Burning With Desire Series

Sermon for 3/24/2002

Luke 3:16

Introduction:

A. Bill Taylor will read Luke 3:7-9, 16-17

B. French Gunter will read Mark 9:42-48

C. Jenny Mosier was working at the Northside Church of Christ as the Children’s Minister. She was there and lightening struck the steeple. The building burned to the ground. VEF- To listen to Larry Jones, the Minister; the elders, and the members, one realizes that this has only increased their excitement for Christ’s mission for the church. Their response to the fire maybe best seen in the sign in their parking lot: "We’re still on fire." May the Northside Church be on fire until the Lord comes.

WBTU:

A. In our study of the 3:16’s of the Bible we come to the book of Luke.

B. Introduction to Luke:

1. Luke was a doctor and a Greek.

2. Being a doctor he pays close attention to detail. Contains more detail that the other gospels.

3. Being Greek, he wrote this gospel for the Greeks. Matthew wrote for the Jewish population and Luke wrote for the Greek population.

4. Halley- "Greek civilization represented Culture, Philosophy, Wisdom, Reason, Beauty, and Education. Therefore, to appeal to the Thoughtful, Cultured, Philosophic Greek Mind, Luke, in a complete, orderly, and classical story, which has been called the "Most Beautiful Book Ever Written," depicts the Glorious Beauty and Perfection of Jesus, the Ideal, Universal Man.

C. Read Luke 3:16, 17.

D. Same story as last week. John preaching in the wilderness and baptizing. Jesus comes to be baptized of John.

E. However, there are some minor differences to the story. Compare Luke 3 with Matthew 3. Contradictions. The gospels do not agree.

F. In law if the witnesses tell the same exact story under oath their testimony is thrown out. Collaborated and concocted the story to agree. Eyewitnesses tell different details because they come from different backgrounds and different angles and different points of view. This makes their testimony even more valid. If agree in all the details, their accounts are not believable.

G. Fire. What is fire? 2 basic definitions. Fire = 1) A rapid, persistent chemical reaction that releases heat and light. 2) Intensity, enthusiasm, inspiration.

H. The Bible describes fire:

1. Bible has the chemical reaction. Peter at the courtyard of the high priest. Paul on Malta where the snake came out.

2. Bible also describes trials and tribulations as fire. These trials and tribulations are intense.

Thesis: This morning I want to discuss the two most prominent areas of fire in the New Testament: The Holy Spirit and Hell.

For instances:

A. The Holy Spirit.

A. (1 Th 5:19 NIV) Do not put out the Spirit’s fire

B. The Holy Spirit brings intensity, enthusiasm, and inspiration.

C. On the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles as tongues of fire and after this they went out with great intensity, enthusiasm and inspiration.

D. As Christian people with the Holy Spirit living in us we should have great intensity, enthusiasm and inspiration.

E. In Luke 3:16 these two the Holy Spirit and fire should be joined as one. The Holy Spirit’s fire.

F. It is interesting to link water baptism with fire. We are buried in the grave of baptism so that we leave and we are then on fire for God.

G. We don’t hear much about this in the Christian church.

H. The coming of the Spirit is to have the effect of fire. Fire, chemical reaction, comes and consumes the fuel. We are the fuel and the Holy Spirit wants to come into our lives and consume us for God until we are no more.

I. It is like a candle. Shine brightly and intensely until the candle is no more. The Holy Spirit wants to come into our lives and have us burn for God until there is no more of us left.

J. The only fireplaces God has today in the entire world are the hearts of His people....We are to be filled with the Holy Spirit. The fire of the Holy Spirit is to burn in the fireplaces of our own hearts.” (T.T. Crabtree,

K. Fire consumes -- burns out the sinful and unnecessary “stuff” in our lives. Fire purifies -- makes us clean and holy before God. Fire prepares (as in food) -- makes us tasteful and pleasant to each other. Fire cheers -- when we are caught in the cold grip of despair and discouragement, He cheers us on to victory. Fire softens -- the Holy Spirit softens the heart of the sinner and he repents. Fire unites -- (as in uniting different kinds of metals) the Holy Spirit brings unity to the people of God. Fire empowers -- “Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.” (Acts 1:8).