Live Like You'll Live Forever | Live a Life of Fearless Witness (Daniel 3:16-28)

Jesus repeatedly told his followers that living as his disciples would bring hardship. Living life according to God’s Law is going to make one appear odd in the eyes of the world, perhaps even evil. Sharing a message of mankind’s sin and God’s gracious salvation can cause offense. So why not just stay silent if that makes life easier? Why not keep our faith private? Answer: because we are going to live forever. In gratitude for Christ saving us and giving us eternal life, we share the
gospel with others, hoping that they will believe and be saved too. Since we know we are going to live forever in the perfection of heaven, we don’t worry if being a witness for Christ brings hardship or even death.

Transcript

Celebrating the Reformation is both inspiring and convicting. To find ourselves stepping into scenes with Christians who fearlessly lived their faith… the doubt appears, “Could I have done the same?” That’s exactly what I wondered when I read about Hendrik Voes and Johann van Esschen. These two young men in 1523, studying to be priests, got their hands on Martin Luther’s writings and saw God’s grace clearly for the first time. It changed everything. As they faced death for their faith and asked if they would take it all back, they didn’t flinch. “I refuse,” they said. They knew who they were in Jesus, and nothing could silence their joy in sharing His grace. Even when tied to the stake, as the flames began to rise, they sang the ancient song, “We praise you, O God, we acclaim you as Lord!” The flames couldn’t silence their gospel song. Luther, when he heard of these two martyrs, wrote through tears, “Then two great fires were set alight, while men amazed did ponder, the sight of youths who showed no fright; Their calm filled men with wonder. They stepped into the flames with song. God’s grace and glory praising.” Doesn’t their fearlessness make you pause?

How could they be so fearless? It comes down to one thing—identity. A God-given identity that Christians have fought to preserve for centuries. That’s what the Reformation is all about. It’s what the church is all about. Today, identity has endless definitions. Merriam-Webster says it’s the distinguishing character of an individual—what makes you, you. And whatever forms the core of who you are shapes your life. By nature, though, we chase identity in all the wrong places. We think if we work hard enough we can achieve a lasting, satisfying, worthwhile identity. Think about the pressures on social media to present a picture-perfect life, or the way people define themselves by their career, their sexuality, or their political stance. We’re bombarded by messages that tell us we need to achieve or perform to matter. Sadly, this mindset has crept into corners of Christendom too. But the Christian identity is different. It’s not earned—it’s given. It’s satisfying because Jesus satisfied God’s wrath on the cross. It’s worthwhile because our worth comes from Him. Yet, the world doesn’t look kindly on this identity—never has. And sometimes, we’re tempted to hide it. Me...and you.

Have you ever hidden your faith, only to bring it out when it’s convenient? We tend to privatize our Christian identity, and if you’re like me—and the Bible says you are—we’re great at justifying why we keep our faith to ourselves. How often do we hear in our culture, "My faith is personal, it’s just for me?” But there’s a problem with that. The Bible clearly shows that faith is never just for us—it’s for those around us too. That’s a tough truth to accept because we like to think we are masters at juggling identities. Have you noticed that? You’re one person at work, another at home, one at the gym, and another in the family room, church, or even your bedroom. Our sinful nature resists letting anyone else define us, yet coincidentally we let people so often affect how we see ourselves. 

Do we really want to live as chameleons, constantly shaping ourselves to fit others' approval? Is that the life we desire? What if there’s an identity we can embrace fearlessly—one that isn’t juggled but firmly held by God? A bold identity that doesn’t fear rejection, mockery, or lost opportunities. Yes, any identity comes with sacrifice, and that’s what scares us—what will we lose if this is who we are? But our Christian identity was forged in sacrifice, refined in fire, and reflects the brilliance of God’s grace. It’s an identity that doesn’t flee from the flames but walks through them. Nowhere is this clearer than in the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3.

These young men were far from home, ripped from their land, and made refugees in the powerful Babylonian empire. Yet, despite their circumstances, God blessed their faithful living, raising them to prominent positions in the government. Then came a decree from their king, Nebuchadnezzar. He built a giant golden statue to showcase his greatness and demanded everyone worship it. The command was clear: “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 God…Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.” The music kicks up, everyone bows, but Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego kept standing. People noticed. They tattle on them to the king, and he is as furious as the furnace is hot. Why? Because they publicly disrespected him. He says, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe 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?” Now, think about what these men were risking. They held important positions. The temptation to save their lives and keep their faith private must have been strong. But by grace, they lived for far more than earthly security. They were built on the Lord himself.

Let’s step back from the story and think of Jesus’ words in Matthew 7: “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Our good works don’t save us. Our witness doesn’t redeem us. God’s grace alone does that. But God’s grace not only gives us a new identity. It motivates and empowers us to no longer for ourselves but for Jesus. Hearing His Word and living it, all through God’s grace forms us. Our identity in Christ grounds every part of life. If these men had privatized their faith, they’d have traded it for worldly ambition, status, or “peace,” avoiding suffering but missing God’s refining work. Think of those moments when you’re in the ‘furnace’—maybe it’s a difficult conversation with someone who questions why you trust in God after suffering a loss. Maybe it’s being passed over for a promotion because you won’t compromise your values. In those moments, Jesus is refining your faith, making you more like Him.

Back to the story, Nebuchadnezzar can't believe some of his hardest working men would dare refuse to bow down and when confronted about it, the men don’t hold back their conviction, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” No defense needed. They simply invited Nebuchadnezzar to witness their faith. Furious, the king heats the furnace to max—up to 3,000 degrees. His strongest men throw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into the fire, but the heat kills the soldiers instantly. Nebuchadnezzar looks, expecting ashes, instant incineration—then sees something no one had ever seen before.

Nebuchadnezzar can’t believe what he’s seeing. The three men are walking around, untouched by the flames. But what really captures his attention is the fourth figure, glowing like “a son of the gods.” It’s the Son of Man from Daniel’s later visions—the Angel of the LORD who appeared to Abraham. Without knowing it, Nebuchadnezzar sees a glimpse of the pre-incarnate Jesus, the second person of the Trinity. Isaiah 43 comes to life: “This is what the LORD says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine…When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” Do you see your identity through Jesus? He who created, formed, redeemed you, who has forgiven you and me for all our fear in witnessing, who gave you a new name, a new identity, clothed in his righteousness? Through his Word, God says to you, “Yes, you’ll be in the furnace, but fear not. I’ll be there too.”

What’s fascinating is that the three men didn’t rush to leave. They could have walked out at any time, but they stayed in the flames until Nebuchadnezzar called them out. Why? Because they were with Jesus. The furnace is a powerful biblical metaphor, and one truth is constant: in every furnace of faith, Jesus is there. Why didn’t they want to leave? Because who would want to leave a place where Jesus is? To live a life of fearless witness, you get to know the furnace, and in the furnace, you live with Jesus. As the Apostle Peter reflects on the furnace life given to us by God’s grace he says, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.” Why do we rejoice in our sufferings? Because Jesus is there. God’s grace is ours. And so often it’s through suffering that the most powerful gospel witness is given.

This is the gospel Christians in every century have given the ultimate sacrifice for. Because the Christian identity was won for you by sacrifice, God’s own Son giving his life for you. Jesus knows the furnace because he walked through every flame, even the fire of hell itself, so you could live forever, so you could one day shine brighter than the stars. The story of the Scriptures is simply this: Jesus uncovered a lifeless rock, you and me once dead in our sin, no way to live, certainly not live forever, and he carried us lifeless rocks his entire life through, and he endured the flames of rejection, of abandonment, of death, to carry you through it all, removing every last one of your sins, so that one day that lump of dead rock, would be shinning nuggets of gospel gold, reflecting the only light that shatters the darkness! 

Your grace-given life begins at the cross. Do you know what this identity means? It tells you that you no longer live for the moment, you live on the timeline of forever. If publicly living your faith means the loss of wealth, of opportunity, of reputation, or even death, do you know what makes such things blessings? Because Jesus is there. How could a woman of faith like Perpetua as she faced execution shout, “Stand fast in the faith, and love one another, all of you, and be not offended at my sufferings.” How could Coptic Christians shout “Ya Rab Yasu,” or “Lord Jesus” as they faced ISIS? How could Heinrich and Johann’s final words be one of praise? Because Jesus was there.

If you are searching for a real identity, if you are searching for a life that will never stop capturing the world’s attention, if you’re looking for a life that is yours forever, such things are too wonderful for us mere mortals like us to create, to find on our own, to work hard enough to achieve. Such a life can only be given to you by God’s grace. And do you know what your life looks like through that lens? You welcome the flames! Let the other parents look at you strangely for choosing church on Sunday over practice. Let your coworkers give you quizzical looks when you tell them about your weekend plans to go to church. Why? Because like with Nebuchadnezzar such rejection may just lead them to think of Jesus through you. Talk about a sacrifice worth giving! Every identity indeed involves sacrifice but here’s what makes you dear child of God so unique. It’s that the ultimate sacrifice has already been given for you. You risk losing all for Jesus because in him you have everything and it can’t be taken from you. As we sang, “He's by our side upon the plain with his good gifts and Spirit. And do what they will - Hate, steal, hurt, or kill -Though all may be gone, our victory is won; The kingdom's ours forever!”

Why do we celebrate Reformation Day? Because it is incredible to see the fearlessness God’s grace gives us! As Hebrews 12 says, “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” By grace, we get to walk with Jesus in the furnace, fearlessly witnessing by his strength alone because through Jesus we already stand victorious. In life and in death, our Jesus will deliver us to the golden shore where every fire will be gone, and our Jesus will be our light. Amen.