SERIES: THE WORD OF GOD
AS A FIRE – SERMON FIVE
Jeremiah 23:28-30
The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD.
Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?
Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbour.?
In the context of Scripture God is bringing a charge against the religious leaders of the ancient land of Israel.
His charge consists of several specifications.
The FIRST is that they have stolen His Word from the people.
The SECOND is that they have substituted for it a counterfeit Word
It sounds like todays Preachers --having a form of godliness without power;
Most of Today’s Preaching is all shucks and no corn.
IT’S BAD ENOUGH THAT THEY WERE PREACHING FALSEHOODS – BUT THEY WERE SAYING “THUS SAITH THE LORD”
This Type of Preaching was not only doing the people no good, but it created a very hurtful delusion in their minds:
That Delusion was: “That a man can sin and not be punished; that a man can be stubborn in his own way, rejecting the way of God, and yet have peace.”
That’s when God called upon his MAN to give them the Truth – Jeremiah said
“The Word of God is like a fire and a hammer.”
A Couple of Weeks ago we looked at the Word of God as a Hammer
Tonight I want to preach on the Word of God as a Fire
We’ve been in this series now for a few weeks
We’ve dealt with the Word of God Metaphorically
As a Light
As a Hammer
Tonight I want to look at the Word of God as Fire
I preached a message out of Malachi about the Lord
Where Malachi said “he is like a Refiner’s Fire”
But Here Jeremiah said “is not my word like as a Fire”
Of course this is no contradiction just a different application!!!
SO LET’S LOOK TONIGHT AT THE WORD OF GOD AS A FIRE
In another Passage Jeremiah said in 20:9 “Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.”
I want to deal tonight with Fire as a TYPE OF THE WORD OF GOD
I. FIRE CONSUMES
Fire will burn any combustible matter it comes in contact with!
All one has to do is see the devastation of a house fire and the point is obvious.
This reinforces the power God’s Word possesses. The Word of God is like fire!!! It consumes!!!
De 4:24 “For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.”
Heb 12:29 “For our God is a consuming fire.”
THIS BOOK IS POWERFUL
THE GOD OF THIS BOOK IS POWERFUL
YOU WILL BE CONSUMED BY THIS BOOK
IN THIS WORLD OR THE NEXT???
It’s Your Choice
The Sinner will be consume by the Judgments of this book
The Saint will be consumed at the Judgment seat by this book
WE WILL BE JUDGED OUT OF THE THINGS WRITTEN IN THIS BOOK
AND OUR WORKS WILL BE TRIED BY FIRE
THE HAY WOOD AND STUBBLE OF OUR LIVES WILL BURN UP IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD AND THE ANGELS
You and I would do good to allow the word to purge us now and not wait for the fires later!!!
God is in control, and he will not allow lies to Continue.
He is a God of truth and he will destroy every false work someday
He will ultimately consume all lies, and along with it, the liar.
LIARS WILL HAVE THEIR PART IN THE LAKE OF FIRE
In Eternity -- All hearts will be subject to the flames of God.
His Word aims to consume and expose our hearts.
Any mistrust or doubt will be burned away.
Any selfishness or pride will be consumed.
It’s Interesting how that even the smallest spark can start a blaze.
Fire is a word that brings terror to the hearts of those living in the ranching and farming towns of the West.
A spark from the tractor exhaust or a flash of lightning or a small cigarette can start a grass fire that will literally burn for days.
This is true of us spiritually.
Small sins are just as great as the big ones in God’s eyes.
A tiny word or thought deserves the heat of God’s judgment as well.
We dare not hide behind the dream that “the other guy’s sins are worse than mine.”
God will reveal all. The Law will consume it all. And God will refine it.
By revealing the lies and burning it away, he also reveals the truth.
People in ranch country have also been taught for years that the only way to escape from a range fire is to start a backfire.
Burn a place out in the grass where you can stand as the range fire passes by.
When the heat of God’s judgment and condemnation burn against us, we can be sure that we have a safe place to stand, a place where God has already poured out his BURNING ANGER OVER OUR SIN, and that place is the cross of Jesus Christ our Savior.
Our Savior has already paid the punishment we deserve.
THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST IS OUR BACKFIRE!!!
THE WORD OF GOD IS OUR BACKFIRE
I STAND ON THE WORD OF GOD
I STAND ON THE FIRE OF GOD’S WORD
THE WORD OF GOD
THE GOSPEL HAS BURNED OUT A PLACE OF SAFETY AMONG THE FLAMES OF THE LAW.
God has burned away our sins by placing them on his own Son and subjecting him to the flames of judgment.
Thank God We, who stand with Christ and in Christ and On Christ, stand in safety.
The fire of God’s wrath will pass by.
When Jesus comes again on the last day, it won’t be to consume or destroy, but to welcome us home into heaven!!!
I have nothing to boast in tonight except the Cross
I have no foundation on which to rest but the Hill called Golgotha
THE PLACE OF THE SKULL IS MY ABIDING PLACE
IT IS MY RESTING PLACE
ON CALVARY IS WHERE I STAND
ON CHRIST THE SOLID ROCK I STAND!!!
ALL OTHER GROUND IS SINKING SAND!!!
LISTEN TO THE BOOK
La 3:22 “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
Ne 9:31
Nevertheless for thy great mercies’ sake thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for thou art a gracious and merciful God.
Mal 3:6 “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.”
Ps 78:37 “For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.
But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.
For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.”
Ne 9:19-21
Yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness: the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to shew them light, and the way wherein they should go.
Thou gavest also thy good spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst.
Yea, forty years didst thou sustain them in the wilderness, so that they lacked nothing; their clothes waxed not old, and their feet swelled not.
THANK GOD FOR THE PROTECTION WE HAVE TONIGHT IN JESUS FROM THE CONSUMING FIRE OF GOD’S WRATH!!!
I. FIRE CONSUMES
II. FIRE CLARIFIES
Thy Word is Lamp (Candle or Torch) unto my feet and a Light unto my Path
Pr 6:23 “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:”
Ps 19:8
The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Light is nothing but Fire
THE SUN IS NOTHING BUT FIRE
STARS ARE BURNING HOT GASES
LIGHT IS FIRE AND FIRE IS LIGHT
THE FIRES OF THOSE LAMPS WERE USED TO LIGHT UP SOME THINGS IN THE WORD OF GOD
THE TABERNACLE -- Ex 25:37 – And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it.
You can’t approach the Presence of God without having his Word as a Foundation to Stand On
PRIVATE APARTMENTS -- Acts 20:8 “And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.”
CHARIOTS OF WAR – Na 2:3-4 “The shield of his mighty men is made red, the valiant men are in scarlet: the chariots shall be with flaming torches in the day of his preparation, and the fir trees shall be terribly shaken. The chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall justle one against another in the broad ways: they shall seem like torches, they shall run like the lightnings.”
We Better had keep the Word of God for the Battles that we face
MARRIAGE PROCESSIONS - Mt 25:1 “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.”
A Marriage must be built upon the Foundation of the Light of God’s Word
PLACED ON A STAND TO GIVE LIGHT TO ALL IN THE HOUSE - Mt 5:15 “Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.”
We need to give the Word of God it’s Proper place in our homes
We need to place the Lamp of God’s word in our lives so we
can find direction
So We Can Find the Right Pathway
So our Children will know the right way
Ps 27:11 Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because
of mine enemies.
Ps 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Ps 119:35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
Pr 2:8-9 “He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.
Pr 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
Ps 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Ps 25:4 Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.
Pr 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto
thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Jer 6:16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for
the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.
THANK GOD FOR THE LIGHT – THAT SHOWS THE WAY
THANK GOD FOR THE FIRE – THAT CLARIFIES MY PATHWAY
IN A WORLD OF CONFUSION
IN A WORLD OF MYSTERY AND UNCERTAINTY
I’M GLAD I’VE A BOOK THAT CLARIFIES MY PATHWAY
I’M GLAD I’VE GOT A ROAD MAP THAT I CAN TRUST
IT’S A COMPASS FOR THE TROUBLES SEA
IT’S A CHART FOR UNSAILED WATERS
IT’S A SCOPE THAT CAN REVEAL TO ME THE FUTURE
IT’S LIKE THE TWO BLACK BOYS THAT WERE BUDDIES
Their Senior Year – one of that Got Saved –
The Other didn’t
One went for Money & Wealth, Sin and Pleasures – FOUND IT – BECAME A LAWYER
The other gave his life to Jesus and served him in the church their in the town – Lived Poor – Was the town’s Street Lamp lighter
He would go in the evening and light all the fires – and then he would go back late in the night and put all of the lamps out!!!
Years Later – Class Reunion – Sinner Boy was bragging about all that he had done – All the Money he made – STARTED MAKING FUN
HE SAID – “WHAT HAS YOUR GOD GIVEN YOU?”
He said that’s funny you should ask
He said about 2 weeks ago I was pondering the same questions
I was working late one night – Putting out the Street Lights
And I was whining to God
I was complaining – God I’ve served you all these years
God I’ve been faithful to Wife and Kids
God I’ve been Faithful to my Church
AND LORD – I Don’t Have Nothing
He said about that time – God tapped me on the Shoulder and said turn
Around
I turned around – Nothing but Blackness where I had put out those lights
AND GOD SAID “SON – I Blotted out your past” that’s what I’ve done
And then God tapped me on the Other Shoulder and said Turn around
And down the street – there was a Light and another light and another light
AND GOD SAID SON – “I’ve been good to you”
Not only have I blotted out the sins of your past – BUT I’VE SUPPLIED THE LIGHT FOR YOUR FUTURE JOURNEY
The Old Rich Sinner said “that’s pretty Good” But What About when you get to the Last Lamp
AND THE OLD BLACK MAN SAID “Oh that’s Easy” He said “when I get to the Last Lamp IT’S ALWAYS MORNING!!!”
AREN’T YOU TONIGHT THAT JESUS HAS FORGIVEN OUR PAST
AREN”T YOU GLAD WE GOT HIS WORD AS A LIGHT IN OUR PATHWAY
BUT OH THANK GOD THIS LIGHT IS LEADING TO A BRIGHT TOMORROW!!
I. FIRE CONSUMES
II. FIRE CLARIFIES
III. FIRE CLEANSES
Fire has the Power of refining Impurities
Fire can burn that which is unclean out and leave that which is pure behind
Eph 5:25-27 “even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
In John 17 Jesus is praying in the Garden right before the Betrayal of Judas
And here are the words he prayed
Joh 17:14-17
I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Sancify – Means “Separate – Divide them – Set apart – Purify – Clean – Make
Holy – Make Blameless
THE WORD OF GOD IS WHAT PERFORMS THIS REFINING PROCESS
Joh 15:3 “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.”
MANY TIMES A CONTROLLED FIRE IS USED TO BURN OFF CERTAIN PARTS OF A PROPERTY TO MAKE IT USEFUL TO BEAR FRUIT
There are Many things in our life that we ought to allow the Word of God to Burn off so that New Growth can come forth
I. FIRE CONSUMES
II. FIRE CLARIFIES
III. FIRE CLEANSES
IV. FIRE CONVERTS
MELTS COLD BLOCKS OF ICE
THE WORD OF GOD CAN MELT THE COLDEST HEART
FIRE WILL CONVERT ANY MATERIAL THAT WILL YIELD TO IT
DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT CONVERTS IT INTO ITSELF
FIRE CONVERTS THINGS TO MORE FIRE
YOU CAN TELL WHEN SOMEONE HAS BEEN LIVING AFTER
THE FLESH – The Word of God is not flowing from them
Someone who has allowed the Fire to Burn in their Life – THEY
WON’T SPEAK OF THEMSELVES – THEY”LL SPEAK OF THE GOSPEL
FIRE TAKES IMPURITIES AND MAKE THEM JUST LIKE ITSELF
THE MORE YOU ALLOW THIS BOOK TO BURN IN YOUR LIFE – THE MORE YOU WILL BE LIKE THIS BOOK!!!
YOU CANNOT PICK UP THIS BOOK WITHOUT IT’S POWER
OVER TAKING YOUR LIFE
V. FIRE NEEDS TO BE CONTROLLED
One of the Most Dangerous Things I can think of is a fire that’s out of control!!!
If left unchecked a fire will consume everything in its path.
When I was Preaching on the Hammer – I used the Illustration that a Hammer in the Wrong Hands will be more Destructive than Constructive
I said “THIS BIBLE IS VERY POWERFUL – WE NEED TO BE VERY CAREFUL HOW WE USE IT”
The Same is the Case with the Illustration of Fire
FIRE CAN BECOME DESCTRUCTIVE IF NOT UNDER CONTROL
WHAT CONTROLS FIRE
THE WATER CONTROLS FIRE
WE NEED THE WATER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
THE DISCERNMENT OF THE SPIRIT
SO THAT WE MIGHT USE THIS BOOK TO EDIFY AND BUILD UP FAITH!!!
VI. FIRE IS CONSTRUCTIVE
Fire is a Profitable Element
Fire is a Necessity
Most Trades Cannot be followed without Fire
You and could not survive without Fire
NOW MODERN TECHNOLOGY HAS CHANGED THE FACE OF FIRE
BUT THE BASIC PRINCIPLE IS THE SAME
We have Harnessed the Great Power of Fire
In Light Bulbs
In Car Engines
In Furnaces
In Stove Tops
In Clothes Dryers, Hair Dryers, Curling Irons
In a innumerable amount of other things that we use daily
But the Foundation is the Same – A TINY FLAME
A TINY SPARK
When You go to turn the Ignition on your Car in just a little but – You are depending on Fire
IT IS A NECESSITY!!!
MANKIND NEEDS FIRE TO CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN OUR LIVES
MANKIND NEEDS THE WORD OF GOD TO MAINTAIN THE RIGHT
KIND OF LIVES
VII. FIRE IS COMFORTING
I remember when I was a Boy – Daddy and Andy and I would work out all day in the cold – Chopping wood to put food on the table
We would come Home – Mom would have Supper on the table
Country Ham - Fried Taters – Pinto Beans – Cat Head Biscuit and
After Supper We’d all go down Stairs to the Basement – Dad would have a Fire Built – MANY NIGHTS – ME AND ANDY WOULD TAKE OUR FEET AND STICK THEM RIGHT UP NEXT TO THAT OLD BLACK METAL SCREEN
That’s about as close to Heaven as Old boy could get after being out Working in the Cold all Day!!!
THANK GOD WHEN WE”VE BEEN OUT IN THIS WORLD
And the Cold Winds of Sin have Blasted against our Bodies
And the Cold Rains of Hatred, Bitterness, malice and resentment have
beat against faces
I’m Glad we can crawl up next to the Fire of God’s Word and be Comforted!!!
IS NOT MY WORD LIKE AS A FIRE? SAITH THE LORD
