Title: Don’t Bow
MEMORIZE: Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NKJV)
BIBLE READING, DANIEL 3:18-30 (NKJV)
[18] But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”
[19] Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. He spoke and commanded that they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated.
[20] And he commanded certain mighty men of valor who were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, and cast them into the burning fiery furnace.
[21] Then these men were bound in their coats, their trousers, their turbans, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
[22] Therefore, because the king’s command was urgent, and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego.
[23] And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
[24] Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.”
[25] “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”
[26] Then Nebuchadnezzar went near the mouth of the burning fiery furnace and spoke, saying, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here.” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego came from the midst of the fire.
[27] And the satraps, administrators, governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together, and they saw these men on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them.
[28] Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him, and they have frustrated the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they should not serve nor worship any god except their own God!
[29] Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, or language which speaks anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made an ash heap; because there is no other God who can deliver like this.”
[30] Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego in the province of Babylon.
MESSAGE:
Peer pressure is when a person’s intentions or actions, mostly negative, are influenced by people of his/her age group or social setting. The most obvious reason many young people succumb to peer pressure is just to have a sense of belonging.
We live in a society where young people are easily distracted by what people post on their social media platforms, whereas those things are sometimes not true. I have heard of an influential young man on social media who posed in front of a new Bentley car to take a picture that he posted on his status.
After many of his followers showered congratulatory messages on him, he opened up to say that the picture was taken when he went to rejoice with a friend who just bought the car.
Children of God who are sure about their identity in Christ need not give in to peer pressure. I charge you to be like the Hebrew boys in today’s text. Be determined not to succumb to negative pressure that will tarnish your salvation or good name.
ACTION POINT
What are you doing to propagate the gospel?
HYMN 15 – ONWARD, CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS
- Onward, Christian soldiers!
Marching as to war,
Looking unto Jesus,
Who is gone before;
Christ, the Royal Master,
Leads against the foe;
Forward into battle,
See His banners go.
CHORUS
Onward, Christian soldiers!
Marching as to war,
Looking unto Jesus,
Who is gone before.
- At the name of Jesus
Satan’s host doth Ilee;
On then, Christian soldiers
On to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver
At the shout of praise:
Brothers, lift your voices,
Loud your anthems raise. - Like a mighty army
Moves the Church of God:
Brothers, we are treading
Where the saints have trod.
We are not divided,
All one body we
One in hope and doctrine,
One in charity. - Crowns and thrones may perish
Kingdoms rise and wane;
But the Church of Jesus
Constant will remain:
Gates of hell can never
‘Gainst that church prevail;
We have Christ’s own promise-
And that cannot fail. - Onward then, ye people,
Join our happy throng;
Blend with ours your voices
In the triumph song:
“Glory, praise and honour,
Unto Christ the King”,
This, through countless ages,
Men and angels sing.
BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR: PSALMS 69-72
AUTHORS: PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE
PASTOR MRS FOLU ADEBOYE