Four Men On The Loose

1
Four Men On The Loose

• Daniel 325
• Three of the four were technically criminals, but
  dangerous only to idolatry and pride
• The kings APB actually praised them and their God

2
I The Proud King

• Nebuchadnezzar, the silly clown
• Come worship the god I made
• He compelled, 2-6
• He used carnal methods, 5-7
• 3. He lost his temper, 1319

3
Nebuchadnezzar the man who rebelled against God

• One who rebels against God loses more than his
  temper,15-25

4
Nebuchadnezzar the slow learner, 15

• Chapter 2 head of gold
• Does he now make an entire statue of gold, saying
  that the day of his reign and authority would
  never end (con-trary to Gods unmistakable plan
  in chap.2)?

5
Why early Christians died

• Early Christians did not die in the arena because
  they worshipped Jesus, but because they would not
  worship Caesar
• They were convicted of hatred of mankind (hate
  crimes)!
• The world hates Christians because they are so
  exclusive

6
II The Powerful God

• Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego are not the focus of
  this chapter. God is
• Decree bow or burn!
• Determination burn, not bow!
• Decision neither bow nor burn!
• God is in control
• 22-23, emphasizes power of God

7
Nebuchadnezzar challenged God, 15-18

• Response Our God . . . is able Mt.39 (1
  Pt.25, 9)
• Mt.1028
• Ro.421
• Ro.1625
• Ep.320
• Hb.218
• Hb.725

8
III The Persistent Servants

• Consistent, 11119
• Not deterred by peer pressure, 7
• Did not pretend to bow, 8-12
• Never hesitated, 16
• Did not debate w. the king, 16
• Trusted and obeyed God, 18
• Willing to die, 18
• Did not doubt or presume, 18

9
Their reward

• God turns the furnace into a walk in the park,
  19-25
• Impressive testimony from a heathen, 26-29
• W/o the fearless, pious conduct of three Jews,
  Gods name would not have been known in Babylon
• 1 Pt.212, 15