Fear God Give Glory

Recap:

We talk often about the love and grace of God, but Scripture also calls us to live in the fear of the Lord. Not terror, but a deep awareness of who God is, holy, powerful, Creator and King. When we truly understand who He is, it changes the way we live.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were surrounded by a culture demanding that they bow, but they had already made their decision: we will not bow. That same pressure still exists today. The idols may look different, but the world is constantly asking us to compromise what God has said in order to fit in.

Following Jesus means deciding ahead of time where we will stand. I will not compromise. I will not gossip. I will not follow the crowd when it pulls me away from God. I will not bow.

Their obedience didn’t keep them out of the fire, but they weren’t alone in it. God met them there, and the fire that was meant to destroy them became the place where His glory was revealed.

That’s the challenge for us: Fear God. Give Him glory. Obey when it costs you. Stand when everyone else bows. And trust that even in the fire, God is with you.

What do you need to predecide today?

I will not ________.

Group Questions:

Icebreaker: What’s something you decided ahead of time that made a difficult decision easier later? It could be something serious or something simple.

Discussion:

When you hear the phrase “fear of the Lord,” what comes to mind? How did this message challenge or reshape your understanding of it?
The sermon emphasized that the fear of the Lord isn’t terror, but recognizing who God is, holy, powerful, Creator and King. How should that understanding affect the way we live day to day?
Proverbs 8:13 says, “To fear the Lord is to hate evil.” What’s the difference between avoiding sin because we might get caught and actually learning to hate what God calls evil?
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego seemed to have already decided they would not bow before the pressure came. Why is it important to predecide what we will and will not compromise?
What are some of the things our culture pressures Christians to “bow” to today? Where do you personally feel that pressure most strongly?
Pastor David gave the challenge to finish this statement: “I will not ________.” Is there an area where you know God is asking you to draw a line or make a decision before temptation comes?
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego’s obedience did not keep them out of the fire, but God met them in it. How does that change the way we think about obedience, hardship and following Jesus?
Have you ever experienced a time when doing the right thing cost you something? Looking back, how did God meet you in that season?
Nebuchadnezzar eventually gave glory to God because of what he saw in their lives. What would it look like for your obedience to put the glory of God on display to your family, coworkers, friends or neighbors?
Revelation 14:7 says, “Fear God and give Him glory.” What is one practical way you can live that out this week?