INTRODUCTION
There are many places in the Scripture where we see the Fire of God alluded to, falling, or demonstrated. Examples:
• Fire fell from heaven and destroyed Job’s flocks – Job 1:16 (This was a satanic attack)
• Sodom & Gomorrah – Genesis 19:24
• At least two times, we see fire-consuming companies of fifty soldiers who were after Elijah. – 2 Kings 1:10,12
• In the Great Tribulation, the “false prophet” will call fire down from heaven to deceive the people and motivate them to worship the Antichrist. – Revelation 13:13
• Fire speaks of Judgement, but there are two sides to judgment. (The good side and the wrong side)
I. THE SACRIFICE THAT DAVID OFFERED ON THE THRESHING FLOOR OF ORNAN THE JEBUSITE – I CHRONICLES 21:18-27
A. God forgave David’s sin in conducting a census and halting a plague in Israel. He was also choosing the place where the future temple would be built.
1. David received a word from the Lord from the prophet Gas (lineage of Jacob) to go up to Ornan, the Jebusite’s threshing floor, and build an altar unto the Lord.
Threshing floor – A place of separation.
Quit trying to salvage what God is removing.
B. David would not offer to the Lord that which cost him nothing.
1. 1 Chronicles 21:24 And king David said to Ornan, Nay; but I will verily buy it for the full price: for I will not take that which is thine for the LORD, nor offer burnt offerings without cost.
C. The Lord answered with fire upon the altar of burnt offerings.
1. 1 Chronicles 21:26 And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called upon the LORD; and he answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt offering.
II. THE SACRIFICE AT THE DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE, IN THE PRESENCE OF KING SOLOMON AND THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL – 2 CHRONICLES CHAPTER 5-7
A. 2 Chronicles 5 – The Ark was brought to the Temple.
1. The Priests and Levites (singers) were sanctified in the Holy Place.
2. The priests were overcome as worship was offered to God.
3. The glory of the Lord had filled the house!
B. 2 Chronicles 6 – Solomon blessed the people and prayed a Prayer of Dedication
C. 2 Chronicles 7 – The Fire and the Glory!
1. 2 Chronicles 7:1 Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house.
2. 2 Chronicles 7:2 – The glory was so strong the priests could not enter the house of the Lord BECAUSE THE GLORY OF THE LORD HAD FILLED THE HOUSE OF THE LORD!
3. 2 Chronicles 7:3 – The open manifestation of the fire of God upon His people elicits radical praise and worship to the Lord!
III. ELIJAH’S SACRIFICE ON MT. CARMEL, IN RESPONSE TO THE PROPHET’S SIMPLE PRAYER – I KINGS 18:20-39
A. God was shaming the prophets of Baal, whose god sent no fire, and claiming His rightful title as Lord God of Israel. (The children of Israel had been under the influence of an Ahab & Jezebel spirit)
1. The Ahab Spirit
a. Ahab ceded his power to his wife, acquiescing to her control and becoming passive.
b. The abdicating nature of Ahab empowers Jezebel. She resists and opposes true godly authority and desires to control and exercise power over everyone. She sets herself up against the “Elijahs” in particular. The “Elijah spirit” of the end times will stir up and expose both the passivity of Ahab and the control of Jezebel.
2. Jezebel Spirit
a. She resists and opposes true godly authority and desires to control and exercise power over everyone. She sets herself up against the “Elijahs” in particular.
b. The abdicating nature of Ahab empowers Jezebel.
c. The “Elijah spirit” of the end times will stir up and expose both the passivity of Ahab and the control of Jezebel.
3. Revival came to the nation when the fire fell from heaven and consumed the sacrifice.
CLOSING: THE DAY OF PENTECOST – THE FIRE FELL ACTS 2
ALTAR CALL: Break the spirits of Ahab & Jezebel off the people. Lead the cry, “Lord, Send the Fire!”
