A Church On Fire
Scripture Reading: 2 Chronicles 7:1-3
Scripture Text: Matthew 3:11
“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:”
Introduction:
“Many of us love an open fireplace. There is a therapy in the flickering light, the crackle of fire, the smell of burning wood, the direct heat of a cheerful flame. Most of us do not have such fireplaces, but God has always had His fireplaces. The burning bush, the brazen altar of the tabernacle, Mount Carmel, and His Pentecost people -- these are just a few of God’s fireplaces. The only fireplaces He has today in all the world are the hearts of His people....We are to be filled with the Holy Spirit. The fire of the Holy Spirit is to burn in the fireplaces of our own hearts.” (T.T. Crabtree, 1993, pg. 227).
“There is nothing more pathetic than a drowsy and lethargic church. When a church loses its ardor for Christ, it ceases to be an organism and becomes merely an organization. Lacking the spiritual strength to operate as a true church for God, ...(it) will rely more and more upon mechanics and machinery.” (Chas. W. Conn, 1966).
“Our God is a consuming fire.” (Heb. 12:29), and He desires to have, and will have a church that is “on fire” with His Divine Presence and Power.
Fire consumes -- burns out the sinful and unnecessary “stuff” in our lives.
Fire purifies -- makes us clean and holy before God.
Fire prepares (as in food) -- makes us tasteful and pleasant to each other.
Fire cheers -- when we are caught in the cold grip of despair and discouragement, He cheers us on to victory.
Fire softens -- the Holy Spirit softens the heart of the sinner and he repents.
Fire unites -- ( as in uniting different kinds of metals) the Holy Spirit brings unity to the people of God.
Fire empowers -- “Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.” (Acts 1:8).
“We fail to get up much steam in many of our endeavors because we do not have enough fire under the boilers.” (Crabtree)
I. A Church On Fire Will Fast And Pray.
A. It will see the need for and the value of earnestly seeking God with the whole heart.
1 Cor. 7:5 .... that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer;
1. Reward is promised.
Matthew 6:17-18 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;[18] That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
2. Examples.
a. Moses received the Ten Commandments (Ex. 34:28).
b. Elijah received direction from the Lord (1 Kgs. 19:8).
c. Hezekiah received healing for his body.
B. When we are on fire for God, we will respond to the needs of our day with prayer and fasting.
II. A Church On Fire Will Be Uncomfortable In The World.
A. Are we not comfortable when we can attend church services time and time again and never be very stirred by the preaching of God’s Word?
1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
B. The fire of God burning in the heart will burn away our desire for the things of this world.
2 Tim. 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
Ephes. 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
III. A Church On Fire Will Care For Souls.
A. Jesus wept over Jerusalem because He cared for their souls.
Matthew 23:37 [Living] "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones all those God sends to her! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me.
B. The early church was on fire and .....
Mark 16:20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
C. Martin Luther was on fire and started the Protestant movement.
D. 19th Century Christians were on fire and started the Church of God (1886).
Illustration: During the reign of Oliver Cromwell, the British government began to run low on silver for coins. Lord Cromwell sent his men on an investigation of the local cathedral to see if they could find any precious metal there.
After investigating, they reported, "The only silver we could find is in the statues of the saints
standing in the corners."
To which the radical soldier and statesman of England replied, "Good! We’ll melt down the saints and put them into circulation!"
Illustration: Rev. Loyola was a pastor and professor in Cuba. The Cuban government instructed him to either abandon his faith or quit teaching school. They gave him 15 days to decide. Rev. Loyola said, "I don’t need 15 days. I don’t need 15 minutes. I won’t be back to teach tomorrow."
Several days later, in the middle of the night, he was abducted and imprisoned in a Cuban concentration camp for over two years. In part because of his dedication to sharing the gospel with those around him, he was transferred 13 times to new concentration camps.
Finally, he was told by Castro’s government that he had 30 days to find two thousand dollars to take his family out of Cuba. Over the weekend, he and his wife prayed for guidance, writing to family and friends in other countries. Thirty days later, there was two thousand and ten dollars. So with ten dollars in his pocket, Rev. Loyola and his family were sent to Spain where he now joyfully exclaims that he is a missionary to Spain sent by Castro!"
IV. A Church On Fire Accomplishes Great Things For God.
Daniel 11:32 ...the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.
John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
1 Cor. 2:4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
Mark 16:17-18 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; [18] They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
A. The power of God is manifested in many ways to His glory.
1. Healings. 2. Gifts of the Spirit. 3. Miracles.
V. A Church On Fire Will Contend For All The Blessings Of God.
A. They will not be satisfied with powerless services.
B. They will not be satisfied with the “status quo”.
C. There will be an ongoing spirit of revival.
Conclusion:
Thou Christ of burning, cleansing flame,
Send the fire!
Thy blood-bought gift today we claim,
Send the fire!
Look down and see this waiting host,
Give us the promised Holy Ghost,
We want another Pentecost,
Send the fire!
2.
God of Elijah, hear our cry:
Send the fire!
To make us fit to live or die,
Send the fire!
To burn up every trace of sin,
To bring the light and glory in,
The revolution now begin,
Send the fire!
3.
’Tis fire we want, for fire we plead,
Send the fire!
The fire will meet our every need,
Send the fire!
For strength to ever do the right,
For grace to conquer in the fight.
For power to walk the world in white,
Send the fire!
4.
To make our weak hearts strong and brave,
Send the fire!
To live a dying world to save,
Send the fire!
O see us on thy altar lay
Our lives, our all, this very day,
To crown the offering now we pray,
Send the fire!
William Booth (1829-1912)
Oh Lord, Send The Fire!!
