Fiery Faith and the Fiery Furnace // Leveraging your Citizenship
Genesis 11, Daniel 3:1-6; 16-18; 24-29
Digging Deeper
In the Bible, Paul shares in Philippians 3:20 that our ultimate spiritual citizenship is in heaven. Jesus taught that our kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36), we are to seek and prioritize the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33; Luke 12:32), and we are to store up treasures in heaven, our eternal destination. (Matthew 6:19-21)
But as we live here on earth, the Bible also teaches that we have a duty to leverage our earthly citizenship. What are we biblically called to do as citizens on the earth?
Pray for our leaders. (1 Timothy 2:1-2; Proverbs 28:2)
Support our leaders when they are doing right. (Romans 13:4)
Respectfully challenge our leaders when they are wrong. (Acts 5:29)
Follow the laws of the land, submitting to authority without compromising our Christian beliefs. (1Peter 2:13-14; Romans 13:3)
Pay taxes. (Mark 12:17)
Seek justice for those who are oppressed or wronged. (Isaiah 1:17; Psalm 82:3)
Vote, knowing we are to be good stewards as the salt and light in this world. (Matthew 5:13-14; Matthew 25:21)
Know that Jesus is coming again to defeat Satan, rule, and reign over everything on heaven and earth, establishing His Kingdom. (2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 6:12; John 12:31-32; Hebrews 12:22-23, 28; Matthew 25:31-34)
As we live in a divided democracy, let us share our faith with others so they, too, come to know God and Jesus Christ, whom He sent. (John 3:16)
What Not To Miss
Leveraging our Earthly Citizenship
Justice.
Leverage earthly citizenship in an appeal for justice.
Well-being.
Leverage earthly citizenship for physical, emotional, vocational, financial, familial, and judicial good.
God’s Mission.
Leverage earthly citizenship for the mission of God, for the spread of the Gospel, and to pray for governmental leaders.
Common Good/Human Flourishing.
Leverage earthly citizenship by exercising our right to vote for leaders we believe have the goal of serving the common good and human flourishing.
Six Questions to Answer Before Voting:
Who will govern in a way that honors the nation’s founding?
Who will govern in a way that will support the Scriptures’ view of the good life?
Who will be less of an obstacle to the church advancing her mission?
Who will see faith-based institutions as a partner in the flourishing of America?
How does the candidate view, garner, and wield power?
Who will unite people rather than divide people?
These questions give a framework for thinking deeply and biblically about engaging in American democracy. In doing so, we can leverage our earthly citizenship for heavenly good and extend God’s mission in the world.
Two Kingdoms
Kingdom of God, heaven on earth.
Kingdom of Man, hell on earth.
The spirit of Babylon uses religion to unite and advance the glory of man.
In Exile, we will need a fiery faith of conviction as we face a fiery furnace of conformity.
In the Old Testament, God desires from His people in exile in contrast with Babylonian culture that they:
Be monotheistic with one true God.
Follow biblical laws and ethics.
Demonstrate purpose, which is to glorify God and be his treasured possession, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.
The Progression of the Story
Transition
In every transition, there is a transformation.
You either transform more into the image of Adam or more into the image of Jesus.
Test
The transformation in the transition will come through tests. In this case, in Daniel, everyone, including the exiles, is expected to conform and worship the gods of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, and the nation-state of Babylon.
Today, the pressures of cultural conformity test the sincerity and strength of one’s faith.
To toe the line of the culture is to be out of line with Jesus. The goal is to work for the common good of an idolatrous culture but not bow down to the idols of the culture.
Trial
Once the test is passed, trials will follow.
We worship God for who He is rather than what He does.
Instead of bowing to Nebuchadnezzar’s demands, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego take a stand and are sent to the fiery furnace. They believe that even if they die, there is a purpose for the furnace, their pain, suffering, and their trial.
Testimony
Nebuchadnezzar saw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego walking in the fiery furnace and he praised God.
Triumph
We worship God based on who He is rather than what He does.
We fight fiery furnaces with a fiery faith, knowing that God can deliver us from the fiery furnace if He chooses.
Fiery faith always overcomes the fiery furnaces!
Life Application
All of us are responsible for being good stewards of the citizenship we have been given here on earth. What steps do you need to take to exercise your earthly citizenship? Here are some ideas:
Make sure you are registered to vote.
Think deeply and pray about the impact of your vote so that your earthly citizenship can be used for heavenly good.
Study candidates and issues so that your vote reflects Christian beliefs and values.
Study government and how it works.
Determine political issues that are important to you as a Christ follower.
Voice your concerns to political officials if they do not reflect your Christian beliefs and values, being respectful and factual.
Choose one action you will undertake this week to become a better Christ-following earthly citizen.
Small Group Discussion Questions
Describe what would make up a utopian country you would like to live in.
What does the Bible teach about citizenship on earth and citizenship in heaven?
What are examples of how Biblical leaders were good earthly citizens?
What are the challenges that followers of Jesus Christ face as we vote?
What responsibility is the most challenging for you as a Christ-following citizen?
Daily Devotional Bible Passages
Day 1: Citizenship-Ephesians 2:19; Philippians 3:20; John 15:19
Day 2: Authority-Acts 5:29; Titus 3:1; Romans 13:1
Day 3: Earthy Kingdom-Matthew 6:10; 1 Corinthians 15:26-27; John 18:36
Day 4: Heavenly Kingdom-Philippians 3:20-21; Colossians 3:1; John 3:3
Day 5: Salvation-John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Timothy 2:4-6
Prayer
Dear Lord, give me the wisdom to be a wise steward of everything You have placed in my life and care. Help me, as I live in a divided democracy, to make choices that are pleasing to You regarding my earthly citizenship, government, and those elected to various offices. May I be respectful but a knowledgeable and discerning voice, representing my Christian values as I vote and interact with others concerning critical issues. Help me to share the Gospel as I am salt and light in this world, knowing that Jesus Christ is coming again to rule and reign over all creation.
