Podcast Summary: I'm Just Really Good at Not Quitting

Podcast: Red Rocks Church Weekend Messages
Date: October 11, 2025
Host/Speaker: Sean Johnson (Lead Pastor, Red Rocks Church)
Series: Kiss the Fire
Focus Passage: Daniel 3:15-18 (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego)

Episode Overview

This sermon is the second week in the "Kiss the Fire" series, inspired by Pastor Sean Johnson’s new book. The central theme is perseverance in faith during life’s darkest, most difficult moments—choosing not to give up, even when facing overwhelming adversity. Through candid personal stories and the biblical account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, the episode provides practical and spiritual tools for "getting really good at not quitting," emphasizing community, trusting God, and worshiping even through hardship.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Heart Behind “Kiss the Fire”

• The series—and the book—aims to provide hope for those wrestling with the urge to give up, whether on God, a relationship, a calling, or even life itself.

• Sean shares vulnerability about his struggles after being diagnosed with an incurable brain disease, including anger at God and feeling isolated ([03:30]-[07:00]).

• The “kiss the fire” metaphor comes from UFC Coach Mark Montoya, encouraging Sean to face his diagnosis head-on and not let it steal his joy or calling.

  “We’re gonna kiss this fire and walk away whistling… We’re not going to run from this. We’re going to face it.” – Coach Mark Montoya ([08:15])

2. Foundational Scripture & Core Message

• Galatians 6:9: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we don’t give up.” ([12:30])
• Emphasizes that God has a plan, but perseverance is required—even (and especially) when you feel like quitting.

3. The Example of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

• Their refusal to bow down to King Nebuchadnezzar’s golden statue is highlighted as a model of unwavering faith ([24:00]-[26:00]).

• Despite immense suffering and loss (exile, family tragedy), they are “really good at not quitting.”

  “You want to talk about somebody who has a reason to be mad at God and want to give up… it would be them.” – Sean ([23:45])

Takeaways from Their Story ([27:00] onward):

• They refuse to defend themselves or worship anything but God.
• Their stance: “Our God is able to deliver us… but even if He does not, we will not serve your gods.” (Daniel 3:17-18)
• Sean calls this “even if faith”—trusting God regardless of outcome.

4. Three Keys to Not Quitting

Sean draws three actionable lessons from Daniel 3:16-18.

a) Lock Arms with People Who Serve God ([32:15])

• Not just people who believe in God, but those devoted to serving God: “to be devoted to, to worship, to obey, to sacrifice for, to dedicate one's life to.”

• His personal stories illustrate the dramatic contrast between surrounding yourself with casual believers versus actively serving Christians.

  “I locked arms with some people who believed God was real—almost lost my life. I locked arms with some people who served God, and it changed the direction of my life forever.” – Sean ([40:30])

• Practical challenge: Engage in church beyond attendance—join groups, serve, build real spiritual relationships.

b) Trust God. Period. (“Even If” Faith) ([47:00])

• Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego state God can rescue them, but even if He doesn’t, they will not worship any other god.

• Sean contrasts this with conditional faith that only trusts God when prayers are answered as desired.

  “There’s a difference between ‘I trust God,’ and ‘I trust God when He carries out my agenda.’” – Sean ([49:00])

• Encourages prayer for the Holy Spirit to help us trust God himself—not just outcomes.

• Cites Romans 15:13 and God’s promise of hope, joy, and peace to those who trust Him.

c) Worship Through the Fire ([53:50])

• True faith isn’t waiting until trouble passes to worship; it’s choosing to worship in the middle of adversity.

• Sean vulnerably shares that after his diagnosis, worship was the hardest part—he didn’t want to worship while angry and hurting.

• A turning point: a text with Jeremiah 17:14 (“Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed… for you are the one I praise”) prompts him to begin worshiping in his pain.

  “Sometimes we worship because He set us free from something. Sometimes we worship until He does. But we don’t have to wait till the fire subsides to put our hands in the air.” – Sean ([59:10])

• Lists scriptural promises of worship: God’s peace, joy, confidence, guidance, protection, power.

5. The Outcome—God in the Fire

• Completing the Daniel 3 story, Sean reminds the congregation that a 4th figure joins the three men in the fire—God Himself. They emerge unharmed.

  “Jesus got in the middle of the fire with them, and miracles are what happen.” ([72:00])

• Encouragement that when we persevere, God doesn’t just work around us, but with us in our darkest moments.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Perseverance

  “What I want our story to be, church, is that yeah, in 2025, we went through some stuff… but we didn’t give up. The power of the Holy Spirit got involved and God did some miracles.” ([13:20])

• On Community

  “We were created to pursue the plans of God with the people of God.” ([34:55])

• Personal Authenticity

  “I know it’s not very pastoral. I didn’t want to go to church. Problem is, I work here, so I kind of had to.” ([56:00])
  “God, I’ll worship you today with my bad arm. And it’s how I give Satan the middle finger at the same time.” ([62:00])

Important Timestamps

• 00:03: Welcome, series recap, personal motivation
• 07:00: Origin of “Kiss the Fire” phrase (Coach story)
• 12:30: Galatians 6:9, core message of the series
• 23:45: Horror and disappointment for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
• 32:15: Key #1 – Lock arms with people who serve God
• 40:30: Sean’s personal story: difference community makes
• 47:00: Key #2 – Trust God, period (“even if” faith)
• 53:50: Key #3 – Worship through the fire; vulnerability about struggle to worship
• 58:30: Jeremiah 17:14, personal worship turning point
• 72:00: Daniel 3’s conclusion—God present in the fire

Action Steps / Application

• Get into authentic Christian community: Don’t just attend church—join a small group, serve, build relationships with those who don’t just believe but serve.
• Pray for “even if” faith: Cultivate trust in God’s character and presence, not just His answers.
• Choose to worship in hardship: Remember God’s promises are available in the fire, not just after.
• Seek Jesus in adversity: The miracle isn’t always deliverance from the fire, but His presence in it.

Summary Table

| Key Point | Scriptural/Biblical Anchor | Practical Application | |---------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------| | Lock arms with people who serve God | Daniel 3:16 – “we serve” | Join groups, serve, find true community | | Trust God, period (“even if” faith) | Daniel 3:17-18; Romans 15:13 | Pray for trust, let go of own agenda | | Worship through the fire | Daniel 3:18; Jeremiah 17:14 | Praise God in hardship as act of faith |

Conclusion

This message is a passionate, vulnerable call to resist the temptation to quit on faith, community, or life—even in the face of overwhelming adversity. Perseverance is possible when we surround ourselves with actively devoted Christians, trust God regardless of outcomes, and choose to worship in our pain. The final assurance: God meets us in the fire, performs miracles, and gives us a story worth telling.