“Worship is WHAT we do, and WORSHIP is WHO we are.”

Sermon #3: 3 Admins Survive Furnace! King Backs Down on Worship Decree

Sermon Series: In Exile: Living with purpose in the days of Daniel

Scripture Text: Daniel 3

Sermon Notes:

DANIEL 3:16-18 NIV

16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

AUGUST LANDMESSER

(1919-1949)

“The Man Who Refused to Give a Nazi Salute”

“Worship is what we do, and worship is who we are.”

THEY WOULD NOT BOW

DANIEL 3:8 NIV

8 At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews.

DANIEL 3:12-14 NIV

12 But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon--Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego--who pay no attention to you, O king. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.”13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king,14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up?

DANIEL 3:15 NIV

15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good.But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”

THE UNPREDICTABILITY OF GOD“God does what he wants, not what we expect him to do.”

THEY WOULD NOT BEND

DANIEL 3:16-18 NIV

16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

DANIEL 3:17 LITV

17 If it is so that our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning, fiery furnace, then He will deliver out of your hand, O king.

DANIEL 3:18 NIV

18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

“Their worship was not dependent on whether or not they got their miracle.”

THEY WOULD NOT BURN

DANIEL 3:25 NIV

25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”

“We go through no experiences where God is not there.”

“Sometimes God protects us from the fire, sometimes He protects us through the fire.”

DANIEL 3:28-30 NIV

28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants!They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.29 Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.”30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.

“Worship is what we do, and worship is who we are.”

“ORDER COMMUNICATES PRIORITY”

If order communicates priority, then it means putting God first.

Our Time

Our Resources

Our Gifts

“Worship is wha

“God does not exist to make a big deal out of our plans. We exist to make a big deal out of His.”

Sermon #2:

“In the back of house, there is a good and a loving God working for his glory and for our good.”

Sermon Series:

God is still in the business of making good out of the mess!

Sermon Series:

God is concerned with the destination just as much as he is concerned with what we become when we get there.

Sermon #5: Detours & Destinations

Sermon Series: God Meant It For Good 

Scripture Text: Genesis 38, 42-44

Sermon Notes:

GENESIS 42:5-17 NIV

5 So Israel’s sons were among those who went to buy grain, for the famine was in the land of Canaan also.

6 Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the one who sold grain to all its people. So when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground.

7 As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them. “Where do you come from?” he asked. “From the land of Canaan,” they replied, “to buy food.”

8 Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him. 9 Then he remembered his dreams about them and said to them, “You are spies! You have come to see where our land is unprotected.”

10 “No, my lord,” they answered. “Your servants have come to buy food. 11 We are all the sons of one man. Your servants are honest men, not spies.” 12 “No!” he said to them. “You have come to see where our land is unprotected.”

13 But they replied, “Your servants were twelve brothers, the sons of one man, who lives in the land of Canaan. The youngest is now with our father, and one is no more.”

14 Joseph said to them, “It is just as I told you: You are spies! 15 And this is how you will be tested: As surely as Pharaoh lives, you will not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here.

16 Send one of your number to get your brother; the rest of you will be kept in prison, so that your words may be tested to see if you are telling the truth. If you are not, then as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!”

17 And he put them all in custody for three days.

spite | n., \’spaīt\: a desire to harm, annoy, humiliate or offend someone

The Spite House of New York was torn down in 1915.

HEBREWS 12:15 NIV

15 See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

PSALMS 37:8 NIV

8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret--it leads only to evil.

EPHESIANS 4:26-27 NIV

26 In your anger do not sin : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.

“God wants us to move out of the House of Spite.”

EPHESIANS 4:31-32 NIV

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

“God is interested in you reaching your divine destination as much as what you become when you get there.”

Character #1: JOSEPH.

GENESIS 42:3 NIV

3 Then ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt.

“Joseph wanted to leave his past in the past and just move on with life.”

GENESIS 42:6 NIV

6 Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the one who sold grain to all its people. So when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground.

GENESIS 42:7 NIV

7 As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them. “Where do you come from?” he asked. “From the land of Canaan,” they replied, “to buy food.”

GENESIS 42:9 NIV

9 Then he remembered his dreams about them and said to them, “You are spies! You have come to see where our land is unprotected.”

“Hurt people, hurt people. Healed people, heal people.”

GENESIS 42:7 NIV

6 Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the one who sold grain to all its people. So when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground.

“How do we reconcile God’s call to forgive with the deep pain that we have experienced?”

“Forgiveness is not giving up on justice, it’s a surrend

“God knows what He is doing, even when we don’t.” — Pastor Nic Sy

Sermon #4: Detours & Deliverance

Sermon Series: God Meant It For Good 

Scripture Text: Genesis 41

Sermon Notes:

GENESIS 41:25-37 NIV

25 Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. 26 The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads of grain are seven years; it is one and the same dream.

27 The seven lean, ugly cows that came up afterward are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind: They are seven years of famine. 28 It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do.

29 Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, 30 but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land. 31 The abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe. 32 The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon. 33 And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. 34 Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. 35 They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. 36 This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine.” 37 The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials.

“What a fool I have been. God is not dead. He lives forever. But I have acted as if he were.” — Martin Luther

“You and I must come to terms with the fact that GOD KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING EVEN WHEN WE DONT.”

“In Scripture, the rags-to-riches story isn’t about the riches at all, but about the God who humbles and exalts.”

“God knows what he is doing, even when we don’t.”

GENESIS 41:8 NIV

In the morning his mind was troubled, so he sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him.

3 Lessons:

Lesson 1: Joseph’s Mindset

GENESIS 41:16 NIV

“I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”

GENESIS 41:25 NIV

Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do.

GENESIS 41:28 NIV

It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do.

GENESIS 41:32 NIV

32 The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon.

GENESIS 39:9b NIV

“…How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”

GENESIS 40:8b NIV

“…Do not interpretations belong to God?…”

“You don’t need fewer problems. You need more God.”

Lesson 2: Joseph’s Perspective.

Genesis 41:16 NIV

“I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”

GENESIS 21:19 NIV

Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.

“Truth is, we all view life with a keyhole perspective unless God opens our eyes.”

Lesson 3: Joseph’s Conviction.

GENESIS 41:32 NIV

The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon.

“Why are we so anxious? Aren’t we convinced that God is incharge and He has something good in His mind?”

GENESIS 50:20b ESV

"…you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good,

“It very well could be that the reason that God has you waiting is so that you will learn to trust Him.” — Ptr Nic Sy

Sermon #3: Detours & Dungeons

Sermon Series: God Meant It For Good 

Scripture Text: Genesis 40

Sermon Notes

GENESIS 40:1-8 NIV

1 Some time later, the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt offended their master, the king of Egypt.  2 Pharaoh was angry with his two officials, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, 3 and put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the same prison where Joseph was confined.  4 The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he attended them. After they had been in custody for some time, 5 each of the two men--the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were being held in prison--had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own. 6 When Joseph came to them the next morning, he saw that they were dejected.  7 So he asked Pharaoh's officials who were in custody with him in his master's house, “Why are your faces so sad today?” 8 “We both had dreams,” they answered, “but there is no one to interpret them.” Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.”

“The brain grasps no time because there is no time. Unless you write down what has happened, you forget it immediately.” – Michel Siffre (2018 interview)

– In jail.

– Two men.

– Two dreams.

– Two interpretations.

– One lives, one dies.

– One man forgets.

– In jail.

GENESIS 41:1 NIV

"When two full years had passed … "God works when we are in our never-ending present."

“God works while we wait.”

JOHN 5:17 NIV

Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working.”

“Way Maker. Miracle Worker. Promise Keeper. Light in the Darkness. My God, that is Who You Are.Even when I don’t see it, You’re working.Even when I don’t feel it, You’re working.You never stop, You never stop working.”

“Joseph’s time in the waiting room did not make his heart bitter, it made his faith better.”

3 Lessons:

Lesson 1: He served where he was.

GENESIS 40:1-4 NIV

1 Some time later, the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt offended their master, the king of Egypt. 2 Pharaoh was angry with his two officials, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, 3 and put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the same prison where Joseph was confined. 4 The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he attended them. …

In the Old Testament, this same phrase is used to describe the ministry of Aaron (Exodus 28:35,43) of the Levites (Deuteronomy 10:8) and of the priests (1 Kings 8:11).

“…he attended them…”

“The righteous response to suffering is to help someone else.” 

“When your heart is right, even though the bottom may have dropped out of your life, it is remarkable how sensitive you can be to somebody else in need.” —Charles Swindoll

Are you ready to serve God right where you are even when you’d rather be somewhere else?

Lesson 2: He sought to glorify God.

GENESIS 40:5-8 NIV

5 each of the two men--the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were being held in prison--had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own. 6 When Joseph came to them the next morning, he saw that they were dejected. 7 So he asked Pharaoh's officials who were in custody with him in his master's house, “Why are your faces so sad today?”8 “We both had dreams,” they answered, “but there is no one to interpret them.” Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.”

“…Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.

(Genesis 40:8b)”

“If your hope is in God, He is all you need.”

Lesson 3: He learned to hope in God.

GENESIS 40:20-22 NIV

20 Now the third day was Pharaoh's birthday, and he gave a feast for all his of

“Just like Joseph, there are times when God needs to pull us, push us, prod us just to get us where He wants us to be. Regardless of the detours we’re in, God does not abandon us, instead He joins us in the detours to give us more of Himself.” — Ptr Nic Sy

Sermon #2:: Detours & Decisions

Sermon Series: God Meant It For Good

Scripture Text: Genesis 39

Sermon Notes

GENESIS 39:1-6 ESV

1 Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. 2 The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 His master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. 5 From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had, in house and field. 6 So he left all that he had in Joseph's charge, and because of him he had no concern about anything but the food he ate. Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance.

God not only changes us through the detours, but God is also with us in the detours.

God does not abandon us but instead He joins us in the pit to give us more of Himself.

The Lord was with Joseph.

You will never go where God is not.

PSALMS 139:7 ESV

7 Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? "One thing we see from God being with Joseph is that Joseph was also with God."

2 Kinds of People

1. People who were changed

2. People who were hardened

A genuine encounter with our Risen Savior will change us.

HEBREWS 10:14 ESV

14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

Sanctification often happens in the painful process of detours in our lives. It is when God begins to mold us and transform us.

Just like Joseph, there are times when God needs to pull us, push us, prod us just to get us around. Sometimes it may mean we’ll be shackled and dragged just to get to where God wants us…

Detours are often opportunities that God uses in our lives to chisel away things in us that needs to be removed– things that are not like Christ.

Sermon #1: Detours & Disappointments

Sermon Series: God Meant It For Good

Scripture Text: Genesis 37

Sermon Notes:

Divine Destiny: God has a purpose for our existence, not just to go through the motions of everyday life.

“Rarely does God ever take his children through life apart from detours.”

“Part of experiencing the fullness of our Divine Destiny is understanding the detours of life.”

God has a destiny for you but it may not happen tomorrow and you probably won’t get there on a straight line.

ROMANS 8:28-29 NIV

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

“God uses detours to take us to His divine destiny.”

“Our timing is not the same as God’s timing.”

“Joseph was not ready to be used by God. His gift was in good shape but he was not.” — RT Kendall

JOSEPH’S THREE MISTAKES

1. Joseph was a Tattletale.

2. He told his dreams to people who didn’t like him.

3. He was sporting the coat of many colors.

God takes our big block and chips away anything that doesn’t look like His Son.”

“Detours are often opportunities that He uses in our lives to chisels away in us that needs to be removed, things that are not like Christ.”

Application 1: Embrace the detours of life.

“Detours are divine interventions where God intentionally addresses our character and matures us spiritually.”

Application 2: Remember your destiny in your detours

“What is that one thing that you have that no one can take away from you?”

“God has a dream and purpose for you in this life. We have a divine Destiny.”

Application 3: Find God in the detours of life.

“He who has God and many other things does not have more than he who has God alone.”

“We need God more than the fulfillment of our dreams.”

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, all fear is gone.Because I know He holds the futureAnd life is worth the living, just because He lives.

God’s chief goal is not to make us happy, wealthy, or healthy, but to shape us and conform us into the likeness of His Son Jesus Christ.”

2 Kings 19