Examples of Miraculous Deliverance (Daniel 3:16-18)
Introduction:
1. These verses record the response of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. 2. Earlier, they had refused to bow before the image the king made. 3. In vs.15 the king asked them, "and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?" 4. Their response infuriated the king, and He had them cast into the furnace (vs.19-23). 5. We read about God's miraculous deliverance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the furnace in vs.24-29. 6. This is one of many examples of miraculous deliverance that we read about in the Bible. 7. In our lesson we are examining 5 other examples. Discussion: I. 5 EXAMPLES OF MIRACULOUS DELIVERANCE
A. God delivered the Israelites from the Egyptian army (Exodus 14). 1. The Israelites were in great danger (vs.10). 2. Moses stated in vs.13 that the Lord would save His people. 3. We read about the Lord's deliverance of His people in vs.21-22, 27-28. B. God delivered Daniel from the lions (Daniel 6). 1. Daniel was cast into the den of lions (vs.16-17). 2. We read about the Lord's deliverance of Daniel in vs.19-23. 3. Darius made another decree (vs.25-27). C. God delivered Jonah from the sea. 1. Jonah was cast into the sea (Jonah 1:15). 2. According to Jonah's prayer (ch.2), his situation was desperate. 3. We read about God's deliverance of Jonah in Jonah 1:17; 2:10. D. God delivered Peter from prison (Acts 12). 1. Herod put Peter into prison (vs.5-6). 2. We read about the Lord's deliverance of Peter in vs.7-11. E. God delivered Paul and Silas from prison (Acts 16). 1. Paul and Silas were beaten and put in prison (vs.23-24). 2. Their reaction is recorded in vs.25. 3. We read about the Lord's deliverance of Paul and Silas in vs.26. II. APPLICATION
A. We have examined 6 occasions when God miraculously delivered His people. 1. These examples of deliverance were "miracles" [supernatural occurrences]. 2. They were not the results of human effort -- God worked a miracle on each occasion. B. Today, sensational rescue efforts are often referred to as "miracles." 1. About 30 years ago a little girl was rescued from a well in West Texas. a. Was her rescue a supernatural occurrence? b. If she had died in the well, would God be to blame? 2. Sometimes miners are rescued from a mine collapse. a. Is such a rescue a supernatural occurrence? b. When miners die, is God to blame? 3. Recently, 13 were rescued from a cave in Thailand. a. Was it a supernatural occurrence? b. If they had died, would God be to blame? c. What about the diver who died trying to rescue the others? C. Before concluding that God has worked a miracle when something sensational happens, we need to determine whether we are making Him to be "a respecter of persons" (Acts 10:34). Conclusion:
1. Let us be sure that our faith is based on Scripture (Romans 10:17). 2. As we search the Scriptures to learn God's will, let us rightly divide them as we are taught in 2 Timothy 2:15.
