Will All The Real Men Please Stand Up?

Will All the Real Men please stand up?

Daniel 3:8-12

Prayer

(Repeat title)

Our world is in desperate need of men who are strong mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. Our world needs men who are willing to stand though the heavens may fall. Men who are willing to stand for what’s right no matter the circumstances. God wants men, real men who are willing to stand up for him. Are you willing to stand up no matter what?

My favorite Christian author EGW says in the book Adventist Home pg 38: “The world is not so much in need of great minds as of good men who will be a blessing in their homes.”

Will all the real men please stand up?

A real man is a man who is willing to stand up for what’s right.

A real man is a godly man.

A real man takes care of his responsibilities.

Even in questionable situations real men stand up for what’s right.

-An invitation comes from Mrs. Jones (me and Mrs. Jones) inviting you to come over for a midnight rendezvous at the no-tell-motel because she says she needs some Bible studies. A real man knows how to handle that situation and stand up for Jesus.

You friends on the job invite you to go to happy hour after work. A real man knows how to stand up for Jesus in that situation.

Your tempted by all the sexual images that bombard you on a daily basis- a real man knows how to stand up for Jesus in that situation.

Your boss is offering triple overtime if you work on Saturday- a real man knows how to stand up for Jesus in that situation.

God is calling for some real men who are willing to stand up for Him . Are there any real men at the Grace Temple Seventh-day Adventist Church?

In reading the book “The Man God Uses” By Henry Blackaby, he mentions Crisis is often mistaken to mean tragedy or threat. A truer understanding is that crisis means a turning point. For the believer, a crisis of belief is a point at which that person either trusts and obeys God or places his own wisdom or interests above God’s. A crisis of belief equals a moment of decision.

In our scripture lesson we meet some men who hand to stand up and make a decision. They could either follow the crowd or follow the true and living God. It was a time to show where their allegiance lied. If it belonged to God then they could say Lord whatever you will have me to do I will do it.

Lord if you want me to be a better husband or father I’ll do it with your help.

Lord the only way I can be a real man is by having you in my life. Being a man has nothing to do with how many babies I can make across town or out of town but has everything to do with my relationship with the God of the universe.

King Nebuchadnnezar renamed the three Hebrew boys if you remember in Daniel chapter 1. There previous names Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.

Hananiah meant=

Mishael meant=

Azariah meant=

Then their names were changed to Shadrach (Hananiah) meant=

Meshach (Mishael) meant=

Abednego (Azariah) meant=

Daniel Chapter 3 opens with the image made by king Nebuchanezzar. This image stood some 90 feet and was erected on the plain of Dura. It was time that Nebuchadnezzar gathered people from all over his empire to bow down and worship this image. Every decided to follow the kings degree except some little Adventist men from Grace Temple, oops I mean three Hebrew boys. There were some others, however that also didn’t bow down. They were quick to go and give their accusations to the king. There will be folks that will “hate” on you because:

you decide to live for God

because you’re being a good man and handling your business

they will say to you, “I remember when you used to_____________.

They will hate on you because you don’t prostitute your God given gifts anymore because of your relationship with God.

I’m here to tell you that folks will “hate” on you.

Let’s read v12

I. There will always be folks ready to accuse you. I never understood something about this story if everybody is bowing to the image how did those brothers catch the three Hebrews not bowing down? Just an observation.

The very language of Dan 3:12 is indicative of the spirit which prompted the accusation. Three faithful Jews so exalted, a likely slap in the face of envious idolatrous natives.

It happens all the time. It happens on the job too. Don’t act like you don’t know:

“Mr. Man, why is Elder Shaw getting promoted when he doesn’t even work the same schedule as the rest of us?