re: Sermon Series Part 2
re:Fuel
Let’s Review-
Jan 2008 Pastor cast a vision for this church. Date with Destiny a year of New Beginnings
Last week we started our Re: Sermon series and we looked at re:Focusing
We learned that our spiritual vision /focus was blurred Psalm 6:7 NLT
We were taught that we need spiritual corrective lenses and those lenses are prayer: Matthew 6:6 "Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.
Peter was one of the characters we gleaned from last week
Keep your eyes on Jesus- stay on top
Lose your focus- sink in the sea of the problems
Ok, today its time to re:Fuel
Definition- re:fuel to supply again with fuel; to take on a fresh supply of fuel, provide with additional fuel.
re: meaning again
fuel: meaning combustible matter used to maintain a fire; food, an energy source that sustains or encourages; to obtain or replenish fuel
2 questions to start with:
1. Are you running on empty?
2. Is your lamp burning-out?
Let’s look at the first question ARE YOU RUNNING ON EMPTY?
February 22, 1985 during the Daytona 500 Race the $250,000 car driven by professional driver Donnie Allison was only on its third lap (of 200) when it rolled to a stop on the infield side of the track
What was the problem? In all the hustle and bustle of doing everything that had to be done to prepare the car for the race….somebody forgot to make sure there was fuel in the car. It was out of Gas…..trying to run on empty!
The skill of the driver and the the potential of the car were completely nullified….simply because somebody forgot to refuel the car!!!
Low Fuel Indicator Light….is yours on?
Are you trying to get to your date with destiny, with the finish line in full focus but there’s no fuel in the tank?
Here are some indications that the low fuel light may be on in your life
1. Your tank has leak in it- Brokenness potholes of life
2. Put the pedal to the medal too much- spend too much time racing around
3. Filled with the wrong octane/or type of fuel- designed to run on a relationship with God
4. Too much CITY driving- startin’ and soppin’
If your low fuel indicator light is on you need to be re:fueled
The disciples while Jesus was here- FUELED UP
- During crucifixion they came to a complete STOP
- After resurrection Jesus told them to get to the filling station- PIT STOP in Jerusalem
-They pulled in for 10 days in the Pit Stop to be re-fueled
Acts 2:1-4 and suddenly there tanks were filled up with the Holy Ghost
-Peter is going to be our example again this morning- he got re:fueled
-begins using that power/fuel
Vs. 13-41 Preaches and 3,000 get saved
Acts 3:1-10 Uses more fuel Lame man gets healed
Acts 4:8 Filled up again to address the Sanhedrin be a bold witness
Peter needs to be re:fueled?
Vs. 31- Peter is among the group that is filled again
From what I can see and understand Peter was filled up, re:fueled in Acts2:3, again in Acts 4:8 and the third time in Acts 4:31
These were fresh fillings/fueling for new assignments each time
New Levels New Devils
Yesterday’s anointing won’t do today
Fresh filling today to face today’s battles and challenges
Re:fuel for the
Battle Service Worship Calling
Are you running on empty?
2nd question- Is your lamp about to burn out? Are you facing burn-out?
In your relationships? Career?
Definition- re:fuel to supply again with fuel; to take on a fresh supply of fuel, provide with additional fuel.
re: meaning again
fuel: meaning combustible matter used to maintain a fire; food, an energy source that sustains or encourages; to obtain or replenish fuel
We are LIGHTS/LAMPS
Matthew 5:13-16 (MES) 13 "Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. 14 "Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. 15 If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. 16 Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand - shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
How do we keep our lamps lit?
There has to be fuel (OIL) in the lamp in order to light it and cause it to burn and produce LIGHT!
If we are Lights what is the fuel (OIL)? HOLY GHOST
1 Thess 5:19 (NIV) Don’t put out the Spirit’s fire….LIGHT
Romans 12:11 (Mes) Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master,
A Christian that is not re:fueled, replenished and recharged will burn out!!!
A burned out lamp will produce no light. Neither does a burned out Christian.
Signs your light is about to burn out:
1. Discouragement
2. Disconnection
3. Disillusioned
4. Discontent
If the signs are noticeable in your life, your lamp is beginning to flicker; it is about to burn out.
What do I do to keep from burning out? Good question glad you asked….
Re:fill or re:fuel the lamp!!! Pretty simple!
Here is the example I want to use
Matthew 25:1-13 (NLT) "The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 The five who were foolish took no oil for their lamps, 4 but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. 5 When the bridegroom was delayed, they all lay down and slept. 6 At midnight they were roused by the shout, ’Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and welcome him!’ 7 "All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. 8 Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ’Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the others replied, ’We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 "But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. 11 Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ’Sir, open the door for us!’ 12 But he called back, ’I don’t know you!’ 13 "So stay awake and be prepared, because you do not know the day or hour of my return.
If your lamp is burned out (if your light is not shining)
1. Prepare your lamp- trimmed your lamp, cut back the used up stuff. Get rid of the old
2. Re:fuel your lamp with fresh oil (be wise) always have some extra oil HG with you (2 Kings 4- He has a vast supply of oil)
Ephesians 5:18 NCV Do not be drunk with wine, which will ruin you, but be filled with the Spirit.
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