Fire Out Of Ashes

Jesus said, "I have come that you might have life ....ENTHUSIASTIC kind of life.

When John looked at his audience he sees that they had no enthusiasm for living. Religious bondage, economic problems, sickness, and poverty. Walking around like dead people. The fire had gone out. So John says you not only need baptism in water, and baptism in the Holy Spirit, but baptism into God for Enthusiasm.

As I look about this congregation I can say that our congregation is not that all too different.

 For some the fire has gone out of the marriage. The honeymoon is over. The fire and Enthusiasm has burned out. Your either bored at your spouse or continually angry with you spouse. Enthusiasm would be the last word. I know that for a fact.

 For others the fire has gone out of your work. You’re no longer challenged by what you do. Pay is lousy. Atmosphere is defeating. Boss is demanding. You hate to get up in the morning and punch that clock. For you know today will be like yesterday and tomorrow like today. Enthusiasm is the last word you would use.

 For some the fires has gone out of your worship. You don’t want to lift your hands anymore. The only reason you do is when you look around you see everyone else is, so not to stand out you do it but your heart is not in it. When it comes to the choruses you just move your lips and if you sing at all it’s not from you heart, but from you mind. When it comes to worship, enthusiasm is the last word you would use to describe it.

 For some I have discovered when the fire goes out of worship it’s not too long after when the fire goes out of your Christian service. You don’t want to teach Sunday school anymore. Don’t want to serve on any committees. Don’t call me pastor. It’s gotten to the point where I don’t care whether I come to Sunday school, or Sunday morning or Sunday evening. I don’t enjoy singing or lifting my hands or praying. Enthusiasm is the last world you would use to describe it.

 There are those who would say the fire has gone out of my faith. I don’t know if I can trust God anymore. You know what happened to me last week or last month. I prayed and committed that thing to God. And for some reason God chose not to answer. I don’t know if I can have faith in him anymore. And because he didn’t meet my need, I don’t know if I can commit my needs of today or tomorrow. For some enthusiasm would not be the word to describe you faith.

 There are those who say the fire has gone out of my goals and dreams and aspirations for the future. I use to have great hop for the future. An agenda for the future. All of these goals I wanted to accomplish in my life. Now I’m not sure enthusiasm is not the word I would use.

4. There are many things that can extinguish the flames of enthusiasm.

a. Physical Exhaustion puts the flame out of Christian service.

b. Emotional Burnout

c. Spiritual Depletion; No enthusiasm for anything

d. Sickness; No enthusiasm to pray and believe God today for my healing.