Sunday, June 7, 2020 - being resilient

Theme: Building the Life We Need - Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: being resilient

Prayer

Daniel 3:8-12                                                                   Common English Bible Translation

At that moment some Chaldeans came forward, seizing a chance to attach the Jews. They said to King Nebuchadnezzar: “Long live the King! Your majesty, you gave a command that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, zither, lyre, harp, flute, and every kind of instrument should bow down and worship the gold statue. Anyone who wouldn’t bow and worship would be thrown into a furnace of flaming fire. Now there are some Jews, ones you appointed to administer the province of Babylon – specifically, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego – who have ignored your command. They don’t serve your gods, and they don’t worship the gold statue you’ve set up.” (Question: Have you ever struggled with devoting too much time to something that you knew wasn’t healthy?)

Daniel 3:13-18

In a violent rage Nebuchadnezzar ordered them to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They were brought before the king. Nebuchadnezzar said to them: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: Is it true that you don’t serve my gods or worship the gold statue I’ve set up? If you are now ready to do so, bow down and worship the gold statue I’ve made when you hear the sound of horn, pipe, zither, lyre, harp, flute, and every kind of instrument. But if you won’t worship it, you will be thrown straight into the furnace of flaming fire. Then what god will rescue you from my power?” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar: “We don’t need to answer your question. If our God – the one we serve – is able to rescue us from the furnace of flaming fire and from your power, Your Majesty, then let him rescue us. But if he doesn’t, know this for certain. Your Majesty: we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you’ve set up.” (Question: Have you ever struggled to make the right decision because of possible repercussions?) 

Daniel 3:19-23

Nebuchadnezzar was filled with rage, and his face twisted beyond recognition because of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. In response he commanded that the furnace be heated to seven times its normal heat. He told some of the strongest men in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the furnace of flaming fire. So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were bound, still dressed in all their clothes, and thrown into the furnace of flaming fire. (Now the King’s command had been rash, and the furnace was heated to such an extreme that the fire’s flame killed the very men who carried Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to it. So these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell, bound, into the furnace of flaming fire. (Question: Has any emotion ever overridden your thinking process?)

Daniel 3:24-25

Then King Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in shock and said to his associates, “Didn’t we throw three men, bound, into the fire?” They answered the king, “Certainly, Your Majesty.” He replied, “Look! I see four men, unbound, walking around inside the fire, and they aren’t hurt! And the fourth one looks like one of the gods.” (Question: Have you ever done the right thing in a difficult situation and had good unexpected consequences?)

Daniel 3:26-27

Nebuchadnezzar went near the opening of the furnace of flaming fire and said, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire. The chief administrators, ministers, governors, and the king’s associates crowded around to look at them. The fire hadn’t done anything to them: their hair wasn’t singed; their garments looked the same as before; they didn’t even smell like fire! (Question: How have you emerged from difficult situations or events?)

Daniel 3:28

Nebuchadnezzar declared: “May the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be praised! He sent his messenger to rescue his servants who trusted him. They ignored the king’s order, sacrificing their bodies, because they wouldn’t serve or worship any god but their God.

(Question: Have your actions ever inspired good in others?)

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, 

on earth as it is in heaven. 

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us;

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power 

and the glory, forever.  Amen

Blessing

Song List (to listen to from wherever you get your music)

Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!

All Creatures of Our God and King

King of Anything – Sara Bareilles

Rescue – Lauren Daigle

A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall – Bob Dylan or Patti Smith’s version