Sermon Notes for 11/27/11

Thoughts from Daniel 3....A Perfect Picture of Man's Religion

Bro Mike's text was Daniel 3:1-7

This text tells us about the gold image King Nebuchadnezzar erected on the plain of Dura in Babylon.

At its completion the people were told that when they heard the sound of horns, flutes, zithers, lyres, harps, pipes and all kinds of other music, that they should fall down and worship the image. Those who did not were to be thrown into a fiery furnace.

Man's Perfect Religion:

1. A god everyone can see. The image was 90' tall and 9' wide. So it was easy to see.

Now Thomas, (called Didymous), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put  my hand into his side, I will not believe it."  John 20:24
A perfect religion has a god people can see.

2. A doctrine everyone can understand. We don't want to have to think. When you hear the music, bow down. If you don't bow down, you're thrown into a blazing furnace. That's very clear. Easy to follow.

3. Its origin everyone ignores. They watched the image being built. There was no question about where it came from.

Bro Mike then took us to Acts 17 to hear "A Word from God on Man's Religion." Paul is in Athens and brings the good news of the gospel to them.
They are very religious -- idols all over the city. Even an idol "To the Unknown God" in case they left one out!

God expects us to search out "religion." Then He wants us to come to Him....He has revealed Himself. Because of His grace.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast.
           Ephesians 2:8-9

 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. That is what the ancients were commended for.  Hebrews 11:1-2