PASSING THE TEST

Daniel 3:14-17
It is Back to School Time! Pencils paper, jeans, tennis shoes, have all been bought,
schedules made, busses serviced, and our children are geared up for another academic
school year. Yesterday in Sundays message I indicated to the young people and
adults that we've got to be prepared to pass the various tests that will inevitably come
as a result of this school year. Beyond the quizzes, nine weeks and final exams that
come as a part of the normal curriculum, there will be tests that we will have simply
because we are children of the Lord. Satan will make certain of that.

When Daniel and his three friends were kidnapped from their homeland and brought
to the strange and heathen land of Babylon, they were challenged to either conform to
the Babylonian culture or maintain their commitment to their God. They were tested
and we will be also.
WE HAVE GOT TO PASS THE SELF SECURITY TEST
Dan 1:8
8
But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion
of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the
prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
When the Babylonians tried to change their diet as a part of the brain washing scheme,
Daniel and his friends passed the Self Security Test. They were secure in who they
were and what they believed. Their religious devotion to God involved in part, the
types of food they ate. Even though they were kidnapped and were not at home, their
self-security would not allow them to dishonor themselves nor the God they served.
When we are secure in our own skin we can hold firm against the temptation to
conform to our surroundings. We are the Lords children. Isnt that enough?
WE HAVE GOT TO PASS THE PRESSURE TEST

Dan 2:17-19
17
Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known tohis companions:
18
That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this
secret
19
Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel
blessed the God of heaven.
In chapter two, Daniel and his comrades were under a death threat due to a troubled
king and his hasty decree. They were under pressure to find a way to appease the king
so their lives would be spared. When the pressure is own, we've got to know where to
go. They went to God in prayer. Passing the pressure test will require prayer. It will be
a release and yield blessed results.
WE HAVE GOT TO PASS THE PLEASURE TEST

Dan 3:16-17
16
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the
king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
17
If it
be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace,
and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
In the third chapter, the egotistical king required them to bow to his image of gold or
be burned alive in a fiery furnace. They were thrust into a position of having to decide
to please the king or please their God. For them, pleasing God was paramount. We are
always faced with critical decisions and one option may be easier and more
convenient, but that will mean failing the test. The best option is the one that God
takes pleasure in.
V25
25
He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire,
and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

We can be assured that if we pass our test, he will surely pass his. He will SHOW
UP and SHOW OUT, at our SHOW DOWN

Love Pastor Hollins