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< Back Advent Season: Joy to the World Pastor Nate Brosher Dec 15, 2025 Psalm 98:4-9 NLT - 4 Shout to the LORD, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy! 5 Sing your praise to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and melodious song, 6 with trumpets and the sound of the ram's horn. Make a joyful symphony before the LORD, the King! 7 Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the earth and all living things join in. 8 Let the rivers clap their hands in glee! Let the hills sing out their songs of joy 9 before the LORD. For the LORD is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with fairness. 1. The Purpose of a Shout David declares, “Make a joyful noise” Joyful Noise - “Rua” - to shout a war-cry, in triumph, in applause, to cry out in distress. “Joy to the World” written by Isaac Watts in 1719, Joy to the world, the Lord is come!Let Earth receive her King;Let every heart prepare Him room,And heaven and nature sing, x2And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing. Isaiah 61:1-3 ESV - 1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion-- to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified. 2. Disruption/Distraction Matthew 28:18 ESV - 18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Jesus understood the implications. Luke 4:16-21 ESV - 16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. 17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, 18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." 20 And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 And he began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." This passage outlines His Messiahship and mission. Previous Next

< Back Pathways: The Gifts of the Spirit (Session 7) Pastor Nate Brosher and Chase Radford Jun 12, 2024 Link to study guide: https://estd.craft.me/gifts Previous Next

< Back Love Matters: Toxic Love Pastor Nate Brosher Mar 3, 2024 2 Timothy 3:1-5 ESV 1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. Toxic – Poisonous; very harmful or unpleasant in a pervasive or insidious way. 1. Exposure What and who are we allowing ourselves to be exposed to? 2 Timothy 3:2-4 ESV Lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. Proverbs 13:20 NLT 20 Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. Proverbs 22:24-25 NLT 24 Don't befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people, 25 or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul. Proverbs 14:7-8 NLT 7 Stay away from fools, for you won't find knowledge on their lips. 8 The prudent understand where they are going, but fools deceive themselves. 2. Separate Yourselves. 2 Corinthians 6:16-18 NLT 16 And what union can there be between God's temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: "I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 17 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD. Don't touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. 18 And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty." We can’t think like the world, but we must renew our minds and be transformed. 1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV 33 Do not be deceived: "Bad company ruins good morals." Psalm 1:1-2 ESV 1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law, he meditates day and night. Previous Next

< Back Sabbath Series Pt. 2: The Reason Chase Radford Mar 19, 2025 Full notes here: https://estd.craft.me/BbbuBBIv0yyDb6 Previous Next

< Back Family Matters Pt. 5: Form of Godliness Pastor Nate Brosher Nov 30, 2025 2Timothy 3:1-5 NLT - 1 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! 1. Religion without Relationship “Having a form of godliness, but denying/rejecting the power” Power - “Dynamis” - Inherent power, power residing in a thing, moral power and excellence of soul. Are we pretending? Ephesians 1:13-14 NLT - 13 And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. 14 The Spirit is God's guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him. ■ Inheritance He Promised. John 14:16-18 NLT - 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn't looking for him and doesn't recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. 18 No, I will not abandon you as orphans--I will come to you. Romans 8:10-11 ESV - 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. 2. When we deny God’s power, we settle for self-powered Christianity. Pride says, “I can do this myself.” Fear says, “I don’t want to surrender control.” Flesh says, “I want God’s name but my own lifestyle.” ■ Real Godliness invites God to change what I cannot change! Galatians 5:24 ESV - 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Previous Next

< Back The Aftermath Pt. 9: The Turn Around Pastor Nate Brosher Jun 22, 2025 Acts 16:22-24 NLT - 22 A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. 23 They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn't escape. 24 So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks. 1. Anointed, but Hindered. The anointing is the Holy Spirit’s empowering presence and gifts. R.C. Sproul: The “baptism of the Spirit” refers to being equipped or empowered by God’s Spirit to carry out the task that Jesus has given the church. When the Spirit equips us or baptizes us, we are immersed, as it were, in the Holy Spirit. What hinders the anointing in our lives? Sin & Disobedience Romans 6:23 ESV - 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1Samuel 15:23 NLT - 23 Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols Fear & Timidity 2Timothy 1:7-8 NLT - 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 8 So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don't be ashamed of me, either, even though I'm in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. Pride & Self-Reliance Philippians 2:3-5 NLT - 3 Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Unforgiveness Mark 11:25 ESV - 25 “And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses." Hebrews 12:15 ESV - 15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no "root of bitterness" springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled. 2. It’s a New Day! Acts 16: 25-26 NLT - 25 Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. 26 Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! Why did they wait until the midnight hour? 3. Your storm isn’t always about you! Acts 16: 27-33 NLT - 27 The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. 28 But Paul shouted to him, "Stop! Don't kill yourself! We are all here!" 29 The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 31 They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household." 32 And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. 33 Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. Act 16:24 NLT - 24 So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks. Are we demonstrating the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives? Previous Next

< Back Warring in the Womb Clayton Brosher Aug 11, 2024 Genesis 25:19-26 “This is the account of the family of Isaac, the son of Abraham. When Isaac was forty years old, he married Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan-aram and the sister of Laban the Aramean. Isaac pleaded with the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was unable to have children. The Lord answered Isaac’s prayer, and Rebekah became pregnant with twins. But the two children struggled with each other in her womb. So she went to ask the Lord about it. “Why is this happening to me?” she asked. And the Lord told her, “The sons in your womb will become two nations. From the very beginning, the two nations will be rivals. One nation will be stronger than the other; and your older son will serve your younger son.” And when the time came to give birth, Rebekah discovered that she did indeed have twins! The first one was very red at birth and covered with thick hair like a fur coat. So they named him Esau. Then the other twin was born with his hand grasping Esau’s heel. So they named him Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when the twins were born.” 1. Great triumphs are the product of great trials. Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Peter 5:10 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20 There is no crown of Glory without a crown of Thorns. There is no resurrected Jesus without a crucified Jesus. 2. His timing is perfect! For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. Habakkuk 2:3 “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Trust your future in the hands of the one who has already been there! Pain may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning! Previous Next

< Back Guardrails Pt. 7: Camouflage Pastor Nate Brosher Apr 13, 2025 2Corinthians 11:12-15 NLT - 12 But I will continue doing what I have always done. This will undercut those who are looking for an opportunity to boast that their work is just like ours. 13 These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve. 1. Operating in a Disguise. Camouflage · an outward semblance that misrepresents the true nature of something · the act of concealing the identity of something by modifying its appearance. 2Corinthians 11:15 NLT - 15 So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve. Righteousness – ( dikaiosynē) The condition acceptable to God, integrity, virtue and purity of life. Matthew 7:15-20 NLT - 15 "Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. 16 You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can't produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can't produce good fruit. 19 So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. 20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. 2. Are we in love with the World? 1John 2:15-17 ESV - 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world--the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life--is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. Are we in love with the world or the things this world can bring us? Colossians 3:1-4 ESV - 1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 3. Change your clothes. Matthew 6:31-34 ESV - 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 "Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Jesus said, “your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.” Luke 12:2-3 ESV - 2 Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed or hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops. Previous Next

< Back Sacrificial Living Pt. 2: My Sacrifice Pastor Nate Brosher Jan 19, 2025 “In a secular world where “me” is God and everyone else is a means to more of “me,” who wants to serve others? In a techy world where “selfies” are currency and “likes” are gold, and where academic achievement, sporting achievement, money, fame, media celebrity status, and the latest cool fashion logos have iconic status, who really cares about living sacrificially? Who really cares whether I care? What even is sacrificial living?– Author, Shona Murray Ephesians 2:8-10 NLT - 8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. 1. Greatest Sacrifice Mark 16:15 : "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation" Matthew 28:19-20 : "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" Matthew 24:14 : "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations" ■ We have all been called to be a witness “Sacrificial living is motivated by a love for God and gratitude for salvation, not by legalism.” – Author, Shona Murray. Matthew 6:31-33 NLT - 31 "So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. ■ A sacrificed heart is driven by the concern to meet others’ needs, because Christ met our need. 2. What are we doing? 1Corinthians 6:12-14, 19-20 NLT – 12 You say, "I am allowed to do anything"--but not everything is good for you. And even though "I am allowed to do anything," I must not become a slave to anything. 13 You say, "Food was made for the stomach, and the stomach for food." (This is true, though someday God will do away with both of them.) But you can't say that our bodies were made for sexual immorality. They were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies. 14 And God will raise us from the dead by his power, just as he raised our Lord from the dead. ... 19 Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So, you must honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:15 NLT Don't you realize that your bodies are actually parts of Christ? Should a man take his body, which is part of Christ, and join it to a prostitute? Never! David Livingstone – (1813-1873) Scottish Missionary.– “God send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. And sever any tie in my heart except the tie that binds my heart to Yours.” Robert Morrison – (1782-1834) First Protestant Missionary in China. - “When you get to heaven, will you look back on this earth and regret how much treasure you laid up here instead of sending it on ahead to heaven?” ■ Sacrificial living is love-motivated, not law-motivated. Matthew 6:1-4 NLT - 1 "Watch out! Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. 2 When you give to someone in need, don't do as the hypocrites do--blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. 3 But when you give to someone in need, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 4 Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. Previous Next

< Back The Importance of Fasting Pastor Nate Brosher Jan 11, 2024 The Importance of Fasting Matthew 17:14-21 NKJV 14 And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling to Him and saying, 15 "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. 16 So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him." 17 Then Jesus answered and said, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me." 18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?" 20 So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. 21 "However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting." The disciples asked; “Why couldn’t we cast it out?" And his response was “because of your unbelief” faithlessness! The statutory definition of corruption is a dishonest, fraudulent, or even criminal act of an individual or organization, using entrusted authority or power to make a personal gain or other unethical or illegal benefits. Act 8:9 NLT A man named Simon had been a sorcerer there for many years, amazing the people of Samaria and claiming to be someone great. Acts 8:18-19 NLT 18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. 19 "Let me have this power, too," he exclaimed, "so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!" Many Greek manuscripts have left out verse 21 in Matthew because it closely resembles Mark 9:29 so it has been believed to be added because it wasn’t in the original text of Matthew. Mark 9:28-29 NKJV 28 And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?" 29 So He said to them, "This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting." Fasting releases God's supernatural power. It is a tool we can use when there is opposition to God's will. Satan would like nothing better than to cause division, discouragement, defeat, depression, and doubt among us. United prayer and fasting has always been used by God to deal a decisive blow to the enemy! St. Augustine said, “Fasting cleanses the soul, raises the mind, subjects one's flesh to the spirit, renders the heart contrite and humble, [and] scatters the clouds of concupiscence.” (strong desires/sinful lust) Matthew 6:16-18 NLT 16 "And when you fast, don't make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. 17 But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. 18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. Jesus assumes that His followers will fast. Notice, that it's “ when ” not “ if .” Fasting is an essential part of the Christian life, and Jesus understands that the absence of fasting will make us spiritually feeble. For God to honor our fasting, we must be seeking to please the Lord and not ourselves. If we want our fasting to honor God, we must prioritize personal righteousness and ministry to others. Prioritizing personal righteousness means uprooting sin while also seeking a solution from God. In its deeper spiritual meaning, righteousness is the quality of being right in the eyes of God, including character (nature), conscience (attitude), conduct (action), and command (word). Righteousness is, therefore, based upon God's standard because He is the ultimate Lawgiver. Isaiah 33:22 NLT For the LORD is our judge, our lawgiver, and our king. He will care for us and save us. Previous Next

< Back Journey Through James Pt. 1 Pastor Nate Brosher Feb 15, 2024 James 1:1-4 NLT 1 This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to the "twelve tribes"--Jewish believers scattered abroad. Greetings! 2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. 1. Slave – Bond Servant to God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Doulos – devoted to another to the disregard of one's own interests, one who worships and submits to God. James makes a paradox statement: “When troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” Faith that is tested will allow our endurance to grow. “For when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” James 1:5-8 NLT 5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. 2. Faith in God alone. "When you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone.” James says, “Our loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.” KJV – “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways!” James said, a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Revelation 3:15-16 NLT 15 "I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! We must be steadfast, unmovable in our faith and walk with God. James 1:12-15 NLT 12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, "God is tempting me." God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. 3. Be Patient! Temptation will rise frequently. We must recognize that “temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. Then these desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.” James is telling us here, that we can’t let our desires entice us to make wrong and emotional decisions! James 1:16-18 NLT So don't be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. 18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession. Previous Next

< Back Heroes of the Faith Pt. 9: The Message in the Meltdown Pastor Nate Brosher Oct 5, 2025 Daniel 3:4-6 NLT - 4 Then a herald shouted out, "People of all races and nations and languages, listen to the king's command! 5 When you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments, bow to the ground to worship King Nebuchadnezzar's gold statue. 6 Anyone who refuses to obey will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace." 1. Compromised Behavior Exodus 20:3-5 NLT - 3 "You must not have any other god but me. 4 "You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. 5 You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected--even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. How often are we tempted to compromise our beliefs or stance daily? Daniel 3:14-21 NLT - 14 Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? 15 I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?" 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18 But even if he doesn't, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up." 19 Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. 20 Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully dressed in their pants, turbans, robes, and other garments. 2. Bound by Strongholds Strongholds can manifest as deeply ingrained patterns of sin and false belief. Fear 2Timothy 1:7 NKJV - 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Pride Proverbs 16:18 ESV - 18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Unforgiveness Ephesians 4:32 ESV - 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Gossip and Slander Proverbs 16:28 NLT: "A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends". Deceptive Thinking 1Timothy 4:1 NLT - 1 Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. Daniel 3:22-25 NLT - 22 And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in. 23 So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames. 24 But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, "Didn't we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?" "Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did," they replied. 25 "Look!" Nebuchadnezzar shouted. "I see four men, unbound , walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!" Previous Next