Strange Fire Series

HFL

MAY 16, 2010

LEVITICUS 10:1-3

1Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to his command. 2So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD. 3Moses then said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD spoke of when he said:

“‘Among those who approach me

I will show myself holy;

in the sight of all the people

I will be honored.’”

Aaron remained silent.

INTRO;

IN ANCIENT DAYS, WHEN THE GAMES WERE HELD IN ATHENS, THEY KEPT A FIRE LIT THRU OUT THE ENTIRE GAMES. WHEN THE FIRST OF THE MODERN OLYMPICS BEGAN, THE ORGANIZERS DECIDED THAT THEY NEEDED THE OLYMPIC TORCH. IN 1936, AT THE BERLIN GAMES, UNDER HITLER, FOR THE FIRST TIME, THEY HAD A PROCESSION, BRINGING THE FIRE FROM THE ORIGINAL PLACE, ATHENS TO THE PLACE OF THE GAMES. THIS BEGAN A TRADITION THAT IS STILL KEPT TODAY. LIGHTING THE OLYMPIC TORCH IS A GREAT HONOR, AND IT IS THE CEREMONIAL BEGINNING OF THE GAMES. IN THE GAMES IN ATLANTA, MOHAMMAD ALI WAS GIVEN THAT HONOR. THE OLYMPIC TORCH IS MAJOR DEAL.

IN 1976, THE OLYMPIC GAMES WERE HELD IN MONTREAL. The Olympic Flame was "electronically" transmitted via satellite from Athens to Ottawa, by means of an electronic pulse derived from the actual burning flame. From Ottawa, it was carried by hand to Montreal. After a rainstorm doused the Olympic flame a few days after the games had opened, an official relit the flame using his cigarette lighter. Organizers quickly doused it again and relit it using a backup of the original flame.

CATCH THIS, THE PROUD OLYMPIC TORCH WAS RELIT, BY A BIC LIGHTER. FOR MOST OF US, AS LONG AS THE TORCH IS LIT, WHO CARES, BUT TO THE OLYMPICS, IT IS A MAJOR DEAL.

THERE WAS A BOOK WRITTEN A WHILE BACK, TITLED, DON’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF, AND IT’S ALL SMALL STUFF.

IT has been said that if you take care of the little things, the big things will take care of themselves. TOO OFTEN, WE WANT THE BIG JOB, WE WANT THE BIG REWARD, AND WE FORGET ABOUT THE LITTLE THINGS.

TWO WEEKS AGO, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE PRIESTHOOD. WE LEARNED THAT GOD CALLED AARON TO BE THE HIGH PRIEST, AND HIS SONS TO SERVE AS PRIESTS WITH HIM. THERE WERE RULES AND REGULATIONS THAT WERE TO BE FOLLOWED. B/C THIS DEALT WITH THE ISSUE OF SACRIFICES MADE TO GOD, IT WAS SERIOUS BUSINESS.

WE READ ABOUT THE ORDINATION OF AARON AND HIS SONS IN LEVITICUS CHAPTER 8. IN CHAPTER NINE, WE READ OF THE FIRST SACRIFICES MADE BY AARON. LOOK AT 9:22-24

22Then Aaron lifted his hands toward the people and blessed them. And having sacrificed the sin offering, the burnt offering and the fellowship offering, he stepped down. 23Moses and Aaron then went into the Tent of Meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people; and the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people. 24Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown.

THIS HAS BEEN A GREAT DAY. THEY NOW HAVE THE TABERNACLE, THEY HAVE THE PLACE TO OFFER SACRIFICES, THEY HAVE THE PRIEST TO OFFER THOSE SACRIFICES. THE OFFERINGS HAVE ALL BEEN MADE. THE GLORY OF THE LORD APPEARED. THE PEOPLE SHOUT FOR JOY AND REJOICE. THIS IS TRULY A DAY OF CELEBRATION. ITS ALL GOOD. EVERY NOW AND THEN WE GET THOSE DAYS. EVERYTHING IS RIGHT, GOD SHOWED UP, AND IT FEELS REALLY GOOD.

LET ME BACKTRACK FOR A MINUTE. AARON, THE HIGH PRIEST WAS THE BROTHER OF MOSES. WHEN GOD CALLED MOSES TO LEAD THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, ONE OF HIS EXCUSES WAS THAT HE DIDN’T TALK WELL. GOD ALLOWED AARON TO BECOME THE SPOKESPERSON FOR MOSES. AARON IS A SERVANT OF GOD, WHO IS WILLING TO BE USED.

AARON HAS TWO SONS, NADAB AND ABIHU. THEY WERE ANOINTED TO THE PRIESTHOOD ALONG WITH AARON. THIS IS A SPECIAL JOB, VERY IMPORTANT. LIKELY, ONE OF THEM WILL BECOME THE HIGH PRIEST IN TIME. THEY HAVE HAD THE ANOINTING OIL POURED ON THEM. THEY ARE BEING SET APART FOR THIS VERY IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE KINGDOM.

YOU WOULD THINK THEY UNDERSTAND. LET ME ADD SOMETHING PERSONAL HERE; IT IS TOUGH TO BE A PREACHERS KID. OFTEN THEY LIVE IN A GLASS HOUSE. MY KIDS HAVE DONE A PRETTY GOOD JOB WITH IT, BUT I KNOW ITS BEEN TOUGH SOMETIMES.

NOW, THESE SONS OF AARON ARE FULL GROWN ADULT MEN. THEY HAVE WATCHED THEIR FATHER; THEY SHOULD KNOW WHAT TO DO. KEY WORD HERE; SHOULD.