Jim admits that after years, his son’s family moved back to America, and he came to Poland for the first time without them. Still, he feels at home here, because in the community around Jesus’ table he sees his own family. This story opens a sermon about living in a world that is our home and yet is not, using the example of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Dan 3). They dressed and spoke like Babylonians, but they worshiped only God, and at the same time they sought the good of the city where they lived. Listen if you want to see where the line runs in your life that you will not cross, and what it means to feel at home where you live.
Discussion questions
For your small group or for personal reflection after the sermon.
- What in Daniel 3 shows that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego looked like Babylonians, but did not worship like Babylonians?
- How do you understand the words of the three young men: "even if He does not deliver us"? What do they say about their trust in God?
- The speaker said that God rules the kingdoms of the earth and gives them to whomever He wishes. What does this truth change when you hear about wars and tensions in the world?
- Why, according to the speaker, were the three young men more free than the king himself? What does that kind of freedom mean in your life?
- In what situations is it easy for you to blend in with your surroundings, and where do you need to care about a clear line of faithfulness to God?
- How can you concretely seek the good of the place where you live this week, and at the same time remain faithful to Jesus?
