C3 Church Southwest WA C3 Church Southwest WA

SCRIPTURE:  Daniel 3:4–7 (ESV) And the herald proclaimed aloud, “You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages,  that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.  And whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace.”  Therefore, as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
Compromise: 
Good: to settle a dispute by mutual concession
Bad: to accept standards that are lower than desirable
Very Bad: to embrace standards below God’s expressed will

COMPROMISE IS MORE THAN A SIN. SIN IS AN ACTION, WHILE COMPROMISE IS A COURSE OF ACTION.
Daniel 3,4 - Babylon lead by Nebuchadnezzar 
Spiritually dark time. 
Like America, the King's world was influenced by corrupt politicians, business leaders, social elites, judges, dark priests, and people from academia with a few godly people in the mix.
In Babylon were people of Israel, human trafficked into Babylon by the government. Some of their finest were elevated to political prominence 
Daniel 2:49 (ESV) Daniel made a request of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the affairs of the province of Babylon. But Daniel remained at the king’s court.
God will promote you and use you to influence your world in spite of the evil around you!
Their presence made influential people jealous, but more likely, agitated the demons that influenced the people of influence.
Neb set up an image ninety feet tall
Daniel 3:4 Gathered the nation so when the music kicked on, everyone was to bow down and worship the image.
People participated on various levels:
As a group, everyone participated wholeheartedly.
Internally, people participated for various reasons
All in on idolatry
Afraid of losing job
Desire for promotion
Meet the expectations of their sub-group
Crowd pressure
Virtue signaling - good people do this
Afraid of the furnace
There were hold-outs, and hold-outs were dealt with.
Daniel 3:8 (ESV) Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and maliciously accused the Jews.
Daniel 3:12 (ESV) 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.”
Brought before Neb
Daniel 3:13 (ESV) Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. So they brought these men before the king.
Daniel 3:15 (ESV) 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?”
The Furnace: A Place Of Decision
A demand for compromise leading to safety from destruction
And invitation for obedience the leads to promotion

Common Furnaces Of Compromise:
Individuals, groups, organizations and communities.
Instead of influencing them, they influence you
Require ongoing compromise
They strip you bare. 
You may survive but you will not thrive.
Activities contrary to scripture
Addictions
Anger 
Unforgiveness
Cultural attitudes, values and practices
Things our culture embraces that occasionally demand our participation and celebration.
I would not attend a ceremony to celebrate someone committing suicide
I would not attend a ceremony to celebrate someone having an abortion
I would not attend a ceremony to celebrate two men getting married.
I would not attend 
Circumstances 
Miserable marriage
Poverty financ

THE TRUTH ABOUT: TRIALS
John 16:33 (ESV) …In the world you will have tribulation.
John 16:33 (NIV) …In this world you will have trouble. 
John 16:33 (MSG) …In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties.

The Facts About Trials
TRIAL - a person, situation or thing that tests, reveals, proves another

TRIALS were not intended for our origin story.
We were made in the image of God, in His likeness, with his logo and nothing was needed to test, reveal or prove because we were established perfectly.
Genesis 1:31 (ESV) And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
Very - meod - muchness, force, abundance
Good - tob - pleasing, agreeable, good
With God’s authority, we tested all things, but needed not be tested ourselves. In fact, nothing could test us.
Genesis 1:26 (ESV) And let them have dominion… over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

TRIALS began when sin cursed our world.
Genesis 3:17–19 (ESV) And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground (world) because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life;  thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field.  By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
In this world…
John 16:33 (ESV) …In the world you will have tribulation.
John 16:33 (NIV) …In this world you will have trouble. 
John 16:33 (MSG) …In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties.

TRIALS will permeate our lives until the end.
James 1:2 (ESV) Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
James 1:12 (ESV) Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial…
1 Peter 1:6 (ESV) …you have been grieved by various trials,
1 Peter 4:12 (ESV) Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
1 Corinthians 15:26 (ESV) The last enemy to be destroyed is death.


The Lies About Trials

LIE: God is the source of trials (temptations)
“This is happening, it must be meant to be” - NO
James 1:13–15 (ESV) Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.  But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.  Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
God doesn't start tem
God doesn’t prolong them
God rarely shortens them. 
God typically doesn’t doesn’t end them

LIE: Trials are a byproduct of God’s displeasure

Luke 13:1–4 (ESV) There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.  And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way?  No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.  Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem?
Jesus was speaking against the idea that bad things happen to bad people. Bad things just happen.
An absence of trials is not proof of His pleasure.
An abundance of trials are not a sign of his displeasure nor a lack of faith.

LIE: Trials are predetermined and must be endured until they end. 
This lie assumes that there is no way to avoid trials and once they begin, there's nothing we can do but ride them out. 
Trials are not predetermined.
We can actually create them. We can lengthen them. We can shorten them. 
Galatians 6:7–9 (ESV) Do not be deceived:

“Look at the flowers
In all of their beauty
I don’t have to wonder
You know what you’re doing
So why would I worry at all
You’re faithful to supply”
“Look at the sparrow
Lacking for nothing
No fear of tomorrow
And what it will bring
If I have you I have enough
Cause your love will satisfy”

To those who struggle with exhaustion: Does God even hear me? I’ve tried, but nothing happened. Is it ever going to happen? It’s been so long since God promised. Nothing is changing. I give up. I can’t do this anymore.”

“You Know What You’re Doing”
Job synopsis - he lost his 10 children, his possessions, his health (sores), his wife
Job 42:1-6 “The Job replied to the Lord: ‘I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I–and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me. You said, ‘Listen and I will speak! I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.’ I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.’”
The Lord then blessed him x2, second half of his life
Job 23:2, 10-12 “My complaint today is still a bitter one, and I try hard not to groan aloud. 10 But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold. For I have stayed on God’s paths; I have followed his ways and not turned aside. I have not departed from his commands, but have treasured his words more than daily food.”

“Everything I need everything I need
My father has it my Father has it
Every single time the Lord will provide
My father has it my Father has it”

To those who struggle with self-doubt: Am I enough? Am I doing this well? I don’t feel equipped for this. I don’t know what to do. This is too much to handle. I can’t do this.

“My Father Has It”
Moses & Israelites synopsis - they were about to cross the sea, saw 600 egyptians chariots chasing them, and Israelites thought that they were going to die
(Slide 1) Exodus 14:13-14 “Moses answered the people. He said, “Don’t be afraid. Stand firm. You will see how the Lord will save you today.
(Slide 2) Exodus 14:15, 19-20 “Then the Lord spoke to Moses. He said, ‘Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people of Israel to move on. Hold out your walking stick. Reach out your hand over the Red Sea to divide the water. Then the people can go through the sea on dry ground.’ 19 The angel of God had been traveling in front of Israel’s army. Now he moved back and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved away from in front of them. Now it stood behind them. It came between the armies of Egypt and Israel. All through the night the cloud brought darkness to one side and light to the other. Neither army went near the other all night long.”
Israelites made it safely to the other side

“Seek first the Kingdom and its treasures
Everything else it will be added
All that I’m needing
I know the Lord will provide
I know my God’s not empty handed
He gives us blessings upon blessings
I’m still believing
I know the Lord will provide”

To those who struggle with settling: Life doesn’t look the way I thought it would. This is how it’s going to be I guess. There’s no changing them. It’s always been like that. I’ve always had to deal with this. This is a part of who I am. It’s a part of life. I just don’t see how it could get any better.

“My God’s Not Empty Handed”
Solomon synopsis: Solomon was the wisest and richest person to ever have lived, God was honored by the way he led and lived, and God promised to fulfill his promise of living amongst the Israelites if Solomon obeyed. But Solomon followed in the footsteps of his father, settling for less. 
1 Kings 11:1-4, 9-13 ”Now King Solomon loved many foreign women. Besides Pharaoh’s daughter, he married women fro

Mark 9:43–48 (ESV) And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire.  And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell.  And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell,  ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’

The Facts About HELL
The Bible refers to the idea of hell some 54 times.
OT references use the word Sheol & Hades
11 out of 12 times Jesus used the phrase Gehenna
NT "Gehenna
OT "Hinnom," a valley south of Jerusalem

The History Of The Valley Of Hinnom:
Reign of King Ahaz - (2 Chronicles 28, 33) the valley was used by Baal worshipers to offer their children in their furnaces to their god Molech.
Ministry of Jeremiah - (Jeremiah 7, 19) referred to the valley as "The Valley of Slaughter."
Reign of King Josiah - (2 Kings 23:10) proclaimed "defiled" and no one was allowed to use it for any purpose.
Ministry of Jesus - valley evolved into a garbage dump.  Trash was burned around the clock, as well as the bodies of dead animals, criminal corpses. It was a well known hangout for lepers and the sick.  There was continual smoke, stench, maggots and flies.  At night, dogs could be heard fighting over the trash.

The Lies About HELL/AFTERLIFE
Hell Does Not Exist
The Dead Cease To Exist - the atheistic belief that man, upon death, forever ceases to be and quietly rots into nothingness. 
Annihilationism - the belief that all the ungodly will be annihilated by God.
Restorationism - The belief that all men will be given a second chance to make the choice for God that they did not make during this life.
Purgatory - the belief that all those who die at peace with the church but are not perfect must undergo penal and purifying sufferings in order to go to heaven.
Reincarnation - the belief that individuals return to life again in a form determined by the quality of life previously lived. 
Universal Heaven – the belief that everyone who believed in something arrives at heaven with everyone else who believed in something.
The TRUTH About HELL
Hell Is Happening Right Now
Luke 16:19–20, 22-23 (ESV) “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day.  And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side
Hell Includes Memories Of This Life 
Luke 16:27–28 (ESV) And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house—  for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’
Hell Will Take Anyone – it will try to claim good and bad, religious and non-religious, black and white, rich or poor, sick or healthy… it will even take you
Matthew 7:22–23 (ESV) On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’  And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
Hell Is A Place Of Torment 
Matthew 25:30 (ESV) And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Hell Has No Holidays  - no breaks, timeouts, holidays, day off’s, no future starting point to wait for or stopping point to bring comfort.  
Mark 9:48–49 (ESV) ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’  For everyone will be salted with fire.
Hell Is A Fixed Destination
Luke 16:26 (ESV) And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that

SCRIPTURE: Genesis 4:6–7 (ESV) The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted (a lifting up of your face)? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”

FACTS: the accurate personal assessment informing practical next steps leading to natural outcomes.
LIES: the deceived assessment demanding destructive next steps leading to “less-than” outcomes.
THE TRUTH: the revelation of God’s assessment inviting  faith-filled obedient participation in next steps leading to  supernatural “more-than” outcomes.
Do not be limited by facts. Don’t be deceived by lies. Hear from Heaven and act.

The Facts About SIN
Ezekiel 18:20 (ESV) The soul who sins shall die. 
Hebrew:
Chata: to miss the mark of God’s Word
Avon:  to intentionally disobey God’s Word
Pesha: to rebel against God’s authority 
Greek
Hamartia: to miss the mark of God’s Word
Paraptoma: to intentionally disobey God’s Word
Anomia: to knowingly disobey God’s Word without remorse
Opheilema: the consequences and obligations of sin

The Lies About SIN

Non-Believers: 
I define sin.
I am God
Anything I want is right.
Anything I don’t want is wrong.
The same act can be right/wrong depending on how it impacts me.
Sin is relative.
It is defined by my needs
You must CELEBRATE my standard.
Not argue, ignore, tolerate or acknowledge..
Failure to do so and you will be punished

Believers:
Believing = Immunity
Believing trumps all
Grace covers all
Good actions outweigh bad
All I have to do is ask for forgiveness
Sin Is Irresistible
God knows we are weak and can’t resist
It’s God’s fault for allowing temptation
Sin is Relative
I know it’s wrong, but…
Adjusted by the voices of opportunity, culture and science* 
justified by circumstantial outcomes
Outcomes validate sin/righteousness
Some Sin Is Beyond Payment
I deserve this 
They don’t deserve that

Sin Is Defined by God Alone
His Word
His Spirit - Romans 14:5–7 (ESV) One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.  The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God.  For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself.
His/Your Family - Jeremiah 35:13–14 (ESV) “Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Go and say to the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will you not receive instruction and listen to my words? declares the LORD.  The command that Jonadab the son of Rechab gave to his sons, to drink no wine, has been kept, and they drink none to this day, for they have obeyed their father’s command. I have spoken to you persistently, but you have not listened to me.

It pulls all the guesswork out of it.
I no longer have an opinion.
Gods Best Is Within Reach
God want your best - TRUST
His WORDS are for your BEST
Sin offers a substitute with hidden consequences.

Deuteronomy 28:1–15 (ESV)  “And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out. “The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before you. They shall come out against