* We live in a brand-building culture - so many are out to build a name for themselves.

* PROB - When you put your name over God’s, your brand becomes your boss.

* As a believer, the name we should be most concerned with building is God’s.

* KEY - When you’re all about building His name, He’ll help build your name.

* That may mean height (the number of people who know your name) or it may mean depth (the depth of respect people have for you).

* Likes (height) Lives (depth).

* If you have to choose one, go with depth! But if you get both, take it.

* God has given you the raw materials you need to make His name great.

* He wants to use the uniqueness of you to present the uniqueness of Him.

* But it will require courage!

* “Bravery is being the only one who knows you’re scared.”

* Backstory - Babylon!

* Vs 1 - it had been prophesied.

* Vs 2 - a spiritual battle - this showed that their god defeated Israel’s God.

* Vs 3-4a - God made these boys for this unique moment in history.

* Vs 4b - the king wanted “Babylonian-thinking men with Jewish roots” in his court.

* Vs 5 - before he got them “thinking” like a Babylonian, he had to cultivate a taste in them for Babylonian culture.

* Vs 6 - these four boys were “among” those who were chosen.

* We know none of their names. Why?

* Because, most likely, they decided to blend in rather than mix into culture.

* We are called to be the chocolate chips in the cookie dough of culture.

* We mix in, we don’t blend in.

* We keep our distinct form, even when put in an oven!

* Can you name one German millionaire during the time Hitler was in power? How about a famous actor? Musician? Megachurch pastor?

* But you know the names of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Corey Ten-Boom. Why?

* Because they stood with courage!

* They used their uniqueness to present God’s uniqueness, and they understood their times well enough to know their part was to FIGHT!

* And now we all know their names!