Is it true?
2nd Give them a second chance, compromise, Polycarp story
3rd consequence – burning fiery furnace
4th Q Who is the god who can deliver you from my hands? Forgot 2:46-49
Saying N more powerful than God
Mt 10:18-20
- ...You Must Choose God 16 - 18
No need to answer you whether or not our God is able to deliver us [ i.e. we have
carefully thought through our choice], already settled w the issue
Our God is able to deliver us from burning fiery furnace –
ability of God, no excuses, no arrogance, no insolence
He will deliver us – faith, trust in God, accept ‘consequences’ ff God
If not deliver us, we still will not bow down to th image of gold – principle
Belief in God that allows God to be sovereign
Our faith is not in our deliverance but in our God Ph1:20, Job13:15
Helps for You: 1] know God is sovereign; 2] know scriptures; 3] willing to die
for conviction, pay price [popularity, ridicule, economic, persecution, promotion]; 4] fear God above all Mt 10:28; Hb 13:6; 5] God can but He doesn’t have toTheir death would not have been a failure Hb11:30, 35, 37