Introduction:
A. This past week, our nation has watched in horror as parts of the city of Los Angeles were destroyed by wildfires.
1. As of the writing of this sermon on Thursday…25 people had died in the fires, 12,300 structures had been destroyed, and 100,000 people had been evacuated.
B. It is sad to acknowledge that destructive fires are not new to human existence.
1. The most famous fires in history include these four.
2. First, the fire that burned the great library of Alexandria, Egypt in 283 B.C.
3. Second, the great fire of London raced through the city in 1666 destroying 13,000 homes and leaving 100,000 people homeless.
4. Third, the great fire of New York City occurred in 1835 and leveled 17 city blocks and set ablaze the East River as turpentine leaked from storehouses into the river.
5. Fourth, the great Chicago Fire of 1871 that destroyed a third of the city, left 300 people dead, and over 90,000 homeless.
a. One of the songs we sing at our silly campfires at Camp Hunt is about the Great Chicago Fire and goes like this…
One dark night, while we were all in bed.
Miss O’Leary left the lantern in the shed.
And when the cow kicked it over, she winked her eye and said,
“It’ll be a hot time in the old town tonight. Fire, Fire, Fire.”
b. We sing it as a round and it is lots of fun.
6. But as funny as it is to sing the song, there is nothing funny about an out of control fire.
C. God describes His nature in Scripture using all kinds of physical imagery; including, mountains, thunder and lightning, and many other things.
1. In this series on the Holy Spirit, we have seen that the images of the dove and the wind have been employed to describe the Holy Spirit.
2. Today, we want to explore the image of fire and how the Holy Spirit is like fire.
3. The Bible describes God as “a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29), so it is not surprising that fire often appears as a symbol of God’s presence and work.
4. Let’s do a brief biblical survey of the times God employs fire as a representation of Himself.
I. Biblical Uses of Fire to Represent God
A. Our survey begins in Genesis 15 where God confirms His covenant promise to Abraham that he will have a son in his old age.
1. God tells Abraham to take some animals, cut them into two pieces, and place them on the ground opposite each other to form a path.
2. Then Abraham goes to sleep and God passes between the sacrificial pieces as a flaming torch.
3. This was an ancient sign of a covenant agreement – usually both participants in the covenant would walk between the animal pieces, but because God was the maker and controller of the covenant, He went between the animal pieces by Himself in the form of a torch.
B. The next time God reveals Himself as fire happens with Moses at the burning bush in Exodus 3.
1. Moses is drawn to the bush that is burning but is not being consumed and when he draws near, God speaks with him and commissions him to return to Egypt and set free God’s people.
C. After God worked through Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and bring them to Mt. Sinai, God made His covenant with them there.
1. Exodus 19:16-19 describes the event in this way: 16 On the third day, when morning came, there was thunder and lightning, a thick cloud on the mountain, and a very loud blast from a ram’s horn, so that all the people in the camp shuddered. 17 Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 18 Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke because the Lord came down on it in fire. Its smoke went up like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain shook violently. 19 As the sound of the ram’s horn grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him in the thunder.
2. All that must have been thrilling and terrifying at the same time.
D. Moving forward from there, the Israelites were led by a pillar of cloud during the day and by a pillar of fire by night. (Ex. 13:21)
1. It must have been both comforting and terrifying to see the pillar of fire hovering in the air above the tabernacle and then moving ahead of the procession when God decided to move.
2. For obvious reasons, fire was important for the Old Testament sacrifices that God required.
3. The fire on the altar of burnt offering was a divine gift that was originally lit by God Himself as fire came from the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. (Lev. 9:24)
E. Generations later, during the dedication of Solomon’s temple, the first sacrifice was accepted by fire from Heaven and thick smoke. (2 Chronicles 7:1-16)
1. A similar thing happened when Elijah confronted the priests of Baal in 1 Kings 18 and in that contest they were to call on their god and He would call on His God and the one who answered with fire from heaven was the true God.
a. As you will recall, the prophets of Baal worked all day and did all kinds of crazy things to get their god to send fire, but none came.
b. Elijah had them fill four pots with water and pour it over the wood on his altar before he called on God to send fire – if you want to start a fire, you don’t soak it with water!
c. Then Elijah called on the Lord and the Lord’s fire fell and consumed the burnt offering, the wood, the stones, and licked up the water that was in the trench.
F. At the very beginning of the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is associated with fire when John the Baptizer declares that he baptizes with water, but Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. (Mt. 3:11)
1. That prophesy was initiated and fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost when the disciples had obediently waited patiently in Jerusalem for the coming of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2)
2. The wind of the Spirit blew through the place they were meeting and tongues of fire separated and rested on each of the apostles and they were filled with the Holy Spirit.
II. Positive Effects of Fire
A. As you know, fire is a chemical reaction that releases energy in the form of light and heat.
1. If there is enough air, fuel, and heat, then the fire will keep burning and advancing.
2. And the same is true for the fire of the Holy Spirit.
3. If we allow the Spirit to do His work in us then the fire will advance and will not be put out; extinguished; quenched.
4. But the difference between an out of control wildfire and the work of the Holy Spirit, is that the fire of the Holy Spirit is never intended for our harm.
5. Many of the positive and good things that fire does can be listed as blessings of the Holy Spirit.
B. First of all, one of the positive uses of fire comes from the fact that fire is a purifying force.
1. Many of us have used a needle to remove a thorn or splinter from our finger, but before we use the needle, we purify it either with rubbing alcohol or putting the needle in the flame.
2. The alcohol or fire kills all the germs and makes it clean and pure.
3. The Holy Spirit is the ultimate purifier who lives in us and removes all our defilement.
4. I’m reminded of the scene in Isaiah 6, when Isaiah saw the Lord seated on His high and lofty throne with the angels surrounding the Lord.
a. Then Isaiah was humbled and feared for himself because of his sinfulness.
b. But then one of the angels flew to Isaiah carrying a glowing coal that he had taken from the altar of God.
c. The angel touched Isaiah’s lips with the burning coal and said that his iniquity was removed.
d. Then the Lord asked, “Who will I send? Who will go for us?”
e. Isaiah answered, “Here I am. Send me” and God said, “Go!”
5. Without the purifying and sanctifying work of the Spirit we would not be fit for God’s service.
C. The refining fire of the Spirit is not always pleasant and can come in the form of loss and discipline.
1. But the discipline of the Spirit and the pain and losses associated with the refining makes room for new growth and strength.
2. We see this in the practical results of forest fires.
3. The American Forest Foundation lists several benefits of forest fires, including these:
a. Fires clear dead trees, leaves, and competing vegetation from the forest floor so new plants can grow.
b. Fires remove weak or disease-ridden trees leaving more space for healthy trees.
c. Fires break down and return nutrients to the soil.
d. Fires keep tree stands thin and open allowing more sunlight in so trees stay healthier.
4. So, when a fire is managed and contained, it results in good for the forest.
5. Similarly, the Holy Spirit’s fire is designed to bring about better and more abundant fruit for the Lord.
6. God is pleased when we welcome and cooperate with the refining fire of the Spirit.
7. God encourages us to pray the prayer of Psalm 139:23-24: 23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way. (Ps. 139:23-24)
D. The key to victory over sin and spiritual cleansing is the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.
1. 1 Corinthians 6 contains a catalog of sins and sinful lifestyles that many of the Corinthians had previously been engaged in, but then they turned to Christ and were washed, justified and sanctified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
2. We cannot win the battle against sin and self on our own, but through the power of the Holy Spirit we can.
3. Our old sinful ways can be a thing of the past (“that is what you were”) and our new walk with Christ in the Spirit, although not a perfect and sinless walk, can be one where we are moving toward righteousness and holiness.
4. Romans chapters 7 and 8 are interesting contrasts between two ways of dealing with sin.
a. Chapter 7 is the Old Law, old covenant approach and chapter 8 is the New Covenant, Holy Spirit approach.
b. Chapter 7 is all about defeat and Chapter 8 is all about victory.
c. What makes the difference?
d. In chapter 7, the pronoun “I” occurs 27 times and the Holy Spirit is mentioned once.
e. In chapter 8, the pronoun “I” appears only twice and references to the Holy Spirit appear 22 times.
f. The obvious conclusion is that victory over sin doesn’t come from relying on ourselves, but comes from relying on the Holy Spirit.
5. The fire of the Holy Spirit refines, purifies and sanctifies us.
E. Second, fire is a melting force.
1. Fire melts things that are frozen and the fire of the Spirit can do the same.
2. Without the work of the Spirit in our lives, our hearts become cold and hardened.
3. We need to welcome and cooperate with the Spirit to soften and thaw out our resistant hearts.
4. As the Spirit produces His fruit in us, our old ways, prejudices and insensitivities melt away.
5. Like the Grinch Who Stole Christmas, our heart grows 3 sizes, or 4, or 10.
6. God’s heart is so big and so tender, and we want our heart to be like His!
7. The fire of the Spirit convicts and tenderizes our hearts.
F. Third, fire is an energizing force – fire is the source of power and energy.
1. Fire ignites, combusts and moves things.
2. Picture the combustion engine or the coal-burning powerplant and how those fires result in power – power to move your car down the road and power to bring light and life to the world.
3. The Holy Spirit brings power to make us and to move us.
4. God doesn’t want us to just do our best, rather He wants us to employ His power.
a. God doesn’t want us to try our hardest and then turn to Him if we need help.
b. God wants us to start by turning to Him and depending on Him before we do anything else.
5. The greatest force in the universe is in us and will work in us and through us if we give Him permission and follow His lead.
a. Paul wrote: I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. (Phil. 4:13)
b. Paul wrote: I labor…striving with his strength that works powerfully in me. (Col. 1:29)
c. Paul prayed this for the Christians at Ephesus: I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know… what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the mighty working of his strength. (Eph. 1:19)
6. I pray that all of us will know the immeasurable greatness of the Spirit’s power in us.
7. The fire of the Spirit gives us power, passion, zeal and perseverance.
G. Fourth, fire is a protecting force.
1. Fire is a protective element – think about the way the lion tamer can keep the lion or tiger away with a burning torch.
2. I’m told that shepherds would sometimes surround their folds at night with a wall of fire to keep the wild beasts from the sheep.
3. In Zechariah 2:5, God says of Himself: “I myself will be a wall of fire around it, and I will be the glory within it.”
a. God was speaking about Jerusalem, but I think God would say the same thing about all His people.
4. God the Holy Spirit is the fire within us and around us.
5. The fire of the Holy Spirit deflects the attacks of the evil one and deflects the temptations sent our way.
6. God loves us and does not leave us unguarded.
7. The fire of the Holy Spirit is a protective force.
Conclusion:
A. And so, the fire of the Holy Spirit is a purifying force, a melting force, an energizing force, and a protective force, but the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives can be hindered.
1. Paul gave this command to the Thessalonian Christians: Don’t stifle the Spirit. (1 Thess. 5:19)
2. Other translations translate that verse as:
a. Do not quench the Spirit (NIV, ESV, NASB, NKJV)
b. Do not extinguish the Spirit (Berean Standard, NET Bible)
c. Do not put out the Spirit’s fire (God’s Word, International Standard Version)
3. The last thing any of us should want to do is stifle, quench or extinguish the Spirit’s fire in us.
a. How might we do that? By ignoring the Spirit. By disobeying the Spirit. By suffocating the Spirit with sin and worldliness and rebellion.
B. So, what should we do if the fire of the Spirit is hindered or begins to flicker within us?
1. Obviously, we can turn to God in repentance and confession and ask for God’s help.
2. But additionally, one of the most helpful things we can do when the Spirit’s fire begins to flicker is spend time with other Christians who are on fire in the Spirit.
3. There’s an old story that has appeared in many forms and is a helpful illustration.
4. In her book about the Holy Spirit, Anne Graham Lotz tells about a young man who returned from college and stopped for a visit at the home of his minister.
a. They chatted about the young man’s life at college, his new friends and classes.
b. The minister asked the student if he had found a church to attend while at college.
c. “No sir,” the young man answered, “I don’t feel the need to go to church anymore. My faith is strong enough without it, and with my studies and activities I just can’t find the time.”
d. The minister said nothing, but reached over, pulled a log from the fire, and left it on the hearth.
e. The minister leaned back in his chair, folded his hands and remained silent.
f. After a few minutes, the student assumed the minister had dozed off and so he stood to quietly leave.
g. “Did you think I had fallen asleep?” asked the older minister.
h. “I wasn’t’ asleep, I was just watching that log I pulled out of the fire. Did you notice that when it was in the fire with the other logs, it burned brightly? But now that I’ve removed it, the fire has gone out. Young man, you are like that log. If you expect your faith to stay on fire, you need to be in fellowship with other believers.”
5. The people of God are far from perfect and yet we are the “campfire” God uses to keep our fires going.
a. Heb. 10:24-25 reminds us that we must not neglect meeting together, but must encourage one another and spur one another on towards love and good deeds.
C. Praise God that the Holy Spirit is a fire that purifies us, energizes us, melts us, and protects us.
1. I pray that all of us will yield to the work of the Spirit and will submit to the Spirit’s work.
2. I pray that none of us will stifle, quench, or extinguish the work of the Spirit.
3. I pray that all of us will stay close to God and to God’s people.
4. I pray that we will not make the mistake of thinking that we don’t need to be together for worship or fellowship – for without worshiping and fellowshipping our fire will go out and our protection will disappear.
5. But if we stay in step with the Spirit and in fellowship with God’s people, then the Spirit’s fire in us will burn brightly and strongly.
6. Shine Jesus shine, blaze Spirit blaze.
Resources:
Help Is Here, Max Lucado, Thomas Nelson, 2022
How is the Holy Spirit like a Fire? Got Questions.com
How is the Holy Spirit Like Fire? Britt Mooney, www.christianity.com.
