Young People Take A Stand

The three Hebrew children were young people, aged about 16. They were young men from the Royal Family - born of royal blood. Daniel 1:4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. We see how they stood for right in a godless world.

Will you…
1. STAND OUT. Or Blend In? – as far as the Thinking/Lifestyle/Fashions/Tastes of the World?

These young men stood out from the crowd.
• Physically - they were healthy lads.
• Mentally - intelligent, quick to learn.
• Socially - fit to serve in King's Palace.

God is interested in the whole you. God wants to use you in His service. What are you going to do with your life, talents, time?

"King Neb" had chosen them to train to enter the King's personal service. He arranged a daily diet of special food and wine from his table. The best in the nation. But it was:
• Food dedicated to idols.
• Beer to make them drunk; kill brain cells.

1:8 These young people didn’t following the crowd. They made a decision - "purposed" in their heart, not to "defile" - to pollute themselves.

What can a young person do to keep clean? Live by God's Word (Psalm 119:9). They made a deliberate choice. Keep your body pure.

Do we do what is fashionable - what is popular? Or choose what is Biblical - unpopular?

1:15 - The Result - was that they looked better and healthier than anyone else. Spend time with God and you'll start to learn things. People will see there's something different about you.

So, will we stand out? And… also… Will we…
2. STAND TALL. Or Bow Down? As far as the gods/Idols/Materialism/Heroes/Pleasures of the World…

These young people now faced a tremendous challenge – a Test of their faith…

3:1 The king made an image of gold, 90 feet by 9 feet. The dedication ceremony was announced (v. 2). All the "important" people where there (v.3). The ultimatum was given (3:4-7). As soon as you hear the rock band, you were commanded to fall down and worship the image.

Do you take the easy way out? Do what everybody else does? Fit in? Or will you dare to be different?

Do we try to fit in - change the way we speak, so that we fit in, do we use their language, their swear words? The sick humour, the low morals, the mindset, the fashions of the world. If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything.

3:13 The King went absolutely crazy when he heard about it. They told him they wouldn't serve his gods or worship the idol. He said, "then what god is able to rescue you from my hand?" How did they answer? "Our mind is fully made up." (v. 16) You've made a decision - stick with it. Stand up and be counted.

Will we... Stand Out… Stand Tall… And… also… will we…
3. STAND FIRM. Or Back Down? As far as the Testings/Trials/Opposition/Taunts/Pressures of the World.

3:19, The King flew into rage. His face was distorted with anger. He ordered the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than usual.

He commanded his toughest, strongest soldiers in his army. They grabbed them, tied them up, and threw them into the midst of the fire. The heat is on. It was so hot that it killed the men who took them to the furnace. They fell into the blazing furnace. When your back's against the wall dare to believe. Trust God.

The king jumped up in a hurry (v. 24). He was Amazed - this was Totally awesome - the Power of God. (v.25) He said, Look! I saw four men loose, walking around in the midst of the fire. They are set free and unhurt. The fourth looks like the son of God. Jesus is with you! When the going gets tough - He is right there with us.

King Neb and yelled out, Come out! Come here! You servants of the most high God. People are going to recognise who you are. (v. 27) The royal advisers crowded around them. They saw how the fire had no power over them – it hadn't harmed their bodies, or clothes. Their hair wasn't singed. There wasn’t even the smell of fire on them.

Even King Neb said, (v. 28) "Praise be to God, who sent His Angel and rescued His servants." What or Who do you put your trust him? Are we willing to lay our lives on the line? Willing to die, rather than serve or worship any other god?

TAKE A STAND. STAND UP. MAKE A DECISION.
Elvis Presley, "The King" was like king Neb. His life was filled with pleasure, fame, riches. His screaming, devoted fans would do anything for him. The reality is that he choked to death on his own vomit - his was a life of emptiness, loneliness, and helplessness.

The devil is working to utterly destroy this generation. It’s a troubled generation - lost and lonely. A world of restlessness and hustle and bustle.

Where are you at? Where are you going? God is looking for Young people with a heart for Him and His Word. Who have committed their lives to Christ and are on fire for God.