Tough as Nails Part 2

from Isaiah House Podcast · host Andrew Ownby

This podcast was based on discussion questions from the Life Church Open Network series "Tough as Nails." Tough as Nails Part 2 Ice Breaker: What is the hottest you’ve ever been? What would be worse during a summer in Phoenix, no AC in your car the entire summer or no AC in your house for a week? King Nebuchadnezzar · King of Babylon · Statue that was 90ft tall 9ft wide · Plain of Dura · Dedication, some estimate 300k people there. Daniel 3:4-6  Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do: As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.” When the music played, everyone bowed. Every religious leader, every teacher, every political leader, every market worker. Men and women, young and old. Except for 3. This made the king made, and he cranked up the furnace 7x hotter. Daniel 3:21-23 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans, and other clothes were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace. These three didn’t make their decision to be tough as nails in this moment, they had pre-decided. They proved this when they refused to eat the king’s meat sacrificed to idols. We bow or stand in public. There will always be people watching. Will we choose the difficult right, over the easier wrong? Ephesians 6:11-13  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Why might it be difficult to stand up for God instead of just blending in? What are some ways our culture lures us to blend in, rather than stand for God? Think of a time when you took a step to stand for God or share your faith with someone else. How did it make you feel? 1 Peter 1:7 says that when your faith stays strong in trials, it honors God and helps reveal Jesus to the world. Hebrews 11:16 says without faith, it is impossible to please God. Have you seen this in someone else’s life, how did it point to Jesus? The account of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego is a good example of this, as is the early church, and the countless stories we have of follower of Christ who have been tough as nails, in the face of persecution. What step will you take this week to be a person that boldly stands for God? Background music is titled "URL Melt" by the Unicorn Heads

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