Keep The Fire Burning!

T.S. - There are four steps to a Fire 101 class that we need to understand, expereince and know.

1. The first step in Fire 101 is you have to know how to get a fire started (Leviticus 6:8-13; 9:24).

a. Which means you must know how to prepare the area where the fire will be ignited.

i. They tell us that before the match is struck you need to gather the firewood necessary for fueling the fire. You will need different types of resources on hand to properly build and fuel the fire.

1. They say a good fire builder will always gather 3x the amount of wood they think they will need because they will use it all.

ii. The prep area needs to be cleaned of debris.

b. In Leviticus the Lord gives detailed instruction on how to prepare for the fire on the altar.

i. They were to prepare the area for the fire. They needed to make sure everything was ready for the fire.

1. Leviticus 1-9 gives all the details needed for preparation.

a. They were to build a fire pit - the altar for the sacrifices. They were to build it to God’s specifications not what they thought.

b. The area around the altar was to be kept clean and free of contaminates.

c. The priests where informed how to serve and sacrifice to the Lord prior to the fire. They received their instructions and learned the proper procedure.

d. There needed to be the gathering of the fuel for feeding the fire.

i. The rabbis tell us that the Israelites made sure they choose the right kind of fuel for the altar fire.

ii. They gathered only certain types of wood for the fire. It had to be wood which was not rotten but a fuel source that burned very hot and intense for a long period of time so as to consume the offerings.

iii. The fire wood was placed on the altar in preparation for the fire igniter. And the sacrifice was as specified by God placed on the altar.

c. They however did not have matches and the priest would not be the fire starter.

i. Leviticus 9:24 tells us how the “…fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed the Burnt offering."

ii. This fire now started would be used daily to offer sacrifices up to the Lord. This fire now ignited symbolize the continual worship of God by the ceremonial sacrifices and as a result of these sacrifices they had communion and connection with God.

1. For the fire of God to be ignited in our hearts we need to prepare the area of our heart and soul for the fire. We do this by first dealing with our soul's connection with God - repenting of our sins and cleaning the area for the fire. The next thing we do is to place our faith in the Lord Jesus trusting that He will send fire out from His presence to ignite the flame of life in our heart.

2. Our body soul and spirit are cleansed by the fire and we are ignited or set un-fire for God. Once the fire of God is burning in our hearts then comes the process of feeding the fire and cleaning out the burnt up debris of sin. This is our responsibility.

T.S. - We need to make sure we know how to prepare the area that will receive His fire. This area lies in our heart - soul - spirit. Then once we have prepared our hearts and the fire is ignited we need to feed the fire.