Mission Sunday: Andy Worthington | Open Doors
Nebuchadnezzar summons everyone – from all the people groups and tribes in the Empire. There’s not one trumpeter or zither player – it’s a whole ensemble. In contrast three young men stand, calm, unpretentious and will only worship one God – a far greater King than Nebuchadnezzar. They are willing to defy a dictator – knowing the cost: bow or burn. When the music plays they are the last ones standing. In fact, they’re the only ones standing. Can you imagine the deadly silence on the plain as the ceremony is brought to a dramatic halt? The silence is deafening. All eyes are not on Nebuchadnezzar nor his image but are on Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. They stand to be counted. They will not bow down to anyone but God. By the end of the chapter all eyes are on God – not on the image, not on Nebuchadnezzar, not even on Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. In the message we will explore how these 3 men are willing to count the cost of following Jesus and learn from Christians today who are willing to do the same.
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